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Worldwide ban on land mines approved, without U.S.
September 17, 1997
Web posted at: 2:07 p.m. EDT (1807 GMT)
OSLO, Norway (CNN) -- Dozens of nations endorsed an international treaty on a worldwide ban on land mines Wednesday, but President Bill Clinton said the United States would not sign the treaty.
"There is a line I simply cannot cross," Clinton said at a news conference in Washington, several hours after delegates in Oslo adopted the land mine ban by acclamation, ahead of Thursday's formal signing.
Washington had asked for certain exemptions, saying it wanted to use land mines for nine more years on the Korean peninsula, where the U.S. maintains tens of thousands of troops in support of South Korean troops confronting Communist North Korea.
Clinton said land mines were an integral part of Washington's defense strategy in that part of the world, and did not pose any threats to civilians since the land mines were in a clearly marked zone.
The United States had also asked for an exemption for its "smart" anti-personnel mines that self-destruct over a set period of time and a provision that would allow countries to withdraw from the treaty if they come under attack.
Clinton said the U.S. had already destroyed a significant number of its land mines, and he announced that funding for international de-mining programs would be increased.
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An estimated 100 million to 300 million anti-personnel mines are deployed in about 60 countries worldwide. About 26,000 people, mostly civilians, are killed or maimed by land mines every year, often decades after the actual conflict has ended.
Delegates from nearly 100 nations at the Oslo conference adopted the treaty by acclamation, and a formal vote was to take place Thursday.
The move to ban land mines has proceeded with unusual speed, and pressure to conclude a treaty grew after the death of Britain's Princess Diana, who had campaigned for a worldwide ban.
However, three of the world's biggest countries are not taking part in the treaty conference: China, Russia and India.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Message Board: Land mine controversy Related stories:
- U.S. agrees to soften stance on land-mine ban - September 15, 1997
- Princess Diana's anti-mine legacy - September 10, 1997
- Anti-land mine conference honors Diana - September 1, 1997
- Anti-land mine boots could save life and limb - August 28, 1997
- Security tight as pope calls for land mine ban - April 20, 1997
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