SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES PARTIES TO ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE CONVENTION ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF ENTRY INTO FORCE
Press Release
SG/SM/7320
L/T/4344
SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES PARTIES TO ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE CONVENTION ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF ENTRY INTO FORCE
20000301The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General wishes to congratulate the parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, as well as their partners in civil society, on the first anniversary of the entry into force of this treaty. Their commitment to the total eradication of anti-personnel mines has brought us thus far in an astonishingly short period of time. The world as a whole, and especially the people of mine-affected countries, will benefit form the full implementation of the Convention. The United Nations, through its various components, is deeply engaged in this work. The Secretary-General, as depositary, is gratified that 91 States have ratified the Convention. He takes this opportunity to call upon those States that have not yet signed it to accede, and those that have signed but not yet ratified it to do so without delay, so that it may achieve universalization as soon as possible.
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