The Why and What of the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program Good morning. Since I assumed my current position 2 years ago, I have made a number of presentations on the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program, its objectives, and its accomplishments. Before I launch into an abbreviated version of that general presentation, I thought it useful, particularly for this forum, to talk about why we have a program of this nature.
Humanitarian engagement is a fundamental precept of the national security strategy.
When you get beyond the level of national security strategy and into the inner workings of that strategy in action, you will find that our interaction with other nations is based on political-military relationships, sometimes complicated and complex. That is particularly true of our humanitarian interventions. While we categorize most of the assistance we provide to other nations as foreign aid, we should recognize that, in providing such assistance, we are aiding America as well. When we provide resources to secure and destroy excess weapons in Europe, or to help provide defense and counter-narcotics resources to aid the war on drugs, or train foreign peacekeepers, we are aiding America. When we take steps to keep regional disputes from exploding into conflicts that could require the presence of U.S. troops, we aid America.