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Tirana, 16 March 2008 – AENews – 15.30 – Explosions continued for twenty hours in the village of Gerdec, some 20 km east of Tirana, while the government continues to report about new victims and damages.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha spoke for five new victims discovered today raising the total number of deaths to nine. Six of the victims were employees working for dismantling of military outdated explosives and ammunitions. Government said also that 120 houses were completely destroyed while several hundreds were damaged.

 

No one held responsible
Survivors and the general public are now asking to know who was ultimately responsible for this grave tragedy.  At his fourth press conference within the last 24 hours, Prime Minister Berisha said that an investigation was undergoing, but cleared the Minister of Defense Mr. Fatmir Mehdiu of any direct responsibility.

 

A local television, NEWS 24, reported today that a U.S. company the South Carolina-based Southern Ammunition Co. Inc, or SACI, contracted for dismantling of ammunitions in Albania, had refused any responsibility. According to a SACI official interviewed by NEWS 24, the U.S. Company had closed all its activities in Albania back in December 2007. Mr. Berisha denied, saying that this was not true. “The owner of the company came from his county to sign a new agreement in Albania”, – said he.

 

The Minister of Defense, Mr. Mehdiu has not yet answered any questions by journalists.

Dismantling of military ammunition is a big business in Albania. Privately owned companies compete for dismantling rights. All explosive’s remains and scrap reserves are sold for extra profit away from public scrutiny. Prime Minister Berisha promised to make public all current contracts for dismantling of army munitions.