August 25, 1998 No. 200

MINISTERS ANNOUNCE CREATION OF

CENTRE FOR MINE-ACTION TECHNOLOGIES

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, National Defence Minister Art Eggleton and Industry Minister John Manley today announced that Canada is continuing its leadership role in the global movement to eliminate anti-personnel (AP) mines with the creation of a Centre for Mine-Action Technologies at the Defence Research Establishment in Suffield, Alberta.

The Centre will be established through a commitment of $17 million over five years from Canada's $100 million Landmines Fund announced last December at the international signing conference for the Ottawa Convention.

The sum of $17 million will be invested in technology research to make humanitarian mine-clearance faster, safer and more effective, and to investigate alternatives to anti-personnel mines. Potential projects may include the development of AP mine neutralization equipment and protective equipment for demining personnel and vehicles, as well as work on a range of victim assistance technologies. The Centre will also provide a means for the exchange of research within an international network of scientists in other countermine laboratories.

"This Centre represents a partnership between defence and industry that recalls the spirit of partnership established during the Ottawa Process," said Mr. Axworthy. "That spirit is alive and well, not only in the Ottawa Convention but also in our comprehensive framework for action. The Centre will allow us to greatly enhance our contribution to demining and victim assistance as part of that framework."

To help ensure that Canadian research and development responds to the needs of those affected by anti-personnel mines, the Centre will be guided by multidisciplinary Executive and Management Committees. Representatives from the non-governmental organization, Mines Action Canada, have been invited to sit on both Committees.

"The Canadian Forces' experience in demining has shown that appropriate technology and techniques are vital for mine-clearance projects to work as safely and effectively as they should," said Minister Eggleton. "Additionally, alternatives are crucial if non-signatory countries are to be persuaded to sign the treaty banning anti-personnel mines. The Centre will conduct research and gather information to show that viable and more humane alternatives, which do not target civilians, can be developed as a way to persuade hold-out countries to sign the Convention."

The Canadian Forces have been conducting military and humanitarian mine clearance for many years in diverse peacekeeping operations including those in Cyprus, Kuwait, Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda and Cambodia. They have also provided demining training for refugees from Afghanistan.

Their experience has shown that every mine clearance project has different requirements, depending on local conditions. The research and development work of the Centre will help ensure that appropriate technologies are available to meet the broad range of conditions and circumstances faced in mine clearance.

"The Centre will serve as a showcase and a clearing house for Canadian expertise," said Minister Manley. "Its research, development, commercialization and marketing of Canadian industry will help remove anti-personnel mines faster and more effectively."

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Elaine McArdle

Office of the Minister of National Defence

(613) 996-3100

Ron Watkins

Aerospace and Defence Branch

Industry Canada

(613) 954-3343

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Media Liaison Officer

Department of National Defence

(613) 996-2353

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