Kurdistan Newsline
From: A. Berwari (July 08, 2001)

Landmines continue to jeopardize the safety and security of the people of
Kurdistan region.

A new organization - Mine Advice Action Group (COMA in Kurdish) -to increase public awareness of the lethal effects of mines has been established within the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. It will function in coordination with the United Nations organization for de-mining, UNOPS and complements its activities.

There have been several reported incidents of civilians, particularly children in Kurdistan who have been severely injured, some fatally, as the result of mine explosions.

The Iraq Army implanted millions of mines throughout Kurdistan in the 1980's as part of its scorched-earth policy and the ethnic-cleansing campaign of Anfal.

UNOPS is in charge of the project to de-mine the region. Iraqi Government has refused to hand over the military charts, for its mining schemes, which will assist in facilitating and expediting the de-mining process , and t! o minimize the casualties. Furthermore, the Iraqis have put many other obstacles in the way of these efforts, including delaying the granting of visas to UN personnel and deliberately withholding requisite equipment at customs entry point in Jordan.

The new Mine Advice Action Group will provide the public with information and
is committed to help UNOPS to rid Kurdistan of these gruesome and sinister
weapons.