Land Mines

Bosnia's children threatened by land mines

Land Mines As the landmine debate continues, Bosnia''s landmines are reaping a grim harvest on the former front-lines of the conflict. Some Sarajevo residents, particularly in the bitterly contested area of Dobrinja are literally living in a minefield. Children are still being maimed as they play, farmers as they plant crops to survive.
Fifteen year old Tihomir Ostojic was picking cherries when he stepped on a mine and was thrown by the blast onto a second mine. Despite traumatic injuries he is back kicking a football with friends. His accident made them face the terrible danger from mines. Elvis Pecikoza was not so lucky. He was killed searching for aluminium scraps to sell to buy ice-cream. His grieving father had already removed 70 mines from around their home. It wasn''t enough to save his son. Britain''s Diana, Princess of Wales, visited Bosnia in support of landmine victims. She was campaigning for a total ban. The International Committee of the Red Cross runs a mine awareness Programme - to teach people how to live safely with the threat of mines.

Produced by Marion Mayor-Hohdahl
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