PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2007

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Announces $1 Million Demining Equipment Donation to Vietnam

(Hanoi)  January 3, 2007 -- U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Jonathan M. Aloisi announced today the U.S. Department of State’s annual Demining Equipment Donation to Vietnam's Ministry of Defense at a ceremony held in Hanoi.  The equipment, worth USD $1 Million, was turned over to the Ministry of Defense’s Center for Bomb and Mine Disposal Technology (BOMICEN) on December 27, 2006, and will be used to locate and clear landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).  Since joining the U.S. Government’s Humanitarian Mine Action Program in 2000, Vietnam has received over $37 Million in U.S. Government mine action aid, most of it supporting the valuable work of various non-governmental organizations for mine and UXO surveys and clearance, mine risk education, and mine survivors assistance. 

“The U.S. Government has a firm and continuing commitment to humanitarian assistance around the world, and the cooperative relationship between the peoples and governments of the United States and Vietnam is a very positive example of that commitment in action,” said Mr. Aloisi in his remarks.  He went on to commend the bravery and dedication of the BOMICEN soldiers, observing, “Your sacrifices on behalf of the people of Vietnam are recognized the world over and you deserve our grateful thanks for all that you do. “

This donation includes 181 mine detectors, twenty bomb locators, fifteen sets of individual protective equipment, three explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suits, eighteen trauma medical kits, and replacement seals for the Mobile Explosion Containment Vessel, donated by the U.S. Department of State to the Ministry of Defense one year ago.

The U.S. Government, through its Embassy in Hanoi, remains committed to helping Vietnam develop its national capacity to clear all UXO and landmines.

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