MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Antipersonnel mines in north Chile eliminated

Chile finished this Monday the destruction of 59,192 antipersonnel mines that were stored in the north of the country, --close to the Bolivian border--, in compliance with the country's commitments to the Ottawa Convention.

Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet was present at the ceremony in the northern town of Santa Cruz de Calama that advanced Chile's mine destruction calendar by two years.

"We're very satisfied with the humanitarian commitment of Chile's Armed Forces and from now on all efforts will be concentrated in the destruction of all other mines planted in the rest of the country", said Minister Bachelet.

"This is a further gesture of our Defence transparency policy towards our neighbours", added the Minister who added that the government will offer humanitarian assistance to all victims and their families, of accidents with these dreadful explosives.

Ms. Bachelet revealed that Chile still has 123,668 antipersonnel mines, "planted or retained", and that next month sweeping operations will begin in the proximity of the city of San Antonio in the north of the country.

"This is particularly significant since some of these minefields are close to urban areas of San Antonio", said Minister Bachelet.

To highlight the importance of the event the Minister was accompanied by Chile's Army Commander in Chief, other members of the Joint Chief of Staff, the Bolivian consul and a group of members of Congress.