CANADA TO HOST ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES CONFERENCE
October 1, 1996 No. 178
CANADA TO HOST ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES CONFERENCE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada will host an
International Strategy Conference on anti-personnel (AP) mines in Ottawa, October
3-5.
"Last week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I hosted a meeting
of countries that are interested in advancing the AP mines issue. I was struck by
the tremendous momentum that is building against these terrible weapons," said Mr.
Axworthy. "This conference is unique in that it will deal with all aspects of the
issue -- the ban, mine clearance and victim rehabilitation -- in an integrated
fashion. I am confident that our consultations will lay a solid foundation for
the elimination of AP mines," he added.
Entitled "Towards a Global Ban on Anti-Personnel (AP) Mines," the Conference will
bring together representatives of some 70 governments, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), international agencies and the United Nations. The
objective of the Conference is to raise the profile of the AP mines crisis and to
direct international, regional and national action toward a global ban.
Individual governments will be represented by senior officials, and many of the
delegations are expected to include representatives of NGOs active in the area of
AP mines. Minister Axworthy, National Defence Minister David Collenette and
Minister for International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for la
Francophonie Pierre S. Pettigrew will be participating on behalf of the Government
of Canada.
The Government of Canada is holding the Conference in collaboration with Mines
Action Canada, a coalition representing
37 international development, peace, public health, human rights and faith NGOs.
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A preliminary calendar of media events is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
PRELIMINARY CALENDAR OF MEDIA EVENTS
Launch of "Living with Landmines Simulation." Opening remarks by Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond
Chan.
Location: Agriculture Museum, Central Experimental Farm
Time: 1000 - 1100 hrs
Launch of War Museum Exhibit. Ribbon-cutting ceremony to be attended by Minister of National Defence David
Collenette and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy.
Location: National War Museum
Time: 1200 - 1400 hrs
Background briefing for media by Ralph Lysyshyn, Director General, International Security Bureau, Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Chair, International Strategy Conference.
Location: The Commonwealth Room, #238-S
Centre Block, Parliament Hill
Time: 1530 - 1630 hrs
Panel Discussion: "Exploitation or Explanation -- Media Portrayals of the Landmine Crisis." Panelists include
Chris Cushing (CARE Canada), Philip Winslow (former foreign correspondent), Juliet O'Neill (Ottawa Citizen) and
Ken Rutherford and Mohammed Usman Fitrat (Landmine Survivors Network). Moderator: Connie Watson (CBC
Radio).
Location: Sussex Room, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1900 - 2130 hrs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of National Defence David Collenette open "Towards a
Global Ban on Anti-Personnel (AP) Mines": International Strategy Conference. The Ministers will present
opening remarks and will be followed by UN Under Secretary-General Yasushi Akashi and Chris Moon,
representative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Location: Main Hall, Government Conference Centre
Time: 0900 - 1000 hrs
Information Exchange I: states will report on their national AP mines policies.
Chair: Canada
Location: Main Hall, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1015 - 1230 hrs
Stephen Lewis, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF, opens the Public Information Exhibits. Canadian
singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn scheduled to speak.
Location: Rideau Street Foyer, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1230 - 1315 hrs
NGO/Parliamentarians Consultations.
Part I: Roundtable. "Setting the Stage: AP Mines and the International Community." Panelists include Stephen
Lewis (UNICEF); Steve Goose (International Campaign to Ban Landmines); Ken Rutherford (Landmines Survivors
Network) and Senator Peter Bosa (International Parliamentary Union).
Location: Sussex Room, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1530 - 1645 hrs
NGO/Parliamentarians Consultations.
Part II: Strategy Session. "NGO-Parliamentarian Agenda for Action." Panelists include Senator Patrick Leahy
(USA); Ernie Regehr (Project Ploughshares); Jan Willem Bertens (European Parliament).
Chair: Francis LeBlanc, Member of Parliament (Canada) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs
Location: Sussex Room, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1700 - 1800 hrs
Public Mines Awareness and Fund-Raising Concert featuring Ashley MacIsaac.
Location: Ottawa Civic Centre
Time: 2000 - 2300 hrs
Cost: $26.75 - Tickets available at the door or call
1-800-361-4595
Open Session. Panel Presentation I: "Towards a Global Ban on AP Mines." Panelists include Cornelio
Sommaruga, International Committee of the Red Cross; H.E. Ambassador Johan Molander (Sweden); Senator
Patrick Leahy (USA) and Stephen Lewis, UNICEF.
Chair: Honourable Christine Stewart, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
Location: Main Hall, Government Conference Centre
Time: 0830 - 1030 hrs
Information Exchange II: discussion of regional actions to support a global ban.
Location: Main Hall, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1100 - 1230 hrs
NGO/Academic Panel. Panelists include Don Hubert (Dalhousie University); Peter Herby (Legal Division,
International Committee of the Red Cross); Noala Skinner (Kings College, Cambridge); Calib Rossiter
(Demilitarization for Democracy) and David Gowdey (author of Hidden Killers).
Moderator: Perez Morangi Nyamwange, POVOADA (Canada-Angola NGO)
Location: Sussex Room, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1430 - 1730 hrs
Panel Presentation II: " An Integrated Approach to the AP Mine Challenge." Panelists include Hans Klingenburg
(Foreign Ministry, Denmark); Jerry White (Landmines Survivors Network); Ed Tsui (UN Department of
Humanitarian Affairs) and Linda Tripp (Mines Action Canada).
Chair: Australia
Location: Main Hall, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1300 - 1500 hrs
Closing session to be attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of National Defence
David Collenette.
Location: Main Hall, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1530 - 1630 hrs
Wrap-up news conference.
Location: Sussex Room, Government Conference Centre
Time: 1630 - 1700 hrs