The U.S. Army has joined a two-week training course to help Vietnamese troops safely remove post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances (UXOs) as well as provide emergency aid to victims hurt by UXOs. The course, as part of the cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Cooperation Office of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam to remove UXOs, was co-held by the Arm and the Permanent Office of the National Steering Committee for Mine Action Program to deal with UXOs in 2010-2025. Under the course, which took place on July 1-12, 13 U.S. instructors from the Humanitarian Mine Action, Pacific Command and U.S. Army have instructed 64 Vietnamese trainees. The training focused on three main contents, namely raising people’s awareness on wartime UXOs; safe deactivation, transportation and destruction; and how to prevent injuries and rescue the injured. Addressing the closing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David Shear handed over to the Vietnamese side the latest database relating to the U.S. army and allied forces’ bombings in 1960-1970 in the Vietnam War. This database would enable both sides to deal with post-war UXO consequences more wisely and effectively. The ambassador highlighted that the success of this course, technological exchanges and bilateral cooperation on dealing with post-war UXOs have actively contributed to promoting the relationship between Vietnam and the U.S. The U.S. has been helping Vietnam in addressing the issue of unexploded bombs and mines since 1989. Last year, the U.S. has funded over $4 million for bomb and mine clearance programs in Vietnam. Thousands of unexploded bombs and grenades are still buried in the ground across Vietnam. Since the Vietnam War ended in 1975, more than 40,000 people have died of the leftover explosives. (http://giaoduc.net.vn [1] July 14, Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army July 13)
