The German government will continue assisting Vietnam in removing bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war in the years to come, said a German government official. Ina Lepel, deputy director general for Global Affairs under German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a meeting on Oct 14 with Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, deputy defense minister during his visit to the European country. Under the scheme, the German side is expected to help Vietnam transfer technology and train cadres and exchange experience in removing such wartime explosives, Mr. Vinh said. Early this year, Germany pledged to provide Vietnam with $1.3 million to clean up bombs and mines in the three central provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh. Since 1998, the German Foreign Office has provided $13.7 million for bomb and mine clearance projects in the central region. It is estimated that as many as 30% of the bombs remain unexploded in Vietnam, equivalent to 800,000 tons. Such UXOs have killed more than 40,000 people since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan –People’s Army Oct 16 p5)
