NEWS RELEASES
CANADA ANNOUNCES TIMETABLE FORDESTRUCTION OF LANDMINES
September 10, 1997 No. 145
CANADA ANNOUNCES TIMETABLE FOR
DESTRUCTION OF LANDMINES
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of National Defence Art
Eggleton today announced a timetable for the elimination of Canada's remaining
operational stocks of anti-personnel mines.
"Canada will take immediate measures to ensure that all its remaining anti-personnel mines are destroyed by the time the world comes to Ottawa in December to
sign a treaty banning these weapons," said Mr. Axworthy.
Last October, the Canadian government announced that two thirds of Canada's
stockpiles of anti-personnel mines would be set aside for immediate destruction,
with the remaining third to be destroyed in the context of successful negotiations
for a global ban. Destruction of the first two thirds was completed last November.
"During my recent trip to Bosnia, I saw first-hand the serious humanitarian
problem caused by anti-personnel landmines," Mr. Eggleton said. "In destroying
Canada's remaining operational stocks, the Canadian Forces are demonstrating the
kind of leadership that is needed to solve this problem."
"I commend the Canadian Forces for their role in clearing mines in some of the
world's most severely mine-affected countries," added Mr. Axworthy. "The treaty to
be signed in Ottawa will contribute positively to the security of innocent
civilians. We are proud to confirm that Canada will no longer use these weapons."
Minister Axworthy announced Canada's timetable today in Oslo, Norway, where he was
addressing the Non-Governmental Organizations' Forum taking place as part of the
conference currently under way to negotiate the text of the treaty. These
negotiations are set to conclude by September 19, with the treaty signing
scheduled to take place in Ottawa from December 2 to 4.
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Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Media Liaison Office
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(613) 996-2353
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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