NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL LANDMINE WATCHDOG
May 19, 2000 (9:45 a.m. EDT) No. 109
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL LANDMINE
WATCHDOG
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced a contribution of $250 000 to
help support the work of Landmine Monitor, an international research and reporting
initiative that monitors the global landmine issue and international adherence to the
Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. The announcement was made at the conclusion of a
meeting of Landmine Monitor researchers from around the world to discuss work on
their second annual report.
"Landmine Monitor has established itself as a world leader in highlighting international
violations of the Ottawa Convention," said Mr. Axworthy. "I believe that they have
proven instrumental in holding governments accountable for mine-related actions and
obligations and that their annual report provides decisionmakers with essential feedback
on our progress in ridding the world of landmines."
Landmine Monitor was created in June 1998 by the International Campaign to Ban
Landmines. Since its inception, its research and reporting have regularly sensitized the
world to the indiscriminate use of mines -- especially in locations such as Angola,
Chechnya and Kashmir. Each year Landmine Monitor produces a report which provides
extensive documentation on the global landmine situation and the adherence of
countries to the Ottawa Convention. The first report was distributed last May at the First
Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo, Mozambique. It is available
on the International Campaign to Ban Landmines Web site at: http://www.icbl.org/lm/.
The second will be released this September in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Second
Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty.
Funding for Landmine Monitor will come from the $100 million Canadian Landmine
Fund.
The historic Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines has been signed or
formally agreed to by 133 countries and ratified or acceded to by 94. The treaty has
entered into force for 89 countries.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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