Ethiopia becomes 144th state to accept Ottawa Convention

www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-29 16:58:23

NAIROBI, Nov. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Ethiopia has become the 144th state to accept the Ottawa Convention banning antipersonnel mines, which came on the first day of the Nov. 29 - Dec. 3 Nairobi Summiton a Mine Free world.

"I am delighted that on the first day of this historic event one of the world's most mine-affected states has joined the effortto end the suffering caused by antipersonnel mine," said Presidentof the summit Wolfgang Petritsch, also the ambassador of Austria.

"Ethiopians can now look forward to a brighter future without the terror of landmines," said Petritsch, noting that the Horn of Africa country must now destroy its existing stockpiles of antipersonnel mines within four years, clear mined areas within 10years, and cease any use, production or transfer of the weapon immediately.

Ethiopia's acceptance of the convention leaves Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Somalia the only African countries that have not ratified the convention.

"Every state in Sub-Saharan Africa except Somalia has now accepted the Ottawa Convention's comprehensive solution to the humanitarian catastrophe caused by antipersonnel mines," said Petritsch.

"In addition, I have great hope that Somalia will soon join this global movement given as the new Somali prime minister has confirmed that he will attend the Nairobi Summit."

The summit is the first five-year review conference of the 1997Ottawa Convention. It is also an historic occasion in the life of the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Convention), taking place halfway between the treaty's establishment under international law in 1999 and the deadline in 2009 for most member states to clear minefields.

The convention, which entered into force on March 1, 1999 and has since been formally ratified by 143 states, seeks to end the suffering caused by antipersonnel mines -- by prohibiting their use, requiring the destruction of existing stockpiles, and obliging states to clear mined areas and assist victims.

Article 12 of the convention states that a review conference shall be convened by the secretary general of the United Nations five years after the entry into force of the convention.

At the summit, the international community is expected to adopta powerful action plan to address challenges that remain on the path toward a mine-free world. Heads of state and ministers of foreign affairs from several countries are expected to address the summit's high level session on Dec. 2 - 3.

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