Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ukraine, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Under the brutal control of the Soviet Union during World War II, the terrain of present-day Ukraine was littered with minefields and munitions depots. When the Soviet Union disbanded into independent states in August 1991, the newborn Ukraine inherited the burden of Soviet munitions and mines. In February 1999 Ukraine signed the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention but waited to ratify the law, seeking international assistance for the four-year stockpile destruction deadline. In May 2005 the parliament in Kiev unanimously ratified the decision, President Viktor Yushchenko immediately signed it and the United Nations approved Ukraine's membership to the Convention. Ukraine became …

Richard Matthew On Pakistan’S Drift Into Extremism: Allah, The Army, And America’S War On Terror By Hassan Abbas. London: M. E. Sharpe, 2005. 276 Pp., Richard Matthew

Human Rights & Human Welfare

A review of:

Pakistan’s Drift into Extremism: Allah, the Army, and America’s War on Terror by Hassan Abbas. London: M. E. Sharpe, 2005. 276 pp.

Mine-Action Capacity Development At A Crossroads, Dennis Barlow, Daniele Ressler

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Capacity development is a central part of sustainable mine action. As a concept, capacity development has evolved over time but even now there is not an agreed-upon definition. While the mine action sector has made progress in encouraging the development of national capacity in many countries, there is still much that can be done to promote strong, capable institutions—both within the mineaction field and beyond.

New Approaches And Strategies For Mre In Azerbaijan, Musa Jalalov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

By changing its approach, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action has been able to achieve much success in its mine-risk education program. As Head of the MRE Department for ANAMA, Musa Jalalov describes the new steps being taken in Azerbaijan to educate the public and involve the community in mine action.

The Journal Of Erw And Mine Action Issue 11.1 (2007), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Feature: Eastern Europe & Caucasus | Focus: Capacity Development | Country Profiles | Research & Development

Demining Of Underground Adits In Ukraine, Yurii Kolisnyk

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During World War II the Soviet Union established ammunition depots with over 10,000 metric tons (11,023 U.S. tons) of explosives around the Ukrainian towns of Sevastopol and Kerch. Stored in adits, these explosives threaten the peaceful lives of present-day Ukrainians. In 2002, teams began the task of removing unexploded ordnance, landmines and debris. They encountered many problems while pursuing their goal of eliminating these stockpiles by 2010. Their efforts are described in this article.

Implementing The Ottawa Convention In Southeast Europe: Meeting Expectations In A Challenging Environment, Kerry Brinkert

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As the 10-year deadline for fulfilling Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention is rapidly approaching for the first States that ratified or acceded to the Convention, each State Party faces the requirement that all known anti-personnel mines be destroyed. The author examines the progress and challenges that remain in Southeast Europe regarding Article 5 implementation

Unsung Hero: Alison Bock, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As the founder and president of Landmines Blow!®, Alison Bock has built an influential organization that raises awareness about landmines and unexploded ordnance, and helps victims all over the world. In the eyes of many people, Bock is truly an Unsung Hero.

The Mine Injury And Trauma Seminar: A Way To Save Lives, Adam Kushner, Md

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author describes his journey to Ecuador for a seminar he was invited to teach for medical personnel working in or around demining sites. Working with the Organization of American States, the author developed a seminar to teach mine-clearance experts what actions to take if someone is injured by a mine, enabling personnel to react to multiple types of stimuli while working in the field. The author explains the details of this seminar and why it is an important part of the mine-action process. He also provides information on Ecuador’s own mine problem.

The Child To Adult Method In Mine Risk Education, Mudhafar Aziz Hamad

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author explains a child-to-adult approach to mine-risk education and how it uses the power of children as “little” MRE instructors in their communities. As part of this method, children use MRE lessons to teach adults and peers in their homes about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Maic Survivor Assistance Projects, Lois Carter Fay, Suzanne Fiederlein

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

New projects under way at the Mine Action Information Center are described here, including a best-practices guidebook on casualty data, survivor-assistance training and a catalog of adaptive technologies.

Albania, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For many citizens of Albania the current mine problem is a haunting reminder of the Kosovo Crisis of 1999. Upon returning home after an evacuation of the Albania- Kosovo border area, residents discovered the border polluted with mines and unexploded ordnance.

News Briefs, News Brief

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

News Briefs

Endnotes Issue 11.1, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Endnotes Issue 11.1

Croatia, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 25 June 1991, Croatia became an independent nation. Serbian and Yugoslav forces soon invaded the country, with the area known as Slavonia being a major battleground changing hands frequently throughout the conflict. The Dayton Peace Accords in November 1995 ended the fighting and Slavonia returned to Croatia on 15 January 1998. In 2003 Croatia applied for European Union membership and in 2004 received official candidate status. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader stated that 2007 is a critical year if Croatia wishes to become an EU member. While not directly included in these discussions, Croatia’s substantial mine-affected areas are seen as …

Capacity Building In Mine Action: Are We There Yet?, Olaf Juergensen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article flags some of the major debates within the broader development literature and introduces concepts that might help to better define and identify what is meant by "capacity development."

Best Practice Strategy: Speak With One Voice, Sabina Jalilova

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article, the Public Relations Officer of ANAMA discusses how successful communication with the public has been critical to the success of the mine action program in Azerbaijan. As part of its public-relations efforts in 2006, ANAMA organized a mine-action workshop for local journalists.

Clearing The Way In Azerbaijan, Samir Poladov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The expansion of clearance activities in Azerbaijan has been largely due to the creation of an Emergency Response Team and the implementation of new tools. Thanks to these additions, ANAMA has been able to respond quickly to requests for clearance in residential areas and in the field.

Regional Mine Action As A Confidence-Building Measure, Jernej Cimperšek, Iztok Hočevar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The mine-action cooperation through regional workshops described in this article tested the effectiveness of this cooperation as a confidence-building measure among neighbouring states and former combatants.

International Eurasia Press Fund Works In Azerbaijan, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Problems with explosive remnants of war in Azerbaijan stem from emplacement of mines by the Soviet Union between 1988 and 1994. Mines were used along Azerbaijan’s expansive border region and military installations. More recently, ERW have been left behind from Azerbaijan’s battles over territorial integrity. The International Eurasia Press Fund has developed a program to address the needs of mine victims in one of the country’s most heavily mined regions. The Mine Victims’ Association of the Terter district is working to rehabilitate victims in numerous ways, providing participants with the skills and information they need to lead productive, independent lives …

National Ownership And Partnerships For Capacity Development, Hrh Prince Mired R.Z. Al-Hussein, Olaf Juergensen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Through the lens of Jordan’s mine-action history, the importance of strong leadership, national ownership and partnerships are detailed here as necessary for capacity development.

Perspectives On Capacity Development, Daniele Ressler

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 5 March 2007, Daniele Ressler interviewed Richard Kidd, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. The interview was conducted to discuss Kidd’s perspectives on capacity development and how it is tied into mine action. Through the course of the interview, Kidd addresses how PM/WRA understands capacity development, successful examples of capacity-development project implementation, lessons learned and the future of capacity development in the mine-action process.

Perspectives On Capacity Development, Daniele Ressler

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 30 March 2007, Daniele Ressler interviewed Sara Sekkenes, Senior Programme Advisor and Team Leader for Mine Action and Small Arms in the United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. The interview was conducted to learn more about Sekkenes’ and the UNDP’s views on the role of capacity development in mine action. Lessons learned from past UNDP capacity-building activities are highlighted, as well as plans for future activities and the process of mainstreaming mine action.

Unsung Hero: Vanja Jokic Raznjevic, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a single mother, Vanja Raznjevic felt that she had no other choice than to apply for a demining position with Norwegian People’s Aid. “I needed a job,” says Raznjevic, “and this job seemed really normal for me because I spent time [in Croatia] during the war and became accustomed to danger.”

Cen Workshop Agreements For Test And Evaluation Of Humanitarian Demining Equipment, Franciska Borry

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Comité Européen de Normalisation has organised workshops to aid the establishment of standard methodologies for demining. This article discusses the workshops and the agreements reached in those workshops. The author includes a list of contacts for additional information on demining equipment and methods.

2007 Marks 10th Anniversary Of Mine Action Standards, Faiz Paktian

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The International Mine Action Standards are guidelines set by the United Nations to implement mine action programs safely and effectively. The author discusses the purpose and processes of the IMAS as well as provides various references for those interested in learning more about the IMAS.

Angola Lis: Guidelines For Using Lis Results In Mine Action Annual Planning, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Survey Action Center and Comissâo Nacional Intersectorial de Desminagem e Assistência Humanitária carried out the Angola Landmine Impact Survey. In July 2006, SAC sent the author on the first of three planned missions to Angola as Technical Advisor for the completion of the LIS. This article explains the Provisional Provincial Reports, which contain a section of guidelines on the use of LIS results for operational planning. The National Mine Action Strategy for Angola was developed based on interim LIS results, and the detailed data supporting those results are made freely available to all interested parties.

Armed Non-State Actors: Their Contribution To Solving The Landmine Problem, Anki Sjöberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Armed non-state actors are currently involved as fighting parties in conflicts all over the world; hence, for a true universalization of the rules and principles of human rights and international humanitarian law, the involvement of NSAs must be considered. This is equally true for prohibiting the use of AP mines because NSAs currently employ these devices. As NSAs are part of the problem, any solution must include them.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The GICHD provides operational assistance to mine-action programmes and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law. The author discusses changes that have occurred at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, including a redesigned Web site and new publications.

Needs Assessment In Lao Pdr, Jo Durham

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes the needs-assessment process and findings for mine-risk education in Lao PDR. Specific issues that arise are identifying those who are at risk, why they are at risk, and what can be done about it.