Military

DATE=09/15/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ASIA - LANDMINES (L-O)

NUMBER=2-307511

BYLINE=RON CORBEN

DATELINE=BANGKOK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Asia is lagging behind the world community in signing onto an international treaty banning the production and use of anti-personnel mines. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, a conference of treaty members is pressing more countries to sign the treaty, in a region where the majority of the world's mines are produced.

TEXT: The International Campaign to Ban Landmines believes Asia is lagging behind other regions in eradicating the deadly weapons and Asian states are being pressed to join with more than 130 signatories to the treaty banning the production and export of landmines.

This week's review of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty has brought together 600 delegates from the 136 signatory members. Key non-signatory states, such as China, are sending observers to the five-day meeting.

The treaty has made marked progress, more than 110 parties or states have destroyed 31-million mines since it came into effect.

The Asia Pacific region has nine of the world's 15 mine producers and stockpilers, including South Korea, Singapore, China, India and Pakistan. It also has eight of the countries most affected by landmines, including Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Cambodia has long faced problems from mines left from years of conflict. Deputy director general for the Cambodian Mine Action Center (C-M-A-C), Hieng Ratana, says landmines threaten 45-percent of Cambodia's population, about five-point-two-million people.

/// OPT ACT (MARGINAL QUALITY) HIENG RATANA ///

In the current situation we have around 850 casualties each year. For these seven months in Cambodia, from

January to July, this year there has been 493 casualties already happen.

/// END ACT /// END OPT ///

The Cambodian Mine Action Center, with aid funds of almost 12-million dollars a year, has 24-hundred people working to de-mine the country. The government's goal is no victims from mines by 2012.

/// REST OPT ///

But International Campaign to Ban Landmines ambassador, and Nobel laureate, Jody Williams says Burma needs attention now.

/// ACT WILLIAMS ///

It appears there is actually now more victims every year in Burma than Cambodia, which is quite

startling. Cambodia is held as the landmine basket-case of Asia, but the problem is really on the increase in Burma.

/// END ACT ///

Ms. Williams says, especially along the borders with Thailand and Bangladesh, nine out of Burma's 14 provinces have landmine problems.

While noting that more Asian nations need to sign and comply with the treaty, Ms. Williams says she is hopeful that more countries will join. (SIGNED)

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