LM Report 2003

Uruguay

Key developments since May 2002: Uruguay destroyed another 400 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in June and October 2002. In 2002 and 2003, eighteen Army deminers took part in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mine Ban Policy

Uruguay signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 7 June 2001 and the treaty entered into force on 1 December 2001. It has not yet enacted national legislation.

Uruguay participated in the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002, and attended the May 2003 intersessional Standing Committee meetings.

Uruguay has not submitted its annual Article 7 report, due 30 April 2003. Defense officials are working on the update, which will include a report on stockpile destruction activities.^[1] Uruguay submitted its first report in April 2002.^[2]

Uruguay voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74 in November 2002, supporting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Uruguay states that it has never produced, exported, or used antipersonnel landmines.^[3]

Stockpiling and Destruction

Uruguay reports that its initial stockpile of antipersonnel mines numbered 2,156. A total of 228 mines were destroyed between April 2001 and April 2002.^[4]

On 26 June 2002, the Army destroyed 200 more antipersonnel mines, and another 200 mines on 2 October 2002.^[5] The stockpile destruction was done by detonation, without any assistance from abroad, and in the presence of the Landmine Monitor researcher.^[6] This left a stock of 1,528 antipersonnel mines (1,322 M-35 and 209 NR-409 mines, both manufactured by Belgium).^[7]

The next stockpile destruction event was scheduled for 21 and 26 June 2003, when 200 antipersonnel mines were to be destroyed.^[8] Uruguay’s treaty-mandated deadline for completion of stockpile destruction is 1 December 2005.

According to the April 2002 Article 7 Report, the Army is retaining 500 antipersonnel mines for training (400 M-35 and 100 NR-409 mines).^[9] This is to facilitate Uruguay’s participation in humanitarian mine clearance operations within UN peacekeeping missions.^[10]

Mine Action

Uruguay is not mine-affected.^[11] In 2002 and 2003, Uruguay contributed eighteen Army deminers as part of a contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).^[12] The deminers have participated in mine clearance in the area where they have been stationed, clearing approximately 100,000 square meters.^[13]

In August 2002, eighteen Army officers participated in a humanitarian demining training, which included use of live antipersonnel mines. Another course is scheduled for August 2003.^[14]

The government states that there have been mine incidents with Uruguayan soldiers while participating in peacekeeping missions, but it has not provided details.^[15]

[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, sent by Pablo Sader, Adjunct Director General for Political Affairs, 19 March 2003.
[2] Article 7 Report, 23 April 2002 (for the period April 2001-April 2002).
[3] Article 7 Report, Forms E and H, 23 April 2002; National Army response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, February 1999; National Army response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, May 2001.
[4] Article 7 Report, Forms B and G, 23 April 2002. It cites a stock of 1,928, following the destruction of 228 mines. However, Landmine Monitor has a letter from the Defense Ministry indicating a stock of 2,338 antipersonnel mines as of November 1997. Moreover, while the report cites 228 mines destroyed, Landmine Monitor reported last year on destruction of 82 mines from May 2000 to May 2001, and another 160 mines in June 2001. See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 517.
[5] The mines destroyed were 200 M-35 mines and 200 NR-409 mines. Ministry of Foreign Affairs response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, sent by Pablo Sader, Adjunct Director General for Political Affairs, 19 March 2003.
[6] National Army response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, 29 November 2002, sent by Col. Wile A. Purtscher Romano.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Intervention by Alejandra de Bellis, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 15 May 2003.
[9] Article 7 Report, Form D, 23 April 2002.
[10] Intervention by Alejandra de Bellis, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 15 May 2003.
[11] National Army response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, 29 November 2002; Article 7 Report, Form C, 23 April 2002
[12] National Army response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, 29 November 2002.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.