Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Landmines in Cambodia.

Máirín Quill

Question:

68 Miss Quill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Cambodia, the UN Convention on the probation or restriction on the use of certain conventional weapons is due for review in April 1993; his views on whether the world community should now take a fresh initiative to start to put some control on the production, sale and distribution of landmines which are causing havoc all over Cambodia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I share the Deputy's concern at the continuing hazard posed to all the people of Cambodia by the widespread presence of landmines throughout the countryside. This problem has been fully recognised by the UN, and was one of the first tasks addressed by UNTAC (the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia) under the Cambodian peace plan when it began deployment last year. UNTAC set up a mine-awareness, mine-marking and mine-clearance programme and began training civilians in mine-avoidance techniques. Mine-clearing teams have now been deployed and, as the progamme intensifies, increasing numbers of people will be involved in mine-clearing operations.

The United Nations Convention on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects, commonly known as the "Inhumane Weapons Convention", was opened for signature in 1981. The Convention prohibits the indiscriminate use of mines, in particular in areas where there is a high concentration of civilians. Ireland is a signatory of this Convention and the Government strongly support its provisions. Cambodia is not a party to the Convention.

The Convention states that ten years after it comes into force i.e. in 1993, any State Party may request the UN Secretary-General to convene a Review Conference to examine its operation. I am not aware that any State was asked for a Review Conference. Nor am I aware of any review of the Convention's record as it pertains to the Cambodian conflict.

The Government view the problem of dealing with the proliferation of landmines as falling within the wider question of restraint in the manufacture, possession, transfer and sale of all conventional weapons. Together with our EC partners and Japan, Ireland has sponsored the introduction of a United Nations Register of Armaments to include information on international transfers of certain categories of conventional weapons. The Register is now in place and the first returns are due to be made in April 1993 for transfers in 1992. When the Register is fully operational, it is intended to examine the possible extension of its scope to include further categories of armaments, and Ireland and the other sponsors of the Register will seriously consider the inclusion of landmines at that stage.

At the United Nations General Assembly in October 1992, Ireland tabled a proposal for a Code of Conduct for restraint in transfers of conventional weapons, with particular emphasis on transfers directed to areas of conflict. Ireland will continue to press in international fora for the maximum possible progress towards restricting arms transfers.