CC Meeting, Ottawa 29,30 November and 3 December 1998 - summary of decisions made

hello all. once again happy new year to all of you. i am fowarding the summary minutes including decisions made at the last ICBL Cordination Committee meeting in Ottawa last month. with this i include a reminder to please get back to me any comments regarding the CC suggestion to hold the ICBL General Assembly in Maputo in May 1999 by 15 Jan. thanks. keep bannin em in 99!!!
liz
CC meeting, Ottawa 29, 30 November and 3 December 1998summary of decisions madePresent: Noel Stott, Anne Capelle, Eduardo Marino, Susan Walker, Jim
Cobey, Mary Wareham, Liz Bernstein, Qadeem Tariq, Mereso Agina, Philippe
Chabasse, Christian Ruge, Jody Williams, Rebecca Larson, Brady Lee, Steve
Goose
Regrets: Thomas Gebauer, Tim Carstairs, Yukie Osa, Denise Coghlan,
Abdouramane Boly/Halidou Ouadraogou, Susannah Sirkin
Valerie joined on 30 November and Yukie joined on 3 December
Chairs: Noel and Anne

1) Minutes: After discussion regarding the process for approval of the minutes, we agreed that the co-coordinators would circulate the draft minutes to the CC one week after the meeting, with two weeks turnaround time meaning members have two weeks to respond/comment. After incorporating comments they are re-circulated to the CC at the end of the two weeks and thus approved by the CC. The formal adoption process is thus one week for the draft, two weeks for comments, revision, etc and approval by the participants of a particular meeting. They are then circulated to the general assembly. At the following meeting participants (including CC members not present at the previous meeting) can raise comments/concerns and publicly, for the record, make a formal statement of any concerns to be noted in the next minutes. If a CC member who is present at a meeting is not going to be available to read the minutes, they should inform the coordinator. All CC members present noted we are all re-committing ourselves to taking our membership in the CC seriously, whatever that may imply, including, among other things, the minutes. Eduardo agreed to re-draft and propose wording for the two items from the last meeting’s minutes which concerned him. Eduardo suggests indicating that CC members agree to protect draft minutes before approval.
2) Strategy: During a discussion on strategy and priorities for 1999, we agreed
A) to continue to emphasize both universalization as well as ratification, and to encourage all signatories to ratify by the May meeting of states’ parties in Maputo.
B) to focus on two geographic areas: the Middle East/North Africa and CIS/Russia as well as Asia.
C) to encourage all campaigns/members to grant importance both to universalization and ratification, so that any time members are writing, issuing press releases, saying things with ICBL cap on, to be careful to be balanced in criticism of those countries which have signed the treaty and are not respecting it as well as those who have NOT signed. For example, when speaking about concerns over Angola and Senegal, in the same speech we should also mention Egypt.
D) to prioritize some of the non-signatories which voted in support of the UNGA Resolution (full list is: Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, DR Congo, Eritrea, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kuwait, Kyrguzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE.)
E) ratification targets, priorities by region:
* = expect to ratify soon, # = priority for us to target
Africa
#Angola
*Botswana
#Burundi
Cameroon
#Chad
Cote d’Ivoire
#Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
#Guinea Bissau
*Kenya
#Lesotho
Madagascar
Maldives
Mauritania
Niger
#Rwanda
Sao Tome/Principe
Seychelles
#Sierra Leone
#Sudan
*Swaziland
Togo
*Uganda
*Tanzania
Zambia

Americas:
#Argentina
Antigua
Barbados
#Brazil
#Chile
#Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominica
Dominican Republic
#Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Nicaragua (since ratified)
Paraguay
St Kitts/Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and Grenadines
Suriname
*Uruguay
#Venezuela

Asia-Pacific:
*Australia
#Bangladesh
Brunei
*Cambodia
Cook islands
#Indonesia
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
*NZ
Philippines
*Solomon Islands
*Thailand (since ratified)
Vanuatu

Europe:
Albania
Cyprus
#Czech
#Greece
*Iceland
*Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
*Netherlands
#Poland
Portugal
Moldova
#Romania
Slovakia
*Spain
*Sweden (since ratified)

Middle East
#Algeria
#Tunisia

F) Sending a letter: we agreed to draft/send a letter to all signatories before the May meeting. We can situate it in the context of the (recent) first year anniversary of the treaty signing and encouraging action before the May meeting. Steve agreed to draft the letter, Brady to forward addresses of the UN missions in NY to the Oslo Resource Center and Christian confirmed the Oslo resource center can print/post the letters.
G) Steve agreed to try to talk to ICRC and UNICEF, to see if we can co-ordinate efforts to approach these 20-odd targets.
H) We agreed to flag for future discussion the issue of the ICBL
coming out with a position on other indiscriminate weapons
I) Regarding the Middle East - as a framework for declaring it a priority and trying to expand we agreed to support and use as best we can the conferences, meetings and plan visits around them, including the conference in Lebanon in February and the major ICBL conference in Egypt. In addition, HRW is planning to do an investigation mission into Egypt and publish a report based on the field mission. NPA agreed to urge their contacts in Palestinian areas to get involved. HI agreed to encourage HI Palestine to remain involved. We agreed to explore possibilities of Queen Noor in the region in 99. JW is considering attending a conference in the United Arab Emirates. We agreed that Liz, and perhaps other members, should go to Egypt before or after the Lebanon conference to begin planning for the Egypt conference. We agreed that some participants at the Lebanon conference should also try to make a trip to Israel before or after the conference.
J) Americas: regarding the Mexico Conference in January, we agreed that we should try and enable some NGOs from the region to attend to take advantage of the event without making it a high priority or putting too much time/money into it. We agreed to try to find funding for 8-10 NGO participants from the region, including the LM researchers (5) and another 4-5 NGO representatives. Rebecca agreed to seek funding from LWF for NGO participant/s, Christian said NPA may be able to fund a partner NGO from the region. Liz agreed to follow up with Intermon and ask them to sponsor a partner, and to continue communication with NGOs in the region. . Susan agreed to follow up with the Canadians, OSI, eduardo, liz and MAC re funding etc.
K) we agreed that in focusing on the Middle East and CIS as regions want to focus on for universalization, we will not ignore the US, China, Russia (in CIS category), India, Pakistan (Asia remains a second priority.)
J) RE the CD, Steve agreed to draft a white paper for comments via email and then we will circulate it, perhaps with a press release, when the CD begins in January. We also agreed we will keep an eye on the CCW Protocol II - as the review process to begin this year (first experts meeting to be held in 99) and discuss what the ICBL wants to do at the protocol review.
3) Calendar/events and conferences
January: (Mexico Conference discussed above)

February: Beirut conference and visits discussed above as well. We agreed it was an important building block in the lead up t the Egypt conference, but not to take away from it. Liz will follow up with Habbouba, Susan will help follow up with funders and Philippe will follow up with France, as they might contribute given that it is a French-speaking country. Christian will follow up with NPA to send someone with demining experience in the region (Per was in Lebanon.)
March: the next Landmine Monitor meeting will be 2-3 March. We agreed to hold the next CC meeting 28 February, and to hold public events in Oslo 1 March to mark the entry into force. Liz will encourage campaigns to conduct their own activities, some coordinated around the UK Campaign-initiated bell-ringing event which many campaigns are interested in doing.
20-22 March is the South Asia Campaign Meeting - they were to meet during the week and discuss it.
6 Mar - Southern African Federation of Disabled (28 feb - 6 mar) - in Maputo landmine survivors, etc.
General Meeting - Although technically it should be in February-March, we agreed to recommend holding it in Maputo in May. Liz will send out separate from the minutes summary, a separate email to campaigns, saying that the CC is recommending that we hold the next general meeting in Maputo just after the Meeting of States Parties. We recognize it is not within the 12 months, but for reasons suggested (including taking advantage of campaigners gathering to lobby the governments present for the First Meeting of States Parties, to save on travel budgets and piggy back the event, and to strategize together after the meeting takes place) it makes sense, and ask if anyone has any objections if the meeting is 8-9 May in Maputo.
May: First Meeting of States Parties, 3-7 May in Maputo. We agreed on Liz, Steve, Philippe, David Atwood, Noel and Susan to be on the planning team at the request of the Canadians for us to nominate some representatives of ICBL to work with them and other partners in preparation for the mine action forum portion of the week.
3) Calendar, events, conferences - May meeting of states parties - After a discussion of the May meeting of states’ parties followed by a discussion of the Mozambican Campaign (CMCM) - we agreed that given recent problems faced by CMCM and its need to re-establish and rebuild, we would make it clear to government partners and any donors who ask that they would be dealing with the ICBL for funding and other related issues in preparation for and during the Maputo conference. While taking care with funds and levels of responsibility for CMCM at this point, we still recognize the need to involve Mozambican civil society in this conference, and we want to do that much as possible. We would hope we can revitalize a Mozambican campaign, as we lead up to this conference, but should be extraordinarily careful how we do it. In addition, we agreed to hold discussions with representative/s of ICBL for which Noel agreed to meet with members of the Mozambican campaign in Maputo in the beginning of March if he goes there then to the SAFOD meeting.
Last item on the Meeting of States Parties: Susan and Liz will work on a proposal to submit to the Canadians and others for funding for logistical support.
General Assembly: Liz will draw up a draft list of who the GA consists of (campaigns, certain NGOs, individuals) and circulate to the advisory committee, then the CC before the March CC meeting. We must decide at the March CC meeting.
Regarding the Hague Appeal for Peace - Liz and Susan will follow up with planning, with Mary. The Oslo Resource Person will organize the exhibit. Steve agreed to look at the draft language on landmines for the Appeal.
June: OAU Heads of State Meeting in Algeria. Mereso and Noel agreed to follow up.
Egypt Conference (5th International NGO Conference). We agreed to propose holding it at the end of the year, of the millenium, possibly on the anniversary of the treaty signing - 3-4 December 1999. Liz will follow up with the Egyptian Campaign and ask them if this is a suitable date. Liz will also try to go to Egypt before or a er the Lebanon conference in February to meet them. Christian offered the assistance of an NPA staff who is half Egyptian.
4) Working Group reports. They will be attached (Mine Action, Survivor Assistance, Treaty, NSA)
(summary of decisions made after the working group meetings and report back) Survivor Assistance: The working group will continue to track survivor assistance funding, follow up national campaigns, follow up with researchers. Regarding how to move forward on the survivor assistance guidelines - they will continue the approval process based on CC comments - LSN will compile list of groups that have provided feedback and irculate to additional NGOs and Ios suggested by the group, edit comments, incorporate, send to CC with list of organizations/individuals for approval as group - then it becomes an ICBL document.
Mine Action: The main issues the group would like to look at are:
development of technology, which should be practical, field oriented, coordinated with field technology; lack of financial resources for mine action activities; lack of coordination among mine action programmes; lack of efforts for capacity building monitor system; monitoring fundi - how funds are received, spent, cost efficiency, safety, etc; and the global level one survey. The independent group of HI/MAG/NPA informed all of their activities, circulated a document, and told us they are mostly focused on funding. They plan to hold a donor’s conference in Bosnia.
Non State Actors: Eduardo made a summary update presentation of NSA work stressing the distinction between fact-finding about NSA’s and action on NSAs, objective and comprehensive fact-finding being an indispensable phase of the work necessarily preceding impartial and effective action. It was agreed that while there remains great appreciation for the issue and work, at present there was no consensus for the group or Geneva Call to formalize and operate on behalf of the ICBL. There was agreement that the NSA group not act in or speak on behalf of the name of the ICBL and that the group itself should figure out a structure that works for it and remain in communication with the CC about progress in that regard. There remain management concerns over our own limitations regarding separate bank accounts, etc. Instead the CC suggested that it (Geneva Call) form as a separate NGO, a member of ICBL, or remain a project under the Swiss Campaign, or interested NGOs join together to do the work independently (along the model of the HI/NPA/MAG group model, which acts alone, not in the name of ICBL). After the working group meeting Noel and Eduardo reported back that 3 founding campaigns (Colombian, South African and Philippines) plus the Swiss Campaign and maybe others - took special responsibility to study further the situation and what is best for the actual work. They agreed the Geneva Call will in fact operate like the HI/NPA/MAG group between now and the next General Meeting, not in the name of the ICBL. They agreed to come up with a proposal and draft resolution on policy, to update others and re in open to suggestions and to consider all options. They agreed to keep the CC informed and provide copies of any significant draft proposals/policies.
A request was reiterated for the working groups to come up with simple talking points for campaigners, particularly from the Mine Action Group on topics such as funding, research and development, etc. Requests for Mine Action Group: Specific data on where the funds for mine action are going and also data about victim based finition of AP mine vs existing definition in the treaty - if it would make a difference.
It was also noted that it is the responsibility of the chair of a working group to send a brief report and to delegate someone to hold a working group meeting if s/he is unable to attend the meetings.
Regarding the paper and follow up on the World Bank and landmines, it was agreed to request expertise and assistance from both the Mine Action and Moral/Legal Responsibility working groups to move this issue forward.
5) Co-coordinator’s reports. attached below.
6) Ambassador’s report - already circulated.
7) Co-coordinator’s position: The CC agreed to offer Liz Bernstein a
one year contract as Co-coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban
Landmines from 1 March 1999 - 1 March 2000. The AC will review the job
description currently circulating as soon as possible. The situation
regarding an organization to employee her as discussed with LWF, LSN and
JW following through on this. The CC agreed that the Coordinators should
provide detailed financial report on income and expenditures for each CC
meeting. The CC agreed that Liz should be able to hire someone to provide
audi d accounts every year. In addition, NPA will provide a detailed
financial report on income and expenditures for the ICBL operational
account in time for each CC meeting. In addition, HI will provide detailed
financial report on income and expenditures fo the ICBL Challenge Fund in
time for each CC meeting
8) Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation.- Susan will maintain contact with them via the Cincinnati group and keep the CC informed. For various other NPP related initiatives, the co-coordinators, primarily Susan, will be the point of contact. If needed in the future, we will chose our representative at an appropriate time.
9) Oslo Resource Center: The CC agreed on the NPA proposed procedure for
the Resource Center Director, that it is the ICBL who recruits,
identifies, who will be director, person employed by NPA under normal NPA
requirements, with the salary according to what set aside in budget,
approximate figure. The person will report t the NPA head of info dept as
well as ICBL. Dalma had applied for the job. The CC agreed that the 2
co-coordinators would draw up a job description and then they and Merseo
and Valerie would interview her the following day and report back to the
CC. They, ong with Christian, did so and it was agreed to hire her
internally as the Oslo Resource Director, beginning 8 January 1999.

10) Funding
a) The CC agreed on the scaled down, operational budget proposed, including the expenses for Susan ($20,000) and the capacity building grants ($33,000). b) Regarding hiring a development person, the CC agreed that this was a priority for Susan and asked her to deal with it urgently. The CC agreed that she (after consultation with Susannah) would circulate a strategy paper within a week, based on the exist g one, as well as a job description - a basic one - and names she has received with recommendations. The advisory committee should be the first line of involvement/communication while keeping all informed. c) 3 agreements were signed : 1 - One from the Coordination Committee to the Advisory Committee which is entrusted to monitor the day-to-day economic management of the ICBL and take decisions regarding economic and financial matters.
2 - The second one was from the Coordination Committee to NPA regarding the operating procedures between the ICBL and NPA for the Oslo operational bank account.
3 - The third one was the mandate to Handicap International to open and operate the ICBL Challenge Fund.
d) Moreover, during the CC in Ottawa, the following decisions were confirmed :
1- From October the 1st 1998, ICBL will cover Susan Walker co-coordinator activities such as travel, telephone, fax and e-mail expenses; Handicap International will cover the rental of her office in Minneapolis and her income as well as the related taxes.
2.The CC entrusts Philippe Chabasse to act on behalf of the ICBL for administrative matters regarding the daily life of the association in France. Philippe will report to the Advisory Committee and the CC on such matters.
11) Miscellaneous: a)Wine - corporate sponsorship - requests for business/product association with ICBL - for future requests we agreed to let the national campaign first analyze the context - if there is a green light, NPA / HI agreed to advise on criteria before signing a contract with the interested party/company. For the specific case of the wine, Noel a eed to speak with Kobus about an agreement when he travels to Cape Town. Noel, Liz, Philippe and Christian agreed to draft a contract with input from HI / NPA experience.
b)Taliban letter - We agreed that since the statement had been written and we had received reports of new use, we would wait for investigation of the new reports and discuss it again. The ACBL will conduct an investigation to the press reports about the use of new mines. After further CC discussion, the statement will either be withheld, released as is or re-drafted. We would also return to the issue of ICBL statements on national situations.
c) Noel requested to be cc’d on advisory committee communication, as did Jody, so members are requested to add their names to their lists.