ICRC News 29 / 03-Aug-00

** SHORT MENU....

Angola: Ottawa treaty ratified:
"Minas nao, Ottawa sim!" ("No to mines, yes to Ottawa!"): this was the
slogan of a play and dance performed on 1 March 2000, the first anniversary
of the Ottawa treaty's entry into force, before a host of local dignitaries
and representatives of the international community in Angola.

Guinea-Bissau: Humanitarian law explained to the armed forces:
In late July, in cooperation with the general staff of the Guinea-Bissau
armed forces, the ICRC launched a programme to promote international
humanitarian law among Guinea-Bissau military personnel.


** STORIES IN FULL...

Angola
Ottawa treaty ratified

"Minas nao, Ottawa sim!" ("No to mines, yes to Ottawa!"): this was the
slogan of a play and dance performed on 1 March 2000, the first anniversary
of the Ottawa treaty's entry into force, before a host of local dignitaries
and representatives of the international community in Angola.

Four months later, on 25 July, Angolan members of parliament found their
own way of expressing this slogan: the National Assembly ratified the
Ottawa treaty (which Angola had signed at the time of its adoption, in
1997).

The ratification of the Ottawa treaty offers a glimmer of hope, but the
complete eradication of anti-personnel landmines in Angola is still a long
way off. Indeed, the destruction of stocks, the marking and clearance of
mined areas, and assistance to victims will require much more effort and
resources than does a simple vote of ratification. Even so, last month's
vote was a necessary step towards this goal.

Further information: Chris Bowers, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 20 88


Guinea-Bissau
Humanitarian law explained to the armed forces

In late July, in cooperation with the general staff of the Guinea-Bissau
armed forces, the ICRC launched a programme to promote international
humanitarian law among Guinea-Bissau military personnel. Two sessions have
already been attended by 370 soldiers and officers of the Buba and Quebo
battalions in the south of the country. Nearly 5,000 soldiers will attend
further sessions before the end of the year.

The aim is to familiarize military personnel with the history and
humanitarian activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, with the mandate of the ICRC, and with its activities throughout
the world and in Guinea-Bissau in particular. The obligations of combatants
in time of armed conflict are also presented by the ICRC, while the basic
rules of international humanitarian law in the field are explained by a
staff officer of Guinea-Bissau trained at the International Institute of
Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy.

A "soldier's handbook", which contains the essentials of humanitarian law
and basic principles of first aid, is given to each participant; some 5,000
copies were printed by the ICRC especially for this programme.

Further information: Chris Bowers, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 20 88


During the weekend of 5 - 6 August 2000, for all information please call
the press officer on duty Corinne Adam, on (mobile) 41 79 202 36 80