Solving the land mine problem

The United States and Canada are taking two entirely different approaches in a renewed effort to control, and then ban, land mines. At first, it appeared that Washington and Ottawa were in disagreement. But they have a common goal, and their two quite distinctive methods both bear support. With any luck, the two plans will soon merge.

Canada has started what it calls the Ottawa Process of talks. It has called on all countries to come together for discussions that would lead to a ban on anti-personnel land mines. These weapons are specifically designed to maim and kill people.

There is, however, a major problem. Many countries and political movements have refused the Canadian invitation. Starting with China and Russia -- two of the world's largest producers and users of anti-personnel land mines -- these groups have simply ignored the Canadian request.

Canada will go ahead with its meetings. But even in the unlikely event the participants agree to steps to control the weapons, production and use of land mines will continue. While any agreement to stop using such weapons is a step forward, the Canadians will not succeed in reaching a universal agreement.

That's where the American plan could complement the Ottawa Process. It has two parts. The first is simple: a unilateral declaration by the U.S. that it will cap its own land mine stocks, and ban all exports of the weapons. The second is to engage the more recalcitrant nations in serious one-on-one negotiations on the subject.

Plants run by Beijing and Moscow are the world's largest suppliers of land mines. An agreement on land mines without the participation of these two governments is the same as no agreement at all.

President Clinton, who starts his second term as president today, has already promised to use the bully pulpit of the United Nations against nations and movements who insist on their right to use land mines around the world. The U.S., he says, will support the establishment of a treaty through the Conference on Disarmament. Then, he will verbally berate those who refuse to sign.

The Ottawa Process can be helpful in the first stage, where an estimated 50 countries are expected to join in an export ban and other steps to reduce the deadlines of land mines.

The U.S. plan can be even more helpful in bringing in the less-committed. The Canadian and U.S. plans are not mutually exclusive. Each has its part to play in an agreeable, diplomatic approach to solve one of the most serious disarmament problems.

-- The Bangkok Post