NON-SIGNATORIES

BAHRAIN

Key developments since March 1999: Landmine Monitor has discovered that the U.S. Air Force plans to stockpile antipersonnel mines in Bahrain.

Bahrain has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty, nor is it a party to the CCW. At the UN General Assembly in October 1998, the Bahrain representative stated that Bahrain supported a landmine ban and endorsed the Ottawa Convention.⁸⁹ Officials have not spoken on the issue in the UN in 1999 or 2000, nor have they given any indication why they have not acceded to the treaty. On 1 December 1999 Bahrain joined 138 other nations in voting in favor of UNGA resolution 54/54B supporting the Mine Ban Treaty.

Bahrain is not believed to have produced or exported landmines. There is no information on whether it has a stockpile of AP mines.

However, the U.S. may be stockpiling antipersonnel mines at a location near Manama in the near future. According to U.S. Air Force plans for its war reserve ammunition stockpiles in the Persian Gulf region, U.S. Gator antipersonnel mines, as well as Claymore mines, may be introduced and stockpiled in Bahrain. U.S. Air Force documents indicate that ammunition storage facilities in Bahrain will eventually contain 142 CBU-89 Gator mine systems (each containing twenty-two antipersonnel mines) and 141 M18/M18A1 Claymore mines.⁹⁰

Bahrain is not believed to be mine-affected. Bahrain has not contributed any funds to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance or other mine action programs.

EGYPT

Key developments since March 1999: In February 2000 Egypt suspended mine clearance operations, citing lack of funding. Also in February 2000, UNMAS conducted an assessment mission in Egypt. Egypt told the UN that it does not produce or export antipersonnel mines. In April 2000, Egypt formed a national committee for mine clearance. The Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines was held in Cairo in April 2000. The Landmines Struggle Center recorded thirty-seven landmine/UXO victims in 1999.

Mine Ban Policy

Egypt has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Speaking at the UN, an Egyptian representative stated that the treaty "did not take into consideration the legitimate right of States for self-defense, including the use of landmines in certain conditions."⁹¹ Egypt has objected to the treaty because it does not provide a legally binding obligation on states to remove mines they laid in other states. Egypt also believes that AP mines play an important role in self-defense, protection of borders, defense from terrorist attacks, and in deterring drug smuggling. Egypt states that alternatives to landmines must be in place before consideration of a ban; moreover, it believes that at present alternatives are restricted to those states with advanced military capabilities, thus creating an imbalance in the security requirements of states.⁹²

Egypt was one of twenty countries to abstain on the vote on UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54B calling for the universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 December 1999. It had abstained on similar resolutions in 1997 and 1998. Egypt's opposition to the Mine Ban Treaty surfaced again when it blocked pro-treaty wording contained in the final declaration of the Africa-Europe Summit held in Cairo, 3-4 April 2000. Egypt insisted on the removal of a recommendation for states to join the Mine Ban Treaty and introduced weaker language urging efforts within the framework of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), though it is not a state party.⁹³ A German official told Landmine Monitor, "Germany, like other EU member states, regrets very much the Egyptian stance of denying any form of open dialogue on the subject."⁹⁴

The Egypt's anti-Mine Ban Treaty position continued at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines held at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo 9-11 April 2000. Egypt was successful in insuring that the conference recommendations did not include mention of the Mine Ban Treaty but did include endorsement of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) as the appropriate forum to negotiate a comprehensive approach to the landmine problem. Members of the ICBL attending this conference were concerned that the views of pro-treaty mine-affected Arab countries like Yemen and regional NGOs in attendance were not recognized in the concluding statement. In a press report of this event, an unnamed Egyptian Foreign Ministry official stated that government had played no part in organizing the conference.⁹⁵

Egypt did not participate as an observer in the First Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo in May 1999. Egypt attended one of the ban treaty intersessional meetings on Technologies for Mine Action in May 2000 in Geneva.

Egypt is not a state party to the CCW, but participated as an observer in the First Annual Conference of States Parties to CCW Amended Protocol II (Landmines) in December 1999 in Geneva. Egypt links Protocol II ratification with progress on wider regional disarmament and peace agreements. Egypt claims that minefields in its eastern region comply with the marking and mapping requirements contained in Protocol II, but the mines in the Western Desert would not.⁹⁶ In its report on a February 2000 assessment mission to Egypt, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) noted that "minefield marking procedures are limited in terms of warning signs and fencing, particularly in the Western Desert. Safe paths and cleared/suspected areas were not marked effectively in the areas observed."⁹⁷ The UNMAS team was not provided information regarding minefields on Egypt's borders during the mission.⁹⁸

Production and Transfer

Egypt has in the past been a significant producer and exporter of antipersonnel mines.⁹⁹ Since 1997, Egyptian officials have on several occasions, in public fora and in meetings with ban campaigners, maintained that Egypt no longer produces or exports antipersonnel mines. An Egyptian official said to Landmine Monitor in April 2000, "Egypt does not produce nor export antipersonnel landmines."¹⁰⁰ A UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) assessment mission to Egypt in February 2000 was told, "Egypt does not export or produce [AP mines], a position supported by the Minister of Military Production who stated that exportation ceased in 1984, while production had ceased in 1988."¹⁰¹ Despite repeated requests, however, there is no official written policy statement by Egypt declaring that AP mine production and export has ceased.

At the IDEX99 defense fair in the United Arab Emirates, a marketing brochure from the state-run Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries listed several types of mines for sale, including T/78 and T/79 antipersonnel mines. The T/78 and T/79 plastic blast mines were offered in boxes of 100 and 60 respectively.¹⁰² While marketing brochures are not evidence of new production or continued transfer, advertising mines at an international defense fair would appear to represent intention to export the weapon.

Stockpiling

Egypt is assumed to have a large stockpile of antipersonnel mines, but details are not available. An Egyptian official stated that any such information was classified for reasons of military security.¹⁰³

Use

Egypt repeatedly argues that it needs to use mines to defend its borders and to protect against terrorists, smugglers, and other criminal activity. It is unclear, however, if Egypt is actively engaged in mine laying. UNMAS notes, "Unconfirmed reports indicate that landmines have been laid in some other border areas as a result of security concerns and efforts to stop smuggling and other illegal activities."¹⁰⁴ Egyptian officials stress that all mines laid by Egypt for these purposes met international obligations laid down under the CCW. It is not possible to verify this fact or ascertain the exact location of any newly mined areas. Such information remains classified for reasons of state security.¹⁰⁵

The Landmine Problem

While Egypt is sometimes described as seriously affected by landmines and UXO, the most seriously affected areas are sparsely populated. However, development plans and expansion of infrastructure will bring the population and tourists into greater proximity to mined areas.¹⁰⁶ The government has claimed that at least 23 million mines have been laid in Egypt, 17.3 to 19.7 million mines in the western region and 5.1 million mines in the eastern region.¹⁰⁷ These numbers are based on statistical extrapolations of previous clearance efforts conducted by the Egyptian Army between 1983 and 1999.¹⁰⁸

Antipersonnel mines believed to be in the Western Desert include German S-type bounding fragmentation mines and British Mk.2 mines. Antitank mines are thought to include German Riegalmine 43, Tellermine 35, Tellermine 42 and Tellermine 43 mines, Italian B-2 and V-3 mines, and British Mk.5 and Mk.7 mines.¹⁰⁹ UNMAS states, "The level of marking and signposting of minefields and mine suspected areas is extremely limited in the Western Desert area."¹¹⁰

Mines deployed in the Eastern Region include the Russian PMN blast AP mine, the Czech PP-Mi-Sr bounding AP mine, and the Egyptian M/71 AT mine.¹¹¹ UNMAS notes that the PMN is the "leading cause of mine accidents."¹¹² According to UNMAS, "For the minefields in the Eastern Region laid by the Egyptian armed forces and the Israeli military, reliable minefield records and maps are available. Marking and fencing of the minefields in the Eastern Region, while more visible than in the Western Desert region, is still limited or often in need of repair."¹¹³

The huge numbers of mines quoted by Egyptian officials are believed to be inaccurate and greatly exaggerated. A British Ministry of Defense document states that "we consider that the totals - such as the 30 million - cited in the press or in other reports on the mines problem in Egypt are considerable over-estimates."¹¹⁴ Officials from Germany have said, "Documents of the German Afrikakorps and likewise documents of the British 8th Army Division lead to the conclusion that about 1.5 to 2 million landmines are to be found in the Western Desert of Egypt."¹¹⁵

The most likely explanation for the disparity in numbers is that when the Egyptian government cites a figure such as 23 million, it is apparently referring to all unexploded ordnance (UXO), not just landmines. An Egyptian military official recently stated at an international meeting that only 20% of explosive devices removed by the Egyptian Army from the Western Desert were mines.¹¹⁶ The Egyptian government told the UNMAS assessment mission that 25% of the "landmines" in the Western Desert are actual landmines.¹¹⁷ These percentages are reinforced by photographic and statistical data showing large numbers of UXO removed from the Western Desert.¹¹⁸ Thus, using the percentages and total numbers provided by Egyptian officials, there would be 3.5 to 5 million landmines in the Western Desert. The number of antipersonnel mines, as opposed to antitank mines, would obviously be much lower.

Survey and Assessment

UNMAS conducted an assessment mission to Egypt between 9-23 February 2000 and published its findings in July 2000. It does not appear that the Egyptian government has conducted a national level survey of the landmine and UXO problem. UNMAS recommends that a combined Level I/Level II Landmine Impact Survey be conducted in the Western desert region.¹¹⁹ UNMAS notes that a Level I Impact Survey "is not considered appropriate for information collection in the Western Desert region due to the limited population and lack of accurate records relating to the mine/UXO problem."¹²⁰ According to UNMAS, "the vast majority of existing records relating to minefield activities had been provided to the Egyptian Government."¹²¹

Mine Action Funding

Egypt has asked for large-scale international financial support to help clear its mines. Egypt has also been critical of the slow response of international donors to offer significant help, especially former Allied and Axis states. One source has stated that the Egyptian government has asked western countries responsible for mines laid at El Alamain to contribute at least $142 million for demining activities.¹²² Moreover, in an interview with the Al-Ahram Weekly newspaper, Major General Ahamed Hazem, commander of the engineering corps, stated that "Egypt needs approximately $250 million to remove the 21.9 million mines that are still buried on its territory."¹²³ UNMAS noted, "The ongoing statement of a need for $250 million to overcome the problem, without clearer indications of costing breakdowns has also had an effect of alienating some potential donors."¹²⁴ There is no direct UN coordination for mine action funding in Egypt.¹²⁵

The UK government has provided some assistance to Egypt for mine clearance. In 1996, the Department for International Development (DFID) provided $850,000 for the purchase of mine clearance equipment and in 1998 a further $166,000 was provided.¹²⁶ The UK has also, upon the request of the Egyptian government, provided all available maps and historical records, as well as technical documents on mine clearance and military doctrine to help identify the location and nature of UK deployed mines.¹²⁷ Royal Engineer experts from the Ministry of Defense have conducted visits in 1981, 1984 and 1994 to offer technical advice and assistance. All relevant historical records were also made available to the UNMAS mission and the UK Army Historical Branch is currently in the process of putting all relevant information onto CD-ROM.¹²⁸ The UK government admits that historical records on this issue are extremely patchy.

When asked whether the UK would give substantial new funds to mine clearance efforts in the future, the view expressed was that it was unlikely that the UK would wish to provide additional financial assistance on the basis of an Egyptian estimate for the removal of mines. That said, however, it was felt that funds could be available for mine awareness and victim assistance, but that Egypt had not presented any proposals in this area.¹²⁹

The German government has similarly provided maps and historical records, initially in 1982. In 1998, Germany sent mine experts to Egypt for technical assistance and donated 110 Foerter Minex 2 mine detectors, with an estimated value of $411,000.¹³⁰ In 1994, Italy provided training for twenty Egyptian deminers.¹³¹

Egypt has received $1.432 million in U.S. demining assistance to date. Egypt requested U.S. assistance to supplement its national demining efforts in 1997 and was accepted into the U.S. program on 2 September 1998. The U.S. government body that makes demining policy has limited the amount of U.S. funds available to Egypt in light of the $1.3 billion in military aid Egypt receives from the U.S. each year. There is an apparent reluctance on the part of the Egyptians to support its own demining effort with this form of assistance.¹³²

Coordination of Mine Action

The Egyptian government determines priorities and coordinates all planning for demining. Current priorities are agrarian, industrial, petroleum and tourist projects.¹³³ However, UNMAS states, "The linking of mine clearance tasks to with development projects or other activities was not systematised, often resulting in limited coordination in handover of cleared land to follow-on project staff."¹³⁴ Most mine clearance by the Army is accomplished when the national government funds a development project related to the economy. Other factors influencing whether or not demining is accomplished include the nature of the agreement between the government and the landowner and the anticipated total cost of the demining. UNMAS notes, "Current coordination efforts see various concerned ministries and other entities liaising bilaterally with the Ministry of Defense to address needs for mine clearance."¹³⁵

On 3 April 2000 Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebaed issued Decision 750/2000 to form a national committee for mine clearance. Membership in this committee includes fourteen ministries and three regional governorates and three NGOs. Two of these NGOs had not existed prior to this decision and the third does not presently work in the mine action area. The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation heads the committee. Not included in the committee were four mine-affected governorates (Port Saaid, Ismailia, Elseuz, and Red Sea) and the only NGO engaged in mine action in Egypt (Landmines Struggle Center). The mandate of the committee is solely mine clearance.

Egypt does not appear to have developed an integrated humanitarian mine action strategy. Observers have noted that Egypt has not benefited from the recent experiences of the mine clearance community, which has stressed the need to develop mine clearance as a comprehensive strategy involving clearance, mine awareness and victim assistance. A symptom of this may be manifest in Egypt's perception that expensive high technology detection equipment will greatly assist mine clearance operations in the Western Desert and elsewhere.¹³⁶

Mine Clearance

With increasing population pressures along the Nile valley, the Egyptian government stresses the need to develop infrastructure and agriculture in mine-affected areas west of Alexandria. As a result, the government has prioritized four areas of mine clearance, which it hopes to complete by 2002. Depending on greater international donor assistance, a more ambitious target of 2005 has been set to remove all mines from its territory.¹³⁷ These four areas include the cities of Burj Al-Arab and Nubariah, a new road linking Alexandria and Matrouh, agricultural areas alongside Tira't Al-Hamam, Alamain, Ras Al-Hikma, Fouka and Sidi Barani areas, and the development of tourism west of Alexandria, especially in Marsa Matrouh and Ras Al Hikma.¹³⁸

The primary responsibility for mine clearance rests with the Engineering Corps of the Egyptian Army. Approximately 480 army troops are trained in mine clearance, most of whom are deployed in the Western Desert.¹³⁹ The Army uses a combination of manual and mechanical demining methods. UNMAS assessed the Army's clearance capabilities as "well-trained and professional...but by the admission of the Egyptian Government, it is not however capable of clearing the entire landmine problem facing Egypt."¹⁴⁰

Commercial companies, mainly petroleum services companies, also engage in demining employing mostly retired military personnel. These companies are registered and working in demining with the permission of the Army and work on the petroleum and tourist projects using only manual methods with Fisher 65 and Fisher Plus mine detectors.

In February 2000, the Army Engineering Corps announced that its demining operations would be stopped because of insufficient funds.¹⁴¹ Up to 1981, the Egyptian government reports that 11 million mines and UXO were cleared. Between then and 1999, an additional 1.2 million were cleared, 800,000 in the west and 400,000 in the east.¹⁴² Clearance efforts have suffered from financial constraints and have resulted in periodic suspensions of activity. For example, the Army did not demine between 1991-1998.¹⁴³

Mine Awareness

According to UNMAS, "Mine awareness education is undertaken by the military for its Army mine clearance personnel.... Mine awareness education appears extremely limited for the civilian population both in mine affected areas and elsewhere."¹⁴⁴ Egyptian officials have noted that the mines issue is routinely highlighted in the national media.¹⁴⁵ However, there does not appear to be a government strategy to promote mine awareness, particularly in remote areas or to particularly vulnerable sections of the population, such as the nomadic Bedouin tribes. There is also a shortage of warning signs and fencing in known mined areas.

Landmine Casualties

According to information provided by the Egyptian Army in April 2000, there have been 8,313 landmine victims in Egypt, mostly civilians.

The government could not provide information concerning how the statistics on landmine victims are recorded, their types of injuries, or the locations of the incidents. UNMAS notes this is an aspect of the "absence of a coordinated system of data collection."¹⁴⁷ These figures are essentially the same as those given by the Egyptian government to the UN in 1998 for the years 1945-1996.¹⁴⁸

Many incidents are likely to go unreported, especially amongst nomadic Bedouin tribes in the Western desert, as well as in the areas where mines have been deployed to protect against drug cultivation and smuggling.

According to a survey conducted by the Cairo-based Landmines Struggle Center (LSC), the number of mine and UXO victims in 1998 was thirty-three and in 1999 was Thirty-seven.¹⁴⁹ In 1998, thirteen people were killed and twenty wounded, including eight children killed and nine wounded. Sixteen people had accidents in the Eastern area, nine in the Western area, five in Behera governorate, and three in Aswan governorate. Two military deminers were wounded during demining operations in the new port of El Aien-El Sokhna in the East region.

In 1999, fourteen people were killed and twenty-three wounded, including four children killed and six children wounded. Twenty-two had accidents in the Eastern area, six in the Western area, four in Giza governorate, three in Menya governorate, one in Daqahlya governorate, and one in Sharqya governorate.

Between 1 January 2000 and 29 February 2000 the Landmine Struggle Center recorded three deaths and one injury due to mines in Elamar village, Ismailia governorate.

Victim Assistance

Emergency equipment and ambulances are scarce in the mine-affected areas. The medical care available at local clinics and hospitals is not sufficient for the trauma of mine incidents. According to UNMAS, "There is an uneven distribution of health services throughout the country, although the services that are available are to a large extent maintained free to the general public."¹⁵⁰ Additionally, UNMAS notes, "Within the civilian community medical resources for mine injuries did not appear to be as complete throughout the mine affected areas as those for military personnel."¹⁵¹ The State provides medical treatment and artificial limbs to mine victims, but most of the assistance offered is geared towards the treatment of military personnel. For example, the Alagouza military hospital provides artificial limbs and more long-term rehabilitation for servicemen and veterans injured by mines. The only other rehabilitation center for disabled people in Egypt is the Veterans Association, another military organization. Military hospitals will provide some civilian victims with treatment, but they have to contribute up to 50% towards the cost of their treatment.¹⁵²

Law 39/1975 (Executive Roll Number 59/1979) states that disabled should receive free medical care, and provides a structure for the care and rehabilitation of disabled people. However, limited financial resources hamper implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Social Affairs rarely provides pensions to the disabled; recently some landmine victims have been compensated with approximately $45-80. There are no rehabilitation programs existing for mine victims. There is no national body representing the interests of disabled people or mine victims in Egypt.

IRAN

Key developments since March 1999: The first known conference on the landmine problem in Iran was held in Tehran on 15-16 February 2000, organized by the non-governmental High Center of Research and Informatics.

Mine Ban Policy

Iran has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. As reasons, the government has cited its special geographical situation and stated that a prohibition on antipersonnel mines should not prejudice a state's legitimate right of self-defense.¹⁵³ Officials also cite a lack of viable alternatives to defend Iran's borders.¹⁵⁴ Included in almost every statement made by Iranian officials on the mine issue is a plea for the transfer of mine clearance technology and international cooperation. Iranian officials have not made any public statements regarding the mine ban issue in 1999 or 2000.

Iran was one of twenty nations to abstain on the vote on UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54B in support of the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 December 1999, as it had on similar resolutions in 1997 and 1998. Iranian diplomats offered no explanation of these votes at the UN. Iran did not participate in major diplomatic meetings on landmines in 1999 or 2000. Iran is not a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. Iran is a member of the Conference on Disarmament and in 1998 urged others to negotiate prohibitions on landmines within its framework.¹⁵⁵

Production, Stockpiling, Transfer, Use

Iran has produced antipersonnel mines. This includes the YM-I (a copy of the Italian TS-50) and the Mk. 4 (similar to the Egyptian T/78 and Israeli No. 4) mines.¹⁵⁶ It is not known whether Iran is currently producing antipersonnel mines, but it has no policy or formal restrictions against production.

No information is available concerning types, quantities, or location of Iran's AP mine stockpile. Between 1969 and 1979, Iran imported more than 2.5 million AP mines from the U.S. of the M2, M14, M16/M16A1 varieties.

Iran declared a moratorium on the export of antipersonnel mines in 1997, but it is not known if this moratorium is still in effect.¹⁵⁷ Four types of Iranian mines have been found in Afghanistan. Additionally, Human Rights Watch reported in 1998 that Iranian Mk. 4 AP mines have been found in the Ugandan border region of Sudan.

There have been no reports concerning the use of antipersonnel mines by Iran recently.

The Landmine Problem

Government officials claim that during the Iran-Iraq War, over 16 million landmines were planted in Iran covering over 4 million hectares. The number of mines Iran has emplaced on its own borders for security purposes or to deter narcotics trafficking is not known. It is not known if a nationwide survey on mine and UXO contamination has been conducted by the government.

Mine Action

Responsibility for mine action rests with the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Military Services, Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation (MJF), Emam Emdad Committee, and the United Nations. Apparently the activities of these organizations are not well coordinated. According to the Ministry of the Interior's 5-year plan, a budget of $183 million has been estimated to demine 2,796,000 hectares in 1,911 different areas.¹⁵⁸

A UNDP mine action program for western Iran is currently on-hold pending Iranian Government approval and funding. Apparently, the reason for the delay is not related to mine action, but rather budgetary.¹⁵⁹

Mine Clearance

Separate organizations in Iran may undertake mine clearance activities. For example, the Armed Forces General Headquarters has demined several areas of the western border region. Estimates of mines and "explosive devices" removed have ranged from 200,000 in 1996 to 6.2 million in 1998.

To date, with the cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior, 104,000 hectares have been demined and the demining of an additional 2,900,000 hectares is currently under consideration.¹⁶⁰

The military has apparently marked mine-affected areas. Demining in Iran is accomplished manually and also by mechanical methods. Iran has indigenously produced a mechanical clearance vehicle named the Taftan-1. This unmanned, remotely operated vehicle is reported to be able to withstand the impact of mines weighing up to 10 kilograms.¹⁶¹

Mine Awareness

Apparently, there are currently no mine awareness programs in Iran. However, the "First International Conference on Land Mine Victim Assistance during Peace Period" was held in Tehran on 15-16 February 2000. It was organized by the High Center of Research and Informatics (HCRI), which is affiliated with the Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation, with the cooperation of the Trauma Care Foundation (Norway) and World Health Organization. Different organizations, ministries, members of the Armed Forces as well as some local landmine injured people participated in the conference. This was the first known conference about the landmine problem in Iran and may in the future lead to increased mine awareness and victim assistance efforts in Iran.

Landmine Casualties

The exact number of people who have been killed or injured by AP mines in Iran is not available. However, in January 2000 a survey was conducted in Eylam, a western province of Iran, by HCRI with the purpose of preparing a statistical evaluation of civilian mine victims. According to this survey, Eylam, with the population of about 500,000, and having the longest common border with Iraq (about 250 km) has the most infected landmine areas in comparison with other western provinces. Mehran, Dehloran and Moosian are the most infected areas/towns in this province. The majority of fatalities were people under the age of twenty (ninety-eight deaths). Another group at high risk is shepherds whose lifestyle makes them extremely vulnerable. The following table shows the range of landmine casualties during the past 10 years in Eylam province:¹⁶²

Victim Assistance

Little is known about programs in Iran to care for landmine victims and raise awareness of landmines. HCRI is planning to undertake a pilot study of the assistance and awareness programs for victims and affected communities, especially in Eylam province. HCRI (Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation) has presented a project on mine victim assistance to the Iranian Ministry of Health and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

IRAQ

Key developments since March 1999: The United Nations expressed concern in mid-2000 about incidences of freshly laid mines being found in previously cleared minefields in Northern Iraq. It did not identify the mine user.

Iraq has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty, nor is it a party to the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). Iraq became a member of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in 1996, and in 1997 the Iraqi Ambassador to the UN urged the CD to launch negotiations on a global landmine ban.¹⁶³ However, the Iraqi government is not known to have made any public statements with regard to a mine ban since 1997. Iraq has not been eligible to vote on the pro-ban UN General Assembly resolutions because of failure to pay dues.

Iraq is both a producer and an exporter of antipersonnel mines. It remains the only known mine exporter in the world that has not instituted an export ban or moratorium, or at least made a policy declaration of no current export. Though Iraq deployed enormous quantities of mines in Kuwait and Iraqi Kurdistan, the vast majority of mines used were imported.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has identified AP mines from the following countries as having been used by Iraq in Iraqi Kurdistan, in Kuwait, on the borders with Kuwait and/or Saudi Arabia, or found in Iraqi stocks: Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Romania, Singapore, the former Soviet Union and the U.S.¹⁶⁴

A United Nations report in June 2000 noted that the UN Office for Project Services "remains concerned about the incidences of freshly laid mines being found in previously cleared minefields."¹⁶⁵ The report does not identify the user of mines, though it is likely the PKK (see Northern Iraq Landmine Monitor report).

Iraq is severely mine-affected as a consequence of the Gulf War, the Iran-Iraq War, and two decades of internal conflict. According to the U.S. State Department, the government before 1991 primarily planted landmines in northern Iraq. Apparently many of the mines were laid during the Iran-Iraq War, and the army failed to clear them before it abandoned the area. Landmines are also a problem along the Iraq-Iran border throughout central and southern Iraq.¹⁶⁶

Mine awareness and mine clearance programs appear to be underway only in Iraqi Kurdistan, with both the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) as well as the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) being active in this region (see separate report on Iraqi Kurdistan). In December 1998 the Iraqi government declared this mine-clearing activity in northern Iraq to be subversive.¹⁶⁷ It stated that the clearance was being performed without Baghdad's permission, and that it violated Security Council resolutions on the need to "respect Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty."¹⁶⁸

Care for landmine survivors is minimal. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) developed an orthopedic program that was initiated in Iraq in 1993. Decentralized prosthetic/orthotic centers were created in Basra, Mosul and Najef in collaboration with the ministry of Health and the Iraqi Red Crescent Society.¹⁶⁹

ISRAEL

Key developments since March 1999: In May 2000, Israel withdrew from south Lebanon, where both Israeli forces and armed non-state actors have used mines extensively. In May 1999, Israel extended its export moratorium for three years. In November 1999 the State Comptroller's Office released an important report on landmines that concluded, among other things, that 350 Israeli antipersonnel minefields were no longer vital to security.

Mine Ban Policy

Israel has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. In November 1999 Israel's representative to the UN stated that Israel "reserved the right to use landmines to protect its citizens."¹⁷⁰ Israeli diplomats cite its geographic circumstances, the constant threat of hostilities, and the necessity to protect its armed forces and citizens as factors underlying Israel's policy.

Israel was one of twelve observer delegations at the First Meeting of States Parties of the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo, Mozambique in May 1999. At this event, the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Department of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs further articulated Israel's view:

The State of Israel whole-heartedly supports the ultimate goal of this Convention.... It is also actively seeking to forge a new reality with its neighbors...that would render the need for such devices, and the pain and suffering they cause, obsolete.... Israel supports a gradual process in which each state will begin doing its part to reduce the indiscriminate use of landmines, toward the eventual goal of a total ban. We believe the best way to achieve this lies along the path we have already set with our neighbors: Working within the framework of regional cooperation. We believe that the first step should be the elimination of the production of APLs [antipersonnel landmines] to be followed by finding appropriate replacements for landmines and then, later on, when security circumstances allow, a total ban on the use of APLs.¹⁷¹

Israel abstained on the vote on the December 1999 UN General Assembly resolution supporting the Mine Ban Treaty, as it had on similar resolutions in the past.

Israel attended four of the ban treaty Intersessional Standing Committee of Experts meetings -- on Mine Clearance and Victim Assistance in September 1999, and on Mine Action Technologies and Stockpile Destruction in December 1999, all held in Geneva.

Between March and September 1998, the State Comptroller's Office conducted an audit of the Israel Defense Forces policies on mine laying, and issued a detailed report in 1999.¹⁷² The report reflects the seriousness with which Israel addresses the landmine issue, a commendable degree of transparency, and a willingness to examine critically a wide range of military institutions and practices related to landmines.

Israel is a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons and its original Protocol II on landmines. Israeli officials said in May 1999, in December 1999 and again in May 2000 that Israel was in the final stages of approval for accession to Amended Protocol II.¹⁷³ Israel has already said that Israeli use of mines "remains strictly within the constraints set by the amended Protocol II of the CCW."¹⁷⁴ Israel attended the First Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in December 1999 in Geneva, but did not make a statement to the plenary. In a meeting with members of the ICBL at that time, an Israeli official said that Israel had some concerns about the provisions of Article 5, Paragraph 2 (b) of the amended protocol.¹⁷⁵ This provision prohibits the use of non-self-destructing AP mines unless "such weapons are cleared before the area is abandoned, unless the area is turned over to the forces of another State which accepts responsibility for the maintenance of the protections required by this article and the subsequent clearance of those weapons."

Israel's full compliance with Protocol II is called into question by the findings of the 1999 audit by the State Comptroller's Office. The State Comptroller's report notes that "the protocol has not been inserted into [IDF] orders and has not been published by the IDF in Hebrew." The report also details inadequate marking and monitoring measures taken by Israel in the Occupied Territories and Golan Heights.¹⁷⁶

Israel is a member of the Conference on Disarmament and supports the idea of negotiations on a global export ban at that venue.

Production, Transfer, and Stockpiling

Israel has produced and exported AP mines in the past.¹⁷⁷ Since December 1997, Israel has frequently stated that it "does not" produce antipersonnel mines.¹⁷⁸ Israel is the only non-signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty that has declared a halt to AP mine production since the beginning of the Ottawa Process in 1996. It is unknown when production stopped, and it is unclear if a formal moratorium or ban is in place. An Israeli official told the ICBL in December 1999 that Israel does not rule out production of AP mines in the future if the situation requires it.¹⁷⁹

In 1994, Israel instituted a three-year unilateral moratorium on the export of AP mines. The moratorium was renewed for three years in 1996, and was renewed again for three years in May 1999.¹⁸⁰ The size and composition of Israel's current AP mine stockpile are not known. One Israeli official has said the current stockpile is adequate for responding to a crisis.¹⁸¹ Although Israel has said it will need to have alternatives in place before it can give up AP mines, it apparently does not have an active program seeking alternatives.¹⁸²

Use

Israel has employed antipersonnel mines along its borders, near military camps and training areas, and near sensitive areas like water pump stations and electric power facilities. As the peace process evolved in the region, some minefields have been transferred as part of territory returned to Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian control.

Both Israel and non-state actors, notably Hezbollah, have used antipersonnel mines in south Lebanon. When Israel withdrew from the occupied zone in late May 2000, it gave the UN detailed maps delineating the Israeli-planted minefields in south Lebanon.¹⁸³ Some reports indicate that the IDF and its ally, the South Lebanon Army, used antipersonnel mines in southern Lebanon in anticipation of the withdrawal. This is supported by a number of mine incidents in areas of southern Lebanon that had not been known to be mine-affected. For example, on 16 January 2000 a mine in the Kfarhouna area in Jezzine Cadaa, a village from which Israeli forces recently withdrew, killed two persons.¹⁸⁴

The United Nations Mine Action Service conducted an emergency assessment mission to southern Lebanon from 26 May-1 June 2000. It reported that "many of the 80+ positions evacuated by the IDF and the de-facto forces (DDF) are suspected to be contaminated by nuisance minefields and booby traps.... Most minefields and dangerous areas remain unfenced and unmarked."¹⁸⁵ One report stated that UN peacekeepers estimated that Israel and the SLA left 70,000 antipersonnel mines "in and around their abandoned compounds" in southern Lebanon.¹⁸⁶ A 21 June 2000 news account said that, according to United Nations experts, there are about 130,000 mines and other explosive devices scattered over the area formerly occupied by Israel.¹⁸⁷

In December 1999 an Israeli official stated that Hezbollah had continued to use mines and improvised explosive devices regularly during the year. He noted that Israel would give consideration to both sides refraining from use of mines, but that the other side refuses.¹⁸⁸



The Landmine Problem

The U.S. State Department has estimated that there are 260,000 mines in Israel.¹⁸⁹ The mines are mostly along the borders with Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and territories captured in the 1967 war (i.e. West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights). Aside from mines emplaced by the IDF, this figure includes mines laid prior to the establishment of Israel by the British and during subsequent conflicts by Jordan and Syria.¹⁹⁰

In 1999, the Israeli State Comptroller's Office published an audit of mine use policies and practices. The audit states that there are 350 antipersonnel minefields emplaced by the IDF and other belligerent parties that are no longer "vital to the security of the state." This includes minefields within the state of Israel proper, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Additionally, the State Comptroller noted that an unspecified number of minefields in the Jordan Valley and the Arava are "also no longer vital."¹⁹¹

According to an IDF General Staff order titled "Laying and Removal of Mines," any minefield and any area that is mined or suspected of being mined shall be fenced off and posted with warning signs. The IDF is required to check the fencing and sign posting of the minefields and the areas suspected of being mined at least once a year, in some instances every six months.¹⁹² The State Comptroller's audit found that some minefields are not properly marked or fenced and are not inspected within the prescribed time. This finding includes minefields in Israel proper, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and areas controlled by Israel in the Golan Heights. For example:¹⁹³

· Eight minefields and areas suspected of being mined on and at the foot of the Golan Heights (old Syrian mines) were not fenced off. Six of the above areas are in the Jordan Park area.

· In fifty-nine of the seventy-six of the minefields examined, no external inspection was conducted within six months after the previous inspection, as required. In thirty-six minefields, no such inspection was performed in the course of the year.

· The cumulative perimeter of the areas suspected of being mined within the Southern Command region was about 350 kilometers; in view of the limitations in resources and order of battle, the required fencing and sign posting of the areas suspected of being mined was impossible to carry out.

· Data supplied by the Israel Defense Forces show that between January 1997 and May 1998, nine cases of mine explosions occurred as the result of malfunctions caused by failure to obey or to comply with rules. In two of those cases, humans were injured.

In July 1998, the Israel Defense Forces Department of Field Security considered the issue of unmarked minefields and concluded that "minefields [that] constitute part of an obstacle laid by our forces on the front lines...there is no possibility of marking them on civilian maps. Regarding minefields that were laid by enemy forces...there is no impediment to marking them on the maps. Regarding minefields located in the vicinity of sensitive sites, such as electrical power stations, water pumps and the like, there is no impediment to marking them on the maps."¹⁹⁴

Part of the State Comptroller's report remains classified but the part of the report publicly released included recommendations for operational, doctrinal, and logistical procedural adjustments.¹⁹⁵ These recommendations are in the process of being examined by the Israeli military.

Mine Action

In January 1999, the division of Finances, Equipment, and Property in the Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that it was examining the possibility of IDF evacuating unnecessary minefields, as well as adjacent areas suspected of being mined. To advance the process, the State Comptroller recommended the appointment of an inter-ministerial committee to examine all aspects of the subject, and to guide government policy.¹⁹⁶ There are four companies registered with the government as providers of mine clearance services.

Israel's demining capabilities are quite significant. Indigenously developed mine clearing equipment includes: AP mine safety shoes; a lightweight in-stride mine extractor for surface munitions clearance; a teleoperation kit to convert a vehicle into a remotely controlled unit; a track-width mine plow; an on-board anti-magnetic mine actuating device; a highly mobile rear-engine four wheeled all terrain vehicle; ground penetrating radar; and, a twin roller bank system coupled to a heavy-tracked tractor.¹⁹⁷

In addition, Israel's Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) is in the process of developing: a tree and shrub clearing shredder; a mini-flail; a lightweight flail mounted on a small remote-operated tractor; a self-powered heavy flail; a standard deep-rooter; and a soil combine-sifter-crusher. ¹⁹⁸

In 1997, Israel and Jordan carried out a combined project of clearing minefields along their shared border. Israel is currently involved in a multilateral humanitarian mine clearance project with Jordan and has offered the Jordanian engineering corps additional mine clearing equipment and safety gear.¹⁹⁹ In addition, Israel has offered to fund a mine victims rehabilitation program and is willing to provide technical training assistance for its medical staff.²⁰⁰ Four Jordanian landmine victims, three adults and a child, have undergone extensive treatment and rehabilitation at Israel's Beit Levenstein and Schneider's Children's Hospital.²⁰¹

Since 1996, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been engaged in mine clearance and mine awareness operations in Angola. An Israeli NGO, Aid Without Borders, conducts mine awareness education programs in Angola under the auspices of UNICEF. Aid Without Borders has also been active in Kosovo where it taught mine awareness to children in conjunction with the British Mines Advisory Group.²⁰²

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also operates a joint landmine assistance program with Canada in Guatemala. Canada's sphere of responsibility in the program includes both physical and psychological rehabilitation, while Israel is involved with the economic rehabilitation of mine victims. This economic rehabilitation consists of encouraging and teaching landmine survivors to establish and successfully run independent micro-enterprises or other small businesses.²⁰³

Weapons and explosives are part of daily life in Israel. During "special terrorism awareness" sessions, Israeli school children are shown detailed pictorial images of various landmines and are taught to avoid them.²⁰⁴ In addition, all military graduates in Israel possess considerable awareness of mines as a result of their army service.

Landmine Casualties

Civilians have fallen casualty to landmines in the Golan Heights, West Bank, and other areas (see separate reports on Golan and Palestine). A detailed statistical record of landmine casualties is currently unavailable, as victims of landmines are treated under the general category of "Victims of Hostile Activities." Therefore, there is no specific statistical category reserved for landmine casualties. However, the 1999 State Comptroller's Report noted that "between January 1997 and May 1998, nine cases of mine explosions occurred as the result of malfunctions caused by failure to obey or to comply with rules.... [Consequently,] there was one death and seven injuries."²⁰⁵

Although official detailed statistics on mine incidents are sparse, the Israeli media occasionally reports on mine casualties suffered by soldiers. For example, on 5 June 2000, the media reported that an Israeli soldier was severely wounded while clearing minefields along the Israeli-Lebanese border.²⁰⁶

Survivor Assistance²⁰⁷

In April 1999, Israel hosted an international workshop on the rehabilitation of landmine victims.²⁰⁸ Israel's comprehensive Bituach Leumi, or National Insurance Service, completely covers the cost of treatment for victims of landmines. Victims of landmines in Israel (whether citizens, tourists, students, or anyone who has entered the country legally²⁰⁹) are included in the Health Services clause of "Victims of Hostile Activities," and as such, are provided extensive treatment. This treatment includes an initial evaluation, subsequent operations, and extensive orthopedic rehabilitation. Patients are provided with psychological therapy and counseling, as well as occupational, speech, and physical therapy. They also receive an appropriate prosthetic device, or devices.

Israel also provides extensive vocational training and outpatient treatment. The Ministry of Work and Social Welfare, the National Health Insurance Institute, and the General Sick Fund (Israel's largest HMO) jointly run vocational schools for landmine victims. After an initial assessment by the vocational school, the patient selects a course of interest, and upon successful completion of a final exam, receives a professional degree. Israel's comprehensive rehabilitative vocational facilities enable the landmine victim to return to the workplace, providing him or her with a sense of success and inclusion in society.

Additional benefits to landmine survivors include a monthly pension, and the ability to purchase a car without tax. If the patient is unable or does not wish to drive, a transportation stipend can be provided. Israel also has parking spaces reserved for handicapped people, and most new buildings have elevators and ramps for handicapped and disabled people.

Medical centers that are involved in the treatment of civilian landmine victims and survivors are: Beit Levenstein in Rannana, Tel Hashomer in Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv University Medical Center, and Schneider's Children's Hospital in Petach Tikvah.

Soldiers wounded by landmines are provided with the same comprehensive rehabilitative treatment as civilians, with two exceptions: injured soldiers receive treatment from army medical teams instead of civilian doctors, and receive a higher monthly pension. ²¹⁰

KUWAIT

Key developments since March 1999: Landmines are still being found in Kuwait in both coastal and desert areas, and mine clearance operations are ongoing. In 1999 the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research established the "Kuwait Environmental Information System" that records and plots the locations of mines and UXO recovered. Previously unknown, it appears Kuwait has a stockpile of antipersonnel mines numbering more than 45,000. The United States also apparently stockpiles antipersonnel mines in Kuwait.

Mine Ban Policy

Kuwait has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty nor has the government provided any reason for not joining the treaty. In October 1999, the Kuwaiti representative at the UN First Committee stated that antipersonnel mines were of "great concern, and the international community needed to look into the best means for their elimination."²¹¹ Kuwait, as in the past, voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54B supporting the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 December 1999. Kuwait is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, but it did attend the First Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II (Landmines) in December 1999 in Geneva. Kuwait is not a member of the Conference on Disarmament.

Production, Transfer, Use, Stockpiling

It is not believed that Kuwait has produced or exported antipersonnel mines. It is not known if Kuwait has imported or used antipersonnel mines.

Citing the United Nations database, Landmine Monitor Report 1999 reported that Kuwait had said it did not have a stockpile of antipersonnel mines.²¹² However, based on information obtained from the Kuwait Ministry of Defense, it appears that Kuwait has collected and stored at least 45,845 antipersonnel mines cleared during the demining operations conducted after the Gulf War.²¹³ This represents 4.3% of the total number of antipersonnel mines removed in Kuwait. In addition to the AP mines, 48,742 antitank mines were retained.²¹⁴ According to a study conducted by the Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait, "During mine clearing operations, the working teams destroyed the damaged mines which were hazardous to manipulate. The usable ones were collected in order to be stored."²¹⁵

It is not known if these mines were subsequently destroyed or retained by Kuwait for unspecified purposes. The majority of the antipersonnel mines retained and stored by Kuwait came from the northeast part of the country that was cleared by Pakistani deminers, and from the Kuwait City-Ahmadi sector cleared by Kuwaiti deminers.²¹⁶ The types of AP mines retained and stored are unknown.

According to information dated 1997, the United States stockpiles 696 MOPMS and 8,200 Volcano antipersonnel mines as part of pre-positioned U.S. Army equipment stored in Kuwait.²¹⁷

The Landmine Problem

Landmines are still being found in Kuwait in coastal and desert areas, including rough vegetated sandy plains, sabkhas, active drainage basins, and oil contaminated patches.²¹⁸ Emergency teams are still clearing mines in several areas.²¹⁹

During the 1990-1991 Iraqi occupation and subsequent liberation of Kuwait, almost 97.8% of the land area of Kuwait became mine or UXO affected. The most heavily mined areas were the northern coast of Kuwait Bay (610 mines per square kilometer) and the Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border (917 mines per square kilometer).

As of 3 April 1999, a total of 1,646,916 landmines had been recovered from the coastal and desert areas of Kuwait, including 1,078,961 antipersonnel mines and 567,955 antitank mines.²²⁰ The statewide density of the recovered landmines was approximately 92 mines per square kilometer and a ratio of 1.1 mines per person.

Survey and Assessment²²¹

The Kuwait Ministry of Defense conducted an in-depth assessment and survey for the extent of the mine and UXO problem in Kuwait in 1991 and subdivided the country into eight sectors for subsequent clearance.

In 1998, the Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait prepared a complete set of maps showing the geographic extent and density of the various types of landmines. Mapping was based on information obtained during demining operations. In 1999 the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research established the "Kuwait Environmental Information System" that records and plots the locations of mines and UXO recovered.²²²

Mine Action Funding

Immediately after the liberation of Kuwait in February 1991, the government of Kuwait planned for an integrated mine and UXO clearance program. Its duration was twenty-four months and cost approximately $728 million. The government of Kuwait financed the entire program.

Kuwait has not contributed funds toward international mine action programs due to budgetary limitations and infrastructure rebuilding costs.

Coordination of Mine Action

A national mine clearance plan was established by the Ministry of Defence in 1991. Priority was given to populated areas, transportation nodes, infrastructure, oil fields, and recreation facilities. The national plan consisted of the three phases. The military and contractors continue in the on-going third phase to complete pending operations and carry out new tasks requested by the government and private authorities, as well as quality control.

The Engineering Corps (Ministry of Defense) and the Ministry of the Interior are responsible for the coordination of mine action operations. The latter body deals with mines and UXO in populated areas, while the former deals with these explosives in desert areas (unpopulated). The two bodies receive notices from the public and governmental organizations on the existence of mines and UXO. The Fire and Safety department of the Kuwait Oil Company is responsible for the coordination of mine clearance in company areas and has direct contact with the Engineering Corps.

Mine Clearance

Contracts have been signed with the Bangladeshi military, an American consulting company, and local companies to conduct on-going clearance in nearly half of Kuwaiti territory (8,035 square kilometers) over the next five years. From 16 June 1997 to 12 December 1998 approximately 380 mines were recovered from desert areas in Kuwait. From 12 December 1998 to 3 April 1999, twenty-two mines were cleared.²²³

The Engineering Corps is currently clearing seismic survey tracks for the Kuwait Oil Company, as well as electricity and oil line tracks, according to the requests received by the Kuwaiti Army.²²⁴ Two Bangladeshi battalions are engaged in mine clearance under the supervision of the Engineering Corps.

Mine Awareness

Mine awareness activities are on-going in Kuwait. In May 2000, the Kuwait Red Crescent arranged an exhibition on the hazards of antipersonnel mines.

As part of the integrated mine action effort, the government established a mine awareness program that produced maps, posters, pamphlets and media programs on the distribution, types, and hazards of mines and UXO. The Ministry of Defence issued a 160-page guide for deminers that included the specifications, mechanism of operation and safety measures of landmines and ammunition found in Kuwait. The book covers cluster bombs (eight types), antipersonnel mines (VS50, PMN, Type 72, SB33, P40, VS.T), antitank mines (P2, MARK3, VS1.6, VS2.2, Type 72), mortars (fifteen types), artillery ammunition (twelve types), tank ammunition (six types), grenades (twelve types), RPG and missiles (six types).²²⁵ Another similar twenty-eight-page guide was distributed to the public with the warning "report all suspected strange objects."²²⁶

The Kuwait Red Crescent Society arranged, in 1997, an exhibition with the theme landmines should be stopped and included several pavilions displaying the effects of landmines. Additionally, Kuwait Red Crescent Society issued a 40-page booklet that discusses international law and the landmines in Kuwait entitled "Landmines Must be Stopped" in English, French and Arabic.

Landmine Casualties

The government conducted a countrywide survey of the number of people killed and injured by mines and UXO between 1991 to 1993.²²⁷ A total of 429 persons were wounded and twenty killed by mines and UXO. Regarding children under 16 years, 5 were killed and 149 were wounded. For adults, 15 were killed (all men) and 280 were wounded (18 women and 262 men). 51 victims had limbs amputed.²²⁸ All victims have received prosthetic devices. The mine incidents took place in both urban and desert areas.

The number and nationalities of deminers killed or injured between 1991 and 3 April 1999 during clearance operations in Kuwait is presented in the following table.²²⁹

Victim Assistance

For landmine and UXO victims medical and rehabilitative services are generally free except for some items like wheelchairs that are partially paid for by victims. Health care and medical treatment are sponsored by the government of Kuwait and disabled persons receive pensions. The medical expenditure incurred by the state to treat traumatic injuries caused by a mine or UXO accident, from initial visit to the emergency room through psysiotherapy, totals $17,331.²³⁰

The Ministry of Health with the cooperation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour constitute a national level coordination body focused on disability issues. For disabled persons in Kuwait facilities and services are available. These involve rehabilitation centers, manfacturing of orthopaedic devices and appliances, physiotherapy, prosthetic technicians, occupational therapists, psychologists, and vocational rehabilitation programs. Kuwait Red Crescent Society provides services for disabled persons and landmine victims in the whole country. There are no specific disability laws or decrees in Kuwait.

LEBANON

Key developments since March 1999: Israel's withdrawal from its occupied zone in South Lebanon in May 2000 revealed a high level of contamination in the area, and greatly increased risk to civilians. The Landmines Resource Center documented fifty mine casualties nationwide in 1999; media reports indicated twenty casualties in one month just in South Lebanon following the withdrawal. Both Israeli forces and non-state actors used mines in South Lebanon in this reporting period.

Mine Ban Policy

Lebanon has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. The Prime Minister told Landmine Monitor in January 2000 that Lebanon supports the treaty's goals.²³¹ In June 1997 the Foreign Ministry said, "Lebanon will sign the treaty whenever Israel withdraws."²³² In December 1998 the Foreign Ministry said, "Lebanon did not sign the Treaty due to the Israeli occupation of West Bakaa and South Lebanon."²³³ According to the report of a United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) assessment mission conducted in February 1999, "The Government of Lebanon has indicated its intention to sign both Landmine Conventions as soon as [UN General Assembly] Resolution 425 is successfully implemented and the Government of Israel signs the same Conventions."²³⁴ There has been no policy statement from the Lebanese government on the Mine Ban Treaty since Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon in late May 2000.

Lebanon became the first country to vote against a pro-ban resolution at the UN General Assembly when on 1 December 1999 it voted against UNGA Resolution 54/54B, calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty.²³⁵ Lebanon had voted yes on similar resolutions in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Lebanese diplomats made no explanation of the vote. No clarifying comments could be obtained from the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lebanon did not participate in any of diplomatic meetings regarding landmines in 1999 or 2000. Lebanon is not a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, nor is it a member of the Conference on Disarmament.

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling, and Use

Although the government has not confirmed it, Lebanon is not thought to have produced or exported antipersonnel mines. The Lebanese Army is believed to have a stockpile of AP mines, but its size and composition are not known.

Since 1975, forces reported to have used landmines in Lebanon include the Lebanese Army, local militia groups, the Syrian Army, various armed Palestinian groups, Israel Defense Forces, and the South Lebanon Army.²³⁶ In 1999 and 2000 the only known use of antipersonnel mines in Lebanon was in occupied South Lebanon by Israel and armed non-state actors, likely Hezbollah. An Israeli official claimed that Hezbollah used mines regularly in South Lebanon in 1999,²³⁷ but a key spokesman affiliated with Hezbollah stated in March 2000 that they generally do not classify themselves as landmine users.²³⁸

Landmine Problem

Estimates of the number of mines and minefields in Lebanon vary greatly. The Lebanese Army claims that there are more than 150,000 landmines in 518 minefields in the following areas:²³⁹

· eighteen minefields or suspected minefields in the Beirut area including Ras El Nabeh, Ras El Nabeh Cemeteries, Mathaf Olivetti, Sahat Al Abd, Syoufi Garden, and Sharshabouh District.

· Forty-seven minefields or suspected minefields near the Baabda area including the Faculty of Sciences of Lebanon University, Kfarshima, Salima, Arbaniyya, Zandouka, Shwet, Araya, Ras El Harf, and Ain El Remmeneh.

· Thirty-eight minefields or suspected minefields around Northern Metn including Wadi Jamajem, Ain Teffaha, Sannin, Sin El Fil, Shalouhi, Saloumi, Zaghrin, Kossaybeh, Shamoun Buildings, Ayroun, and Dawwar.

· Fifty-eight minefields or suspected minefields near Chouf including Deir El Kamar, Barouk Ceders, Ikleem Al Kharroub, KfarMatta, Ain Ksour, Ain Zhalta, Ain El Hawtr, Mtoulleh, Bakkifa, Hasrout, and Shourit.

· One hundred-fifteen minefields or suspected minefields in the Aley are including Souk El Gharb, Kayfoun, Aytat, Maaroufieh, Aley Ras El Jabal, Bmakkin, Ain Ksour, Binnay, Abey, Baysour, Btater, and Ain Drafeil.

· Thirty-three minefields or suspected minefields near Kesserwan including Ouyoun El Siman, Geita, Sakiat El Meftiey, Klayaat, Deir Afs, and Bakaata.

· Sixty-five minefields or suspected minefields in the Jbeil are including Jouroud Al Akoura, Barbara, the Old Tripoli Road, Bejjeh, Shmout, Fghal, and Afka.

· Ten minefields or suspected minefields near Koura including Zghorta Matawleh, Shanata, Wata Fares, Kateh Fares, and Majdal.

· Seventy-eight minefields or suspected minefields near Batroun including Shabteen, Sourat, Harbouna, Zan, Toula, Douk, Dahr Abi Yaghi, Tannourine, Sghar, Masrah, Artez, Niha, Koura, and Bekhaaz.

· Fifteen minefields or suspected minefields near Bsharry including Mazraat Bani Assaf, Mnazraat Bani Saab, and Metrit.

· One minefield at the Klayat Airbase in Akkar.

· Five minefields or suspected minefields near Saida including Tanbourit, Barti, Zeghedraya, Kfarhatta, Maghdoushi, and Jabal Hemedeh.

· Six minefields or suspected minefields near Jezzine (before the withdrawal) in Mrah Hbas, Ain El Mir, and Wadi Maksabi.

· Three minefields or suspected minefields near Nabatieh including Wadi Jhannam and the Nabatieh Fortress.

· Thirteen minefields or suspected minefields West Bekaa including Falouj, Bireh, Kilya, Zallaya, Maydoun, Ain Tina, Rawda, Yohmor, and Kamed El Lawz.

· One minefield at the Baalbeck Fortress.

· Six minefields or suspected minefields near Rashayya including Yanta, Jabal Mzaybleh, Bakka, and Jabal Al Dawaweer.

· Six minefields or suspected minefields in the Hasbayya area including Dallafa, Fakha, Mazraat Ain Al Hajal, Shebaa, and Al Kakour.

The above Lebanese Army figures contrast with information provided by the Lebanese government to an UNMAS assessment mission in February 1999: 743 minefields with approximately 3,183 AT mines and 24,271 AP mines, as of December 1998. Of these 471 minefields and suspected areas were treated. According to sources, 208 treated/cleared mine fields still remain suspected areas of being unsafe.²⁴⁰

The U.S. Department of State has estimated the number of mines in Lebanon from 8,795 to 35,000.²⁴¹

None of the above numbers of mines and minefields include the formerly occupied zone in South Lebanon from which Israel withdrew in late May 2000. UNMAS has noted, "While the information on the landmine and UXO problem in South Lebanon remain very incomplete, both the data collected during the past twenty-two years by UNIFIL, and the first maps released by Israel, suggest a high level of contamination."²⁴² UNMAS states that many of the more than eighty bases and positions evacuated by the IDF and its allied militia in South Lebanon are suspected to be contaminated by nuisance minefields and booby-traps. Other areas with high concentrations of mines include the former border and zone of confrontation. UNMAS reports that most minefields in South Lebanon are unmarked and unfenced.²⁴³ While Israel is not known to have removed mines that it laid prior to its withdrawal, it has provided the UN with maps and other details needed for clearance.²⁴⁴

A 21 June 2000 news account said that, according to United Nations experts, there are about 130,000 mines and other explosive devices scattered over the area formerly occupied by Israel.²⁴⁵

Mine Action Funding

Lebanon has received funds from Canada, Britain, France, and the U.S. for mine action programs. U.S. military personnel have conducted training programs in Lebanon and twenty-two Lebanese military personnel have attended a one-time advanced humanitarian demining course in the U.S. The $1.65 million in U.S. funds for 2000-2001 will be used to train personnel, finance equipment purchases, and sustain on-going programs to remove mines throughout Lebanon.²⁴⁶ In response to the Israeli withdrawal, the UK pledged $120,000 for the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for emergency mine awareness activities in Lebanon to be implemented by UNICEF.²⁴⁷ Italy announced on 25 May 2000 the donation of five Minex 2FD mine detectors to the Lebanese Army.²⁴⁸

Mine Clearance

The Lebanese Army is responsible for all mine clearance in the country. The National Demining Office is staffed entirely by military personnel. The Army reports that it has cleared 303 minefields and that 4,000 AT mines, 20,000 AP mines, and 40,000 UXO have been destroyed.²⁴⁹ The report of the UNMAS assessment mission in February 1999 states that 471 minefields and suspected areas were treated, and 2,383 AT mines, 23,693 AP mines and a large number of UXO were removed between 13 October 1990 and 1 December 1998 by the Engineer Regiment.²⁵⁰

The Army states that it does not have sufficient resources for clearance, and that the technical skills of its deminers are not fully compatible with international humanitarian standards because they are based upon military methods. The Army also claims that mechanical mine clearance methods are not viable due to difficult terrain, but that mine-detecting dogs may be suitable.²⁵¹ According to the UN, the Lebanese Army has about 200 trained deminers operating throughout Lebanon, but not yet in the South. The UN says the deminers are poorly equipped, with no mechanical means and only a handful of modern mine detectors.²⁵²

Following the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon, UNMAS reported that the UNIFIL mine clearance capacity will be strengthened through a Ukranian contribution of up to forty personnel. UNMAS describes UNIFIL's mine marking and clearance capacities as "extremely limited," consisting of one Polish platoon to support UNIFIL operations and respond to emergency requests from local populations.²⁵³

Mine Awareness²⁵⁴

The withdrawal of Israeli forces from South Lebanon has highlighted the critical need for mine awareness education in these areas. Press reports recount instances of returning civilians entering former military areas, pulling off roads to park, and removing Israeli minefield marking signs.²⁵⁵ Organizations conducting mine awareness in Lebanon immediately began emergency programs in South Lebanon that included the distribution of pamphlets, leaflets, posters and media broadcasts.

A Mine Awareness Committee was established in 1999 at the Landmines Resource Center of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand with the support of the World Rehabilitation Fund. The purpose of this committee is to structure and conduct mine awareness activities in Lebanon and to serve as an advisory body.

The first mine awareness education training workshop took place on 15-16 June 1999. This workshop allowed the Mine Awareness Committee to develop a mine awareness kit and guidelines on how to promote the dissemination of information on the landmine problem. In August 1999, two camps on mine awareness were organized by NGOs (one in Bekaa and one in Mount Lebanon) to disseminate information to youth and organizations working with disabled people. In November 1999, Rädda Barnen (Save the Children/Sweden) supported the participation of five Lebanese NGOs in a mine awareness workshop conducted in Yemen on the child-to-child approach.

On 3 March 2000, the World Rehabilitation Fund organized a workshop to encourage the media to join the mine awareness campaign. One of the local stations, Sawt El Shaab, produced and broadcast a documentary on the landmine problem in collaboration with the Landmines Resource Center. The program was presented to the UNDP Media Program and won a prize during the competition run by UNDP on sustainable development.

From 25-26 March 2000 a mine awareness training workshop for twenty-five scout leaders from different regions of Lebanon took place to train them on disseminating information and to train their own troops. Between 16-19 April 2000 Rädda Barnen conducted a child-to-child mine awareness workshop in South Lebanon. From 25-26 April 2000 another training workshop was conducted for girl scouts in north Lebanon.

A work plan to conduct a series of mine awareness sessions in schools primarily in South Lebanon has been developed and approved by the Landmines Resource Center, the Mine Awareness Committee, the World Rehabilitation Fund, the National Demining Office, and the Ministry of Education. As of May, more than 120 community mine awareness sessions had taken place in different regions of Lebanon in 2000.

UNICEF and UNESCO have also joined the mine awareness campaign in South Lebanon. From 6-9 June 2000 the Landmine Awareness Committee conducted training sessions for teachers in South Lebanon.

Landmine Casualties

The departure of the Israeli troops has made it apparent that South Lebanon is contaminated with landmines as well as unexploded ordnance.⁰ Due to the withdrawal, heavily mined areas have been opened up to Lebanese civilians, resulting in a number of landmine related accidents. Only a few hours after the Israelis left, a 15-year-old boy lost his leg after stepping on a mine.¹ On the same day a 10-year-old boy lost a foot and two men each lost a leg.² According to Agence France-Presse, in the first four weeks following the Israeli pullout, five civilians were killed, including two infants, and fifteen injured by landmines.³ Prior to the withdrawal UNIFIL had reported two mine incidents in its area of operations in South Lebanon between 16 July 1999 and 15 January 2000. One civilian was injured near Bayt Lif on 25 October 1999 and another civilian lost a limb on 20 December 1999 after stepping on an AP mine near Qabrikha.⁴

The Landmines Resource Center has estimated there to be more than 1,500 landmine survivors in Lebanon, as well as approximately 1,000 deaths due to mines. On 31 December 1999, the Landmines Resource Center completed its data collection process of the nationwide door-to-door survey of landmine victims initiated in August 1998. This effort was designed to gain detailed understanding of the profile of victims and survivors, the nature and location of injuries and related needs. A database of survivors and casualties was created and a geographic information system is currently being developed.

The preliminary findings of the survey note that in 1999, fifty casualties were reported, while sixty incidents were registered, pointing to damage to livestock. By the end of April 2000, fifteen cases additional were reported. The survey gave the following geographic distribution of landmine survivors in Lebanon: 33% were located in the South and in Nabatieh, 31% in Mount Lebanon, 21% in Bekaa, 12% in the North and 3% in Beirut. The survey results showed that 56% of the survivors were harmed by an AP mine, 37% by UXO and 7% by "strange" objects. 36% of the survivors were injured while engaged in their daily agricultural activity. 90% of the survivors were males. The average age was thirty-two years. The survey found that injuries caused by landmines are occurring at an average rate of one per week.⁵

The Lebanese Army provided the UNMAS assessment mission with the following data on the number of victims affected by mine explosions in Lebanon between 1997 and 1999.⁶

Survivor Assistance

No major changes have occurred concerning victim assistance since the publication of Landmine Monitor Report 1999, except for the planning of an income-generating program for victims in the Jezzine area (South Lebanon) by the World Rehabilitation Fund that will begin in 2000.

Medical care for landmine victims is provided through the Lebanese health system. In 2000 there is a shortage in the budget of the Ministry of Health, which is why medical services for landmine victims have become very expensive. Programs to assist survivors, families of victims and mine-affected communities are scarce. Programs addressing the psychological needs of survivors are practically non-existent. Furthermore there is limited awareness among victims of available assistance and rehabilitation programs, particularly in rural areas.

LIBYA

Key developments since March 1999: Libya abstained on the UNGA vote in support of the Mine Ban Treaty, but attended the First Meeting of States Parties and several intersessional meetings.

Mine Ban Policy

Libya has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Libya was one of twenty countries to abstain on the vote for UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54B in support of the Mine Ban Treaty in December 1999. As explanation, a Libyan representative stated that Libya "opposed the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of landmines, but viewed the Ottawa Convention as only a first step."⁷

A Libyan delegation attended the First Meeting of States Parties in Maputo in May 1999 as an observer. Libya said this was a very important meeting which "marked a new stage in international demining efforts."⁸ Libya attended the ban treaty Intersessional Standing Committee of Experts meetings on General Status of the Convention in January 2000, Mine Clearance in March 2000, and Stockpile Destruction in May 2000.

Libya argues that the treaty is flawed because it does not require states that laid mines to clear them, nor that these states provide compensation and technical assistance for mine clearance and victim assistance. Libya regards its primary mine problem as dating back to World War II where the former Allied and Axis forces laid thousands of antipersonnel and antitank mines during various battles in the deserts of North Africa.

Libya has not signed the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons, and is not a member of the Conference on Disarmament.

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling, Use

Libya is not known to have produced or exported AP mines. Libya has imported mines from the former Soviet Union, including the POMZ-2 and the POMZ-2M AP fragmentation mines.⁹ The size and composition of Libya's AP mine stockpile is not known.

Libya is believed to have deployed antipersonnel mines during its border conflict with Egypt in 1977 and also during its border conflict with Chad between 1977-1987. Libya is also believed to have deployed mines for protection of strategically and economically important locations within Libya.¹⁰

Landmine Problem

Libya suffers from heavy mine and UXO contamination as a result of the North African campaign of World War II. In addition to the deserts, there are minefields close to ports and urban areas, such as the towns of Tubruk and Benghazi.¹¹ There are also mines on the borders with Egypt and Chad, although the exact locations or numbers of mines is not known. Mines believed to be left over from World War II hostilities include:¹²

Germany:	Riegalmine 43, Tellermine 35, Tellermine 42 and Tellermine 43 AT mines and S-Type bounding fragmentation AP mines.
Italy:	B-2 and B-3 AT mines and B-5 AP mine
France:	Model 36 AT mine
United Kingdom:	Mk.5 and Mk.7 AT mines and Mk.2 AP mines

The exact number of mines currently in Libya is unknown. A lack of comprehensive historical records and maps of mined areas during World War II have prevented accurate assessment. Interestingly, however, Libyan officials have cited a much lower number of mines than their Egyptian counterparts. Libyan officials estimate that former Allied and Axis forces left behind 5 to 19 million mines and UXO during the entire North Africa campaign.¹³ Of this total, the Libyan government estimates that there are 1.5 to 3 million mines on its territory. The table below provides partial details:¹⁴

Libya appears not to classify all explosive devices deployed on its territory as mines, which suggests that these figures are estimated totals for mines only (including antitank). Photographs provided to researchers of mine clearance work in Libya suggest that the majority of explosive devices removed are categories of UXO rather than mines (including artillery shells, bombs and grenades).¹⁵

Mine Clearance

Mine clearance in Libya is undertaken by the explosives division of the police force, which also trains local people in demining techniques. There are also some private companies involved in mine clearance, whose work is linked to oil, gas, and mineral exploration. It is not known if any comprehensive records are available as to the number of mines removed or the area of land cleared in Libya.

Libya has noted that a lack of accurate maps and historical records has made mine clearance particularly hazardous and difficult.¹⁶ In 1998, Italy, largely due to its colonial connection, signed an agreement with Libya to provide access to Italian historical records, provide technical assistance and training for Libyan deminers, as well as support for mine casualties (see below for more details).¹⁷

Due to Libya's political isolation from many Western countries, the UK and Germany have not as yet provided Libya with access to historical records from the Second World War. The records and maps that do exist are known to be extremely patchy.¹⁸ With the recent improvement in diplomatic and political relationships, Libya hopes that the UK and Germany will provide access to this information as well as offering technical assistance for mine clearance in the near future.

Mine Awareness, Mine Casualties, and Victim Assistance

The Libyan government has stated that it provides mine awareness and training programs to warn people of the dangers of mines, although no further information is known.¹⁹ It is believed that these training programs include the training of civilians in mine clearance techniques.²⁰

All mine incidents in Libya must be reported to the police,²¹ but it is doubtful that accurate records exist for the numbers of mine-related incidents and mine victims in Libya. Some data on mine victims is collected, although this appears not to be done on a countrywide basis. For example, in the mine-affected municipality of Tobruk, the Libyan Historical Studies Center, a state-funded research institute, maintains detailed case study records of all mine incidents that have occurred in the area since the 1970s.²²

Figures regarding mine casualties that are available from various sources show a fairly wide degree of variance. Figures provided to the UN suggest that from 1940 to 1975 there were 5,670 mine-related deaths and at least 4,935 mine-related injuries.²³ The Libyan Police have stated that from 1940 to 1995 there were 6,749 mine-related deaths and 5,096 injuries.²⁴ A statement provided by the Libyan government to the UN General Assembly in November 1999 cites a figure of 4,000 mine-related deaths.²⁵

Although there are no specific mine-related victim assistance measures, all injuries are treated by the state and medical care is free. Moreover, Italy has agreed to provide several types of assistance, including the construction of a mine injury hospital, cooperation between the Italian Red Cross and the Libyan Red Crescent, and the treatment of victims in Italy where necessary (including the provision of artificial limbs for amputees).²⁶

MOROCCO

Mine Ban Policy

Morocco has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. It was one of twenty countries to abstain on the vote on UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54 B in support of the Mine Ban Treaty in December 1999. Morocco explained its abstention by saying that "it could not become a signatory for the time being, due to security issues in its southern province."²⁷

Morocco was one of just twelve non-signatories that attended (as an observer) the First Meeting of States Parties (FMSP) to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo in May 1999. At the FMSP, a Moroccan representative stated that he did not entirely agree with having Morocco included among the "bad countries."²⁸ In a statement to the plenary, the Moroccan representative said, "My country is only deferring signature of the convention, and this is due to the conditions linked to the security of our southern provinces and to the achievement of our territorial integrity.... We should also be precise that this circumstantial situation will disappear on its own when the integrity of my country will not any more be the object of threats or controversies.... We hope that this situation will resolve in the future months."²⁹ Similarly, in a response to a Landmine Monitor questionnaire, Morocco stated that it would accede to the treaty when conditions are right.³⁰

Morocco has sent representatives from its permanent mission based in Geneva to nearly all meetings of the Intersessional Standing Committees of Experts.

Morocco is not a party to either the original or revised landmine protocols of the Convention on Conventional Weapons, but Morocco attended, as an observer, the December 1999 First Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II. According to Morocco's UN Ambassador in Geneva, in May 2000 the Moroccan parliament approved Amended Protocol II, and ratification should occur soon; the necessary documents are being processed in Rabat.³¹

Morocco is a member of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). In its response to the Landmine Monitor questionnaire, Morocco said it encourages introduction of the mine issue in the CD, and believes this is the best forum to insure the widest ban on mine transfers. However, in an interview, a Moroccan diplomat has said that it is not necessary to rush to the disarmament conference on a mine transfer ban in order to assuage the conscience of those who do not wish to sign the Mine Ban Treaty.³²

Production, Stockpiling, Transfer, Use

Morocco is not known to have ever produced or exported AP mines. Morocco has recently stated that it does not import or export antipersonnel mines.³³ According to an arms monitoring group in France, Morocco has not imported any AP mines since 1978.³⁴ The size and composition of Morocco's current AP mine stockpile is not known but is considered by Moroccan officials as highly sensitive.³⁵ There is no new information regarding the use on antipersonnel mines by Morocco in the past year.

Landmine Problem and Mine Action

Morocco is not considered to be mine-affected except for the territory it controls in Western Sahara. The situation in the Western Sahara is covered in a separate Landmine Monitor entry; see also Landmine Monitor 1999 for details on the mine problem in Morocco and Western Sahara.

The Moroccan Army possesses a mine clearance capability and has conducted some clearance operations in Western Sahara. The Moroccan military has signed an accord with the UN Mission for a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for mine clearance in Moroccan zones.³⁶ According to a MINURSO officer, roughly 60% of the Moroccan-controlled area has been cleared, and about 20% of the Polisario-controlled area.³⁷

The most recent report of the UN Secretary General states that "during the period of 13 May 2000 to 3 July 2000, 278 mines and unexploded ordnance were marked and 124 destroyed on the Moroccan side while 488 were marked and 177 destroyed on the Frente Polisario side."³⁸ Between 6 December and 22 May 2000, both sides in cooperation with MINURSO conducted twenty-eight disposal operations for UXO and ammunition.³⁹ These operations have not been carried out without danger, as eleven soldiers in the international MINURSO contingent have died in mine or UXO incidents over the course of its presence in the area.⁴⁰

Morocco states that to its knowledge there are no Moroccan civilian mine victims.⁴¹

OMAN

Key developments since March 1999: Landmine Monitor has discovered that the United States may be stockpiling antipersonnel mines at storage facilities in Seeb, Thumrait, and Masirah in the near future. The U.S. has provisionally agreed to provide humanitarian demining training to Oman.

Oman has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. At the treaty signing conference in Ottawa a representative stated that "the Sultanate of Oman shares wholeheartedly in the aims of the campaign for a total global ban...I also reaffirm that my Government is currently considering joining you as signatories to the Convention as soon as possible."⁴² However, in 1999 and 2000 officials have not spoken on the issue in international fora, nor have they given any indication why they have not joined the treaty. On 1 December 1999 Oman joined 138 other nations in voting in favor of UNGA resolution 54/54B in support of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Oman is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, but it did attend the First Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II (Landmines) in December 1999 in Geneva. Oman is not a member of the Conference on Disarmament.

Oman is not believed to produce antipersonnel mines and it is not known whether Oman stockpiles them. According to Ambassador Mohammed Bin Murdas Al Quahttani, Omani ambassador to Yemen, "Oman does not have a landmine problem, nor does it export landmines."⁴³

Landmine Monitor has discovered that the United States may be stockpiling antipersonnel mines at storage facilities in Seeb, Thumrait, and Masirah in the near future. According to U.S. Air Force plans for its war reserve ammunition stockpiles in the Persian Gulf region, U.S. Gator antipersonnel mines and Claymore mines may be introduced and stockpiled in Oman. U.S. Air Force documents indicate that ammunition storage sites at each of these facilities in Oman will eventually contain 142 CBU-89 Gator mine systems, each containing twenty-two antipersonnel mines, and 141 M18/M18A1 Claymore mines.⁴⁴ That would constitute a total U.S. stockpile of 9,372 Gator antipersonnel mines and 423 Claymore mines in Oman.

Some remote border areas such as Dhofar Province in Oman are thought to be mine-affected.⁴⁵ The United States provisionally approved Oman's request for humanitarian demining training assistance on 9 December 1999. Oman may receive a total of $2.2 million in humanitarian demining assistance between 2000 and 2001. A survey will be conducted sometime in 2000 to establish the training and equipment requirements needed to bring Oman's current demining units up to international standards. U.S. training of Omani deminers is scheduled to occur in February 2001. It is also possible that the U.S. will provide a mine-detecting dog capability.⁴⁶

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Landmine Monitor does not know of any public statements by the government regarding its position on the treaty or the ban. Saudi Arabia voted for the pro-ban UNGA resolutions in 1996 and 1997, but was absent during the votes in 1998 and 1999. Saudi Arabia is not a party to the CCW nor is it a member of the Conference on Disarmament.

Saudi Arabia is not known to have ever produced or exported AP mines, but has imported them from the U.S. and perhaps other nations.⁴⁷ In 1995 it was reported that the UK sold to Saudi Arabia an unspecified number of JP-233 air-delivered airfield attack weapons that contain HB-876 area denial antipersonnel mines.⁴⁸ However, it appears that after considerable pressure in the UK, at least some of these weapons have been exchanged for other bombs.⁴⁹

The size and composition of Saudi Arabia's current AP mine stockpile is unknown. It is not known if Saudi forces have ever employed antipersonnel mines. The Saudi armed forces have mine clearance vehicles for use in wartime countermine operations, including the Aardvark Joint Services Flail Unit and Pearson Pathfinder marker system, both supplied by UK companies.⁵⁰

Though little is known, the United States maintains a stockpile of 2,255 CBU-89 Gator air-delivered mine dispensing bombs that contain a total of 49,610 antipersonnel mines in Saudi Arabia.⁵¹ The U.S. used 1,314 Gator units, containing a total of 27,445 AP mines, during the 1990-1991 conflict in the Kuwaiti theater of operations.⁵²

Saudi Arabia is not believed to be mine-affected, though there may be areas with UXO contamination. Several UK companies have conducted UXO clearance operations at unspecified locations in the country. These companies include BACTEC International Limited and Royal Ordnance Explosive Ordnance Disposal.⁵³

Saudi Arabia has contributed $50,000 to the UN Voluntary Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance.

SYRIA

Key developments since March 1999: Syrian engineers cleared mines in the Golan Heights under UN Disengagement Observer Force supervision between November 1999 and May 2000. Although it was previously believed that Syria had not produced mines, Jordan has declared possession of Syrian-made mines.

Mine Ban Policy

Syria has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty and justifies its stance by stating that antipersonnel mines are important weapons of defense. Syria has claimed that landmines are vital to its defense against Israel. Syrian officials have noted that a "just and comprehensive peace in the region may put an end to many problems and sufferings and create a mine-free region."⁵⁴ It is not known if mine issues are being addressed as Syria and Israel engage in peace talks.

Syria has not made any public statements about its landmine policy, or participated in any diplomatic meetings on landmines, in 1999 or 2000. Syria abstained on the vote on UN General Assembly Resolution 54/54B in support of the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 December 1999, as it had in previous years on similar resolutions. Syria is not a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. It is a member of the Conference on Disarmament.

Production, Transfer, Stockpile, and Use

Landmine Monitor Report 1999 stated, "Syria is not known to have produced or exported antipersonnel landmines." However, in its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 transparency report, Jordan declared possessing fifty-one wooden antipersonnel mines of Syrian origin.⁵⁵ The lot number of the mines was reported as 10-24-58. This would seem to indicate at least past production on Syria's part. It is not known how these mines came into Jordan's possession, but this fact also calls into question whether Syria has ever exported AP mines. Syria is thought to have a large stockpile of antipersonnel mines but the numbers, origins and types of mines are not known.

Syrian forces used both antipersonnel and antitank mines in the Golan Heights during the 1973 war with Israel and during the 1982 conflict in Lebanon.⁵⁶ It is not known whether Syrian troops currently in Lebanon possess or use mines. In July 2000, a senior Israeli officer expressed concern about Syria spreading more mines near the border with Israel.⁵⁷

Landmine Problem

The Golan Heights contain both minefields and UXO from prior conflicts (see report on the Golan for more details of the situation in Israeli-controlled areas). The degree to which other areas of Syria are mined is not clear. At least one of Syria's neighbors, Jordan, deployed nearly 67,000 AP mines along its border with Syria in 1971.⁵⁸ It has also been reported that Turkey's border with Syria is mined.⁵⁹

Syria has not publicly refuted the U.S. Department of State report that states, "Syria may have AP and AT mines deployed in highly restricted areas along its borders where military troops are located and claims that it has no landmine or UXO problem."⁶⁰ The report estimates that there may be 100,000 mines in Syria.⁶¹

Mine Clearance and Mine Awareness

Syrian engineers cleared mines in the Golan Heights under UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) supervision between November 1999 and May 2000.⁶² Engineers from the Russian Armed Forces are reported to have conducted demining operations in Syria but the scope and location of their operations is not known.⁶³

Some mine awareness activities have been conducted in Syria in the past year. The Syrian Red Crescent Society in Damascus has participated in activities to create awareness of the landmine problem as well as of methods to assist victims of landmines. On 25 March 2000 an art exhibition organized by the Syrian artist Asem Al Wali opened in Damascus. The themed exhibit included pictures and drawings of Syrian landmine victims.⁶⁴

Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

Civilians, military personnel, and international peacekeeping forces from UNDOF have suffered casualties from mines in areas of the Golan Heights controlled by Israel and Syria, as well as in the zone of separation. A landmine injured a Syrian shepherd on 6 April 1999. A landmine injured two children in the zone of separation on 14 April 1999.⁶⁵ Another Syrian shepherd was injured in the Golan on 12 September 1999.⁶⁶

There is no distinct mechanism in Syria for the provision of assistance to landmine survivors. Basic health and social services in Syria are provided free of charge by the government and most landmine survivors have access to emergency medical care, physical rehabilitation, amputation surgery, post-operative care, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and special education. There is, however, a need for self-supporting projects that assist people with disabilities, including landmine victims. There are several NGOs located in Damascus involved in the assistance of people with disabilities.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty, nor is it a party to the CCW. However, at the UN General Assembly on 12 October 1999, UAE representative Mohammad Samhan stated that his country supported the international community's efforts to ban antipersonnel landmines and give humanitarian support to victims.⁶⁷ On 1 December 1999 the UAE joined 138 other nations in voting in favor of UNGA resolution 54/54B supporting the Mine Ban Treaty.

The United Arab Emirates is not believed to be a landmine producer or exporter and there are no known stockpiles of antipersonnel mines on its territory.

The United Arab Emirates is not mine-affected. In 1999, in support of an agriculture project, the UAE funded the demining of the South Alameen and El Hammam channels in Egypt. The demining was done by the Egyptian Army according to the agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.

The UAE has not contributed any funds to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance.

89 UN General Assembly First Committee, Press Release GA/DIS/3116, 20 October 1998.

90 U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Section E, Appendix 1, Enclosure 5 of Solicitation Number F44650-99-R0007 "Operation, Maintenance, And Support of Pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel in Southwest Asia" shows the planned on-hand balances of munitions stored at facilities.

91 Statement of UN Ambassador Ahmed Aboulgheit as an explanation of vote at UN General Assembly First Committee meeting, New York, 8 November 1999.

92 These positions have been expressed frequently. Interview with Alla Issa, Director of Disarmament Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo, 8 April 2000. Interview with Soliman Awaad, Deputy Assistant Minister, Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, London, March 2000. Interview with UN Ambassador Ahmed Aboulgheit, New York, 5 October 1999. "Explanation of Vote by the Delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the Resolution on Anti-Personal Landmines, delivered by Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Karem," 6 November 1998, Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Policy Document, November 1998.

93 "Cairo Declaration, Africa-Europe Summit," under the Aegis of the OAU and the EU, Cairo, 3-4 April 2000, paragraphs 76-80. Egyptian officials argue that this strengthened the declaration by making an explicit reference to mine clearance and the duty of those states responsible for laying mines to assist in their removal. Interview with Alla Issa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo, 8 April 2000.

94 Letter to Landmine Monitor from the German Embassy in Cairo, 11 April 2000. A diplomat from the UK expressed similar views during a 10 April 2000 interview at the UK Embassy in Cairo.

95 "Egypt Under Fire Over Anti-Personnel Mine Policy," Reuters, 11 April 2000.

96 Interview with Alla Issa, Director of Disarmament Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 April 2000.

97 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 23.

98 Ibid., p. 11.

99 For details on past production and export, see Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 877-879. The most recent evidence of export dates to 1992-1993.

100 Interview with Alla Issa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 April 2000.

101 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 21.

102 The brochure listing AP mines was obtained by an attendee at IDEX 99 held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Center, United Arab Emirates, 14-18 March 1999.

103 Interview with Alla Issa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 April 2000.

104 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 9.

105 Interview with Alla Issa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 April 2000.

106 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 3.

107 Statement made by General Ahmed Hazem to the National Security Committee of the Egyptian parliament, 5 April 1999.

108 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 10.

109 Ibid.

110 Ibid., p. 11.

111 UN Country report on Egypt; U.S. Central Command, "U.S. Government Humanitarian Demining Country Plan for the Arab Republic of Egypt (FY 2000 & 2001)," 13 July 1999; UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 11.

112 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 11.

113 Ibid.

114 Information supplied by the UK Ministry of Defense correspondence between Harry Cohen MP and Dr John Reid MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, 31 March 1998.

115 Letter to Landmine Monitor from the German Embassy in Cairo, 11 April 2000.

116 Statement made during interview with Colonel Dr. Abdel-Hamid Mostafa, Ministry of Defense Egypt. Colonel Dr. Mostafa also cited this percentage in his presentation to the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, Cairo, 9-11 April 2000.

117 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, pp. 11-12.

118 Interviews with and presentation made by Colonel Mostafa, 9-11 April 2000.

119 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 27.

120 Ibid., p. 24.

121 Ibid., p. 11.

122 U.S. Central Command, "U.S. Government Humanitarian Demining Country Plan for the Arab Republic of Egypt (FY 2000 & 2001)," 13 July 1999.

123 Amira Ibrahim, "Deadly Legacy," Al-Ahram weekly, Issue No. 444, 26 August-1 September 1999.

124 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 17.

125 Ibid.

126 "Demining: UK assistance provided to Egypt", UK Embassy, Cairo, 15 February 2000.

127 Ibid.

128 Interviews with UK officials, Cairo, April 2000.

129 Interview with officials from the UK Embassy in Cairo, April 10, 2000.

130 Information provided the German Embassy, Cairo, April 2000.

131 "Egypt's mine problem in the Western Desert," paper by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense circulated at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, Cairo 9-11 April 2000.

132 U.S. Central Command, "U.S. Government Humanitarian Demining Country Plan for the Arab Republic of Egypt (FY 2000 & 2001)," 13 July 1999.

133 Statement by representative of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to UNMAS assessment mission, Cairo, 12 February 2000.

134 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 21.

135 Ibid.

136 Regional and international participants engaged in integrated mine action at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, April 2000, highlighted the limitations of high technology in mine clearance.

137 "U.S. Combs the World for Deadly Mines," Tampa Tribune, 19 March 2000.

138 "Egypt's mine problem in the Western Desert," conference paper by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense circulated at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, Cairo 9-11 April 2000.

139 U.S. Central Command, "U.S. Government Humanitarian Demining Country Plan for the Arab Republic of Egypt (FY 2000 & 2001)," 13 July 1999; interview with Colin King, April 2000.

140 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 3.

141 Declaration by General Ahmed Hazem to the UNMAS assessment mission, Cairo, 12 February 2000.

142 Statement by General Ahmed Hazem to the National Security Committee of the Egyptian parliament, 5 April 1999.

143 Interview with Alla Issa, Foreign Ministry, Cairo, 8 April 2000.

144 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 18.

145 Interview with Alla Issa, Cairo, 8 April 2000.

146 Figures provided by Egyptian government, April 2000. Identical statistics were included in the statement of the Egyptian representative to the Regional Conference on the Menace of Mines, Beirut, 10 February 1999. However, statistics provided to UNMAS in February 2000 indicate 6 fewer fatalities and 6 fewer injuries. UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 12.

147 Ibid.

148 Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Karem, "Explanation of Vote by the Delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the Resolution on Anti-Personal Landmines," Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Policy Document, November 1998.

149 All subsequent data in this section is from a survey by the Landmines Struggle Center (Cairo) covering the period of 1 January 1998 to 1 January 2000 in the two main mined areas in Egypt and other governorates next to those areas. This NGO receives news about mine or UXO incidents from media, hospitals, and other local sources. Staff then visits the accident area, interviews the victim or the victim's family, visits the hospital treating the victim, interviews witnesses and notes other indicators such as warning signs, education, rehabilitation and social care.

150 UNMAS, "Mine Action Assessment Mission Report: Arab Republic of Egypt," July 2000, p. 8.

151 Ibid., p. 19.

152 Information obtained at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, Cairo, 9-11 April 2000.

153 Statement by S.M.H. Adeli, Ambassador to Canada, Ottawa, 4 December 1997.

154 Statement by Ambassador Sirous Nasseri, Head of Delegation to the CCW Review Conference, Vienna, 27 September 1995.

155 Statement by Ambassador Mehdi Danesh Yazdi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic or Iran to the UN, 17 November 1998.

156 Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance, 1999-2000, online update, 18 November 1999.

157 Statement by Ambassador Mehdi Danesh Yazdi to the UN, 17 November 1998.

158 Budget figure converted at official rates; Iranian Ministry of the Interior, 5 Year Plan, April 2000.

159 UNDP, "Mine Action Updates Country and Global Programmes," 17 November 1999.

160 Information provided to Landmine Monitor by the Khatamolanbia Military Demining Department, April, 2000.

161 "Iran Says Will Produce Own Mine-Clearing Vehicle," Reuters, 28 July 1999.

162 HCRI Survey of Mine Victims in Elyam Province. The data for 1999 is only through October.

163 Stephanie Nebhay, "Iraq Calls on Middle East States to Reveal Arms," Reuters, 14 August 1997.

164 Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights, Landmines: A Deadly Legacy (New York: Human Rights Watch, 1993), p. 104.

165 UN Security Council, Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 5 of Security Council resolution 1281 (1999), S/2000/520, 1 June 2000, p. 13. The report addresses distribution of humanitarian supplies throughout Iraq.

166 U.S. Department of State, 1999 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, 25 February 2000, online edition, Section 1 (g).

167 Ibid.

168 "Iraq Objects To Demining Groups in Kurdish North," Fox News Online, 29 December 1998.

169 ICRC, "ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Program in Iraq, 1994 - 1997."

170 Statement of Nimrod Barkran, Representative of Israel at UN General Assembly First Committee, UN Press Release GA/DIS/3162, 8 November 1999.

171 Statement by Mr. Giora Becher, Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Department of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the FMSP of the Mine Ban Treaty, Maputo, Mozambique, May 1999. Hereafter cited as "Becher Statement at FMSP, May 1999."

172 State Comptroller's Report No. 50 A, for the Year 1999, "Mine Laying in the Israel Defense Forces," (Published in Hebrew and translated unofficially) Israel government printing office, Jerusalem. Hereafter cited as "State Comptroller's Report, 1999."

173 For May 1999: Becher Statement at FMSP. For December 1999: ICBL meeting with members of Israeli delegation to Conference on Amended Protocol II, Geneva, 17 December 1999. For May 2000: Interview with Israeli official, May 2000.

174 Becher Statement at FMSP, May 1999.

175 ICBL meeting with members of Israeli delegation to Conference on Amended Protocol II, Geneva, 17 December 1999. Notes taken by Stephen Goose, Human Rights Watch.

176 State Comptroller's Report, 1999.

177 See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 889 for details.

178 The first known public announcement was the Statement of the Israel Delegation, Ottawa Forum for Mine Action, December 1997, document 1.12.97/17119. See also Becher Statement at FMSP, May 1999.

179 ICBL meeting with members of Israeli delegation to Conference on Amended Protocol II, Geneva, 17 December 1999.

180 Becher Statement at FMSP, May 1999.

181 ICBL meeting with members of Israeli delegation to Conference on Amended Protocol II, Geneva, 17 December 1999.

182 Ibid.

183 The UN Mine Action Service told Landmine Monitor that the IDF handed over four maps and four files with details on areas mined by Israel in south Lebanon. Email from Hemi Morete, UNMAS, to Landmine Monitor/Human Rights Watch, 14 July 2000. See also, "Israel Hands Over Landmine Field Maps to UNIFIL," Jerusalem Voice of Israel (state-funded radio) in Hebrew, 1300 GMT, 31 May 2000; "UN Experts to Meet Lebanese Army over Landmines in South," Agence-France Presse, 31 May 2000.

184 Lebanese daily newspapers on 17, 18, and 19 January 2000: ANNAHAR, Al-Safir, L'orient le Jour, Daily Star.

185 UNMAS, "The Landmine/UXO Problem in South Lebanon: Preliminary UNMAS Assessment Report," 6 June 2000.

186 Henry McDonald, "Seeds of Death Litter Lebanon's Liberated Fields," The Observer, 18 June 2000.

187 Agence-France Presse, Sidon, Lebanon, 21 June 2000.

188 ICBL meeting with members of Israeli delegation to Conference on Amended Protocol II, Geneva, 17 December 1999.

189 U.S. Department of State, "Hidden Killers," September 1998, p. A-1.

190 State Comptroller's Report, 1999.

191 Ibid.

192 Ibid.

193 All examples Ibid.

194 Currently, this is only accepted in "principle." Ibid.

195 Ibid.

196 Ibid.

197 Most of the equipment was evaluated or used by the IDF, U.S. Army during "Desert Storm" and by the Canadian and Swedish armies. Stated by the Israel Delegation, Israeli Capabilities in Demining and Rehabilitation of Victims, Ottawa Forum for Mine Action, December 1997.

198 Israel Delegation, Israeli Capabilities in Demining and Rehabilitation of Victims, Ottawa Forum for Mine Action, December 1997.

199 Interviews with Israeli officials, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, May and June 2000.

200 Interview with Israeli government official, June 2000.

201 Interview with Professor Chaim Ring, Deputy Director of Lowenstein Rehabilitation Center, Beit Levenstein Hospital, Rannana, 24 May 2000.

202 Interview with Erez T. Yanuv, Founder of Aid Without Borders, Jerusalem, 1 June 2000.

203 Interview with Benny Abileah, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem, 1 June 2000.

204 Interview with Professor Chaim Ring, Deputy Director of Lowenstein Rehabilitation Center, Beit Levenstein Hospital, Rannana, 24 May 2000.

205 State Comptroller's Report, 1999.

206 David Rudge, "Soldier Wounded in Mine-Clearing Accident," Jerusalem Post, 6 June 2000.

207 The majority of information for this section is from an interview with Professor Chaim Ring, Deputy Director of Lowenstein Rehabilitation Center, Beit Levenstein Hospital, Rannana, 24 May 2000.

208 Becher Statement at FMSP, May 1999.

209 Iituach Leumi website, http://www.btl.gov.il/English/eng_index.asp.

210 "Department of Rehabilitation," State of Israel Ministry of Defense official publication, Tel Aviv, April 1996.

211 Statement of Hisham al-Ghanim, General Debate of the First Committee, GA/DIS/3142, 13 October 1999.

212 Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 891.

213 Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait, Landmines and the Destruction of the Environment of Kuwait (ISBN 99906-32-20-0), Kuwait, 1999, p. 37 (Table 7). Data was as of 22 January 1997.

214 Landmines and the Destruction of the Environment of Kuwait, p. 40 (Table 9).

215 Ibid., p. 33.

216 Ibid., p. 37 (Figure 13).

217 Information provided to Human Rights Watch by U.S. government sources, March 1999.

218 Interviews with officers of the Kuwaiti Army, July 1999.

219 Information provided by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense to the Center for Research and Studies, May 2000.

220 Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense "Ammunition and Explosives Disposal Report," 1999.

221 For a detailed examination of the mine and UXO problem in Kuwait, see Landmines and the Destruction of the Environment of Kuwait (ISBN 99906-32-20-0) by the Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait, 1999.

222 Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, "Kuwait Environmental Information System, Phase II, Interim report No 4," 1999.

223 Information provided by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense to the Center for Research and Studies, May 2000.

224 Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait, Landmines and the Destruction of the Environment of Kuwait, 1999, p. 120.

225 Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, "Unexploded Ammunition in Kuwait, a Pocket Book for the Personnel of the Clearance Operations of the Remains of War," undated.

226 Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, "War Remains," undated.

227 Kuwaiti Ministry of Planning, Statistics and Information Sector, Edition 34, 1997.

228 Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, "Statistics of Casualties of Landmines," 1993.

229 Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, reports on landmine and ammunition clearance, 1999.^.

230 Kuwaiti Public Authority for Assessment of Compensation for Damage Resulting from Iraqi Aggression, 1996. Converted at 1996 exchange rates.

231 Interview with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Salim Hoss, 16 January 2000.

232 Letter from Thafer Al Hassan, General Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, read to the Brussels International Conference for the Total Ban on Antipersonnel Mines, 24-27 June 1997.

233 Letter from Thafer Al Hassan, General Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, to Landmine Monitor, Beirut, 18 December 1998.

234 UNMAS, Joint Assessment Mission Report: Lebanon, 7 June 1999. The two conventions are the Mine Ban Treaty and Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons. The UNGA resolution calls for Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon.

235 From 1996-1998, ten to twenty countries abstained on pro-ban UNGA votes, but none voted against.

236 James Trevelyan, "Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Problem in Lebanon," February 2000.

237 ICBL meeting with Amnon Efrat, Minister-Counsellor, Israeli Mission to the UN, Geneva, 17 December 1999.

238 Interview conducted in South Lebanon, March 2000.

239 All data (as of 16 November 1999) was presented by Lebanese Army officers at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, Cairo, 9-11 April 2000. 300 minefields are confirmed, 218 are suspected to be contaminated. In addition, 303 minefields have already been cleared.

240 UNMAS Joint Assessment Mission Report: Lebanon, 7 June 1999.

241 U.S. Department of State, Hidden Killers: The Global Landmine Crisis, 1998, p. A-2.

242 UNMAS, "The Landmine/UXO Problem in South Lebanon: Preliminary UNMAS Assessment Report," 6 June 2000.

243 Ibid.

244 UNMAS told Landmine Monitor that the IDF handed over 4 maps and 4 files with details on areas mined by Israel in South Lebanon. Email from Hemi Morete, UNMAS, to Landmine Monitor/Human Rights Watch, 14 July 2000. See also, "Israel Hands Over Landmine Field Maps to UNIFIL," Jerusalem Voice of Israel (state-funded radio) in Hebrew, 1300 GMT, 31 May 2000; "UN Experts to Meet Lebanese Army over Landmines in South," Agence-France Presse, 31 May 2000.

245 Agence-France Presse, Sidon, Lebanon, 21 June 2000.

246 U.S. Department of State "Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, FY 2001-Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs," 15 March 2000; SOLIC Information Paper.

247 UNMAS Update as of 15 June 2000, Mines, UXO, and mine action in South Lebanon, received by email.

248 "Rome to Donate Land Mine Sweepers to Lebanon," ANSA, Rome, 1127 GMT, 25 May 2000.

249 Information provided by National Demining Office of the Lebanese Army, 1 April 2000, and used in presentations by Lebanese Army officers at the Arab Regional Seminar on Landmines, Cairo, 9-11 April 2000.

250 UNMAS, "Joint Assessment Mission Report: Lebanon," 7 June 1999.

251 James Trevelyan, "Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Problem in Lebanon," February 2000.

252 UNMAS, "The Landmine/UXO Problem in South Lebanon," 6 June 2000.

253 UNMAS Update as of 15 June 2000, Mines, UXO, and mine action in Southern Lebanon, received by email.

254 Information in this section comes from the Landmines Resource Center and the World Rehabilitation Fund landmines' project unless otherwise indicated.

255 Samar Kanafani, "NGOs Race to alert South to Peril of Mines," The Daily Star Online, 1 June 2000.

0 Ibid.

1 Kamel Jaber, "Lebanese Suffer the Legacy of Israeli Land Mines," Reuters, 29 May 2000.

2 Ibid.

3 Agence-France Presse, Sidon, Lebanon, 21 June 2000.

4 "Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission Interim Force in Lebanon," S/2000/28, 17 January 2000, p. 2.

5 Based on a preliminary analysis of the survey data by the Landmines Resource Center at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand.

6 UNMAS, "Joint Assessment Mission Report: Lebanon," 7 June 1999.

7 Explanation of vote by Libyan Representative, UNGA First Committee, UN Press Release GA/DIS/3162, 8 November 1999.

8 Statement by the Libyan Delegation to the UN General Assembly, Plenary Meeting Agenda Item 35: Assistance in Mine Action, New York, 18 November 1999.

9 Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance, Third Edition 1998-99, Jane's Information Group, p. 603.

10 See Landmine Monitor Report 1999 for more details on this.

11 Interviews with Dr. A.H. Ammar, May 2000.

12 The White Book, "Some Examples of the Damages Caused by the Belligerents of the World War II to the People of the Jamahiriya," Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Researchers wish to thank Dr. A. H. Ammar for this material.

13 Statement by the Libyan Delegation to the UN General Assembly, New York, 18 November 1999.

14 "The White Book, Some Examples of the Damages Caused by the Belligerents of the World War II to the People of the Jamahiriya," Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

15 Photographs provided by Dr. A. H. Ammar.

16 Statement by the Libyan Delegation to the UN General Assembly; New York, 18 November 1999.

17 This declaration was signed by the Foreign Ministers of Libya and Italy in Rome on 7 April 1998.

18 See Egypt country report for more details.

19 Statement by the Libyan Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, 18 November 1999.

20 Interviews with Dr. A. H. Ammar, May 2000.

21 Ibid.

22 Ibid.

23 http://www.un.org/Depts/Landmine/country/libyannar.htm

24 See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 900-901.

25 Statement by the Libyan Delegation to the UN General Assembly, 18 November 1999.

26 Joint Declaration between Italy and Libya, Rome, 7 April 1998.

27 Statement by Moroccan Representative to the UN First Committee, Press Release GA/DIS/3162, 8 November 1999.

28 Interview with Mr. Omar Zniber, Head, United Nations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maputo, March 1999.

29 Statement by Moroccan Representative to the FMSP, Maputo, 3-7 May 1999. Unofficial translation by Landmine Monitor.

30 Response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire by Ambassador Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi, Permanent Representative of Morocco in Geneva, received by facsimile, 23 June 2000.

31 Meeting with Ambassador Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi, Geneva, 31 May 2000.

32 Ibid.

33 Response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, 23 June 2000; Statement to the FMSP, Maputo, 3-7 May 1999.

34 See Landmine Monitor Report 1999 for more on past imports.

35 Interview with Ambassador Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi, , Geneva, 31 May 2000.

36 Response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, 23 June 2000.

37 Interviews with MINURSO officers, Laayoune, 20-21 June 2000.

38 "Report of the Secretary-General on the Situation Concerning Western Sahara," S/2000/683, 12 July 2000, pp. 3-4.

39 Ibid., p. 3; "Report of the Secretary-General on the Situation Concerning Western Sahara," S/2000/131, 17 February 2000, p. 3.

40 Interviews with MINURSO officers, Laayoune, 20-21 June 2000.

41 Response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire, 23 June 2000.

42 Sultanate of Oman's speech at the Signing Ceremony for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, 2-4 December, 1997, Ottawa, Canada.

43 Interview with Ambassador Mohammed Bin Murdas Al Quahttani, Omani Ambassador to Yemen, 28 February 2000.

44 U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Section E, Appendix 1, Enclosure 5 of Solicitation Number F44650-99-R0007 "Operation, Maintenance, And Support of Pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel in Southwest Asia" shows the planned on-hand balances of munitions stored at facilities.

45 http://www.un.org/Depts/Landmine/country.oman.htm.

46 Descriptive summaries of U.S. Department of Defense demining programs provided by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance, 10 May 2000.

47 For more details, see Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 907.

48 Peter Beaumont, "Major Accused of Deception on Mine Sales," The Observer, 9 July 1995.

49 The UK provided $24-27 million to destroy these weapons and replace them with 100 Paveway 3 bombs. Hansard, 15 March 1999, Col. 506. Jane's Air Launched Weapons, Issue 33, August 1999.

50 Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance, on-line update, 18 November 1999.

51 Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 333.

52 Anthony Cordesman and Abraham Wagner, The Lessons of Modern War, Volume IV: The Gulf War, p. 477 citing data extracted from Thomas Keaney and Eliot Cohen, Gulf War Air Power Survey: Summary Report, p. 103. According to this source, the Air Force used 1,105 CBU-89 Gators, the Navy used 148 CBU-78 Gators and the Marine Corps used 61 CBU-78 Gators. CBU-89 contain 22 AP mines and CBU-78 contain 15 AP mines.

53 Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance, on-line update, 18 November 1999.

54 Interviews with Syrian Foreign Ministry officials, Damascus, February and 2 April 2000.

55 Jordan's Article 7 Report, Form B, submitted to the UN on 9 August 1999.

56 Anthony Cordesman and Abraham Wagner, The Lessons of Modern War, Volume 1: The Arab-Israeli Conflicts, 1973-1989 (Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1990), p. 69 and p. 183.

57 "IDF concerned why Syria built 3 empty villages on border," Ha'aretz (Hebrew edition), 3 July 2000.

58 Jordan's Article 7 Report, Form C, submitted on 9 August 1999.

59 "Turkey Hindered by Own Landmines on Syrian Border," Reuters, 6 December 1996.

60 U.S. Department of State, Hidden Killers: The Global Landmine Crisis, 1998, p. A-3.

61 Ibid., p. A-2.

62 UNDOF Report to the UN Secretary General, S/2000/459, 22 May 2000, p. 1.

63 Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 813.

64 The exhibition was conducted in Al Assad Library and opened by the Minister of Defense on 25 March 2000.

65 UNDOF Report to the UN Secretary General, S/1999/575, 18 May 1999, p. 1.

66 UNDOF Report to the UN Secretary General, S/1999/1175, 15 November 1999, p. 1.

67 UN General Assembly First Committee, Press Release GA/DIS/3141, 12 October 1999.