BRITISH “HALO TRUST” TO CONTINUE MINE CLEARING IN KARABAKH

“The HALO Trust” British humanitarian organization, engaged in mine clearing in post-conflict zones, intends to continue its activities in Nagorno Karabakh in 2004 – until the problem of unexploded mines and missiles is fully solved. As reported by Arminfo agency, within 2003 the organization registered 18 cases of population injuries on mines and ammunition. As a result 21 people suffered, 9 of whom died, 12 (two of them being children) got injuries of various degrees of heaviness. Due to the fact that during the conflict most of the mined territories were not registered or marked on a map, the precise number of mines and the total area of the mine-strewn territories remains unknown. Since 2000 to 2003 the organization has examined 470 lots, searching for mines. Some 4600 hectares of agricultural and industrial lands were cleared from unexploded shells. 2200 antipersonnel and 1000 antitank mines, 23000 unexploded shells, over 75000 small-bore ammunition were neutralized in the course of the works. “The HALO Trust” representatives suppose that if the current rate of mine clearing is preserved, the Nagorno Karabakh territory will become mine-free in 7 years.