Take a stand on new U.S. landmine
policy
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Author/Origin: Sue
Wixley wixley@icbl.org |
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(Monday 01 March 2004 ) The Bush
administration's new policy on landmines represents a giant step backwards,
away from the Mine Ban Treaty. The policy, unveiled on 29 February, has been
expected for a while since the existing policy has been under review for a
number of years.
Yes to mines, No to the Treaty
Key
elements of the new stance on landmines:
・ The use of self-destructing mines
will now be permitted (without any time or geographic restrictions to this).
・ Long-lived mines may be used until 2010.
・ A broken promise: it is no
longer an objective for the U.S.A to join the Mine Ban Treaty by 2006 (if
alternatives to antipersonnel landmines are found).
・ 50% increase in spending on mine
action programmes for financial year 2005.
Human
Rights Watch Q&A
for more details on the policy and its impact.
ICBL'S Reaction
・ We are appalled and disappointed
by the reversal in policy.
・ Of particular concern is the possibility of use of long-lived mines (until 2010, four years after the previous deadline) and other self-destructing or self-deactivating mines (indefinitely).
・ The policy goes against the
emerging international norm that rejects antipersonnel landmines and
undermines efforts to universalise the Mine Ban Treaty.
・ We welcome the commitment to
increased funding for mine action. But this is not enough.
Other
points:
・ There is no excuse for use: All antipersonnel mines, whether
long-lived or self-destructing put civilians at risk. The long-term
humanitarian consequences of these illegal weapons outweigh any possible
military utility. Retired U.S. generals and admirals have rejected
antipersonnel mines, saying they are outmoded and become a liability for their
own soldiers.
・ Smart mines are dumb: The distinction between
self-destructing (sometimes called "smart" mines) and long-lived
("dumb" mines) is not helpful. When self-destructing mines are armed
they are indiscriminate and inhumane weapons. Also, some may fail to
self-destruct or self-deactivate - so they may remain live indefinitely.
Self-destructing mines tend to be dropped by air, often in larger numbers than
ground delivered mines, and are not fenced, marked or monitored. That too puts
lives and limbs at risk.
・ USA vs The World: The U.S.A. is the only member of
NATO that has not banned antipersonnel landmines and one of only two countries
in the western hemisphere that clings to the weapon (the other is Cuba). The
U.S. new position could be used as a pretext for 'hold out' countries to remain
outside of the Mine Ban Treaty. However, the treaty has been successful in
alleviating the mine problem for many years without Washington's support, and
will certainly continue to do so in the future!
Action Ideas
・ Publicise your reaction: Send a press statement, write to
newspapers, call radio stations, arrange interviews. See our ICBL Press Statement:
Nobel Laureate Condemns US Decision
to Keep Antipersonnel Landmines. Adapt it to your country, translate
it, write your own. See other statements
for more ideas. Use the 1 March anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty's entry into
force to contrast the achievements by those who've embraced the ban with the
USA's rejection of the agreement.
・ Send your message to Washington DC: Call, write, visit USA embassies
・ Lobby your government to send its reaction to the USA
(particularly those that are State Parties to
the Treaty). Remind them that it is their obligation to promote the treaty and
protect its integrity. Write, call, visit your contacts in government.