IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION, COMPLIANCE, SUPPORT FOR MINE VICTIMS RAISED, AS PARTIES TO MINE-BAN CONVENTION CONCLUDE GENERAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION, COMPLIANCE, SUPPORT FOR MINE VICTIMS RAISED,

AS PARTIES TO MINE-BAN CONVENTION CONCLUDE GENERAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

MANAGUA, 19 September -– The importance of cooperation among States, and between States and civil society, was emphasized today as States Parties to the Ottawa Convention concluded their general exchange of views.

Cooperation -- as a factor in the success of the treaty thus far, and as an essential element for further victories in the fight against landmines -- was endorsed by the States Parties, by Observer States and by non-State actors.

Issues of compliance and verification were among other matters raised.  The non-governmental organization, International Campaign to Ban Landmines provided information on reports it had received of violations of the Convention by both States parties and signatories.  The Meeting also heard calls for more work on verification and compliance procedures.

The need to maintain or increase the level of international assistance provided to support mine action, particularly for less developed States, was affirmed, and speakers called for increased and longer-term support for mine victims.

Most speakers sought increased effort to encourage countries that had not signed or ratified the Convention to do so, although the Meeting also heard several Observer States’ explanations for their failure to join.

The representatives of Albania, Argentina, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Sudan, Turkey, Venezuela and Yemen addressed the Meeting.  The representative of Uganda spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

States parties also heard from representatives of the European Commission, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Organization of American States, the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Mine Action Service.

States Parties will hold informal consultations tomorrow.  The next formal session is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday 21 September.

Background

On the second day of the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (the Ottawa Convention) States Parties and others met to continue their general exchange of views.

For background on the Convention and the meetings of States Parties, see Press Release DC/2807 - L/T/4361, dated 18 September.

Exchange of Views

The representative of Mexico said he welcomed the holding of the Meeting in Nicaragua, which had been the country in Central America with the greatest number of anti-personnel mines.  That eight rounds of destruction of stockpiles had taken place here was a consequence of international cooperation, and such cooperation was the basis of the Ottawa Convention.  Efforts to seek universal accession to the treaty and to consolidate the Ottawa regime must be priorities for States parties.  The impact of the Convention was reflected in the reduction in number of States producing mines, and the reduction in the number of victims of mines.  It was, however, of concern that there were still 250 million mines around the world, and that the most important producers were not parties to the Convention.  Mexico called for total cessation of the use of anti-personnel mines.  It did not even possess such weapons itself.  Its representative expressed the hope that the two countries in its hemisphere that had not yet signed the treaty would do so.

The representative of the Czech Republicsaid action against anti-personnel mines must continue.  He associated his country with the statement from the European Union, and then gave an account of the activities the Czech Republic had undertaken to implement the Convention.  He also informed States parties that, by June 2001, his country had destroyed all stockpiled mines covered by the Convention.

The representative of Malaysia said significant progress had been made since the first States Parties Meeting in Maputo in 1999.  The achievement of practical results encouraged others to enter the Convention.  Adherence to the treaty was still below expectations, especially in the Asia Pacific region.  A collective programme must be undertaken to support involvement.  Malaysia was proud to have become the first anti-personnel-mine-free country in Asia in 2001.  Despite the exceptions provided for in the treaty, it had chosen not to continue to hold any live mines.  The Convention itself, and its transparency measures, supported regional security.  Malaysia was in favour of the establishment of the implementation unit proposed for Geneva.  Inter-sessional activities remained important, as did the cooperative approach undertaken with civil society.

The representative of Slovakia said anti-personnel mines were a problem for international peace and security and a threat to human beings.  Slovakia aligned itself with the statement made by the European Union.  Progress had been made, but the problem still existed, he said, so much remained to be done.  The Ottawa inter-sessional process was of real importance.  The destruction of the Slovakian stockpile was completed last year, and its expertise and technologies were now available to others seeking to meet their obligations.  Making the Convention universal remained perhaps the biggest challenge.  He encouraged cooperation in tackling the problems, and called on reticent countries to join the treaty.

The representative of South Africa welcomed the decision to continue the meeting, despite the terrorist attacks last week.  He was heartened by the fact that States parties and inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations were involved in the inter-sessional activities.  South Africa supported the proposed implementation support unit to be established in Geneva, which would assist States parties and provide the logistical base necessary for the inter-sessional process.  It remained opposed to proposals for expensive and difficult measures for verification.  Informal channels could be usefully employed where States parties had questions about compliance, but did not want to exercise the formal compliance measures.

The representative of Ecuador said this forum reinforced the principles of peace and brotherhood that should guide all human action.  He outlined activities Ecuador had undertaken to implement the treaty and to seek international assistance for that implementation.  Ecuador could not exclude itself from the goals that had brought States parties here today, he said.  It had destroyed hundreds of thousands of anti-personnel mines, and this process was continuing. Ecuador was discharging its obligations under the Convention, and had worked hard to meet the Managua Challenge to come to the Third Meeting of States Parties free of anti-personnel mine stockpiles.

The representative of the Philippines said mines continued to bring untold suffering and death to people all over the world.  This meeting was an opportunity to assess progress in the battle against their use.  He outlined activities his country had undertaken in support of the eradication of such mines.  Successful implementation rested on the compliance both of States parties and non-State actors.  The Philippines had disposed of its full stockpile of anti-personnel mines.  Armed groups acting beyond control of States used landmines, and this meant that a ban on State use alone did not guarantee no new mines would be laid. He supported a proposed rendering of any use of such mines illegal.  The full cooperation of non-States parties was essential to fully implement the Convention. He also called on the Meeting to consider increasing technical assistance to States that needed it to meet their treaty obligations.

The representative of Guatemala said the Convention had proven itself as a device to help eliminate the terrible scourge of anti-personnel mines, but the absence of some States from it meant that work to convince them to join must continue.  He described the activities Guatemala had undertaken, notably as part of the peace process in his country, to ensure that mines were not used.  Guatemala was the first country on the continent to legislate against landmines, he said.  He also noted that Guatemala would meet its obligations under the Convention, and had moved from being a recipient of assistance to a provider of assistance for demining.  He called for donor support to continue, noting that even when demining was completed problems arising from mines continued.  The Ottawa Convention was an important step in saving lives.

The representative of New Zealand applauded the decision to hold the Meeting despite the events of last week.  The achievements of the Ottawa Convention were encouraging for international security.  This was a consequence of both the treaty itself, and the importance governments placed on it.  It was good to read in the Land Mine Monitor of the reduced use and production of landmines.  Perhaps most encouraging was the decline in the number of victims.  The Convention was as much a humanitarian as a disarmament instrument.  However, there were still too many anti-personnel mines, and several issues remained on the table.  Views still differed on the detail required for fact-finding missions and the procedures for verification of compliance.  Verification should not be too difficult, but nor should it allow for doubt.  He described the contribution New Zealand had made to ban landmines and for demining, and also paid tribute to deminers themselves.

The representative of Honduras said the Convention had great value for Honduras, as an individual and collective responsibility.  He described activities undertaken by Honduras to meet its obligations.  There was no ethical foundation, external action or blockade that could justify the use of landmines in defence of territory, he said.  Their use constituted a violation of human rights.  The eradication of anti-personnel mines must continue to be a priority for the international community.  Honduras had run up against resource problems in its mine action work, and he called on donors to provide assistance.

The representative of Argentina said its region was a leader in the battle against anti-personnel mines.  It was essential to facilitate universal accession to the treaty.  His country was still concerned about the presence of anti-personnel mines on the Malvinas Islands, and a study had been undertaken in function with the Government of the United Kingdom on means to facilitate their removal.  The removal of mines was an important task for security, development and the protection of human life.  The total prohibition of anti-personnel mines was inextricably linked to international assistance and also to the need for ongoing support for victims.  Far from violating the security of States, the Convention constituted a key tool for regional security.

The representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina said unexploded mines presented a major problem to States that had experienced armed conflict, and Bosnia would confidently affirm that.  It was comforting that so many States had signed and ratified the Convention.  She outlined activities undertaken by Bosnia to meet Convention commitments, including the disposal of its stockpiles, and the destruction of specialized machinery in the only factory that had once produced mines.  Mine accidents declined from 1996 to 1999 in Bosnia, she said, probably as a consequence of public awareness campaigns, but with the recent intensified return of refugees, it had risen again.  Bosnia remained dependent on donor country assistance:  she thanked donors and called for the continuation of their assistance.

The representative of Romania said his country, along with others, fully shared concerns about the consequences of anti-personnel mines.  Romania aligned itself with the statement made by the European Union.  He then outlined measures, including legislation, that Romania had undertaken in support of its commitments under the Convention.  The Convention had only come into effect in Romania in 2001, and this was the fist meeting it had attended as a State party, but the process of restruction of its stockpile had commenced.

The representative of the Holy See said the absence of some delegations brought the tragic events of last week to mind.  He hoped these events would not give rise to a spiral of violence.  The first two meetings of States parties had produced both light and shadow.  An example of light was the decrease in the production of anti-personnel mines.  The shadows included the use of anti-vehicle mines that had the same effect as anti-personnel mines, and the possibility of development of new weapons to replace those banned.  He hoped this meeting would reduce the shadow.  The Convention represented a culture of life, not of death. Today, there could be no security for some while there was no security for all. Basic ethics that were accepted by all and valid everywhere must be promoted. Security must be based on truth, justice, freedom and solidarity.  The Holy See called on those States that had not entered into the treaty to do so, and called on all to implement it.

The representative of Chad said the presence of these lethal devices -– anti-personnel mines -- in Chad not only perpetuated a psychosis of war, but was also an obstacle to social and developmental activities.  He described the national humanitarian demining programme established by Chad.  The goal was a mine-free Chad, and destruction of stockpiles had commenced.  The delay in the preparation of its obligatory report was largely due to external contingencies.  He formally denied statements and allegations about his country, which he said neither produced nor laid mines.  The intention of his Government was not in doubt, but the true challenge was the mobilization of resources, he said, and he thanked those donors that contributed to programmes in Chad.

The representative of Colombia said that the efforts of this gathering would have results that would better the world.  He outlined Colombian activities in support of the Convention and in meeting the obligations it imposed.  One important component of the Colombian peace process was the total elimination of anti-personnel landmines.  He also spoke about hand-made mines laid by illegal groups, and training and mobilization measures undertaken to address this problem. He then proposed a new paragraph for the draft Managua Declaration, which would add language calling on States to compel non-State actors to give up their use of anti-personnel mines.

The representative of Albania said that Albania had already taken steps to fulfil its responsibilities, including efforts to enact national legislation.  It was facing difficulties in meeting its stockpile destruction responsibilities, with more than one million mines inherited from the communist regime, and also in demining areas mined by Serbian forces.  A national coordinating executive had been established.  The armed forces had been instructed to destroy its stockpile by 2004.  Currently more than 9000 mines were destroyed a day, including by reverse assembly in factories that previously produced such mines.  He thanked those countries and organizations which had provided financial and other support. He also called for support to enable Albania to continue its programme.

The representative of Ethiopia said the presence of so many delegations was evidence of the need to seek more cooperation from the international community to address the problems of landmines.  States parties must fully commit their resources to create a mine-free world.  Mines had serious social and economic consequences for mine-afflicted countries, and many of those most seriously affected were the least developed.  Mine action was about people.  In Ethiopia, mines from many conflicts were still in the ground, and mines laid by Eritrea in the recent conflict were still preventing the return of refugees to their homes. Assistance was required to enhance the capacities of the Ethiopian national mine action office.  He acknowledged assistance currently provided.  Although Ethiopia was yet to ratify the treaty, he said, it was currently implementing it.  However, it belonged to a region where there were regimes with a predilection for the use of landmines, and the objectives of the Convention could not be met by unilateral implementation.

The representative of Sudan denounced the terrorist aggression against the United States last week, and also the terrorism perpetrated for some time against the people of Palestine by a similar aggressor.  He described steps taken in Sudan for mine action, nationally, and with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.  He said that the rebel movement in Sudan was still using anti-personnel mines, with obvious support from governments, and he called on the international community to demand an end to this.  Sudan had not ratified the Convention for a number of reasons, including war, but was implementing it.  He put a series of proposals to the Meeting, including that assistance should be provided to all States that signed the Convention, and that study should be made of the reasons for failure to ratify. 

The representative of Poland said this Meeting confirmed the culture of life at a difficult time.  Anti-personnel mines were a cause of deep concern.  More had died as a result of them than from nuclear or biological weapons.  Mines went on killing for decades.  They were like a plague, but the cure was known.  By signing the Convention, States contributed to the humanitarian goals of civilization. There was still a battle to implement it, in capitals and in forests, but this was not because of a disagreement on principle.  All agreed that the problem must be solved, and that this must happen in a time frame of years and not decades.  While the military needs of Poland prevented it from ratifying the Convention, it was fulfilling its conditions on the prohibition and transfer of anti-personnel mines. It was also making every effort to encourage adherence to the principles by other States in its region.

The representative of Chile said solving the problem of landmines could not wait.  He offered Nicaragua the support of the Rio Group for going ahead with the Meeting.  Chile was proud to be fully involved, having deposited its ratification instrument one week ago.  He himself had been a victim of landmines and had lost both his legs.  With Chile, there were now 120 countries that had outlawed the sale and production and use of this kind of weapon.  Efforts must not stop until the banning of the use of anti-personnel mines became jus cogens under international law.  He then outlined Chilean efforts to meet its commitments under the treaty.

The representative of the non-governmental organization International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) said these meetings were to take stock, and to plan for the future.  The Convention was strong and was having an impact, but the news was not all good.  The ICBL had received credible reports that Uganda –- a State party –- had used mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June 2000.  Circumstances there made it impossible for ICBL to verify this, and Uganda had denied the allegation in discussions with ICBL.  Compliance issues were crucial to the treaty.  He also noted that the Russian Federation had admitted laying anti-personnel mines on the Tajikistan border, and that if Tajikistan had acquiesced, then this could constitute a breach of the treaty.

Late submission of reports was also of concern, he said, as the deadline was a legal obligation, not a target date.  States parties had not condemned those outside the Convention that used anti-personnel mines.  A mechanism must be established to coordinate a response to use by non-State parties.  He listed many other concerns, including differing interpretations, and questions about joint military exercises between States Parties and States that employed anti-personnel mines, notably as a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).  The ICBL report, Land Mine Monitor, had received credible allegations of use of anti-personnel mines in 23 conflicts, by 15 government and 39 rebel groups –- an increase over the previous reporting period –- and those governments included signatories to the Convention.  Signatory Angola had admitted such use, he said. There was compelling evidence of use by Ethiopia and Sudan, credible reports of use by the Rwandan Government, and reports that mines were laid in Burundi, though whether by the Government or rebels was not certain.

After this intervention, the Meeting was adjourned.

When it resumed to continue its general exchange of views, the representative of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining told the Meeting that the ultimate aims of the process could only be achieved with the active participation of States that were mine affected.  They could propose concrete solutions, and would look carefully at the way resources were used. Efforts to enhance universal adherence to the Convention must be stepped up.  The urgency of avoiding more victims should be at the core of priorities. Programmes must be truly effective and produce lasting results.  What was being done must be constantly reviewed.  The Centre was working on, and was available for the assessment of mine action programmes.  It had also prepared a revision of the international mine action standards.  The Centre was also ready to step up its support for the Convention if asked to do so.  His ambition was a world in which people would be able to walk without anxiety, but that was still just an ambition for people in many parts of the world.

The representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in places where the Convention was being implemented the annual number of victims was falling dramatically, which meant actions specified in the Convention were correct and effective.  He described ICRC activities in mine action, including the provision of victim assistance.  The ICRC had recently published a leaflet for healthcare professionals on provision of care in war zones, which could provide information that saved the lives of mine victims.  As many States Parties would be facing the four-year deadline for the destruction of their stockpiles in 2003, he urged them to adopt plans to achieve this goal.  He also called on States to make acts forbidden under the Convention illegal under national law, and said the ICRC was available to assist in the preparation of such legislation.  He added that the ICRC considered all mines that could be triggered inadvertently by a person as covered by the Convention, including sensitive anti-vehicle mines.

The representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) said the presence of mines was a threat to lives and well-being, and also a block to productive use of land and provision of social services.  He described the ways the OAS was supporting mine action, including humanitarian demining.  In the past year support from the international community had not kept pace with national programmes, he explained.  This year a number of donors had reduced their contributions, and, as a consequence, it might prove necessary to reduce the number of demining units in the field, which would add years to the exposure of certain communities to anti-personnel mines.  He called on the international community to continue contributions until the objective of a mine-free society was achieved.

The representative of the European Commission (EC) said impressive results had been achieved by the Convention, and there was increased political and public awareness of the importance of mine action.  Despite achievements, much remained to be done.  Mine removal was not simply a technical operation, he said, but an effort to create an environment where people were safe.  He outlined the strategy and activities undertaken by the Commission and the European Union.  It was crucial to get beyond the concept of mechanical intervention.  Information on all aspects of contamination must be disseminated, and aid must be coordinated and employed in cooperation with non-governmental organizations.  

The representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said coordination within the United Nations system and cooperation with its partners had improved at all levels this year, with the development of a United Nations mine action strategy, which set out goals for the international community and then identified steps that could be taken to reach them.  By identifying the niche the United Nations could fill, the Organization was making itself more productive.  She described the role that UNDP played in national mine action programmes, including in developing training courses for mine action programme managers.

The representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered a statement on behalf of the Executive Director of that organization.  The Executive Director said that landmines had both a physical and psychological impact.  If people were not free of fear of violent death, then a state of war was still in effect.  Mines were a humanitarian issue, and their presence violated nearly all articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  She called for support for an international instrument on explosive war remnants, and described UNICEF mine action activities, including its cooperative activities and work undertaken for mine awareness. Today the world should have celebrated with UNICEF at the United Nations General Assembly special session on children, she noted. This had been postponed following the tragic events of last week, but the struggle to protect children and their rights must be intensified.  The rights of children in war must be paramount, and these included the right to be free of the threat of landmines.  She called on States parties to make this right a reality.

The representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which was also representing the World Health Organization (WHO), called on States that had signed the Convention but not ratified it to do so.  A great deal more focus in mine action must be placed on victim assistance, he said, and he listed some areas he felt should be improved and proposals that should be implemented, such as the creation of databases and the improvement of health sector capabilities.  He described relevant PAHO and WHO activities.  Assistance to victims must be about more than immediate rehabilitation, he explained.  They should also include measures to help with longer-term reinsertion into society, so they might make a proper contribution.

The representative of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) said that the United Nations system had formulated a mine action strategy for 2001 to 2005 which would be presented to the General Assembly at its current session.  He outlined recent United Nations activities for mine action, including the launch today of E-mine, an Internet tool that could be found at www.mineaction.org.  He also provided further information on the updated demining standards mentioned by the representative of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. 

The representative of Belarus said his country was still suffering from landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from World War II.  It viewed the Ottawa Convention as an important means to strengthen international peace and security.  He described its activities in support of the conventional weapons convention, and for mine action.  Belarus also possessed an unwanted heritage from the former Soviet Union, he said, in the form of anti-personnel mines, which would cost millions of dollars to destroy.  Belarus took all international treaties on disarmament seriously, and entering into the Ottawa Convention would oblige it to destroy this stockpile.  It was the cost of meeting this obligation that prevented Belarus from becoming a State Party.  However, it would continue to abide by the stipulations of the Convention as far as possible, and not add to its stockpile.

The representative of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia said her country supported the Convention and planned to accede to it.  Last year political changes had brought it back into the international community.  The new climate of cooperation and understanding had an impact on regional security.  Its participation in this Meeting was testimony to its belief in the Convention, and it abided by the principles of the Convention.  However, it would have problems implementing its obligations should it enter the treaty, particularly as action was required across the whole territory of a State party.  This would be difficult in the region of Kosovo, and because destruction of its stockpiles would be expensive.  Yugoslavia was also in urgent need of demining.  In its current economic circumstances, it could not carry out this demining without international support.

The representative of Indonesia said most mine-affected fields were in developing countries, which lacked the resources to deal with their consequences. Indonesia encouraged the international community to redouble its efforts to support capacity building in mine-affected countries.  He described Indonesian support for regional mine action, and stressed the importance of education and mine awareness activities.

The representative of Turkey said his country had long ago announced its intention to become a party to the Convention in the first decade of the new millennium.  It had put into place, and subsequently extended, a three-year moratorium banning sale and transfer of anti-personnel mines.  It had undertaken demining, and established mine coordination centres.  Marking of minefields continued.  Turkey also supported international mine action, he said.  His Government had decided to become a party to this Convention, jointly with Greece, and both States were taking steps to allow that to happen.

The representative of Congo said Congo was participating for the first time as a State party.  At the end of its civil war it had immediately begun the two-year legislative procedure to allow it to enter the treaty.  In May 2001, it became a Party and was complying with these provisions.  Successive wars had -– fortunately -- not led to extensive mining in his country.  Inventory work had begun and stockpile destruction would follow.  He asked for assistance from other States in meeting its obligations under the treaty.  Congo affirmed that anti-personnel mines should never be used, he said, and everyone must adhere to the Convention.  He assured the States Parties of the total adherence of Congo to the Convention.

The representative of Bulgaria said his country associated itself with the statement made by the European Union.  He then highlighted activities by Bulgaria

in support of the Convention.  It was among the first signatories, he said, and by 30 October 1999 all minefields in Bulgaria had been cleared.  It was now 100 per cent free of anti-personnel mines, except for 4000 kept for training, in accordance with the Convention.  Bulgaria was prepared to provide expertise and support for the global eradication of anti-personnel mines.  The connection between solutions to regional conflicts and the Ottawa Convention was indisputable.  Destroying arms was an important part of confidence building. Bulgaria would continue to work for an anti-personnel-mine-free zone in southern Europe.

The representative of Panama said that her country was not in possession of any anti-personnel mines.  Nor did it have any minefields on its territory. However, the Government had warned its people about the potential dangers of unexploded ordnance left behind by the United States, and had forbidden access to former United States firing ranges.

The representative of Bolivia said that it was the first Latin American country to ratify the Ottawa Convention.  He urged international cooperation and worldwide action that took into account the different characteristics of each region and its countries.  He also urged all States which had not yet ratified the Convention to do so.  He congratulated Chile for having done this recently and for its willingness to destroy landmines on its border with Bolivia.  There was still a long road ahead before the border region was free from mines that currently threaten the lives of indigenous people from both countries -- who ignored borders.  It was important to take major security measures to ensure that the minefields were clearly identified.  He asked for support from the international community for countries like Bolivia, which were affected by landmines but had neither produced them nor used them.

The representative of Yemen said his country had suffered huge economic losses and significant mine problems.  It had been amongst the first signatories to the Ottawa Convention.  About 20 per cent of its stockpiles had been destroyed, and many minefields had been cleared.  He thanked donor States that had assisted Yemen in its mine action activities, and hoped their help would be continued and extended to other States.  It was regrettable that while he was heading to this Meeting a mine explosion had killed many people in his country.  This was a graphic illustration of the danger of anti-personnel mines.    

The representative of Malta said his country aligned itself with the statement made by the European Union.  On May 7 it had deposited its ratification of the Ottawa Convention with the United Nations Secretary-General.  Though neither a producer nor a victim of mines, it was inspired by the international movement to ban them.  He noted that this week Malta had approved a contribution to the United Nations mine action fund.

The representative of Cambodia welcomed the new States Parties that had just signed and ratified the Convention.  Activities must continue to convince non-signatories to join.  Cambodia was known over the world as a heavily-affected country.  More than 40,000 people were struggling to survive as victims of landmines, and about the same number had been killed.  More than 3000 square kilometres affected.  During the conflict, mines had been used by the military, but also by civilians to protect their property.  The identification of minefields was difficult, but the country was working hard to do so.  About 170 square kilometres had been cleared, and the number of casualties had dropped recently.

The Cambodian Government was committed to banning landmines, he said.  National legislation had been introduced banning their use, production, stockpiling and transfer.  He then described a number of mine action initiatives undertaken by Cambodia.

The representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic said mines continued to be a concern for the international community.  Millions of landmines were still buried or scattered in 60 countries and thousands of innocent people were killed every day.  Mines created obstacles to social development and infrastructure building.  International cooperation for mine action should continue.  He described the damage caused by cluster bombs used on his country during the Vietnam war, which resulted in unexploded ordnance that still affected 50 per cent of the landmass 25 years after the war had ended.  The Government had developed a programme to address the problem.  He thanked governments and agencies that had supported this programme.

The representative of Venezuela said his country had joined the Convention, and while it had not implemented national legislation, it was engaged in meeting its commitments.  It had also participated extensively in demining activities in Central America, and was an active participant in regional training programmes. There were no facilities for the production of anti-personnel mines in Venezuela, he said.  He called for increased assistance for humanitarian demining.

The representative of Cameroon said it would soon be four years since the international community successfully completed the Ottawa process and opened the Convention for signing.  He thanked all participants in that process, and also those working on the ground in mine action.  Cameroon was proud to have been an early signatory, and this would be the last time it would participate as an Observer, as it had now completed domestic requirements needed to ratify the Convention.  Indeed it had fulfilled the transparency requirements despite not being a State party.  Mines were not in the arsenal of Cameroon, and it did not produce, sell, or transfer anti-personnel mines, he said.  He called for the universal ratification of the treaty.

Right of Reply

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply, the representative of Uganda said that his country had respected and observed its obligations under the treaty. He was aware of allegations that Uganda had used landmines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He wished to state formally that Uganda did not plant mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Mines could have been planted by those parties that, unlike Uganda, did not withdraw from the Democratic Republic of the Congo despite their commitment to do so.  He supported the call by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines for a full investigation, on the understanding that if landmines were discovered they would be quickly removed.

The general exchange of views thus completed, the Meeting was then adjourned.

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