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Mr. President,
The nature and the scope of the problem created by the irresponsible uses of
land mines is enormous. Almost 40 percent of the UN Member States face the
problem of land mines in one form or another. The victims are mostly innocent
civilians, women and children, during and after conflicts.
2. The latest figures show that an estimated 110 million anti-personnel mines
are scattered around 70 countries. This alarming situation needs immediate
remedial measures.
3. In our neighbourhood, Afghanistan has to cope with the scourge of over 10
million landmines, which cause hundreds of casualties every month. Added to this
problem is the existence of unexploded ordnance. Two decades of foreign
occupation and internecine war has left the entire country infested with
landmines and unexploded ordnance. Despite the paucity of Pakistan’s medical
facilities, hundreds of Afghan mine victims are being treated in our hospitals
and health centers. Many have been provided artificial limbs to rehabilitate
their lives and livelihood.
Mr. President,
4. Encouragingly, there is today greater international realization of the need
to address the problems posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance. The
Secretary General’s report entitled “Assistance in Mine Action” (A/58/260) and
the Third-Year review of the Five-Year United Nations Mine Strategy
(A/58/260/Add.1) reflects these positive trends. The successes noted in the
Secretary General’s report are worth recounting:
Greater awareness on mine action problems through use of information technology;
Improved capacity to respond to emergencies. In this regard emergency Mine
Action Programme for Iraq and seven other priority countries, including
Afghanistan, have received greater attention from the United Nations agencies;
Capacity building among 30-nations to cope with the emergencies relating to
landmines and unexploded ordnance;
Enhanced resource mobilization has had positive impact in increasing the mine
action coverage area. As compared to the donation of $28 million, received by
the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) last year, $67 million has been
mobilized this year.
Mr. President,
5. However, there are four areas which need immediate and concerted efforts:
First: There is a need to increase the programme outreach of the UNMAS
through electronic and print media. Radio and Television can play a vital role
in raising awareness among people living in mine-infested regions and
sensitizing the donor countries at the popular level to remain engaged in
mine-action activities.
Second: Increase the participation of national authorities in Mine-Action
Programme by providing equipment and training to the local people. This can
further lessen the time required for de-mining operations.
Third: Modern de-mining technologies be made available to the affected
countries so that de-mining operations could gather pace and enhance safety of
the personnel involved in such operations.
Fourth: De-mining operations should be supplemented with rehabilitation
programmes for the people such as providing artificial limbs to mine victims and
affording them job opportunities closer to their homes.
Mr. President,
6. Pakistan is committed to peace and prosperity of humanity. Apart from being
the largest troop contributor to UN-led peace-keeping operations, Pakistan has
actively contributed to the de-mining operations in several affected countries
in the past. Pakistan participated in the de-mining operations in Kuwait,
Cambodia, Angola, Bosnia and Western Sahara. We are also helping in de-mining
operations in Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo. We will be ready to
provide training facilities to the mine-affected countries.
7. Pakistan is against the irresponsible use of landmines which has caused so
much destruction and misery. Pakistan remains committed to ensuring the highest
standards of responsibility in the use of these defensive weapons. Pakistan is a
party to the Amended Protocol-II of the Certain Conventional Weapons Convention
(CCW) that regulates the use of landmines, in both internal and external
conflicts, to prevent civilians from falling victim to landmines. We are
continuing to implement the Protocol with the greatest earnestness.
8. Pakistan enjoys a unique record of clearing all mine-fields after the three
wars in South Asia. There has never been a humanitarian situation caused by the
use of these mines. We remain committed to ensuring that mines in our military
inventory will never become a cause for civilian casualties in Pakistan or
elsewhere in the world.
9. Churchill once said: “The UN is not to take us to heaven but to save us from
hell”. Let us together save the world from the hell of landmines and wars.
I thank you, Mr. President.