Governments and NGOs meet in Nicaragua for Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, Sept. 18-21

The Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, September 18-21, 2001, has brought together more than 100 governments and more than 100 NGO representatives in Managua, Nicaragua to discuss global progress that has been made this year and that needs to be made in the coming year on landmine use, production, stockpiling, and trade as well as mine removal and victim assistance. Because the United States is not a state party to the treaty, there is no formal U.S. government representative at the meeting, though there are many U.S.-based NGO representatives in attendance.

Following is an excerpt from the opening statement made September 18 at the Third Meeting of State Parties by Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Laureate for Peace and current Ambassador to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines:

"I am a citizen of the United States of America. It is impossible to begin speaking here at this Conference without first recognizing the terrorist acts that happened one week ago today in my country. I ask you now to join me in a moment of silence for the thousands of victims who lost their lives in the United States.

"Terrorism has many faces. The acts of 11 September are of the most dramatic, but we are gathered here in Managua from around the world to deal with acts of terror less visible. Terror that claims innocent victims on a daily basis around the world. Antipersonnel landmines terrorize communities and destroy lives every single day. We in the ban movement have long called landmines a different kind of terror ñ a weapon of mass destruction in slow motion.

"Now, I would ask you to join me in a moment of silence for the victims of these daily acts of terror -- the thousands of victims of antipersonnel landmines in too many countries around the world.

"Civil society and governments came together in a ban movement not just to create a treaty to ban antipersonnel landmines but to ensure full compliance with that treaty. We have always said it is critical that that the treaty not just be words on paper. Part of why we are here this week is to take stock of statesí compliance with the treaty ñ in so doing we are also underscoring the absolute importance of the rule of law. And by being here now at this difficult time facing the international community, we do underscore the importance of international law. . ."

For in-depth information about the Third Meeting of States Parties, including speeches and outcomes, visit www.icbl.org.

For information on the Landmine Monitor 2001, a report on the global landmines problem and progress over the past year, click here.

Click here for the speech given by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines at the opening session of the Third Meeting of States Parties.