Key developments since May 2004: Mauritania completed its stockpile
destruction program in December 2004 and will retain 728 mines for training
purposes. Demining operations in 2004 were limited to small-scale EOD
operations and the clearance of some 26,000 square meters in Nouadhibou region,
of which 20,000 square meters were cleared by the French NGO HAMAP
Démineurs. In 2004, the National Humanitarian Demining Office started a
technical survey to reduce the size of suspected hazardous areas. Mine risk
education was initiated by UNICEF in August 2004, to train 100 community
activists and mark suspected hazardous areas; by August 2005, some 2.5 square
kilometers had been marked. In August 2004, Mauritania started collecting
casualty data.
Mine Ban Policy
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December
1997, ratified on 21 July 2000, and became a State Party on 1 January 2001.
Mauritania has not enacted national implementation legislation, although a law
was drafted in 2001 and sent to the Ministry of Justice in March 2003. The
status of this draft is unknown. Mauritania has reported that two existing laws
and a decree are relevant to implementation of the
treaty.[1]A National Commission has
been in charge of the landmine issue and the implementation of the Mine Ban
Treaty since July 2002.[2]
Mauritania submitted its fifth Article 7 transparency report on 25 April
2005, covering the period from 30 April 2004 to 30 April
2005.[3]
Mauritania participated in the First Review Conference in Nairobi in
November-December 2004, but did not make a statement during the high level
segment. At the June 2005 intersessional meetings in Geneva, Mauritania
reported completion of its stockpile destruction program and also made a
presentation on mine clearance.
Mauritania has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties
have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1,
2 and 3. Thus, Mauritania has not made known its views on issues related to
joint military operations with non-States Parties, foreign stockpiling and
transit of antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or
antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training.
Mauritania was absent from voting on UN General Assembly Resolution 59/84,
calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty, on 3 December 2004.
Mauritania has voted for UNGA resolutions supporting the mine ban in previous
years, except for 1999 and 2000 when it was also absent.
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Destruction
Mauritania has reported that it has never manufactured antipersonnel mines
and does not possess any landmine production
facilities.[4]It is not known to
have exported mines.
Two days after the conclusion of the Review Conference, on 5 December 2004,
Mauritania completed the destruction of its remaining stockpile of 5,000
antipersonnel mines, consisting of 1,738 PMN mines (manufactured by the Soviet
Union), 1,728 Model 51 mines (France) and 1,533 MP mines (most likely Yugoslav
PMA-3 mines). The destruction took place in the presence of the Minister of
Defense, the Army Chief of Staff, and the ambassadors of France, Germany, Spain
and the United States, as well as UN and NGO
representatives.[5]Canada provided
US$22,495 for the destruction.[6 ]Previously, Mauritania reported destroying 16,168 stockpiled mines in 2001
and 2002, all French APID 51 mines.[7]
Mauritania is retaining a stockpile of 728 antipersonnel mines for training
purposes: 100 PMN mines; 161 Model 51 mines; 467 MP
mines.[8]Mauritania has not yet
reported in any detail on the intended purposes and actual uses of its retained
mines—a step agreed to by States Parties in the Nairobi Action Plan that
emerged from the First Review Conference.
Landmine and UXO Problem
The mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem in the north of Mauritania
results from its involvement in the conflict over the disputed region of Western
Sahara between 1975 and 1978.[9]All parties to the conflict used mines extensively. About one quarter
(230,000 square kilometers) of the national territory is suspected to be
affected by mines and UXO, and approximately 294,000 people (roughly one in
twelve of the population) live in or around these
areas.[10 ]Nomads are believed to
be particularly at risk.[11 ]
In 2005, Mauritania reported that the northern regions (wilaya) of Tiris
Zemmour and Dakhlet Nouadhibou are mine-affected, and that Adrar region is
suspected to have mine and UXO
contamination.[12 ]Affected areas
are mainly around the urban centers of Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Zoueratt, Bir
Moghrein, Choum, F’derick, Atar, Chinguetti and Boulenoir, as well as more
remote locations around the northern and western
borders.[13 ]Some 27 minefields
have been identified but are said to be very poorly marked.
[14]
It is not known how many mines are present in the affected zones.
Mauritania states that one reason for this is the “chaotic and
archaic” manner in which mines were laid in the
1970s.[15]However, according to
the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), which carried out the first mine action
assessment mission in December 2001, estimates ranging from 50,000 to 100,000
mines remaining in the ground do “not seem
unreasonable.”[16]Antivehicle as well as antipersonnel mines are
present.[17]
Landmines and UXO have a profound economic effect on the country, including
impeding the grazing of livestock and cultivation of agricultural land. Key
industries, including metal ore extraction, fishing and tourism, are affected by
the presence of mines. The peninsula of Nouadhibou is home to the economic
capital of the country, with a port built for the export of iron extracts.
However, as many as 16,000 buried landmines impede this
activity.[18 ]
Since the discovery of oil was announced in late 2003, exploration for oil,
gas and metal ore has been continuing at a feverish pace in Mauritania. In
2004, the staff of a British geological exploration company refused to work in
the north, due to the uncertainty of the locations of residual
minefields.[19]
The trans-Saharan road (linking Nouakchott to Nouadhibou), currently under
construction, crosses suspected hazardous
areas.[20 ]In addition, rainfall in
the north of the country makes that area particularly attractive for grazing but
due to the area’s mine contamination it carries a significant risk for
both animals and shepherds.[21]
Mine Action Program
The National Humanitarian Demining Office (NHDO), created in 2002, reports
to the Ministry of National Defense. Mine clearance activities are undertaken
by the Armed Forces’ Engineer Corps. The National Committee for the
Implementation of the Ottawa Convention, also created in 2002 as an
interministerial body chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has a
monitoring role.[22]NHDO
coordinates mine action activities, including survey, training of deminers,
priority setting, resource mobilization and mine risk
education.[23]NHDO has a regional
office in Nouadhibou.
Mauritania’s mine action strategy was drafted in 2002 and revised in
2004 prior to the First Review
Conference.[24]For the period
2005-2009, its objectives are to enhance NHDO’s planning, coordination and
implementation capacity, with the technical assistance of the UN Development
Programme (UNDP). One aim is that Mauritania’s demining capacity should
be strengthened so that it can address its mine and UXO problem with little or
no assistance from the international community.
[25 ]
To enhance existing knowledge of high, medium and low impact areas, the
strategy envisages implementation of a targeted and cost-efficient landmine
impact assessment. Once identified, contaminated areas will be marked based on
the threat level to the population. According to the strategy, all landmines
and UXO in high, medium and low impact areas will be cleared by the end of 2009.
Other objectives include increased mine risk education initiatives, creation of
a national capacity to treat mine/UXO survivors, and the facilitation of
survivors' socioeconomic reintegration.
[26]
As no comprehensive survey has been conducted, it is not clear by what
criteria areas have previously been prioritized for marking and clearance. By
August 2005, NHDO had identified the following priority areas for
clearance—Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Zoueratt, Bir Moghrein, Choum, F'derick and
Boulenoir—as well as the roads linking those
cities.[27]Urban centers and road
networks are the priority, mainly due to nomads circulating along those roads
and establishing themselves close to urban
centers.[28]
Since 2002, the training has been completed of 125 deminers, eight medical
staff, 15 trainers for mine clearance (deminers who are also responsible for
training other deminers) and 10 trainers for mine risk
education.[29]
The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) was installed in
2004 and Mauritanian personnel have been IMSMA-trained by the Geneva
International Centre for Humanitarian
Demining.[30]The latest version of
IMSMA will be installed as soon as possible, according to
NHDO.[31]
UNDP deployed a mission to Mauritania in November 2004, which made
recommendations, including the need to recruit a mine action chief technical
advisor to provide capacity development support to
NHDO.[32]It was planned to deploy
the advisor in October 2005.[33]UNDP reports that NHDO has developed basic national mine action standards,
based on the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), which include quality
assurance.[34 ]
Survey and Assessment
No comprehensive survey or assessment of contamination in Mauritania has
been conducted. NHDO started a technical survey in Nouadhibou region in May
2005 with two survey teams of six men each. The survey will cover the Tiris
Zemmour and Dakhlet Nouadhibou areas, which are known to be mine/UXO-affected.
The technical survey has been nationally funded; the head of NHDO indicated that
its duration would depend on the availability of national and international
funds. [35]
Previously, MAG raised funds for a survey of mined areas, which did not
happen for reasons unknown.[36 ]
Landmine and UXO Clearance
Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Mauritania must destroy all
antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as
possible, but not later than 1 January 2011. At the First Review Conference in
Nairobi, Mauritania stated that its “objective is to be mine-free by
2011.”[37 ]However, in June
2005 at the intersessional meetings in Geneva, Mauritania declared that it would
be “free from the impact of mines by
2011.”[38]
The mine action plan called for clearance of eight areas, approximately
5,000 square meters each, in 2004.[39]However, at the First Review Conference, Mauritania stated that only six
demining operations had been planned during 2004, to clear 30,000 square
meters.[40]
Mauritania noted in its April 2005 Article 7 report that, between 30 April
2004 and 20 April 2005, it destroyed 397 antipersonnel mines, 72 antivehicle
mines and 177 UXO in mine-affected
areas.[41]NHDO reports that some
26,000 square meters were cleared of mines during 2004. In Bir Moghrein, a
6,000 square meters minefield was cleared; six antipersonnel mines, seven
antivehicle mines and 24 UXO were
destroyed.[42 ]Four areas of 5,000
square meters each, representing one-third of a mine belt in Nouadhibou region,
were cleared by NHDO in collaboration with HAMAP (Halte aux Mines Antipersonnel)
Démineurs. A total of 620 antipersonnel mines, 70 antivehicle mines, two
grenades, one rocket and 170 other UXO were destroyed. The mine belt starts 24
kilometers from the town of Nouadhibou and runs east to west for an estimated
3.5 kilometers. Areas cleared were mainly desert frequented by nomads and
caravans, and along railway lines. Another 5,000 square meters of the same mine
belt were cleared in 2003.[43]
Operations were conducted by some 20 NHDO deminers and quality controlled by
one HAMAP deminer. Clearance was conducted manually and HAMAP claims that it
verified compliance with IMAS
standards.[44]No demining
accidents were reported in 2004 and the first half of 2005.
In addition, in early 2004 NHDO also carried out limited battle area
clearance in Zoueratt and
F’derick.[45 ]
At a workshop in May 2005, it was reported that, since 2002, a total of
141,000 square meters of mined area, 385 kilometers of roads and a further 80
kilometers of the road linking Nouadhibou to Morocco were cleared. In addition,
214 kilometers of the road frequently used by the Paris-Dakar Rally, between the
Moroccan wall and Bir Moghrein, were checked for contamination; the results are
not known.[46]
In 2005, HAMAP planned to continue its support to NHDO for clearance of the
mine belt, although continuing security problems in the area had again postponed
the work as of mid-2005.[47]
Mine Risk Education
Mine risk education (MRE) is coordinated and conducted by NHDO, with UNICEF
and HAMAP also undertaking some activities. In June 2005, Mauritania reported
that MRE is based on a needs assessment that revealed an absence of MRE
activities, and low levels of mine risk knowledge among the at-risk population,
considered to be those living in and around known danger areas in Nouadhibou and
Boulenoire, the border with Western Sahara, including Bou Lanouar, Choum and the
areas of Zoueratt and Bir Moghrein, and the Algerian border area, particularly
around Cheggat and Ain ben Tili. Children and pastoralists in these areas are
most at risk.[48 ]
A project started in Nouadhibou in August
2004,[49 ]with support from UNICEF
and funds from Canada, included MRE activities and marking of dangerous areas by
a network of 100 community activists.[50 ]The project seeks to reduce mine incidents in the north through MRE in all
villages and nomad camps within affected areas, and to encourage the creation of
community support networks.
Dangerous areas are marked with mine signs, reportedly according to
IMAS.[51 ]As of August 2005, some
2.5 square kilometers of dangerous areas had been marked in Nouadhibou
region.[52 ]
UNICEF implements a national MRE program for teachers and children, in
partnership with NHDO, regional authorities, local and national education
departments; this program is funded by
Canada.[53 ]It seeks to benefit
20,000 students and 400 teachers in two affected areas, Tiris Zemmour and
Dakhlet Nouadhibou. It also incorporates an MRE component into the school
curriculum, supplies training and communication materials, and promotes
participatory MRE based on community networks and primary schools. Canada
continued funding the MRE program in
2005.[54]
HAMAP conducted MRE in 2004, focused on the Nouadhibou region. Activities
included presentations to children in Nouadhibou and Bou Lanouar schools. HAMAP
also conducted MRE with women's associations, community leaders, camel breeders
in Nouadhibou and scrap merchants. Scrap dealers in particular proved to be
receptive, reportedly identifying—either by showing the locations or
carrying to HAMAP—130 UXO.[55 ]HAMAP reports that it delivered MRE to more than 500 people through
discussions and presentations, backed up by the distribution of T-shirts,
notebooks, posters and
leaflets.[56]
Funding and Assistance
Approximately US$576,373 was spent on mine action in Mauritania in 2004, of
which some $389,373 (67.5 percent) was international funding.
The Ministry of Defense has covered NHDO salaries, medical insurance and
maintenance of equipment since 2001; the annual budget is about 50 million MRO
(some $187,000).[57 ]
International sources of mine action funding in 2004 included:
Canada: C$231,508 ($177,850),[58]consisting of C$200,000 ($153,645) for MRE and C$31,508 ($24,205) for
stockpile destruction.[59]
HAMAP: €50,774 ($63,153) for demining and MRE, covering mainly
salaries (NHDO and HAMAP).[60]
Norway: NOK1 million ($148,370) to MAG for rapid assessment of landmine
contamination.[61]
Mine action funding sought by the UN for Mauritania in 2005 amounted to
$1,210,000 for NHDO capacity-building, demining operations, MRE and mine victim
assistance.[62]HAMAP’s 2005
budget for Mauritania was about €50,000 (approx. $62,000); all HAMAP
contributions for Mauritania are from private
sources.[63 ]
Landmine Casualties
In 2004, five new mine/UXO casualties were reported in three incidents,
including three people killed and two injured. Casualties include two nomads
killed near Nouadhibou in the Tiris Zemmour region in separate mine
incidents.[64 ]In other incidents,
two children were injured while playing with UXO, and a shepherd was killed in a
landmine explosion while herding.[65 ]In 2003, at least one person was killed and three injured in reported mine
incidents.[66 ]
The number of reported casualties is likely understated due to the size of
the country and the nomadic way of life of the population. In August 2004,
Mauritania started collecting casualty data within the framework of the mine
clearance and MRE program, in cooperation with UNICEF. Local authorities,
medical centers and NGOs transmit information on mine incidents to
NHDO.[67 ]As of 15 September 2005,
data collection was complete in Tiris Zemmour and Dakhlet Nouadhibou. Casualty
data is still being entered into IMSMA; however, an analysis of entered data
indicates that 122 mine/UXO casualties (46 people killed and 76 injured) have
been recorded, including 28 children and one
woman.[68]
In January 2005, a nine-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy were killed in a
mine incident in the town of
Zouerratt.[69 ]NHDO advised
Landmine Monitor of another two casualties to 15
September.[70]
On 4 April 2005, a Mauritanian man was killed in a border minefield between
Greece and Turkey.[71]
The total number of mine casualties in Mauritania is not known. Between
1978 and 2003, at least 345 people were killed and 246 injured in reported
landmine incidents.[72 ]
Survivor Assistance and Disability Policy and Practice
Mauritania has a relatively well-developed network of basic health centers,
but emergency cases are sent to the National Central Hospital in Nouakchott or
to regional hospitals, where assistance is free of charge. However, the
capacity of these facilities is limited by a lack of basic equipment, supplies
and adequately trained staff. Community-based rehabilitation programs have been
set up. Specialized rehabilitation facilities are based in Nouakchott, and are
therefore inaccessible to the majority of the
population.[73]
NHDO does not provide assistance to mine casualties and has no specific
survivor assistance plan or policy.[74]However, in preparation for the First Review Conference, Mauritania stated
that survivor assistance was one of its objectives for the period
2005-2009.[75]In its Article 7
report, Mauritania stated that the mine casualty data collection project will
provide “an important database to launch a victim assistance
program.”[76]NHDO, together
with UNICEF, is seeking funding to implement a survivor assistance
program.[77]
The National Orthopedic Center for Physical Rehabilitation in Nouakchott,
supported by the Ministry of Health, provides prostheses and physiotherapy
services. No statistics on the number of mine survivors assisted is maintained
by the center. Unstable and shifting sands reportedly make the use of prostheses
and wheelchairs challenging, and breakages are
common.[78]
There are reportedly no programs supporting the socioeconomic reintegration
of landmine survivors.[79]
Organizations working with and for persons with disabilities include: Union
Nationale des Handicapes Physiques et Mentaux (Union of Physical and Mental
Disability); Union des Associations des Personnes Handicapées du Magreb
Arabe (Union of Associations of Disabled People of Arab Magreb); Association
Mauritanienne des Handicapés Moteurs (Mauritanian Association of People
with Motor Disabilities); Association Mauritanienne pour la Réadaption
des Handicapés (Mauritanian Association for the Rehabilitation of
Disabled People); Disabled Peoples’ International Africa Regional
Development Office.[80]
There is no legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities
in Mauritania; however, a draft law is in the process of being ratified. The
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs has responsibility for disability
issues. The Federation of Specific National Associations of Disabled
People represents all disabled people in Mauritania. Through an
awareness-raising campaign by UNICEF, national NGOs are becoming more involved
in mine-related issues, including survivor assistance, and are in the process of
creating a national
campaign.[81]
[1]Mauritania has cited in its
Article 7 reports, most recently in Article 7 Report, Form A, 25 April 2005: Law
99 Portant code minier (Ordonnance 85-156); Article No. 437 of the 1983 Penal
Code (Ordonnance 83-162); 1993 Arrêté No. 152/PM du Portant sur
les mesures de restriction.
[2]Article 7 Report, Form A, 25
April 2005. The National Commission has representatives from the ministries of
foreign affairs, national defense, interior and justice, as well as the National
Assembly and NGOs.
[3]Previous Article 7 reports were
submitted on 20 June 2001, 12 June 2002, 30 April 2003, and 18 June 2004.
[4]Article 7 Report, Forms E and
H, 25 April 2005.
[5]Article 7 Report, Forms D and
G, 25 April 2005; statement by Mauritania, Standing Committee on Stockpile
Destruction, Geneva, 15 June 2005. The quantities of each of type of mine total
4,999.
[6 ]UN Mine Action Investments
Database, Annual Donor Report for Canada: 2004, accessed 7 June 2005.
[7]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, Director, NHDO, 27 April 2004; Article 7 Report, Form G, 30
April 2003.
[8]Article 7 Report, Forms B and
D, 25 April 2005.
[9]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 565.
[10 ]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 565; UN, “Country Profile: Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 9 August
2005.
[11 ]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 565; UN, “Country Profile: Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 9 August
2005.
[12 ]Article 7 Report, Form C, 25
April 2005. Mines found in the specified regions are French APID 51, Russian
PNM, Italian VS50 and Czech PPMi SR.
[13 ]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 566.
[14]Regional Workshop for Africa
on Socio-Economic Approaches to Mine Action Planning and Management,
International Mine Action Training Centre, Nairobi, 9-13 May 2005.
[15]Article 7 Report, Form C, 25
April 2005.
[16]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 565.
[17]Article 7 Report, Form F, 25
April 2005.
[18 ]“Mauritania: Mine
Action Completion Plan 2005-2009,” The Completion Initiative, UNDP, June
2005.
[19]UN, “Country Profile:
Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org accessed 9 August 2005.
[20 ]“Mauritania: Mine
Action Completion Plan 2005-2009,” The Completion Initiative, UNDP, June
2005.
[21]UN, “Country Profile:
Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org accessed 9 August 2005.
[22]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August 2005; “Mauritania: Mine Action
Completion Plan 2005-2009,” The Completion Initiative, UNDP, June
2005.
[23]UNMAS, “Mission
d’Evaluation des Nations Unies de la Problématique des Mines et
Munitions Non Explosées en République Islamique de
Mauritanie,” May 2003.
[24]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August 2005.
[25 ]“Mauritania: Mine
Action Completion Plan 2005-2009,” The Completion Initiative, UNDP, June
2005.
[26]“Mauritania: Mine
Action Completion Plan 2005-2009,” The Completion Initiative, UNDP, June
2005.
[27]Regional Workshop for Africa
on Socio-Economic Approaches to Mine Action Planning and Management,
International Mine Action Training Centre, Nairobi, 9-13 May 2005.
[28]Telephone interview with
Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 25 August 2005.
[29]Regional Workshop for Africa
on Socio-Economic Approaches to Mine Action Planning and Management,
International Mine Action Training Centre, Nairobi, 9-13 May 2005.
[30]UN, “Country Profile:
Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org accessed 9 August 2005.
[31]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August 2005.
[32]“Mauritania: Mine
Action Completion Plan 2005-2009,” The Completion Initiative, UNDP, June
2005.
[33]Telephone interview with
Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 25 August 2005. The UNDP report is
internal and not available publicly.
[34 ]Information provided by UNDP
Mauritania in email, 1 September 2005.
[35]Emails from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August and 12 September 2005.
[36 ]Email from Tim Carstairs,
Policy Director, MAG, 30 August 2005.
[37 ]United Nations, Final
Report, First Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on Their Destruction, Nairobi, 29 November-3 December 2004,
APLC/CONF/2004/5, 9 February 2005, p. 60.
[38]Presentation by Mauritania,
Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action
Technologies, Geneva, 14 June 2005. Emphasis added.
[39]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 26 May 2004.
[40]United Nations, Final
Report, First Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on Their Destruction, Nairobi, 29 November-3 December 2004,
APLC/CONF/2004/5, 9 February 2005, p. 60.
[41]Article 7 Report, Form G, 25
April 2005.
[42 ]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 9 June 2004.
[43]Email from Joel Kaigre,
President, HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005.
[44]Email from Joel Kaigre,
HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005.
[45 ]Emails from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 9 June 2004 and 12 September 2005.
[46]Regional Workshop for Africa
on Socio-Economic Approaches to Mine Action Planning and Management,
International Mine Action Training Center, Nairobi, 9-13 May 2005; email from
Maj. Alioune Ould Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 12 September 2005.
[47]Email from Joel Kaigre,
HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005.
[48 ]Presentation by Mauritania,
Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action
Technologies, Geneva, 14 June 2005; UN, “Country Profile:
Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org
accessed 9 August 2005.
[49 ]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August 2005.
[50 ]Article 7 Report, Form I, 25
April 2005; UNMAS, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2005,” p.
263.
[51 ]Article 7 Report, Form I, 25
April 2005.
[52 ]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August 2005.
[53 ]Presentation by Mauritania,
Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action
Technologies, Geneva, 14 June 2005.
[54]Presentation by Mauritania,
Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action
Technologies, Geneva, 14 June 2005.
[55 ]Email from Joel Kaigre,
HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005.
[56]Email from Joel Kaigre,
HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005.
[57 ]Emails from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August and 12 September 2005. Exchange rate: US$1 =
268.170MRO, www.xe.com, accessed 17 August 2005.
[58]Amounts are taken from the
Mine Action Investments Database and confirmed through email exchanges with
Elvan Isikozlu, Mine Action Team, Foreign Affairs Canada. Average exchange rate
for 2004: US$1= C$1.3017. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates
(Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[59]Email from Maj. Alioune O.
Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 17 August 2005.
[60]Email from Joel Kaigre,
HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: €1
= $1.2438. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3
January 2005.
[61]Article 7 Report, Form J, 28
April 2005; emails from May-Elin Stener, Department for Global Affairs, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, April-May 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 =
NOK6.7399. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3
January 2005.
[62]UN, “Country Profile:
Mauritania,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 9 August 2005.
[63 ]Email from Joel Kaigre,
HAMAP Démineurs, 3 August 2005.
[64 ]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 15 September 2005.
[65 ]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Joel Kaigre, HAMAP Démineurs, 17 August 2005.
[66 ]For more information see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 569.
[67 ]Emails to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 6 August and 20 August 2005;
see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 569.
[68]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 15 September 2005.
[69 ]“Afrique de
l’Ouest: Rapport sur la situation humanitaire No. 12, Janvier 2005,”
IRIN, 14 February 2005.
[70]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 15 September 2005.
[71]“Illegal immigrants
killed in Greece-Turkey border minefield,” Associated Press,
Kastanies, 4 April 2005; “Two killed in Evros minefield,”
eKathimerini (English edition), 5 April 2005; see also “List of
6336 documented refugee deaths through Fortress Europe,”
www.irr.org.uk/pdf/UNITED, accessed 18 July 2005.
[72 ]For more information, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 569.
[73]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 20 August 2005; see also
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 569-570.
[74]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 20 August 2005.
[75]“Préparation de
la première Conférence d’Examen, Transmission des
éléments des plans de mise en œuvre de l’article
5,” 30 July 2004.
[76]Article 7, Form I, 25 April
2005.
[77]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 15 September 2005.
[78]For more information, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 570.
[79]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 15 September 2005.
[80]See Disabled People’s
International, “Mauritania,” www.dpi.org.
[81]Emails to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Maj. Alioune O. Mohamed El Hacen, NHDO, 20 August and 15 September
2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 570.
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