At 12:14 PM 8/6/01 -0400 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>Actually, John, I believe that this is not exactly the case. What you're
>describing are anti-tank mines, which are simply fused not to detonate
>unless a multi-ton vehicle goes over them. I'm not actually sure if the
>International Treaty to Ban Land Mines covers them - I have a vague feeling
>that it does not, in fact, do so.
I am quite sure that it does... but I do stand corrected on the point.
Smart mines - which the United States is
>asking for an exemption for - are computer-controlled mines that are
>designed to be cleared automatically.
Additionally, they can be programmed to detonate automatically after a
given period of time.
It is worth noting that the US unilaterally foreswore the use of "dumb"
mines years ago, and currently keeps only "smart mines" in its aresenal.
>- to be
>blunt, no European country has such responsibilties anywhere in the world,
>while we have such commitments all over the world.
To be even more blunt, when a small crisis broke out in Europe's backyard -
i.e. Kosova - the Europeans had to privately admit to us that they were
incapable of taking such responsibilities, even within Europe itself.
> Those minefields pose absolutely no risk to any Korean civilians
>- they are all guarded by Korean and American soldiers, in fact, who, among
>other things, prevent civilians from crossing into the minefields.
In fairness, the statistic I posted, admittedly from an anti-landmine
source, suggests that there definitely is *some* risk. For example, there
are reports of landmines being washed out of the DMZ after heavy rains.
Nevertheless, your point remains that these risks, albeit serious, are
small when compared to the alternatives.
> Yet I am unable to generate
>another explanation for the refusal to grant the United States (and South
>Korea, of course) a temporary exemption for the Korean peninsula, given the
>rather unique situation there. Can you supply one? And do you understand
>why a nation with responsibilties - one that is spending billions of
>dollars and risking thousands of lives to defend South Korea - might not be
>particularly amenable to criticism from countries that are not taking
>similar steps?
These are such good and pertinent questions, I figured that they were worth
repeating.
JDG
__________________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ICQ #3527685
We are products of the same history, reaching from Jerusalem and
Athens to Warsaw and Washington. We share more than an alliance.
We share a civilization. - George W. Bush, Warsaw, 06/15/01
