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Country: Angola
Date Received: 12 Sep 2000

MISSION PERMANENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE D’ANGOLA AUPRES DE L’OFFICE DES NATIONS UNIES A GENEVE

DECLARATION DE LA DELEGATION ANGOLAISE A LA DEUXIEME CONFERENCE DES ETATS PARTIES A LA CONVENTION D’OTTAWA SUR L’INTERDICTION DES MINES ANTI-PERSONNEL

GENEVE, LE 12 SEPTEMBER 2000

Mr. Le President,
Illustres delegues,
Permettez-nous avant tout, d’exprimer au nom du Gouvernement angolais et en celui de la delegation angolaise notre satisfaction pur notre participation a cette reunion et de vous souhaiter beaucoup de succes a la presidence de nos travaux.

Mr. Le President,

Estant donne la problematique des mines en Angola, notre Gouvernement a cree le 26 mai 1995 I’Instituto Nacional de Remocao de Obstaculos e Engenhos Explosivos – INAROEE comme une institution specialisee de l’Etat chargee de la coordination et execution de l’Action sure les Mines en Angola.

Mr. Le President,

L’Angola a connu des moments difficiles dans la lutte contre les mines et sans doutes c’est un des pays les plus gravement affectes avec environ 6 a 7 millions de mines et possede egalement le nombre le plus eleve des mutiles au monde, c’est a dire 80 mil handicapes.

Nous avons constate que 30% des victimes perdent leur vie; 70% sont devenus handicapes, la moyenne des accidents de mines par mois estant de 60 cas enregistres.

Implante dans sept Provinces, l’INAROEE a en son sein le personnel provenant de l’ancienne armee reguliere Angolaise – les ex – FAPLA et de l’ancienne armee rebelle de l’UNITA, les ex- FALA. Ce personnel a demontre qu’il etait bien instruit et capable et a su realiser les taches suivantes avec l’aide de la communaute internationale:

• L’establissement d’une banque de donnees comme point focal d’enregistrements de rapports de localisation des champs de mines et des surfaces minees;
• L’elaboration des programmes d’education et prevention sur le danger des mines;
• La creation d’une ecole technique d’action sure les mines et base logistique, qui a permis la formation de 400 sapeurs et specialistes nationaux de diverses branches d’Action sure les mines;
• Reconnaissance des mines de niveaux I, II et III;
• Enregistrement et collecte d’accidents de mines et d’autres engins explosifs;
• Campagnes d’information publique a travers les organes de la communication sociale.

Mr. Le President,

De 1996 au premier trimestre de l’an 2000, l’INAROEE a enregistre les resultats suivants:

• 5500 Kms de routes ont ete deminees;
• 8000 m2 de terrain ont ete demines;
• 15.000 mines Anti-tanque ont ete detruites;
• Environ 360.000 engins non detonnes ont ete detruits;
• 735 actionnements de mines;
• 1.117 victimes depuis 1995 ont ete enregistrees au premier trimestre de l’an 2000 et ont trouves parmi eux des femmes, des enfants et des vieillards.

Soucieux de chercher des solutions pur diminuer le risque d’accidents de mines, le Gouvernement d’Angola realise un programme de sensibilisation sur le danger des mines et a forme des educateurs, des journalistes, des autorites traditionnelles et des professeurs et a introduit au curriculum scolaire national la discipline de “sensibilisation sure le danger des mines aux enfants”, avec la participation active du Ministere de l’Education, l’UNICEF, Handicap International et le CICR. Ce programme a ete realise dans 14 des 18 Provinces de l’Angola et les resultats sont satisfaisants, une fois que le message est bien recu par la plupart de la population.

Mr. Le President,

Au debut de l’an 2000 l’INAROEE est devenu seulement un organe coordinateur de tout le processus de deminage en Angola. L’execution des activites des champs de mines incombe maintenant aux ONG’s internationales qui operent en Angola au titre du deminage. En conformite avec une decision prise recemment par le Gouvernement, les ONG’s absorbent le personnel sapeur de l’INAROEE dans leurs rangs et pour n’en citer que quelques unes nous avons:

• L’INTERSOS Italienne;
• L’APN Norvegienne et
• HALO TRUST Britannique.

Nous attendons que les autres ONG’s internationales operant en Angola recoivent des fonds des donateurs potentiels pour absorber le reste du personnel se trouvant encore sous la responsabilite de l’INAROEE.

Mr. Le President,

Les defis de notre Programme National d’Urgence pour l’Assistance Humanitaire determinent le role que le Gouvernement d’Angola au titre de l’Action sur les Mines doit jouer en tant coordinateur et promoteur de son developpement.

Ainsi, sur la base de sa strategie nationale globale, le Gouvernement d’Angola a entame les taches suivantes:

La revitalisation et le renforcement du role de l’INAROEE en tant qu’organisme de l’Etat responsible pour la coordination de l’Action sur les mines au Pays;

L’analyse des besoins en termes des ressources financieres qui permettent la planification des activites de l’INAROEE. Voila pourquoi le Programme d’Action sur les mines – 2000 vient d’etre soumis au Conseil de Ministres pour approbation.

Finalement Mr. Le President, nous voudrions avec votre permission, faire une petite mise au point, en guise du droit de reponse aux differentes accusations faites contre le Gouvernement d’Angola en ce qui concerne le reminage de certaines surfaces observees lors de cette derniere guerre qui lui a ete imposee par les troupes rebelles de l’UNITA.

Nous commencerons par remercier tres sincerement tous les gouvernements et toutes les Organisations Internationales publiques et privees qui se sont toujours preoccupe du sort des victimes angolaises des mines anti-personnel et d’autres, canalisant vers l’Angola des ressources financieres materielles et humaines, et nous leur lancons un nouvel appel pour qu’ils nous aident a poursuivre le travail de deminage deja en cours a travers de nouveaux financements.

Nous leur demandons leur comprehension pur les quelques mines anti-personnel que l’armee nationale, les FAA – Forcas Armadas Angolanas, ont plante autour des installations strategiques, lorsque les troupes de Mr. Jonas Savimbi voulaient s’emparer du pouvoir par la force des armes, ignorant les institutions democratiques et bombardant les villages, les Communes et certaines grandes villes du pays d’une forme indiscriminee et aveugle.

Qu’il nous soit permis, Mr. Le President d’affirmer ici que miner un terrain ou le reminer n’a jamais ete un droit pour nos Etats et encore moins pour l’Angola, mais plutot une strategie des laches et quelques fois l’unique maniere de survie pour ceux qui soufrent de l’injustice et de la folie assassine des rebelles.

Comme certaines personnalites presentes dans cette auguste assemblee le savent, la derniere guerre d’Angola aura ete une guerre de survie des populations rurales et citadines sans defense et affaiblies par les vicissitudes de la guerre et qui devaient etre protegees par tous le moyens a la portee des organes de souverainete de l’Etat.
Pour cela, certaines mines posees par l’armee angolaise sont enregistrees et bien localisees, ne representant aucun danger pour la population, ni aucune difficulte pur leur reconnaissance et leur destruction. Nous demandons donc a certains elements de la societe civile internationale qu’ils aient un peu de respect envers le Gouvernement angolais, car les infatigables et courageux volontaires du CICR ayant travaille sous le feu dans certaines Provinces de l’Angola comprennent et savent bien ce que nous voulons dire dans notre droit de reponse, eux-memes ayant vecu des moments les plus difficiles de leur vie dans notre Pays.

Il est vrai que beaucoup se demandent de quoi demain sera-t-il fait dans le domaine des mines anti-personnel en Angola. Les perspectives de la paix et l’evolution de la situation politico-militaire ont cree un environnement favorable a la ratification de la Convention d’Ottawa sur l’Interdiction des Mines Anti-personnel par le Parlement angolais, qui l’a fait le 25 juillet 2000 et nous esperons seulement sa promulgation par Son Excellence Monsieur le President de la Republique, des que possible.

Merci beaucoup Mr. Le President.

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Country: Burundi
Date Received: 12 Sep 2000

MISSION PERMANENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE DU BURUNDI AUPRES DE L’ONU ET DES AUTRES ORGANISATIONSINTERNATIONALES A GENEVE

Declaration de la delegation du BURUNDI a la Deuxieme conference des Etats Parties a la Convention sur la prohibition de l’utilisation du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines antipersonnel et sur leur destruction.Geneve, le 12 septembre 2000

La delegation du BURUNDI voudrait d’abord feliciter Son Excellence Monsieur l’Ambassadeur Steffen KONGSTARD, chef de la delegation de Norvege pour son election a la presidence de la 2eme conference des Etats parties a la convention sur la prohibition de l’utilisation, du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines anti-personnel et sur leur destruction ainsi que les autres membres du bureau.

Elle saisit egalement cette occasion pour remercier les autorites de la confederation helvetique de la Republique et Canton de Geneve ainsi que de la commune de Geneve pour la qualite de l’accueil reservee aux delegations et de l’organisation des travaux.

Monsieur le President,
Excellences Mesdames, Messieurs,

La delegation du Burundi a ecoute avec attention les interventions qui se sont succedees depuis le debut des travaux don’t certaines ont fait allusion a l’usage des mines antipersonnel par le BURUNDI, ce qui expliquerait selon ces memes delegations, le retard de la ratification du traite d’OTTAWA.

De l’avis de la delegation burundais, de telles allegations relevent soit de la desinformation gratuite, soit de la mauvaise foi ou de l’ignorance des realities quotidiennes au BURUNDI.

En effet, le BURUNDI est caracterise par un habitat disperse sur les collines avec des densites de 150 a 400 habitants au Km2 selon les regions. Tous les jours, ces populations se deplacent de leurs habitations vers les champs, les paturages, les marches, les lieux de culte, les chefs lieux des communes, les ecoles, les centres de sante, a pieds et sur des sentiers formels, informels, dissemines sur ces collines.

Ce mode de vie explique a lui seul combien il y aurait d’hecatombes si des mines antipesonnel etaient posees dans les campagnes burundaises.

En tous cas, il est impensable que l’armee gouvernementale puisse faire de telles operations. D’autant plus qu’elle meme arpente souvent ces memes collines lorsqu’elle est entrain de poursuivre des rebelles qui n’hesitent pas a se cacher parmi les populations civiles. Par contre, ces rebelles ont dissemine des mines antipersonnel dans certaines forets, parcs et buissons dont ils font temporairement des sanctuaires, avant d’en etre deloges par les forces de l’ordre.

En ce qui concerne la frontiere entre la Tanzanie et le Burundi, mentionnee dans certains rapports, la situation est identique. Permettez-nous d’abord de rappeler a ceux qui ne le savent pas que la frontiere entre la Tanzanie et le Burundi constitue un passage permanent pour les citoyens Burundais et Tanzaniens qui effectuent chaque semaine des echanges de produits agricoles, artisanaux, de la petite et moyenne industrie. Dans ces conditions, il est inconcebable que le Gouvernement laisse son armee miner un terrain quotidiennement frequente par ses populations!

Les autorites frontalieres tanzaniennes et les organisations humanitaires travaillant dans la region sont au courant de cette realite. Malheureusement, encore une fois, comme les rebelles se replient frequemment dans les camps de refugies en Tanzanie, ils laissent des mines antipersonnel dans les positions qu’ils occupaient sur la frontiere du BURUNDI.

Des fois, ils posent meme des mines antichars sur des voies empruntees par des pietons ou tout simplement carrossables. Le nombre de militaires et de civils helas, amputes, victimes de ces actes barbares constitue un temoignage eloquent. Dans le rapport de “Landmine Monitor 2000”, l’observatoire des mines admet n’avoir pas de preuve sur l’utilisation des mines terrestres par l’armee burundaise. Ce meme rapport indique que 70% des accidents ont ete provoques par des mines anti-chars. Il est des lors clair que ces mines proviennent des rebelles puisque l’armee ne saurait pieger ses propres equipements de guerre.

La delegation burundaise profite plutot de ce forum pour demander a la communaute Internationale d’aider le BURUNDI dans les futures operations de deminage et dans l’assistance aux victimes des mines antipersonnel. Elle propose en meme temps l’envoi d’une mission d’observation sur la frontiere entre la Tanzanie et le Burundi d’ou elle se rendra compte des actes des rebelles a partir des camps de refugies de Rukole et de KILELEMA, respectivement dans les regions de NGARA et de KIGOMA.

Encore une fois, le Burundi reaffirme son attachement aux traites internationaux et vous assure que la ratification du traite d’OTTAWA sure les mines antipersonnel interviendra dans un proche avenir. Comme vous le savez, un pas considerable vers la paix a ete franchi le 28 aout a ARUSHA en Tanzanie par la signature d’un accord. C’est ici le lieu d’en appeler encore une fois a la Communaute Internationale pour qu’ellesoutienne la mise en applications de cet accord ce qui facilitera d’ailleurs, le suivi de la convention d’OTTAWA sur le territoire burundais.

Dans l’immediat, la Communaute Internationale devrait faire pression sur les rebelles F.F.D, F.N.L et FROLINA comme elle l’a promis le 28 aout a accepter le 20 septembre prochain a NAIROBI, le cessez le feu et a le respecter.

La delegation burundaise voudrait enfin soutenir la proposition de tenir une reunion conference intermediaire sure les mines antipersonnel sur le continent Africain pour sensibiliser les differents partenaires sur les consequences de ce fleau.

Je vous remercie.

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Country: Australia
Date Received: 07 Sep 2000

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE
International Security Division

7 September 2000

Ms Mary Wareham
Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Ave NW #500
Washington D.C. 20009

Dear Ms Wareham

I am writing to you in relation to the Landmine Monitor Report for 2000.

It has come to my attention that the section on Australia contains an error of fact which I regret we did not identify in the process of reviewing the draft you kindly provided before the report went to print. The report states that Australia has never produced anti-personnel landmines. This is incorrect. The St Mary's ammunition factory, which is now closed, did produce live anti-personnel mines, most recently during the period of the Vietnam War. The factory also produced practice (ie inert) mines. This production ceased in the early 1980s.

Yours sincerely
Richard Maude
A/g Assistant Secretary
Arms Control and Disarmament Branch

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Country: Burundi
Date Received: 30 Aug 2000

Embassy of the Republic of Burundi
2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 212
Washington, DC 20007
Tel. (202) 342-2574
Fax. (202) 342-2578 August 30, 2000
Stephen D. Goose
Program Director
Arms Division
1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 500, WDC 20009
Fax. (202) 612-4333

Dear Mr. Goose,

Following August 28th meeting, it is my great pleasure to thank you for the fruitful exchanges on the Landmine Monitor Report 2000.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your fight against use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines all over the world.

I take this opportunity to forward the annexed Government statement concerning Landmine Monitor Report 2000: Toward a Mine-Free World.

I hope this statement will be taken into account on the final version of the report.

Once again, thank you very much for your visit and may the collaboration between Burundi and Human Rights Watch be maintained. I look forward to seeing you and meeting with you.

Signed: Thomas Ndikumana
Ambassador

DECLARATIQN DU GOUVERNEMENT

Le Gouvernement du Burundi refute energiquement les allegations selon lesquelles des mines anti-personnelles auraient ete utilisees sur la frontiere avec la Tanzanie et avance les arguments suivants :

• Le BURUNDI reste et restera profondement attache aux Traites ratifies;
• Le BURUNDI ne possede pas las moyens de miner une frontiere de plus de quatre cents kilometres, si telle etait sa volonte, car il faudrait la miner sur toute sa largeur pour que cela soit efficace;
• Le BURUNDI n'a aucun interet a mettre des obstacles sur une frontiere si permeable qui permet aux populations frontalleres d'avoir des relations socio-economiques quotidiennes don't elles tirent des avantages reciproques;
• Le Gouvernement du BURUNDI a maintes fois informe la Communaute Internationale de l'usage massif des mines par la rebellion burundaise. Il saisit cette occasion pour denoncer encore une fols l'utilisation des mines anti-personnelles et antichars par les terrosites genocidaires non seulement sur la frontiere avec la Tanzanie mais aussi a l'interieur du pays. Le nombre eleve de civils et de milltaires amputes, victimes de ces actes de barbarie, constitue un temoignage on ne peut plus eloquent;
• Par ailleurs, des mines anti-personnelles sont encore disseminees dans les anciens sanctuaires des rebelles et sur la frontiere, sans schemas ni croquis, devenant ainsi un danger permanent pour la population des environs, pour les patrouilles militaires et pour les rebelles eux-memes;
• Le Gouvernement du BURUNDI reitere son engagement ferme au respect du <<1997 mine ban treaty>> et se tient a cooperer sans reserve avec la Communaute Internationale pour l'elimination systematique des mines disseminees sur son territoire.

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

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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

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Country: Pakistan
Date Received: 26 Jul 2000

EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN
2315 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE. N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008

From : Sohail Mahmood
First Secretary
No. Pol-1/2/2000 July 26, 2000

Dear Mr. Goose,

I have the pleasure of enclosing a closed cover containing a letter addressed to you by Mr. Shahbaz, Director General (Disarmament), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. This is in response to your letter of 26th June 2000, addressed to Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar regarding the

Yours Sincerely,
Signed Sohail Mahmood

Government of Pakistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Islamabad

NO. Dsmt-1/11/00

12 July 2000

Subject:

My dear Program Director,

Please refer to your letter dated 29 June 2000 addressed to the Foreign Minister of Pakistan on the above subject.

We offer the following comments:

1. Pakistan is party to the Amended Protocol 11 on Mines, Booby-Traps and other Devices of the Certain Conventional Weapons Convention, and is fully abiding by its provisions. We believe that universal adherence to the Protocol will greatly help in saving innocent civilians from the scourge of landmines.
2. Pakistan's record with respect to the regulated use of landmines is second to none. This fact has been duly appreciated by the ICRC in its publication, "APLs -Friend or Foe". It is for this reason, landmine civilian casualties in Pakistan are almost non-existent, a fact duly acknowledged by the ICRC.
3. Pakistan fully subscribes to the goal of eventual elimination of landmines. Nevertheless, our peculiar defence situation, like that of so many other countries of the world, does not permit us to join the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, unless a viable alternative to landmines for defence purposes is available. We are, however, not insensitive to humanitarian concerns in this regard.
4. Consistent with its humanitarian approach, Pakistan declared a unilateral moratorium on the export of APLs in March 1997. This moratorium was reinforced by the issuance of an appropriate notification by the Government of Pakistan on 25 February 1999 under the Import and Export ( Control ) Act, 1950, completely banning the export of A-PLS. Pakistan is also favourably inclined towards negotiating an international legal instrument against the transfer of APLs at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
5. Pakistan has effectively participated in UN sponsored de-mining operations in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Cambodia and Angola. The international community will always find Pakistan in the fore-front of efforts for de-mining and rehabilitation-of landmines survivors.

I hope that our principled position on APLS, based on our genuine defence requirements and humanitarian concerns, will be adequately reflected in the upcoming report of Landmine Monitor.

Appreciating your cooperation, I remain

Yours sincerely,
(Signed) Shahbaz
Director General (Disarmament)

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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

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Country: Georgia
Date Received: 06 Jul 2000

Georgia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
06-07-2000 To: Mr. Stephen D. Goose
Program Director, Arms Division
Human Rights Watch
On behalf of the Landmine Monitor Core Group

Dear Mr. Goose,

I would like to express our gratitude for giving us an opportunity to make comments on the issue of landmine use on the territory of Georgia and I hope, that these comments will be included in the second annual report of Landmine Monitor - Landmine Monitor Report 2000: Toward a Mine-Free World.

I assure You, that the Georgian Military Forces has been strictly abstaining of laying landmines since long before than March of 1999. Unfortunately, as You are aware, certain parts of Georgia, including mentioned Abkhazia region are not under the control of the Government of Georgia, therefore we are not able to control any kind of military or paramilitary activities there. Neither the Government of Georgia is supporting or controlling the paramilitary units functioning on the above mentioned territories.

Currently, the Georgian government is experiencing some strong difficulties in finding technical and financial resources and skilled personnel necessary for carrying out the de-mining activities throughout its territory. Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned with the landmine problem and despite the present difficulties strive to find the ways out and try to deal with the problem even in the parts of Georgia, which are not currently under our control. One of the most successful efforts towards this direction is the demining activity carried out with the help of British Charity Organization, "the HALO Trust" in Abkahazia, Georgia. In foreseeable future the conclusion of a new agreement between Georgia and "the HALO Trust" is expected, which will further enlarge the scope of de-mining in this region.

Having stated the above mentioned, I would like to underline that Georgia has been a supporter of "Ottawa Process" and shares its ultimate goal of complete elimination of the landmines.

I would also like to reiterate our support to the International Campaign for Banning Landmines and express our will to reach on of the most important goals of mankind- world free of landmines.

Sincerely Yours,
Georgi Burduli
First Deputy Minister

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Country: Cuba
Date Received: 19 Jun 2000

Statement of the Directorate of Multilateral Affairs of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Landmine Monitor researcher, sent by email, 19 June 2000.

ATT.NOEL STTOT.

Cuba is not a State Party to the Convention on the Prohibition of Antipersonnel Landmines because, for the time being, it is not possible for it to fulfill the responsibilities deriving from that international legal instrument and mainly because the possession and use of antipersonnel landmines form part of the country's defense doctrine called "Peoples War".

The defense concept of the Republic of Cuba is the result of the Cuban people's willingness to defend its sovereignty and independence constantly threaten by the manifest hostility of nine Administrations of the United States of America, which have planned, promoted, encourage, supported, and carried out a vast number of aggressive and subversive actions against the Cuban people and Government.

However, on several occasions, the Cuban Government has publicly expressed that it understands and shares the humanitarian concerns caused by the indiscriminate and irresponsible use of antipersonnel landmines.

Likewise, Cuba has expressed its full support to the humanitarian efforts made by the international community to prevent or mitigate the effects of the indiscriminate use of this kind of weapons.

Although anonymously at times, Cuba has contributed in an actual and effective fashion to these humanitarian efforts: hundreds of Cuban volunteer doctors have provided and continue to provide medical assistance and treatment for thousands of persons injured by antipersonnel landmines in various parts of the world, including areas devastated by internal armed conflicts.

At present, just to cite an example, thousands of Cuban medical doctors are serving in 14 countries located in different geographical zones, such as Central America, the Caribbean and Africa as part of the Comprehensive Healthcare Delivery Program, whereby Cuba provides these nations with solidary medical cooperation.

In Cuba, there are national regulations to control the use of antipersonnel landmines and of all the other kinds of weapon the country has.

Decree Law No. 52 on the Control of Firearms and License Procedures has been enacted since 1982. The licenses are issued to those persons meeting the established requirements, mainly those engaged in crime prevention duties.

The weapons intended for the protection and security of the State-owned economic entities are given on the basis of the values to be protected.

On 17 June 1998, the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba passed Decree Law No. 186 on Work Safety and Security Systems that, in accordance with its Article 1: ".... is aimed at establishing and monitoring Work Safety and Security Systems and related services".

Chapter VII of the aforementioned Decree Law establishes the following regulations, among others, for firearms and equipment of the members of the Service for Security and Protection:

• Article 37: Security Enterprises and Groups are authorized to possess, use and custody firearms and personal equipment for their intended purposes, seeking prior approval from the Ministry of Interior and in accordance with standing legal provisions and regulations.
• Article 38: Firearms are used only for the protection of the objectives and services they are intended to; thus prohibiting any kind of transfer, change of location or use for purposes other than the ones for which they were authorized, without prior approval from the Ministry of Interior.

More recently, on 16 February 1999, with the passing of Law No. 87, which modified the Penal Code, the national legislation regarding the illegal trafficking in arms, among many other issues, has been reinforced.

Article 11 of the aforementioned Law amends Articles 211 and 212 of the Penal Code sentencing any person who -- without legal authorization -- acquires, carries or possess a firearm to 2-5 year prison terms and to 3-8 year imprisonment if the person manufactures, sells or in any way facilitates another the possession of a firearm.

Article 11 also includes penalties ranging from three to eight-year prison terms for the first case and four to ten-years imprisonment for the second crime, if it is about a type of firearm for which no license is granted.

Chapter 2, Article 346 of the same Law, when referring to money laundering, provides from five to twelve years imprisonment to any person who acquires, exchanges or transfers any of his/her resources, properties or rights, or to any person pretending to carry out the aforementioned operations knowingly or not, or rationally supposing -- based on the occasion or circumstance in which the operation is conducted -- that these resources, properties or rights directly or indirectly derive from activities related to the illegal trafficking in drugs, weapons or persons or organized crime.

There is no a retail network in Cuba for weapons sale, including antipersonnel landmines, to legal or natural persons.

Cuba has neither exported nor is exporting mines and it has publicly expressed it. In 1996, United Nations Secretary General published a Report (A/51/313), dated 28 August 1996, under the provisions of Resolution 50/70 O of the United Nations General Assembly, entitled "Moratorium on the Export of Antipersonnel Landmines". This Report contains information provided by the Cuban Government expressing that Cuba has neither exported nor is exporting mines.

The Cuban Government has given convincing evidence of its readiness to participate actively in international negotiations for the implementation of a regime for the comprehensive ban on exports of all kinds of mines.

It is well known that there are mines planted in the perimeter surrounding the illegally occupied Guantnamo Naval Base; these mines were laid after the United States of America had deployed its own landmines in this illegally occupied area.

Little is known, however, about the real reasons compelling Cuba to lay and maintain those mines.

The international community has information on the hostile and aggressive actions the Government of the United States of America has carried out against Cuba for more than 30 years. Nevertheless, we consider there is still a lot to be said about such actions.

Between July 5-20, 1999, in the Civil and Administrative Court of Law at the Provincial People's Court in the City of Havana, there were public hearings of the compensation lawsuit for damages filed by the Cuban people against the Government of the United States of America.

Tens of witnesses and a number of evidence were presented in the hearings. The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces was in charge of giving expert opinions about two of the principal allegations made in the Lawsuit. One of them was related to the use of the Guantnamo Naval Base as an instrument of the United States Government's aggressive policy towards the Cuban Government and people. (1)

Below are some excerpts of the aforementioned expert opinion that illustrate how the Guantnamo Naval Base of the United States of America, located in the Bay of Guantnamo has been used as an instrument of the aggressive policy of the United States towards Cuba and how from this place they it has caused irreparable harm to the Cuban people.

"The agreement for the establishment of the Guantnamo Naval Base, ever since it was signed, took an entirely illegal nature. The shameful Platt Amendment, imposed to Cubans and accepted only under penalty that U.S. intervention troops would not leave the country, caused that still effective Treaty to be signed under blatant and arrogant pressure, giving it an illegal nature and fully justifying the our peoples claim for the usurped territory. "

" the troops stationed in this U.S. military facility were used by the previous governments more than once as instruments for internal repression. In 1912, the troops billeted in the base overstepped their limits to quench the uprising of the Color Independent Party. Five years later, on the occasion of the uprising of the Liberal Party, several groups of US marines took positions outside the base, under the pretext of protecting the water supply lines from the free Cuban territory."

The establishment of new relations between both countries 1st January 1959 marks the moment when the contradictions accumulated for many years regarding the illegal presence of the Guantnamo Naval Base became fully evident. These new relations polarized the increasingly aggressive policy by US Administrations and the determined Cuban stance vis-a-vis the challenge posed by the North."

Later on, the expert opinion states that just before 1959 when the last stage of the Cuban Revolution led by actual President, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, was being waged up in the Eastern mountains, " the Guantnamo Naval BASE was used by the United States to clandestinely supply weapons and munitions to Batista's Army in its last waning days (2) even though it had been prohibited by the U.S. Congress..."

"After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in January 1959 and as part of the US-launched offensive to increase its presence in its overseas territories, the Base was a choice scenario for the increase of US interference... a historical average of 15 US ships, over 50% of them war ships, performing military exercises and maneuvers everyday inside the bay or near its service areas located to the South of that facility, even using live munitions with the corresponding risk for sea transportation."

"Ground troops were gradually increased and, under the questionable designation of defensive forces, their number rose to around 2,500 troops in peacetime, because its reinforcement have been always planned for times of conflict, as it happened in the days of the Missile Crisis in 1962, when the total troops ready for action reached 5,800."

"For instance, on May 1980 during the military exercise Solid Shield, a scheduled reinforcements in the Base was around 1,200 marines; in 1984, as part of Ocean Venture-84, around 600-strong military personnel was transferred to the Base. In October 1991, for defense exercise DEFEX 2/91, the facility received around 600 additional marines."

"Traditionally, the US military leadership was bent on demonstrating that the training of its troops inside the Base had an eminently defensive nature. They even called their main military exercises Defense Exercise - DEFEX.

However, there is clear evidence revealing the real nature the military training inside the Base. One of the pages in the US Marines Field Regulations (Staff Action, FMFM 3-1, DE 1979) for the training of Staffs in Combat, shows a representative diagram with the idea of training inside the Guantnamo Naval BASE."

"The systematic acts of provocation from the Base, mainly by US military personnel, were part and parcel of US aggressions against Cuba since 1st January 1959."

"After the mercenary invasion in Bay of Pigs (April 1961), US military planners dedicated their time to find new aggressive options against Cuba. On 9 March 1962 they submitted to the consideration of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, a broad catalogue of "Reasons to Justify a US Military Invasion in Cuba."

This catalogue is part of a large group of documents declassified by the American government relative to the investigation of President Kennedys assassination. These files are called "Select Documents on Cuba" and contain a vast volume of information on actions planned by the United States with the purpose of fabricating a pretext to militarily intervene in Cuba.

We will make reference to those documents directly related to the Guantnamo Naval Base:

Incidents credibly simulating an attack:

• Circulate (many) rumors. Use clandestine radio broadcast.
• Land Cuban troops in uniform, "on the U.S. side of the fence", to simulate an attack on the Base.
• Capture alleged Cuban saboteurs inside the Base.
• Start riots (by alleged Cubans) near the main entrance to the Base.
• Blow up explosive devices inside the Base and damage some of its facilities.
• Burn aircraft inside the Base and make it look a sabotage act.
• Fire mortar shells at the Base and damage some facilities.
• Capture alleged storm troops approaching the Base from the sea or the city of Guantnamo.
• Capture groups of militia harassing the Base.
• Sabotage a vessel docked in port causing great fire.
• Sink a vessel near the entrance to the port. Stage funeral of the victims. They could be around 10.

PRINCIPAL ACTS OF PROVOCATION FROM GUANTANAMO NAVAL BASE SINCE 1962

PRINCIPAL ACTS OF PROVOCATION	TOTAL
Throwing objects
Shots fired at our territory
Aiming weapons at our territory
Verbal offenses and lewd gestures
Other acts of provocation
TOTAL

PRINCIPAL VIOLATIONS FROM GUANTANAMO NAVAL BASE SINCE 1962.

TYPES OF VIOLATION	TOTAL
Violations of ground limits
Violations of air space
Violations of jurisdictional waters
TOTAL

The Cuban Government has denounced these acts in an opportune and systematic manner to the Government of the United States of America.

"In a Note Verbale dated 20 March 1962, the U.S. Government was notified of the occurrence of 12 acts of provocation taking place just from 3-5 March in the Guantnamo Naval Base. Those acts included firing shots and directing verbal offenses against the Cuban personnel."

"The Cuban Government, in a Note Verbale to the Swiss Embassy, dated 4 April 1961, denounced the perpetration of 48 violations of our air space near the Guantnamo Naval Base taking place between 15 February and 15 March 1961."

"In a Note Verbale addressed to the Czech Embassy, dated 2 January 1962, the U.S. authorities were given a summary of 101 violations of Cuban air space and jurisdictional waters between June and November 1962, most of them originating from the Guantnamo Naval Base."

It is necessary to point out that we have not made use of all the data contained in the Evidence Report because it would make this work too long. However, we consider that the information made public herein sheds some clear light as to why Cuba has been compelled to adopt defensive measures to protect the territory and people near the Guantnamo Naval Base.

In a separate Evidence Report submitted for the purpose of the same Judicial Proceeding by the Ministry of Interior of Cuba, it is clearly shown how the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America encouraged and directed the activities of terrorist groups and individuals in the Cuban territory in the 1960s, occasionally giving them shelter in the Guantnamo Naval Base.

We should highlight that the Cuban landmines sowed in the perimeter surrounding the Guantnamo Naval Base have an exclusively defensive nature. They are intended to prevent violations and acts of provocation, as well as to guarantee peace and safety in the areas adjacent to the Base. These mines also serve the military purpose of preventing U.S. troops from expanding with impunity the perimeter they occupy illegally and from launching offensive actions into the Cuban territory.

Cuban mine fields are duly marked, fenced and guarded to ensure the protection of civilians, as stipulated by Protocol II (Amended) of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Several diplomats accredited to Cuba as well as other foreign personalities have been able to visit on various occasions the surroundings of the Guantnamo Naval Base and observe the area occupied by the Base and the defensive measures adopted by the Cuban side.

Lastly, we should note that the alleged removal of U.S. landmines from the Guantnamo Naval Base completed by the end of 1999, as announced by the U.S. Government, is a measure of relative importance since that country has the necessary troops and means to quickly restore the deactivated minefields if it so wishes or deems it appropriate. They can even use more high-tech mines having a greater destructive power than the ones formerly planted around Guantnamo Naval Base.

On the other hand, there is the U.S. war arsenal that could be used against Cuba in the event of a military invasion, wreaking infinitely more havoc than anti-personnel landmines.

CUBAS HEALTHCARE POLICY FOR THE HANDICAPPED

In Cuba, there is a free and universal healthcare system and the gains accomplished by the Cuban medicine enjoy worldwide renown.

The Cuban Revolution has built new hospitals and 21 medical schools to train thousands of high-skilled physicians. Only in the last few years, despite the financial constraints facing our country, the number of medical graduates has increased to 30,000.

In spite the economic, financial and trade blockade imposed by the United States of America on Cuba, preventing among other things the sales of medicines and the transference of medical technologies to our country, Cuba has been able to keep its infant mortality rates down reaching an all-time low (7.4 per 1000 live births) in 1999, one of the lowest rates in the world.

In the 1960s policies to address the handicapped were implemented, reaching important goals in 1983-1993 in the fields of prevention, rehabilitation, social integration and equal opportunities for the disabled.

The care for this social group has been a constant concern of the Cuban government since 1 January 1959. The National Plan of Action for the Care of the Disabled has been outlined on a yearly basis, and a strict control for its compliance is observed by State institutions.

The financial support that the Cuban government has provided for the purchase of devices to assist in the patients social reinsertion and rehabilitation has increased dramatically.

For instance, financing grew threefold between 1996 and 1997 for the purchase of orthopedic devices. In 1998, that figure increased five times. Likewise, assistance for the visually, hearing and mentally impaired has grown significantly.

At present, a nationwide survey is being conducted for the care of deaf and blind patients.

It is important to note that the aforementioned expenses have been made in hard currency, albeit one of the characteristics of the Cuban economy during these years of crisis has been the lack of this type of currency.

Below are some figures illustrating the care of disabled patients in two specialized institutions in Havana between 1995 and 1998:

National Rehabilitation Center, "Julio Daz" Hospital

National Center for Neurologic Restoration (CIREN)

YEARS	NUMBER OF PATIENTS TREATED

CUBAN PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND CONVENTIONS ON DISARMAMENT

The Republic of Cuba is State Party to 11 of the 18 International Instruments relative to Disarmament applicable to it.

Cuba has taken part in the UN Registry of Conventional Weapons since the establishment of this specialized forum, reporting every year that it has not imported or exported none of the types of weapons included in the 7 categories contained in the Registry.

Cuba is currently considering, according to effective constitutional provisions, the possibility to ratify Protocol II (Amended) to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

(1)-Evidence Report submitted bythe Revolutionary Armed Forced. The Cuban People Files Lawsuit againstthe Government of the United States of America for Damages. EdicionesVERDE OLIVO, Havana, Cuba, 1999.

(2)-General FulgencioBatista led a military coup on 10 March 1952 establishing adictatorship in Cuba that lasted until 1 January 1959 when the CubanRevolution triumphed