UNAMA - Statements by SRSG

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I am a great admirer of the work is being done in Afghanistan in the field of demining. I am an admirer of this work and indeed very proud that the United Nations is involved in it for two reasons. The first reason is that this is a war that we are fighting and we are very proud of participating in this kind of war. Although we at the United Nations hate all wars, but this war we love because it is a war to protect innocent people as Professor Rabbani said a while ago. It is a war against what I think are known quite graphically as these silent killers which have been laid by people who have not respect for life. So I hope especially those representatives of the donors who are here will be generous and respond to the call of Professor Rabbani to help this programme rid Afghanistan of these silent killers. I’m very pleased to tell Professor Rabbani that the number of victims, thanks to this work, has gone down from an average of 300 to now perhaps 120 a month. But it’s still much too much, too many victims and we have got to work much faster, much better to further reduce the number of innocent victims that are killed by these silent killers or maimed for life until we really reach a situation until nobody is a victim of these silent killers.

The second reason why I am a great fan of what we are doing here in the field of mine clearing is because it is a very, very efficient way of providing international support to a national worthwhile activity. 7,200 people are working every day to clear these mines and get rid of these silent killers. Out of these 7,200 people only 15 are non-Afghans. As you know I have been calling for what has been named the light footprint, that foreigners who want to help Afghanistan do not need to come here in large numbers. I think Mine Action has done this before I started calling for this way of doing business. I’m sure that one day in Afghanistan and elsewhere aid will be provided to countries that need it in the manner that has been pioneered by the Afghan Mine Action activities of the United Nations.

Today Professor Rabbani we have some reason to feel optimistic because of the fact that we are celebrating this Afghan Mine Action Awareness Month and the entry into force of the Mine Ban Convention, which occurred on 1 March 2003. Both these events are evidence that we can overcome this human tragedy. Perhaps most important, the commitment of the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan to building a society free of the effects of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) has been demonstrated by the decision to support the global ban on landmines. The Afghan people have now joined the community of states that have declared their commitment to the principle that the indiscriminant nature of landmines is inhumane and must be outlawed. Let us hope that other states in this region will follow Afghanistan’s example.

The link between landmine contamination and the overall peace and security of Afghanistan is evident. One of the most significant challenges to be faced in Afghanistan is the need to establish an environment of peace and security. Afghan citizens have the right to feel safe and to have the confidence to rebuild their lives, without fear of injury. The presence of landmines throughout the country, with over 700 square km of land contaminated by mines and an additional 500 square km of land littered with UXO is a very clear reminder of past decades that have left this land crippled with the consequences of war.

How can Afghans hope to rebuild peace in their society without eliminating the basic fears that currently exist in the country: the fear to drive on unknown roads, the fear of children to play in open fields; and the fear of refugees and displaced persons to return to their former homes and their land? We must work together to change this sad reality by supporting mine action to turn contamination into reconstruction.

Mine action is of course an important prerequisite for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. Without mine clearance, roads cannot be rebuilt, schools cannot reopen and the people of Afghanistan cannot fully use the resources of their land. The task of making all these things possible is not an easy one and will require significant consultation and planning by all involved at every level.

An important example of how this work is being done is the clearance to permit major road reconstruction in Afghanistan. Right now deminers are out working as efficiently as possible to clear mines from the Kabul-Kandahar and Kabul-Jalalabad road projects. Very close cooperation and planning is needed between reconstruction contractors and mine clearance specialists. This close partnership will allow these projects to be completed at lower cost and more quickly, so that Afghans can gain the socio-economic benefits of reconstruction as soon as possible.

This model of coordination and teamwork is what will clear Afghanistan of mines and at the same time build the structures that will ensure that economic development will take place. Initiatives such as this conference are valuable in terms of raising the awareness of all stakeholders in Afghanistan regarding the importance of factoring mine action into development planning and of coordinating efforts as early as possible with the mine action sector.

The mine action community is to be congratulated on the progress that has been made during the last 13 years of work in Afghanistan. I want to reconfirm the support of the Secretary-General and the commitment of UNAMA to the full implementation of the Mine Ban Convention and for the progress you are making daily towards creating a mine safe Afghanistan.

I would especially like to thank the ACBL on behalf of the UN for its support for implementing the Mine Ban Convention and organizing initiatives such as Afghan Mine Awareness Month that will raise awareness around the country about the need to ban landmines and to support mine action programmes. I will be watching your continued efforts with interest and I thank you for your ongoing commitment to mine action in Afghanistan.

Kabul, 15 April 2003

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		Impromptu remarks by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Lakhdar Brahimi, at the Opening Conference of Afghan Mine Action and Awareness Month
		Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am a great admirer of the work is being done in Afghanistan in the field of demining. I am an admirer of this work and indeed very proud that the United Nations is involved in it for two reasons. The first reason is that this is a war that we are fighting and we are very proud of participating in this kind of war. Although we at the United Nations hate all wars, but this war we love because it is a war to protect innocent people as Professor Rabbani said a while ago. It is a war against what I think are known quite graphically as these silent killers which have been laid by people who have not respect for life. So I hope especially those representatives of the donors who are here will be generous and respond to the call of Professor Rabbani to help this programme rid Afghanistan of these silent killers. I’m very pleased to tell Professor Rabbani that the number of victims, thanks to this work, has gone down from an average of 300 to now perhaps 120 a month. But it’s still much too much, too many victims and we have got to work much faster, much better to further reduce the number of innocent victims that are killed by these silent killers or maimed for life until we really reach a situation until nobody is a victim of these silent killers. The second reason why I am a great fan of what we are doing here in the field of mine clearing is because it is a very, very efficient way of providing international support to a national worthwhile activity. 7,200 people are working every day to clear these mines and get rid of these silent killers. Out of these 7,200 people only 15 are non-Afghans. As you know I have been calling for what has been named the light footprint, that foreigners who want to help Afghanistan do not need to come here in large numbers. I think Mine Action has done this before I started calling for this way of doing business. I’m sure that one day in Afghanistan and elsewhere aid will be provided to countries that need it in the manner that has been pioneered by the Afghan Mine Action activities of the United Nations. Today Professor Rabbani we have some reason to feel optimistic because of the fact that we are celebrating this Afghan Mine Action Awareness Month and the entry into force of the Mine Ban Convention, which occurred on 1 March 2003. Both these events are evidence that we can overcome this human tragedy. Perhaps most important, the commitment of the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan to building a society free of the effects of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) has been demonstrated by the decision to support the global ban on landmines. The Afghan people have now joined the community of states that have declared their commitment to the principle that the indiscriminant nature of landmines is inhumane and must be outlawed. Let us hope that other states in this region will follow Afghanistan’s example. The link between landmine contamination and the overall peace and security of Afghanistan is evident. One of the most significant challenges to be faced in Afghanistan is the need to establish an environment of peace and security. Afghan citizens have the right to feel safe and to have the confidence to rebuild their lives, without fear of injury. The presence of landmines throughout the country, with over 700 square km of land contaminated by mines and an additional 500 square km of land littered with UXO is a very clear reminder of past decades that have left this land crippled with the consequences of war. How can Afghans hope to rebuild peace in their society without eliminating the basic fears that currently exist in the country: the fear to drive on unknown roads, the fear of children to play in open fields; and the fear of refugees and displaced persons to return to their former homes and their land? We must work together to change this sad reality by supporting mine action to turn contamination into reconstruction. Mine action is of course an important prerequisite for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. Without mine clearance, roads cannot be rebuilt, schools cannot reopen and the people of Afghanistan cannot fully use the resources of their land. The task of making all these things possible is not an easy one and will require significant consultation and planning by all involved at every level. An important example of how this work is being done is the clearance to permit major road reconstruction in Afghanistan. Right now deminers are out working as efficiently as possible to clear mines from the Kabul-Kandahar and Kabul-Jalalabad road projects. Very close cooperation and planning is needed between reconstruction contractors and mine clearance specialists. This close partnership will allow these projects to be completed at lower cost and more quickly, so that Afghans can gain the socio-economic benefits of reconstruction as soon as possible. This model of coordination and teamwork is what will clear Afghanistan of mines and at the same time build the structures that will ensure that economic development will take place. Initiatives such as this conference are valuable in terms of raising the awareness of all stakeholders in Afghanistan regarding the importance of factoring mine action into development planning and of coordinating efforts as early as possible with the mine action sector. The mine action community is to be congratulated on the progress that has been made during the last 13 years of work in Afghanistan. I want to reconfirm the support of the Secretary-General and the commitment of UNAMA to the full implementation of the Mine Ban Convention and for the progress you are making daily towards creating a mine safe Afghanistan. I would especially like to thank the ACBL on behalf of the UN for its support for implementing the Mine Ban Convention and organizing initiatives such as Afghan Mine Awareness Month that will raise awareness around the country about the need to ban landmines and to support mine action programmes. I will be watching your continued efforts with interest and I thank you for your ongoing commitment to mine action in Afghanistan. Kabul, 15 April 2003 _______________


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