This article outlines the purpose of International Campaign to Ban Landmines Ambassador Satnam Singh's visit to Mongolia. It provides a brief overview of the issues involved in Mongolia's accession to the international Mine Ban Treaty.
ICBL Ambassador Singh visit to Mongolia
Posted by danyasterling 260 days ago (Editorial)
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260 days ago
The Mine Ban Treaty, otherwise known as the Ottawa treaty, came into force in 1999. 156 countries are Party to the treaty, which has attached stigma to the use of landmines, and prompted a halt in the global trade of landmines and a drastic reduction in the number of countries that have productive capacities.
For Mongolia, signing the treaty means joining the group of nations that recognise the suffering caused by landmines, mostly to innocent civilians. ‘It is Mongolia’s duty as a democratic nation,’ said Ambassador Singh, ‘to demonstrate to other nations – we feel the pain of your landmine victims.’
The costs of signing the treaty will be minimal for Mongolia, as the country is fortunate in having no minefields. Signing the treaty means Mongolia would have to destroy the small stockpile of mines that was inherited from the Soviet Union. The extent of the landmines’ shelf-life is unclear, and signing the treaty will open channels for international technical and financial assistance for destruction, according to Colonel John McBride, who visited Mongolia in April.
Retention of the landmine stockpile does not give Mongolian any military advantage. Landmines are not a viable military resource, with most modern armies capable of crossing a minefield within a short time, making them an obsolete weapon in modern warfare. Even for a sparsely populated country like Mongolia, landmines offer little protection for long borders. Landmines have been shown to cause more suffering than military benefit. Every year, civilians account for 75-80 percent of casualties, according to estimates by Landmine Monitor. Laying landmines for military purposes could have devastating future social effects in a society where a significant proportion of the population maintains a nomadic lifestyle. In addition to the possibility of civilian casualties, minefields limit the productive use of grazing land, and deny means of communication.
In October 2004, Mongolia had publicly declared the country’s intention to sign the treaty before the end of 2008. ‘If Mongolia is to sign before the treaty’s second review conference in November this year,’ noted Ambassador Singh, ‘the decision would be applauded by the international community, thereby enhancing Mongolia’s global standing and prestige.’
In 2004, Mongolia embarked on a ‘step-by-step’ process towards signing the international mine ban treaty. The process saw Mongolia release information about the nature of the country’s landmine stockpile, and invite international technical experts to provide advice about destroying Mongolia’s stockpile.
While in Mongolia, Ambassador Singh will meet key government officials including the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defense, the advisor to the President for Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of the General Staff. He will also meet with the Canadian Ambassador and the Swiss consul, who have shown interest in the landmine issue.