Dear Editor,

I am writing to praise the article "From coup to casinos: the forgotten frontier

of Oddar Meanchey" (Phnom Penh Post July 6th - 19th). Erin Moriarty obviously

researched her subject well.

During 2001 The HALO Trust has cleared 742 mines and returned 1,006,470 sq metres

of demined land in Oddar Meanchey Province. The number of mines cleared reported

as "about 40 cleared this year" in the article is incorrect and misleading.

I feel it is important that the work conducted by The HALO Trust, MAG, CMAC and The

RCAF under the regulatory body CMAA is not underestimated and that the terrible problem

caused by landmines is a finite one for the people of Cambodia.

Matthew Hovell

- Programme Manager, the HALO Trust