Campaign Update sep 04 1998

hello all -

find various items below including

1. some short ratification info - (34 now - only 6 to go! - GET READY with press releases and media/actions),
2. working groups meeting in dublin and
3. some recent campaign info including report from Albanian Campaign on their Week of Action.

thanks liz

1)

in the absence of a full ratification update but with things moving i will briefly inform all of you that with Mozambique's ratification on 15 August and Yemen depositing its instruments of ratification on 1 September 1998, we are now at 34

ratifictions!! Only 6 more, and several in the works - the following (at least) have passed legislation but not deposited -urge them to do so! Belgium, Benin, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Guinea, Italy, Mauritania - so the 40th

could be coming soon PLEASE prepare your press releases and action!!! don't want to be caught unaware!! we shall circulate an icbl one soon but prepare to adapt it or write your own with your own situation/context, quotes, contact people etc.

2)

as i mentioned in my previous note, the cc and working groups will all hold meetings in dublin - if you are not coming but wish to send ideas/comments please do - and if you are coming but have not previously been involved in the working groups you are

still most welcome to attend/join -contact people are:

demining - Sayed Aqa - mcpa at-sign mcpa-afg.sdnpk.undp.org meeting on 14 Sept - not sure of time

survivors/victim assistance - Brady Lee, LSN lsn at-sign landminesurvivors.org - tentatively meeting at 10 am 14 Sept

treaty - Steve Goose - gooses atsig hrw.org -

legal and moral responsibility - Tim Carstairs - tim_carstairs at-sign msn.com - tentatively meeting at 14:00 on 14 September 98

non-state actors - eduardo marino - emarino at-sign zeus.uniandes.edu.co they will be meeting sometime in dublin - not sure of date/time

3) recent campaign news:

a) the nepalese campaign reports that one 28 august a delegation from NCBL met the prime minister and demanded they sign the international ban landmines treaty. NCBL handovered a letter to the prime minister.

b) Albanian Week of Action Against Landmines - they report that on the first day, 31 August31,1998, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the government is ready to sign the Ottawa treaty! The announcemnt came during a

meeting in the National Museum Hall during the launch of the postage stamps with the theme: Diana against mines. Participants were from the campaign, the Albanian Postal Directory, from the Ministry of Defence, MFA, representatives from ICRC of B-H and ICRC of Albania.

the campaign reports further on events:

" The opening ceremonyof Albanian Week:Action against Mines.

Participants: The President of the Republic Mr.Rexhep Meidani,

Prime Minister Mr.Fatos Nano etc. From the messages of the

President: At first, we need to desarm our brain. From messages

of Prime Minister Fatos Nano:

This action against mines is a message in due time.It is the

core of constructive policy of the civil society. Thousands of

participants.Musical program.Brassband.Fireworks.

These events were broadcasted by national and private TV

channels.

Second day: the day of children. (with posters, paintings, games) and the Third day: the day of the victims. " Victims are innocent" Tirana.Round table."

Congratulations !!! Albanian campaign! and thanks to those of you who sent messages of support / replied to action alert etc. keep bannin em!!

liz