Problem of landmines

120 MILLION LANDMINES DEPLOYED WORLDWIDE & 151; Fact or Fiction?: Ilaria Bottigliero; Foundation Pro Victimis Geneve. An Imprint of Pen & Sword Books Ltd., 47, Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S702 A.S. Price not mentioned.

SPONSORED BY a trust based in Geneva (Pro Victimis Foundation) this small booklet traces the genesis of landmines planted all over the planet, which has assumed critical factor affecting humanity.

While the United Nations has quoted a figure of 120 million land mines that have been planted by warring factions all over the earth the Trust has questioned the validity of the figures and the time frame required for clearing all these mines.

The members of the Trust visited many affected countries and physically surveyed some of the affected zones. They have extrapolated the statistical data to arrive at different figures. Consequently, the time frame and the financial resources needed to clear the land mines have been critically analysed.

This booklet explores the magnitude of the problem and the intensity of the efforts that are needed to clear the mines physically with the help of U.N. agencies and other donor organisations.

Its recommendations would help many countries and NGOs who are keen to help in achieving the task of mine clearance in a number of countries in the continents of Africa, South America, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Brig. A. THYAGARAJAN (Retd.)

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