ACTION ALERT – DECEMBER 2002
GOOD SHEPHERD VOICES FOR JUSTICE
Call the White House to Prevent Mine Use in Iraq!
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BACKGROUND:
More than 140 nations have signed the 1997 Ottawa Mine Ban
Treaty, which bans the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of
anti-personnel (AP) landmines. President Clinton refused to sign the treaty,
citing the need for AP landmines in Korea and for anti-tank systems that
include a mix of anti-personnel mines. The Clinton administration pledged,
however, to stop use of AP landmines (except in Korea) by 2003, and to develop
alternatives for Korea by 2006 (the target date for signing the treaty).
The Bush administration is currently reviewing its landmine
policy. The Defense Department reportedly is recommending that the U.S. not
sign the Treaty, not eliminate "dumb" mines, and not develop
alternatives to existing AP and mixed AP-anti-tank landmines. The State
Department has not yet finished its review. The final decision – which is
expected at the end of March – rests with President Bush.
UNITED STATES CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS POSITION:
(USCCB)
With Pope John Paul II and the Church around the world, the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) strongly supports a U.S. commitment
to sign the Mine Ban Treaty, which would eliminate the scourge of these morally
unacceptable weapons that do not distinguish between soldiers and civilians or
between times of war and times of peace. U.S. leadership is essential for the
success of the treaty. For more inforatmation regarding the USCCB’s stance,
visit:
www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/landmine/index.htm.
ACTION NEEDED:
Call the White House at 202-456-1414 and urge President Bush
to not let the US military use antipersonnel landmines in Iraq, and to ban the
weapon altogether.
December 3rd and 4th marked the fifth anniversary of the
opening for signature of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which bans the use,
production, trade, and stockpiling of antipersonnel landmines. Because
antipersonnel mines maim and kill 15,000-20,000 people each year and lead to
devastating agricultural, economic, and psychological consequences for millions
of others living in mine-affected communities, 146 countries have signed this
life-saving treaty. President Clinton failed to sign the treaty in 1997, but he
created policies that would lead the US to join the treaty by 2006.
It appears as if President Bush may be prepared to abandon
all efforts to ban US landmines and to instruct the military to use the
indiscriminate weapon in Iraq (there are mines ready to be used that are now
stockpiled in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain). We expect the White
House to determine new US landmine policies soon.
Please make your voice heard by calling the White House at
202-456-1414.
Here is what to say:
"I am calling from ____ to urge President Bush to support a total ban on antipersonnel landmines and to not allow the military to use antipersonnel landmines in Iraq or Afghanistan."
For more information:
