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LTTE assures it will not re-lay mines in Jaffna

The LTTE has assured that it will not disturb the mine action project, undertaken by the United Nations Development Programme in Jaffna and also given an undertaking that it will not re-lay mines in the peninsula once all mines are cleared.

This was disclosed by UNDP's resident representative Peter Witham during a press conference when he clarified that its demining programme has not been delayed because of any difference with the government.

He said discussion with the government on the nature and composition of local survey teams for the mine action programme is underway. "We expect to have further information about the teams within the next two weeks.''

He made it clear that the discussions with the government have not in any way delayed the implementation of the programme because the work for which the teams are required is not yet scheduled to start.

He also said the chief of the UNDP's global mining action programme will be shortly visiting Colombo to have discussions with the representatives here as well the govenrment.

The UNDP representative said the main objective of the mining programme was to certify the land as being free from mine contamination in order to allow the resettlement of returnees to the Jaffna peninsula and their consequent resumption of an economically productive lifestyle.

The UNDP has undertaken similar de-mining programmes in Bosnia and Laos. With UNDP assistance all over the world, it is aimed at building up the capacity to remove mines to alleviate the humanitarian cost of the casualties among non-combatants in the peninsula.

He said the mining programme would cost around five million dollars and would be completed in about two a and half years. Some 0.5 million dollars had already been spent for acquiring vehicles, communication equipment and establishing centres, he said.

Approximately 10 to 12 per cent of the land area of the Jaffna peninsula is suspected to be mined. The actual mined area is probably more and it was because of this the people are reluctant to use one-tenth of the land because it is believed to be mined. At the same time, 90 per cent of the land that is currently believed to be mined is in fact mine-free and people could return to their area, he added.

UNI

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