Brief remarks by Henry L. Mac-Donald, JD, LL.M., Alternate Representative at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Suriname to the Organization of American States in the Committee of Hemispheric Security of the OAS on the Current De-Mining Activities in Suriname

Washington DC, February 04, 2005

Thank you Madam Chair,

The Delegation of Suriname is most appreciative to make a brief presentation on the current de-mining activities in Suriname in this first meeting of the Committee on Hemispheric Security for this year.

In order to effectively implement the recommendation of the “Ottawa Convention”, the Ministry of Defense installed an Inter-Departmental Commission in March 2003. Subsequently this Commission has been active in establishing short, medium and long term conditions for implementing the various recommendations of the Convention. It has as well prepared and finalized essential national legislation in line with stipulations of the Convention.

In November 2004, as a direct consequence thereof, the Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with the OAS to undertake cooperative action in the prohibition of anti personal landmines.

The landmines in Suriname are all located approximately 30 miles east from the capital Paramaribo in a community called “Stolkertsijver” and are scattered in an area of roughly 22,150 square meters.

Recently, an advanced party of the OAS visited my country and made preparations in collaboration with the national army, for the definite mine clearing activities which will start coming Monday.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Government of Canada, along with a number of other countries in our hemisphere who have been at the vanguard of the endeavors to eliminate the tragedies caused by anti personal mines. These countries have not only worked tirelessly at the political level, but also in terms of practical cooperation in this field.

Special acknowledgement goes also to the Governments of Honduras, the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Brazil who have provided technical expertise for the de-mining activities, as well as the Inter American Defense Board.

Finally, my delegation would like to once again congratulate the delegation of Canada with the presentation of the outstanding (Draft) Resolution entitled: “The Americas as an Anti Personal Land Mine Free Zone, AG/RES 2003 (XXXIV-O/04)”, and would as well offer to be a co-sponsor of said Resolution.

Thank you very much.

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