December 1, 1998 (11:30 a.m. EST) No. 274

MINISTERS AXWORTHY AND MARLEAU MARK

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMINES CONVENTION

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau, today announced a Canadian contribution of $2.8 million for mine-action projects in seven countries in Central Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The announcement marks the first anniversary of 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, which opened for signature December 3, 1997.

"Just one year ago when 122 countries signed the Ottawa Convention, it was recognized as an outstanding global achievement, and we have made even more progress in the past 12 months," said Mr. Axworthy. "Tremendous strides have been made in implementing the Convention and in making a real difference in the lives of people in mine-affected countries."

A total of 133 countries have now signed the Convention, and 55 of those have ratified. The Convention will come into legal force in March 1999, barely 15 months after it opened for signature.

"Canada has played an important role in realizing this progress through our expertise and through our contributions to numerous mine-action projects worldwide. Today we are pleased to reaffirm that role through our commitment to these seven new projects," added Mr. Axworthy.

"On this anniversary we are more committed than ever to helping communities that are living with the legacy of landmines," said Madame Marleau. "We have been inspired by the results of demining in countries such as Cambodia, where our support has led to the removal of over 32 000 mines and the return of 10 000 people to fields where they are now able to grow rice. We will also be providing victim assistance, enabling those people hurt by anti-personnel mines to rebuild their lives and become active in their communities," she added.

Minister Axworthy made his remarks in Ottawa at the opening of the Landmine Monitor Meeting, a working conference organized by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which is taking place this week as part of a series of events commemorating the first anniversary of the Convention. Mr. Axworthy was joined at this event by Jody Williams, who along with the ICBL, was last year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for her work toward a ban on anti-personnel (AP) mines.

Mr. Axworthy took the occasion to present a report, entitled One Year Later: Is the Ottawa Convention Making a Difference?, which chronicles the global progress in the fight against AP mines in the year since the Ottawa Convention opened for signature. The report also provides details of Canada's more than $47 million in mine action commitments, to date, through the five-year, $100 million Canadian Landmine Fund, which was announced last December by Prime Minister Chrétien.

The Fund is jointly administered by Mr. Axworthy and Madame Marleau, along with Industry Minister John Manley and Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

André Doren

Office of the Minister for International Co-operation and

Minister responsible for La Francophonie

(819) 997-6919

Media Relations Office

Canadian International Development Agency

(819) 953-6534

E-mail: info @acdi-cida.gc.ca

Internet: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Backgrounder

CANADA'S NEWEST MINE ACTION INITIATIVES

Croatia

A contribution of $100 000 to the Mine Action Centre, which will support mine clearance and marking of mine fields, as well as the deployment of mine detection dogs.

Chad

A contribution of $100 000 to the Mine Action Centre for survey equipment and funding for a technical expert to run and operate the database system with a view to starting a level 1 survey.

Jordan

A contribution of $300 000 in support of Jordanian demining efforts in the Jordan Valley. Canada, Norway and Israel are working together in support of this effort.

Kosovo

A contribution of $950 000 to the UN Mine Action Service in support of a preliminary assessment mission in Kosovo, in response to reports from UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) that mines are interfering with return of internally displaced people and with the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The mission will concentrate on gathering information, but is also capable of mine clearance and mine awareness.

Mozambique

A contribution of $100 000 to support the UN Development Program's (UNDP) accelerated demining program involving training in survey, personnel and database management. Canada has also joined a Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) initiative for mine clearance, victim assistance and advocacy, working with local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Canada is contributing $225 000 in matching funds to this $1.25 million CAW project.

Ukraine

Agreement reached in October for Canada and Ukraine to work together on stockpile destruction.

Yemen

A contribution of $950 000 to the UN Mine Action Service to support the conduct of a level 1 survey to set national priorities for mine action. Canada is also working with Med-Eng Inc. and Advantists Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Canada to buy $100 000 of protective gear for Yemen's deminers.