The Malaysian decision comes after a number of efforts to effect a total ban on landmines which are weapons of mass destruction in slow motion. In 1994, Malaysia supported the UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ban. Today, landmines pose a severe problem. One hundred million landmines lie undetected in 64 countries, including Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, which has the highest number of amputees in the world. While we should be pleased that Malaysia has supported measures to stop the inhumanity of landmines, it is very disappointing to witness the lack of support from many other countries, including the United States and some countries in Asia.
Time is of the essence.
It will be many decades before most of the 100 million landmines are detected and destroyed. Every single day delayed represents the unnecessary loss of limbs and lives. It is the kind of support and leadership needed to alleviate suffering and eradicate a scourge of modern, indiscriminate weapons of war. It is also not too late for the United States to reconsider its ambivalence and its role as a spoiler as it attempts to water down the draft treaty to be finalised soon in Oslo. Yet, President Clinton appears to be heeding the advice of Pentagon officials who oppose a ban and argue in favour of the continuing use of smart self-destructing mines in South Korea.