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<title>AXWORTHY WELCOMES TWENTIETH RATIFICATION OFTHE LANDMINE-BAN CONVENTION</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 23, 1998 No. 164</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY WELCOMES TWENTIETH RATIFICATION OF</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">THE LANDMINE-BAN CONVENTION</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed Zimbabwe's ratification 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. Zimbabwe is the twentieth signatory to ratify, demonstrating that the
Ottawa Convention banning landmines is moving swiftly to meet the 40
ratifications required for the Convention to become binding under international
law.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Within a little more than six months, we are already at the halfway mark," said
Mr. Axworthy. "This is testament to the continued political commitment and public
momentum behind this issue. We celebrated our first success on the road to a
mine-free world last December, and I look forward to seeing the Ottawa Convention
enter into force soon," he added.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">One hundred and twenty-two states signed the treaty when it opened for signature
in Ottawa last December. There are now 126 signatories and, compared to many
other treaties, the pace of ratification is considered exceptionally rapid.
Treaties frequently take from three to four years, or more, to achieve the
required number of ratifications for entry into force. If the current pace of
ratification can be maintained, the Ottawa Convention could be in force by early
1999.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Few things would so transform the lives of children and communities for the
better as full ratification of the Ottawa Convention. It can't happen soon
enough. This is one objective the world is capable of reaching," said Stephen
Lewis, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund).</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada will continue to work in partnership with non-governmental organizations,
governments, the United Nations, the International Committee for the Red Cross
and others to attain this goal," said Mr. Axworthy. "As we pursue Ottawa Process
II -- the implementation phase of the Convention -- we all need to keep in mind
that the Convention is much more than a simple treaty to control or ban a weapon.
It provides a detailed, unambiguous framework for action, covering everything
from destruction of stocks to mine clearing to victim assistance and
rehabilitation."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada was the first country to ratify the Convention, doing so on December 3,
1997, the same day it signed. Canada was joined in ratifying that day by Ireland
and Mauritius. The other countries to have ratified are: Belize, Bolivia,
Croatia, Denmark, Djibouti, Fiji, The Holy See, Hungary, Mali, Mexico, Niue,
Peru, San Marino, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkmenistan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">At the December signing conference, Canada also announced a five-year $100
million fund to support Convention implementation. To date, Canada has committed
$22.5 million to support mine action programs in mine-affected countries. In
Bosnia, Canada is providing $10 million over five years to substantially reduce
the risks posed by landmines and to develop a sustainable local capacity. Canada
has committed a further $10.5 million over three years to strengthen the Mine
Action Program in Mozambique and has also provided $2 million to UNMAS (the UN
Mine Action Service).</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca and www.mines.gc.ca</font></p>
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