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Show c Red Cross educates ajfefe j$rs?a? about landmine issue By Taylor S. Fielding editor in chicf-77e Signpost During Thursday's Open Hour, three people were killed by landmines somewhere in the world. This was only one of the grim statistics given by Julie Groom Thompson, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northern Utah, and Elizabeth Chicado, chairwoman of the Utah American Red Cross International Services, during a speech yesterday. Chicado is also an adjunct instructor in the health promotion and human performance department at Weber State University. A small crowd gathered in the special collections area of the Stewart Library for the multimedia-presentation on landmines and international humanitarian law. Thompson began the presentation by passing around a small opaque plastic container, about the size of a large Tylenol bottle it was an inactive landmine. She discussed the mechanisms for causing such devices to detonate: by being handled, stepped on or with trip wires. Thompson also discussed "Bouncing Betty" type landmines. "If it bounces up to here," Thompson said, pointing to her abdomen, "Imagine what this does to a 5-year-old." The problem of landmines is a prolific one, with an estimated 119 million landmines across 71 countries of the globe, Thompson said. In addition, approximately 2 million new landmines are laid annually. Landmines are also a cheap way to kill. The average landmine costs $3-$5, while removing the same landmine would cost $500-$1000."The problem is the landmines we are laying last week, yesterday and today," she said. "It would take 1,100 years and $66 billion dollars to completely clear all of the landmines from the planet if we stopped today. For every one landmine removed, 20 more arc planted." One deadly characteristic of landmines is their ability to last for long periods of time after being planted, even decades after the conflict has ended, Thompson said. Germans to this day must not deviate from marked paths while in the wooded areas of their country for fear of detonating landmines which remain from World War II. Another trick for making landmines more deadly, especially for children, is the use of landmines shaped like butterflies and painted bright colors, Thompson said. These types of mines were used extensively during the Afghan-Soviet conflict, and the Soviet's main target was the Afghani children. "Often times, many times, most times, it is children who are vic- See Mines page 8 aw?? p-wr gyre $1,400 monthly guaranteed salary plus production bonuses to sharp, hard-working individuals. Are You Worth St? If you want a challenge and want to control your pay check, write to T Eclipse Marketing for an application. OR, for a quicker response, apply on-line now at: www. eclipsemarketinginc. com Eclipse Marketing Attn: Brent 2601 N. Canyon Rd. Suite 201 Provo, UT 84604 yvn 1 i-i ee: i i ri i cs i-i -f- RV v frioay. rviyxv io-r- i 0:C LOCAL fAL002:X IMI3 XI 1 0;30 UAr-r-'S COMEDtAN Ken H STUBOS rMr 1 ZIOO HYPNOTIST i:00 CASINO NIGHT -a:oo auction ror prizes -:30 CONTINTfN T Al fcjf E AK FEST I 1 h VI 1 s a ' . a ' I' 11 M 1 I ' I mm mm sSr zm sgB . y rj iy in UTAH A- C. m m X m ,3 i I j . t ,rm , iimitnm .AX |