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Action Alert on Universalisation Targets

(Tuesday 02 July 2002 ) This alert targets the following 12 signatories and non-signatories, urging their speedy ratification or accession to the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty: Afghanistan, Burundi, Cameroon, Cyprus, Ethiopia, East Timor, Gambia, Greece, Guyana, Turkey, São Tomé e Principe and Yugoslavia.

Outlined below are the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. Suggested priorities and approach
  3. Action strategies listed alphabetically by region: Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East/North Africa)
  4. Action tools (sample letters and youth action ideas).

We suggest you first read: 1. Introduction, and 2. Suggested priorities and approach. Then scroll down and look at 3. Action strategies,concentrating on your focus countries (selected from the 12). Finally, please consult the sample letters in 4. Action tools when you are writing lobbying letters or planning youth campaigning. For an easy-to-print version of this action alert please click here.

Please send feedback or queries to Sue Wixley, Advocacy and Communications Officer wixley@icbl.org) and Liz Bernstein, Coordinator (banemnow@icbl.org) by Friday 6 September 2002.

1. Introduction (read first!)

This action alert focuses on 12 non-signatory and signatory countries, and urges them to ratify or accede to the Antipersonnel (AP) Mine Ban Treaty as soon as possible, and ideally by the Fourth Meeting of States Parties (4MSP) which takes place in Geneva on 16 to 20 September 2002.

It is designed to get many new countries on board the treaty in the coming months so that we meet the challenge we set for ourselves of 135 States Parties by the 4MSP. (The 12 target countries, chosen by the ICBL Coordinating Committee during their review of the 2004 Action Plan in April 2002, were selected because we believe they may be open to encouragement. The country and youth strategies were drafted by Liz Bernstein, Sylvie Brigot, Jackie Hansen, Susan Walker and Sue Wixley in consultation with campaigns and others.)

More and more States are joining the treaty and working hard to implement it fully. The emerging international norm, which prohibits use anywhere by anyone, is gathering strength…but we need your help to keep up the momentum and bring the rest of the world on board! Help to universalise the treaty, starting with these 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burundi, Cameroon, Cyprus, Ethiopia, East Timor, Gambia, Greece, Guyana, Turkey, São Tomé e Principe and Yugoslavia.

The Suggested priorities section below will help you choose your focus countries from the 12 target countries. Afterwards, please look at the Action strategies for your particular focus countries. Then, when you are taking action, see the sample letters and youth action ideas at the end.

Please let us know what action you take and what responses you receive from officials. Feedback and queries should go to Sue Wixley, Advocacy and Communications Office (wixley@icbl.org) and Liz Bernstein, Coordinator (banemnow@icbl.org) by September 2002.

2. Suggested priorities and approach

Choose focus countries

Although you are welcome to campaign on all the targets, we suggest you select your own focus countries out of the 12 and concentrate on those on which you could have the most impact. You could choose countries from your region, or with the same language or with which your government has historical, political or economic links. Special youth actions are available for young campaigners targeting Yugoslavia. See below: the 12 targets divided into regional and language groups.

Regions:

  • Africa: Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, The Gambia, São Tomé e Principe;
  • Americas: Guyana;
  • Asia-Pacific: East Timor (Afghanistan is listed in Middle East/North Africa region);
  • Europe: Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia;
  • Middle East/North Africa: Afghanistan.

Languages:

  • Lusophone campaigns: East Timor and São Tomé e Principe;
  • Francophone campaigns also: Burundi, Cameroon and São Tomé e Principe.

Decide on your actions

Please use the suggested actions for each country as a guide and feel free to develop more elaborate action activities such as public actions, lobbying meetings and outreach with other organisations. However, at a minimum, it would be good if you could send lobbying letters to some of the target governments, copying to the individuals listed.

Youth action focus

Youth campaigners are encouraged to focus their efforts on Yugoslavia. Use creative actions to make your voice hear and show the government that young people around the world want Yugoslavia to join the Mine Ban Treaty! For information about the AP mine ban situation in the country see section 3 and for fun action ideas on Yugoslavia see section 4.

Targeted approach

We have developed individual strategies for each country, taking into account the different contexts and possible obstacles to ratification or accession. We hope that this will make our campaigning more effective. In line with this targeted approach, we encourage you to adapt your lobbying message for each target, using the information given on each country and particularly the points in the bulleted lists.

Links to other actions

We still have a long way to go to universalise the Treaty, so please do not feel you should work on these 12 targets to the exclusion of others! Instead please see how this action alert ties in with other activities, such as:

  • work with Parliamentarians for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly Annual session in Berlin in early July (contact Sylvie Brigot, Government Relations Officer: brigot@icbl.org);
  • lobbying of members of La Francophonie prior to the Beirut summit in mid-October 2002 (contact: brigot@icbl.org);
  • ongoing work with non-signatories such as India, Pakistan and the USA (contact: wixley@icbl.org) and others with which you may be engaging;
  • lobbying States Parties in preparation for the Fourth Meeting of States Parties (contact Susan Walker, Intersessional Program Officer: walker@icbl.org).

3. Action strategies (by region)

Africa: Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, The Gambia, São Tomé e Principe

Burundi

Burundi, a mine-affected country, signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and since 2001 has given assurances that it would ratify soon. The ratification papers are currently with the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs and then will be sent to the Cabinet for approval. The main obstacle to ratification seems to be that national priorities are elsewhere, due to the ongoing conflict and negotiations with rebel groups.

Action requested: please write in French to the Foreign Minister Terence Sinunguruza, encouraging their urgent ratification of the treaty. Other points to include in your letter:

  • note Burundi's mine problem and emphasise your concerns about the humanitarian and socio-economic consequences and thus the urgency of joining the Treaty. Also mention recent press reports regarding use of AP mines in border areas and implore them to stop use immediately, if these disturbing reports are true. Burundi's commitment to cease all use of AP mine must be firm prior to ratification;
  • congratulate Burundi for their good intentions as demonstrated by their signing of the Treaty in 1997 and announcements at the Second and Third Meetings of States Parties of their plan to ratify shortly;
  • point out the benefits of joining the Treaty fully: becoming a States Party is likely to boost international assistance for mine action, survivor assistance and stockpile destruction;
  • urge Burundi to take the final step of ratification and join States Parties in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in working towards a mine-free world.
The Honourable Mr Terence Sinunguruza
Minister of External Relations and Cooperation
Boite Postale 1.840
Bujumbura
Burundi
Tel. +257-2-22150/ Fax +257-2-23970

Other actions: please also copy the letter or hold a lobbying meeting with the Burundian embassy in your country click here for the nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Also, please send copies to the French and Belgian Ambassador in your country. Click here for French embassies and here for Belgian embassies. Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Cameroon

Cameroon is not a mine-affected country. It signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and reported having sent its ratification document to the United Nations in June 2001. To date their instrument of ratification has not been received. So, although Cameroon submitted its Article 7 report as if it were a States Party, it is not recognised as such.

Action requested: please write in French and English (there are two official languages) to 1. the President Paul Biya and 2. the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francois-Xavier Ngoubeyou, requesting that the instrument of ratification is re-submitted urgently. Other points to make in the letter include:

  • commend Cameroon for being amongst the first signatories to the Convention and for having completed its domestic processes allowing it to become a States Party in July 2000;
  • note that it is regrettable that Cameroon is still not considered a States Party as its instrument of ratification has not been received by the United Nations;
  • acknowledge Cameroon's commitment to the Treaty and welcome the fact that they sent their first Article 7 report.
His Excellency President Paul Biya
Office of the President
Palais de l'Unite
Yaounde, Centre
Cameroon
Fax +237-23-30-22

The Honourable Mr Francois-Xavier Ngoubeyou
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yaounde
Cameroon

Other actions: please also copy the letter or hold a lobbying meeting with Cameroon's embassy in your country click here for the nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please also copy to the Secretary General of la Francophonie Mr Boutros Boutros Ghali.

The Honourable Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
Cabinet du Secrétaire Général 28, rue de Bourgogne
Paris 75007
France
Tel. +33-01-44-111250/ Fax +33-44-111276
la Francophonie

Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a mine-affected country and a treaty signatory and in the past expressed reluctance to ratify because of the regional situation, particularly the border dispute with Eritrea. This dispute was settled in April 2001, Eritrea is now a States Party and in June 2002 both sides agreed to share their respective minefield records. Thus, many of the security-related concerns about joining the Treaty, are no longer there.

Action requested: please write to 1. the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyoum Mesfin and 3. Minister of Defence Abadula Gemeda, encouraging urgent ratification of the treaty. Other points to make in the letter:

  • acknowledge Ethiopia's mine problem and its commitment to the Treaty as demonstrated by the fact that they were amongst the first signatories in December 1997;
  • emphasise concerns about the humanitarian and socio-economic consequences, particularly since casualties increased after new mines were reportedly laid in the 1998-2000 border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea;
  • point out the benefits of joining the Treaty fully: becoming a States Party is likely to boost international assistance for mine action, survivor assistance and stockpile destruction;
  • note that most other members of regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are States Parties to the Treaty (Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya and Uganda), as are neighbours Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Yemen.
The Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Meles Zenawi
PO Box 1031
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel. +251-1-552-044 or 251-1-113-241/ Fax +251-1-552-020

The Honourable Mr. Mesfin Seyoum
Minister of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 393
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel. +251-1-447-245/ Fax +251-1-514-042

The Honourable General Abadula Gemeda
Minister of Defence
P.O. Box 1373
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel. +251-51-17-17

Other actions: please also copy the letter or hold a lobbying meeting with the Ethiopian embassy in your country click here for the nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please also copy to the heads of states of States Parties in IGAD, asking for their support in encouraging Ethiopia's ratification: click here for contacts in IGAD states

For African campaigns especially, please send a letter-to-the-editor (shorten your lobbying letter to 5 or less paragraphs) to these newspapers in Addis Ababa: The Addis Tribune, fax: +251 1 61 52 27, email: tambek@telecom.net.et) and Press Digest , fax: + 251 1 51 35 23, email: phoenix.universal@telecome.net.et). Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

The Gambia

The Gambia is a not a mine-affected country and became a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997. Like Cameroon, Gambia's instrument of ratification was sent off but not received at the United Nations, so the country is not considered a States Party.

Action requested: please write to 1. President Yahya Jammeh and 2. Foreign Minister Boubacar Blaise Jagne, requesting that the instrument of ratification is re-submitted as a matter of urgency. Other points to make in the letter include:

  • commend The Gambia for its commitment to the Treaty as illustrated by their being amongst the first signatories to the Convention in December 1997 and for having completed its parliamentary processes allowing it to become a States Party in November 1999;
  • note that it is regrettable that The Gambia is still not considered a States Party as its instrument of ratification has not been received by the United Nations;
  • note that, apart from The Gambia, all of the 15 countries within Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are States Parties to the Treaty.
His Excellency President Yahya Jammeh
Office of the President
State House
Banjul
Gambia
Tel. +220-227881/ Fax +220-227034

The Honourable Dr. Boubacar Blaise Jagne
Secretary of State for External Affairs
4, Marina Parade
Banjul
Gambia
Fax +220-228-060

Other actions: please also copy the letter/or hold a lobbying meeting with the Gambian embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please also send copies to heads of state in ECOWAS, asking for their support in urging ratification click here for contacts in ECOWAS Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

São Tomé e Principe

São Tomé e Principe signed the Mine Ban Treaty in April 1998 and their Parliament approved ratification at the beginning of the following year. The President has not signed the instrument of ratification (although there was some confusion with the President's office believing the ratification process had been completed). The country is not mine-affected.

Action requested: please write in Portuguese and French to 1. President Fradique De Menezes. In your letter please encourage their urgent ratification of the Treaty. Other points to make in the letter include:

  • commend São Tomé e Principe's for their commitment and good intentions shown by their signing of the Treaty and the approval of ratification in parliament in 1999;
  • acknowledge that there are many pressing issues for the government and limited resources but emphasise the humanitarian imperative of joining the Treaty as soon as possible and urge the government to take the few remaining steps of ratification;
  • express the hope that along with other Lusophone countries, São Tomé e Principe will play an active leadership role in this humanitarian issue, particularly given the situation in the gravely mine-affected countries of Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique.
His Excellency President Fradique De Menezes
Office of the President
C.P. 38
Sao Tome
Sao Tome and Principe
Tel: +239 12 21 143, fax: + 239 12 21 226

Please copy your letters to: 1. the Chargé d'Affaires Domingos Augusto Ferreira at the Permanent Mission in New York and 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mateus Meira Rita.

Chargé d'Affaires Mr Domingos Augusto Ferreira
Permanent Mission of Sao Tome and Principe
400 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
USA
Tel. +212-317-0533/ +212-317-0580/Email stpun@undp.org

The Honourable Ms. Mateus Meira Rita
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
C.P. 111
Sao Tome
Sao Tome and Principe
Tel. +239-12-22372/ +239-12-21166/ Fax +239-12-22597

Also, please copy the letter/or hold a lobbying meeting with São Tomé's embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please also encourage other States Parties, particularly Brazil, Portugal and Mozambique, to use their influence.

His Excellency Mr Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Oficina do President, Palacio do Planalto
Praca dos tes Poderes
Brasilia
70.50
Brazil

His Excellency Jorge Sampaio
President
Presidencia de la Republica
Praca Afonso Alboquerque
1349-022
Lisbon
Portugal

His Excellency Joaquim Alberto Chissano
Avenida Julius Nyerere 2000
Caixa Postal 285
Maputo
Mozambique

Please also copy the letter to Mr Boutros Boutros Ghali, Secretary General of la Francophonie asking for a follow up to their visit in January 2001 and to use their influence ahead of la Francophonie summit in Beirut in October 2002.

The Honourable Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
Cabinet du Secrétaire Général 28, rue de Bourgogne
Paris 75007
France
Tel. +33-01-44-111250/ Fax +33-44-111276
La Francophonie

Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Americas: Guyana

Guyana

Guyana, a non mine-affected country, signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997. Their 'in principle' support for the treaty was reaffirmed at a landmine seminar and meetings with government officials during a visit of the Canadian Ambassador Livermore in May 2002. The obstacles appear to be at a parliamentary level: many competing priorities plus political conflicts have brought the assembly to a near standstill.

Action requested: please write to 1. the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudolph Insanally, 2. The Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj, 3. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Reepu Daman Persaud and 4. Mr Hugh Desmond Hoyte, leader of the main opposition party (Peoples' National Congress). In your letter encourage Guyana to prioritise the ratification of the Treaty when the Parliament returns from recess in September 2002. Other points to include:

  • commend Guyana for its commitment to the Treaty as demonstrated by their being amongst the first signatories to the Convention in December 1997;
  • note the difficulties experienced in Parliament and that there may be disagreements on many issues, but emphasise the importance of the Mine Ban Treaty from a humanitarian perspective and the significance of moving forward on ratification;
  • conclude that it is only remaining country on the South American continent not to have ratified the Mine Ban Treaty.
The Honourable Mr. Rudolph Insanally
Minister of Foreign Affairs
South Road
Takuba Lodge
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel. +592-2-56739/Fax +592-2-68426/ +592-2-59192

The Honourable Mr Ronald Gajraj
Minister of Home Affairs
Brickdam Georgetown
Guyana
Tel. +592-2-257270/Fax +592-2-274806

The Honourable Mr. Reepu Daman Persaud
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the President
New Garden Street Georgetown
Guyana
Tel +592-2-257051/Fax +592-2-263395

The Honourable Mr Hugh Desmond Hoyte
Leader of the Peoples' National Congress
Congress Place
Sophia, Georgetown
Guyana
Email: pnc@guyana.pnc.org

Other actions: please also copy the letter/or hold a lobbying meeting with Guyana's embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please also copy letters to Guyana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr Samuel Insanally.

His Excellency Mr. Samuel Insanally
Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Guyana to the United Nations
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 555
New York
NY 10017
Fax: + 1 212 935 7548/Email: guyun@un.int

Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Asia-Pacific: East Timor (see Afghanistan in Middle East/North Africa section)

East Timor

The Mine Ban Treaty was part of a package of international treaties that the Council of Ministers of East Timor (now the Cabinet) approved for signing as part of the country's Independence Day ceremonies of 20 May 2002.

Action Requested: please write in English and Portuguese to 1. President Xanana Gusmão and 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dr. Jose Ramos Horta welcoming the fact that they intend to join this important treaty and urging speedy accession. In your letter you may also wish to congratulate East Timor on its independence and say that we look forward to their leadership on this and other important humanitarian issues in the region.

His Excellency President Xanana Gusmão
C/o UNTAET
P.O. Box 2436
Darwin NT 0801
Australia
Tel. +670-390-312210/ +61-8-8942-2203 /Fax +1-212-963-2180 /Email op@gov.east-timor.org

The Honourable Dr. Jose Ramos Horta
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
C/o UNTAET
P.O. Box 2436
Darwin NT 0801
Australia
Tel. +670-390-312210/ +61-8-8942-2203/Fax +1-212-963-2180

Other actions: please also copy the letter or hold a lobbying meeting with East Timor's embassy in your country and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Europe: Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia

Cyprus

Cyprus, a mine-affected country, signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997. The process of ratification has begun in Parliament with the relevant committees meeting in April 2002. They have continued to participate in the intersessional Standing Committee meetings but have not reported any progress towards ratification. The government is committed to demining Greek-Cypriot minefields and planning for this is already underway.

Action requested: please write to the 1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides, encouraging their urgent ratification of the Treaty. Other points to make in your letter:

  • commend Cyprus for its commitment to the Treaty as demonstrated by their being amongst the first signatories to the Convention in December 1997;
  • thanks them for their willingness to ratify the Treaty and for introducing the bill to parliament calling for early approval and welcome their recent proposal for clearing the minefields in Cyprus;
  • point out how important ratification would be for peace-building on the island as well as in the region and that it could be a catalyst for Greece and Turkey's final steps towards ratification.
The Honourable Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dem Severis Avenue #18-19
Nicosia 1447
Cyprus
Tel. +357-2-300-602/ Fax +357-2-451-881

Other actions: please also copy the letter or hold a lobbying meeting with Cyprus' embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and copy to Mr Alvaro De Soto, The UN Special Advisor for Cyprus (fax: + 357 22 87 4744). Also, contact your own government (if a States Party), asking them to use their influence. Contact parliamentarians in your country and ask if there are any joint committees with Cypriot parliamentarians and if so, request their help on this issue. Send a letter-to-the-editor (shorten your lobbying letter to 5 or less paragraphs) to Cyprus Weekly (Menelaos Hadjicostis, menhadji@cytanet.com.cy) and Cyprus Mail (Jean Christou, jchristou@cyprus-mail.com). Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Greece

Greece, a mine-affected country, signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997. On 19 March 2002 the Greek Parliament voted unanimously to ratify the Treaty. The government is awaiting Turkey's approval of ratification and intends to submit its instrument of ratification at the same time.

Action requested: please write to 1. President Costis Stephanopoulos and 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Yeoryios Papandreou encouraging their urgent ratification of the Treaty. Other points to make in your letter:

  • commend Greece for its commitment to the Treaty as illustrated by their being amongst the first signatories to the Convention in December 1997;
  • congratulate them for receiving the unanimous approval of the Greek Parliament for ratification of this important Treaty;
  • urge them to be prepared to send their instrument of ratification to the United Nations as soon as Turkey's Parliament has approved accession.
His Excellency President Costis Stephanopoulos
Presidential Mansion
7 Vas. Georgiou St
Athens
Greece
Email mail@primeminister.gr

The Honourable Mr Yeoryios Papandreou
Minister of Foreign Affairs
2, Odos Zalakosta
Athens GR-10671
Greece
Tel. +30-1-361-0581/ Fax +30-1-362-4195

Other actions: please also copy the letter/or hold a lobbying meeting with the Greek embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please copy the letter to the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs (see below). Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Turkey

Turkey, a mine-affected country, announced in 2001 that it would start the process of accession to the Mine Ban Treaty and become a States Party at the same time as Greece. The parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee approved ratification of the Treaty on 9 May 2002 and the decision about ratification awaits the approval of Parliament.

Action requested: please write to 1. the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly H. E Mr Omer Izgi and 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ismail Cem, and encourage their urgent ratification of the Treaty. Other points to make in your letter:

  • congratulate Turkey for their commitment to the Treaty and recent progress with regards to approval by the Foreign Affairs committee;
  • urge them to prioritise the accession before the Fourth Meeting of States Parties, given the humanitarian imperative of banning landmines;
  • request that Turkey takes the few remaining steps required in order to accede to the Treaty.
His Excellency Mr. Omer Izgi
Turkiye Buyuk Millet
Meclisi
Ankara
Turkey

The Honourable Hon. Ismail Cem
Yeni Hizmet Binasi
Belgat-Ankara 06520
Turkey
Tel. +90-312-287-1665/ Fax +90-312-287-3869

Other actions: please also copy the letter/or hold a lobbying meeting with the Turkish embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please copy your letter to the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs (see above). Also send a copy to the EU Secretary General and High Representative, Mr Javier Solana and Mrs B Mugo of the Interparliamentary Union.

The Honourable Mr. Javier Solana
Council of the European Union
General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175
B-1048 Bruxelles/Brussels
Tel +32-2-285-61-11/Fax +32-2-285-73-97/73-81

Mrs Mugo
President of the Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law
Interparliamentary Union
C/o IPU Secretariat
C.P 438
1211 Geneva 19
Fax: + 4122 919 4160

Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Yugoslavia

After the government decided on 20 April 2001 to join the Mine Ban Treaty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched preparations for accession. In April 2002 the Ministry said that the legislative proposal had been approved and was awaiting the agreement of the Ministry of Finance before being forwarded to the Federal Assembly for adoption. There are indications that there may be resistance to accession within the Yugoslav Army General Staff. Yugoslavia is a mine-affected country.

Action requested: please write to 1. the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr Kostunica, 2. Mr Krga Branko, Chief of Staff of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and 3. Mr Dragisa Pesic, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and encourage their urgent accession to the Treaty. Other points to include in your letter are:

  • welcome Yugoslavia's willingness to accede to the Treaty and their participation in the Third Meeting of States Parties and the intersessional weeks since May 2001;
  • point out that the limited military utility of antipersonnel mines is far outweighed by their enormous socio-economic costs, and emphasise the humanitarian imperative of urgently joining the Mine Ban Treaty;
  • inform them that there are mechanisms available within the Treaty to help with its implementation, including the destruction of stockpiled antipersonnel mines.
His Excellency Mr Kostunica
President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Kneza Milosa
Belgrade
Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 301 5055/ email:vojislav.kostunica@gov.yu

The Honourable Mr Krga Branko
Chief of Staff of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Kneza Milosa
Belgrade
Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 361 6179

The Honourable Mr Dragisa Pesic
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Belgrade
Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 637 185

Other actions: please also copy the letter or hold a lobbying meeting with Yugoslavia's embassy in your country click here for nearest embassy and contacts in your own government (if a States Party). Please copy the letter to the following people: the Prime Minister of Serbia Mr Zoran Djindjic and Ambassador Stefano Sannion, Head of the OSCE mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Also, for youth campaigning ideas on Yugoslavia, please see ideas in section 4. Action tools.

The Honourable Mr Zoran Djindjic, Fax: 381 11 3617609

His Excellency Mr. Stefano Sannion
Head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 3672429

Take a look at the Landmine Monitor report on this country.

Middle East/North Africa: Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a non-signatory and one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. There are hopes that the new government will accede to the Mine Ban Treaty, especially after Chairman Karzai (now President) committed Afghanistan to banning landmines at a donors' conference in Tokyo last November.

The immediate focus of the ICBL's strategy for Afghanistan is an international conference on the Mine Ban Convention, to be held in Kabul, 28 - 31 July 2002. The event will be hosted by Afghanistan's Interim Administration and organised in co-operation with the Unite