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USCBL Urges the Senate and Administration to Exercise Leadership Toward a Mine-Free World From Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2004, representatives from over 135 governments, inter-governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, to mark the five-year anniversary of the entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty (called the "Ottawa Convention"). At the week-long Nairobi Summit governments reviewed progress in implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty since it took effect in March 1999, renewed funding commitments, and decided on actions to build a mine-free world. The U.S. has not signed the Mine Ban Treaty and continues to reserve the right to produce and use antipersonnel mines. Yet unlike many other non-state parties to the treaty who continue to engage the international community on the mine issue, the U.S. refused to send a delegation to Nairobi. The USCBL sent the following letters to the Senate and the Bush administration in response to the administration's failure to participate. January 12, 2004 Secretary Colin Powell Dear Secretary Powell, Antipersonnel landmines uprooted by the recent tsunami catastrophe now serve as an added danger to civilians in Sri Lanka and elsewhere-another reminder of the indiscriminate and long-lasting impact of these cruel weapons. The U.S. government must do more and better on this crucial issue. We urge the administration to reconsider its approach to the landmine problem and to begin to lead the world toward the goal of ending this scourge once and for all. In December 2004, representatives from 135 governments gathered for in Nairobi, Kenya, for the First Review Conference of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (called the Mine Ban Treaty). At the week-long Nairobi Summit governments reviewed progress in implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty since it took effect in March 1999, renewed funding commitments, and decided on actions to build a mine-free world. We were disappointed that the U.S. was not represented in Nairobi, especially given the presence of many non-signatories to the Mine Ban Treaty such as China, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka. In order to fully appreciate the commitment of the majority of the world's nations to mine action and the Mine Ban Treaty, it is important for the U.S. to see and participate in first-hand discussions with the global community. The vision of a world free of the scourge of landmines
will remain out Sincerely, Mary Wareham Scott Stedjan January 14, 2004 Dear Senator, Antipersonnel landmines uprooted by the recent tsunami catastrophe now serve as an added danger to civilians in Sri Lanka and elsewhere - another reminder of the indiscriminate and long-lasting impact of these cruel weapons. The U.S. government can and should do more on this crucial issue. We urge you to encourage the Bush administration to resume U.S. efforts towards joining the Mine Ban Treaty and continue U.S. funding for humanitarian demining and mine victim assistance. In December 2004, representatives from 135 governments gathered for in Nairobi, Kenya, for the First Review Conference of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (called the Mine Ban Treaty). At the week-long Nairobi Summit governments reviewed progress in implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty since it took effect in March 1999, renewed funding commitments, and decided on actions to build a mine-free world. We were disappointed that the U.S. was not represented in Nairobi, especially given the presence of many non-signatories to the Mine Ban Treaty such as China, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka. We need the Senate's help to convince the Bush administration to exercise leadership to fully eradicate antipersonnel mines. As you may know, the Bush Administration's official landmine policy, announced in February 2004, fails to provide the leadership required to eradicate this inhumane and indiscriminate menace. Most disturbing, the previous U.S. objective to join the Mine Ban Treaty by 2006 was abandoned altogether. Though three quarters of the world's nations have joined the treaty, including virtually all NATO governments, the U.S. remains outside this global norm and sets a poor example for mine-using countries. Unlike other humanitarian tragedies such as natural disasters and disease, the global landmine threat is human-made and can be rectified by human actions. The U.S. must join the rest of the world in doing more and better. Please urge the administration to resume U.S. efforts towards joining the Mine Ban Treaty. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Mary Wareham Scott Stedjan |
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Ban Treaty and countries that have ratified it, contact the International
Campaign to Ban Landmines www.icbl.org
US Campaign to Ban Landmines |