Falklands : PHASE 2 OF LANDMINE CLEARANCE PROJECT TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER 2011
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 11.02.2011 (Article Archived on 25.02.2011)
Alistair Craib of BARIC Consultants Ltd, Richard Lindsay Deputy Head of International Security and Arms Control/ Nuclear and Missile Defence at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lt Col Peter Sonnex International Humanitarian law Policy, are in the Falklands to pave the way for phase 2 of a pilot mine clearing project begun in the Austral summer of 2009/2010.
PHASE 2 OF LANDMINE CLEARANCE PROJECT TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER 2011
By J. Brock (FINN)
Alistair Craib of BARIC Consultants Ltd, Richard Lindsay Deputy Head of International Security and Arms Control/ Nuclear and Missile Defence at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Lt Col Peter Sonnex International Humanitarian law Policy, are in the Falklands to pave the way for phase 2 of a pilot mine clearing project begun in the Austral summer of 2009/2010.
The team has been inspecting the recovery of areas cleared by BACTEC in 2009/10 while learning from the problems and mistakes encountered during phase 1 of the project.
Phase 2 deals with the release of land that is fenced off but unlikely to contain any landmines. The demining team looked at two shortlisted areas – one at the Murrell and the other area on Stanley Common behind the fence. It was decided to do Stanley Common as it is an area more used by the community than that at the Murrell. Freeing the Corral and Mile Pond, the work should make areas used for recreation before the 1982 conflict available again.
Once the three-man team has completed their stint in the Falklands they will return to London to begin the tendering process to choose a demining contractor to do the work. Visits by potential contractors will take place during April and May.
It is expected that the project won’t be as invasive as the previous one as the view is not to lift any mines but to certify as clear those areas that are near known minefields. To achieve this, the team will work close with MLAs, who are keen to see the operation begin.
As yet, the full extent of the area to be released is unknown but will work to clear as much as they can behind the fence. Team are pleased with progress that this week’s visit has afforded them.
Jan Cheek liked the area chosen but mentioned that Sharon Halford’s knowledge of it when she rode horses over the ground was helpful in making the decision to clear Stanley Common first. Sharon Halford said she and other MLAs were delighted with the choice because it was of most use to the people of Stanley. Sharon Halford said it was unfortunate un-mined areas were fenced off prior to survey and Richard Lindsay said that now days technology is better.
Jan Cheek mentioned that the money would better be spent in areas where people’s livelihoods, lives and limbs were at risk through landmines. Sharon Halford agreed saying there was a huge effort in other areas. Richard Lindsay said that the money used for the Falklands is separate from that used in those areas.
Emma Edwards said that there would be less environmental impact and less ground disturbance this time.
Jan Cheek said there was a question of liability last time but that the Attorney General would brief MLAs on improvements regarding liability.
Richard Lindsay said that there needed to be a full assessment of the challenge ahead of us because the mines had to be cleared by 2019, in accordance with the Ottawa Convention. While here objectives of identifying the best area to be cleared/opened. Hopefully suspect minefields can be identified and fenced. Finally only the suspect area would be fenced.
“We don’t know what nationality the de-miners will be but there will be fewer of them,” said Mr Lindsay. The land area covered, however, will be much larger.
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