FMSP Info

Maputo, Mozambique 3-7 May

Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and On their Destruction or Mine Ban Treaty (MBT). The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) will attend as an official observer, as will governments that have not signed or ratified the treaty. To date, the treaty has been signed by 135 governments and ratified by 75. It came into force on 1 March 1999, faster than any other major treaty in history.

"It is fitting that the conference takes place in a mine-affected country in the most mine-affected region of the most mined continent," said Liz Bernstein, co-coordinator of the ICBL who will also speak at the briefing. "It is also fitting that it takes place in Africa given the leadership role of African countries in the ban movement."

At the Maputo meeting, the ICBL will release the first Annual Report of the Landmine Monitor initiative in a formal presentation to governments. Landmine Monitor -- a civil society-based system which monitors implementation of and compliance with the ban treaty, and overall international progress in dealing with the landmine crisis -- is the first systematic, coordinated, global effort by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to monitor an arms control or humanitarian law treaty.

Monday 26 April, the ICBL will hold a press briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa with Dr. Graça Machel. Speaking on behalaf of ICBL, Machel will discuss the significance of the conference for the implementation and monitoring of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

Schedule of events during the conference:

For more information or to schedule an interview please contact:

• Sue Wixley in Johannesburg, Tel: + 27 (0)82 2545157 (all hours, until 28 April), in Maputo Tel: + 258 1 49 39 81/2, email: sue-at-icbl-org

• Liz Bernstein in Maputo, Tel + 258 1 49 39 81/2; Fax: + 258 1 49 39 80
  email: banemnow-at-icbl-org http://www.icbl.org

• Sylvie Brigot à Paris (presse francophone), Tel: +33 1 43 14 87 00; Fax: +33 1 43 14 87 07 (jusqu'au 30 avril), à Maputo Tel: +258 1 49 39 81/2; email: hiparis-at-compuserve-com

For media accreditation contact: FMSP Logistics Coordination Office: Tel: +258 1 49 74 65 or 49 75 02; Fax: +258 1 49 74 88; email: FMSP_LCO-at-VIRCONN-COM
Other information:

• ICBL FMSP Action Alert
• Canadian Govt. "Safe-Lane" info on FMSP
• Draft provisional agenda and programme for the FMSP