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Guest Speaker Report Wednesday 16 February 2011 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter)
Our guest speaker was Paul Jeffress who spoke to us about “Mines and Victims Clearance”. Paul was introduced by PP Joe Saad. Paul commenced by passing around examples of the first land mines. These were spikes used by the Romans to injure the horses of the enemy. Paul advised us that the “victims” included the families of those killed or maimed. They suffer the economic and other consequences that flow from the injury to the primary victim. Also the community suffers the loss of the use of the land affected by mines and other unexploded ordinance (UXO’s). Paul advised us that two common mines uncounted are the M16 and M14. The M16 is an American mine which is designed to explode one meter above the ground cutting the victim in half. The M14 is a smaller mine designed to blow off the foot of the victim. If fellow soldiers go to the aid of the victim they risk setting off more mines. Paul informed us that Laos was the most heavily bombed country in history. In 1970 alone it was bombed with the equivalent of twenty times the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. The mines and UXO’s left behind by the Americans are still exploding with devastating consequences. Paul told us of four children killed in a playground explosion and two people killed in a rice paddy. Paul feels strongly that America should be doing a lot more to clear away the instruments of terror it left behind. In conclusion Paul noted that it costs $350-00 to clear away a land mine and that he would be grateful if the Club could make a donation of about that amount to assist MIVAC (Mines Victims and Clearance Trust) in its work. After answering members questions Paul was thanked by PP Doug Potter.
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