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<title> AXWORTHY WELCOMES 100TH RATIFICATION OF LANDMINE CONVENTION</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">July 27, 2000 <em>(2:25 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 186</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> </font><font size="+1"><strong>AXWORTHY WELCOMES 100TH RATIFICATION OF </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>LANDMINE CONVENTION</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed a historic milestone in the drive to
universalize the global ban on anti-personnel mines. Late yesterday, the Islamic Republic of
Mauritania became the 100th state to ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, known
as the Ottawa Convention.</p>
<p>"Achieving the 100th ratification of the Convention in such a short span of time is a clear
expression of the determination of the international community to overcome the humanitarian
challenge posed by anti-personnel mines," said Mr. Axworthy. "It is another concrete indicator of
progress on our way to freeing the world from the threat of this inhumane weapon." </p>
<p>The Convention, which was opened for signature in Ottawa in December 1997, became
international law on March 1, 1999, making it the most rapidly ratified multilateral disarmament
treaty in history. The Convention is unequivocal in banning the production, use and transfer of
anti-personnel mines and calls for the destruction of stockpiled mines within four years of the
Convention's entry-into-force.</p>
<p>In accepting Minister Axworthy's congratulations, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania's
Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Abderrahim Ould Hadrami, noted the importance of the
Convention to Africa. "Mauritania is located in the most mine-affected region in the world," said
the ambassador. "Mauritania's ratification of the Ottawa Convention demonstrates our
commitment to join the international community in addressing the landmine problem in Africa
and elsewhere."</p>
<p>The Ottawa Convention has been key in establishing a new, international norm against the use of
anti-personnel mines. For the first time in 20 years, mines are being pulled from the ground faster
than they are being planted. In all, approximately 20 million stockpiled mines have been
destroyed and a total of 38 states have ended the production of new mines. Landmine-related
casualty rates in severely mine-affected countries such as Afghanistan, Mozambique, Bosnia and
Cambodia have been dramatically reduced. </p>
<p>States Parties to the Convention, as well as other interested states and non-governmental
organizations, will gather at the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva from September 11
to 15, 2000, to review progress in implementing the Convention and set new goals for increased
international co-operation in mine action.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>A list of states that have ratified the Convention is attached.</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Debora Brown</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p align="CENTER"><strong>STATES THAT HAVE RATIFIED THE OTTAWA CONVENTION</strong> </p>
<multicol cols="2" gutter="46">
<p>Albania</p>
<p>Andorra</p>
<p>Antigua and Barbuda</p>
<p>Argentina</p>
<p>Australia</p>
<p>Austria</p>
<p>Bahamas</p>
<p>Barbados</p>
<p>Belgium</p>
<p>Belize</p>
<p>Benin</p>
<p>Bolivia</p>
<p>Bosnia Herzegovina</p>
<p>Botswana</p>
<p>Brazil</p>
<p>Bulgaria</p>
<p>Burkina Faso</p>
<p>Cambodia</p>
<p>Canada</p>
<p>Chad</p>
<p>Costa Rica</p>
<p>Cote d'Ivoire</p>
<p>Croatia</p>
<p>Czech Republic</p>
<p>Denmark</p>
<p>Djibouti</p>
<p>Dominica</p>
<p>Dominican Republic</p>
<p>Ecuador</p>
<p>El Salvador</p>
<p>Equatorial Guinea</p>
<p>Fiji</p>
<p>France</p>
<p>Germany</p>
<p>Ghana</p>
<p>Grenada</p>
<p>Guatemala</p>
<p>Guinea</p>
<p>Holy See</p>
<p>Honduras</p>
<p>Hungary</p>
<p>Iceland</p>
<p>Ireland</p>
<p>Italy</p>
<p>Jamaica</p>
<p>Japan</p>
<p>Jordan</p>
<p>Lesotho</p>
<p>Liberia</p>
<p>Liechtenstein</p>
<p>Luxembourg</p>
<p>Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of</p>
<p>Madagascar</p>
<p>Malawi</p>
<p>Malaysia</p>
<p>Mali</p>
<p>Mauritania</p>
<p>Mauritius</p>
<p>Mexico</p>
<p>Monaco</p>
<p>Mozambique</p>
<p>Namibia</p>
<p>Netherlands</p>
<p>New Zealand</p>
<p>Nicaragua</p>
<p>Niger</p>
<p>Niue</p>
<p>Norway</p>
<p>Panama</p>
<p>Paraguay</p>
<p>Peru</p>
<p>Philippines</p>
<p>Portugal</p>
<p>Qatar</p>
<p>Rwanda</p>
<p>Saint Kitts and Nevis</p>
<p>Saint Lucia</p>
<p>Samoa</p>
<p>San Marino</p>
<p>Senegal</p>
<p>Seychelles</p>
<p>Slovak Republic</p>
<p>Slovenia</p>
<p>Solomon Islands</p>
<p>South Africa</p>
<p>Spain</p>
<p>Swaziland</p>
<p>Sweden</p>
<p>Switzerland</p>
<p>Tajikistan</p>
<p>Thailand</p>
<p>Trinidad and Tobago</p>
<p>Togo</p>
<p>Tunisia</p>
<p>Turkmenistan</p>
<p>Uganda</p>
<p>United Kingdom</p>
<p>Venezuela</p>
<p>Yemen</p>
<p>Zimbabwe</p>
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