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Country:
India
Date Received: 05 Nov 2003
PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA
TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT
9, RUE DU VALAIS
1202 GENEVA
TELEPHONE: (022) 906 86 86
FAX: (022) 906 86 96
T.P.Seetharam
Minister(Disarmament)
No.GEN/PMI/254/41/2003
July 19, 2003
Dear Ms. Wareham
Thank you for the fax dated 14 July 2003 addressed to Ambassador Rakesh Sood attaching the draft India country update from your forthcoming report: Landmine Monitor Report 2003: Toward a Mine Free World. In particular you had sought to know whether he has been quoted correctly from his meeting with ICBL on 14 May 2003. I have consulted my notes and would indicate the following:
a) Ambassador Sood did not state that "several million mines" were laid by Indian forces. What he did say was that The references to the attributed quote: "several million" in the introductory paragraph and in the paragraph subtitled 'Use' need therefore, to be corrected.
b) Ambassador Sood also said that the This was indeed corroborated by Mr. Om Prakash Bhadrecha, the landmine survivor, who had accompanied Ms. Jody Williams to the meeting, when he indicated that the Indian Army had taken all precautions for mapping, fencing and informing the local people through mine awareness programmes. The inclusion of these points made by Ambassador Sood and by the landmine survivors who were brought to that meeting by ICBL, would ensure a balanced picture from emerging in the Landmine Monitor Report, which is a respected and widely cited publication.
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi will be separately sending detailed comments on other aspects of the report directly to you. Meanwhile, I will appreciate your confirmation that the draft will be corrected to reflect Ambassador Sood's comments accurately.
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi will be separately sending detailed comments on other aspects of the report directly to you. Meanwhile, I will appreciate your confirmation that the draft will be corrected to reflect Ambassador Sood's comments accurately.
Yours Sincerely,
(T.P. Seetharam)
Ms. Mary Wareham
Global Research Coordinator, Landmine Monitor
C/o Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Ave NW #500
(Fax: 00-1-202-612-4333)
Country:
India
Date Received: 05 Nov 2003
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
NEW DELHI
Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma
Additional Secretary
Disarmament & International Security Affairs
Tel: 91-11-2301 15 68
Fax: 91-11-2301 28 89
28 July 2003
106/5/2003
Dear Ms. Wareham
Thank you for your communications addressed to the External Affairs Minister of India regarding the forthcoming edition of the Landmine Monitor Report 2003: Toward a Mine-Free World and seeking Government of India's views on the draft India country update enclosed therewith.
2. As you are aware, India remains committed to the pursuit of the ultimate objective of a non-discriminatory, universal and global ban on anti-personnel mines in a manner that addresses the legitimate defense requirement of States. India is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and is fully committed to the Amended Protocol-II of the Convention which deals with anti- personnel landmines.
3. The recent laying of mines by the Indian forces along the Western border was done as part of our operational plans. Minefields were laid, recorded and marked in consonance with well-established Standard Operating Procedures, and in conformity with Amended Protocol-II. In addition, all village headmen were personally informed about the location of the minefields in order to ensure that local inhabitants were adequately sensitized. Mine awareness programmes were also conducted at the sub-district/village level. All efforts were made to ensure that the markings remained visible, legible, durable and resistant to environmental effects.
4. Recovery of the mines emplaced as part of the military operations continues to be under way, with 85% of the mines having been retrieved so far. The objective is 100% retrieval. Mine clearance operations were halted only once during February 2003 and not on two separate occasions as indicated in the draft under the section sub-titled 'Mine Clearance'. This was done to provide rest and relief to the parties involved in the de-mining process, and not for want of proper equipment and safety gear as also indicated in the draft.
5. You would have also received a communication from our Mission in Geneva requesting that the reference to "several million" mines in the introductory paragraph and in the paragraph subtitled 'Use' be corrected to accurately reflect Ambassador Rakish Sod�s comments made during a meeting with Nobel Peace Laureate Ms. Jody Williams.
6. During the mine-laying operations, land was temporarily expropriated to prevent untoward casualties to civilians. This will be returned once 100% recovery is achieved. Compensation is being paid for the period of expropriation and for any adverse impact on both the winter and the summer crops. There is no standard figure for acreage-wise compensation as indicated in your draft under the section subtitled 'The Landmine Problem'. Instead, the compensation rates are based on various factors including the crop pattern of the area and the cultivable land that has been utilized by the Armed forces. A Board of officials, including representatives from the respective State Governments, has been specially instituted to look into these matters.
7. All efforts are made by the Government to provide free, expeditious and quality medical and other assistance to landmine victims. The figures for monetary compensation indicated in the draft under section 'Disability Policy and Practice' are incorrect. Depending upon the nature of the injury and than extent of disability, compensation in the range of Rupees one lakh to ten lakhs is being provided to the victims. In addition, facilities such as assistance in securing employment and provision of artificial limbs are also extended by the Government. With reference to the section on 'Mine Risk Education', it may be noted that formal mine risk education is also being provided. at the field level by field force commanders.
8. As also indicated in your draft update, India has been a victim for decades of the indiscriminate use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by non-state actors and terrorist groups which continue to cause considerable harm to the life and property of innocent civilians. Despite this grave provocation, Indian armed forces continue to exercise restraint and desist from using landmines except as part of military operations. It is in this context that I would like to clarify that the reference in the section subtitled 'Use' to an Army Officer having reportedly stated that "the mines had been planted mainly as a deterrent for infiltrators" is incorrect. No mines have been laid as a deterrent for infiltrators. However, it is indeed time that we paid more attention to issues related to transfers and employment of IEDs.
9. I would appreciate if the above comments are incorporated and the necessary corrections are made in the section on India in the forthcoming edition of the Landmine Monitor Report to ensure that the Government of India�s position is accurately reflected in your widely respected publication. We would be grateful for a line in confirmation.
Yours sincerely,
(Sheel Kant Sharma)
Ms. Mary Wareham
Global research Coordinator,
Landmine Monitor
C/o Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Ave NW #500
(Fax: 00-1-202-612 43 33)
Copy to:
(i) Ambassador Rakesh Sood,
Permanent Mission of India to the Conference of Disarmament
Geneva
(ii) Shri Alok Prasad,
Deputy Chief of Mission,
Embassy of India.
Washington D.C.
Country:
Iran
Date Received: 06 Sep 2002
PERMANENT MISSIONOF
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
622 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
No. 574
September 6, 2002
Dear Madam,
I have the honor to convey to you the official statement of the Ministry of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with regard to the production of anti-personnel landmines as follows:
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, since the termination of its war, has not produced anti-personnel landmines."
I would appreciate it if this position would be appropriately reflected in the ICBL documents and publishing reports.
Sincerely,
Morteza Ramndi
Press Section
Mrs. Mary Wareham
Coordinator, Landmine Monitor
c/o Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Ave. NW #500
Washington, DC 2009
Country:
Israel
Date Received: 31 Jul 2001
July 31, 2001
Mrs. Mary Wareham
Coordinator, Landmine Monitor
c/o Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Ave. NW #500
Washington, DC 20009, USA
With regard to your letter of July 17, 2001, I have been requested by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shimon Peres, to respond to the draft of the Third Landmine Monitor Report, as it pertains to Israel.
At the outset, Israel wishes to express its regret that the draft report was sent to it only on July 17th, 2001 when-according to your accompanying letter- the report "goes to print on August 1st, 2001." Clearly, such a short time-frame does not permit serious investigation into all allegations made in the report or their reference to the relevant authorities in Israel.
Notwithstanding the above, Israel is of the view that the draft report is unbalanced and biased, a fact which is manifested by the heavy reliance on statements and propoganda originating from politically motivated bodies and entities (such as the Al-Haq organization), that are known to have repeatedly made in the past false and baseless allegations against Israel. Such baseless allegations affect the credibility of the draft report and we believe that it would be innappropriate to include them.
The following are a few examples of the erroneous and one-sided reporting:
A.
On May 10th, 2001, a brutal terror attack was committed by a Palestinian terrorist group with a view of harming Israelis. In the attack a bomb, hidden in a bush, was detonated by remote control when a civilian tractor approached. "Hizbullah Palestine" claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the killing of two workers (of Romanian nationality) and the injuring of a third. This vicious attack in Kisufim was referred to in your report as the explosion of "...some type of explosive device or mine," without any indication to the perpetrators of this violent attack. Furthermore, the information was placed under the heading of "Israel/Use", thus suggesting that the incident was somehow connected or planned by Israel.
B.
The report quotes the Palestinian National Security Information Center which claims that "since September 2000 the IDF has laid antipersonnel landmines in areas within "Zone A" in the Gaza Strip, and in areas adjacent to Israeli settlements and military sites." This allegation is completely untrue and unfounded and is nothing more than propaganda.
Israel is highly aware of the grave humanitarian consequences caused by the indiscriminate use of land mines. Accordingly, the Government of Israel, attaches particular importance to actions, aimed at preventing and minimizing human suffering in this regard, which are compatible with accepted international norms and standards.
Minefields laid by the IDF are, as a matter of routine, fenced and warning signs in Hebrew, Arabic and English, are placed. Additionally, the IDF conducts safety inspections on a regular basis and transfers the appropriate information to civilian authorities. In accordance with this policy, minefield information was indeed handed over to the Palestinians when territories were transferred to their control.
As previously stipulated, the short time-frame allocated by the ICBL for the Israeli response does not allow for a complete and thorough response, Israel expects to see a final report which reflects an objective and professional approach, and a correction of basic factual elements such as the accurate date of the entry into force of the Amended Protocol II for Israel and the name of the Israeli-Navy commander.
As you are well aware, Israel has decided to become party to the Amended Mines Protocol II despite the unique circumstances prevailing in the Middle East. Having decided to join this instrument, Israel fulfills its obligations to the fullest extent, and strongly rejects allegations to the contrary which appear in the ICBL draft report.
We look forward to improved cooperation in the future between the ICBL and the Government of Israel.
Sincerely,
Meir Itzchaki
Arms Control Division
Regional Security and Arms Control Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Jerusalem
Country:
Jamaica
Date Received: 15 Jul 1999
EMBASSY OF JAMAICA
1520 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
TELEPHONE: (202) 452-0660
FACSIMILE: (202) 452-0081
EMAIL: emjam@sysnet.net
July 15, 1999
Ms. Mary Wareham
Senior Advocate, Arms Division
Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
Dear Ms. Wareham:
I write to acknowledge and thank you for your letter along with the Landmine Monitor Report 1999: Toward a Mine-Free World and its Executive Summary. I look forward to reading this report, which seems to contain a lot of useful information.
I will also share the report with my Government, and will share with you my comments in due course.
Please accept my best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Richard L. Bernal
Ambassador
Country:
Kenya
Date Received: 02 Mar 2000
BUREAU DE L'AMBASSADEUR DE LA REPUBLIQUE DE KENYA A PARIS
2nd March 2000
Madame Sylvie Brigot
Coordinatrice de la Campagne
Francaise pur Interdire les Mines
Handicap International
104/106, Rue Oberkampf
75011 PARIS
Dear Madame Brigot,
Re: RATIFICATION OF THE ICBL TREATY
We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 26th January, 2000 in which you informed us that we remain one of the Signatories of this important treaty but have not yet ratified it.Kenya is a vocal supporter of the total ban on the use of landmines and would like to assure you of our commitment to ratify the treaty.I have forwarded your letter to Nairobi for their urgent attention.Please Mme Campaigner , accept the assurances of our highest consideration.Yours sincerely, (signed) Steven A. Loyatum Ambassador
Country:
Lesotho
Date Received: 07 Jul 2000
To: Mr. Noel Stott,
South African/International Campaign to Ban Landmines
From: L Mosala
Foreign Affairs
Maseru 100
7 July 2000
Dear Noel,
Re: LESOTHO AND LANDMINES - THE OTTAWA CONVENTION
I wish to refer to a draft report you sent us in May 2000 regarding the above for the purpose of sharing information with us on this very important issue of Landmines.
Indeed, Lesotho stands by its initial statement that it is totally mine-free and goes further to give the following clarification on some concerns you raised.
* Lesotho will be submitting its report in accordance with Article 7 before the sitting of the 2nd meeting of States Parties.
* Incidences referred to regarding the disturbances in 1998 as described by a purported LDF member have no basis. The Lesotho Defence Force does not, and has never at anytime kept stock of landmines. What may have been stolen at the time were mere hand-grenades. LDF does not even keep any landmines for training purposes.
* Training of LDF personnel on detonating or handling of landmines was done outside the country because Lesotho had no stock or knowledge of use of landmine. The purpose of their training was to enable them to counter the then Lesotho Liberation Army (LLA) which was operating from outside the country.
* Indeed there were victims of limpet mines in the 1980s but they were as a result of LLA operations launched from outside Lesotho. Such weapons belonged to the LLA. There are no reports of uncleared mines presently.
* LLA was disbanded outside the country and they came into Lesotho as ordinary citizens and as a result no stock taking of their weapons was made and the Government is not responsible for those arms wherever outside of Lesotho they may be.
* I will be coming back to your good self in due course as still some of the stakeholders have not responded.
I hope the above will give you a basis to revise and upgrade your draft.
Yours sincerely,
L. Mosala
Country:
Liberia
Date Received: 31 Jul 2000
REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, CULTURE AND TOURISM
Liberia believes that landmines pose a perpetual threat to civil society. Its use is pernicious to the people.
The gruesome use of landmines has today left the world with millions of amputees and maimed children.
Coming out of a seven year civil war in which landmines were used on a minimal scale, we saw the horrendous impact it hand on our people. We pray that such devastation should never come our way as a people who have resolved never to experience war in our existence.
We therefore support the global programme to eliminate landmines.
Signed: Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism
Country:
Mauritius
Date Received: 13 May 1999
Republic of Mauritius
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
13 May, 1999
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am directed to thank you for providing the Mauritius Delegation to the First Meeting of States Parties with a copy of the 1,100 page Landmine Monitor Report 1999. This Report is a major contribution in the implementation of Article 7 of the Ottawa Convention in reporting in a most transparent, systematic and sustained manner the essential elements necessary for the successful elimination of antipersonnel mines.
The ICBL deserves congratulations for making available a copy of the Landmine Monitor Report 1999 to all the delegations.
It is, however, noted that a factual mis-reporting has occurred at page 43 under the caption pertaining to Mauritius which may convey a wrong information if left uncorrected.
The above-mentioned mis-reporting concerns the name of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius. It should instead read Hon. Rajkeswur Purryag and Mohamed Ould Maawiya as erroneously spelled out in the report.
The Ministry would, in this connection, appreciate it if the ICBL could kindly arrange to issue an appropriate corrigendum.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours Sincerely,
B Gokool
for Supervising Officer
Country:
Moldova
Date Received: 05 Feb 2004
Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines regarding the Moldova chapter of the Landmine Monitor Report 2003
Download:
moldova2004.pdf (61.86 kB)
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