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Full-Text Articles in Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Uxb International, Inc., Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Uxb International, Inc., Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The mission of UXB is to provide a world-class, comprehensive program of demining-ordnance and explosive waste (D-OEW) remediation-engineering services designed to meet the needs of a diverse client base in a safe, effective, cost efficient manner while complying with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. UXB is committed to providing quality programs and services using an integrated systems approach, utilizing state-of-the-art science technologies and field-proven methodologies by well-qualified and highly trained personnel under the supervision of a streamlined, responsive, customer focused management team.


Saving Private Hashim, Dennis Barlow Jun 2000

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 …


Conquering The Insurmountable, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier Jun 2000

Conquering The Insurmountable, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Canadian Center for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) is a partnership of resources from the Department of National Defense and Industry Canada. The Center is co-located with the Defense Research Establishment Suffield (ORES) at Canadian Force Base Suffield in Alberta.


Mozambique: A Country Ravaged By Civil War And Nature, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier Jun 2000

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. …


A Full-Scale Evaluation Of Lightweight Personal Protective Ensembles For Demining In Providing Protection Against Blast-Type Anti-Personnel Mines, Aris Makris, J. Nerenberg Jun 2000

A Full-Scale Evaluation Of Lightweight Personal Protective Ensembles For Demining In Providing Protection Against Blast-Type Anti-Personnel Mines, Aris Makris, J. Nerenberg

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A wide range of equipment, in the form of helmets, vests, aprons and trousers, is currently in use around the world to protect deminers against the effects of AP mines. Significant variations exist in terms of the level of protection afforded, operational usefulness, quality of manufacturing and cost of each of these components. To date, there have been limited studies undertaken to systematically and quantitatively assess the effectiveness of the different protective components applied to both the civilian and military demining theaters. This study summarizes the efforts of numerous full-scale test series carried out in 1999, with particular emphasis on …


The Facts On Protection Needs In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith Jun 2000

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.


Mines Advisory Group, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Mines Advisory Group, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), U.K. Registered Charity No.1 020441, started in 1992. MAG's programs integrate mine/UXO survey, demarcation and clearance with awareness-raising activities to reduce landmine risks to affected populations. MAG's integrated approach prides itself on working with conflict-affected communities to identify and address their most pressing needs.


It's Mine And You Can't Have It, Joe Lokey Jun 2000

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 …


The Human Touch, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas Jun 2000

The Human Touch, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Biting insects, inaccessible terrain, impenetrable bamboo thickets and thorn bushes. Mine clearance in Cambodia is a hot, sweaty business at the best of times. Because tripwires hidden in the undergrowth could trigger explosions, the vegetation has to be cleared by hand before mine detection can start. It is a tedious matter and can occupy two-thirds of a mine clearer's working day.


Countering The Global Landmine Epidemic Through Basic Scientific Research, Mark S. Rountree, Robert M. Harris Jun 2000

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 …


Central America Landmine Survivors: The Need For Action In Nicaragua, William Boyce Jun 2000

Central America Landmine Survivors: The Need For Action In Nicaragua, William Boyce

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines are indiscriminate weapons, wounding and killing not only soldiers but women and children as well. Although hostilities may cease, landmines continue to maim and kill 500 victims a week, the equivalent of 26,000 additional disabled persons each year. There are at least 250,000 landmine-disabled people in the world, and the number continues to grow.


Mines Clearance International, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Mines Clearance International, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mines Clearance International (MCI) is an established humanitarian demining agency and a registered charity in the U.K. A fairly new organization, MCI was established, in April 1996, to respond to the problem landmines and unexploded ordnance posed to civilians, particularly in the underdeveloped nations of the Southern Hemisphere. MCI staff, though newly on board, includes well-qualified technical and aid personnel with experience in humanitarian responses to the landmine issue.


Gerbera Gmbh, Cisr Journal Jun 2000

Gerbera Gmbh, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Comprised of a staff comprehensively trained in international operations involving project management and mine clearance, GERBERA Gmbh strives to offer a range of services to mine-affected countries.


Conferences: Who Needs Them?, Dennis Barlow Feb 2000

Conferences: Who Needs Them?, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The global mine action process seems to spawn conferences. During the past three years there have been at least 13 major gatherings which contained in their agendas major activities dedicated to improving demining operations. What have the three years of meetings, issue development, and projects produced? Have the conferences and attempts to frame operators' needs been a wasted effort, characterized by travel boondoggles of innumerable representatives to venues far and wide? Or have they driven real development and positive achievement?


Adopt A Minefield, Cisr Journal Feb 2000

Adopt A Minefield, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Adopt a Minefield Campaign engages individuals, community groups, and businesses in the United Nations effort to remove landmines around the world. The campaign helps to save lives by raising funds to clear mine fields and by raising awareness about the global landmine crisis.


Slovenia, Country Profile Feb 2000

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.


A Serbian Ghost Town In Need Of Recovery, Sinisa Malesevic Feb 2000

A Serbian Ghost Town In Need Of Recovery, Sinisa Malesevic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

All sorts of people are hoping for the demining and reconstruction of Dropci, a "Serb village" approximately 45 kilometers from the municipality of Bihac in Unsko-Sanski Canton, located in the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This area was strategically important during the war, and much was done to protect it, which means there are plenty of mine fields. The few hundred people who lived here before the war (1992-1995) have all left.


The Journal Of Mine Action Issue 4.1 (2000), Cisr Journal Feb 2000

The Journal Of Mine Action Issue 4.1 (2000), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines in Europe and the Caucasus


The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program In The Balkans, Matt Murphy Feb 2000

The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program In The Balkans, Matt Murphy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As a result of years of conflict in the Balkans, countless landmines have been laid in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Bosnia-Herzegovina's landmine problem is severe, with an estimated 750,000 landmines and an undetermined quantity of unexploded ordnance infesting some 186 square miles of land. These hidden killers have killed and maimed hundreds, vastly impeded the return of refugees to their homes, and hindered international efforts to help people in the region.


The Munitions Challenge In Albania, Steve Brown Feb 2000

The Munitions Challenge In Albania, Steve Brown

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Political controversy, economic chaos and increasing criminality have faced Albania since its democratic revolution in late 1990. Anti-government demonstrations erupted into violence, which took the form of attacks against state facilities including public offices, schools, factories and military depots. Of particular concern were the attacks against ammunition and weapons storage areas. Over 600,000 weapons and several thousand tons of ammunition and explosives were looted and some 16 ammunition storage areas, known as Hot Spots, were set ablaze resulting in massive unexploded ordnance contamination of the sites and surrounding areas.


Road Trip With A Minecat, Stephanie Schlosser Feb 2000

Road Trip With A Minecat, Stephanie Schlosser

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In The Journal of Mine Action 3.2, we spotlighted the Compact 230-Minecat, a multi-role platform suitable for both military and humanitarian applications whose primary role is to be a mine-clearance vehicle. Since that article in the summer of 1999, the Minecat has had a proper education, going through a series of tests in various landscapes and in front of rough judges. Landmine clearing is serious business and before a new piece of equipment can be put on the world market, it has to prove itself in rigorous settings. After all, the real customers in the demining marker are those people …


Journal Of Mine Action, Issue 3.3 (1999), Cisr Journal Oct 1999

Journal Of Mine Action, Issue 3.3 (1999), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Victim & Survivor Assistance | Notes from the Field | Organization Profiles


A Promise To Our Children, Charles E. Maccormack Oct 1999

A Promise To Our Children, Charles E. Maccormack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On May 22, 1999, President Clinton announced a decision on anti-personnel landmines that commits the United States to sign the Ottawa Treaty by the year 2006. With this initiative, Clinton cleared the way for the United States to join the more than 120 nations that already have signed the treaty, which is an international agreement that bans the stockpiling, use, and import and export of anti-personnel landmines. This is welcome news for the children, families and communities whose daily lives are affected by the scourge of landmines.


What You Should Know About Landmine Victims, Margaret S. Busé Oct 1999

What You Should Know About Landmine Victims, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

One million people have been killed and maimed by anti-personnel mines. Twenty-six thousand people a year become victims, 70 people a day, or around one person every 15 minutes. Three hundred thousand children and counting are severely disabled because of landmines. Half the people who step on an anti-personnel mine die from their injuries before they are found or taken to hospital. An even higher percentage of children die because, being smaller, their vital organs are closer to the blast. After the end of hostilities, decades afterwards, anyone who strays into a mine field is at risk. Everyone is vulnerable: …


The Devastating Effects Of Landmines: The Landmine Problem In The Sudan, Dennis Barlow Feb 1999

The Devastating Effects Of Landmines: The Landmine Problem In The Sudan, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sudan truly illustrates the broad array of horrors that can be visited on a society as a result of landmine-related problems. While we are often haunted by the image of a small child who has experienced the agony of a landmine injury, the cumulative problems caused by landmines typically do not end with the personal, physical, or even mental trauma of an individual. Invariably the net effect of multiple and frequent accidents is to inflict societal trauma, via infrastructure and economic damage, on the country at large. These burdens, shouldered by a country already struggling for survival, can eventually spell …


A Survey Of Research On Sensor Technology For Landmine Detection, Claudio Bruschini, Bertrand Gros Dec 1998

A Survey Of Research On Sensor Technology For Landmine Detection, Claudio Bruschini, Bertrand Gros

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

According to official figures, more than 100 million landmines lie buried around the world. Although intended for warfare, these mines remain active after warfare ends. Each day these mines are triggered accidentally by civilian activities, ravaging the land and killing or maiming innocent people. To help stop this destruction of the environment and humanity, the scientific community must develop effective humanitarian demining. Mine detection is especially vital to humanitarian demining. The goal of military demining is to clear enough mines quickly to allow troops through a land area. Military demining usually requires mine destruction rates of 80%. The goal of …


Peacetrees Vietnam, Colleen Pettit Dec 1998

Peacetrees Vietnam, Colleen Pettit

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

PeaceTrees Vietnam is one of 21 international PeaceTrees projects organized since 1987 by the Earthstewards Network, an international organization based in Bainbridge, Washington. As the name implies, PeaceTrees projects have a twofold purpose: social and environmental healing. Specifically, PeaceTrees projects unite former enemies, such as the U. S. and Vietnam, as together they clear landmines and counter the environmental damage caused by landmines.


Current Situation And Perceived Needs For Head And Face Protection In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith Dec 1998

Current Situation And Perceived Needs For Head And Face Protection In Humanitarian Demining, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The safety equipment used in humanitarian demining in developing countries would be considered inadequate by any Western army engaged in combat demining or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) work. No set of standards is imposed and the standards that have arisen are surprisingly low. There is no widely accepted need for better protective equipment, but demining organisations do seem to be slowly levelling-up in the equipment that they use. Very few demining groups routinely wear helmets. Those demining groups that are concerned about head protection usually favour a 30cm high full-face visor hanging on a head-harness (or head-frame). The visor provides …


Interview With The Chief Advisor For Operations And Technical Matters To The Cambodian Mine Action Center, Lcol Chip Bowness, Canadian Military Engineers, Dennis Barlow Dec 1998

Interview With The Chief Advisor For Operations And Technical Matters To The Cambodian Mine Action Center, Lcol Chip Bowness, Canadian Military Engineers, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It is becoming increasingly evident that the functioning of a central coordinating facility is critical to the overall success of a humanitarian demining mission. These mine action centers (MAC) are now proving their worth in several countries. We felt it would be helpful if we highlighted the organization, function, and goals of selected MACs. We wish to point out however, that no one MAC design will be the answer to all mine action missions. Therefore, in this issue we decided to spotlight two very different, but very effective MACs to showcase effective methods, while at the same time illustrating differing …


Interview With The Program Manager, Mr. Richard Todd, Of The United Nations (Un) Mine Action Center In Croatia., Dennis Barlow Dec 1998

Interview With The Program Manager, Mr. Richard Todd, Of The United Nations (Un) Mine Action Center In Croatia., Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

It is becoming increasingly evident that the functioning of a central coordinating facility is critical to the overall success of a humanitarian demining mission. These mine action centers (MAC) are now proving their worth in several countries. We felt it would be helpful if we highlighted the organization, function, and goals of selected MACs. We wish to point out however, that no one MAC design will be the answer to all mine action missions. Therefore, in this issue we decided to spotlight two very different, but very effective MACs to showcase effective methods, while at the same time illustrating differing …