Page Updated: 31-May-2007
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Taking Stock in Armenia

Networking Infrastructure Grant - NIG 982575

Period 2006-2008 Co-Directors Dr. David Diamond NY, USA diamond@bnl.gov Prof. Samuel Apikyan Yerevan, Armenia apikyan@astec.am

The aim of this Networking Infrastructure Grant is to assist Armenia in improving its systems of inspection and safety standards concerning the transfer of dangerous materials.

After the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia and other former soviet republics inherited the world’s largest arsenal of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials.

The most serious threat arising from this situation is the possible transfer of CBRN materials to terrorist organisations, due mainly to the lack of security systems, accounting systems and controls for export of technology, materials and missile programmes.

The end of Soviet Union control in Armenia led to the breakdown of its infrastructures, chaos and the eventual collapse of its economy. This was also the case for former Soviet republics. The economic problems facing Armenia since 1991 have evidently affected its research centres and laboratories, causing disruption and as a result it has been impossible to implement international or national inspections and control of CBRN materials.

Armenia is currently working to improve its systems of inspections and safety standards, however much work remains to be done to meet international standards. In order to assist the Armenian authorities, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme has approved a Networking Integration Grant (NIG) to create a networking infrastructure among Armenian laboratories previously engaged in military projects, and international organisations.

This NIG with a budget of 162 000 euros, demonstrates the cooperation between NATO and Armenia and underlines the Alliance’s commitment to helping its Partner countries achieve their security objectives, leading to enhanced safety and stability in the southern Caucasus region.

This NIG consists of 3 key projects:

1. Formation of Research Environment and Infrastructure (REI) in Armenia

The main results of this REI project will be:

• formation of expert teams that will be focused on critical needs to counter terrorism inside Armenia and its neighbouring regions;
• to facilitate productive interaction (online collaborative efforts and virtual conferencing) among team members located at different geographic locations.

2. Development of a computerised system for monitoring, accounting and control systems for CBRN materials in Armenia

The main results of this project will be:

• a computerised system that will enable fast and effective control and supervision of CBRN materials;
• computer access for personnel who will perform administrative, supervisory and other functions relating to CBRN materials;
• accountability of CBRN materials and facilities to the government of Armenia;
• a basis for the inspection of national and regional control programmes of CBRN materials.

3. Creation of an International and Regional Information Sharing System (IRIS) in Armenia

The main results of this project will be:

• the timely sharing of terrorism-related information among members of the international and regional law enforcement community;
• use of proven technology to assist law enforcement in identifying and analysing terrorist and other criminal activity and to spread the information to law enforcement agencies in a secure and efficient manner;
• provide scientists, engineers and policy-makers with state-of-the-art information sources and extensive databases.

The successful completion of these projects within the framework of the NIG in Armenia will enable the authorities to monitor, account for and control CBRN materials. The new IRIS infrastructure will enhance the exchange of information and in follow-up phases it will better define the needs and requirements to manage these materials and to the disposal of materials containing CBRN components in Armenia.

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