Summary of ISC Meetings, Mine Clearance, MRE and MAT

Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings

Update 3, Wednesday 4 June 2008

Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies (Art. 5)

Crunch time for mine clearance: 14 states requesting an extension

Most of the day was devoted to discussions on the extension requests for the deadline to complete mine clearance in accordance with the Article 5 obligations. Fourteen out of 19 states with clearance deadlines in 2009, have submitted such extension requests: Bosnia, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Jordan, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, Senegal, Thailand, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe, as well as the UK asking for a 10 year extension!

The ICBL made a very strong and frank statement criticizing the lack of planning and inadequate preparation of many of the requests. This critique caused irritation among many states concerned, including Senegal and a few Latin American countries. In response, the President of the 8th MSP - Prince Mired R.Z. Al Hussein of Jordan strongly backed the ICBL by stating that was the role of the civil society and that the ICBL’s remarks have been very valuable and constructive. The ICRC and Switzerland also supported the ICBL’s line.

On a positive note: Malawi announced completion of its clearance obligations under Article 5 and Vanuatu clarified it was not mine affected.