| U.S. Campaign to Ban
Landmines Email Newsletter In this edition. . .
Congressmen Urge Bush to Prohibit AP Mine
Use in Iraq The letter begins “As our nation prepares for the possibility of war in Iraq, we are troubled by reports that the US military may be planning to use antipersonnel landmines. New US antipersonnel mines, on top of the hundreds of thousands of mines already in the ground in Iraq from the Iran-Iraq and Persian Gulf Wars, would pose serious dangers to innocent civilians, our own troops, and future peacekeepers involved with post-conflict reconstruction. We are writing to urge you to prohibit the US military from deploying these indiscriminate weapons.” For the full text of the letter, click here. Her Majesty Queen Noor, LSN Executive Director
Jerry White Meet With U.S. National Security Advisor To Discuss
US Landmine Policy In Iraq, landmines buried during previous conflicts including WWII, the Iran-Iraq War and Gulf War, have not been removed. These mines present a persistent danger to the Iraqi people. Click here to learn more about the landmine situation in Iraq. Dr. Rice did not elaborate on the Administration's intentions regarding possible use of landmines in Iraq. Jerry White, LSN co-founder, also asked for an update of the Bush Administration's review of present landmine policy. It is believed that the United States wants to reserve the right to pursue the development of “smart minefields,” which the Pentagon contends can be turned on and off depending on military need. Both Rice and Miller commented that “military equities” and special U.S. “global security” responsibilities had to be taken into full consideration and that the landmine review was being conducted in accordance with the Pentagon's overall goal of “transformation.” Listen to Radio Interview with Landmine
Survivor Jerry White Mine Charity Mobilised as War in Iraq
Draws Near MAG, one of the world's leading mine clearing action charities, is mobilising its units in Iraq as the threat of war intensifies. The internationally-known charity has been actively clearing mines and unexploded bombs in Iraq every day since 1992. Amid the current threat of an invasion MAG's operations in the field will increase and security will be heightened. The UK-based charity employs more than 700 Kurds in northern Iraq and provisions have been made for their safety. Despite the threat of conflict, MAG's humanitarian work in the field will continue. Security has been stepped up in 50 key landmine areas and stock-piling food and fuel has begun. MAG's rapid response units for potentially heavily mined areas will also be assembled. The UK staff in Iraq has implemented cautionary working practices since October 2002 and their work will continue on the ground throughout the threat of conflict. . . For full article, click here. Have You Not Received Many Recent USCBL
Newsletters? For more information about the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines or to donate on-line, please visit www.banminesusa.org
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