Pages:
<<
|
1
| 2
| 3
| 4
| 5
| 6
| 7
| 8
|
>>
| Sort by:
Date / Country
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:
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:
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:
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:
Senegal
Date Received: 05 May 1999
STATEMENT MADE BY THE SENEGALESE DELEGATION FOLLWING SOME ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE 1999 REPORT OF I.C.B.L.
(FIRST MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON A.P. LANDMINES)
Nonofficial translation
THE SENEGALESE DELEGATION WAS ASTONISHED TO COME ACROSS ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT CIRCULATED BY I.C.B.L. AND WHICH READS: "IT APPEARS CERTAIN THAT SENEGALESE FORCES USED MINES IN GUINEA BISSAU IN 1998 WHILE SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENTAL TROOPS".
THESE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS WERE REPEATED BY THE I.C.B.L. COORDINATOR IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE GENERAL DEBATE WHEN HE ALLEGED THAT: " IT IS LIKELY THAT SENEGALESE ARMY USED LAND MINES IN GUINEA BISSAU IN 1998 IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENTAL TROOPS"
THE SENEGALESE DELEGATION WAS MORE SO ASTONISHED BECAUSE AT NO TIME DURING THE OTTAWA PROCESS, THAT ALLOWED FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN STATES AND N.G.Os, DID I.C.B.L. OFFICIALLY NOTIFY THE SENEGALESE GOVERNMENT OF ANY ACTION UNDERTAKEN BY THE LATTER AND WHICH RAN CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF THE CONVERNTION ON LAND MINES.
GOING BY LOGIC, THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY, THE SPIRIT OF CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP AND, HENCE, THE CREDIBILITY THAT PREVAILED THROUGHOUT THE OTTAWA PROCESS, ANY DOCUMENT PRODUCED WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK, EVEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF SENSITIZING, MUST CONTAIN ONLY RELIABLE INFORMATION, THAT IS CHECKED AND CROSSCHECKED ESPECIALLY AT THE LEVEL OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, INCLUDING ACCUSED STATES.
IN THAT RESPECT, THE SENEGALESE DELEGATION CATEGORICALLY REJECTS THE ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED REPORT AND SPEECH FROM I.C.B.L.
INDEED, AS EARLIER POINTED OUR IN ITS ADDRESS TO THE GENERAL DEBATE ON TUESDAY MAY 4TH 1999, THE SENEGALESE DELEGATION SOLEMNLY REAFFIRMS THE FOLLOWING:
"SENEGAL DOES NOT PRODUCE, DOES NOT BUY, DOES NOT SELL, DOES NOT STOCKPILE LANDMINES, HENCE, THE STRONG COMDEMNATION AND BANNING BY THE SENEGALESE AUTHORITIES OF ANY TRANSFER AND USE OF LAND MINES.
THE FIRST LAND MINES ENCOUNTERED IN SENEGAL HAD BEEN LAID ALONG ITS SOUTHERN BORDER BY THE FORMER COLONIAL POWER OF A NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY, IN THE SEVENTIES AND LATER BY AN ARMED SEPARATIST REBELLION, IN THE NINETIES
SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN SENEGALS CONCERN TO SEE TO IT THAT ITS TERRITORY IS FREE OF SUCH BLIND KILLERS AND ITS POPULATION RELIEVED FROM THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLIGICAL PAINS CAUSED TO THEM BY THOSE ARMS.
THAT HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND SENGALS LONG TIME COMMITMENT TO THE JINTERNATIONAL STRUGGLE AGAINST LAND MINES.
AVAILING ITSELF OF THE CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AND PRODUCTIVE PARTNER SHIP BETWEEN STATES AND N.G.Os THAT HAVE SO FAR CARACTERIZED THE OTTAWA PROCESS, THE SENEGALESE DELEGATION TOOK THE INITITIVE TO HAVE AN HOUR LONG WORKING MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF I.C.B.L. AND TO SUPPLY THEM WITH FACTUAL INFORMATION TO BE ADDED TO THEIR DATABASE FOR FURTURE UPDATING FOR THE PART OF THEIR REPORT CONCERNING SENEGAL.
MOREOVER, THE SENEGALESE DELEGAION AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF I.C.B.L. HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE CONCRETISATION OF THE PROPOSAL MADE BY SENEGAL AIMED AT HOLDING SENSITIZING SEMINARS AND TRAINING WORKSHOPS IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB REGION FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND AN EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTAION OF THE CONVENTION FOR THE BANNING OF LANDMINES
IT IS WORTH REMINDING, THAT IN 1996, "HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL", A MEMBER OF I.C.B.L., DID ORGANISE IN DAKAR, THE CAPITAL CITY OF SENEGAL, A SIMILAR SEMINAR FOR MEDIA PEOPLE AND CIVIL SOCIETY.
MAPUTO MAY 5TH 1999
Non official translation
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.
Country:
China
Date Received: 04 May 1999
LM Discussion with Peoples Republic of China Delegation
Maputo, Mozambique
4 May 1999
LM: Paul (MAC) and Mary (HRW)
"The stockpile figure is exaggerated."
Country:
Brazil
Date Received: 04 May 1999
LM Discussion with Brazilian Delegation
Maputo, Mozambique
4 May 1999
LM: Celina (MAC) and Mary (HRW)
- To date, Brazil has not provided information to the OAS Landmines Register. Resolution approved in June 1998. Information till April every year. (We are still in time) Until now information were given only by USA, Canada, Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador and Peru.
- Allegations of landmine use by landholders in North to keep out the "landless" (Sin Terra) are currently under investigation by the Human Rights Commission of the Lower House of Deputies.
It was an accusation published in Brazilian press. The UDR denied and the matter has never been under consideration by the Congess (Senate or House of Representatives).
Country:
Greece
Date Received: 03 May 1999
LM Discussion with Greek DelegationHead of Delegation, John Korinthia
Maputo, Mozambique
3 May 1999
LM: Susan Walker (ICBL)
Mr. Korinthia wanted to speak about "mistakes" in Landmine Monitor
- Numbers look incorrect to him, but he will verify.
- Greece ratified Protocol II (possibly 13 Jan 1999, to be verified)
- Incorrect name (Mr. Korinthia: "we are very sensitive about this")
FYROMFormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
About Us
Our Research Products