NEWS RELEASES
CANADA ANNOUNCES ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND MINES MEASURES
January 17, 1996 No. 5
CANADA ANNOUNCES ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND MINES MEASURES
Foreign Affairs Minister André Ouellet and Defence Minister David Collenette today
announced that Canada is declaring comprehensive unilateral moratoriums on the
production, export and operational use of anti-personnel land mines.
"Canadians are appalled by the ongoing tragedy caused by the indiscriminate use of
anti-personnel land mines. With these moratoriums in place, Canada moves to the
forefront of countries seeking a global ban on these weapons. We hope others will
follow," said Mr. Ouellet.
"Anti-personnel land mines sown at random with no regard for the laws of war have
become a scourge of humanity. Canada has not been part of the problem, but we
will certainly be part of the solution," stated Mr. Collenette.
These domestic measures complement Canada's ongoing diplomatic efforts to promote
universal adherence to a strengthened Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
Canada is now at the forefront of a growing number of countries that have moved to
restrict or declare moratoriums on the use, production and export of anti-personnel land mines.
Canada is working to increase restrictions on the use of land mines until these
weapons are eliminated from the world's arsenals. The Canadian Forces have played
a leading role in numerous demining operations around the world to eliminate the
danger posed by anti-personnel land mines.
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