$250 million, costs of removing 23 million mines in Western Desert
Egypt, Local, 7/5/2002

The national committee on removing mines in the Western Desert finalized hammering out a strategy to remove 23 million.

The landmines were planted during World War II in Al-Alamain area, said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Fayza Abul-Naga.

By the end of next December, the final plan that will cost $250 million will be endorsed after approval by the Cabinet to carry it out earlier next year, she added.

After being cleared of landmines, the subjest zone, which represents one-firth of Egypt's area, will be a promising one touristically, economically and culturally, she said, noting that 148,000 feddans can be cultivated there, in addition to the mineral wealth that meets Egypt's local consumption.

Cultivation of these areas enables the openning of the door for export of organic agricultural crops to the European Union (EU) countries, which ban the genetically engineered foodstuffs, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Fayza Abul-Naga.

Egypt is considered the country containing the largest number of land mines next to Angola.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt calls on international community to help remove 23 million mines   (11/24/2001)
  UN report calls for helping landmine victims in Egypt   (5/7/2001)
  World War II mines still hinder development in Egypt's Northern Coast   (5/7/2001)

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