Vatican City, Dec 1, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In a message to Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, president of the First Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on their Destruction, being held in Nairobi, Kenya, Pope John Paul II called for the definitive eradication of landmines and for special attention and support to be given to landmine victims.
“Five years after entering into force,,” said the Pope, the Ottawa Convention, “has become for the ratifying countries a fundamental and inescapable norm that reinforces the strict application of international humanitarian law and is a tangible proof of solidarity between nations and peoples."
He underscored that "the Holy See, who was among the first to ratify this convention, intends to contribute in an active way to seeing to its implementation, in a sincere and constructive dialogue with the other signatory States.”
“The Holy See, he said, “has launched a campaign to sensitize local Churches to the problem of anti-personnel landmines, to spread information on this grave problem," and is asking for involvement and for "prayers for the victims of landmines and for the success of this conference."