Chris Dodd: “for over two decades, the Afghan people have endured conflict and internal unrest. And although they are now in the…”

“for over two decades, the Afghan people have endured conflict and internal unrest. And although they are now in the process of rebuilding their country, for many, safety remains elusive. One reason is the continued presence of landmines, which were put into use by occupying powers and governments such as the Soviet Union and Taliban. Unfortunately, these weapons, whose danger is recognized by nations throughout the world, remain a major threat to the safety of ordinary Afghans--especially children. I know my colleague, Senator Leahy, has been a leader in calling the world's attention to the dangers created by land mines and the obligation of the United States and other governments to help ensure that innocent civilians, especially children, are not killed or critically injured by land mines and unexploded ordnance left behind after armed conflict ceases. There are now over 10 million land mines throughout Afghanistan. This number is truly staggering. It is estimated that the process of clearing these devices could take up to 25 years--almost three decades. These land mines pose a tremendous danger to the children of Afghanistan. As my colleagues may be aware, Afghan children often perform a variety of chores that entails their passage through mine-laden fields. In fact, as several types of mines are small and brightly colored, children can be tempted to pick them up or to play with them.”