"U Tun Zaw, deputy director general of the Department of Disaster Management, said the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tatmadaw (military) are attending the talks. Thousands of people have been killed and maimed by landmines that litter the conflict-torn countryside. Both the military and ethnic armed groups remain reluctant to give up the use of landmines despite appeals by international organizations. “We can’t do rescue work only. If landmines remain, victims will remain,” U Tun Zaw said. “It is better if there are no more landmines. We plan to form a national body for landmine clearing.” U Tun Zaw said the meeting was held last week in Nay Pyi Taw and the discussions are still at the preliminary stage. He said the discussions focused on the establishment of a National Mine Action Authority, and a mine action centre will be established under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. There was also talk about the Ministry of Defence establishing state and regional level mine-clearing groups. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement vowed to provide K200,000 (US$137) and prosthetic limbs for each victim of landmine explosions. U Tun Zaw said the government knows it would be difficult for internally displaced people to return to their homes as they face dangers from landmines..."