Ratification Update #4

Ratification Update #4

RATIFICATION UPDATE #4

Steve Goose

Here is the fourth in the series on Mine Ban Treaty ratification and signature. We now have 14 ratifications (adding Djibouti, Croatia, and Mali since the last update) and 126 signatories (the last update had missed Sao Tome and Principe, which signed on April 30).

Official Ratifications deposited at the United Nations: Canada, Ireland, Mauritius, Turkmenistan, Holy See, San Marino, Switzerland, Hungary, Niue, Belize, Trinidad&Tobago, Djibouti, Croatia, Mali.

Others that have apparently passed ratification legislation, but not yet deposited it at the UN: Andorra, Austria, Bolivia, Bosnia, Guinea, Mozambique, Peru, South Africa, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

COLOMBIA

It is expected that Colombia will ratify within a month. The Colombian delegate that signed the ban treaty has been named International Relations Minister, and he has stated his desire to ratify as soon as possible, [Juan C. Tovar, Colombian Campaign -- May 6, 1998]

CROATIA

Croatia deposited its ratification on May 20, making it #13.

DJIBOUTI

Djibouti deposited its ratification on May 18, making it #12.

MALI

Mali deposited its ratification on June 2, making it #14.

MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique approved ratification on May 26. President Chissano published it in a speech on June 1 in I'bane. The parliament is expected to take up implementing legislation when it restarts work next October. [Luis Fortunato Lifanissa, Acting coordenator, CMCM -- 6/4/98]

Canada expects Mozambique to deposit its instrument of ratification by the end of June.
[DFAIT -- 6/4/98]

NEW ZEALAND

Legislation will be introduced by the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control in June to give full effect to the terms and conditions of the Ottawa Convention. Ratification remains on track, once the
necessary parliamentary procedures are undertaken, to be completed well before the end of this year.
[CALM 5/21/98]

NORWAY

The government put the ratification proposal before the parliament on June 2. The Committee for Foreign Affairs will discuss it, make comments and recommendations to the parliament--probably on
Friday June 12. Then the bill is voted on. We are certain that it will get enough votes. The question is whether the Conservative Party will be on board or not. After it has passed, the Foreign Ministry will
take the necessary steps to hand over the instrument to the UN. The precise timetable is not known.
[NPA, Christian Ruge -- 5/19/98 and 6/5/98]

SAO TOME & PRINCIPE

STP signed on April 30, becoming #125. (Bangladesh was #126 on 7 May).

Sign/Ratify the Treaty!Clear Mines!Help Survivors!
Liz Bernstein
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
PO Box 2189
Maputo,Mozambique
Tel: +258 1 49 39 81/2; Fax: +258 1 49 39 80
email: banemnow-at-mail-tropical-co-mz