496 Less Mines in Colombian Soil

(Tuesday 29 July 2003 Bogota, Colombia)

Very early in the morning on 26 June 2003, and with great anticipation, approximately 100 government and NGO representatives boarded three buses to take us to the location where the first destruction of Colombia's antipersonnel mines was to be held. The destruction was to be done by the army to fulfill part of its obligations under the Mine Ban Treaty, which has been signed and ratified by Colombia.

Colombian military personnel count mines to ensure that all 496 are destroyed on 26 June 2003, Colombia.

It took approximately 2 hours to walk to the designated area, The Battalion of the High Mountain of Sumapaz, located in La Finca la Australia, 5 kilometers from the Usme capital. The transition from the buses to the military cars was perfectly organized. The military vehicles had been provided to cross the rugged terrain to reach the area where we were to observe the spectacle of the morning: the destruction of first arsenal of stockpiled mines.

The verification group consisted of me as representative for the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines, and other representatives associated with UNICEF Colombia, observers from the Organization of Americas States, ICRC, the U.S. Embassy, CTI, the Fundación Restrepo Barco, Onic, Dike and a few others. We proceeded to walk the perimeter until we reached the area that was marked for destruction. 496 "sopro" M409 mines that had been produced in Belguim awaited us. We counted each artifact without leaving room for doubt as to how many were there.

The group Marte del Ejercito at the command of Major Tarazona and under the direction of Captain Goyenche, placed mines, one by one, in 3 boxes that were to be destroyed. The empty spaces in the boxes were later filled with gunpowder.

While the verification group signed the destruction act and proceeded to return to the air-conditioned observation box, the boxes were sealed and were deposited in three rectangular pits that were 3 meters wide by 1.5 meters deep.

In the distance a helicopter landed carrying the Vice-president of Colombia, the Minister of Defense, and various Generals including the Military Forces Inspector.

The ceremony began with a speech by a delegate from IOM, in which he emphasized the work carried out by NGOs including the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines. The Ministry of Defense did the same in a more euphoric manner, however he emphasized that the military would take on the obligation, which is stipulated by the Mine Ban Treaty for destruction of mines that have been stockpiled and planted by the military.

The Vice-President closed the ceremony by asking for a commitment from the international community to condemn terrorists who continue to plant indiscriminate mines in Colombia.

Located at one end of the observation box I was able to observe and feel the force of the mines exploding from afar. One by one the 3 pits were detonated.

An ecumenical prayer for peace was followed by a well-deserved refreshment of almojabanas, cheese, and water, which was served as a closing to this emotive ceremony.

On the return trip in the car and the bus, the beautiful Colombian countryside in the background remained a mute witness to a small but important step of the complete exile of the infamous mines in the soil of our country.