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CANADA CONGRATULATES AFGHANISTAN ON COMPLETING RATIFICATION OF THE OTTAWA CONVENTION

September 19, 2002 (11:15 a.m. EDT) No. 101

CANADA CONGRATULATES AFGHANISTAN ON COMPLETING RATIFICATION OF THE OTTAWA CONVENTION

Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today congratulated Afghanistan on completing its ratification of the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines. Afghanistan has become the 126th state to complete ratification, and, for the first time, is attending the annual Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, which is taking place from September 16 to 20 in Geneva.

"I am pleased that Afghanistan has joined the majority of states that accept the Ottawa Convention as the means to effectively address the terrible legacy of landmines," said Minister Graham. "Afghanistan's formal commitment to the ban on anti-personnel mines is a significant step toward building lasting peace and security in the region."

On September 11, 2002, Afghanistan completed the final step in the process to formally join the Ottawa Convention, when it deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General.

"In Afghanistan, some 737 square kilometres are affected by mines and pose a clear danger for returning refugees and the local population," Minister Whelan said. "I have seen the devastation caused by landmines in Afghanistan and am impressed with the effective mine action programs undertaken by Afghan organizations. Removing mines and supporting the rehabilitation of those injured by landmine explosions are key for the country's recovery. I am proud of Canada's long record of support for mine action in Afghanistan."

Canada supported the launch of the Mine Action Program for Afghanistan (MAPA) in 1990 and provided more than $12 million for demining and victim assistance between 1990 and 2001. Canada has recently stepped up its support for mine action as part of the $100-million package of support for Afghan reconstruction announced in the December 2001 federal budget. CIDA will be contributing a total of $8.5 million to MAPA, the Comprehensive Disabled Afghan Program and the rehabilitation program of the Guardians Institute of Orthopaedics.

The Ottawa Convention is officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. It was opened for signature in Ottawa in December 1997 and entered into force on March 1, 1999, making it the most rapidly ratified multilateral disarmament treaty in history.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Isabelle Savard

Senior Communications Adviser

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Valerie Poulin

Office of the Minister for International Cooperation