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Defense Industry
The Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World: Landmines Blow President discusses US Landmines Policy and Summit by Sophia Barkat The Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World was held between 29 November – 3 December 2004. The Summit featured the largest ever gathering of representatives of non-governmental organizations concerned about the global landmine problem. Over 350 NGO representatives from dozens of countries participated in the event. On the first day of the Nairobi Summit Ethiopia announced that it had become the 144th State to join the Convention. Positive signs of growing acceptance of the Convention were heard from other key States that have not yet joined the Convention, including China, Indonesia and Somalia. The conference also reviewed an 80-page report on the current level of landmines in the world. (See http://www.reviewconference.org/) Pledges Made The People's Republic of China announced it's commitment to the Summit: "Both China and States Parties to the Ottawa Convention share the same objective. China closely follows the Ottawa process and has been enhancing exchanges and cooperation with States Parties to the Convention (….) We stand ready to further expand our cooperation with the States Parties to the Convention, in order to contribute to the early elimination of landmine problems." China has the highest stock of landmines in the world. The move was seen as a positive sign, as China has not signed the Mine Ban Treaty. But these weren't empty promises. According to ICBL.org, "China completed clearance of its border with Vietnam in September 1999. For the first time, China announced that it had destroyed 1.7 million older antipersonnel mines in recent years. China is apparently converting its non-detectable antipersonnel mines by adding metal. Though China again abstained on the pro-Mine Ban Treaty UNGA resolution in December 1999, it attended the First Meeting of States Parties in Maputo in May 1999." (See http://www.icbl.org/lm/2000/china) Indonesia's government announced at the Summit: "Having not ratified the Convention as yet in no way indicates our lack of commitment to the principles and objectives of the Convention and our commitment towards the universalization of this Convention. Despite not having ratified the Convention, we have actively promoted the eradication of these horrendous weapons." According to ICBL.org, there is no evidence of use of antipersonnel mines by any side in the 1999 violence and fighting in East Timor, or in on-going conflicts elsewhere in Indonesia. (See http://www.icbl.org/lm/2000/indonesia) Prime Minister of the Transitional Government of Somalia told participants: "My government will pursue the ratification of the Treaty, but please bear in mind we have a country to re-establish so it may not be immediate. We will aim however that before the next Meeting of the States Parties Somalia will be in a position to accede to the treaty." US Government Missing The U.S., though not a member of the Mine Ban Treaty, leads the world in funding for mine clearance in other nations. In its fiscal year 2001 it provided $69.2 million for international mine action programs. It has not used antipersonnel landmines since 1991, has not exported them since 1992 or produced them since 1997. The U.S. was the first nation to call for the total elimination of antipersonnel mines in 1994 and has supported a comprehensive ban – at some point in the future – ever since. Yet, amidst the progress at the Nairobi Summit everyone noted the absence of a US Government delegation. Why? The Bush Administration's alarming new landmines policy, as ICBL.org reports, is all but interested in this: "On 1 March 2004 the Bush Administration reversed ten-year policy to eliminate all antipersonnel landmines. This new policy was a giant step backwards, goes against the emerging international norm that rejects antipersonnel landmines and undermines efforts to universalize the Mine Ban Treaty. Along with Cuba, the U.S. is the only nation in the Western Hemisphere that has not joined the treaty. All other members of NATO are party to the treaty. The U.S. still reserves the right to produce antipersonnel mines, along with a dwindling list of 13 other producers. The U.S. has the third largest stockpile in the world (after China and Russia), with 11.2 million antipersonnel mines. Although there is no evidence that the U.S. has used antipersonnel mines in its recent operations in Iraq or elsewhere, it still reserves the right to do so and this is cause for grave concern. The last time the U.S. used antipersonnel landmines was against Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War." (See http://www.icbl.org/news/lm_call_2005) US Organizations Attend Summit Landmines Blow and other US non-profits working to ban landmines attended the Nairobi Summit. Landmines Blow attended as a member of the ICBL. Founded in 2003 as a non-profit, Landmines Blow educates people of all ages about the dangers of these indiscriminate weapons of destruction, inspires dialogue, raises funds and provides landmine survivors the tools and devices they need to rebuild their lives, and also restores communities on cleared minefields so that people of all cultures and countries may live and play without trepidation. I wondered what Landmines Blow President, Alison Bock, thought about the Summit and about the US Government's absence and recent landmines policy change. Here's the interview: SB: How has Federal funding for your organization been affected by the Bush Administration's withdrawal from the Mine Ban Treaty? AB: We have not received any federal funding to date. SB: Have private contributions changed since this decision? AB: We have seen a steady increase in private contributions. This is a result of us becoming established and recognized as an NGO and because of the work of our volunteer task force. There are 45 plus members that assist us with grassroots organizing and fundraisers. SB: Organizations such as yours educate people that landmines kill indiscriminately. US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered casualties from landmines planted in the region during earlier wars, many by the US. Since 1980, hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians – women and children predominantly – have been killed by landmines. It will not be sure how many Iraqi civilians have died from landmines placed in the current Iraq War until many years later. Given the indiscriminate nature of deaths and losses on both sides from landmines, what is the US Government’s justification to carry on landmine production? AB: Here's what they say:
SB: Have you held meetings with the Bush Administration or other branches of federal government to get them to change their policy on landmines? AB: It is evident that the Bush Administration is not going to change their policy on landmines this year. As a result, we decided that it would not be the best use of our time or resources. We did, however, participate in lobby activities with several governments in Nairobi at the Summit on a Mine Free World. SB: What is the extent of co-operation between federally funded organizations such as Landmines Blow and the US State Department on issues related to US landmine policy? AB: As I stated earlier we are not federally funded thus far. Like most NGOs, we would rather work with the government than against them. At the end of the day we want to help people. Many American NGOs do receive federal funding and work in concert successfully with the DOS. Ironically, the United States government is one of the biggest contributors to mine action funding. SB: Since the Bush Administration's 2003 decision, have you meet with the public to create grassroots involvement in US Landmine policy? Where will these meeting be held next? AB: One of our goals is to raise awareness of the global landmine crisis and to educate and engage the youth. We encourage people to learn the facts and to take action. That comes in different forms. Students can participate in a letter writing campaign or have a car-wash to raise funds for the cause. SB: The UN-led Nairobi Summit was just held last month. As a participant, did you feel that the Summit created a solid plan to tackle the Bush Administration’s latest policy? What is that plan? AB: The Nairobi Summit did not focus specifically on tackling the Bush Administration. Forty-two countries, with a combined stockpile of some 180-185 million antipersonnel mines, remain outside of the Mine Ban Treaty. They include three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, Russia, and the United States), most of the Middle East, most of the former Soviet republics, and many Asian states. The goal is to get all of these countries to sign and ratify the treaty. SB: What else was of great importance at the Summit? AB: The good news is that there is a decrease in production and stockpiles are being destroyed. Unfortunately there are many mores survivors who require assistance. SB: Many nations sent government delegations to the Summit. Did you get a chance to meet with any? What did you talk about? AB: 600 delegates from over 140 national governments and international organizations were expected to attend. I do not know what the final number was. We had the opportunity to meet with several nations including Cambodia, the Sudan and Ukraine. SB: What are some important facts you that learnt from attending the Summit? Would you share them with our readers? AB: That it is our responsibility as members of civil society to fight for democracy and human rights, to insist that all human beings are treated with dignity and respect, to ensure the equal distribution of the earth's resources and to promote a culture of peace. SB: Tell us what your plan of action is for this year? And what obstacles do you see yourselves facing? AB: This year we intend to produce a national grass roots awareness and media outreach campaign, travel to Cambodia to formalize an agreement with the Cambodian Mine Action Center, Cambodian Vision in Development and Jesuit Service Cambodia to channel resources from LMB fundraising activities into the rebuilding of communities that have been cleared of mines, and pilot an educational outreach program. I don't believe in obstacles, I view them as challenges. I believe that one of the biggest challenges this year for all NGOs could potentially be donor fatigue. With international crises like the Tsunami, AIDS, Darfur and world hunger to name a few, I hope that people will not stop giving to all of these equally significant causes. About the Author(s): See under Our Contributors to find out about the Author(s) of this article. |
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