Mr. Prachar Khunakaserm (PRA KU NAKA SEM), Admiral Narong Yutthavong (YU TA VONG), General Gitti, Mr. Ambassador; fellow mine action colleagues.

Good morning!

On behalf of the United States Department of State, let me welcome to this Mine Action Cooperation and Technology Workshop.

It has been nearly two years since the idea of such a workshop first in this area of the world was put forth.  I am pleased that we finally are able to get together for a workshop that I believe offers considerable promise.  It offers promise because it is in the development of region-wide cooperation and partnership in dealing wit such challenges as landmines and unexploded ordnance that ultimately we will find to the resolution of those problems.

Over the course of the next few days, we will hear from each of the SE Asian nations represented here, either formally or informally, on the nature of mine action activities in their respective countries.  We can learn much from the very successful programs that have been started here in the region, particularly from Cambodia and Laos, both of whom have long-standing and successful mine action programs.

I look forward to workgroup discussions with from representatives from China, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, nations who also experience difficulties as a result of landmines and unexploded ordnance.  I believe they will have much to offer in the way of mine action strategies, technologies and progress.

We also will hear success stories from representatives from other nations who have adopted a successful regional approach to mine action.  From the Director of Slovenia's International Trust Fund for Demining and Victims Assistance, we will hear about the incredible success in the Balkans as a consequence of regional cohesion in mine action.  From Croatia's Mine Action Center Director, we will discover that home-grown approaches to important mine action activities such as impact surveys can be done successfully and independently, without intervention or interference from outsiders.

And, of course, from our co-hosts, the Thailand Mine Action Center, we will have an opportunity to observe various techniques for mine detection and clearance, including man, dogs an machines, as presented by the very capable Thai mine action force.

This group need no introduction to the enormous challenge posed by landmines.  It is a challenge that the international community has responded to in very positive ways over the past five years.  Much, however needs to be done; and I am confident that donors such as the United States, Japan, Australia, all of whom are represented at this workshop, and from other equally committed nations and international organizations will remain committed to help.  In the long run, however, it principally will be up to the mine-affected nations themselves to develop strategies that integrate the resolution of the landmine and UXO challenge with overall strategies for economic and social development.  I cannot overemphasize the importance in doing so; and I believe that this workshop offers an excellent start for building a regional capacity where you can help one another as you tackle this very difficult and serious problem.

So let me wish you a successful workshop.  And to start us off, I have the privilege of the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Darryl N. Johnson.

Embassies play a crucial role in the delivery of U.S. humanitarian mine action assistance.  Without their support, our assistance would not have been as productive.  One of the most engaged U.S. embassies is the one here in Bangkok, and I attribute that engagement to the previous ambassador Hechlinger.  Ambassador Johnson is equally committed to this effort.