| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 22, 2005 New Department of State - Newsweek Wall Map Charts Global Landmine ProblemThe Newsweek Education Program has published the Second Edition of their popular wall map, "Landmines: Eliminating the Threat." Limited copies of this edition are available at no cost from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which commissioned it. One of the notable differences from the first map, which was distributed in 2002 to over 5000 school teachers throughout the United States and to many mine action organizations worldwide, is that Costa Rica, Djibouti, and Honduras are free from the humanitarian impact of landmines, thanks in part to the inter-agency U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program. This colorful wall map (3 feet 9 inches x 2 feet 9 inches; 114.30 x 83.82 centimeters) charts the degree to which countries are mine affected, depicts some of the most commonly found persistent landmines that pose a threat around the world, graphs how much the United States, the European Commission, and other leading donors have contributed to humanitarian mine action, and includes demographic facts on landmine survivors. The United States contribution to mine action surpassed $1 billion dollars shortly after the map was published. The map also provides an illustrated description of the three main "pillars" of humanitarian mine action: mine detection and clearance; mine risk education; and mine survivors assistance. To request a free map, send an email with your name and complete mailing address to SteveJE@state.gov. To learn more about the U.S. Department of State’s role in the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program and related activities to stem illegal trafficking in small arms, light weapons and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), visit www.state.gov/t/pm/wra. 2005/1097
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