U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius toured the central province of Quang Tri yesterday to take a look at bomb and mine clearance efforts. He visited the province's Database Unit (DBU), Legacy of War Co-ordination Centre (LWCC) and Mine Action Visitor Centre, and talked with foreign non-governmental partners about activities to help with the American War's lasting consequences. Osius also visited several bomb- and mine-removal projects funded by Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Cam Lo District. One pilot project used dogs to find stray bombs and mines. The ambassador was also received by Provincial People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chinh, who thanked the US government and embassy for supporting Quang Tri in its disarmament efforts. They have seen positive results, such as a decrease in the number of bomb- and mine-related incidents and the amount of land that is still contaminated by unexploded ordnances, Chinh said, adding that he hoped for continued co-operation from the US embassy. (Vietnam News Aug 18)
