Friday, Dec 14, 2001
'Clearing mines will cost $500 m.'
TOKYO, DEC. 13. Clearing Afghanistan of old land-mines would cost more than $500 millions, and the problem is now bigger since the recent U.S.-led bombings are leaving many explosives dormant, members of an international conference said today. Participants of a three-day conference on rebuilding the war-torn country called on the international community to commit more funding to mine-clearing activities in Afghanistan over the next three to five years. They estimated that at current funding levels, clearing key parts of Afghanistan of mines would take seven to 10 years. The conference, held in Tokyo, included representatives of 27 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Afghanistan, their Japanese counterparts, U.N. agencies, as well as representatives from the Japanese and other governments. The United Nations estimates five to 10 million land- mines litter the country, one of the world's most heavily mined, killing or maiming 10 every day. Most were placed by Soviet forces during their decade-long occupation of Afghanistan which ended in 1989. ``Based on more than a decade of practical experience, it is roughly estimated that elimination of the land-mine problem in Afghanistan would cost $500-600 million,'' the groups said in a statement. On top of that, experts estimate that 10 to 30 per cent of bomblets dropped by the U.S. forces fail to detonate on impact and either sink into the ground or lie on the surface, effectively becoming land-mines, the groups said. - Reuters
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