VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent observer to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions, spoke on February 10 in Geneva at the first meeting of the permanent Committee of experts on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on their Destruction.
In his talk, published today, Archbishop Tomasi said that "when there has been the lack of knowledge, of ability or of will to take political decisions or practical measures to prevent production and dissemination of anti-personnel mines, national authorities and the international community have no right to avoid their respective responsibility for a comprehensive treatment of the tragic consequences mines cause."
After emphasizing that victims of anti-personnel mines "are innocent witnesses of a wrong approach to security," the permanent observer added: "In most cases the citizens of the country that employs this arm are those who suffer most its disastrous consequences." For this reason, he urged that in the First Review Conference which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya "the plight and a program of assistance to victims of anti-personnel mines should take a prominent place in the reflection."
"Healing entire populations of the consequences of war and armed conflicts, especially the people that have been most affected and victimized, is the best investment in building up true security and a durable peace."
DELSS/ANTIPERSONNEL MINES/GENEVA:TOMASI VIS 20040214 (240)
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