Vienna Seminar Chairman's Summary

Vienna Seminar
Chairmen's Summary
European Seminar on the Implementation of Treaty Obligations
with Regard to Mines in the Armed Forces

Vienna, 7-10 July 1998

CHAIRMEN'S SUMMARY

Austria and Italy, the EU and WEU Presidencies, co-hosted the European Seminar on the Implementation of Treaty Obligations with Regard to Mines in the Armed Forces in Vienna from 7 to 10 July 1998.
Participants from 33 European countries participated in this seminar, the first of its kind organized by Ministries of Defense for military experts.

Against the background of the rapid ratification process of the Ottawa Treaty and the entry into force of the amended Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons on 3 December 1998, the seminar provided a useful forum to consider the challenges and objectives of the treaty obligations, to demonstrate and evaluate methods of mine detection, clearance and destruction, as well as to focus on international coordination and cooperation in mine action. Particular interest was expressed on the potential role of the WEU in coordinating national efforts of humanitarian mine clearance in mine-affected countries.

After an introduction of the concrete obligations for armed forces of States Parties to the Ottawa Treaty, respectively to the amended Protocol II, as well as under general international humanitarian law, military experts from three states gave presentations on adaptations to their countries' military doctrine which allowed their security concerns to be met without anti-personnel mines. Although some participants pointed out that difficulties exist to find suitable and readily available military alternatives, it was emphasized that the humanitarian crisis caused by anti-personnel mines cannot be justified by short term practical considerations.

Practical experience on the destruction of stocks was exchanged,
taking into account environmental concerns and cost-effectiveness. A representative of the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency offered support with regard to the implementation if destruction obligations. Means and methods of mine and other explosive ordnance destruction were also demonstrated in the field, along with a presentation of
equipment for detecting and clearing explosives, including booby traps and improvised explosive devices. On a practice ground, Austrian and Italian armed forces specialists showed their humanitarian demining techniques and equipment.

In the session dealing with the role of European institutions in
humanitarian mine-clearance the representatives of the WEU underlined that, having created its coordination capacity, the WEU now stood ready to respond to a concrete request by the EU. The WEU might thus put together a coherent package of technical advice and trainers coming from the national armed forces. This would render a significant contribution to capacity-building in a mine-affected country. During
the discussions participants welcomed the potential role of the WEU and expressed their interest in its realization.

With regard to the role of the European Union, the largest donor in
mine action, the speaker from the European Commission underlined that adherence to the Ottawa Treaty is a condition for support. With the establishment of the legal framework, international efforts are now concentrating on coordination. In that process the European Union is a driving force. The European Union has therefore identified the offer of the WEU as an option that could be pursued once a concrete request is put forward.

The Director of the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian
Demining outlined the tasks of this important institution for
international coordination. The Head of the European Commission Joint Research Center explained current undertakings in technology development for enhanced mine detection and demining. In view of the high costs of advanced technology, he introduced the idea of leasing such equipment to non-governmental organizations and other actors in
the field. Applicability and limitations of mechanical demining
systems were discussed, taking the example of recently developed mine clearing vehicles and the experience gained by the Italian Armed Forces. Insight into the problems confronting advanced technology in humanitarian mine clearance activities in a mine-affected country was given by a speaker from Afghanistan. An officer from the Austrian Armed Forces drew conclusions based on his own experience in demining
on the Golan Heights as part of UNDOF.

A representative of the United Nations Mine Actions Service gave an overview on the United Nations lead role and its conceptual approach regarding international coordination of mine action. A member of the Mines Advisory Group, one of the leading non-governmental organizations in mine action, stressed the need for increased cooperation among armed forces providing experience and training for humanitarian mine clearance and, as a second step, between them and non-governmental organizations running projects in the field. He emphasized the importance of the seminar as an opening for an enhanced
dialogue between armed forces and non-governmental organizations.

Many participants welcomed that the seminar provided a broader
perspective of the anti-personnel mine issue and focused on
cooperative aspects. The potential of using military expertise for
humanitarian mine-clearance in a more coordinated and coherent way should be better used. The offer of the WEU constitutes a concrete way for reaching this objective.