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A Rose By Any Other Name: The Interrelationship Of Landmines And Other Explosive Remnants Of War, Richmond H. Dugger Iii Aug 2006

A Rose By Any Other Name: The Interrelationship Of Landmines And Other Explosive Remnants Of War, Richmond H. Dugger Iii

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author explores the vast diversification in landmine etymology, condemning efforts that sought to provide more information but only complicated an already difficult process. Dugger continues with a historical perspective on the progression of language and processes used to address problems posed by landmines and other explosive remnants of war.


Ethiopia Part 2, Country Profile Aug 2006

Ethiopia Part 2, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ethiopia’s 70-year history of internal and international armed conflict, from the Italian invasion of 1935 to the Ethiopian- Eritrean War (1998–2000), has contributed to significant landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination. Ethiopia is one of the world’s 10 most heavily mined countries, with the government estimating it will take decades to clear. The most extensive contamination is in the Tigray, Afar and Somali regions. It is estimated that during the recent Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict, Ethiopian forces laid 150,000–200,000 landmines and Eritrea laid 240,000 mines over the disputed border areas.


Ethiopia, Country Profile Aug 2006

Ethiopia, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ethiopia’s 70-year history of internal and international armed conflict, from the Italian invasion of 1935 to the Ethiopian- Eritrean War (1998–2000), has contributed to significant landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination. Ethiopia is one of the world’s 10 most heavily mined countries, with the government estimating it will take decades to clear. The most extensive contamination is in the Tigray, Afar and Somali regions. It is estimated that during the recent Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict, Ethiopian forces laid 150,000–200,000 landmines and Eritrea laid 240,000 mines over the disputed border areas.


Egypt, Country Profile Aug 2006

Egypt, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Egypt is one of the most heavily mined nations in the world, with estimates ranging from 16.7 to 22 million landmines/pieces of unexploded ordnance, or an estimated one-tenth of the world’s 200 million landmines. Seventeen million landmines and pieces of UXO are estimated to be located in the Western Desert, a result of intense fighting during World War II between Allied and Axis forces at the El- Alamein perimeter. Approximately five million additional landmines were spread across the Sinai Peninsula and Red Sea coasts, largely from the Arabian-Israeli conflicts of 1956, 1957 and 1973. The Egyptian military estimates 19.7 million …


Eritrea, Country Profile Aug 2006

Eritrea, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Eritrea’s landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination problem began during World War II when British and Italian forces fought on Eritrean soil. A long struggle for independence (1962–1991) and a border war with Ethiopia (1998–2000) followed, exacerbating the problem. Eritrea has never produced or exported anti-personnel mines; all mines used in the past were stolen from Ethiopian forces from minefields or storage facilities during the War of Independence. There are no mine stockpiles except for 214 mines retained by the Eritrean Demining Authority National Training Center for training and development. Eritrea acceded to the Ottawa Convention1 Aug. 27, 2001, and it …


Survivor Assistance Through Technology Transfer In Tanzania, Mary Stanton, Kim D. Reisinger Aug 2006

Survivor Assistance Through Technology Transfer In Tanzania, Mary Stanton, Kim D. Reisinger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes how cutting-edge technology is being developed and disseminated in landmine-affected countries. Focusing particularly on the Tanzania Training Center for Orthopedic Technologists, the authors examine how a process of appropriate, resource-effective casting is being advanced and then shared through training workshops. Improved technology and its successful transfer are vital to better assisting landmine survivors, a goal the Center for International Rehabilitation is working to achieve.


Angola Project, Country Profile Aug 2006

Angola Project, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Roots of Peace, based in California, was founded in 1997 by Heidi Kuhn with the goal of freeing the world from landmines. The organization takes a unique approach to mine clearance, turning minefields into farmland. Currently, Roots of Peace is working on two projects in southeastern Angola. A 26-year civil war resulted in landmines and unexploded ordnance being scattered throughout the country and also created an unstable economy. Roots of Peace is working with Conservation International to clear access corridors for elephants and with World Vision to help Angola increase agricultural production.


Picking The Right Tool For The Right Task: Mine Clearance With The Minewolf Machine In Sudan, Christoph Frehsee Aug 2006

Picking The Right Tool For The Right Task: Mine Clearance With The Minewolf Machine In Sudan, Christoph Frehsee

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 2005, Norwegian People’s Aid used the mechanical mine-clearance machine MineWolf to aid in the demining process in Yei, South Sudan. The MineWolf system combines both the tiller and flail systems. The mine clearance team overcame several challenges to transport the 25-ton machine to South Sudan. Once there, the MineWolf was used to clear over 280,000 square meters (69 acres) of land, including a school complex, a planned housing complex and a teacher-training centre.


Mines Awareness Trust In Eastern Africa, Nigel Howard Aug 2006

Mines Awareness Trust In Eastern Africa, Nigel Howard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mines Awareness Trust has been involved in many mine-action programmes that are aiding the mine-clearance process and improving the way of life for the people of eastern Africa. MAT has performed needs assessments in Uganda and has supervised the Ugandan Army. It has also developed a partnership with the International Mine Action Training Centre, which resulted in a state-of-the-art mine-detection dog training facility in Kenya. MAT’s collaboration with and assistance to eastern African organisations has put the area on the path to becoming mine safe.


An Alternative Perspective On Landmines And Vulnerable Populations, Shelby Weitzel Aug 2006

An Alternative Perspective On Landmines And Vulnerable Populations, Shelby Weitzel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

By offering a different view on the International Campaign to Ban Landmines’ dominant message concerning mine action, this article presents an argument for possible alternatives. The author brings up such points as a lack of discussion and an acceptance of facts without proper checking of research. In addition, suggestions of constructive use of landmines in the defense of vulnerable populations are made to refute the idea of a necessary worldwide ban.


Opening Roads To Angola’S Future, Daniela Kempf Aug 2006

Opening Roads To Angola’S Future, Daniela Kempf

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Angola’s Road Threat Reduction Project, funded by the Humpty Dumpty Institute, cleared heavily mined roads in the country’s Planalto region. The project made safe travel possible among the over 200 small communities and other bordering nations. With help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and HALO Trust, HDI opened several roads for the Angolan people, creating new possibilities for the developing government.


A Primer On Explosive Remnants Of War, Daniele Ressler Aug 2006

A Primer On Explosive Remnants Of War, Daniele Ressler

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This primer reviews the legal and functional understandings regarding explosive remnants of war, particularly after the adoption of Protocol V in the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. It examines the tensions between the legal definition of ERW and the reality on the ground, and recommends clarifying the terms that bind post-conflict clearance efforts to ensure the greatest effectiveness of those campaigns


No Wizards, Just Patient Teachers, Bart Weetjens, Jina Kim Aug 2006

No Wizards, Just Patient Teachers, Bart Weetjens, Jina Kim

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

APOPO is a Belgian-African nongovernmental organization that trains rats to be at new mine-detection tool. The authors describe the basic idea behind this unique concept.


Medical Challenges In Sudan, Adam Kushner Aug 2006

Medical Challenges In Sudan, Adam Kushner

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Working with Médecins du Monde, Dr. Kushner spent 12 weeks with a mission in Malakal, Sudan. This article, written as a journal, is his account of the first six weeks. Through his work, Dr. Kushner has helped many and witnessed the impressive ability of doctors in Malakal to work in stressful and sub-par conditions. He also came face to face with the cholera crisis and worked to get support and supplies for a second Cholera Treatment Center site.


Tajikistan Mine Action Programme, Jonmahmad Rajabov Aug 2006

Tajikistan Mine Action Programme, Jonmahmad Rajabov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Tajikistan Mine Action Centre is responsible for all mine-action-related programs in the country. The author details Tajikistan’s landmine problems and provides a report on TMAC’s progress in various aspects of mine action as well as its goals for future mine-related operations.


Power Tillers And Snails For Demining In Sri Lanka, Emanuela Cepolina Aug 2006

Power Tillers And Snails For Demining In Sri Lanka, Emanuela Cepolina

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This paper presents a project the author has been working on since January 2005 in the context of her doctoral research and offers some of the first results. The topic concerns the participatory design and development of a distributed system for humanitarian-demining operations in Sri Lanka. The completed research is expected to encompass the relationship among landmines, humanitarian technologies and development. This article looks at the adaptation of power tillers for demining applications in Sri Lanka using a participatory design methodology called the Snail System.


Understanding The Ottawa Convention’S Obligations To Landmine Victims, Kerry Brinkert Aug 2006

Understanding The Ottawa Convention’S Obligations To Landmine Victims, Kerry Brinkert

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Ottawa Convention is unique for a number of reasons, not the least of which being that the Convention has linked obligations concerning the use of a weapon with a requirement that Convention signatories assist a victim wounded by that weapon. When the Convention was adopted in September 1997, this aspect, while lauded by diplomats and activists, was certain to be a challenge to implement. The real work began once the Convention entered into force and states had to act on this responsibility. This article discusses in particular the Convention’s victim assistance obligations.


U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development Program (Hd R&D), Anders Jansson, Marcel E. Durocher Aug 2006

U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development Program (Hd R&D), Anders Jansson, Marcel E. Durocher

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The anti-tank mine threat on access roads in eastern Angola is the greatest impediment to infrastructural rehabilitation, economic recovery and social development in that area. The authors discuss the method and equipment used by DanChurchAid to verify and clear roads in Moxico and Lunda Sul provinces.


Mozambique, Country Profile Aug 2006

Mozambique, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Once a Portuguese colony, Mozambique achieved independence in 1975 after a 12-year struggle led by Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (FRELIMO). Between 1977 and 1992 about a million Mozambicans died as the result of fighting or famine in a war that left the country unstable and its economy in ruins. In 1992, a United Nations-negotiated peace agreement led to the end of a civil war between FRELIMO and the rebel group Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (RENAMO). Following a brief period of stability, Mozambique suffered severe flooding in 2000 and 2001, which destroyed much of the nation’s infrastructure. Then in 2002, a …


Senegal, Country Profile Aug 2006

Senegal, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmine contamination in Senegal can be found in almost all the villages between the Casamance River and the border with Guinea-Bissau, and along the border with The Gambia. The contamination stems primarily from fighting in the Casamance region since 1982 between the Senegalese Army and the Mouvement des Forces Democratiques de Casamance, especially since 1997. The area south of Casamance between the Casamance River and the Guinea-Bissau border is the most affected region. The extent of the contamination is unclear without the Landmine Impact Survey, but according to the Landmine Monitor Report, about 1,400 square kilometers (541 square miles) of …


Libya, Country Profile Aug 2006

Libya, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Libya is one of the world’s largest socialist republics and has been ruled by many different foreign powers. Libya’s official name is the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. During the Turk-Italian War of 1911, there was a constant battle between the Libyans and the Italians until the Italians seized the country in 1939. It was also the major battleground in northern Africa when Italy entered World War II, which left many landmines scattered throughout Libya. Landmines were also emplaced along the border during the conflict with Egypt in 1977 and again in 1980–87 when Libya entered a conflict with …


Democratic Republic Of The Congo, Country Profile Aug 2006

Democratic Republic Of The Congo, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The landmine and explosive remnants of war problem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been a result of armed conflict since 1996. The contamination “extends diagonally from the northwest corner of Equateur province across the center of [the] country through Kasai to the southeast in Katanga province and then north along Lake Tanganyika up to Ituri district along the border with Uganda.” The extent of the contamination, however, remains unknown because acquiring information on mine contamination in the DRC has been difficult due to some areas being isolated by the threat from explosive remnants of war.


Decade Of Service: The Maic Is 10!, Dennis Barlow Aug 2006

Decade Of Service: The Maic Is 10!, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The James Madison University Mine Action Information Center is celebrating 10 years of service to the mine action community. Director Dennis Barlow looks back on 10 years of accomplishments.


Mauritania, Country Profile Aug 2006

Mauritania, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mauritania is located in northwest Africa. Poverty defines this country, ranking 149th of 174 countries on the human development index, where 40 percent of the children are malnourished and 60 percent of adults in Mauritania are illiterate. Much of the citizens’ income and government’s revenue come from the cities of Tiris Zemmour and Dakhlet Nouadhibou, which coincide with the location of a majority of mines.


Somaliland, Country Profile Aug 2006

Somaliland, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination in Somaliland is the result of the 1964 and 1977–78 border wars with Ethiopia and the 1988 –91 civil war between the Siyad Barre regime and the Somali National Movement. The Barre regime troops laid most of the landmines, using mines to threaten the civilian population and protect military installations and civilian infrastructure against SNM attacks.


Ethiopian Mine Action Office: Tackling Landmine Problems In Ethiopia, Zewdu Derebe Aug 2006

Ethiopian Mine Action Office: Tackling Landmine Problems In Ethiopia, Zewdu Derebe

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ethiopia’s landmine/unexploded ordnance problem is largely due to past wars and conflicts. The Ethiopian Mine Action Office was created in an attempt to alleviate the situation. This article discusses the country’s history and the efforts made to make it safe.


Center For International Rehabilitation, Qadeem K. Tariq Aug 2006

Center For International Rehabilitation, Qadeem K. Tariq

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 7 March 2006, the Government of National Unity in Sudan with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme–Sudan officially launched the country’s National Mine Action Authority at Friendship Hall, in Khartoum, Sudan. The new NMAA gathers the other mine-action entities in the country under its umbrella and represents Sudan’s commitment to confronting and eventually eliminating its landmine and explosive remnants of war problem.


Mine Action In Mauritania, Alioune Hacen Aug 2006

Mine Action In Mauritania, Alioune Hacen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Conflict with neighbouring Western Sahara has left Mauritania with a significant landmine problem. The country has taken steps to reduce the impact of mines and with international help, hopes to be rid of this scourge in time to meet its Ottawa mandated deadline.


Tied Campaigns: Cluster Munitions, Explosive Remnants Of War And Anti-Personnel Landmines, Robin Collins Aug 2006

Tied Campaigns: Cluster Munitions, Explosive Remnants Of War And Anti-Personnel Landmines, Robin Collins

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The cluster munitions campaign, following the precedent of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, is beginning to make an impact on state views of banning or restricting cluster munitions. This article examines the history behind the fight to ban or restrict cluster munitions and its ties to the ICBL. The author also discusses the most recent developments in the process to ban or restrict cluster bombs.


Mines And Erw, Bob Kudyba Aug 2006

Mines And Erw, Bob Kudyba

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to the history and nature of conflicts in the Ethiopia/Eritrea area, cleanup presents specific considerations and hazards. The lessons learned by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Mine Action Coordination Centre in mine/explosive remnants of war cleanup are presented, as well as recommendations on clearance operations for situations with mixed mine/ ERW like that in Ethiopia and Eritrea.