Key developments since May 2002: Poland
voluntarily submitted an Article 7 report on 5 March 2003, in which it declared
a stockpile of more than one million antipersonnel mines. Poland’s First
Lady opened an exhibition on landmines by expressing her hope that Poland would
ratify the Mine Ban Treaty. In 2002, a total of 2,626 mines and 42,006 items of
UXO were found and destroyed in Poland.
Mine Ban Policy
The Republic of Poland signed the Mine Ban Treaty
on 4 December 1997 with pre-conditions for ratification. These were restated in
2002 and 2003: all permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as all
countries neighboring Poland should first join the treaty, and the Polish Armed
Forces should be supplied with alternative
weapons.[1] In January 2003,
Poland stated that “none of these conditions has been fulfilled [and] we
are still not completely prepared to withdraw from possessing the anti-personnel
mines. According to our Military Forces they are one of the most important
components of our defense
system.”[2]
Poland participated in the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September
2002, where it stated its intent to voluntarily submit a Mine Ban Treaty Article
7 transparency report, because it viewed Article 7 as “very essential to
the operation of the
Convention.”[3] On 5
March 2003, Poland submitted the report, which covers the period up to 31
December 2002. Notably, it revealed a stockpile of just over one million
antipersonnel mines. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Poland was
“convinced that transparency in armaments plays an essential role in the
confidence, cooperation and security building process,” and that Poland
“was willing to demonstrate its support for the ‘Ottawa
process’ ideal.”[4]
In November 2002, Poland voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution
57/74, which calls for universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban
Treaty. Poland attended the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in
February and May 2003.
As of mid-2003, Poland had not joined Amended Protocol II of the Convention
on Conventional Weapons (CCW). On 28 March 2003, the Parliament approved the
ratification law.[5] A Ministry
of Foreign Affairs official told Landmine Monitor that the President signed the
ratification law in July 2003, and the instrument of ratification would be
deposited shortly.[6]
Poland attended the Fourth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended
Protocol II of the CCW as an observer in December 2002. Poland reported to
delegates that although 20 million mines and explosive remnants were destroyed
between 1946 and 1956, mines and explosive remnants of war were still being
today found in significant
quantities.[7]
In November 2002, Poland voluntarily submitted an annual report in accordance
with Article 13 of Amended Protocol
II.[8] This states that
information on the Protocol is already included in military training, and will
be implemented in field manuals after ratification.
NGO Activities
On 13 September 2002, the ICBL and the Polish Red
Cross launched Landmine Monitor Report 2002 during the OSCE Human
Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw. Release events included a press
conference, a briefing attended by representatives of OSCE member states and
Polish government officials, and an ICBL intervention during the general forum
of the conference.
On 1 March 2003, the four-year anniversary of when the Mine Ban Treaty took
effect, the Polish Red Cross, in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy,
organized an exhibition of landmine photographs by John Rodsted, ICRC panels on
the Mine Ban Treaty, and information provided by the Engineering Corps on
Poland’s experience with landmines and its contribution to humanitarian
demining. Poland’s First Lady, Jolanta Kwasniewska opened the exhibition
and expressed her hope that Poland would soon ratify the Mine Ban Treaty. Over
200 people attended the opening event and the exhibition attracted good media
coverage.[9] Around 1,000
people viewed the exhibition, which was displayed at Warsaw University
throughout March 2003. The university’s student association organized a
series of presentations on landmines and the Mine Ban
Treaty.[10]
In March 2003, the Polish Section of Amnesty International, issued an appeal
against the use of indiscriminate weapons, including antipersonnel mines, in
Iraq.[11]
Production, Transfer and Use
Poland has stated that it is already complying
with the Mine Ban Treaty prohibitions on production and transfer of
antipersonnel mines.[12] A law
banning all transfers of antipersonnel mines was adopted in September
2002.[13] This and a 7 April
1998 Cabinet decree banning antipersonnel mine export were listed under National
Implementations Measures in Poland’s Article 7 report. The Ministry of
Defense confirmed that in 2002 the Armed Forces did not import or take
possession of any new antipersonnel
mines.[14]
In its January 2003 response to the annual OSCE questionnaire, Poland stated
that it “actively supports the efforts on creation of legally-binding
instrument banning the transfers of anti-personnel landmines within the
Conference on
Disarmament.”[15] The CD
has not been able to agree on a negotiating mandate since 1997.
Regarding the possibility of the transit through Poland of foreign
antipersonnel mines, the Ministry of Defense stated that the decision to allow
such transit would be “of a political character and in regard to the NATO
allies probably regulations adopted in frame of the ‘SOFA’ [Status
of Forces] agreement will be
relevant.”[16]
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that in 2002 no antipersonnel mines were
used in joint military operations with non-States Parties to the Mine Ban
Treaty, and, as in 2001, antipersonnel mines were used exclusively for training
demining troops.[17]
Alternatives to Landmines
In 2002, at the request of the Department of Armaments Policy of the Ministry
of Defense, the Military Institute of Technical Engineering in Wroclaw conducted
research on alternatives to antipersonnel mines. The aim was to identify
possibilities for further research, based on the capacities of national study
and research centers. A number of non-lethal alternatives were identified,
among them: an acoustic-light area-denial system, a directional temporary
incapacitating device (directional rubber ball firing), a chemical agent device,
and an electro-shock device. Included in this study was the possible
development of new detection and demining techniques. The cost of the study was
PLN 160,000 (approximately
$40,000).[18]
An inter-ministerial working group is responsible for Poland’s search
for alternatives to antipersonnel mines and the timetable for treaty
ratification. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that in 2002 the
group’s work was dominated by issues related to proposals developing in
the CCW.[19] The Ministry of
Defense told Landmine Monitor that due to lack of developments there has been no
need to call for new meetings, and the group has been waiting to be
convened.[20]
Consultations on research into alternatives to antipersonnel mines continued
in 2002, mainly with Canada, the United Kingdom, and NATO. According to the
Ministry of Defense, information in this field is insufficient thus far, and
gives no clear indication whether Poland should focus on developing its own
alternatives or purchase them. Decisions may be taken in this regard during
deliberations “at the highest level” at the Ministry of Defense,
intended to take place in
mid-2003.[21]
Stockpiling
In its Article 7 report, Poland details a
stockpile of 1,055,971 antipersonnel mines of four types.
The Ministry of Defense officials subsequently told Landmine Monitor that
production of POMZ-2 (2M) ceased in the 1960s, and that the PSM-1 had been
imported from Bulgaria, most recently in the 1980s. They said that Poland no
longer possesses the MOP-2, a signaling mine mentioned in Landmine Monitor
Report 2002, claiming that stocks of the mine were used up in 2002 in
training.[23]
In its Amended Protocol II Article 13 report, Poland declared, “All
antipersonnel mines remaining within the Polish Armed Forces equipment are
detectable and, according to the provisions of Amended Protocol II, their
modernization is not
needed.”[24]
The Article 7 report also includes information on the technical
characteristics of each type of mine. The Ministry of Defense noted that
“information on the location of the stockpiled antipersonnel mines is of
secret character because mines are still an important element of the national
defensive system.”[25]
In February 2002, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that antipersonnel mine
stockpile destruction is not a problem in financial
terms.[26] In March 2003,
Ministry of Defense officials said that there were no discussions underway on
the destruction methods or timetable for
destruction.[27]
In 2001, Poland contributed US$10,000 to the NATO Partnership for Peace Trust
Fund for the destruction of stockpiled antipersonnel mines in the Ukraine, and
the same amount for the Trust Fund project in Moldova.
Landmine/UXO Problem and Clearance
Poland is still finding unexploded ordnance (UXO)
and landmines dating from World War II and the Soviet occupation, especially at
the drainage basins of the Vistula and Odra rivers, and in forested areas in the
southeast of the country. Mines and UXO are discovered most often in urbanized
areas during the construction of
buildings.[28]
The Ministry of Defense states, “There are no mined areas nor areas
suspected of mine contamination on the territory of
Poland.”[29] The Article
7 report states “not applicable” on Form C, regarding location of
mined areas. The Amended Protocol II Article 13 report makes a similar
statement and explains: “Therefore there is no need for the regular mine
clearance programs. However...every year the separate pieces of explosive
remnants of World War II are found, Polish Armed Forces have in their disposal
37 ground force engineers patrols and two naval engineer groups operating all
over the country in cases of emergencies.” At present they are
responsible for clearance of former military facilities being handed over to the
local civilian
administration.[30]
According to the Ministry of Defense, the quantity of World War II mines and
UXO found depends largely on new infrastructure developments, and the Ministry
expects that this will increase due to the planned construction of motorway
systems across the
country.[31]
In 2002, a total of 2,626 mines and 42,006 items of UXO were detected and
destroyed (compared with 3,842 mines and 45,332, UXO in 2001). Included in the
total for 2002 were 80 mines and 6,284 UXO from former military
areas.[32]
Mine/UXO clearance has been conducted at three former military areas: Okonek,
Lambinowice, and Czerwony Bor, involving 520 deminers and explosive ordnance
disposal (EOD) specialists. A total of 3,803 hectares were cleared during these
planned operations in 2002. Another 280 specialist personnel were involved in
9,177 emergency EOD responses to mines and UXO found during farming and
construction work.[33]
In 2002, the cost of mine clearance and EOD was PLN28.5 million ($7,125,000),
out of which PLN3.5 million ($875,000) was the cost of clearance of the former
military bases.[34]
The clearance operations at Czerwony Bor (1,448 hectares) and Lambinowice are
planned for completion by the end of 2003. Clearance at Okonek (1,500 hectares)
will continue, although the exact duration will depend on financial resources,
which are being reduced.[35]
Landmine/UXO warnings using radio and television media increased after a
fatal UXO incident occurred in March
2003.[36] The Engineering Corps
has produced mine/UXO awareness leaflets, which are distributed at public
events.
Landmine/UXO Casualties and Survivor Assistance
There is no comprehensive record of mine and UXO
casualties in Poland. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, and the
Interior were unable to provide
data.[37]
According to police sources, in 2002, three civilians were killed and 11
injured as a result of handling “findings probably from the World War
II.” None of the casualties were deminers or EOD
specialists.[38] In 2001,
according to police sources, seven civilians were killed as a result of handling
UXO. However, according to the Engineer Corps, in 2001, there were about 40
mine/UXO incidents resulting in injuries and most of these involved
children.[39]
On 9 March 2003, a 14-year-old boy was killed and four others injured when
they were reportedly handling
UXO.[40]
In 2002, two Polish soldiers were injured in landmine incidents at Bagram air
base in Afghanistan. On 31 May, the commander of a Polish demining platoon was
injured while clearing
mines.[41] On 26 June, a Polish
captain was injured in a landmine
incident.[42] On 9 January
2003, another Polish soldier was injured during a mine clearance operation at
the airbase.[43]
On 4 March 2003, two Polish peacekeepers were killed and two others (a Polish
peacekeeper and an interpreter) were injured in the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, when their car drove over an antivehicle
mine.[44]
Poland has stated that, “Since Poland is not a mine-affected country
there is no specific rehabilitation program for mine victims.... [S]uch cases
appear a few times within a year.” Survivors are entitled to
“social health care” and have “a possibility of availing from
rehabilitation or sanatorium
care.”[45] Regardless of
insurance, mine/UXO casualties are treated as an emergency and receive first aid
and surgery if needed. If the survivors are insured, they are entitled to
surgery, prostheses, and rehabilitation free-of-charge. If not insured,
survivors must cover the costs.
Mine Action Assistance
In January 2003, Poland reported contributing more
than 700 Polish deminers to peacekeeping operations over the last five
years.[46] In December 2002, it
reported that a total of 150 soldiers are involved in various peacekeeping
missions, including in the Golan Heights and in Lebanon. Three Polish demining
patrols are engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 32 deminers are working in
Afghanistan.[47] In 2003,
Poland decided to send 150 deminers to Iraq.
[1] Poland Response to Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Questionnaire, 25 January 2003. See
also Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 567.
[2] Response to OSCE Questionnaire, 25
January 2003, p. 2. [3] Statement by
Poland to the Fourth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 18 September 2002.
[4] Letter from Adam Kobieracki,
Director, Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [5] Telephone interview with
Colonel Marek Zadrozny, Department of International Co-operation, Ministry of
Defense, 17 June 2003. [6] Telephone
interview with Irena Juszczyk, Expert, Security Policy Department, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2003. [7]
Statement of Ambassador Krzysztof Jakubowski, Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Poland to the UN in Geneva, 12 December
2002. [8] The report is dated 11
November 2002 and it was distributed at the December 2002 conference, but the
date it was received by the CCW is listed as 27 January 2003.
CCW/AP.II/CONF.4/NAR.42. [9] TV 1, 28
February 2003; TV 3, 1 March 2003; “Przeciw minom” (Against mines),
Gazeta Wyborcza–Stoleczna (daily newspapaer), 1 March 2003; “Wystawa
w rocznice Traktatu Ottawskiego: Smiertelna spuscizna” (Exhibition on the
Ottawa Treaty’s anniversary: Deadly Legacy), Trybuna (daily newspaper), 3
March 2003; “Miny–najstraszniejsza bron” (Mines–the most
horrible weapon”), Zycie Warszawy (daily newspaper), 3 March 2003;
“Niedrogi zabojca” (Inexpensive Killer), Rzeczpospolita (daily
newpaper), 7 March 2003. [10] Report on
the exhibition “Landmines – the deadly legacy: Over 5 years after
adoption of the Ottawa Treaty” by Katarzyna Derlicka, International
Cooperation Officer, Polish Red Cross, 31 March
2003. [11] Amnesty International –
Poland website,
www.amnesty.org.pl. [12]
Statement by Poland to the Fourth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 18
September 2002. [13] “Ordinance
of the Council of Ministers of August 20, 2002 concerning the imposition of
prohibition and restriction on transfer of goods of strategic importance for the
state security,” Journal of Laws, 6 September 2002. Translation by
Landmine Monitor researcher. [14] Letter
from Adam Kobieracki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March 2003.
[15] Response to OSCE Questionnaire, 25
January 2003, p. 2. [16] Letter from
Adam Kobieracki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [17]
Ibid. [18] Ibid. Exchange rate: US$1 =
PLN4. [19] Letter from Adam Kobieracki,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [20] Interview with Col. Marek
Zadrozny and Lt. Col. Waldemar Ratajczak, Department of International
Cooperation, Col. Lech Zajda, Command of Military Engineering, General Staff,
and Maj. Artur Talik, Command of Engineering Corps of the Land Forces, Ministry
of National Defense, Warsaw, 5 March
2003. [21]
Ibid. [22] Article 7 Report, Forms B and
H, 5 March 2003. [23] Interview with
Col. Lech Zajda, Command of Military Engineering, and Maj. Artur Talik, Command
of Engineering Corps of the Land Forces, General Staff, Ministry of Defense,
Warsaw, 20 March 2003. [24] Amended
Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form C, 11 December
2002. [25] Letter from Adam Kobieracki,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [26] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 570. [27] Interview with Col.
Zadrozny, Lt-Col Ratajczak, Col. Zajda, and Maj. Talik, Ministry of National
Defense, Warsaw, 5 March 2003. [28] See
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp.
571-572. [29] Letter from Adam
Kobieracki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [30] Article 7 Report, Form C, 5
March 2003; Amended Protocol II Article 13 Report, Form B, 11 December
2002. [31] Letter from Adam Kobieracki,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [32]
Ibid. [33]
Ibid. [34]
Ibid. [35] Ibid; letter from Col. Janusz
Lalka, Head of the Military Engineering, General Staff, and Col. Lech Zajda,
Expert, Military Engineering, General Staff, 28 April
2003. [36] Letter from Col. Janusz Lalka
and Col. Lech Zajda, General Staff, 28 April
2003. [37] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 572. [38] Letter from Adam
Kobieracaki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [39] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 572. [40] “Wybuch
niewypalu zabil chlopca. Rzucili pociskiem o asfalt” (UXO killed a boy.
They threw the munition against the pavement.), Gazeta Wyborcza, 10 March 2003;
TV 1 news, 9 March 2003. [41] Letter
from Adam Kobieracki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 27 March
2003. [42] “Do domu z
Afganistanu” (Back Home from Afghanistan), Gazeta Wyborcza, 27 June
2002. [43] Kathleen T. Rhem,
“American Soldier Loses Foot in Mine Explosion,” American Forces
Press Service, 10 January 2003. [44]
“Macedonia. Dwoch Polskich zolnierzy zginelo” (Macedonia. Two
Polish Soldiers killed), Gazeta Wyborcza, 5 March 2003; “Tragedia w
Macedoni. Skąd ta mina?” (Tragedy in Macedonia. Where was the mine
from?), Gazeta Wyborcza, 6 March
2003. [45] Amended Protocol II Article
13 Report, Form B, 11 December
2002. [46] Response to OSCE
Questionnaire, 25 January 2003, p.
3. [47] Amended Protocol II Article 13
Report, Form E, 11 December 2002.
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