5050 Antipersonnel Landmines Destroyed [Archives:2000/44/Reportage]

In a press conference held on October 23in Aden, and attended by the US ambassador Bodine and Aden governor Taha Ahmad, Mr. Mutaher Saaidi, Demining National Committee chairman, asserted the concurrence of the Yemeni Republic to augment  the demining program. He pointed out the developing awareness programs launched to make the people aware of the dangers of landmines. He also highly appreciated donor countries assistance and help in this regard to clear mines, re-habilitate those who were hit by these mines so as to integrate them in the society.
US ambassador Bodine highly lauded in her address the positive role played by the demining program which was an example of the level of Yemen-American cooperation. She pointed out that the program was one of the most successful international programs which was attributed to the Yemeni governments interest and understanding of the importance of this issue. She assured the US support to the Yemeni governments efforts in the demining, thanking to those working in the demining unit for whatever they have provided to the victims of the USS destroyer in Aden. 
During the conference, a variety of issues like dangers of mines, explosive bombs, how to defuse them, help those affected, treat and re-habilitate them were addressed. The International Demining Program Report 2000 was also reviewed indicating Yemens endorsement of the Ottawa agreement since its ratification in 1998. The report indicated that the program cleared 5050 antipersonnel mines in February, 2000. Speeches delivered highly appreciated donor countries support including US, Norway, Japan, Canada, German, Switzerland, Poland and the Swedish Organization Radaa Barnen. 
Ms. Christina Nelke, Radaa Barnen regional advisor, gavea speech about the landmine Monitor report for 2000. She pointed that the International Campaign to ban Mines has issued a 1110-page-book titled Landmine Monitor Report 2000: Toward a Mine-Free World. 
The book contains reports about situation of landmines all over the world. It contains information about every country in the world pertaining to use, manufacture, trade, store of mines. The report was collected by a net consisting  of 95 researchers and NGOs in 115 countries. The report revealed that there was an increase in the number of countries endorsing this treaty and applying these programs. It showed lot countries carried out this treaty and 137 countries signed it. There was also a sharp decrease in the number of countries manufacturing landmines from 54 to 16 and that 22 million antipersonnel landmines have been destroyed in more than 50 countries during the past few years. 
The book has also included major developments in Yemen since March when the Demining Unit started its first operation in a village where it cleared a field full of landmines in December 1999. 5050 antipersonnel landmines were destroyed out of 79 thousand. 
In its Monitoring landmines report 2000, the Demining National Committee indicated that 42 thousand mines were destroyed involving 64 mine fields in the Republic after war of 1994. 
The report indicated clearing of 48 thousand mines from April 1995 and 20 thousand mines before that in Aden, Lahj and Abyan. It also revealed that 15 anti-tanks mines were cleared during 1994-1997. During this period these mines killed 360 camels in different areas of the desert. Besides, 12 persons were killed from the Demining team in a tragic accident in Hadramout. The report also indicated that 180 Yemeni employees were trained by the US Military Forces, who were under the command of the US naval commander in the Humanitarian Demining Program.


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