14 February 2000

Text: U.S. Donates Protective Demining Gear to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The United States announced February 14 that it has given $110,000 worth of protective boots and overshoes to three non-governmental humanitarian organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to aid them in their demining activities.

According to a State Department press release, U.S. demining assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina has totaled $41.2 million since 1996.

Following is the text of the release:

U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
Office of the Spokesman
Media Note
February 14, 2000

U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Thomas Miller has given $110,000 worth of protective equipment to three of Bosnia and Herzegovina's non-governmental humanitarian demining organizations in order to aid them in their mine clearing activities.

The gear consists of anti-landmine protective boots and protective overshoes to be worn by Bosnia and Herzegovina humanitarian deminers during the hazardous process of clearing landmines. The gear was donated to "BH Demining" and "Pro-Vita" from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and "Stop Mines" from the Republika Srpska entity. This donation will contribute to the implementation of Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Accords regarding the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes.

The United States has provided a total of $41.2 million in demining assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1996; over $15 million was provided in FY 99 [Fiscal Year 1999].

The State Department's portion of U.S. demining aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina is administered by the Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs (HDP) within the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. HDP manages humanitarian demining support to more than 30 countries on five continents, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Kosovo and Northwest Somalia. Additional countries are under consideration for U.S. government humanitarian demining assistance.

Bosnia and Herzegovina also participates in the United Nations Association of the United States of America's Adopt-A-Minefield(tm) program, in partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the President and Secretary of State for Global Humanitarian Demining (GHD), located at the State Department. GHD is active in the drive to rid the world by the year 2010 of anti-personnel landmines and unexploded ordnance that threaten civilians and their countries' stability.

For more information about HDP's programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina or elsewhere in the world, contact Matt Murphy at (202) 647-4350. For more information about GHD and the Demining 2010 Initiative, contact John Stevens at (202) 647-0676.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)