Mine Action in Bosnia-Herzegovina

In the interest of brevity, I only will mention the highlights of our current effort.

I am pleased to report that the United States Congress has approved another $14 million to continue support to demining through the International Trust Fund (ITF). I’m pleased to learn that a number of other donors have made substantial contributions to the ITF as well. I believe these contributions clearly illustrate the confidence that the donor community has in the ITF.

For support to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United States will be matching contributions from Austria, Denmark, Korea, the European Union, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and some private donors.

Overall, the United States will provide approximately $5.5 million to support mine action in BiH (Bosnia-Herzegovina) in 2002. This will include over $3.2 million for tenders to commercial and NGO organizations to support mine clearance projects. We will support a number of victims’ assistance initiatives as well, totaling nearly $1.2 million. We will help to establish a regional dog training and operations center, and this week we have been discussing the terms for that center with officials from the BiH Government.

In addition, we will be cooperating with the European Union and the ITF to fund a Landmine Impact Survey in Bosnia-Herzegovina, using local resources to conduct the survey.

Overall, this level of support reflects our strong commitment to BiH Mine Action.

Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like to have my full statement distributed to the Board and placed in the record.

Thank you.