From: "Maputo" fmsp02@virconn.com
Date sent: Sun, 2 May 1999 18:21:47 +0200

FMSP UPDATE

Maputo, Mozambique - Monday, 3 May 1999

Over 800 delegates representing 103 governments are present in Maputo for the First Meeting of States Parties (FMSP) to the Mine Ban Treaty, including thirteen non-signatories. Eight observers are also present including key UN agencies, regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

Mozambican President Joaquim Alberto Chissano chaired the opening plenary.

Louise Frechette, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, paid tribute to the partnership between governments and civil society as the driving force behind the Convention.

Salim Salim, Secretary- General of the Organization of African Unity said that the OAU intends to play an advocacy role in promoting the goals of the convention noting that "as long as some important countries remain outside the convention, the risk and temptation of employing antipersonnel mines will always be there."

HRH Prince Zeid Ra’as Zeid Al Hussein of Jordan read a message by HM Queen Noor of Jordan which said "I applaud the selfless courage of those implementing the treaty on the ground doing the demining and providing victim assistance." Noor also said she would spare no effort to help universalize the treaty.

Farida Gulamo spoke on behalf of the Mozambican Campaign Against Landmines (CMCM), on the plight of mine victims and disabled in Mozambique.

During the opening plenary Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate and ICBL Ambassador introduced the ICBL's Landmine Monitor Report 1999: Toward a Mine-Free World.

It was handed over to President Chissano by ICBL Ambassador and Cambodian landmine survivor Tun Channareth along with sixteen year old Song Kosal, a Cambodian landmine survivor and founder of the Kids Against War campaign. The 1,100 page report was then given to each delegation, thus marking the official release of the Report. The Report also has a 49-page Executive Summary available on the Internet at the www.icbl.org web site.

Following the opening plenary, heads of delegations, including many Foreign Ministers delivered statements, many of which included statements of support for the ICBL as the driving force behind the ban treaty.

South Africa's head of delegation Ambassador Selebi, who chaired the September 1997 Oslo treaty negotiations, noted that "The fact that we meet here today is a tribute to the victims of landmines that their suffering has not been in vain. This is their victory, they have ensured that multilateral diplomacy will never be able to ignore the plight of the innocent. They have democratized negotiations and this international instrument is therefore the People's Treaty."

One constant theme in government statements was condemnation of treaty signatory Angola, and non-signatory Yugoslavia, for their continued use landmines. Many of the statements included progress made in stockpile destruction.

Thailand destroyed 10,000 mines on 1 May 1999.

France confirmed its stockpiled destruction would be completed by the end of the year.

Australia and Japan, among others made new funding pledges. Many also detailed progress made in victim assistance and demining programs. A common theme was support for the treaty as providing the global framework for mine action and for the principle of establishing a framework for intersessional work.

A statement by U.S. President Bill Clinton was read to the opening plenary, and met with stony silence. The United States refused to send an official delegation to the conference even though it is a major mine action donor.

Mozambique's Foreign Minister Dr. Leonardo Santos Simao was elected President of the Conference and Mozambique's Ambassador to the United Nations, Carlos dos Santos, was elected Secretary-General of the Conference.

The next days will be spent in general statements (Tuesday) and discussions on mine clearance (Wednesday) survivor assistance, stockpile destruction and demining technology (Thursday). The meeting closes on Friday with a Final Declaration.

For more information contact the ICBL Secretariat:

+258-1-499-765 or mobiles: +258-(0)-82-309-195, or +27-82-858- 5098.

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Sign and Ratify the Treaty * Clear Mines * Help Survivors

Liz Bernstein
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
PO Box 2189
Maputo, Mozambique
Tel 258 1 49 39 81/2
Fax 258 1 49 39 80
email: banemnow@icbl.org
http://www.icbl.org
 

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