http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2009-11-20T23:01:01+00:00
Can we be of help? we train canines for REST, Explosive and mine detection!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Wed Aug 12, 2009
Please provide an email address where I might be able to contact Mr Villano.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Sun Aug 09, 2009
Afghan non-governmental organization doing good job,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Mon Jul 13, 2009
Definitions: "Community-based Demining"....

1- Demining in the community where the mines are.

2- Creating the impression that Demining is a community activity.

3- Absolving USG of mine removal responsibilities.

4- Creating a cottage industry in demining.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Wed Jul 01, 2009
The Real World of WMD....

Mines and Unexploded Ordnance should be tagged, identified, traced and tracked back to manufacturers,sellers/buyers...they should be named, shamed and made to clean up their mess. Afterward, they should pay penalties, and monetary damages. Later, they should pay for development projects....In the real world; nothing changes without consequences....The way it works now, you can spend billions on WMD and a few million to do the clean-up.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Tue Jun 30, 2009
Reality Bites: (or in the case of Mine Removal; it blows)

Contracting with NGO's to employ Afghans to remove mines is totally irresponsible (and quite wacky from a PR stance).

Where do we get off paying them for this task? Sure they will go for the money.....what are the employment alternatives in Afghanistan right now? talk about "let's get real"...USG has spent billions to have Afghanis conduct surrogate wars...now we will spend more to put them at risk of blowing themselves up.....Sorry, no sale.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Mon Jun 29, 2009
@Ron in New York--

In a perfect world Ron, there would be no landmines to dispose of.

But we don't live in a perfect world, now do we?

I don't think you get it, the Afghan people are as knowledgable about landmines as any expert, having had to deal with them for decades.

You seem to think , judging by what you wrote, that they are simply given the equipment and sent out to get blown up.

Again, put yourself in their shoes. If it was your community, your kids, and a paycheck on the line, what would you do?

I'm pretty sure you'd say, "It's not my problem." until you realized it was.

But that's you, not the Afghan people.

Most of the people who placed them in the ground are dead. No one knows who's country manufactured them until they are individually found and destroyed, but its also true that the funding for removal comes from nations who have taken responsibility for removing them, whether they had a role in them being placed there or not.

Reality being what it is Ron, the Afghans are more concerned with getting rid of them than how they got there at this point in time.

So who are you to preach that they shouldn't get involved in safeguarding their children and creating safer living conditions for their communites, eh?

You don't have that right to determine what's best for them.

(End of lecture.)]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Mon Jun 29, 2009
What's Mine is Mine, What's yours is Mine Removal....?

Demining should be done by experts...it should be funded by the nations who built and placed the mines....no Afghan should risk life removing ordnance meant to kill him.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Mon Jun 29, 2009
@Farid in Afghanistan,

Friend of mine from your country told me once that he thought there were over 10 million landmines left over from the time of the Soviet invasion and civil war after.

He also told me that folks would throw rocks in fields to find them.

Which gave me an idea that I put to a former c-130 pilot I met on the feasability of loading up an aircraft with rocks and chunks of metal ( as some tank mines are magneticly triggered) and spread-dumping the load out the back of the plane from low altitude (1000-1500 ft) over a known minefield to clear it of the majority of mines.

Then followed up by regular methods, it may help speed up the removal process in a safe manner.

Pilot said it was possible to do it with such an aircraft, but had no idea whether it would be effective ( never having been tried ).

Do you think the idea is worth a test run?]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Sun Jun 28, 2009
We also implement community-based demining projects in our NGO. It is more effective, safer and sustainable approach. It promotes security in remote districts and creates job opportunities for the mine impacted communities.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Sun Jun 28, 2009
Bad Policy; Bad Program: Afghanis should not be mine-fodder.

If you really wnat to empathize...don't put "Afghani shoes" near unexploded ordnance...I really think there is a romantic and fantastic approach to development and counter-insurgency.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Sat Jun 27, 2009
@ Ron in New York,

Maybe you should put yourself in the Afghan fellow's shoes, besides earning a paycheck to feed his family, he's making sure his kids don't step on a landmine.

I think it's fair to say it's probably a "dad thing" when all is taken in context.

Why else would someone take the job, eh?]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Sat Jun 27, 2009
excellent work being done]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Fri Jun 26, 2009
Interesting concept.

In mine clearance generally the most important issue is confidence to deminer's work. By employing local people that is achieved.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Thu Jun 25, 2009
Security First...then Development...

Paying Afghanis to demine?: Dead Wrong....

Wait for the Headline on this mistake.....

Injury added to Insult...]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Wed Jun 24, 2009
@ Ron in NY -- Yes, agriculture or mining, schools or hospitals, roads or clean water projects, all would be preferable to demining. But the fact of the matter is that there are landmines and they must be removed, or whole areas of land will not be usable or safe.

I wish there were not landmines in Afghanistan, or anywhere. But we must be practical.

I applaud the brave men who are removing the landmines in Afghanistan, because it is a vote of confidence in the future of their country.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Wed Jun 24, 2009
A Bad idea.....There are so many other jobs for Afghans to do.....One de-mining mishap will outweigh any possible benefit.

Alternatives:

Mining or agriculture or schools or hospitals or roads or clean water projects.....

Get out of the war business....]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Tue Jun 23, 2009
NGO's Dig up Mines: Insult Added to Injury.....

USG should lead the world in getting out of the war-weapons business....then, we won't need to fund NGO's in unexploded ordnance jobs...or fund NGO's to get rid of them....if you want to invest in business in Afghanistan and deal a blow to AQ....finance the mining and agri-businesses.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ Tue Jun 23, 2009