29 November 2004	Monday	16 Shawwal 1425

NAIROBI, Nov 28: Afghanistan on Sunday appealed for a billion dollars towards programmes aimed at clearing landmines and helping some two million victims of the deadly devices, officials said in Nairobi.

"The task of clearing mines and helping victims is enormous," said Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Haider Reza. "We need international community support. ... There are about two million victims," he said. Reza said his government had tried to help the victims but its success was so far limited.

"We need as much as a billion dollars to have the whole business of landmines done," Afghan Deputy Justice Minister Mohammed Qasim Hashimzai also said in an interview. -AFP