My criticisms of the United States over its failure to sign the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty are well-known.

Even so, it's a fact that the US has committed almost $600 million to mine action initiatives over the past decade and that a lot of lives and limbs have been saved as a result.

I'm currently building my contacts within the State Department as just because I don't agree with all aspects of US policy on the landmine issue doesn't mean I can't have a dialogue with them.

America's latest update on its mine clearance efforts worldwide has just been published and is well worth a look. The accompanying press release is here.