Anti-personnel mines have been used indiscriminately, in numerous conflicts, both in Africa and in other parts of the world.

Anti-personnel mines kill and maim civilians. They continue to do so long after the conflict is over, and the soldiers have gone home. They are inhuman weapons.

For this reason, Mozambique and Norway have both worked hard to put an effective end to the use of anti-personnel mines. We have done so through the Ottawa convention banning such mines, and through de-mining in mine-affected areas.

The International Campaign to ban Anti-personnel mines and its American co-ordinator, Ms. Jody Williams, were awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the world-wide campaign that resulted in the Ottawa treaty.

Mozambique has played a leading role in the international campaign against anti-personnel mines. It has signed and ratified the Mine Ban Convention.

Mozambique hosted, very successfully, the first state party conference of the Convention here in Maputo in May last year.

The political commitment on the part of the Mozambican authorities is crucial to the success of the campaign. Equally essential are the concerted efforts of organisations, local communities and others involved in de-mining. The successful development of local de-mining capacity has been very important for our co-operation.

Norwegian People’s Aid was the first de-mining operator to sign a formal operational agreement with the Mozambican authorities in 1996.

This organisation carries out important de-mining operations in three Mozambican provinces. I am particularly pleased to hear that these efforts are now carried out almost exclusively by Mozambican personnel. This is truly a successful transfer of expertise and technology.

Norway’s support has not been limited to Norwegian People’s Aid. Norway has supported the CND, the former National De-mining Commission, in its efforts to co-ordinate all de-mining activities at national level. Moreover, Norway has supported Handicap International in its mine awareness programmes.

But today it is Norwegian People’s Aid that is on our agenda, and I know we are all very much looking forward to their demonstration.