Media Advisory: The Road to the 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World

Author/Origin: ICBL media@icbl.org

(Friday 21 November 2003 Washington DC)

Stockpile destruction in Thailand, April 2003. Photo by Deborah Morris.

WHAT: Launch of the process for the Mine Ban Convention's First Review Conference, the 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World. A press conference at the site where the Republic of Cyprus will detonate its stockpiled antipersonnel mines will be followed by a visit to a mined area nearby.

WHO: Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Williams coordinated the ICBL from 1991-1997, and currently serves as the International Campaign to Ban Landmine (ICBL)’s Ambassador.

Tassos Papadopoulos, President of the Republic of Cyprus.

Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, Austrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and President-Designate of the Convention’s First Review Conference

WHEN: Tuesday 2 December 13:30 to 15:30 (local time)

WHERE: Xintous Military Testing Range, Vysakia, Republic of Cyprus

WHY:

• The 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World (the First Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer, of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction) is a key milestone in the life of the Treaty. It will mark the incredible progress since the birth of the Convention and chart the way forward for its full implementation and universalisation.
• The ICBL is geared to fully participate in the Summit and preparation process, starting with this launch. It is urging States Parties to the Treaty to send ministers to the Summit and use the road to Nairobi process to boost membership of the treaty and renew commitment to clearing mines and assisting landmine victims.
• Cyprus, and neighbours Greece and Turkey, is amongst the Mine Ban Treaty's newest members. The mine-affected country will blow up its stockpiles of antipersonnel mines at the launch. This will be Cyprus' first significant step in fulfilling its Treaty obligations.
• The launch coincides with the anniversary of the signing of the Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa in 1997 and the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the ICBL and Jody Williams in Oslo. 3 December is also International Day for Disabled People. The ICBL will publish a press statement on 3 December: www.icbl.org.

CONTACTS:

• For information, please write media ('at' sign) icbl.org, visit www.icbl.org/info/mediakit or contact: Elizabeth Bernstein, Coordinator, +1-202-352-7950 or +1-202-547-2667
• For information on logistics, contact: Patricia Hadjisotiriou, Press Information Office, Republic of Cyprus, +357- 22-801-144
• For information on the 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, contact: Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in Geneva, +41-22-748-2048.