MaximsNewsNetwork: JEREMY RENNER: AFGANISTAN: U.N. REMOVING LANDMINES (UNIMAS)

Описание: MaximsNewsNetwork: 17 July 2010 - UNIMAS: Kabul, Afghanistan - Actor Jeremy Renner, who starred in Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar-winning war drama, "The Hurt Locker," spent five days visiting United Nations (UN) de-mining projects to remove landmines in the Afghan cities of Kabul, Bamyan and Bagram last month.

The trip gave Renner a behind the scenes look into what the UN is doing to tackle the landmine issue and learn more about Afghanistan from a wide spectrum of people on the ground.

"The Hurt Locker" which picked up six Oscars including best picture last year, follows a group of soldiers who disarm roadside bombs on the streets of Iraq.

So far this year de-miners have cleared or cancelled 63 minefields and three battle areas, destroying more than 11,000 anti-personnel mines, over 400 anti-tank mines and nearly 400,000 explosive remnants of war in the process. At a mine field, Renner had the opportunity to destroy a stockpile of landmines.

During his visit, the Hollywood star donned a Kevlar suit and ventured onto a minefield with Afghan de-miners near the UN airbase in Bagram. Renner spoke with landmine survivors about their experiences.

SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Renner, Actor:
"I think we've come a long way but I think there's a long way to go. My opinion on the politics of it? You know I stay out of politics, I'm more of a man of action, that's why I like what we're doing here, and what the United Nations is doing. Action! Mine action that is, specifically. I believe that in my life personally, about taking action, and not just talking about it, doing something about it, and that's why I'm here, to be educated in that."

"Because of the United Nations Mine Action Service a land that was once riddled with ordnance, or bombs if you will, grenades, things left by previous wars, because that's being cleared out now we've replaced grenades with healthy crops. This is gorgeous. Stability in the region. I could live here, couldn't you?"

"It's pretty awesome. The fun I can consider and laugh about it cause it's the fun side, and cathartic really. Because its safe when it goes off over there, but its not safe when a kid picks that up or steps on it, you what I mean? So that to me feels good, really good. And then you know I get a little kick from the adrenaline rush on it, pretty great. But it's something you don't want to step on or be near when it goes off, that'll put you in the hurt locker, wouldn't it?

"I'm imagining what this place will look like in a few years. It'll be cleared in a month and a half. Who knows, maybe in two and a half years it'll be all crops and families, that's fantastic. Might have to make a visit back."

"Thank you for allowing me to come and educate me on your land and hopefully we can in some way help clear this land so you can have it back, and be safe."
..... ( UNITED NATIONS MINE ACTION SERVICE: UNIMAS ) ......
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