Friday, March 8, 2002
San Jose Mercury News: To understand the case for banning land mines, listen to "John," a Bosnian refugee, talk about how he was maimed and changed for life.
Trying to help spirit out villagers under siege by Serbs, "John" and three buddies were trying to negotiate a field by dark when they stumbled upon one of many mines. Although the group escaped, "John" and his friends weren't so lucky. Shrapnel tore into his body, and he lost several fingers. He underwent 26 surgeries in 29 days.
Now resettled in San Jose, "John" is afraid to divulge even his first name because he fears the attention might instigate reprisals against family left behind. He is among the more than 18,000 people killed or wounded annually by land mines. The overwhelming majority are civilians; one-third are children.
Sadly, the United States appears bent on ensuring that "John's" story continues to be replicated many times over.
Until recently, a global effort against land mines was gaining steam. A treaty to ban the production, use, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines has been signed by 142 countries and slowed the proliferation of land mines.
Alarming recommendations: But a major obstacle is the U.S. government, which seems poised to do an about-face after provisionally agreeing to comply with the treaty by 2006. The Bush administration has received alarming recommendations from the Defense Department to abandon plans to comply with the treaty, to not eliminate "dumb" mines from the U.S. arsenal by 2003, to end the search for alternatives and to insist on the indefinite need for anti-personnel mines in Korea and elsewhere.
Senior retired U.S. generals and admirals disagree. In a letter to President Bush, they assert that land mines are not critical for Korean security, nor do they enhance U.S. combat effectiveness. Since 1942, land mines have caused more than 100,000 U.S. Army casualties, including one-third of those in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War. In Afghanistan, perhaps the most heavily mined country in the world, mines have killed troops and civilians alike.
Yes, the United States finances de-mining operations -- a slow, painstaking, expensive and daunting effort. There are at least 60 million land mines buried in 70 countries worldwide. But continuing to mine, and to scatter cluster bombs in Afghanistan, multiplies the problem manyfold.
Perhaps the State Department, which is reviewing the treaty, will realize the importance of joining other civilized nations. All other NATO nations, except Turkey, and all Western Hemisphere nations, except Cuba, have signed.
Congressional voices ought to urge the White House to sign the land mine treaty.