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December 2, 2009

U.S.: Landmine Policy Review “Ongoing”
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The Obama administration is backtracking from an announcement it will
continue U.S. policy of rejecting an international convention banning
land mines. Last week, the State Department said the White House has
decided to leave the U.S. stance in place following a review. But U.S.
officials now claim the review is still ongoing. On Tuesday, State
Department official James Lawrence addressed attendees at a Mine Ban
Treaty review conference in Colombia.

James Lawrence: “The administration’s decision to attend the review
conference in Cartagena is the result of an on-going comprehensive
review of the U.S. land mine policy initiated at the direction of
President Obama. This is the first comprehensive review since 2003. As
such, it will take some time to complete, given that we must ensure that
all factors are considered.”

The U.S. is one of nearly 40 countries that have refused to ratify the
Mine Ban Treaty, which bars the use, stockpiling, production or transfer
of antipersonnel mines.



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