The Amman Seminar on Military and Humanitarian Issues Surrounding the Ottawa Convention

Amman, Jordan
19-21 April 2004
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  Co-Hosts’ Summary

The Amman Seminar on Military and Humanitarian Issues Surrounding the Ottawa Convention was held 19-21 April 2004 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Amman, Jordan under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Samir Habashneh, Minister of the Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The seminar was co-hosted by the Regional Human Security Centre of the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy and the Government of Canada. Its purpose was to exchange views among countries in the region on various issues, both political and military, surrounding the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention).

In addition to Jordan, 10 countries from the region participated in the Amman Seminar: Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. In addition, a variety of donor States from outside of the region, the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and other organizations attended the event.

The Amman Seminar opened with a ceremony at which remarks were made by Dr. Atef Odiebat, Director of the Regional Human Security Centre, H.E. John T. Holmes, Ambassador of Canada to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, General (ret'd) Maurice Baril, Former Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff and Special Advisor to Canada's Ambassador for Mine Action, and Mr. Zuhdi Al-Hassan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of the Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on behalf of H.E. Mr. Samir Habashneh, Minister of Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Following an overview on the humanitarian impact of anti-personnel mines provided by the ICRC, as well as a presentation by the GICHD’s Implementation Support Unit on the main elements of the Convention, its implementation mechanisms and status, Brigadier Falah Ma’aitah Director of the Royal Engineers Corps of the Jordanian Armed Forces’ made a presentation on the Jordanian experience in implementing the Convention. He noted the progress that Jordan is making in meeting its Convention commitments, but also indicated that several challenges remain and requested additional assistance from donor countries. The presiding Co-Chairs, Brigadier Falah Ma’aitah and General (ret’d) Maurice Baril, noted with satisfaction the efforts of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in fulfilling its Convention commitments.

Presentations made by Brigadier (ret’d) Paddy Blagden and General (ret’d) Maurice Baril set the scene for discussions on military issues concerning the Convention. It was stated that the humanitarian impact of anti-personnel mines greatly outweighs their marginal military utility. In addition, in noting that over 140 States have joined the Convention, including several militarily significant States and several others that find themselves in complex security environments, it was emphasized that States can indeed fulfil national security responsibilities without anti-personnel mines. Following these presentations, several States from the region, including Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria and United Arab Emirates, shared their views on the Convention.

Seminar participants took part in a visit to mined areas being cleared by Jordan’s Royal Engineers Corps.  This visit provided a demonstration of the excellent work of the Jordanians in clearing mined land and thus in working to meet their Convention commitments.  The presentations during the visit also highlighted the great challenges that Jordanian deminers face on a daily basis related to the country’s topography. An exhibition, also, took place where participants were introduced to demining techniques and equipment.

Discussions were held on the Convention as a framework to address the humanitarian challenge posed by anti-personnel mines during a session that was presided over by co-chairs Dr. Atef Odibat, and Ambassador Satnam Jit Singh, Diplomatic Advisor, International Campaign to Ban Landmines.  Mr. Ayman Sorour, Executive Director of the Egyptian non-governmental organization PROTECTION illustrated the extent of this challenge in the Middle East by outlining the origin and scope of the mine and unexploded ordnance challenge in the region.

Ambassador Martin Dahinden, Director of the GICHD, provided context for a discussion on cooperation and assistance to achieve the Convention’s aims through a presentation on the concept of mine action as a framework to implement the Convention. His Excellency, John Holmes, Ambassador of Canada to Jordan outlined the Convention’s Article 6 assistance and cooperation provisions, highlighting the role of both States Parties "in a position to do so" in providing assistance and mine-affected States Parties in making known their needs known.  Ms. Julia Taft, Assistant Administrator of the UNDP and Director of Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, emphasized the UN’s commitment to the Convention and noted how the UN system can assist States in Convention implementation. As well, several States in the region, including Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, made statements outlining the manner in which they are support efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines.

The importance of the Amman Seminar in serving as an informal means for States of the Middle East and Gulf regions to prepare for the Convention’s First Review Conference – the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World – was underscored by Austrian Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, Nairobi Summit President-Designate. It was noted that the States Parties have placed an emphasis on being forward-looking and action-oriented at the Nairobi Summit. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) also shared its expectations for the Nairobi Summit, expressing the hope that by the time of the Nairobi Summit 150 States will have joined the Convention, that armed non-state actors will have accepted the Convention’s standards, that understandings will have been reached on the interpretation of various articles of the Convention, and that significant progress will have made in stockpile destruction, victim assistance and mine clearance.

In summarizing the Amman Seminar, the Co-Hosts expressed the belief that the conference was an important step contributing to mutual confidence among countries in the region.  They noted the commitment of States Parties to the Convention in the Middle East to implement the Convention, and welcomed the will of States not parties in the region to engage in a dialogue on addressing the threats posed by anti-personnel mines to peace and security.  The Co-Hosts invited these States to take necessary steps towards acceptance of the Convention.  Finally, the Co-Hosts reiterated the call for all States and relevant organizations to participate at the highest possible level in the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World.