Fed: Parliament a minefield of mousetraps

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2001
Fed: Parliament a minefield of mousetraps

CANBERRA, Aug 20 AAP - Federal politicians and students guided each other through a
minefield at Parliament House today, the snapping of mousetraps a reminder of the horrific
consequences of one step.

Foreign Affairs parliamentary secretary Kay Patterson, blindfolded and guided by Vietnam
war veteran and West Australian Labor MP Graham Edwards, picked her way through a "minefield"

of mousetraps in a de-mining simulation.

Mr Edwards, now in a wheelchair, lost both legs in a landmine blast during service in Vietnam.

Announcing a contribution of $1.8 million to the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) to help victims of landmines, Senator Patterson said the simulation was part
of the Destroy-a-Mine campaign clearing mines in Cambodia.

"Landmines are indiscriminate weapons that don't distinguish between war or peace,
soldier or civilian," Senator Patterson said in a statement.

"They remain in the ground long after a conflict is over: on farms, near schools, outside
someone's house.

"Last year, landmines caused about 65 casualties each month in Cambodia."

Australia is partners with World Vision in the Destroy-a-Mine campaign.

The new funding announced today will be used by the ICRC for surgical treatment for
mine victims and rehabilitation of amputees in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bosnia, Afghanistan,
Tajikistan, Kenya and Angola.

Australia has committed $100 million towards anti-mine activities around the world
from 1996 to 2005.

AAP kjp/daw/ldj/bwl

KEYWORD: MINES (PICS AVAILABLE)

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