| United Nations | A/50/701 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
3 November 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH/FRENCH/
RUSSIAN/SPANISH
Fiftieth session
Agenda item 70
GENERAL AND COMPLETE DISARMAMENT
Moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION .........................................1 - 33
II. APPROPRIATE MEASURES TAKEN TO LIMIT THE EXPORT OF
ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND-MINES ............................4 - 134
A. Unilateral initiatives ........................... 7 - 95
B. Regional initiatives ............................. 10 - 128
C. Global initiatives ............................... 13 - 1410
III. INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENTS ............................11
Argentina ........................................................11
Australia ........................................................11
Brazil ...........................................................12
Canada ...........................................................12
Chile ............................................................13
Ecuador ..........................................................13
95-33019 (E) 081195 091195
*9533019*/...
CONTENTS (continued)
Page
European Union* ..................................................13
Japan ............................................................14
Jordan ...........................................................15
Malta ............................................................15
Poland ...........................................................15
Slovenia .........................................................16
Spain ............................................................16
Switzerland ......................................................16
Ukraine ..........................................................17
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .............18
United States of America .........................................18
________________________
* On behalf of the States members of the European Union that are States
Members of the United Nations.
I. INTRODUCTION
1. On 15 December 1994, the General Assembly adopted resolution 49/75 D,
entitled "Moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines", the
operative paragraphs of which read as follows:
"The General Assembly,
"...
"1. Welcomes the moratorium already declared by certain States on the
export of anti-personnel land-mines;
"2. Urges States that have not yet done so to declare such moratorium at
the earliest possible date;
"3. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on steps taken by
Member States to implement such moratoriums and to submit it to the General
Assembly at its fiftieth session under the item entitled "General and
complete disarmament";
"4. Emphasizes the importance of the Convention on Prohibitions or
Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed
to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects and its
Protocols as the authoritative international instrument governing the
responsible use of anti-personnel land-mines and related devices;
"5. Urges States that have not done so to adhere to the Convention and
its Protocols;
"6. Encourages further international efforts to seek solutions to the
problems caused by anti-personnel land-mines, with a view to the eventual
elimination of anti-personnel land-mines."
2. In pursuance of the request contained in paragraph 3 of resolution
49/75 D, the Secretary-General requested, in a note verbale dated 17 March
1995, that Member States provide the relevant information on the matter by
31 May 1995. Information has been received thus far from Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, the European Union (on behalf of
the States members of the Union that are States Members of the United
Nations), Japan, Jordan, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland,
Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the
United States of America. Any additional information received from Member
States will be issued as addenda to the present report.
3. In connection with the above-mentioned matter, the Secretary-General
sent the following letter on 23 June 1995 to the Foreign Ministers of
States not party to the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons:
"Since I launched a United Nations coordinated programme of action in
1993 to clear mines worldwide, hundreds of thousands of land-mines have
been cleared in many countries by the authorities of those countries, by
the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and by intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations, assisted by financial contributions
from many States. Unfortunately, between 4 and 10 million additional
landmines are estimated to have been laid in many regions during the same
period and there has been a net increase in the number of land-mines to be
cleared.
"This trend is unacceptable and must be reversed.
"In order to prevent further proliferation of land-mines, the General
Assembly has called upon Member States to establish a moratorium on the
export of anti-personnel land-mines. Several Member States have heeded the
call of the General Assembly and I express my gratitude to all those States
which have established a moratorium or are in the process of doing so.
"But the cruel reality remains that millions of land-mines are already
widely available and are used in all conflicts, particularly in internal
ones. They are often undetectable and dangerous to remove. Their use
against civilians disrupts the economic and social development of entire
regions by isolating whole communities, depopulating large areas and
preventing the return of refugees.
"The magnitude of the problem requires a coordinated and determined
effort by the international community. The 49 States parties to the
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons have called for the first CCW
Review Conference, which will be held at Vienna from 25 September to 13
October 1995, to review the scope and operation of the Convention and,
inter alia, to strengthen its Land-mine Protocol. The preparatory Group of
Governmental Experts, which has formulated a draft for a revised Land-mine
Protocol, has made several proposals, which, if adopted by the Review
Conference, would significantly increase the protection of civilians
against the indiscriminate use of land-mines.
"That laudable effort would still be insufficient if the Convention did
not achieve universality and effective implementation. I would therefore
be grateful, as depositary of the Convention, if your Government could
participate in the Review Conference as an observer and, most importantly,
if it would consider initiating or completing the procedures required for
the ratification of or accession to the Convention and the Protocols
annexed thereto."
II. APPROPRIATE MEASURES TAKEN TO LIMIT THE EXPORT
OF ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND-MINES
4. Each year more than 20,000 human beings are injured or killed by
landmines. Most of them are non-combatants: they are farmers, women and
children.
5. The international community clears approximately 100,000 land-mines
each year. During the same period between 2 and 5 million new land-mines
are laid. Land-mine proliferation thus adds each year two or more decades
to the 1,100 years that would already be necessary to clear all land-mines
at the current rate of mine clearance. Land-mines are in reality a weapon
of mass destruction, in slow motion, because they indiscriminately kill or
maim massive numbers of human beings over a long period of time.
6. The magnitude of the problem requires a courageous, consistent and
continued effort by the international community. The understanding that
common action is needed has motivated several initiatives at the
unilateral, regional and global levels.
A. Unilateral initiatives
7. In October 1992, the United States of America adopted an export
moratorium on anti-personnel land-mines. In 1993, that moratorium was
extended for three years. The United States Congress is currently
considering legislation, the Land-mine Use Moratorium Act, that would have
the effect of severely limiting the use of anti-personnel land-mines. In
February 1993, France declared an export moratorium on anti-personnel land-
mines and in the same year Belgium declared an indefinite moratorium on the
production, transfer and use of antipersonnel land-mines. During the
current year, France has widened the scope of its moratorium to include the
production of all types of anti-personnel landmines.
8. After the adoption by the General Assembly of resolutions 48/75 K of 16
December 1993 and 49/75 D of 15 December 1994, in which the Assembly called
upon States to declare a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-
mines, a number of States heeded that call and informed the Secretary-
General of their decisions. Other States provided such information in the
CCW Group of Governmental Experts, during the Review Conference or in the
context of the International Meeting on Mine Clearance. The following list
of action taken is based on that information:
(a) Argentina has declared a five-year moratorium, beginning on 27 March
1995, on the export of anti-personnel land-mines;
(b) Australia has declared that it does not produce anti-personnel
landmines;
(c) Austria has declared that it observes a moratorium on the export of
anti-personnel land-mines and that military stocks of anti-personnel land-
mines have been destroyed;
(d) Belgium has declared an indefinite moratorium on production,
transfer and use of anti-personnel land-mines;
(e) Brazil has declared that, since 1989, there have been no exports of
Brazilian land-mines to any country;
(f) Cambodia has declared that it would legislate a ban on land-mines
and would request that producing countries cease exporting them to
Cambodia;
(g) Canada has declared that it has not exported anti-personnel land-
mines since 1987 nor does it intend to do so in the future;
(h) Chile has declared that it does not produce or export anti-personnel
land-mines;
(i) Colombia has declared that it does not produce or use land-mines;
(j) The Czech Republic has declared a three-year moratorium, beginning
on 5 October 1994, on the export of anti-personnel land-mines;
(k) Ecuador has declared that it does not authorize the export of anti-
personnel land-mines;
(l) Finland hasdeclared that it does not export anti-personnellandmines;
(m) France has declared an indefinite moratorium on the production and
export of all types of anti-personnel land-mines;
(n) Germany has declared a three-year moratorium, beginning 8 June 1994,
on the export of anti-personnel land-mines;
(o) Greece has declared an indefinite moratorium on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines;
(p) Hungary does not manufacture or export anti-personnel land-mines;
(q) Israel has declared a two-year moratorium on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines;
(r) Italy has declared a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel
landmines, which will remain in effect until a new international agreement
governing the production, export and stockpiling of anti-personnel land-
mines enters into force;
(s) Japan has provided information on the national legislation relating
to the export of anti-personnel land-mines and has declared that it does
not engage in any export of land-mines;
(t) Jordan has declared that it does not manufacture or export anti-
personnel land-mines;
(u) Latvia has declared a moratorium on the export of all types of
mines;
(v) Malta has declared that it does not produce or export anti-personnel
land-mines;
(w) Mexico has declared that it does not produce or use land-mines;
(x) The Netherlands has declared an indefinite moratorium on the export
of anti-personnel land-mines to those States which are not party to the CCW
and its Land-mine Protocol;
(y) Poland has established a moratorium on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines that are undetectable by electromagnetic devices or
are non-selfdestructing and non-self-neutralizing. That moratorium will be
in effect till 1998;
(z) Romania has declare a one-year moratorium, beginning on 1 July 1995,
on the export of all land-mines;
(aa) The Russian Federation has declared a three-year moratorium,
beginning January 1993, on the export of non-self-destructing and non-
detectable anti-personnel land-mines;
(bb) Slovenia has declared that it does not export anti-personnel
landmines;
(cc) South Africa has declared an indefinite moratorium on the export of
all land-mines;
(dd) Spain has declared a one-year moratorium on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines, which was extended on 24 February 1995 for another
year;
(ee) Sweden has declared a three-year moratorium on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines;
(ff) Switzerland has declared an indefinite moratorium on the export of
land-mines to those States which are not party to the CCW and its Land-mine
Protocol;
(gg) Thailand has declared that it does not manufacture or export
landmines;
(hh) Turkey has declared that it does not export anti-personnel land-
mines;
(ii) Ukraine has declared that it does not export anti-personnel
landmines, pending the adoption of a formal moratorium;
(jj) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has
declared an indefinite moratorium on the export of non-self-destructing or
non-detectable anti-personnel land-mines, as well as on the export of all
anti-personnel landmines to countries that have not ratified the CCW;
(kk) The United States has declared a one-year moratorium on the export
of anti-personnel land-mines, which was extended on 20 November 1993 for a
period of three years.
(See also the communications of States reproduced in the report of the
Secretary-General (A/49/275 and Add.1) and in section III below.)
9. In order to establish a coordinated multilateral approach, proposals
have been made by the United Kingdom in the Conference on Disarmament, and
by Australia, Sweden and the Netherlands in the CCW Group of Governmental
Experts. In the Conference on Disarmament, the United Kingdom proposed that
States should consider applying a code of conduct to the transfer of anti-
personnel landmines. In the CCW Group of Experts, Australia, Sweden and
the Netherlands proposed that a new article be introduced in the revised
Protocol II of the Convention that would have the effect of prohibiting the
transfer of anti-personnel land-mines to States not party to the CCW, as
well as prohibiting the transfer to any State of non-self-destructing and
non-detectable anti-personnel land-mines. Additionally, the United States
and the United Kingdom have developed a proposal for an anti-personnel
land-mine control programme. The control programme would impose, as a
first step, and with a view to the eventual elimination of anti-personnel
land-mines, restrictions on the production, stockpiling and transfer of
anti-personnel land-mines, in particular long-lived anti-personnel land-
mines, which can explode decades after emplacement. Over 30 countries
attended a meeting held at Budapest on 29 and 30 June 1995 to discuss that
proposal. A second meeting will be held after the CCW Review Conference.
B. Regional initiatives
10. Further progress could be achieved at the regional and subregional
levels through initiatives promoted by regional organizations or groups of
countries. Examples of such initiatives are the decision of the Council of
the European Union (EU) to establish a common action of the 15 States
members to implement General Assembly resolutions 48/75 K and 49/75 D and
the resolution adopted on 23 June 1995 by the Council of Ministers of the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) on the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons and the problems caused by the proliferation of anti-
personnel land-mines in Africa.
11. The moratorium decided by EU applies to the export of non-self-
destructing and non-detectable anti-personnel land-mines, as well as the
export of all anti-personnel land-mines to countries that have not yet
ratified or acceded to the CCW Convention and its Land-mine Protocol.
12. The resolution adopted by OAU reads as follows: See A/50/647, annex
I, resolution CM/Res.1593 (LXII).
"The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting
in its sixty-second ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa, from 21 to 23
June 1995,
"Having considered the recommendations made by the Seminar, organized
jointly by the Organization of African Unity and the International
Committee of the Red Cross at Addis Ababa on 11 and 12 April 1995, on
International Humanitarian Law and the 1980 United Nations Convention on
Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons
Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate
Effects (CM/1884 (LXII), annex 1),
"Considering resolution CM/Res.1526 (LX) on respect for international
humanitarian law and support for humanitarian action in armed conflicts,
adopted by the Council of Ministers at its sixtieth ordinary session, held
at Tunis in June 1994, in particular its paragraph 6 (b), by which the
Council invites States that have not yet become party to the above
Convention to do so,
"Recalling that the Convention will be submitted to the Review Conference
due to take place at Vienna from 25 September to 13 October 1995,
"Noting that to date only three African States have acceded to the
Convention,
"Deeply concerned over the tragic consequences resulting from the
generalized and indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines and the fact
that, of all the regions of the world, Africa is the continent with the
largest number of these weapons and is, as a result, paying the heaviest
toll,
"Particularly alarmed at the significant increase in the number of
victims of anti-personnel mines among the civilian population and the high
cost involved in mine clearing and the rehabilitation of the affected
areas,
"Noting that only appropriate measures adopted by the entire
international community will help put an end to this scourge,
"Noting with concern the ongoing researches aimed at modernizing blinding
laser weapons,
"1. Takes note of the relevant recommendations formulated by the above-
mentioned Seminar;
"2. Condemns cases of flagrant violation of international humanitarian
law by the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines;
"3. Urges all member States that have not yet acceded to the 1980 United
Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Arms to do so as early as
possible;
"4. Further urges member States to participate fully and actively in the
review conference slated for 25 September to 13 October 1995 at Vienna and
to defend a common African position as stated at the above-mentioned
seminar, in particular:
"'(a) The total ban on the manufacture and use of mines;
"'(b) The extension of field of application of the 1980 Convention to
non-international armed conflicts;
"'(c) The addition to the Convention of mechanisms to guarantee its
effective implementation;
"'(d) Mobilization of increased resources for demining and
rehabilitation of infested areas and assistance to the victims';
"5. Appeals to the international community to give increased support to
African national and regional institutions responsible for giving
assistance to victims of anti-personnel mines, in particular the African
Rehabilitation Institute;
"6. Requests the countries that are responsible for this act to provide
the necessary resources and information, including the maps of the
locations of the mines, to the African countries that were victims of the
scourge of mines during the Second World War and during conflicts that
preceded their accession to independence;
"7. Supports the adoption, by the Review Conference, of a protocol
banning blinding laser weapons;
"8. Reiterates the provisions of its resolution CM/Res.1370 (LV) on
refugees and displaced persons, appealing to all member States of the
Organization of African Unity that are able to do so to contribute, through
the Organization of African Unity or any other appropriate arrangements,
expertise, personnel, equipment, technical know-how or any other relevant
resources towards the clearance of land-mines and other unexploded
munitions in areas of potential return of refugees;
"9. Requests the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of
this resolution, and to report to the next session of the Council of
Ministers."
C. Global initiatives
13. At its forty-ninth session, the General Assembly considered the grave
consequences of the indiscriminate use of mines in relation to three
questions: (a) the moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines;
(b) assistance in mine clearance; and (c) the Convention on Certain
Conventional Weapons and its annexed Protocols. It adopted a resolution on
each subject.
14. The developments resulting from the first two initiatives are
summarized in the previous paragraphs or in the report of the Secretary-
General on assistance in mine clearance (A/50/408). The developments
related to the review process of the CCW will be considered by the General
Assembly on the basis of the final documents of the first Review
Conference, which concluded the first phase of its work on 13 October 1995
and will continue its work at resumed sessions to be held at Geneva from 15
to 19 January and from 22 April to 3 May 1996. Regarding the
institutionalization of individually declared moratoriums in a legally
binding instrument such as the CCW Land-mine Protocol, it is relevant to
note that the States participating in the first CCW Review Conference have
accepted the inclusion in the Land-mine Protocol of an article on transfers
of anti-personnel land-mines, although the content of that article is still
under negotiation.
III. INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENTS
ARGENTINA
[Original: Spanish]
[18 April 1995]
1. On 27 March 1995, United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/75 was
approved by Executive Decree No. 435/95. This Decree suspended the export,
sale or transfer of all anti-personnel land-mines without exception for
five years.
2. The moratorium declared by the Argentine Government on the export of
anti-personnel land-mines is the basis for the development of future
actions aimed at establishing a permanent regime to control this type of
device. This moratorium is a first step towards mitigating the harm caused
by the explosion of anti-personnel land-mines.
3. These mines affect the economic feasibility of the areas in question,
jeopardize peace-keeping operations and have an impact on civilian life
after the conflict has ended.
4. The moratorium decreed by the Argentine Republic is in keeping with its
efforts to minimize the serious damage these devices inflict throughout the
world, mostly on civilian populations.
5. The Argentine Republic urges all countries that produce anti-personnel
land-mines to address this human problem, which causes over 150 fatalities
a week.
AUSTRALIA
[Original: English]
[15 May 1995]
1. Australia does not produce anti-personnel land-mines. Thus for
Australia to declare a moratorium on exports is redundant. Australia
supports the action of those countries which have imposed a moratorium on
the export of anti-personnel land-mines to States that are not party to the
1980 Inhumane Weapons Convention.
2. While Australia sympathizes with the humanitarian intent behind
unconditional bans on the export of anti-personnel land-mines, it sees
these as an interim measure that ought not be multilateralized.
3. Since anti-personnel land-mines are legitimate conventional weapons,
their sale ought to be permitted, and confined, to States party to Protocol
II to the Convention. Otherwise countries such as Australia may be forced
to become producers. Such a selective trade ban would encourage States to
ratify the Convention, which needs many more States parties. Long-lived
mines should not be produced or sold, and their use should be exceptional
and virtually phased out. These measures will protect civilians, which is
the main objective of anti-personnel land-mine controls.
4. Australia appeals to Member States to demonstrate their commitment to
the spirit of resolution 49/75 D by actively supporting these proposals at
the first Review Conference of the Inhumane Weapons Convention in September
1995.
BRAZIL
[Original: English]
[6 March 1995]
1. Brazil imposes legal controls on all exports of war material, including
land-mines. Such export operations require an export licence, which is
issued by the Government of Brazil in accordance with strict criteria and
is only granted if, inter alia: (a) the request is made on behalf of a
legitimate government authority; (b) the country in question is not subject
to any United Nations embargo; (c) the export operation is not likely to
cause or aggravate tensions; and (d) there is no breach of relevant
commitments under international law, including humanitarian law.
2. Brazil supports international efforts to strengthen international
humanitarian law, in particular in order to address the grave issue of the
irresponsible dissemination and unlawful use of land-mines. The Government
of Brazil has requested congressional consent to adhere to the Convention
on Certain Conventional Weapons and follows with interest current efforts
to review and strengthen, as appropriate, the Convention, including its
Protocol II on land-mines.
3. The Brazilian contribution to solve the land-mine crisis is also
expressed through the provision of assistance to mine-clearance and peace-
keeping operations in countries affected by the indiscriminate use of land-
mines.
4. Brazil produces land-mines on a small scale only and for its own
legitimate defence purposes. Since 1989, there have been no exports of
Brazilian landmines to any country.
CANADA
[Original: English]
[1 May 1995]
Canada has not exported anti-personnel land-mines since 1987 nor does it
intend to do so in the future. Canada supports the development of a global
regime to control the international transfer of anti-personnel land-mines.
Canada believes that such a regime must complement the Convention on
Certain Conventional Weapons and should be an integral part of it.
CHILE
[Original: Spanish]
[31 May 1995]
Chile has neither produced nor exported anti-personnel land-mines for
more than 10 years; indeed, it was in compliance with the relevant General
Assembly resolution even before that resolution existed. Without prejudice
to the foregoing, Chile has at times considered the use of these devices in
its military planning exclusively for defence purposes, since its
restricted budget prevented it from considering other, more costly devices,
in view of the characteristics of its national territory.
ECUADOR
[Original: Spanish]
[1 May 1995]
1. The Government of Ecuador is pleased to report that there are currently
no natural or legal persons in the territory of the Republic of Ecuador who
are exporting or re-exporting anti-personnel land-mines.
2. In addition, bearing in mind the General Assembly's request for a
moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines, the Government of
Ecuador has decided not to issue permits for the export of this type of
weapon, if any requests for such permits are submitted in future.
EUROPEAN UNION On behalf of the States members of the European Union
that are States Members of the United Nations.
[Original: French]
[31 May 1995]
The European Union, pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 48/75 K and
49/75 D, which urge States to declare a moratorium on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines, wishes to inform the Secretary-General of the United
Nations that on 10 April 1995 the Council of the European Union decided on
a joint action concerning anti-personnel land-mines, one of the points of
which expressly establishes such a moratorium in the following terms:
(a) A joint moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines is
established by the member States in the light of the relevant United
Nations General Assembly resolutions;
(b) This moratorium covers the total prohibition of the export of non-
detectable and non-self-destructing anti-personnel land-mines to all
destinations and also prohibits the export of all other types of anti-
personnel land-mines to States which have not yet ratified the 1980
Convention and its Protocol II;
(c) Member States may institute moratoriums of even broader scope if
they so desire.
JAPAN
[Original: English]
[27 June 1995]
1. The export of anti-personnel land-mines is subject to the following
principles, guidelines and regulations in Japan. Anti-personnel land-mines
are included in item 1 (2) of the annexed list of the Export Trade Control
Order. Available for consultation at the Centre for Disarmament
Affairs.
1. Three principles on arms exports
2. At the session of the Diet held on 1 April 1967, Prime Minister Eisaku
Sato declared the three principles.
3. Arms exports shall not be permitted to the following countries or
regions:
(a) Communist bloc countries;
(b) Countries subject to arms exports embargo under United Nations
resolutions;
(c) Countries involved in or likely to be involved in international
conflict.
2. Policy guideline on arms exports
4. At the session of the Diet held on 27 February 1976, Prime Minister
Takeo Miki announced the government policy guidelines:
(a) The Government, in view of Japan's commitment to peace, has
exercised caution regarding arms exports so as to avoid aggravating
conflicts. The Government shall continue to do so in accordance with the
following policy guideline and shall not promote arms exports:
(i)Arms exports to areas subject to the three principles shall not be
permitted;
(ii)Arms exports to other areas shall be restrained in conformity with
the spirit of the Constitution and the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade
Law;
(iii)Exports of equipment related to arms production (item 1 (15) and
(16) of the annex list of the Export Trade Control Order) are treated in
the same manner as arms;
(b) The term "arms" as referred to in the three principles is defined as
goods that are listed in items 1 (1) to (14) of the annexed list of the
Export Trade Control Order of Japan and that are to be used by military
forces and employed directly in combat.
JORDAN
[Original: English]
[16 June 1995]
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan does not manufacture, and therefore does
not export, any kind of anti-personnel land-mines.
MALTA
[Original: English]
[2 June 1995]
1. The Government of Malta fully supports the content of resolution 49/75
D, entitled "Moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines".
2. Malta does not produce or export anti-personnel land-mines and welcomes
the moratoriums declared by other States on the export of anti-personnel
land-mines.
POLAND
[Original: English]
[6 June 1995]
1. The production of anti-personnel land-mines in Poland was abandoned in
the mid-1980s and the export of those mines has ceased de facto following
the adoption of resolution 48/75 K.
2. The preparatory work on the ordinance of the Council of Ministers of
the Republic of Poland formally introducing a moratorium on the export of
anti-personnel land-mines has entered its final stage.
SLOVENIA
[Original: English]
[16 May 1995]
Slovenia does not export anti-personnel land-mines. Therefore, Slovenia
already applies in practice the moratorium on the export of anti-personnel
landmines, in compliance with General Assembly resolution 49/75 D.
SPAIN
[Original: Spanish]
[31 May 1995]
1. The Spanish authorities have decided to extend for a second year the
policy instituted on 24 February 1994 to deny any request for the export of
anti-personnel land-mines.
2. This decision was taken on 24 February 1995 by the competent body of
the Spanish Government, the Interministerial Board for the Regulation of
Foreign Trade in Defence Materiel and Dual-Use Materiel, composed of
members of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, the Interior,
Economy and Finance, and Industry, Commerce and Tourism, extending the
decision taken on 24 February 1994.
3. The Council of Ministers, at its meeting of 5 May 1995, took express
note of the above-mentioned decision of the Interministerial Board.
4. Accordingly, Spain reiterates its appeal to all the countries of the
international community to adopt similar moratoriums on the export of anti-
personnel land-mines, in the belief that such initiatives will help to
reduce the high human and economic costs entailed by the use of such
weapons.
SWITZERLAND
[Original: French]
[1 May 1995]
1. On 11 May 1994, the Swiss Government decided to impose a moratorium on
the export of anti-personnel land-mines to States which are not parties to
Protocol II of the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the
Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively
Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects.
2. This moratorium covers not only anti-personnel land-mines, but all
mines defined in Protocol II, since mines other than anti-personnel land-
mines may also have indiscriminate effects on the civilian population. The
moratorium also applies to components used in the production of mines.
3. Prior to this decision, the production and transfer of land-mines were
already subject to strict limitations as provided for in the 1972 federal
act on war materiel. This act prohibits, inter alia, the export of war
materiel, including land-mines, to countries at war or threatened by
dangerous tensions.
4. Switzerland feels that the imposition of moratoriums on the export of
landmines is a preliminary step in the effort to address the problems
caused by the indiscriminate use of land-mines.
5. Lastly, Switzerland attaches particular importance to the strengthening
of the provisions of the 1980 Convention and its Protocol II, and to the
accession of all States to these instruments.
UKRAINE
[Original: Russian]
[20 July 1995]
1. The programme for manufacturing conventional weapons on Ukraine to date
does not provide for the development or production of anti-personnel land-
mines or other types of weapons of a selective nature.
2. A draft government decision on the imposition by Ukraine of a
moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines has been drawn up and
submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
3. Ukraine has adopted a state programme for the utilization of
conventional munitions, which provides for the immediate destruction of
anti-personnel landmines. One of Ukraine's enterprises is being equipped
with the necessary capability for this purpose.
4. Lack of sufficient funds in Ukraine is impeding the complete and
effective solution of this problem.
5. During the period from 1992 to 1995, the Ukraine Ministry of Defence
and other state bodies did not conclude any agreements to deliver or sell
anti-personnel land-mines to foreign States and did not sell such weapons
abroad.
6. During those years, Ukraine refused to sell to several States anti-
personnel land-mines with which its armed forces are equipped.
7. After the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopts the decision on the
imposition of a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send the text of the corresponding
document to the United Nations.
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
[Original: English]
[18 May 1995]
1. The United Kingdom believes that there is a pressing need to reduce the
dangers to civilians from the irresponsible use of anti-personnel land-
mines. In July 1994 the United Kingdom announced an indefinite moratorium
on the export of anti-personnel land-mines, the scope of which was extended
on 15 March 1995. The United Kingdom's moratorium now comprises a total ban
on the export of non-self-destructing or non-detectable anti-personnel
land-mines, plus a ban on the export of all anti-personnel land-mines to
countries that have not ratified the 1981 United Nations Weaponry
Convention. The United Kingdom is also bound by a European Union-wide
moratorium covering the same ground.
2. The United Kingdom remains committed to putting an end to trade in non-
self-destructing and non-detectable anti-personnel land-mines, which are
the most dangerous to civilians; and to ensure that even self-destructing
mines are acquired only by responsible countries.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
[Original: English]
[8 September 1995]
1. The United States believes the international community should take
strong action to reduce the threat posed to civilian populations by the
indiscriminate use of land-mines. Hence, on 11 November 1993, the United
States formally introduced in the First Committee of the General Assembly a
draft resolution calling for States to implement moratoriums on anti-
personnel land-mine exports. On 3 November 1994, the United States formally
introduced in the First Committee a similar draft resolution, which called
not only for export moratoriums, but also for further international efforts
to address the problem, with a view to the eventual elimination of anti-
personnel land-mines. Both resolutions were adopted in the General
Assembly by consensus. The United States will formally introduce a similar
resolution in the First Committee during the fiftieth session of the
General Assembly.
2. On 30 November 1993, the United States enacted a three-year extension
of its moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines (Public Law
103-160, of 30 November 1993). Since passage of the 1993 resolution, the
United States has approached States that either produce or export anti-
personnel land-mines, requesting that they also adopt export moratoriums.
3. Further steps are needed to address the scope of problems associated
with indiscriminately placed land-mines. Efforts to clear mines already
laid, to strengthen the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on
the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be
Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects and to establish an
international control programme for anti-personnel land-mines are critical
elements of a comprehensive strategy.
4. The United States is involved in de-mining programmes in Asia, Africa
and Central America. In the last year $46 million has been spent for
global de-mining assistance. The United States also worked closely with
the United Nations to hold an International Meeting on Mine Clearance at
Geneva from 5 to 7 July to raise funds for de-mining and to discuss global
de-mining needs, operational priorities and ongoing programmes. The United
States pledged $12.5 million at the conference.
5. On 24 March 1995 the United States deposited its instrument of
ratification of the CCW. This ensures that the United States will be a
full party at the September Review Conference at Vienna, where we are
committed to strengthening restrictions in the Land-Mine Protocol.
6. The United States and United Kingdom have developed a proposal for an
anti-personnel land-mine control programme. Although the goal is the
eventual elimination of anti-personnel land-mines, as a first step, the
control programme would impose restrictions on the production, stockpiling
and transfer of anti-personnel land-mines, in particular long-lived anti-
personnel land-mines, which can explode decades after emplacement. Over 30
countries attended a meeting at Budapest on 29 and 30 June to discuss the
joint United States/United Kingdom proposal. A second meeting will be held
after the CCW Review Conference.
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