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Articles 1 - 13 of 13
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Dispelling The Myth Between Humanitarian And Commercial Mine Action Activity, Ann Fitz-Gerald, Derrick Neal
Dispelling The Myth Between Humanitarian And Commercial Mine Action Activity, Ann Fitz-Gerald, Derrick Neal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since the post World War years and even the more recent aftermath of the Cold War, the nature of peacekeeping, or peace-support operations, has changed dramatically. The change has involved the number and type of agencies concerned at each stage of an intervention and the numerous challenges they face in theatres. The responsibility is no longer left to and can no longer be fulfilled by a military force. A multitude of agencies takes on various tasks and becomes answerable to a number of different external and internal stakeholder interests.
Alternatives To Anti-Personnel Landmines, Keith Feigenbaum
Alternatives To Anti-Personnel Landmines, Keith Feigenbaum
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The complexity of the issue of alternatives to AP landmines is great from both a humanitarian and a technical standpoint. Stances on this issue seem to range from the substantive and supported (by research and field experience) and the reactionary (i.e., unbending humanitarianism). When the differing stances are considered, the one conclusion that can be drawn is the need for the discovery of a middle ground. That is, given current levels of technology, what can be done to end the suffering of the innocent while protecting the combatant?
Wwii Ordnance Still Haunts Europe And The Asia-Pacific Rim, Margaret S. Busé
Wwii Ordnance Still Haunts Europe And The Asia-Pacific Rim, Margaret S. Busé
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Explosives and mines from WWI and WWII still turn up on European and Asian construction sites, backyard gardens, beaches, wildlife preserves and former military training ground. For most countries, these discoveries are not isolated incidents but are the result of hastily cleared ammunition dumps, training ground, bombings and mine fields from these wars. In the United Kingdom, over 20 percent of the entire landmass has, at one time, been used for military training. This military training has resulted in uncovered ordnance that dates from cannon and musket balls to modern weapons. Many of the older U.K. ranges can contain an …
Saving Private Hashim, Dennis Barlow
Saving Private Hashim, Dennis Barlow
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Sometimes, a subjective event can focus our thinking the way objective knowledge cannot. The movie "Saving Private Ryan" had the extraordinary effect of causing millions of cinema fans around the world to marvel and, hopefully, to ponder the extent to which we sometimes go to protect the life and dignity of one individual. The premise was that the policy, strategy and resources of a major country at war could be altered in such a way to defy objective logic (risking far too much for one individual) for a limited goal, in this case-to ensure the viability of one family. It …
The Facts On Protection Needs In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith
The Facts On Protection Needs In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
When assessing protection needs, my approach has been to determine what the risks are, what injuries result and then decide how to minimize these risks and protect against any residual danger. I also bear in mind that there is no point in prescribing an action or a garment that will not be used.
Development Of A Procedure, Cameron R. Bass
Development Of A Procedure, Cameron R. Bass
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The human toll from AP mines is large. The United Nations estimates that there are over 100 million AP mines deployed worldwide (U.N. 2000). An estimated 20,000 civilians die each year from landmine explosions.Thousands more are wounded and maimed. As there is still no inexpensive and reliable mechanical technique for removing AP mines, human deminers will be used in the foreseeable future to protect the general population from the menace of landmines.
Countering The Global Landmine Epidemic Through Basic Scientific Research, Mark S. Rountree, Robert M. Harris
Countering The Global Landmine Epidemic Through Basic Scientific Research, Mark S. Rountree, Robert M. Harris
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since their first use during the U.S. Civil War (Croll 1998), blast landmines have played a role in almost every armed conflict from the World Wars to the most recent limited skirmishes. Landmines are the epitome of the consummate soldier: always ready, never tiring. Mines are simple devices that can be fabricated with little effort and from readily available materials. In Sri Lanka, numerous news releases covering the conflict mention a "Johnny mine" (Botsford 1997), which is a local term for an improvised explosive device. Manufactured mines can be inexpensive, costing as little as two dollars apiece. If mine laying …
Quality Standards For Demining, James Trevelyan
Quality Standards For Demining, James Trevelyan
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In the last two years, several authors have commented critically on the 99.6 percent standard for humanitarian mine clearance adopted by the United Nations and its agencies. These standards are being redrafted, yet from the literature and recent comments, it is clear that there is little intellectual foundation on which to build a new standard. There are three issues that need to be addressed. First, what is an acceptable quality standard for humanitarian demining? Second, how can one measure the quality levels actually achieved in humanitarian demining? Third, how can one implement a cost-effective training and monitoring process to ensure …
We Didn't Think It Could Happen To Us, Chris North
We Didn't Think It Could Happen To Us, Chris North
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
"We Didn't Think it Could Happen to Us" by Chris North
Mozambique: A Country Ravaged By Civil War And Nature, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier
Mozambique: A Country Ravaged By Civil War And Nature, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Mozambique, a nation fraught with the aftermath of civil war and, more recently, torrential downpours devastating the countryside, has attained sufficient stability to attempt the mammoth task of reconstructing its social and economic foundation. After suffering through 16-20 years of civil war, which eventually subsided in 1992, Mozambique's demining efforts were progressing when the nation was struck by Cyclone Eline in late February 2000 and Cyclone Hudah in mid-April 2000, complicating the demining mission. Initial reports indicated that mine fields that had been previously mapped for clearance had suddenly vanished, as the violent storms swept the mines to unknown locations. …
It's Mine And You Can't Have It, Joe Lokey
It's Mine And You Can't Have It, Joe Lokey
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
It seems to be a given in the mine action community that you are acknowledged as an "expert" simply because you have stood up and declared it so. As with many humanitarian pursuits, there is no process to credential, certify, or license individuals, processes, or procedures in mine action. There is no guild or professional body to oversee and validate the veracity of performance claims. This is frustrating to donors and funding organizations that have little upon which to base outcome expectations. The answer is an open information system and process, transparent reporting, and contributions from the scientific community that …
Azerbaijan, Country Profile
Azerbaijan, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia in 1918, but was incorporated in the Soviet Union in 1920. It again declared independence in August 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is still unresolved after 10 years and Baku has yet to settle disputes with its neighbors over oil rights in the Caspian Sea. During 1988-1994, Karabakh Armenians declared independence and seized almost 20 percent of the country's territory, creating an estimated 750,000 Azerbaijani refugees. As a result of the war, western Azerbaijan is plagued with land mines. Both sides have generally …
Slovenia, Country Profile
Slovenia, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Republic of Slovenia is a Central European country about the size of New Jersey, with a population of two million inhabitants. After World War I, Austria-Hungary disintegrated and Slovenia joined the new state, the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The people of Slovenia voted for independence and sovereignty at a national referendum held on Dec. 23, 1990, and on June 26, 1991, the Republic of Slovenia proclaimed its independence.