Annan Congratulates Anti-Landmine Activists, But Warns Of Continuing Danger
New York, Nov 28 2005
Citing remarkable cooperation and progress in reducing landmine use, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today
warned that anti-personnel mines still kill, maim and threaten the lives of civilians and he called on governments to
fulfil their commitments under the anti-landmine convention.
In a message delivered by Agnes Marcaillou of the Department of Disarmament Affairs to a meeting in Croatia of parties to the Convention on the prohibition of
anti-personnel mines and on their destruction, Mr. Annan said: "After meetings in Africa, Central America and Asia, this
week's meeting in a mine-affected country located in the heart of Europe underscores the magnitude of the problem."
Since the Convention came into force in March 1999, remarkable progress has been achieved, with 147 countries having
ratified or adhered to the Convention and most of the States Parties having met their obligation to destroy mine
stockpiles, he noted.
"Production, sale and transfer of anti-personnel mines have almost stopped. Large mined areas have been cleared. Victims
are receiving more and better assistance, rehabilitation and reintegration. A system has been put into practice for
assisting the Parties in fulfilling treaty obligations," he told the sixth meeting of representatives of parties to the
Convention.
The Convention has given rise to unique cooperation among the States Parties, the United Nations, the International
Committee of the Red Cross, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and civil society as a whole. "Rarely have we
witnessed the international community so willing to speak with one voice. Rarely have we seen an international
partnership so determined to bring an end to human suffering," Mr. Annan said.
"Yet anti-personnel mines continue to kill, maim and threaten the lives of civilians and the long-lasting humanitarian
impact of these inhuman weapons continues to deny communities the opportunity to rebuild long after the end of the
conflicts," he added.
He called on parties to the Convention to fulfil all of their obligations, including completing the destruction of
stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines, clearing mined areas within the deadlines and assisting affected States and
victims in need.
ENDS