This problem has been carefully studied. Last year. I sponsored a provision in the fiscal year 1993 Defense Authorization Act that required a report from the President on the status of international mineclearing efforts in situations involving the repatriation and resettlement of refugees. That report. "Hidden Killers: The Global Problem With Uncleared Land Mines." was issued this past July. It paints a devastating picture of uncleared mines as a scourge of wartorn nations trying to rebuild themselves after the conflict ends. According to the report. more than 85 million landmines scattered around the world kill 150 people each week. maim countless more. and pose a devastating obstacle to efforts to repatriate refugees and resettle lands in areas that were formerly war zones. If mines are not cleared from these areas of habitable land. refugees cannot return to these areas and rebuild their lives and their societies. Farmers cannot plant crops in fields littered with mines. Injuries from mine explosions overwhelm health care facilities.
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refugees