The Swiss government will assist Vietnam in removing post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the years to come, according to Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, deputy defense minister of Vietnam. Mr. Vinh released the information at a meeting with representatives from the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs and Department of Defense during his visit to the European country on Oct 15-17. The Swiss side is willingly to help Vietnam conduct researches, build database and improve communications in dealing with such wartime explosives, Mr. Vinh said. He added that Switzerland will also encourage international organizations to support Vietnam in the issue. The German government has also pledged its further support for Vietnam to overcome consequences of wartime bombs and mines. Early 2013, Germany planned to grant $1.3 million to the UXOs in Central Vietnam. 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 21 p1)
