Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

News From The Oas, Whitney Tolliver

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1996, the OAS Mine Action Program has assisted the government of Costa Rica in its efforts of mine clearance, mine risk education (MRE) and victim rehabilitation. On December 10, 2002, the country became the first in the Americas to officially declare itself free of AP mines. Mine contamination within the country had been concentrated primarily along the northern border as a result of the conflict in Nicaragua. Costa Rica itself has never produced, imported, stockpiled or used AP mines.

The Demining Technology Information Forum, Dtif Dtif

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Demining Technology Information Forum (DTIF) organizes conferences and publishes proceedings and relevant papers in an effort to increase communication between users and developers of demining technology.

Plays Nicely With Others: Some Thoughts On Issues Raised At The 6th International Meeting Of Mine Action Directors, Geneva, March 17–20, 2003, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

At the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC), we have tried to drive this demon away and to deal in (to paraphrase Woodrow Wilson), “open information, openly arrived at.” We were gratified at the directors’ meeting when someone from outside the mine action community (Niels Harild of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) suggested that the paradigm has now shifted. To share information in today’s world, he asserts, is to increase—not diminish—one’s power. It is through that hopeful and re-polished lens that we would like to review two critical issues facing the mine action community—strategic planning and coordination, which were raised …

The U.S. Department Of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research And Development Program, Sean Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1994, the United States initiated a research and development (R&D) program to develop new, internationally shareable technologies for humanitarian deminers and for U.S. troops performing peacekeeping and stability operations. The Humanitarian Demining (HD) R&D Program is part of the overall U.S. effort to assist with the global landmine problem.

International Mine Action Standards: Future Development Of Ppe Standards, Adrian Wilkinson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article explains developments since the issue of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) 10.30 in order to illustrate the potential amendments to IMAS 10.30 over the next two years.

Low-Profile Disposal Of U.S. Ordnance, Frederick L. Barthold

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The mission was simple enough; monitor air operations at Thumrate bombing range from a safe distance, locate ordnance that did not detonate, ensure a positive identification of said ordnance and ensure a complete disposal of said ordnance is accomplished with the lowest profile possible. Oh, if life could be so easy! The ordnance: MK82, 500-pound bombs using M904E point detonating nose fuzing with a M990 series, inertia tail fuze back-up, and GBU-10, laser guided bombs (MK84) with a MK346 electric tail fuze. What normally would have been a “blow-n-go” operation took a brutal turn for the worse when a herd …

Use Of Mechanical Equipment In Mine Clearance, Johannes Dirscherl

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In recent years, mechanical equipment has become more and more prominent in demining programs around the world. This article provides an overview of mechanical demining equipment and highlights the involvement of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) in promoting such equipment.

Costa Rica: The First Country In Latin America Free Of Anti-Personnel Landmines, Jaime Perales, Carl Case

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On December 10, 2002, Costa Rica declared itself the first country free from anti-personnel landmines in the Western Hemisphere. Placed in hills and brooks, bridges and roads, mines and UXO were buried for more than 15 years during the conflict in Central America.

A Fresh Approach To Road Clearance Operations, Roger West

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

UXB International has employed a combined approach to clearance activities in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The author discusses how his organization uses this unique method of mine clearance.

The Journal Of Erw And Mine Action Issue 7.1 (2003), Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Research, Development and Technology in Mine Action

Spoiled Soil, Eddie Banks

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While it is necessary to remove explosive items from the land to facilitate repatriation, reconstruction and rehabilitation, it is crucial that, in undertaking this action, the soil structure is not inadvertently damaged, creating short-, medium- and long-term problems for agriculture, and in particular, the sustainable farming that supports vulnerable communities.

The Minex Center, Minex Minex

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1978, in the scope of cooperation or defense agreements that link us to some countries (e.g., Chad and Lebanon), the French Engineers have taken part in overseas operations in countries that are greatly affected by the problem of mines and battlefield pollution, and that are no longer at war. Those sappers will acquire an experience recognized worldwide.

In 1992, in order to standardise mine clearance techniques and to elaborate an acceptable training doctrine for all the military actors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to create a training center for post-war mine clearance within the French Army Engineer School …

Adopt-A-Team: Adopt-A-Minefield® Responds To The Situation In Afghanistan, Megan Burke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Afghanistan is considered one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. This is the sad legacy of 23 years of near-continuous war—first against Soviet occupiers, then between rival Afghan factions. The majority of the population has not experienced a time of peace in their lives. According to the United Nations, between 150 and 300 people are injured or killed every month due to landmines or UXO. Seventy percent of those accidents involve civilians—many of whom are returning refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

First Person: Deminers’ Stories, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Personal stories open a unique world by revealing the challenging experiences in the life of a deminer. These stories are compiled from the CD Landmines: Clearing the Way, which showcases field experiences and explains how the U.S. government and the international community are working together to solve the landmine problem.

The K9 Demining Corps In Lebanon, Amy Eichenberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Thanks to the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI), dogs are playing a large role in the demining of Lebanon.

Security Devices (Pvt) Limited, Trevor Thomsen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Security Devices (PVT) Limited has expanded its manufacture of metal detectors to include an entire range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and manual demining hand-tools.

The Evolution Of Mine Detection Dog Training, Dan Hayter

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Global Training Academy has been building mine detection dog (MDD) capacities for years, even while they worked under skeptic voices and much criticism. Now the academy serves as the main MDD sub-contractor for the Department of State (DOS), and has experienced many successes with their program.

Explosive Remnants Of War: The Impact Of Current Negotiations, Paul Ellis

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

“While there has been significant progress in reducing the scourge of APLs, the menace posed by unexploded artillery shells, mortar rounds, hand grenades, cluster bomb submunitions and other similar objects must also be addressed.”—ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger, 2002.

Mine Drill For Drevers, Hugh Morris

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With its Mine Dog Centre in Pretoria, MineTech International has begun a two-year program to assess the potential of the Drever for development as an alternative breed for mine detection work. The programme has been initiated by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), which has provided six dogs for the project. The study involves keeping detailed records of all areas of the Drevers’ development process to identify both the positive and negative aspects in training these dogs as mine detection dogs (MDDs). The project began in October 2002, and although it is still in early stages, some interesting …

The Survey Action Center, David Hartley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Survey Action Center (SAC) is an international organization with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is registered in the United States as a non-profit organization. SAC serves as the executing agency for Landmine Impact Surveys (LISs). These surveys will allow for greater prioritization of demining efforts and further integration of the various mine action sectors.

The Mine Action/Mine Risk Education Integrated Approach, Hanoch Barlevi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Integration is a popular buzzword in current dialogues among United Nations’ experts and practitioners. The integration of mine risk education (MRE) into mine action programs is crucial if a program is to be successful in addressing the mine threat in a holistic and comprehensive way.

Humaid’S Demining Efforts In Guinea-Bissau, Susanna Sprinkel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Guinea-Bissau may not have one of the largest landmine problems in the world, but the lives of native Guineans continue to be threatened on a daily basis by landmines/UXO that remain from previous conflicts. This study highlights the efforts of the non-governmental organization (NGO) HUMAID, whose main objective is to keep working until Guinea-Bissau is landmine-free.

Messiah College’S Minefield Simulation, Donald Pratt

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a part of their Mine Awareness Week, members of the Messiah College Landmine Action Project (MCLAP) built a simulated minefield to draw attention to the landmine issue and give members of the community a taste of what it might be like to live in a place where mines are a part of daily experience.