Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

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 …

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.

Unsung Hero: Silvija Bogdany, Jennette Townsend

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the fall of 2001, Silvija Bogdany answered a Norwegian People’s Aid advertisement for mine-clearance personnel of both sexes. After six weeks of intense training, Bogdany became the youngest deminer in Croatia and began working in the field alongside highly experienced male deminers. In the spring of 2003, she was promoted to Team Leader. Though she only has about four years of experience, her former Project Manager, Damir Jakši, places her in the category of “highly experienced deminers.” Bogdany is now both the Technical Advisor to and Supervisor of the DCA Mine Action Program Sudan, where she trains demining staff. …

Minefield As A School Ground: The Tzur Baher Minefield Clearance Project, Bentzi Telefus

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With so many factors limiting the education process in the Middle East, it is hard to believe that one more could be imposed upon the people of Tzur Baher, a village in Jerusalem. However, the presence of a minefield in their village severely hindered progress in the building of a school. Maavarim Civil Engineering Ltd. was brought in to begin work. The planned site for the school is now mine free, and construction is scheduled to start in the near future.

Armed Non-State Actors: The Main Users Of The “Poor Man’S Weapon”, Anki Sjöberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This report, which builds on the 2004 Geneva Call initial analysis, provides a comprehensive mapping of the use, acquisition, production, transfer and stockpiling of landmines by armed non-state actors through a presentation of individual group profiles and a global analysis. The report records global occurrences of antipersonnel and anti-vehicle mine planting by NSAs during 2003–2005, whether activated by victims, vehicles or at a distance using command detonation.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining 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 like the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Systematic Test & Evaluation Of Metal Detectors: Interim Report Field Trials Mozambique, Dieter Guelle, Adam Lewis

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission published at the end of 2005 another interim report for the STEMD project. This article gives background on the project and report and some results and recommendations of the trial. The authors hope this article will pique interest in the full report.

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 …

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, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Chad, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The mine and unexploded ordnance contamination in Chad is a result of decades of internal conflict, the 1973 Libyan invasion and intensive mining during Libya’s occupation of the Aouzou Strip in the north from 1984 to 1987. Most of the known mined areas are in the Borkou- Ennedi-Tibesti region in the north and the Biltine and Quaddai regions in the east. Areas such as the Wadi Doum Military Base are also contaminated with abandoned missiles, munitions and other explosive remnants of war.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zimbabwe, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the War of Liberation between 1976 and 1979, the Rhodesian Army laid minefields along the northern and eastern borders of Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rhodesia). The Rhodesian Army handed over minefield records to the Zimbabwe National Army in 1980. The minefields were emplaced in standard patterns and were marked and posted with danger/warning signs, but many of these signs have been stolen, destroyed or removed over time. It was initially estimated that 2.5 million anti-personnel mines were emplaced in Zimbabwe and the remaining minefields stretch 218 miles. Zimbabwe signed the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention on Dec. 3, 1997, and …

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 6th Edition (Fy2004 And 2005), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

This sixth edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety summarizes the accomplishments of the inter-agency U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. In a strict sense, it is a combined annual report for two years on what was then and still is the world’s largest such program. But it is also a chapter in a real-life story that has a beginning, middle, and, we now know because of more than fifteen years of practical experience, an end.

Public safety and regional stability can be endangered by illegally traffi cked small arms and light weapons, abandoned …

Book Reviews, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Book Review: Vanna’s Dance, Maria Almudevar-van Santen

Assisting Landmine Accident Survivors In The Thai-Burmese Border Region, Imbert Matthee

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Demining In Iran, Eddie Banks

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United Nations classification of mine-affected countries names the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the world’s most affected countries. Historically Iran has been called the “cradle of civilization,” and it contains a number of important historical sites, including the ancient city of Persepolis (or Takht-e-Jamshid), which was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 322 B.C.

Afghanistan, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Steel Wheels In Mozambique, Johan Van Zyl

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This down-in-the-trenches story about using a Casspir fitted with steel wheels to demine in Mozambique in the early 1990s makes you feel like you are right there. Getting rid of the mines was not the only problem the deminers had; sometimes getting past the insurgents was more challenging.