World Report: September 26, 1997 Vol.3 No.3
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
A Plan To Ban Deadly Land Mines
Last week more than 100 countries took a big step toward making the world a safer place. They approved a treaty that called for a ban on land mines.
Land mines are deadly explosive weapons that are buried in the ground. They are hard and expensive to remove, and they remain a danger long after wars are over.
More than 25,000 people are killed or hurt by land mines each year. Many victims are children. Experts estimate that more than 110 million land mines lie hidden in 60 countries.
For the past two weeks, officials have been meeting in Oslo, Norway, to hammer out the deal. The treaty prohibits the development, manufacture and use of most land mines.
People throughout the world rejoiced at the news of the treaty. But there was also disappointment: the U.S. would not sign the treaty. Two of the world's largest mine producers, Russia and China, did not even take part in the talks.
President Bill Clinton insisted that the U.S. needed more time to stop its use of land mines. The weapons are still needed, he said, to ensure the "safety and security of our men in uniform." Of special concern are the U.S. soldiers serving in South Korea.
The treaty is scheduled to be signed in Canada in December.
