Letter: Landmine ban

From Mr Mike Aaronson

Sir: In the first two weeks of February, 83 people were killed or wounded by landmines in Cambodia's Battambang province. This was not unusual in a country where landmines kill and maim 300 people every month. But now Cambodians have set up a "Ban Mines Week" (21-28 February).

Organisers of the week have issued an open invitation to delegates to the Inhumane Weapons Conference in Geneva to see the devastation caused by landmines in Cambodia. Delegates have been meeting since February 1994 but have so far failed to reach meaningful agreement on strengthening the international law on the use of these weapons.

When the weapons conference reconvenes in Geneva in April, governments have an opportunity to show their determination to bring this indiscriminate killing to an end, by adopting a total ban. Twenty-two nations, including five Nato members, have already called for an immediate and total ban. For the sake of the citizens of Cambodia and more than 60 other countries, the British government must add its name to this list.

Yours faithfully,

Mike Aaronson

Director General

Save the Children

London, SE5