For immediate release

October 10, 2000

CONTACT: Nathaniel A. Raymond, PHR Media and Public Affairs Coordinator
[617] 695-0041, ext. 220 (email) landmines@fcnl.org

website: www.banminesusa.org

US Campaign to Ban Landmines Acknowledges Nader’s Support of Mine Ban Treaty, Calls on All Candidates to Endorse Ban

Today, Ralph Nader, the Green Party candidate for President, released a statement endorsing the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty (known also as the Ottawa Convention), and promised, if elected, to send the treaty to the US Senate for advice and consent. (Statement available at www.votenader.org) The United States Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL), a non-partisan coalition of more than 450 medical, veteran, religious, intentional aid, human rights, and survivor assistance groups, is urging all candidates for the Presidency to publicly endorse the treaty and advocate for the US to join this important humanitarian initiative.

Nader’s statement comes on the heels of last week’s release of a letter from 100 Members of Congress to President Clinton that urges him to support a comprehensive ban on antipersonnel landmines and take steps before leaving office to prepare the US to accede to the treaty. With grassroots support from across the country, the bipartisan letter was the result of the leadership of Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA), Lane Evans (D-IL), and Jack Quinn (R-NY).

"These positive developments demonstrate that Republicans, Democrats, and members of all other parties want to see the US ban antipersonnel landmines," stated Gina Coplon-Newfield, Coordinator of the USCBL.

Vice President Al Gore has publicly supported President Clinton’s current policy stating that the US will join the treaty in 2006, but only if "suitable alternatives to antipersonnel landmines are found and fielded. Many military experts claim that the US already has tactics and technology that substitute for these antiquated and indiscriminate weapons. Governor Bush has not stated where he stands on the issue. Before leaving the race earlier this year, former Senator Bill Bradley said that he would have supported the ban if elected President.

The United States Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL) is a coalition of over 450 medical, religious, human rights, veteran, and peace organizations. As a part of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines,(ICBL) the United States Campaign to Ban Landmines is a participant in international efforts to rid the world of landmines. The coordinating organization of the USCBL is Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.

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