ICBL calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to join the Mine Ban Treaty

(Tuesday 01 October 2002 Yerevan, Armenia) In a two days conference, starting 1 October,in Yerevan (Armenia), ICBL will call for accession by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Mine Ban Treaty

Representatives of national committees of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), 1997 Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate, will call for the accession by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Mine Ban Treaty at a conference in Yerevan which starts today.

"We urge Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to join the Mine Ban Treaty and help rid the world of antipersonnel landmines", said Jemma Hasratyan representing the Armenian Committee of ICBL. "The ICBL congratulates the Armenian government for organizing a conference on the landmine crisis," added Ms Hasratyan.

The milestone event, "Banning antipersonnel landmines : Cooperation and Capacity building” is organised by Armenia and Canada, and takes place from 1 to 2 October in the Armenian capital. The Conference will explore the landmine situation in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and the practical implications of accession to the Mine Ban Treaty.

The ICBL notes that the 3 countries, all affected by landmines, have already expressed their support to the treaty, which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel landmines and calls on them to take this support of a step further.

Nevertheless, a Georgian Defense Ministry official told Landmine Monitor that, despite a declared use moratorium in place since 1996, Georgian Armed Forces apparently laid antipersonnel mines in several passes in the Kodori gorge (bordering Abkhazia) in 2001. However, the Georgian Foreign Ministry has denied any use of antipersonnel mines. 129 countries have now fully joined the Mine Ban Treaty, and another 16 have signed it but not yet ratified.

"Joining the treaty is the best way to demonstrate the willingness of these countries to build a mine free future for everyone", said Hafiz Safikhanov, coordinator of the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines, and researcher for the Landmine Monitor. According to Safikhanov, "the only practical solution to the mine crisis is a comprehensive ban on all antipersonnel landmines -- including those used on borders."

Campaigners, who are also involved in victim assistance and mine risk education in their respective countries, believe that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have to take steps, which would lead to their accession to the treaty. “Demonstrations of commitment to eliminate antipersonnel mines can be important confidence building measures in the region. Steps can be taken to save the lives of this and future generations without hurting anyone's security," stated Mamuka Kudava from the Georgian Committee of the ICBL.

“It would also send a message to Russia which has stated its intention to eliminate all antipersonnel landmines at some point but has not yet announced a timeline” said Roman Dolgov from IPPNW Russia.

Representatives from the Armenian, Azerbaijan and Georgian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence are expected to attend the conference, along with parliamentarians and NGOs. Also represented will be members of the Canadian Foreign Affairs ministry , government officials from Albania, ICBL researchers and campaigners from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia, and representatives of the UN agencies.

For more information please contact:

• Jemma Hasratyan, Armenian Committee of the ICBL :+ 3741 52 25 42 or jemmaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERarminco.com
  
• Mark Hiznay, ICBL/ Landmine Monitor/Human Rights Watch in Yerevan : hiznaymSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERhrw.org
  
• Sylvie Brigot, ICBL Government Relations Officer, +33 1 47 88 97 53 or brigotSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org