UK seeks 10 year extension of deadline for mine clearance in the Falklands

London, 4 June/GNN/ -- FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 4 June 2008 As provided for under Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention (anti-personnel mine

There have never been any civilian injuries in over 25 years since the
conflict ended. The mined areas are clearly marked, fenced and monitored. When
landmines do surface and potentially pose a threat in and around the mined
areas they are cleared by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team that is
permanently based on the Falkland Islands. The ongoing work by the EOD team
means the mined areas pose a minimal risk to the Falkland Islanders.

A joint UK-Argentine Feasibility Study on the clearance of landmines in
the Falkland Islands completed in October 2007 set out the significant
environmental, technical and geographical obstacles these mined areas present
for any de-mining operation. It concluded that the clearance of mines from
all the mined areas would be challenging, but technically possible. The
Study also highlighted the serious environmental damage to the Falkland
Islands fragile eco-system that any de-mining operation will have and the
major remediation effort required to counter this.

Following the completion of the Feasibility Study the UK is now considering
next steps. The Falkland Islanders were regularly consulted while the
Feasibility Study was being carried out and any future decisions will be
made in consultation with the Falkland Islands Government.

The UK is not alone in submitting an extension request. At least 16 other
countries are also expected to do so before the November 2008 meeting of
States Parties.

The UK is the third largest donor to international mine clearance operations,
contributing around =A310 million a year. This demonstrates the UK's firm
commitment to the Ottawa Convention.

NOTE TO EDITORS

All extension requests, including the UK's, will be posted on the Convention's
website in September '08. For further details see:

http://www.apminebanconvention.org/background-status-of-the-convention/clearing-mined-areas/article-5-extensions/states-parties-requests-for-extension/list-of-countries/

FCO Press Office: 020 7008 3100

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL Telephone: 020 7008
3100 Fax: 020 7008 3734

Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

2008-06-04 06:37:14 0376910 PRNEWSWIRE