Politically Explosive

The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21581775-failure-clear-landmines-casts-doubt-myanmars-peace-processes-politically-explosive

In Myanmar, the country is having difficulties with its "sleeping soldiers". These "sleeping soldiers" are formally known as mines; it is statistically shown that since 1990 over 32,000 casualties were reported. These numbers are believed to be significantly smaller than the actual casualties. However, on February 2012, President Thein Sein asked for international help with clearing the mines. Ever since, many NGO's (Non-Governmental Organizations) and peace centre's were opened to help the mine problem. However, most of these centre's are being unused due to lack of trust in the government. This incapability to trust among themselves had made the progress of clearing land mines futile.

So prior to this article I have seen and read articles about land mines. Land mines were (emphasize on were) used during warfare as a defense. As the nickname applies, they were really sleeping soldiers. However, a mine would have a horrific explosion that most countries thought it were inhumane to use such destructive weapons. Mine victims would lose either or both their legs and arms. Knowing this, Thein Sein must try harder into accepting the Mine Ban Treaty of 1997 and also stop the production of mines. The usage of mines is completely inhumane and army officials as well as government officials must recognize this. Another problem is that the citizens of Myanmar do not care enough about the removal of land mines. Despite knowing the aftermath of a mine's explosion, most citizens see land mines as a way to protect their businesses or homes. This indifferent attitude towards land mine despite knowing its inhumane capabilities has to be changed so that the citizens will care and work hard to keep their neighbor hood safe.

The major argument floating around about land mines is that land mines are too inhumane. I share this belief with gusto since I have seen the devastation these "soldiers" can do. The Myanmar government are not aware enough of how enormous the problem is due to murky statistics. International help should assist the government by clearly outlining the devastation from land mines. Then the government will become more aware and much more concerned.