Transcribed Statement of the Representative of Algeria Mrs. Nassima Baghli

11/9/01

Mr. President,

First of all on behalf of my delegation let me congratulate you on your accession to the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament and express our great appreciation for the way in which you are conducting the proceedings.

Mr. President,

Like previous speakers I would like to stress the importance of the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, which continue unfortunately to claim many victims around the world. We are well aware of the importance and the scope of that instrument, which has come at the right time to ban the use of destructive weapons and to establish an appropriate framework for international cooperation in combating this scourge. My country has warmly welcomed the preparatory process for the Convention and was one of the first to sign it. Motivated by that same concern, which we have always had for the danger represented by anti-personnel landmines, Algeria has just ratified that text and we are in the process of preparing to deposit the ratification in the appropriate places. Although we are not often on the list of countries affected by mines, Algeria has been particularly affected by those weapons, which date for the most part from the colonial period. Those mines were laid by colonial forces in violation of the most elementary rules of human rights with a view to hindering the struggle for independence of the Algerian people. Those mines still claim victims today. Those victims have a right to claim compensation and reparations from those who are responsible for laying those mines. Since the advent of independence the services of the People's National Army have conducted mine clearance operations but those efforts have been insufficient because of the lack of adequate training and necessary resources. Initial evaluation of the number of those mines were around 2 or 3 million. Some estimates have put forward much higher figures. The Algerian delegation would also like to take this opportunity to pay well deserved tribute to the non-governmental organizations, which have greatly contributed to the success of the Ottawa process. Their determination and perseverance in this regard have been exemplary. Their determination has not limited itself to that task because NGOs have shown the same determination to make their contribution to the implementation of their Convention and to provide invaluable assistance to the people affected by mines. In this regard the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines in 1997 was well deserved. That commitment and that effectiveness shown by the NGOs in the area of disarmament have incited Algeria to request participation of NGOs in the proceedings of the Conference on Disarmament as observers. Since signing of the Ottawa Convention much has been done to help the countries affected by those destructive weapons in accordance with the provisions of that Convention. It must be admitted that this has made it possible to a great extent thanks to the donor countries who have provided the necessary funds to help those countries affected by mines. We can only welcome this example of international cooperation and solidarity being aware that the presence of anti-personnel landmines considerably hinders the economic development of the regions affected not to mention of course the many victims that they claim long after the end of the conflict. I must also pay tribute to the role played by organizations such as the International Committee for the Red Cross, the competent agencies of the United Nations as well as the International Humanitarian De-Mining Center for their commitment to implementing the Ottawa Convention in particular the outstanding work that they have been doing in the area of education to the danger represented by mines. On the eve of the 3rd conference of states parties to the Convention my delegation would like to take this opportunity to wish the participants of that meeting full success in their work and also appeal for universalization of the Convention in order to free our planet from the scourge of anti-personnel landmines. As for my country, under the terms of its ratification of the Ottawa Convention we undertake fully to comply with its provisions and to cooperate with a view to its full implementation. Thank you Mr. President.