MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Anglo -Argentina De-Mining Study
At their London meeting, the British and Argentine Foreign Ministers agreed in principle that their two Governments should “exchange notes” on carrying out a “de-mining feasibility study in the Falkland Islands”.
Nearly 20 years after the 1982 Falklands conflict, there are still more than 16,000 Argentine mines uncleared on beaches and grazing land, in minefields cordoned off with barbed wire marked with danger signs.
The Falkland Islands have an excellent safety record in controlling the minefields and protecting the public. Since 1982 specialist Royal Engineer bomb disposal experts have kept surveillance and given advice to the public on the dangers of explosive devices. Several thousand mines were removed immediately after the conflict, but this work was halted after two mines disposal officers had limbs blown off.
It is a complex challenge, as the search for effective methods of detection and removal continues. There is also a political dimension involving sovereignty because the international Ottawa Agreement requires the "Sovereign" nation to get rid of the mines.
Argentina has offered to pay for mines clearance, and the Argentine Foreign Minister, Dr Giavarini, told a London news conference that an Argentine would be in charge of the budget for mines clearance.
The news conference was dominated by journalists' questions about Argentina's economic crisis and its effect on Mercosur.
Dr Giavarini briefly mentioned the plans for an Argentine memorial to their dead in the 1982 Falklands Conflict buried at Darwin, which he suggested would be speeded up. But the project is subject Falklands Government planning permission.
Harold Briley, London
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