Final Daily Update: Impressions of the week at the end of the 3MSP

(Sunday 23 September 2001 Managua - Nicaragua)

The ICBL campaigners who participated in the Third Meeting of States Parties agreed that it was indeed a very successful meeting. The lead-up to the meeting was successful and we did see two new states parties (Eritrea and Chile) and Ecuador and Peru completed stockpile destruction the week before the meeting.

Campaigners were impressed with the number of governments who did make it to Mangua, as attendance was very high, despite the tragic events in the US the previous week. It reaffirmed that it was indeed a good decision to hold it here in Managua and another good decision to go forward with the meeting despite the circumstances. Attendance throughout the week was good and included a large number of States Parties from Africa, Asia and mine-affected states, as well as non States Parties.

Delegates remained focused on the work at hand. This again demonstrated the firm commitment to the eradication of antipersonnel landmines. ICBL campaigners were pleased with our participation at the meeting, both in the formal interventions and other lobbying activities. Campaigners were pleased with the strong President's Action Plan, which guides the work forward for the next year, and particularly pleased with the incorporation of language regarding the importance of addressing Non-State Actors (NSAs) into the Managua Declaration, stating "We also recognize that progress to free the world from antipersonnel landmines would be promoted by Non-State Actors to cease and renounce their use in line with the international norm established by this convention." This was one of the more concrete items that emerged from ICBL campaigners lobbying efforts during the week. ICBL members also welcomed the response by Uganda and their willingness to move forward with an investigation into the allegations of mine use. This is indeed a positive response. In addition Burundi also reiterated its willingness for an investigation mission to proceed.

On the negative side, campaigners were disappointed that there were not that many new developments or major announcements either in the lead-up to the Meeting or during the Meeting, the Managua Challenge was largely not met, there were no new big announcements of mine action funding or multi-year commitments, for example.

Another disappointment was the issue of anti-vehicle mines with anti-handling devices, and in general the draft final report did not include several of the substantive issues we'd hoped for (other than the language on NSA's.)

On the whole, media coverage was limited to Nicaraguan media and a few international media sources (there were interviews on Radio Netherlands, Radio France International and Channel Africa radio, for example), however given the location of the meeting and the events in the world this week it was not too surprising.

Several campaigners also noted they were pleased by the importance of the Landmine Monitor and its credibility among the governments all participants.