Key developments
since March 1999: Belgium continued to play a leadership role in promoting
universalization and effective implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. Belgium
served as co-rapporteur of the SCE on General Status of the Convention. The 1995
domestic AP mine ban law was amended to make it permanent. Belgium contributed
about US$ 2.3 million to mine action programs in 1999, plus $1.4 million for
mine action research and development activities.
Mine Ban Policy
In 1995 Belgium was the first country in the world
to adopt domestic legislation banning the production, procurement, sale, export,
use and custody of antipersonnel
mines.[1] It played a central
role in the “Ottawa Process” leading to the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT),
which it signed on 3 December 1997 and ratified on 9 July 1998.
Part of the 1995 law was time-limited: Article 3 prevents the State or
public administration from acquiring, supplying or using AP mines for five
years. Parliament adopted a new law canceling the five-year limitation, which
was voted in the Senate on 16 December 1999 unanimously with one abstention and
in the Chamber of Representatives on 23 March 2000 unanimously. It was signed
by the King of Belgium on 30 March 2000, published on 7 April 2000, and entered
into force ten days
later.[2]
Belgium continues to play an active role in the global movement toward the
total elimination on antipersonnel mines, stating in April 2000,
“Belgium’s global action considers three priorities, namely, the
promotion of the further universalization of the Convention, the monitoring of
the implementation of the Convention and the provision of assistance to victim
countries both in the field and through the development of more efficient
techniques.”[3]
Belgium participated in the First Meeting of States Parties (FMSP) to the MBT
in May 1999, having been active in the preparation of the meeting with a group
of countries, “all of which are ardent supporters of a rapid achievement
of the goals of the
Convention.”[4]
At the Meeting, in response to allegations of new AP mine use by some States,
the Belgian Foreign Minister declared: “I notice with particular worry
that in Europe, the Serbian Armed Forces are continuing to use anti-personnel
mines. Belgium must insist that an end is brought to this practice as rapidly
as possible. Belgium exhorts the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to renounce the
use of anti-personnel mines.... While the removal of mines is a nearly
superhuman challenge for the international community, it is incomprehensible
that new mines are being laid. We have to strongly oppose those responsible for
this deviation. As the Presidency of the European Union has underlined, it is
even more serious that a signatory State of the Convention such as Angola
continues to lay mines. It is with insistence that I have to exhort those
countries to review their
attitude.”[5]
Belgium was appointed as co-rapporteur (with Zimbabwe) of the Standing
Committee of Experts (SCE) on the General Status and Operation of the Convention
until the Second Meeting in September 2000, after which it will co-chair this
SCE. It has attended all the intersessional SCE meetings of the MBT, with the
exception of the second SCE meeting on stockpile destruction.
Belgium helped to develop the reporting format for reports required under
Article 7 of the MBT. Although its first report was not required until August
1999, Belgium distributed an initial report at the FMSP in May 1999 to help
develop a model of how to comply with the MBT obligations. This report covered
from 3 December 1997 to the end of April
1999.[6] Belgium submitted its
second report on 15 August 1999, covering 1 May to 15 August
1999.[7] A third report was
submitted on 27 April 2000, covering the calendar year 1999. With other
countries, Belgium is working to spur all States Parties to submit the annual
implementation report in a timely manner, and various other initiatives have
been undertaken to help States Parties to fulfil their obligations to report
fully progress towards implementation.[8]
During 1999 and early 2000, with the change of government in Belgium,
political will regarding the AP mine issue has remained strong and many measures
have been taken to promote the universalization and the implementation of the
MBT. In March 2000 Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Louis
Michel sent letters to twenty-six countries encouraging ratification of the MBT,
and explaining the intersessional process of SCE meetings which signatory states
are welcome to attend.[9] Other
bilateral actions have been taken during the year, with follow-up in June
2000.[10]
An interdepartmental working group established under the coordination of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continued to work on promoting the MBT. This
special working group is composed of representatives of the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and Defense, and the State Secretary for Development
Co-operation. The nongovernmental organization Handicap International is
regularly invited to attend these
meetings.[11]
Belgium sponsored and voted in favor of the UN General Assembly Resolution
54/54B in December 1999, which called for universalization and full
implementation of the MTB; it has supported previous pro-ban UNGA resolutions in
1996, 1997 and 1998.
On 10 March 1999 Belgium ratified Amended Protocol II
(1996)[12] of the Convention on
Conventional Weapons (CCW) and is currently preparing its full
implementation.[13] The
government submitted its annual report as required under Article 13 on 8 October
1999, and participated in the First Conference of States Parties to the Protocol
in December 1999. The delegation made no statement, as there was a common
European Union statement.[14]
At informal expert meetings in Geneva prior to the Conference, on 31 May and 2
June 200, the government had spoken in support of the ICBL being invited to
participate.[15]
Regarding the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the Belgian position has
evolved since 1999: “In the international fora where this issue will be
on the agenda, Belgium will support any additional action effectively
contributing to the implementation of the Ottawa Convention, but will never
agree to any measure which would be a step back vis-à-vis the
Convention.”[16] In his
opening speech at the CD on 8 June 2000 Ambassador Lint reminded delegates of
the importance of universalizing the
MBT.[17]
Belgium has not replied to the ICBL’s inquiries about Belgium’s
position regarding the use of AP mines by a non-signatory of the MBT during
joint military operations,[18]
but has confirmed its intention of replying
soon.[19] When asked how the
government interprets the term “to assist,” it answered, “the
Ottawa Convention...did not provide for a definition of the term
‘assist’ in its Article 2 relative to definitions. This being said,
any Belgian unit engaged in joint operations outside national territory cannot
use anti-personnel mines, in any circumstances, whatever framework and
subordination mode this engagement is undergoing. Belgium will also continue to
undertake diplomatic and political steps to NATO partners who have not ratified
the Ottawa Convention for them to adhere to the
Convention.”[20]
Production and Transfer
Belgium has not produced AP mines since
demilitarization of facilities in 1990: “Belgium has neither produced or
developed anti-personnel mines since PRB (Poudreries Réunies de Belgique)
was closed down. The actions in which Belgium participates, whether as a
promoter or as a participant, are by no means aimed at conceiving or developing
munitions whose operation would be similar to the operation of anti-personnel
mines.”[21] Details of
past production and transfer were reported in the Landmine Monitor Report
1999.[22] It is known now
that the last years of production were 1983 to 1986. During that period around
112,000 mines were produced, nearly all were AP mines and none was bought by the
Belgian Army; all were destined for
export.[23]
Stockpile
Belgium was one of the first countries to complete
the destruction of all stocks of AP mines, in September
1997.[24] Mines retained for
permitted training and development purposes under Article 3.1 of the MBT were
reported as 5,980 Type M35Bg as of August 1999, and 5,816 as of 31 December
1999,[25] the difference being
“due to the consumption for training
purposes.”[26] In an
April 2000 letter to Landmine Monitor, the government cited a figure of 5,770
mines retained for
training.[27]
An issue of particular concern to the ICBL and others has been certain
antivehicle mines (AVMs) with antihandling devices that might act like an AP
mine and thus be banned under the MBT. This issue has been discussed in various
fora, and was a point in the January 2000 meeting of the SCE on the General
Status and Operation of the Convention. During that SCE, nine governments spoke
to reiterate that under the treaty’s definitions antivehicle mines with
antihandling devices which function like AP mines – which may explode from
an unintentional act of a person -- are banned under the MBT, noting that this
is also consistent with the diplomatic record. These governments supported a
proposal put forth at the SCE to form an informal expert group to examine the
antivehicle mine issue.[28]
Belgium was silent on the issue, but later said that it believes that discussion
of this subject has to be within the framework of an expert
group.[29]
This issue had been noted in various country reports in Landmine Monitor
Report 1999, including that of Belgium where it noted that Belgium possessed
antitank mines and “that a certain percentage of the antitank mines
retained by the army are equipped with antihandling
devices.”[30] The
response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was that “the Landmine Monitor
has a mission to monitor the implementation by States Parties of the obligation
of the Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel landmines. The move to
open the debate on the problem of mines, notably to antitank mines, should be
relevant only if antitank mines were conceived to explode in the presence or the
contact of a person. The general references to antitank mines in the
Landmine Monitor Report 1999 do then not have their place in the context
of the mission of the International Landmines
Monitor.”[31]
The Belgian antivehicle mines for which ban campaigners have asked
clarification with respect to consistency with the MBT are: PRB-III and
improved PRB-III, PRB-IV, PRM-ATK-3 (with PRB-M30 anti-lift device), as well as
NR 141, NR 201, and PRB-408.[32]
The Landmine Monitor researcher has received no response regarding these
antivehicle mines previously produced by Belgium and therefore possibly
remaining in stockpiles. Some States Parties have already opted to destroy
certain types of antivehicle mines that function as antipersonnel mines.
Landmine Problem
Today Belgium is not considered to be affected by
landmines but is still occasionally affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO) and
mines from the two World
Wars.[33] The Belgian Armed
Forces maintains an explosive ordnance disposal unit, the SEDEE-DOVO, which
still operates in Belgium on a regular basis as illustrated in the following
statistics: in 1999 there were 3,463 notifications to the Unit and 1,489 in the
first five months of 2000.[34]
Also, in 1999 three incidents resulting in death or injury due to unexploded
ordnance were registered by
SEDEE-DOVO.[35] An engineer
with the Braet company contracted to clear the beach of The Panne said in
November 1999 that they had found thirty-nine mines and that the beach would be
clear by the end of
2000.[36]
Belgium contributed approximately BEF 92.66
million (US$ 2.3 million) to mine action programs in 1999, including victim
assistance programs. An additional $1.4 million was spent on research and
development of new mine clearance detection and clearance technologies.
The financial contributions of Belgium to mine action in 1999 can be divided
into various categories:
Support to advocacy work and public awareness: BEF 2.3 million (US$57,500)
BEF 1.9 million ($47,500) was contributed to coordination of the Belgian
network of the ICBL campaign, operated in cooperation with Handicap
International Belgium.
BEF 0.4 million ($10,000 for promotion of the MBT and advocacy through the
production of the Belgian movie Vanna.
Support for the promotion and implementation of the MBT: BEF 6 million
($150,000) over two years
BEF 3 million ($75,000) to the UN to make funds rapidly available for the
FMSP, to Mozambique for more mine-related activities, and to several countries
to enable them to attend the
FMSP.[38] (from the fiscal year
1998).
BEF 3 million ($75,000) to promote the MBT and follow-up the FMSP, including
to give countries the opportunity to attend international meetings about AP
mines, such as the yearly meetings of States Parties, the intersessional
meetings, as well as Landmine Monitor conferences.
Support for monitoring the MBT: BEF 6,350,000 ($158,750)
To monitor correct implementation of the MBT, the Belgian Government has
supported the Landmine Monitor since its creation in 1998. In 1999 BEF 2
million ($50,000) was granted to support the research conference in Brussels in
January/ February 2000. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs put the
Egmont Palace in Brussels and logistic support and BEF 1 million ($25,000) at
the disposal of the ICBL for this event. Another BEF 3,350,000 ($83,750) was
charged to the Development Co-operation budget to enable delegates from
developing countries to participate in this conference. The Ministry of Defense
also supported the conference in organising an exhibition of AP mines.
Support to mine clearance operations (humanitarian or military cooperation
projects): BEF 60,060,000 ($1,501,500)
Kosovo, (BEF 10 million, or $250,000): In cooperation with the United
Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and Canada, for a first mine clearance
capacity unit in Kosovo which later developed into a Mine Action Center which
coordinates civilian mine clearance. A contribution was also given to setting up
mobile units in order to react to emergency situations. Contributed via the
United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund and UNMAS. Belgium has also sent three
permanent mine clearance experts to this region, who operate under the KFOR
mandate and assist local demining organizations.
Croatia, (BEF 2 million, or $50,000): BEF 2 million was donated via the
United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund and UNMAS to CROMAC, the local mine
clearance organization in Croatia, for demining agricultural land in the region
of Osijek-Baranja. Three mine clearance experts have been operating under the
SFOR mandate and assisting local demining organisations.
Cambodia, (BEF 31.36 million, or $784,000): Since 1994 three mine-clearance
experts have served as technical advisers to Cambodia Mine Action Center for a
development project in three provinces supported financially by Belgium.
International financial and technical support provided to this governmental
organisation is coordinated by the UN Development Program (UNDP). Technical
assistance is provided to enabling the Cambodian staff of the CMAC to ultimately
operate independently. BEF 11.36 million ($284,000) has gone to the financing
of this specific project and BEF 20 million ($500,000) to the UNDP Trust Fund
for the development of local mine clearance capabilities.
Laos: Since April 1998 four mine-clearance experts have served as technical
advisers to the UXO LAO (the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Program) to train
Laotian mine-clearance experts in the province of Champassak.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH): in-kind contributions have been made to
BH.
Support to victim assistance: BEF 18,008,400 ($450,210)
BEF 3 million ($75,000) for the special appeal launched by the International
Committee of the Red Cross (CRC) for the period 2000-2005 for prevention and
assistance to victims of AP mines, released in late 1999.
Financing (BEF 15,008,400, or $375,210) of a Handicap International project
in Cambodia, aimed at the economic and social integration of war
victims.
Support to research and development (R&D) of new mine detection and
clearance technologies: BEF 51,235,930 ($1,405,773)
Belgium is involved in many different R&D projects and financial
allocations to the main projects are summarized here:
In 1999 Belgium allocated BEF 14.69 million (US$ 367,250) to the HUDEM
(HUmanitarian DEMining) program launched in 1997 on the initiative of the
Minister for Defense, which looks at ground-penetrating radar, metal detectors
and infrared, nuclear quadripole resonance. This is financed jointly by the
Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs (International Co-operation Division).
BEF 14,118,000 (US$ 352,950) was granted to the Airborne Minefield Detection
pilot project, which is co-financed by the European Commission, several EU
States and organisations.
Belgium contributed BEF 6,657,930 (US$ 166,448) to a minefield detection
project in Mozambique which aims to demonstrate under real conditions the
feasibility of marking out mined areas.
The APOPO project researching the use of ‘bio-sensors’ (African
rats) in humanitarian mine-clearance operations continued in 1999, funded by BEF
15,765,000 (US$ 394,125).
The Ministry of Defense has contributed in kind to the ESPRIT/HOPE project,
which is aimed at developing a portable, multi-sensor mine detection system
demonstrator.
Belgium funded the PARADIS project for BEF 5 million (US$ 125,000) through
the Scientific Policy department budget.
Belgium has been involved in R&D for new
mine-related technologies for several years. The Royal Military Academy is
involved in many projects as a research center and as a coordinator for other
actors such as universities and schools, private companies, research institutes
and others.[40] Following
presentation of the results of the HUDEM (humanitarian demining) project in
Berlin on 6-9 June 1999, the Belgian Royal Military Academy has been designated
to chair the expert group “Mines and Countermining” for its first
task: distance detection of minefields and close detection of individual
mines.[41] The Royal Military
Academy also has the presidency of the Western European Union Mine Clearance
Experts Working Group.[42]
Such projects, some of which are noted above, are carried out within the
framework of national or international consortia, involving academic
institutions and industrial circles. Belgium has led and participated in
numerous initiatives in the development of mine detection and clearance
technologies, including protection equipment, detection by physical methods,
satellite minefield mapping, ground-penetrating radar, electronics- and
animal-assisted detection, processes for the destruction of devices containing
explosives or harmful residues such as chemical munitions.
The Royal Military Academy is involved in the International Program for Test
and Evaluation (ITEP) within the framework of a common action between the UN,
EU, and the USA, which started in May
1998.[43]
Casualties/Survivor Assistance
From time to time, accidents occur due to
unexploded ordnance. There were three accidents in 1999. The “incidents
involved only unexploded ordnance, two due to manipulation by the collectors and
ended with one death and one person seriously injured. The third accident
occurred while carrying the device, nobody was
injured.”[44]
In addition to the contributions noted in the section above, two recent
meetings have focused on mine victim assistance. On 25 February 2000 the
scientific society of the military medical services organized a colloquium on
the political, medical, humanitarian socio-economic and preventive aspects of AP
mines, entitled “Anti-personnel Landmines, an Everlasting
Problem.”[45] More than
200 members of the Armed Forces were present. There were various presentations,
focusing on the medical aspects of the treatment of landmine victims. On 24
March 2000 a benefit gala in favor of Handicap International’s aid to
landmine victims was organized under the patronage of Vice Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, and
others.
NGO Activity
In 1999 and 2000 various activities have been
organized around the mine issue to keep the public informed of developments. To
mark entry into force of the MBT on 1 March 1999 a big event was organized in
Brussels with the fake mining of a forest and bell ringing. A press conference
was held by Handicap International attended by the then- Minister of Foreign
Affairs. On 29 April 1999 a press briefing was organized to announce the first
Landmine Monitor report, followed by a press release on 3 May 1999 at the time
of the FMSP, after which there was a presentation of the report to Belgian NGOs.
The Landmine Monitor Report 1999 was widely distributed in Belgium. The
Flemish section of the Belgian Red Cross organised a celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the Geneva Convention on 9 May 1999, which the Belgian explosive
disposal service SEDEE-DOVO attended and organized a demining demonstration in
Sint Niklaas. On 25 September 1999 Handicap International organized a national
day of blue laces for landmine victims, with many activities and awareness
exhibitions for the public and the SEDEE-DOVO also put on an exhibition on
landmines and demining.
The meeting on 31 January-2 February 2000 in Brussels of Landmine Monitor
researchers was supported by the Belgian Government and included a press
conference organized by Handicap International (HI). This was attended by Eddy
Boutmans, State Secretary for Cooperation and Development, Jody Williams, Nobel
Peace Laureate and ICBL Ambassador, and the Director General of Handicap
International as guest speakers. On 1 March 2000, to celebrate the first
anniversary of the MBT entering into force, HI launched a postcard campaign to
encourage accession to the Treaty by the United States. The same day, HI
representatives met the US Ambassador in Brussels to hand him more than 1300
petitions by landmine victims from around the world. Various other activities
on the landmine issue including school and youth activities have been organized
during the year.
[1] Law related to anti-personnel mines,
booby traps and devices of similar nature, N95-778, 9 March 1995, published in
Le Moniteur (official publication), 1 April 1995, p.
8225. [2] Law relative to the definitive
interdiction of antipersonnel landmines, File No. 2-76, 30 March 2000, Le
Moniteur, 7 April 2000. [3] Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, “Belgium’s Position Regarding Action Against
Anti-personnel Mines, realized in a coordinated approach by the Vice Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louis Michel, the Minister of Defense,
André Flahaut, the State Secretary for Cooperation and Development, Eddy
Boutmans, and their administrative representatives under the coordination of the
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,” update of the 1999
Position Paper, April 2000, p. 1. Hereafter referred to as: Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, “Belgium’s Position regarding Action against Anti-personnel
Mines,” April 2000. [4] Ibid, p.
2. [5] Message from Erik Derijcke,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, read by Ambassador Jean De Ruyt, Head of the
Belgian Delegation, at the First Meeting of States Parties, Maputo, Mozambique,
3 May 1999. [6] Belgium First Article 7
Report, submitted 2 May 1999, covering 3 December 1997 to 30 April
1999. [7] Belgium Second Article 7
Report, submitted 15 August 1999, covering 1 May to 15 August
1999. [8] Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
“Belgium’s Position regarding Action against Anti-personnel
Mines,” April 2000, p. 2; interview with the Non-proliferation and
Disarmament Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 June
2000. [9] Interview with the
Non-proliferation and Disarmament Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 June
2000; Letter from the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Louis
Michel to the Director of Handicap International, 18 May 2000; sample letter
from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to signatory states, 23 March
2000. [10] Interview with the
Non-proliferation and Disarmament Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 June
2000. Also, in an earlier interview the Ministry clarified the origins of an
earlier Belgian initiative – the annual reports by each country on their
position vis-à-vis landmines to the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – started before November 1997, not as had
been reported in Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p.
537. [11] Speech of the State Secretary
for Development and Co-operation, Landmine Monitor Researchers’
Conference, Brussels, 31 January
2000. [12] CCW Protocol II on
Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby Traps and other Devices,
CCW/CONF.I/partII,8/rev.1, 1996, page 7, available at:
www.un.org/plweb-cgi. [13] Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, “Belgium’s Position regarding Action against
Anti-personnel Mines,” April 2000, p.
3. [14] Interview with the
Non-proliferation and Disarmament Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the
Conference of CCW States Parties, Geneva, 15-17 December
1999. [15] Interview with a
representative of the Belgian mission to the UN in Geneva at the informal expert
group meeting of the CCW, Geneva, 31 May
2000. [16] Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
“Belgium’s Position regarding Action against Anti-personnel
Mines,” April 2000, pp. 2-3. [17]
Opening speech of the Belgian Presidency of the UN Conference on Disarmament by
Ambassador Lint, CD Plenary Session, Geneva, 8 June
2000. [18] ICBL letter to all NATO
member-states, 20 September 1999. [19]
Interview with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 June
2000. [20] Letter from Vice Prime
Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Louis Michel to Handicap International, 18
May 2000. [21] Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, “Belgium’s Position regarding Action against Anti-personnel
Mines,” April 2000, p. 1. [22]
Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp.
540-543. [23] Answer by the Vice Prime
Minister and Minister of Justice and Economic Affairs to a parliamentary
question by Senator Hugo Vandienderen, 25 April 1994, ref.
939411403. [24] In the Landmine Monitor
Report 1999 this was reported as November 1997. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
has since stated that the destruction officially ended in September although
this was only reported in the press in November
1997. [25] Article 7 Reports, submitted
15 August 1999 and 27 April 2000. [26]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Belgium’s Position regarding Action
against Anti-personnel Mines,” April 2000, p
1. [27]
Ibid. [28] See, Report to ICBL from
Stephen Goose, Human Rights Watch, Chair, ICBL Treaty Working Group, January
2000. (distributed via email). [29]
Interview with Belgian delegation, SCE on the General Status and Operation of
the Convention, Geneva, 29-30 May
2000. [30] Discussion with Belgian
government representative at interdepartmental meeting, 18 March
1999. [31] Comments regarding the
Belgian report in the Landmine Monitor Report 1999, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
May 2000. [32] See Human Rights Watch
Fact Sheet, “Antivehicle Mines with Antihandling Devices,” January
2000, p. 4. [33] GW, "La Maison
Minée," Nord Eclair /Mons Borinage, 12 April 1999; "Un arsenal dans
l'Eglise de Virton," La Dernière Heure, 28 January 1999; "Landmijn," Het
Laatste Nieuws, 10 August 1999; "La place du jeu de balle minée," Le
Soir, 26 January 2000; Désiré De Poot, "Verkoper landmijnen zaait
paniek op rommelmarkt," Het Gazet van Antwerpen, 26 January 2000; DDP, "te koop
aangeboden landmijnen zorgt voor paniek op markt," Het Belang van Limburg, 26
January 2000. [34] Fax from Major
Valentin, Head of Service for Removal and Destruction of Explosive Devices
(SEDEE-DOVO ), 7 June 2000. [35] Fax to
Landmine Monitor/Belgium from Major Valentin, 7 June
2000. [36] “Strand van de Panne
Kruitvat,” Het Volk, 29 November
1999. [37] Unless otherwise specified
below, the source of information in this section is: Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, “Belgium’s Position regarding Action against Anti-personnel
Mines,” April 2000, pp. 3-10; all figures given are from the 1999 fiscal
year budget except otherwise
stated. [38] Speech of Erik Derijcke,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, at Press Conference organized by Handicap
International on the occasion of the entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty, 1
March 1999. [39] Unless otherwise
specified below, the source of information in this section is: Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, “Belgium’s Position regarding Action against
Anti-personnel Mines,” April
2000. [40] Contribution from the Royal
Military Academy to the Definition of National and European Policies in
Humanitarian Mine Action Research, April 2000, p.
2. [41] Contribution from the Royal
Military Academy, April 2000, p. 4. [42]
Ibid, p. 3. [43]
Ibid. [44] Fax to Landmine
Monitor/Belgium from Major Valentin, 7 June
2000. [45] Alessandra Vicenzi,
“Quand le travail des ONGs rencontre celui de l'Armée,” Vox,
11 April 2000; Annales Medicinae Militaris Belgicae Belg 2000, 14 January 2000;
Ph.G., “Attention terrain mine,” Vlan Bruxelles, 23 February 2000,
p. 13.
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