MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
On the occasion of the first meeting in Maputo of signatories to the Ottawa Convention banning landmines, I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide additional support for the clearing of landmines in Mozambique.
The continued presence of landmines in Mozambique poses a very real obstacle to the rehabilitation of the country's economy and infrastructure. Mines have been deployed in an indiscriminate manner and few accurate records were kept of their location.
Australia has been supporting the Accelerated Demining Program (ADP) run by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Mozambique since 1995.
To date, most mine clearing has focused on the clearance of 'mine rings' - large, clearly defined defensive minefields surrounding important infrastructure that required protection during the conflict in Mozambique. Many of these rings in the ADP's area of operations have been cleared. However, many less well-defined minefields remain to be identified and cleared.
Australia's contribution to clearing landmines in Mozambique will help fund the cost of an additional 8 dogs and mechanical mine clearance devices for the program, as well as allowing the UNDP to purchase 20 Australian-made mine detection units for mine clearance work.
The mine detectors, made by Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd, have been developed to detect mines in soils with a high magnetic content. These detectors will improve the overall capability and effectiveness of the demining program.
Australia will provide up to $1.2 million for these activities. In addition to our financial support for clearing landmines, we are also providing expertise in the form of two Australian Defence Force personnel who are working as technical advisors.
This support is part of the Australian Government's commitment of $100 million for demining activities between 1995 and 2005.
Note for TV: AusAID can supply recent, high-quality footage of landmine clearing activities in Mozambique. Please contact Matt Francis on (02) 6206 4960.
Media contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's Office) - 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Matt Francis (AusAID) - (02) 6206 4960 or 0417 683 126