Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 43, January - February 2000

France Destroys Landmine Stocks; Bradley Endorses Ottawa

In a ceremony at Precigne, 125 miles west of Paris, on December 21, France destroyed the last of its military landmines stockpile. A stock of 5,000 landmines has been retained for demining training and research purposes. The same day, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted: "The United Nations welcomes the announcement by the Government of France that it has completed the destruction of its stockpiles of anti-personnel mines, in compliance with the Ottawa Convention. …"

On January 6, former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, candidate for the US Democratic Presidential nomination, made clear for the first time that he would support US accession to the Ottawa Convention, which the Clinton Administration has declared itself unable yet to join, principally over security concerns about removing landmines from the Korean Peninsular (though it hopes to be in a position to do so no later than 2006).

Reports: France destroys military land mines, Associated Press (AP), December 21; UN welcomes France's announcement that destruction of anti-personnel mine stockpiles has been completed, UN Press Release SG/SM/7267, December 21; Bradley heads to Iowa, endorses land mines ban, Reuters, January 6; Bradley endorses landmine treaty, AP, January 7.

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