Responding to a report in today’s issue of USA Today, Canada’s
former Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy says, "clearly
this has implications for any participation by Canada and
any other signatory nation (to the treaty) in any military
action involving mines."
Axworthy, who has dedicated years of work to the International
Landmines Treaty adds that, "in light of this week’s
announcement from Ottawa that Canada is prepared to talk with
the Americans about the creation of a North American missile
shield, now that the two countries have signed a deal to co-operate
on the land and sea defense of North America, Canadians should
be concerned about Ottawa’s quick agreement to cooperate with
the U.S. military given that the U.S. clearly is breaking
an international agreement."
USA Today reports that the Pentagon has announced that they
are preparing to use anti-personnel land mines in a war with
Iraq, despite U.S. policy that calls for the military to stop
using the mines everywhere in the world except Korea by 2003.
15,000 to 20,000 people are killed or maimed worldwide each
year by landmines, according to the United Nations. Of those,
80 per cent are civilians and one-third are children.
To arrange media interviews with Lloyd Axworthy, please contact:
Julie Wagemakers
Liu Institute for Global Issues
604.822.9935 or 778.868.1996
or
Brenda Argue
Liu Institute for Global Issues
604.822.9957
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