Vietnam Proposes to Set up Expert Group for Wartime Bomb, Mine Clearance

Vietnam is considering setting up a group of experts to overcome the consequences of wartime bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in a move to mitigate possible damages.  The Vietnamese delegation made the proposal at the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) in Brunei on April 2. The initiative will help not only Vietnam but also other regional countries, which are facing great threats of potential explosives, highlighted Deputy Defense Minister, Senior Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh. The initiative won support from delegates, who said that it will contribute to enhancing cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and bringing practical interests to people in the region. As one of the ADMM Plus member countries supporting Vietnam’s initiative, India said that it is willing to work with Vietnam to co-chair the group after the initiative is approved by defense ministers of the ADMM Plus. Thousands of unexploded bombs and grenades are still buried in the ground across Vietnam with 20% of UXO-contaminated areas of the country. Since the Vietnam War ended in 1975, more than 40,000 people have died of the leftover explosives. The country needs more than $10 billion and 300 years to remove war-time bombs and mines, said a representative of the Technology Centre for Bomb and Mine Disposal. (An Ninh Thu Do – Capital Security April 4 p17, vietnamplus.vn April 3)