ARMENIA MARKS INTERNATIONAL MINE AWARENESS DAY
Mediamax news agency
4 Apr 06
Yerevan, 4 April: Armenia today marked the International Day for Mine
Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action for the first time.
The Armenian government and the UN Development Programme presented
their first report about the influence of land mines in Yerevan today.
Armenian Deputy Minister for Territorial Administration Vache Terteryan
said that the report had been prepared within the framework of the
Humanitarian Mine Action Programme financed by the European Union
and the Armenian Defence Ministry.
Vache Terteryan said that the national mine action strategy will be
presented to the public by the end of 2006.
The coordinator of the UN office in Yerevan and permanent
representative of the UN Development Programme in Armenia, Consuelo
Vidal, said today that 102 areas covering 320 sq.km and representing
potential mine hazards have been found in Tavush, Gegharkunik, Ararat,
Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions. On the whole, 69,000 people are living
close to land mines and unexploded munitions in Armenia.