Ceremony Marking Mine Detection Dog Partnership

I would like to add my personal thanks and congratulations to the Ambassador for the strong commitment his government has made to the clearance of landmines.

Partnerships such as this one between the Department of State, the Marshall Legacy Institute, caring donors such as Shell Oil, and the governments of mine-affected countries have focused attention on the fact that mine detection dogs add a critical safety factor to humanitarian demining. And as we heard from Assistant Secretary Bloomfield, the work of dogs, working with human handlers and integrated into a program that relies on manual and mechanical methods, can help save lives and limbs and restore agricultural, economic, and social infrastructure

The value-added combination of technical proficiency and added safety afforded by the use of mine detection dogs led us to establish, what we believe, has become an effective and productive partnership to help address the world’s landmine problem.

And, stealing a line from our friends at the Mines Advisory Group, we believe that, with this partnership, as with others, together “our work can help build futures.”

Once again, Mr. Ambassador, thank you for your hospitality and congratulations.