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Comments Received by Landmine MonitorPages: << | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | >> | Sort by: Date / Country Country: Germany Date Received: 21 Sep 2000 Markus Haake, Co-ordinator of the German Initiative to Ban Landmines received a letter of the German Ministry of Defense, dated 21 September 2000, with following comments referring to the LM 2000 Country Report on Germany (p.647). "- AT 1 has for many years not been the Bundeswehr inventory, - AT 2 does not have a magnetic detonator, - DM-21 only has a pressure-operated detonator, - DM-31 does not have an anti-handling-device, - PM 60/K1: The Bundeswehr at no time took over mines of the former GDR for its own use. According tho our regulations, a statment of Functional and Operational Safety, would be necessary for this purpose; this statement was not made, - COBRA is neither under development nor in Production, - SMART does not have a fragmentation warhead." Country: Sudan Date Received: 13 Sep 2000 STATEMENT BY SUDAN DELEGATION TO THE SECOND MEETING OF STATES PARTY TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF, THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION Sudan has earnestly and consciously signed the Convention on The Prohibition of, The Use, Stockpiling Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their destruction that signed the landmark step in the history of the disarmament and a historic victory for the weak and vulnerable of our world. Sudan is therefore committed to the letter and sprit of this important instrument and of its provisions. Since Ottawa, Sudan has keenly and effectively participated in most Regional and International Conferences in this regard with the view of advancing the cause. Sudan sponsored and voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54(B) supporting the Mine Ban Treaty in December 1999. It has supported similar UN General Assembly resolutions in 1996/1997/1998. These efforts are clear testimony for the high importance that Sudan attaches to the Convention. The unfounded allegations that Sudan is producing or using mines will not detract the country from fulfilling its obligations and honouring its commitments under this instrument. Subsequently, Sudan identified the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) as a national focal point designated with the responsibilities of supervision, coordination and fund raising needed for the activities in relations to the implementation of the Convention. To realize this HAC had immediately sensitized the national NGOs and Government institutions to actively participate in the formulation of the national policies and mine action programs. After that Sudan tabled its plans to the International community to seriously engage in the demining process. Surprisingly the UN Assessment Team recommended that "until there is a peace and stability, large-scale mine clearance should not be undertaken". This had a demoralizing effect and seriously worked against the implementation of the mine action programme. Despite this alarming fact the government mobilized locally minimal resources, required to start the Implementation. The Government takes this opportunity to commend the effort of the international NGOs and other organizations that has continuously put resources in favor of the Convention implementation. ICRC is providing all the inputs required for production of amputated limbs of mine victims. It is planning to establish limb production factories in other parts of the Sudan to cope with the situation. OXFAM and Rada Bernen are mobilizing resources in the field of awareness. Current Activities
Impediments
Conclusion
Finally, I thank the Swiss People and Government for making this event possible. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Country: Romania Date Received: 13 Sep 2000 SECOND MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ONTHE PROHIBITION OF THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION ANDTRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION, GENEVA, 11-15 SEPTEMBER 2000
STATEMENT BY
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Along with the other EU accession states, my delegation has aligned itself to the statement made on behalf of the European Union and fully shares the views and objectives expressed in the statement delivered to this meeting by the distinguished head of the delegation of France. My country signed, on April 8, 1982, the "Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons that may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects", and ratified it on January 26, 1996. Romania also supported the amendment of Protocol II of the Convention, at the Conference of State Parties held in April 1996. Romania participated actively at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, in the debates aimed at elaborating an international agreement for banning APLs exports. The Romanian contribution to the eradication of the APLs plague and its indiscriminate effects was also accomplished through enforcement of important internal unilateral measures. The national production of APLs ended in 1990 and on the July 1, 1995, Romania adopted a unilateral moratorium on exports of APL, extended by successive Decisions of the Government. The current moratorium is due to be in force until November 25, 2000, not September 15, 2000, as reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2000. The relevant Romanian authorities have initiated the procedures for a new Government Decision providing for a further three years extension of the moratorium. Romania ranks also among the states that signed the Ottawa Convention on December 3, 1997, when the instrument was open for signature. As a signatory country of the Ottawa Convention we pay a particular attention to the work and the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Experts and greatly appreciate the dedication shown in pursuing the goal of achieving , as soon as possible, concrete results in the outgoing process against APLs. Mr. President, With reference to the current stage of ratification of the Ottawa Convention by Romania, I have the honor to inform you and the delegations to this meeting that important steps of the internal procedure have already been accomplished. The draft of the ratification law was elaborated by the relevant Romanian institutions, adopted by the Government and has been forwarded to the Parliament for ratification. Taken into consideration the political significance my authorities are attaching to the issue of APLs, there are good perspectives for Romania to participate as a State Party to the next Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. Mr. President, Romania as like many other members of the international community was and will remain involved in the field of the demining activities and medical assistance to mine victims. Romania deployed engineering troops for demining activities in the framework of several peacekeeping missions carried on in Albania, Angola and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Humanitarian medical assistance to mine victims was given in the Romanian field hospital units deployed with the UN mandated missions in Angola, Somalia and Kuwait. Mr. President, Romania has joined the new international standards concerning APLs set-up by the provisions of the Ottawa Convention being aware of the financial implications stemming from the process of national implementation, as well as of the possible effects on national security, given the fact that, for the time being, Romania is a participant only in arrangements of collective security. This is yet another proof of the genuine commitment of my country to the process of total elimination of APLs and the political willingness to enhance Romania�s contribution as a stability factor and security provider at regional and global levels. Mr. President, My authorities are confident that the commitment to destroy the national APLs stockpile, in compliance with the relevant provisions of Article 4 of the Convention will be met. The current holdings of APLs are reasonable and stored under strict control of legally authorized institutions. In this respect, the estimation reported in the Landmine Monitor 1999 and 2000 concerning possession of a stockpile of ��several millions of APLs�� is imprecise and does not reflect the present state of fact. Upon entry into force of the Ottawa Convention for Romania, the exact number will be reported in compliance with the relevant provision of Article 7 and will be available for public information. Romania is not a mine-affected country and thus priority will be given to the destruction of the APLs stockpile. Deep consideration is given also to the possibility of accelerating this process and � to this end � the Romanian authorities are considering to make full use of the relevant provisions of Article 6 concerning international cooperation and assistance. Any kind of offer of this respect, including financial support, will be studied with due consideration. Mr. President, Before concluding I would like to warmly welcome the offer made by Nicaragua to host the Third Meeting of the States Parties and to express the support for recommendations put forward by the Standing Committees of Experts. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Swiss authorities and the authorities of the Canton and the City of Geneva for the excellent organization and conditions provided for this meeting. Thank you, Mr. President. Country: Burundi Date Received: 12 Sep 2000 MISSION PERMANENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE DU BURUNDI AUPRES DE L’ONU ET DES AUTRES ORGANISATIONSINTERNATIONALES A GENEVE Declaration de la delegation du BURUNDI a la Deuxieme conference des Etats Parties a la Convention sur la prohibition de l’utilisation du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines antipersonnel et sur leur destruction.Geneve, le 12 septembre 2000 La delegation du BURUNDI voudrait d’abord feliciter Son Excellence Monsieur l’Ambassadeur Steffen KONGSTARD, chef de la delegation de Norvege pour son election a la presidence de la 2eme conference des Etats parties a la convention sur la prohibition de l’utilisation, du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines anti-personnel et sur leur destruction ainsi que les autres membres du bureau. Elle saisit egalement cette occasion pour remercier les autorites de la confederation helvetique de la Republique et Canton de Geneve ainsi que de la commune de Geneve pour la qualite de l’accueil reservee aux delegations et de l’organisation des travaux.
Monsieur le President, La delegation du Burundi a ecoute avec attention les interventions qui se sont succedees depuis le debut des travaux don’t certaines ont fait allusion a l’usage des mines antipersonnel par le BURUNDI, ce qui expliquerait selon ces memes delegations, le retard de la ratification du traite d’OTTAWA. De l’avis de la delegation burundais, de telles allegations relevent soit de la desinformation gratuite, soit de la mauvaise foi ou de l’ignorance des realities quotidiennes au BURUNDI. En effet, le BURUNDI est caracterise par un habitat disperse sur les collines avec des densites de 150 a 400 habitants au Km2 selon les regions. Tous les jours, ces populations se deplacent de leurs habitations vers les champs, les paturages, les marches, les lieux de culte, les chefs lieux des communes, les ecoles, les centres de sante, a pieds et sur des sentiers formels, informels, dissemines sur ces collines. Ce mode de vie explique a lui seul combien il y aurait d’hecatombes si des mines antipesonnel etaient posees dans les campagnes burundaises. En tous cas, il est impensable que l’armee gouvernementale puisse faire de telles operations. D’autant plus qu’elle meme arpente souvent ces memes collines lorsqu’elle est entrain de poursuivre des rebelles qui n’hesitent pas a se cacher parmi les populations civiles. Par contre, ces rebelles ont dissemine des mines antipersonnel dans certaines forets, parcs et buissons dont ils font temporairement des sanctuaires, avant d’en etre deloges par les forces de l’ordre. En ce qui concerne la frontiere entre la Tanzanie et le Burundi, mentionnee dans certains rapports, la situation est identique. Permettez-nous d’abord de rappeler a ceux qui ne le savent pas que la frontiere entre la Tanzanie et le Burundi constitue un passage permanent pour les citoyens Burundais et Tanzaniens qui effectuent chaque semaine des echanges de produits agricoles, artisanaux, de la petite et moyenne industrie. Dans ces conditions, il est inconcebable que le Gouvernement laisse son armee miner un terrain quotidiennement frequente par ses populations! Les autorites frontalieres tanzaniennes et les organisations humanitaires travaillant dans la region sont au courant de cette realite. Malheureusement, encore une fois, comme les rebelles se replient frequemment dans les camps de refugies en Tanzanie, ils laissent des mines antipersonnel dans les positions qu’ils occupaient sur la frontiere du BURUNDI. Des fois, ils posent meme des mines antichars sur des voies empruntees par des pietons ou tout simplement carrossables. Le nombre de militaires et de civils helas, amputes, victimes de ces actes barbares constitue un temoignage eloquent. Dans le rapport de “Landmine Monitor 2000”, l’observatoire des mines admet n’avoir pas de preuve sur l’utilisation des mines terrestres par l’armee burundaise. Ce meme rapport indique que 70% des accidents ont ete provoques par des mines anti-chars. Il est des lors clair que ces mines proviennent des rebelles puisque l’armee ne saurait pieger ses propres equipements de guerre. La delegation burundaise profite plutot de ce forum pour demander a la communaute Internationale d’aider le BURUNDI dans les futures operations de deminage et dans l’assistance aux victimes des mines antipersonnel. Elle propose en meme temps l’envoi d’une mission d’observation sur la frontiere entre la Tanzanie et le Burundi d’ou elle se rendra compte des actes des rebelles a partir des camps de refugies de Rukole et de KILELEMA, respectivement dans les regions de NGARA et de KIGOMA. Encore une fois, le Burundi reaffirme son attachement aux traites internationaux et vous assure que la ratification du traite d’OTTAWA sure les mines antipersonnel interviendra dans un proche avenir. Comme vous le savez, un pas considerable vers la paix a ete franchi le 28 aout a ARUSHA en Tanzanie par la signature d’un accord. C’est ici le lieu d’en appeler encore une fois a la Communaute Internationale pour qu’ellesoutienne la mise en applications de cet accord ce qui facilitera d’ailleurs, le suivi de la convention d’OTTAWA sur le territoire burundais. Dans l’immediat, la Communaute Internationale devrait faire pression sur les rebelles F.F.D, F.N.L et FROLINA comme elle l’a promis le 28 aout a accepter le 20 septembre prochain a NAIROBI, le cessez le feu et a le respecter. La delegation burundaise voudrait enfin soutenir la proposition de tenir une reunion conference intermediaire sure les mines antipersonnel sur le continent Africain pour sensibiliser les differents partenaires sur les consequences de ce fleau. Je vous remercie. Country: Zimbabwe Date Received: 12 Sep 2000
STATEMENT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE SECOND MEETING OF STATE PARTIES TO THE 1997 MINE BAN TREATY, DELIVERED ON WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2000, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND Mr President, we strongly feel that this forum is not meant for making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against states Parties to the Convention, as was the case yesterday by the ICBL Representative, Mr Stephen Goose. Such a falsehood only serves to destroy the spirit of the Convention. ICBL's failure to provide evidence or concrete facts for the past two years to show that Zimbabwe is using anti-personnel mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not only invalidate these accusations but also smacks of a hidden agenda against my country on its part. Mr President, let me categorically state that Zimbabwe will never be diverted or deterred from implementing the provisions of the Ottawa Convention because we have victims of landmines and we know the dangers of using landmines. In fact, Zimbabwe has assumed a leadership role in championing the ban on the use of landmines and their ultimate destruction. We signed and ratified the Mine Ban Treaty in 1997 and 1998 respectively. And on 18 August 2000 my Government presented to Parliament the Anti-Personnel Mines (Prohibition) Bill 2000. The Bill incorporates the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction into our domestic law. Mr. President, Clause 5 of the Bill makes it an offence for any person to produce, acquire, use, transfer or stockpile anti-personnel mines. The penalty for contravening this provision is a fine of Z$100 000 or ten years imprisonment or both the fine and imprisonment. We are hoping that Parliament will pass the bill into law before the end of this year. Mr President, although the enabling legislation has not yet been promulgated, my country stopped using anti-personnel mines upon ratification in 1998. We have actually complied with the various articles of the Convention. Zimbabwe submitted its first report to the United Nations Secretary-General in January 2000 in compliance with Article 7 of the Convention. My country remains committed to the Convention and will destroy its small stock of antipersonnel mines as soon as the above-mentioned Anti-Personnel Mines Bill becomes law. Zimbabwe is already involved in several mine action programmes. Currently 2 major demining programmes are underway along our borders with Mozambique and Zambia. The programmes are being funded by the European Union and the United States government. Mine awareness programmes to educate our people about the dangers of this deadly and cruel weapon area continuous process and have been part of our life since our independence 20 years ago, in 1980. Zimbabwe has a total of 6 minefields stretching for over 700 km. These area legacy of our war of independence. We continue to appeal to the international community to assist us in funding various mine action programmes including the removal of these minefields, victims assistance and their rehabilitation, mine awareness and training for the various projects. My country would like to acknowledge and appreciate the assistance it received over the years from the governments of the United Kingdom USA, Germany and the EU and hope other countries and organisations will join them in assisting us to deal once and for all with this problem in Zimbabwe. Mr President, my government hopes that the clarification on the alleged use of anti-personnel mines by the Zimbabwean army in the DRC should put to rest this issue. Mr President, it is my firm belief that this Second meeting of State Parties to the Ottawa Convention will chart and adopt practical and concrete measures that will alleviate the suffering of millions of people in affected areas. Let me conclude by reminding this august assembly that it is now time to act, for every minute counts. I thank you! Country: Angola Date Received: 12 Sep 2000 MISSION PERMANENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE D’ANGOLA AUPRES DE L’OFFICE DES NATIONS UNIES A GENEVE DECLARATION DE LA DELEGATION ANGOLAISE A LA DEUXIEME CONFERENCE DES ETATS PARTIES A LA CONVENTION D’OTTAWA SUR L’INTERDICTION DES MINES ANTI-PERSONNEL GENEVE, LE 12 SEPTEMBER 2000
Mr. Le President, Mr. Le President, Estant donne la problematique des mines en Angola, notre Gouvernement a cree le 26 mai 1995 I’Instituto Nacional de Remocao de Obstaculos e Engenhos Explosivos – INAROEE comme une institution specialisee de l’Etat chargee de la coordination et execution de l’Action sure les Mines en Angola. Mr. Le President, L’Angola a connu des moments difficiles dans la lutte contre les mines et sans doutes c’est un des pays les plus gravement affectes avec environ 6 a 7 millions de mines et possede egalement le nombre le plus eleve des mutiles au monde, c’est a dire 80 mil handicapes. Nous avons constate que 30% des victimes perdent leur vie; 70% sont devenus handicapes, la moyenne des accidents de mines par mois estant de 60 cas enregistres. Implante dans sept Provinces, l’INAROEE a en son sein le personnel provenant de l’ancienne armee reguliere Angolaise – les ex – FAPLA et de l’ancienne armee rebelle de l’UNITA, les ex- FALA. Ce personnel a demontre qu’il etait bien instruit et capable et a su realiser les taches suivantes avec l’aide de la communaute internationale:
Mr. Le President, De 1996 au premier trimestre de l’an 2000, l’INAROEE a enregistre les resultats suivants:
Soucieux de chercher des solutions pur diminuer le risque d’accidents de mines, le Gouvernement d’Angola realise un programme de sensibilisation sur le danger des mines et a forme des educateurs, des journalistes, des autorites traditionnelles et des professeurs et a introduit au curriculum scolaire national la discipline de “sensibilisation sure le danger des mines aux enfants”, avec la participation active du Ministere de l’Education, l’UNICEF, Handicap International et le CICR. Ce programme a ete realise dans 14 des 18 Provinces de l’Angola et les resultats sont satisfaisants, une fois que le message est bien recu par la plupart de la population. Mr. Le President, Au debut de l’an 2000 l’INAROEE est devenu seulement un organe coordinateur de tout le processus de deminage en Angola. L’execution des activites des champs de mines incombe maintenant aux ONG’s internationales qui operent en Angola au titre du deminage. En conformite avec une decision prise recemment par le Gouvernement, les ONG’s absorbent le personnel sapeur de l’INAROEE dans leurs rangs et pour n’en citer que quelques unes nous avons:
Nous attendons que les autres ONG’s internationales operant en Angola recoivent des fonds des donateurs potentiels pour absorber le reste du personnel se trouvant encore sous la responsabilite de l’INAROEE. Mr. Le President, Les defis de notre Programme National d’Urgence pour l’Assistance Humanitaire determinent le role que le Gouvernement d’Angola au titre de l’Action sur les Mines doit jouer en tant coordinateur et promoteur de son developpement. Ainsi, sur la base de sa strategie nationale globale, le Gouvernement d’Angola a entame les taches suivantes: La revitalisation et le renforcement du role de l’INAROEE en tant qu’organisme de l’Etat responsible pour la coordination de l’Action sur les mines au Pays; L’analyse des besoins en termes des ressources financieres qui permettent la planification des activites de l’INAROEE. Voila pourquoi le Programme d’Action sur les mines – 2000 vient d’etre soumis au Conseil de Ministres pour approbation. Finalement Mr. Le President, nous voudrions avec votre permission, faire une petite mise au point, en guise du droit de reponse aux differentes accusations faites contre le Gouvernement d’Angola en ce qui concerne le reminage de certaines surfaces observees lors de cette derniere guerre qui lui a ete imposee par les troupes rebelles de l’UNITA. Nous commencerons par remercier tres sincerement tous les gouvernements et toutes les Organisations Internationales publiques et privees qui se sont toujours preoccupe du sort des victimes angolaises des mines anti-personnel et d’autres, canalisant vers l’Angola des ressources financieres materielles et humaines, et nous leur lancons un nouvel appel pour qu’ils nous aident a poursuivre le travail de deminage deja en cours a travers de nouveaux financements. Nous leur demandons leur comprehension pur les quelques mines anti-personnel que l’armee nationale, les FAA – Forcas Armadas Angolanas, ont plante autour des installations strategiques, lorsque les troupes de Mr. Jonas Savimbi voulaient s’emparer du pouvoir par la force des armes, ignorant les institutions democratiques et bombardant les villages, les Communes et certaines grandes villes du pays d’une forme indiscriminee et aveugle. Qu’il nous soit permis, Mr. Le President d’affirmer ici que miner un terrain ou le reminer n’a jamais ete un droit pour nos Etats et encore moins pour l’Angola, mais plutot une strategie des laches et quelques fois l’unique maniere de survie pour ceux qui soufrent de l’injustice et de la folie assassine des rebelles.
Comme certaines personnalites presentes dans cette auguste assemblee le savent, la derniere guerre d’Angola aura ete une guerre de survie des populations rurales et citadines sans defense et affaiblies par les vicissitudes de la guerre et qui devaient etre protegees par tous le moyens a la portee des organes de souverainete de l’Etat. Il est vrai que beaucoup se demandent de quoi demain sera-t-il fait dans le domaine des mines anti-personnel en Angola. Les perspectives de la paix et l’evolution de la situation politico-militaire ont cree un environnement favorable a la ratification de la Convention d’Ottawa sur l’Interdiction des Mines Anti-personnel par le Parlement angolais, qui l’a fait le 25 juillet 2000 et nous esperons seulement sa promulgation par Son Excellence Monsieur le President de la Republique, des que possible. Merci beaucoup Mr. Le President. Country: Brazil Date Received: 12 Sep 2000 With regard to the information contained in the 2000 Landmine Monitor Report, the Brazilian government draws the attention of the ICBl to our national report submitted last week to the UN secretariat. That report contains information, inter alia, on the exact number of anti-personnel mines stockpiled by Brazil and our plans to destroy such stockpiles, in accordance with the provisions of the mine-ban Convention. The Brazilian government also clarifies that the Convention was signed by Brazil on 3 December 1997, approved by the Brazilian National Congress on 29 April 1999, and promulgated by the President on 5 August 1999. (Decree 3128). Country: Australia Date Received: 07 Sep 2000
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE 7 September 2000
Ms Mary Wareham Dear Ms Wareham I am writing to you in relation to the Landmine Monitor Report for 2000. It has come to my attention that the section on Australia contains an error of fact which I regret we did not identify in the process of reviewing the draft you kindly provided before the report went to print. The report states that Australia has never produced anti-personnel landmines. This is incorrect. The St Mary's ammunition factory, which is now closed, did produce live anti-personnel mines, most recently during the period of the Vietnam War. The factory also produced practice (ie inert) mines. This production ceased in the early 1980s.
Yours sincerely Country: Burundi Date Received: 30 Aug 2000
Embassy of the Republic of Burundi Dear Mr. Goose, Following August 28th meeting, it is my great pleasure to thank you for the fruitful exchanges on the Landmine Monitor Report 2000. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your fight against use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines all over the world. I take this opportunity to forward the annexed Government statement concerning Landmine Monitor Report 2000: Toward a Mine-Free World. I hope this statement will be taken into account on the final version of the report. Once again, thank you very much for your visit and may the collaboration between Burundi and Human Rights Watch be maintained. I look forward to seeing you and meeting with you.
Signed: Thomas Ndikumana DECLARATIQN DU GOUVERNEMENT Le Gouvernement du Burundi refute energiquement les allegations selon lesquelles des mines anti-personnelles auraient ete utilisees sur la frontiere avec la Tanzanie et avance les arguments suivants :
Country: Sudan Date Received: 31 Jul 2000
Republic of the Sudan
Date: July 31, 2000 Dear Sir, Reference your letter dated June 26, 2000 regarding your annual report of landmines, I have the honour to clarify the following points:
Sincerely, |
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