MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Davies stands up for Britain on mines

COUNCILLOR Richard Davies has responded to criticism from the international Campaign to Ban Landmines of Britain's “failure” to clear mines in the Islands.

In his speech to the motion for adjournment last week he commented, "We here in the Falklands know Britain does take the issue of mines very seriously indeed and this is evidenced by the excellent work of Explosive Ordnance Disposal in maintaining our minefields and the fact no civil- an has been killed."

Councillor Davies said working towards mine clearance will take time, "...and that's not helped by the special conditions of our geology and the fact we have to negotiate with our neighbours over the question of the feasibility study.

After five years of negotiation, it appears that will go ahead this year."

He said the position of the Falklands Islands remains the same: "There is no pressure from us on Britain to clear the mines, we can live with them and we know the clearance costs will be expensive." Penguin News