General Assembly Session 56 meeting 61

Mr. Sun (Cambodia)

Once again on the General Assembly's agenda this session is the issue of landmines. We continue to address the problems caused by these devices, which currently pose a serious threat to more than 60 countries worldwide.

On behalf of the delegation of Cambodia, I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report entitled "Assistance in mine action" contained in document A/56/448, which addresses the continuing problem of landmines and provides us with an opportunity to assess the progress so far achieved by the mine-affected countries and the assistance provided by the world community in the area of mine action. My thanks and appreciation are also extended to members of the United Nations Secretariat, especially the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and its Mine Action Service and the Department for Disarmament Affairs, and, most of all, to the non-governmental organizations and the international community for their continued and determined efforts and cooperation to help achieve progress in this humanitarian action.

I need not repeat that almost three decades of conflict had a severe impact on the economy and infrastructure of Cambodia, mainly in the north-western part of the country, and left innocent people, especially women and children, to face the tragic consequences of the millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance that lie buried in the soil. Being one of the most heavily mine-contaminated nations in the world, Cambodia has continuously taken significant steps in its development efforts to reduce the risk of landmine accidents.

With the support of the international community, the Cambodian Mine-Action Center (CMAC) has evolved into the largest demining/explosive ordnance disposal operation in the country, and the progress made so far is encouraging. As one of the largest demining institutions, CMAC is gaining the momentum needed to sustain the confidence and trust of the Government and the donor countries. With its renewed objectives, effective from the year 2000, its motto is "Saving Lives and Supporting Development for Cambodia". CMAC is committed to improving effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and productivity, and has been the primary provider of surveys, mapping, technical training, mine-awareness campaigns and even development of demining technology within the country. As a result of both mine awareness and demining operations, the number of mine victims has been significantly reduced. The monthly rate of casualties has dropped from 200, in 1996, to around 80, in 2000. CMAC's overall achievements, from its inception in 1992 to December 2000, include clearance of more than 81 million square metres of land and destruction of more than 700,000 mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). During last year, the figures indicate that on the 8.4 million square metres of land contaminated by mines and unexploded ordinance, almost 62,000 mines and unexploded ordinance were destroyed.

Despite all these developments, Cambodia still has one of the highest accident rates of mine and unexploded ordinance in the world. With an estimated 4 to 6 million mines and unexploded ordnance buried in the soil of Cambodia, clearance of mines and unexploded ordinance remains an essential activity, which is one of the highest priorities on the agenda of the Royal Government of Cambodia. Moreover, mine and unexploded ordinance awareness programmes are being conducted by socio-economic teams that seek to assess the value of demined land and to educate vulnerable groups living in areas with mines, and the community at large, about landmines and unexploded ordnance and their potential danger. At the provincial level, the newly established Land Use Planning Unit (LUPU) has put various strategies in force in order to eliminate land disputes and see that the land cleared by CMAC is put to proper use, as intended. Today, the living standards of the beneficiaries of such lands have improved, and the rate at which land that has been cleared is being abandoned has diminished since 2000.

Last year, due to the suspension of external support, CMAC embarked on an extensive and painstaking reform process, which is a remarkable achievement. The reform is designed to enhance CMAC's vision, to make it more productive and responsive to the needs of Cambodia, promote transparency and make Government inspections and other independent evaluations more open. As a result of such reforms, including its institutional decentralization, CMAC has undertaken several bilateral projects sponsored by donor countries and development organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Trust Fund. These projects operate in high priority settlement areas along the western borders. Our achievements also include the establishment last year of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAVAA), an institution set up to manage, coordinate and regulate the mine-action sector. In this context, UNDP will support the CMAVAA in preparing an institutional development and capacity-building plan and the development of a national mine-action strategy over the period 2001-2005.

In joining the international efforts, Cambodia sent a small demining team in 1999 to Kosovo as part of its contribution to the peacekeeping operation. We are pleased to have been one of the organizers of an exhibition in Tokyo in July and August this year, at which non-profit organizations called for the removal and abolition of the estimated 60 to 70 million remaining landmines worldwide. We look forward to sharing our experience in the field of demining, if requested, with other countries affected by war and landmines, including future nation-building efforts in Afghanistan.

Since the entry into force of the Ottawa Convention in 1999, we note with great interest the efforts and progress made by the world community in the campaign against landmines worldwide. As a State party to the Ottawa Convention, and bound by the amended Protocol II to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons, my country will continue to join in the global effort in this unflagging crusade devoted to the elimination of landmines throughout the world. At the Third Meeting of States Parties held in Managua in September this year, we noted with satisfaction the progress made so far by countries in dealing with anti-personnel mines and in reducing the number of mine accidents, as well as the progress made in decreasing the number of mine producers.

Despite progress made, we believe that landmines continue to pose a dire threat to human life and constitute a challenge to development efforts worldwide, especially in the most affected countries. In this connection, Cambodia appeals for continued international support to continue tackling this humanitarian problem. We also take this opportunity to extend our deep gratitude and appreciation to all donor countries and international agencies, including non-governmental organizations, for their generous financial and technical assistance to Cambodia.

In light of the Secretary-General's report on assistance in mine action (A/56/448), we believe that a multilateral approach in addressing mine-related issues at the national and global levels would be a positive step. We firmly believe that the medium-term plan for the period 2001-2005, as endorsed by the Inter-Agency Coordination Group in September 2001, should be enforced in the countries affected by war, integrating all elements of mine-related issues. We share the view that the United Nations' goal of intensifying its efforts, nationally and globally, will not only serve to free affected countries from landmines but also significantly encourage countries to halt and renounce the use of such devices, so hazardous and destructive of human lives.

To conclude, I wish to state that Cambodia is pleased to be a co-sponsor this year of the draft resolution on assistance in mine action.

Mr. Musambachime (Zambia)

It is indeed an honour for me to address the Assembly on agenda item 38, entitled "Assistance in mine action". I would also like to pay tribute to the Secretary-General for the timely presentation of his report, in document A/56/448 and Add.1 and 2, which my delegation found very useful.

Zambia considers landmines to be a great hindrance to economic and social development in all affected countries, and especially in developing countries. It is sad that in many parts of the world human beings continue to suffer serious and often fatal injuries from this indiscriminate weapon. Unfortunately, most of the victims are innocent civilians, including women and children. This problem continues long after the cessation of hostilities. For those reasons, anti-personnel landmines have no military value in this high-technology age and should therefore never be regarded by any peace-loving country as the weapon of choice.

I am happy to note that extensive efforts are being undertaken within the United Nations system to eradicate this danger. The draft resolution to be submitted under this item will afford us an opportunity to take stock of our progress in that regard. Zambia fully subscribes to current international efforts to rid the world of this scourge.

After exhaustive consultations, my Government has finally established the Zambia Mine Action Centre, which commenced operations in August 2001. A capacity-building programme is currently under way with the assistance of the Government of the United States of America, to which we owe much appreciation. Training programmes in humanitarian demining, mine awareness and leadership training are currently under way. We would like all our cooperating partners to join the United States in order to improve the efficiency of the programme as we progress towards the implementation phase. The United Nations Mine Action Service, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the International Committee of the Red Cross are making efforts to address the issue of landmines. However, they are greatly constrained by the current United Nations policy in their response to the most serious cases of landmine contamination.

My delegation has noted with some degree of satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/56/448 and Addenda 1 and 2 and entitled "Assistance in mine action". The Secretary-General deserves commendation for proposing various new initiatives in areas of strategic planning and advocacy. However, the United Nations policy and strategy for mine action set out in paragraph 93 of the report gives priority to countries where landmine contamination is widespread. Our experience with the landmine problem is that even a mere suspicion of the presence of mines condemns large tracts of land.

My delegation is of the view that landmines are a humanitarian concern and that they must be addressed from that perspective. In our country, areas suspected to be landmine-affected have experienced impediments in their socio-economic development. In that regard, all efforts to deal with landmines should respect the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and humanity. In order to succeed, the firm action taken by the international community against landmines since 1996 requires additional financial, human and material resources. In that regard, my delegation would like the funding levels for mine action increased and sustained.

With regard to the ongoing implementation programme, I wish to report that Zambia had previously carried out some preliminary surveys to determine areas of possible contamination. We intend to undertake a comprehensive nation-wide survey to improve data on landmines. It is in that regard that Zambia has supported previous resolutions on this item, including resolution 55/120 of 6 December 2000, which, inter alia, emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive information management system for mine action under the coordination of the Mine Action Service of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

My Government has also made it a point to participate actively in all four Standing Committees of the Ottawa Convention, as well as in the meetings of States parties held at Maputo, Mozambique, at Geneva and at Managua. Our determination to address Zambia's landmine problem will bear fruit. I call upon the relevant partners to provide the necessary support. This exercise will free large tracts of land resources, some of which are very fertile, especially in the border areas, which were the front lines of the liberation struggle in southern Africa.

Allow me to conclude by reiterating the importance of the Ottawa Convention and of the need to ensure that it is fully implemented. I wish to appeal to all those countries that have not yet signed the Convention to do so without delay.

Mr. Weldegiorgis (Eritrea)

The report of the Secretary-General on assistance in mine action (A/56/448 and Add. 1 and 2) highlights the major developments, achievements and challenges faced by the mine action community in the current year. It underlines a number of issues of concern in the fight against landmines. It underscores the critical importance of global coordination and resource mobilization; assistance to national and local authorities; emergency assistance; information management; quality control, training and standards; and advocacy. The report notes the significant progress achieved during the year, especially in the areas of strategic planning, operational support, coordination and information management. It also identifies the challenges posed, particularly by the continuing laying of landmines in several countries, which has grave humanitarian ramifications. The Secretary-General's report is comprehensive, far-reaching and worthy of earnest deliberation. The formulation of a five-year strategy for mine action by the United Nations system represents a significant milestone on the way to a framework for action guided by shared objectives.

My country's experience in the temporary security zone during the second half of this year attests to the importance of the Secretary-General's concept of an emergency response plan to address the immediate requirements of the local population, aid agencies and peacekeeping forces. After the signing of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities by Eritrea and Ethiopia on 18 June 2000 and the subsequent resolutions of the Security Council calling on both countries to facilitate emergency mine action assistance in coordination with the United Nations, mine action operations have been initiated on the basis of a rapid landmine survey.

To meet the urgent need for the rapid and safe return of around a quarter of a million internally displaced persons to the temporary security zone, the emergency response programme focused on mine clearance, awareness and training. I wish to inform the General Assembly that significant progress has been made to date.

The major impediment to further progress remains Ethiopia's refusal to provide the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) with operationally useful information on its minefields, despite its obligations under article 8 of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities. As a result, Ethiopian-laid minefields in the temporary security zone continue to claim a heavy toll of human life and property, including UNMEE's personnel and vehicles, and prevent returnees from using their farm fields and grazing lands.

With the generous assistance of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and the donor community, Eritrea has taken enormous strides within a very short time in laying the foundation and building the capacity to address the insidious mine and unexploded ordnance problems which afflict the whole country.

Mine clearance is dangerous work conducted in an often hostile environment with lots of hazards to cope with, and it requires considerable resources for training, equipment and logistics. Hence, resource mobilization and adequate funding are crucial to success.

Mine contamination in Eritrea began in the 1940s, during the Second World War. Moreover, virtually the whole of Eritrea was infested by landmines during the 30-year war of national liberation from 1961-1991. The Eritrean Humanitarian Demining Programme cleared about half a million mines from 1991-1998. However, during the most recent war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, there has been a significant reversal, and mine contamination has been greatly aggravated.

Today, there exist approximately two million landmines and unexploded ordnance in Eritrea, a country of 3.5 million people. This translates into almost one landmine per person -- one of the highest per capita levels of contamination in the world. We are aware that making Eritrea free from this immense threat to life and property is our national responsibility. Consistent with our State policy of self-reliance, we insist on ownership of the programme and on setting the priorities. With this as our underlying premise, we are working in close cooperation with our international partners to develop the institutional capacity to eventually make Eritrea free of all landmines and unexploded ordnance.

We appreciate the focus of support, particularly from the United Nations, on national capacity-building, as this will enable Eritreans to deal with an Eritrean problem. We, in Eritrea, are committed to the concept of national ownership, providing a national solution to a national problem. Hence, the Government of Eritrea is committed to extending increased support to the mine-action programme as resources become available.

It is evident that the war against landmines in Eritrea has just begun. The first battle -- dealing with the emergency situation created by the return of more than 170,000 internally displaced persons to their mine-infested villages, farms and grazing lands in the temporary security zone -- is still being waged. We are also set to conduct a Level I landmines socio-economic impact survey in 2002.

Furthermore, we are trying to own a mine-action information management system to collect, compile and manage census data so as to ensure their most efficient use for mine clearance throughout Eritrea.

We are winning this battle, but it takes many successful battles to win a war. Thus, we need continued support from our partners to provide us with the critical resources to wage this war against this deadly enemy. Our recent accession to the Ottawa Mine Ban Convention is indicative of our commitment to make Eritrea mine-free and to join the global struggle for a mine-free world.

The Acting President

In accordance with the decision taken by the Assembly this morning, I now call on the observer of Switzerland.

Mr. Halter (Switzerland)

The international mine-action community has recently made significant progress in its effort to eliminate the threat of anti-personnel mines. The heinous danger of these mines can only be eliminated through the joint efforts of international organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, experts and the directly affected populations. Thanks to the cooperation of these various actors, the production, transfer, stockpiling and use of anti-personnel mines have declined, millions of square meters of mined land have been cleared and the number of mine accidents and victims has decreased as a consequence. In spite of the concrete and significant progress, millions of mines remain buried in the ground or continue to be stockpiled.

Switzerland recognizes the key role of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) as the focal point for mine action within the United Nations system, especially in the field of coordination, policy-making and advocacy. We therefore support the recommendation that the Service be upgraded to a Division and its head be appointed at the level of Director. We also appreciate the valuable contributions of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other United Nations agencies in the fight against mines.

Switzerland welcomes the comprehensive and informative report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on assistance in mine action. We especially welcome the transition from a reactive mode in crisis situations to a more systematic and strategic approach at the national and global levels.

Furthermore, we took note with appreciation of the United Nations mine-action strategy for 2001-2005. The six goals that the report's addendum clearly defines are reasonable, though ambitious. In our view, particular attention must be given to local capacity-building and national ownership in order to guarantee the long-term sustainability of mine action. Quality management is crucial in view of the limited availability of financial resources.

Switzerland also welcomes United Nations efforts to encourage countries to ratify international instruments pertaining to anti-personnel mines, to accede to them and comply with them.

Switzerland welcomes the creation of the web-based Electronic Mine Information Network (E-MINE) to support the United Nations Mine Action Service in consolidating mine-related information in order to facilitate the development of mine-action programmes, decision-making, the setting of priorities and the mobilization of resources.

Mine action is one of the priorities of Swiss peace and security policy. In order to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the coordination of such activities, Switzerland provides United Nations Mine Action Centres with human and financial resources. At present, Swiss experts are working in Albania, Kosovo, Azerbaijan and Yemen. In order to ensure adequate personnel support we are in the process of establishing a pool of 40 demining experts for international operations, which should be operational by the end of 2002. In addition, United Nations Mine Action Centres receive material support, in particular devices for low-risk demolition of unexploded ordnance and mines.

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), which Switzerland initiated and largely finances, provides significant support to the United Nations in the field of research and operational assistance.

It has elaborated International Mine Action Standards under a mandate of the UNMAS, and it has developed the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), which is now in place in over 20 countries. The Centre also supports the implementation of the Convention on anti-personnel mines. In this respect, we welcome the creation of the Implementation Support Unit within the Geneva Centre, aimed at increasing support for the intersessional process.

In the field of victim assistance, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, Switzerland has developed a strategic concept based on a comprehensive approach, which includes not only mine victims but all victims of violence. Only the integration of victims into the wider context of post-conflict reconstruction and into longer-term development cooperation strategies will enable us to find effective and sustainable solutions. Initial valuable experience has been gained in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nicaragua and Mozambique. The next step is to implement the strategy at the national and regional levels. Accordingly, Switzerland held a workshop in Bangkok from 6 to 8 November last that was aimed at establishing the strategic framework at the regional level.

In the field of mine clearance, Switzerland is supporting projects in the Balkans -- in Kosovo, Croatia, Bosnia and Albania -- as well as in Africa -- in Mozambique, Sudan and Eritrea. Special attention is given to cooperation with local partners. The goal is to enable national mine-action centres to develop their own capacities, in an autonomous and committed manner. Switzerland's approach gives clear priority to socio-economic factors and can therefore be easily integrated into longer-term reconstruction, development and peace-building programmes in war-affected countries. The main responsibility in this area lies, too, with the countries directly concerned.

Switzerland is also active with respect to the destruction of stockpiled mines. In June this year we held a one-week workshop in Fribourg that was aimed at providing basic knowledge for the management of national mine destruction programmes. Given the great interest in the workshop, we intend to repeat it next year. As co-Rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction within the mine-ban Convention, we will continue to play an active role in this field.

Switzerland welcomes the important role Geneva plays in mine action, together with New York. Geneva will be honoured to host, in 2002, the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines.

Switzerland will continue to provide the best possible working conditions for the numerous international and non-governmental organizations in Geneva in order to facilitate the fight against mines and their serious humanitarian consequences.

The Acting President

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item.

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply.

May I remind representatives that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, statements in exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Mr. Harrison (United Kingdom)

I would like to speak briefly in response to the remarks made earlier today by the representative of Argentina concerning the Falkland Islands.

We welcome the reference by the representative of Argentina in his speech to the exchange of notes earlier this year between our two Governments, in which we recorded our mutual intention to carry out a feasibility study on the clearance of mines in the Falkland Islands. But we must take issue with his reference to the sovereignty of the Islands. The United Kingdom's position on this issue is well known. It was last set out in detail in my delegation's right of reply to the statement made by the President of Argentina in the General Assembly on 10 November.

Mr. Endrias (Ethiopia)

Ethiopia appreciates the role being played by the United Nations and other specialized agencies with regard to their assistance in mine clearance.

As a country suffering from the adverse effects of widespread mines, particularly in areas bordering Eritrea, Ethiopia has been working closely with the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). To this effect, and contrary to the unfounded allegations made by the Eritrean delegation, Ethiopia has already submitted all information, including the map, to UNMEE. Let me add that Ethiopia is in dire need of assistance in mine clearance.

Concerning other issues raised by the Eritrean delegation, we would like to say that these issues are not in line with agenda item 38, which we are currently dealing with.

The Acting President

I should like to inform delegations that a draft resolution under agenda item 38 will be submitted at a later date.

The Acting President

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