De-Mining in Lebanon - Beginning With the South
- International Workshop
- posted Friday, June 01, 2001
 The Government of Lebanon and the United Nations recently organized an international high-level workshop for “De-mining in Lebanon: Beginning with the South.”
Representatives of more than 20 countries attended, a clear sign they recognize the problem of landmines is far too big for Lebanon to handle on its own. The highlight of the workshop was the unannounced visit by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and the official declaration on May 21st of the United Arab Emirate’s US$ 50 million donation to boost the de-mining campaign. This workshop highlighted the fact that the 15,000 remaining minefields are preventing both the Lebanese government and potential investors from proceeding with development projects in the liberated areas of South Lebanon. Jean-Marie Guehenno, United Nations Under-Secretary for Peacekeeping Operations went further, “this threat (landmines) is retarding the chances for the social and economic revitalization of the South and restricting many opportunities that access to those areas, currently untouchable, would provide. United States Ambassador David Satterfield announced USAID would be initiating a US$ 2 million project in Jezzine entitled “Expanding Economic Opportunities for Survivors of Landmines.”
This commitment was welcomed given the decision by US Congress to suspend US$ 35 million in aid to Lebanon. Locally, Washington’s move is seen as a result of continuing conflict in lands adjacent to the disputed Shebaa Farms. |
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Landmine Survivors Network
Mine Action Programmes from a Development–Oriented Point of View (pdf format, 12 pages) |
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