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Country:
Slovenia
Date Received: 27 Jul 1999
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
1525 New Hamshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 667-5363
Fax: (202) 667-4563
Mrs. Mary Wareham
Senior Advocate, Arms Division
Human Rights Watch
For the Landmine Monitor Core Group
1630 Connecticut Ave. NW #500
Washington, DC 20009
Washington, July 27, 1999
Dear Mrs. Wareham,
Thank you for the publications Landmine Monitor Report 1999: Toward a Mine-Free World and its Executive Summary.
Landmine Monitor can be of great help to all those concerned with the elimination of the production and use of landmines all over the world. Slovenia is taking an active role in achieving the goal of a world being safe from land mines. To this end Slovenia established an International Trust Fund in order to organize and finance demining activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as to assit in the rehabilitation of the mine victims.
Enclosed is an International Trust Fund brochure, which explains our efforts in great detail. We believe that this information will be of help in compiling together the next issue of the Landmine Monitor.
We wish you and your associates success in your noble work.
Sincerely,
Igor Kerstein
Charge dAffairs, a.i.
Country:
South Africa
Date Received: 15 Jul 1999
EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA
3051 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008
(202) 232-4400
16 July 1999
Ms. Mary Wareham
Senior Advocate, Arms Division
Human Rights Watch
Landmine Monitor Core Group
1630 Connecticut Ave NW #500
Washington DC 20009
Dear Ms. Wareham,
Thank you for letter of 21 July 1999 and for the Landmine Monitor Report 1999: Toward a Mine-Free World and its Executive Summary. It is greatly appreciated. It will be passed on to the appropriate section within the Embassy for further comments.
Sincerely,
Allan Wright
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO AMBASSADOR S SISULU
Country:
Sri Lanka
Date Received: 15 Jul 1999
July 15, 1999
Dr. M.S. Mary Wareham
Seniro Advocate, Arms Division
Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Ave., NW, #500
Washington, DC 20009.
Dear Ms. Wareham
I wish to thank you very much for the copy of the Landmine Monitor report that was sent to the Embassy. This has been sent to Sri Lanka for their comments. I have requested them to send the comments direct to you through your web site.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Warnasena Rasaputram
Ambassador.
Country:
Strata Research
Date Received: 28 Jun 1999
We, STRATA RESEARCH hereby state that sentences in the Landmine Monitor First Annual Report, in the Croation report (pages 576-577) as follows:
" In 1997. The area of Podunavlje and eastern Slavonija were totally cleared of mines, that includes settlements: Antunovac, Bilje, Ernestinovo, Kopcevo, Apsevci, Donje Novo Selo, Lipovac, Podgradje, Kusonje and Brusnik. That was important for the Peacefull Reintegration Process." is not the information provided by Vanja Sikirica and can not be related with the footnote 31, where Vanja Sikirica was noted as source for another information. That another information, that was actually provided by Vanja Sikirica was the table of mine cleared ares in Croatia in 1998. with breakdown by countries.
The above mentined information was taken from the article from the daily newspaper "Vjesnik" (10 February 1998, in annex), where is stated that the mine clearance in that area (settlements) is completed and that in 5,651,289 square meters 4,404 mines are destroyed and 3,086 objects were checked.
We apologize once more to all who who have been affected by this missinterpretation.
Zagreb, 28 June 1999
Country:
Sudan
Date Received: 29 Jul 2001
Humanitarian Aid Commission - Sudan
29 July 2001
To: Mary WarehamCoordinator - landmine MonitorC/O Human Rights Watch
Reference
to the above mentioned subject and to your letter Dated 25 May 2001 to
his excellency the minister of foreign affairs of Sudan, you mentioned
that Sudan will be identified in this report as a government that
alleged to have used antipersonnel landmines, I would like to clarify
the followings:
- This allegation is totally unaccepted and untrue.
- The Sudan armed forces stopped using antipersonnel landmines since Sudan signed the Ottawa treaty and we are totally committed to that.
- That the Sudan armed forces have no stock on antipersonnel landmines.
I hope this will help to put the right and useful information in your 2001 landmine report.
Thanks
Abdellati AbdelkheirDeputy Commissioner HAC-SudanPerson in charge of landmine file-Sudan
Country:
Sudan
Date Received: 13 Sep 2000
STATEMENT BY SUDAN DELEGATION TO THE SECOND MEETING OF STATES PARTY TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF, THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION
Sudan has earnestly and consciously signed the Convention on The Prohibition of, The Use, Stockpiling Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their destruction that signed the landmark step in the history of the disarmament and a historic victory for the weak and vulnerable of our world. Sudan is therefore committed to the letter and sprit of this important instrument and of its provisions. Since Ottawa, Sudan has keenly and effectively participated in most Regional and International Conferences in this regard with the view of advancing the cause. Sudan sponsored and voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54(B) supporting the Mine Ban Treaty in December 1999. It has supported similar UN General Assembly resolutions in 1996/1997/1998. These efforts are clear testimony for the high importance that Sudan attaches to the Convention. The unfounded allegations that Sudan is producing or using mines will not detract the country from fulfilling its obligations and honouring its commitments under this instrument.
Subsequently, Sudan identified the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) as a national focal point designated with the responsibilities of supervision, coordination and fund raising needed for the activities in relations to the implementation of the Convention. To realize this HAC had immediately sensitized the national NGOs and Government institutions to actively participate in the formulation of the national policies and mine action programs. After that Sudan tabled its plans to the International community to seriously engage in the demining process. Surprisingly the UN Assessment Team recommended that "until there is a peace and stability, large-scale mine clearance should not be undertaken". This had a demoralizing effect and seriously worked against the implementation of the mine action programme. Despite this alarming fact the government mobilized locally minimal resources, required to start the Implementation.
The Government takes this opportunity to commend the effort of the international NGOs and other organizations that has continuously put resources in favor of the Convention implementation. ICRC is providing all the inputs required for production of amputated limbs of mine victims. It is planning to establish limb production factories in other parts of the Sudan to cope with the situation. OXFAM and Rada Bernen are mobilizing resources in the field of awareness.
- The National NGOS forum for mine action called Sudan Campaign to Ban Land Mines "SCBL" is established since three years. It had solicited the support of many international NGOs like ICBL, OXFAM, Rada Bernen and ICRC. They have doubled their efforts in the areas of awareness, victim assistance and Training of Trainers (TOT). HAC is encouraging and supporting these efforts strongly.
- In coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Relations, HAC is following the process of ratification at departmental consultations level, which will be followed by formulation of national laws in the Ministry of Justice.
- HAC is embarked on the process of national capacity building which includes data collection, training, development of policies and programmes.
- A Committee for formulation of national standards is underway.
- The armed conflict in the country is the major obstacle to the implementation of the Convention. It obstructs surveys, encourages the rebel to use, transfer and stockpile anti personnel mines and anti tank. The conflict also discouraged donors from financing Mine Action Programme. The Government had signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement with six rebel factions in 1997. It also signed similar agreements, during last year with Nuba faction. Political declaration with Umma Party was also signed in Djibouti in November 1999. These Agreements had brought calm and tranquility to several places in the country and will bear a positive impact on mine use in the Sudan.
- Financing mine action programme in most parts of the Southern Sudan and those states of the Northern Sudan is feasible. It will enjoy full support of the people and the Government. The remaining areas can be dealt with within the Humanitarian Corridors Agreements. The Government will push for clearing all the roads despite the fact that rebels may not easily accept the idea because they fear that the Humanitarian Clearance may endanger their defence position. The international community must do its best for engaging the armed groups in this process.
- We hence call for immediate and direct finance of Mine Action Programmes in the peaceful area.
- Peace efforts in the Sudan must be given a chance to succeed and the humanitarian cease fire must be established.
- Sudan also calls for taking the mine action in the broad humanitarian spectrum. In this regard, providing development assistance to reduce tensions and enforce stability in the developing countries is paramount and unavoidable.
Finally, I thank the Swiss People and Government for making this event possible.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
Country:
Sudan
Date Received: 31 Jul 2000
Republic of the Sudan
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
New York
Human Rights Watch
Attention /Mr. Stephen D. Goose
Dear Sir,
Reference your letter dated June 26, 2000 regarding your annual report of landmines, I have the honour to clarify the following points:
- Sudan as a signatory State to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of landmines, is very keen to implement the provisions of the said convention. Sudan's signing of the Convention despite its security concerns which are well known to all, stems from its deep conviction and its strong belief that humanity should get rid of such dangerous weapons which threaten the lives of innocent population. Moreover, it reflects Sudan's genuine desire to put an end to the war in the southern part of the country. The UN General Assembly has commended Sudan for the signing of the Convention.
- The Government of the Sudan is committed to the letter and spirit of the provisions of the Convention. It does not produce landmines, nor use it. The statistics have shown that the rebel movement is the party which has used and continue to use landmines in the southern and eastern part of the country, a matter which has led to the killing of innocent population and continues to pose great security risks in those regions.
- The Government is fully engaged with the UN concerned agencies in programs and strategies aimed at coordinating mine awareness activities in order to enhance the capacity of local implementing agencies for mine Action.
- While conveying this information, the Government requests Human Rights Watch Organization to reflect this position in its annual report and expresses its readiness to answer any quires from the esteemed Organization.
Sincerely,
Signed: Mubarak H. Rahamtalla
Ambassadors, Deputy Permanent Representative
Country:
Sudan
Date Received: 22 Sep 2003
The Republic of Sudan
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
This is an update and the reply to the landmine update of 2003. There are bullet points that discuss the updates.
2) This is in response to the questions asked by those who wanted information about mines.
a) The corps of engineers of Sudan is obliged to comply by what they signed in Ottawa in December 1997, which was an agreement to ensure that no landmines of any type have been put to place. Since this agreement, Sudan has not exported mines and it has very few mines in storage, and the ones in storage are used for practice only.
b) All the mines planted around oil fields were planted by rebel factions.
c) The agreement was signed, and despite the Geneva agreements in 2001 which banned the use of landmines, it didn�t stop rebel factions from planting the mines in rural areas and along main roads. These mines hurt the shepherds, farmers and impaired humanitarian aid efforts.
3) After the cease fire agreement in the Nuba Mountains with the UN and the JMC, a program was point into place to clear the main roads.
4) They have also started a program (with the cooperation of civil groups) to educate people about the mines.
5) Sudan has also started a joint program to teach in the area of Um Suwaidah with the help of Jismar ( a government organization) , Awsal from the movement to ban mines and the DCA under the surviellence of the UN and the humanitarian aid sector. This program lasted for three months and had 40 people involved and this program was very successful.
6) There have also been arrangements with the center to take care of mine and with the UN to plan a strategic plan completely for mines in Sudan.
7) In Sudan, there is a Sudani group that works on removing the mines and it is inclusive of national efforts by arranging programs and exchanges of programs.
Summary of the Report on Landmines for the year 2003 in Sudan
-
The government�s involvement with land mines
-Sudan signed an agreement forbidding mines on December 4, 1997
-In 2003, the minister of foreign affairs said that the house of ministers agreed on banning the mines and they allowed for the Parliament to ratify the agreement
-An agreement for the Nuba Mountains and Mashakoos to ban the land mines
-The Southern Separatists also signed the agreement to ban landmines twice
-Sudan joined in an effort to resolve the land mine issue at a fourth gathering of countries against landmines in September 2002.
-
Production, trading, and storage of mines
-Sudan assures that it does not have an inventory of mines, as apposed to the accusations in the report that it does.
-The person responsible for JMC confirmed that the mines found in the Nuba mountains was planted by rebels.
-The militias that fight alongside the government feel that they are not obligated by the agreements signed by the government and the movement, and therefore they use the mines and enjoy the support and financial backing of the government.
-Landmines were found near the oil fields, Al anir, Yai, Wat, and Akwubar.
-
Use of the mines and the movement.
-In March 2003, an official in the movement confirmed in a meeting with the observatory that they use mines in specific means.
-The officers of the movement are ignorant of the fact that the use of landmines is prohibited.
-The movement agreed to reduce the mines around the area of the Nuba Mountains however they have a particular way of addressing the mines because of the fear of government forces attacking.
-
The problem of landmines-the removal
-There has not been a complete removal of mines in Sudan.
-In general, there aren�t many landmines but rather few mines and they are usually located in the entrances of roads and areas.
-Most of the mines are in the Nouba region as well as Lukoshiko to Jowiya through Kuwailana, Troit, and Rumbilia. Humanitarian aid to these areas have been arranged through air.
-In the middle of this year, the government and the movement sent information regarding the landmine fields to the JMC however the information sent was not detailed information.
-
Procedures of the removal
-[unsure]
-It is inclusive of the countries how want it: Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Denmark, England, Luxembourg, Canada, Japan and the program of the UN.
-In 2001, 2.2 million dollars [sorry unsure/unclear]
-
Organizing and planning the procedures for removal
-In March 2002, the UN ( UNMAS division) assigned an advisor to Khartoum for organizing and planning the removal of the mines.
-In September 2002, the UN along with the ministers of the humanitarian affairs, started a center for mines in Khartoum and another office in Yirmeek in Febuary of 2003.
-In April 2003, the United States sent experts to remove the mines in the Nouba region based on the agreement between the movement and the government.
-the DCA organization sent a team of dogs from South Africa for Um Suwaida in January 2003.
-[unsure] something about how many people died.
Country:
Syria
Date Received: 27 Sep 2000
MISSION PERMANENTE DE LA
REPUBLIQUE ARABE SYRIENNE
GENEVE
No. 437/00
Geneva, 27th of September 2000
Dear Mrs. Jackie Hansen,
Reviewing Landmine Monitor Report 2000, and admiring the valuable information and the great humanitarian efforts of the coalition of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, I was surprised to find out that you detached the "Golan Heights" from Syria and put it under "other", taking by that, political position in full contradiction with International legality, which is harmful to the credibility of the humanitarian attitude of the non-governmental organizations parties to the Coalition.
The occupied Syrian Golan is an integral part of the national territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, it is beyond dispute, and it is always the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic. Security council resolution N.497 of 17 December 1981 decided in clear terms that Israeli's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan is null and void. Foreign occupation contradicts all the way with the principle of inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force.
We regret the embarking of your "campaign" on grave distortion of the Syrian national identity of the Occupied Syrian Golan and we request a correction which insures that the text relating to the Golan Heights will be included in the text on Syria.
Please accept, Mrs. Jackie Hansen, our best regards.
Taher AL-HUSSAMI
Acting Permanent Representative
Mrs Jackie HANSEN
Programme Assistant
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
11, avenue de Joli-Mont
GENEVA
Country:
Turkey
Date Received: 04 May 1999
THE TEXT OF THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE HEAD OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION
MR. VURAL ALTAY,
AT THE FIREST MEETING OF THE STATE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION
MAPUTO, MAY 4 1999
Mr. President,
Having made my official statement, if you allow me, I now would like to say couple of words about the Land Mine Monitor Report 1999 and its executive summary which were prepared by the Landmine Core Group and distributed here yesterday. As you might imagine, due to time constraints, I was not in a position to read the whole report last night. However, I found the time to have a quick look at the relevant sections concerning my country. I feel compelled to bring to your attention and to the attention of the distinguished delegates here today that the report contains incorrect, inaccurate and misleading information with regard to my country. It is not my intention to take the valuable time of the Plenary with this issue. I will rather choose to take up this with the editors of the report. However, above all, I must underline here that, in contrary to what has been written in the report and in its executive summary under my county�s section, new anti personnel mines were not laid by my government, more precisely by the Turkish Army, between December 1997 to early 1999 as alleged in the report. In contrary, a de-mining program has been launched during that period.
I am sure that the editors of the above-mentioned report would take into consideration my remarks and make the necessary corrections and changes in due time.
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