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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-08-06
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission condemns murder of NGO staff in Afghanistan
[02] Commission releases funds for de-mining in Cyprus
Midday Express of 2004-08-06
Reference: MEX/04/0806
Date: 06/08/2004
EXME04 / 6.8
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
06/08/04
[01] Commission condemns murder of NGO staff in Afghanistan
The European Commission strongly condemns the murder in Eastern Afghanistan
of two national staff members of the German NGO, Malteser Hilfsdienst, who
were on a mission to provide basic assistance to vulnerable rural people.
These latest killings are further evidence that aid workers are being
deliberately targeted by groups with no respect for the humanitarian
principles that would normally provide some protection to aid workers in
conflict situations. The insecurity is compounded by certain practices of
elements of the Coalition forces that contribute to a blurring of the
distinction between humanitarian and military personnel, and undermine the
perception that humanitarian workers are neutral and impartial.
[02] Commission releases funds for de-mining in Cyprus
The European Commission this week released €2.5 million in funds for de-
mining in Cyprus. The de-mining operations will first focus on the area of
the buffer zone in and around Nicosia. These funds will help to underpin
the Green Line policy as regards free movement of persons and goods. New
crossing points could be opened after mine clearing has taken place. A Mine
Action Cell will be formally established in the United Nations Protected
Area (UNPA) in Nicosia. The financial assistance will be channelled via the
EU-funded UNDP/UNOPS programme 'Partnership for the Future' in cooperation
with UNFICYP. The de-mining operations will be carried out by international
de-mining firms/NGOs with proven experience in mine clearance and related
activities with the United Nations. The tendering procedures to identify a
firm/NGO to carry out the work have been launched. There are a large number
of mined, suspect mined and booby-trapped areas on the island, both within
the buffer zone and outside. Many are less than 1,000 metres from the
buffer zone, an area that still falls under UNFICYP monitoring. The mined
areas are a threat for the population living nearby. Farmland adjacent to
the mined areas is in most cases cultivated to within 2Â metres of the
minefield perimeter fence. There are reports of livestock losses due to
mine accidents ; the last human casualty occurred in April this year.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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