Newsletter for December 1996

A Momentous Year - Looking Back on 1996

The concerted call for a global ban on landmines has made 1996 a momentous year for the New Zealand and international campaigns.

• Four years ago, such an idea was a dream of the International Committee of the Red Cross and a small group of NGOs based mainly in North America and Europe. The prime movers in those early days were the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation; Handicap International of France; the UK Mines Advisory Group; Medico International of Frankfurt; the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society; the German International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; Asia Watch; and the US Physicians for Human Rights.
  
• The first political step taken by any country came when Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman Lane Evans achieved a one-year moratorium on the US export of landmines.
  
• The first NGO international conference to co-ordinate a campaign on banning landmines was held in London in June 1993. Since then the campaign has developed in many countries, with growing support from governments. The international campaign started to focus on the companies producing landmines.
  
• The New Zealand campaign, CALM, was established in September 1993 with the active support of the United Nations Association of New Zealand, the New Zealand Red Cross, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Oxfam, World Vision, the Council for International Development, the National Consultative Committee for Disarmament, Amnesty International, Veterans for Peace, Save the Children Fund, and the Disarmament Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
  
• We have been able to get a lot done in the last three years, thanks to a great team effort, involving the experience of Bruce Anderson in landmine clearing; the artistic skills of Manu Caddie and Aaron McKirdy; the co-operation and support of Greg Clewley and Jody Martin at the Red Cross; David Cuthbert's political insights; the fund-raising abilities of Chris King; Andrew Ladley's legal knowledge; Mary Wareham's academic research and organisational enthusiasm; Dr Malcolm Watson's experience of treating injuries in the Vietnam War; and David Zwartz's editorial skills; plus the support and enthusiasm of a strong committee including Brian Hayes as treasurer, Iain Sandford as secretary, Richard Davis, Carrick Lewis, Borany Scott and Derek Wilson. CALM's task as an NGO seeking government support for the banning of landmines has been eased by the involvement of our Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Disarmament, and Parliamentary Select Committee chairperson, as well as the leaders of all political parties. We have also benefited from the support of government officials and, of course, many religious and peace organisations.

The International Scene

• Two years of discussion about the UN Landmines Protocol of the CCW (Conference on Conventional Weapons) ended at Geneva on 3 May. The revised protocol is considered woefully inadequate and unlikely to make any significant difference in stemming the global landmine crisis.
  
• Because this result was considered to be a "humanitarian disaster," many governments and NGOs realised that another way had to be found to control anti-personnel mines. Fifty governments came to Ottawa in October to pledge support for a total ban [see the October CALM Newsletter], and at the current United Nations session a strong resolution calling for a total ban on landmines was supported at the First Committee by 141 nations.
  
• The momentum for a total ban is growing dramatically. Let us hope that there will be near world-wide support when the Ottawa Treaty for a Global Ban on Anti-personnel Mines is ready for signing in December 1997.
  
• CALM's report on the Ottawa Conference is available on the Internet at: http://www.protel.co.nz/calm

Report-Back On Ottawa

• At a well-attended meeting in Wellington on 26 November Brian Watson of the Canadian High Commission reminded us of the weekly world-wide landmine human toll. In recent years 44 Canadian soldiers have been killed or injured in landmine clearing and peace-keeping operations.
  
• Earlier this year Canada declared a unilateral moratorium on the production, use and export of landmines; and in October announced it would destroy 600,000 of its 900,000 stock of anti-personnel mines.
• Canada supports a mine-free zone in the Western Hemisphere, and called the Ottawa Conference so that pro-ban countries could agree on a plan of action towards a total global ban.
  Brian also warned us that treaties do not solve everything. Enforcement and follow-up are essential.
  
• Caroline Forsyth, Director of the International Security and Arms Control Division at MFAT, and leader of the NZ delegation to the Ottawa Conference, analysed the strong wording of the current resolution before the United Nations General Assembly. That only ten countries abstained on this year's text showed how much the international debate on a global ban has evolved over the past year.
  
• She expressed concern over the lack of current information about the production, stockpiling and export of landmines, and hoped that NGOs "will be able to fill some of the gaps" in the information at present being sought from governments by the UN Secretary-General.
  
• While we are a member and strong supporter of the UN Conference on Disarmament (CD), New Zealand is at this stage "not attracted to the idea of negotiating a ban [on landmines] in the Conference on Disarmament." Caroline agrees with ICRC President Sommaruga that it is premature to begin negotiations on a global ban in the CD until regional and political efforts have created broader support for it.
  Speaking before the formation of the new government, Caroline believed that "the next government, whatever its composition, will remain committed to an early global ban on landmines."
  
• Speaking as the CALM representative to the Ottawa Conference, John Head emphasised the role of NGOs in the planning of and participation in the conference. Humanitarian issues were the concern of those speaking throughout the four-day conference.
  
• John explained why he believed that landmines should not now be placed on the CD agenda, and was critical of those countries that still thought their borders could be defended by landmines. He also advocated more research into methods of quick mine detection and destruction.
  
• Yvonne Smith, Marketing Manager for the New Zealand Red Cross Central Region, explained why the Red Cross had for the last thirty years been endeavouring to alert the world to the great suffering caused by landmines. She reviewed Red Cross's campaign activities in New Zealand, through its own branches and in schools, and stressed how much support was needed today to relieve the suffering of those injured by landmines.
  
• During question time, concern was expressed that present government policy opposed funding support for NGO representatives attending international conferences as part of government delegations. It was agreed that some lobbying needed to be done on this issue.

Landmine Workshop in New Zealand

• At CALM's public meeting, Caroline Forsyth of MFAT spoke about the workshop on de-mining being held in 1997 at Linton Camp, under the auspices of ASEAN Regional Forum. Over four days, the workshop will cover a wide range of topics, including identifying training requirements, selection of trainees, and international, political, and factional issues.
  

Recent action by the CALM committee

• We have written to all newly-elected MPs, telling them about our campaign and seeking their support. · We have written to the leaders of the main Christian denominations, asking them to have prayers relating to the anti- landmine campaign included in Christmas services.
  
  

Seasonal Greetings

• This is our final newsletter for 1996. We look forward to 1997 with an awareness that much remains to be done for the anti-landmine campaign in New Zealand and overseas. Our next challenge is sending a CALM representative to the 4th NGO Conference in Maputo, Mozambique, in February.
  
• We wish you all a happy time at Christmas and a refreshing break over the holiday season. Please take the opportunity during this time to talk with your family and friends about the need for a world-wide ban on landmines.