De-mining priority

That DfID is to continue funding landmine clearance in Iraq and step up its operations is good news ( Report , 13 November). What Andrew Mitchell didn't say is that DfID has stopped funding mine action in Angola although it is still seriously affected by landmines from its civil war that ended in 2002. DfID describes this as cost-saving, although mine clearance in Angola (per mine destroyed) is tiny compared to clearance in DR Congo, which DfID supports. Angola is an emerging regional power with peacekeeping capabilities. DfID's cutting of its £2m mine action programme there means hundreds of trained Angolan de-miners risk losing their jobs and that declaring this important UK partner as mine-free is delayed further. Alex Vines Director, regional and security studies, Chatham House