Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

Announcements, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

IBPP announcements pertaining to reader requests, editor nominations, and relevant conferences, as well as online and print publications.

5th Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2003), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The Final Report of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction,

Bangkok, 15-19 September 2003

A Risk Strategy For Mine Action, Julian Williams

Global CWD Repository

A generic risk management methodology has been derived, and aspects of it were used to develop risk management strategies for Cambodia and Bosnia. These countries presented different problems and so required very different approaches. In Cambodia, the available resources are wholly inadequate to remove the risk from landmines in the medium-term. Moreover, the mine treatment options that might be practicable, even if they were available, are limited, because of the poor infrastructure and type of terrain where they would be applied. Nevertheless, there is some scope for using risk assessment to identify where the practicable mine treatment options (mainly manual …

Vapour Sensing Using Dogs In Bosnia: A Test Of Detection Capacity, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, Havard Bach

Global CWD Repository

We report results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that REST (Remote Explosive Scent Tracing) technology could be used to find mines in Bosnia. The find rate for mines on 88 filers was 68%. Detection success was linked to humidity and temperature at the time of sampling, and to location within Bosnia. Detection success was not linked to when the filter passed across the mine during the sampling period, or how long the filter was held over the mine. Two mines were found at similar rates (PMA3, TMA4). Success was lower for a third type (TMM1) but …

Landmine Victim Assistance In South-East Europe: Final Study Report, Sheree Bailey

Global CWD Repository

In December 2002, Handicap International Belgium, in co-operation with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines' (ICBL) Landmine Monitor research network, began a research project on behalf of the Reay Group, which was funded through the ITF by Canada and the US State Department. The study should provide the ITF, donors, and service providers, with a clearer picture of the state of victim assistance in South East Europe. It is a starting point that should encourage relevant actors, including government authorities, donors, and local and international program implementers, to share information, to make informed decisions on where to direct resources, or …

Trends. The Federal Bureau Of Investigation Reform Act Of 2003 (S.1440): A Polygraph Update, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This Trends article discusses The Federal Bureau of Investigation Reform Act of 2003 (S.1440), and the continuing popularity of the polygraph with security bureaucracies.

Announcements, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

IBPP announcements pertaining to reader requests, editor nominations, and relevant conferences, as well as online and print publications.

Overcoming Political Strife: A Case Study Based On Training Jewish And Arab Educational Counselors, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

About the author. This article was submitted by Dr. Daniela Kramer, counseling psychologist and a senior lecturer at the Oranim School of Education of the Kibbutz Movement in Israel. Dr. Kramer heads the masters’ program in educational counseling as well as the clinical section of the animal-aided therapy program. She is also an experienced family therapist and group facilitator.

The author discusses the 'us' vs. 'them' phenomena, and the training of the Jewish and Arab educational counselors

Trends. Why Humanitarian Workers Should Be Killed: A Perspective From Nietzschean Slave Morality, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This Trends article discusses different views of the murders of United Nations humanitarian workers in Iraq – first, from a modern Western perspective, and, second, from the perspective of Friedrich Nietzsche as he considered the transvaluation of what is Good on the part of the powerless.

Personnel Security: The Challenge Of Personality, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes the construct of personality and identifies problems of the construct for application to viable personnel security programs on land, on and under the seas, in the sky, and in space.

Announcements, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

IBPP announcements pertaining to reader requests, editor nominations, and relevant conferences, as well as online and print publications.

Trends. Intelligence, Weapons Of Mass Destruction, And Truth: A Philosophical Perspective, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This Tends article discusses the issue of the possibility of Bush administration policymakers lying about the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Ddasaccident517, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a “Field control inadequacy” because it seems that the Victim was disarming a mine designated “no-touch” by the demining group, and may have been doing so without wearing appropriate PPE. The secondary cause is listed as a “Management control inadequacy” because the management of the demining group declined to make the accident details available. Although this is sometimes done to protect the Victims, in this case the Victim’s name was among the limited detail made available. It is possible that the managers have chosen to avoid transparency because they are afraid …

Ddasaccident516, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a “Field control inadequacy” because the accident occurred in the “post-clearance” phase so the mine had either been missed during clearance, or was outside (but close to) the cleared area, so implying inadequate survey. The fact that four deminers were injured implies that the Field controllers believed they were in a safe area, or that safety distances were being ignored. The spread of injuries indicates that protective visors were not being used.

Ddasaccident398, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

As he excavated closer to the position of the signal he stopped and swept again with the detector. After again, pinpointing the signal he continued the excavation drill where upon a short time later there was a detonation at 0707 hrs.

Mine Awareness In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Following the U.S.-led war in Iraq, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are saving lives by doing what they can to raise awareness about the country’s serious landmine/UXO problem.

The Humpty Dumpty Institute Forges Innovative Public-Private Partnerships For Landmine Clearance In The Caucasus, Daniela Kempf, William Rouhana

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) is a New York-based, non-profit organization dedicated to establishing effective and innovative public-private partnerships to ameliorate the global landmine crisis. The Institute has ongoing partnerships with a variety of public and private organizations. Together, these partnerships have raised over $1.5 million (U.S.) for landmine detection and clearance operations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Eritrea. To date, HDI’s programs have focused on clearance and subsequent economic re-development in partnership with the U.S. State Department (DOS), the International Trust Fund (ITF), the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI), the New …

Putting Sea Mammals To Work: Dolphins Help Coalition Forces In Iraq, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the first moth after arriving in Iraq, the dolphin teams achieved a number of successes, including unofficial clearance of 913 nautical miles of water, investigation of 237 objects, and recovery and/or destruction of over 100 mines.

Oil-For-Food Programme In Iraq, Ian Steele

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Oil-for-Food Programme was established in April 1995 as a temporary measure to ease the unintended consequences of UN sanctions on Iraq’s civilian population. The first Iraqi oil sold under the programme to pay for humanitarian supplies was exported in December 1996, and the first shipments of food arrived in March 1997. The Oil-for-Food Programme now covers 24 sectors of need. It has prevented the further degradation of public services and infrastructure and has made a significant difference in the humanitarian situation nationwide.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) provides operational assistance to mine action programmes and operators, conducts research, and provides support to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (MBC).

The U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United States government has developed a wide-ranging plan to build an indigenous mine action capability within Iraq. The plan will help rid Iraq of the threat of landmines and UXO so that the country can focus on rebuilding its society.

News From The Oas, Kevin Dansereau

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article features recent news from the Organization of American States (OAS) Mine Action Program.

Myths, Mines And Ground Clearance, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Building on an article published in issue 2.3 of this journal, the author discusses some of the prevailing myths that beset the humanitarian demining (HD) industry and which he believes restrict its progress. Intended as a discussion prompt, some of the points he makes may be contentious.

Explosive Remnants Of War: The Negotiations Continue, Paul Ellis

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

From 16–27 June 2003, States Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) met in a Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) to discuss a draft proposal for an Instrument on Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). A previous article in the Journal of Mine Action outlined the background to this process, and the June meeting was the second to take place in 2003. This article explains what was discussed in June, what will happen next and some of the broad issues of interest to the mine action community.

Demining In Bihac With 5 Korpusa Of The Bosnian Army, Peter Hindy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Despite the end to years of brutal fighting in Bosnia, landmines left behind from the war still threaten the safety of local populations. The following article gives a firsthand account of a former Canadian soldier’s demining experience in Bosnia alongside the Bosnian army.

Masg In The Balkans, Klaus-Peter Koschny

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In order for members of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG) to fully understand mine action programs and to study the implementation of mine action at the national level, several MASG representatives visited and met with government and UN representatives in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This article describes the discoveries and conclusions they made on their trip.

From Kosovo To Afghanistan, Cluster Bombs Again, Fernando Termentini

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cluster bombs have created problems in several countries, as they are one of the many unexploded hazards often left behind after a conflict. This article gives an overview of the threat and shows how the organization Intersos has been working to help clear up the problem.

Azerbaijan Mine Action Program: The Information Leverage, Aziz Aliyev

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The effective and steady working partnership between the Information Department of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) has enabled the development of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). The following article outlines the relationship between ANAMA and GICHD and their joint success.

Multicriterial Analysis Application In Mine Action, Damir Gorseta

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author proposes how multicriterial analysis should be used to select areas where demining will have the strongest impact on risk reduction, return of displaced persons, and revitalisation of economic and social life.

Profile: The Canadian Landmine Foundation, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Through projects ranging from advocacy to fundraising to clearance, the Canadian Landmine Foundation (CLF) has made many significant contributions to worldwide mine action efforts. This article highlights some of their recent work, focusing on their achievements in the Balkans.