Rwanda First Country in World Free of Landmines

by Daniel J Gerstle · 2009-12-05 08:34:00 UTC
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As the US, Russia, and China avoid eye contact when the subject of landmines comes up, it looks like developing countries are stepping up in a big way.  UNICEF now congratulates Rwanda as the first country in the world free of landmines. That's worth a gleeful, lively dance around the coffee plantation! High fives all around! The conference on the progress of the Mine Ban Treaty going on right now in Cartagena, Colombia, must be rockin' it Kigali style tonight.

You might notice the photo posted here. Not to run congruous to the happy news, but it's a good opportunity to consider also the remaining work left to do. Imagine you're a kid herding his cattle. Would you know there was a landmine there?

This huge step forward for Africa and contributing partners should shame the Obama Administration which has been dragging its feet on the Mine Ban Treaty. Many understand that the US - unlike about thirty of the other countries which endorsed - only wishes to sign when it knows it can afford the oversight and follow through (the Convention on the Rights of the Child, comes to mind). Many also understand that the US cannot promise something then be contradicted by partners who would violate the treaty on US funds (Korea comes to mind). But the administration should just come out and say that. If it is willing to sign, it should simply accept a follow on exception for mines already in place on the De-Militarized Zone between North and South Korea to buy time for de-mining that area.

[Photo: UN]

Daniel J Gerstle is a journalist, human rights researcher, and humanitarian aid consultant. He is Editor and Chief Correspondent for HELO: The Crisis Story Magazine.
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