MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile destroys mines stockpile

The Chilean Army completed last week in Punta Arenas the destruction of its stockpile of antipersonnel mines stored in the south of the country which totaled 109,058 explosives.

The elimination ceremony was witnessed by national and regional officials, military authorities, foreign delegates, Red Cross, local press and an expert in mine clearance from the Organization of American States, OAS. Bad weather conditions impeded Chilean Ministry of Defence and the three Commanders of the services to be present as was originally scheduled.

The actual number of mines destroyed in the Chilean Army's Fifth Division Training Camp in Punta Arenas by the Corps of Engineers was 69,656, belonging to the Army and 2,944 from the Navy. Two days before in the Coyhaique Camp and with the presence of Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet another batch of 36,458 antipersonnel mines was destroyed by making them explode in great ditches.

In a short message Minister Bachelet stressed Chile's commitment to the Ottawa Convention banning the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines, but also recalled that "Chile is not a rich country". Chile is a signatory of the Convention, 1997, and has ten years for the complete elimination of all mines. Mine expert Graham Goodrum from OAS, arrived in Punta Arenas last May 6 invited by the Chilean Ministry of Defence to certify procedures according to the Ottawa Convention international standards.

However Chile must now proceed to the elimination of these explosives from the many minefields in border areas, dating back to the seventies when Chilean military rulers fearful of their counterparts in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru adopted the drastic decision.

According to official Defence sources from the Mines Elimination National Action Plan , Chile still has 336,519 antipersonnel mines, of which 213,076 stockpiled and the rest, 123,443, in minefields. In Punta Arenas only there are thirty active minefields.

The Mines Elimination Action Plan has programmed the elimination of all stockpiles in the second half of 2003, leaving just 6,245 explosives for staff training purpose. In the north of the country, close to Bolivia and Peru, the inventory totals 97,773.

By the end of the year Chile's Ministry of Defence also expects to have a plan with procedures, criteria and priority for the removal of planted mines along the border areas. Chile has until 2011 for the completion of this second and final stage.

At the same time a humanitarian assistance program for civilian victims, families and communities will be enforced.

Chilean authorities made it a point to stress that the elimination of mines not only proved the country's commitment with international Law and conventions, but the improved relations with neighboring countries.

Peruvian Ambassador in Chile Jose Antonio Meier present at the military camp in Punta Arenas praised Chilean authorities for their determination in enforcing the Ottawa Convention and underlined the confidence building aspect of the ceremony.

Argentine military attaché in Santiago Colonel. Roberto Fonseca also praised Chilean authorities stressing the close cooperation between both countries armies and added that Argentina was also making special efforts to comply with the Convention.

Gerard Peytrignet the regional Red Cross delegate with offices in Buenos Aires indicated that 130 countries endorsed the Ottawa convention but 60, including the United States still have to ratify it. Mr. Peytrignet revealed that the Red Cross has hospitals in twenty countries to help antipersonnel mines victims.