(E-054/01)
March 6, 2001
ITALY CONTRIBUTES TO OAS DE-MINING PROGRAM
The Italian government yesterday donated $100,000 to the Organization of American States (OAS) to boost the Organization's mine-clearing program in Central America. Specifically, the contribution will support a mine risk-awareness education campaign for Nicaragua's civilian population.
In presenting the gift at OAS headquarters, the Permanent Observer of Italy to the OAS, Ambassador Ferdinando Salleo, hailed the Organization's commitment to promoting human rights. He said that besides supporting the target populations, the Italian government's contribution was intended as well to signal its interest in participating in programs to benefit Central America.
Stressing the OAS' appreciation for the Italian contribution, Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Luigi Einaudi described anti-personnel landmines as "one of the scourges of mankind". Citing the "devastating humanitarian, economic and political impact" of landmines, the OAS official noted that in Nicaragua, for instance, vast areas of agricultural land lay idle because of the fear of landmines.
"The fact that Italy is contributing to the mine-awareness program of the OAS is extremely important," Ambassador Einaudi added, underscoring the very powerful symbol in the presentation by Ambassador Salleo, who had played key role in orchestrating the ban on landmine production in Italy.
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