----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Mensah" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 6:55 PM
Subject: [unioNews] Another American blow to multilateralism
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
<H3>Another American blow to multilateralism</H3>
Wolfgang Petritsch IHT
<B>Land mines</B>
GENEVA
Let's be clear about the U.S. announcement Friday on land mines.
Washington's new policy seems to have a lot more to do with the Bush
administration's controversial approach to multilateralism and
internationally accepted norms than it does with a commitment to
address a pressing humanitarian problem.
Monday was the fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the
Ottawa Convention prohibiting antipersonnel mines. Far from being a
rogue effort on the part of a small group of militarily insignificant
states, it has taken hold as the international standard of action to
address in a conclusive manner the human suffering caused by land
mines.
With 141 countries having accepted the convention, Washington's
announcement that it will turn its back on the convention's high
standards seems to reaffirm that while international rules are fine
for the rest of the world, the United States will go its own way.
Experience has shown that when the United States takes a progressive
lead it can have a positive impact. President Bill Clinton was the
first international leader to call for a total ban on antipersonnel
mines. The current administration, however, by taking a narrow
approach on land mines, has failed to seize the opportunity to show
global leadership.
An approach based solely on the supposed tactical needs of U.S.
forces threatens to undermine a higher standard accepted by most of
the world. Undermining this standard will only reverse the
astonishing progress that has been made, and result in additional
civilian victims. In essence, the U.S. policy runs counter to its
stated humanitarian objective.
It is inconceivable that the world's most technologically and
economically superior power cannot forgo what many have referred to
as "the poor man's weapon." And it is naïve to think that
antipersonnel mines will make America safe from terrorism. Virtually
all U.S. military allies have accepted the Ottawa Convention and
consequently have made adjustments necessary to fulfill national
security and defence responsibilities without antipersonnel mines.
The United States has demonstrated no need for antipersonnel mines in
recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. But it continues to
disregard a multilateral solution by refusing to join states with
which it shares common values.
The Ottawa Convention was born out of a desire to make
multilateralism work. The effort has been worth it. Since the
convention took effect five years ago, the use and supply of
antipersonnel mines have been markedly reduced and few new land mines
are being produced. In addition, the convention's members have
destroyed more than 31 million stockpiled mines. Vast tracts of mined
land have been cleared and the number of new victims is decreasing.
Cynics may suggest that the timing of the U.S. announcement - on the
eve of an important anniversary for the Ottawa Convention - was
designed to sap the will of the global movement to end the suffering
caused by land mines. It is clear, however, that there is no stopping
the determination of the 141 countries that have accepted a higher
standard of international rules regarding antipersonnel mines and
that these rules should apply to all states equally.
In November of this year, the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World
will take place. At the meeting, world leaders will review progress
made and establish an action plan to ensure the elimination of
antipersonnel mines. The biggest challenge facing the Nairobi meeting
will be to secure the global commitment necessary to get the job done.
The United States has rightly stated that "communities victimized by
deadly mines left behind after conflict deserve the full cooperation
of all who support mine action" and that differing policy
approaches "deserve to be discussed." So I would expect that rather
than turning its back on the international community, the United
States will participate actively in the Nairobi summit meeting. It is
worthwhile to be a part of this dynamic process and to see effective
multilateralism at work.
***
<i>Wolfgang Petritsch, Austria's ambassador to the United Nations in
Geneva, is the president-designate of the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-
Free World, the first review conference of the Ottawa Convention.
From 1999 to 2002 he was the international community's high
representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.</i>
Copyright © 2003 The International Herald Tribune
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