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Maria Pia Devoto - Director, Asociación Para Politicas Publicas (APP), Argentina
Stan Brabant - Head, Policy Unit, Handicap International, Belgium
Georges Ntidendereza - Legal Representative, Association de Prise en Charge des Orphelins de Guerre (APECOG), Burundi
Paul Hannon - Executive Director, Mines Action Canada
Ahmed Azis Buchar - Western Sahara
Muoffak Alkhafaji - Director, Iraqi Handicapped Survivors Society,Iraq
Daniel Aghan - Advocacy and Communications Officer, Handicap International Kenya
Gisela Lujan Andrade - Researcher, CMC Peru
Héctor Guerra - Campaigner, CMC Mexico
Gustavo Guidobono - Director, Asociación de Lucha para el Desarme Civil (ALDUEC), Uruguay
Kennedy Mabasa - Steering Committe, Ceasefire Campaign, South Africa
Robert Mtonga - Coordinator, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Zambia
Margaret Arach Orech - Director, Uganda Landmine Survivors Association (ULSA), Uganda
Amadou Moussa Maiga - President, RJSDAO, Mali
Branislav Kapetanović - Spokesperson, Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), Serbia
Maria Eugenia Villareal - Executive Director, ECPAT, Guatemala
Kim Hoa Nguyen Thi - Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Landmine Survivors Network, Vietnam
Judith Majlath - Director, Austrian Aid for Mine Victi / CMC Austria
Ayman Sorour - Executive Director, Protection Against Armaments and their Consequences, Egypt
Nhar Ny - Landmines Advocacy Officer, Jesuit Service Cambodia / Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmnies, Cambodia
Boubine Toure - Campaigner, Senegalese Campaign to Ban Landmine / ICBL, Senegal
Raza Shah Khan - Executive Director, Sustainable Peace and Development Organization, Pakistan
Laura Lodenius - Executive Director, Peace Union of Finland
Muteber Öğreten - Coordinator, Initiative for a Mine-Free Turkey
Mary Wareham - Coordinator, ANZCMC, New Zealand
Pamela Kehinde Cole - National Network Coordinator, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Gambia
Purna Shova Chitrakar Coordinator, Ban Landmines Campaign, Nepal
Jo Perera - Lao PDR
Alma Taslizan - Communication Officer, Handicap International, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Etchen Sambu - National Coordinator, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Guinea-Bissau
Khaled Yamout - Landmine Action Program Coordinator, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Lebanon
Maia Buchukuri - Coordinator, ICBL Georgia Committee, Georgia
Lora Lumpe - Coordinator, US Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs, USA
Shushira Chonhenchob - Disability and Development Manager, Handicap International Thailand/TCBL, Thailand
Cristian Wittman - Brazilian Campaign to Ban Landmines, Brazil
Yassir Chavarría Gutiérrez - Researcher, Institute of Strategic Studies and Public Policies, Nicaragua
TRANSCRIPTS OF AUDIO
Maria Pia Devoto - Director, Asociación Para Politicas Publicas (APP), Argentina
Transcript: (Spanish) “I am frustrated and disappointed that Argentina is not in Oslo and signing, because Argentina were very active in the process and adopted the treaty in Dublin. However I think they will sign soon.”
Stan Brabant - Head, Policy Unit, Handicap International, Belgium
Transcript: (French) “My name is Stan Brabant. I work for Handicap International. Two and a half years ago Belgium was the first country to ban cluster munitions triggering a domino effect and we see the result today with more than 100 countries that will sign the treaty. Belgium now needs to ratify as soon as possible.”
Georges Ntidendereza - Legal Representative, Association de Prise en Charge des Orphelins de Guerre (APECOG), Burundi
Transcript: (Kirundui) “My name is Georges Ntidendereza from Burundi. I am very happy today because Burundi agreed to sign the Oslo treaty. We are also very pleased because this is a crucial event for Africa and the whole world.
Paul Hannon - Executive Director, Mines Action Canada
Transcipt: “My name is Paul Hannon, Executive Director of Mines Action Canada. Canada’s Campiagn against land-mines and cluster bombs. 11 years ago on Dec 3rd Canada invited the world to Ottowa to ban antipersonnel landmines. Now on Dec 3rd here in oslo we are banning cluster munitions, again protecting civilians from indiscriminate and inhumane weapons. I am very excited that Canada is signing and continuing this long standing tradition of Canada protecting people from the ravages of war.”
Ahmed Azis Buchar - Western SaharaTranscript: (Arabic) “My name is Ahmed Aziz Buchar from Western Sahara and I had my arm and both legs amputated. This treaty is very important for all of humanity because the elimination of each cluster bomb gives a life to a child and to a person. It is important that all of the countries who have not signed sign the treaty now.”
Muoffak Alkhafaji - Director, Iraqi Handicapped Survivors Society,Iraq
Transcript: (Arabic) “My name is Muoffak AlKhafaji. I was injured in the south of Iraq in 1991 by cluster bombs. We are here in Oslo to attend the international celebration to ban cluster bombs and we hope that Iraq will sign this treaty soon.”
Daniel Aghan - Advocacy and Communications Officer, Handicap International Kenya
Transcript: “I’m a very happy guy today because my country is here. Kenya is here. They are willing to sign. They have given very strong indications that they will ratify the treaty as fast as possible. Their position is very critical in the region because Kenya is in a strategic position given its role that it has played in past peace initiatives. Therefore I think that their signing is going to make a big statement to our neighbours.”
Gisela Lujan Andrade - Researcher, CMC Peru
Transcript: (Spanish) “I am Gisela Lujan from CMC Peru. I am very happy because my country is going to sign the treaty against cluster munitions. This is a very important step for my country and I hope that the government will do everything necessary to implement the treaty and work on our national legislation. Also to make an effort to destroy its stockpiles.”
Héctor Guerra - Campaigner, CMC Mexico
Transcript: (Spanish) “I’m Hector Guerra from Mexico. Its really good that my country took such an important role in the Oslo process and that now it has come to sign this international instrument against a worldwide humanitarian problem. Steps will be taken to translate this into national law.”
Gustavo Guidobono - Director, Asociación de Lucha para el Desarme Civil (ALDUEC), Uruguay
Transcript: (Spanish) “My name is Gustavo Guideobono. I came here to accompany our government in the signature of the treaty against cluster bombs. Our aim is to be among the first 30 to ratify the treaty.”
Kennedy Mabasa - Steering Committee, Ceasefire Campaign, South Africa
Transcript: “I’m Kennedy Mabasa from the Ceasefire Campaign in South Africa. I’m happy because my country is coming to Oslo to sign and thats likely to influence other African countries to be on board. We have done a bit of work to get them to where they are today. One example was the run that I did from Pretoria to Cape Town. If you know the distance you will understand what I am talking about. We have done other activities as well such as getting the peopel to sign the People’s Treaty which was one of the most interesting and effective excercises that influenced South Africa.”
Robert Mtonga - Coordinator, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Zambia
Transcript: “My name is Bob Mtonga from Zambia, I am so proud my country is here to sign the treaty in Oslo. Zambia played such and important leadership role in Africa, mobilising, pushing and keeping everybody in line. Go Zambia go, Go Africa!”
Margaret Arach Orech - Director, Uganda Landmine Survivors Association (ULSA), Uganda
Transcript: “The government of Uganda is here in Oslo to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Uganda’s presence demonstrates it’s commitment and it will remove one weapon from their armoury. I am happy about Uganda’s commitment and hope they will ratify the treaty quickly and implement it.”
Amadou Moussa Maiga - President, RJSDAO, Mali
Transcript: “My government is already here in Oslo. They have worked hard throughout the Olso process and now they will sign. The ban will be a complete ban on cluster bombs that will help bring peace to the world. My country is a leader in security and peace in the world. Thank you to the CMC.”
Branislav Kapetanović - Spokesperson, Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), Serbia
Transcript: “(Serbian) At this occasion Serbia is not signing in Oslo and I am not so happy about that. From the very beginning of the Oslo process Serbia was actively involved but because of some higher priorities in the country now Serbia will not sign, but I am sure in the near future Serbia will sign.”
Maria Eugenia Villareal - Executive Director, ECPAT, Guatemala
Transcript: “(Spanish) Guatemala has been participating in the negotiations of the treaty to ban cluster munitions. They are coming to Oslo and we are sure they are going to sign and ratify the treaty in the near future because we are sure that the region is going to be free of cluster munitions.”
Kim Hoa Nguyen Thi - Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Landmine Survivors Network, Vietnam
Transcript: “(Vietnamese) My name is Kin Hoa from Landmine Survivors network Vietnam. I am very happy to be here in Oslo to observe this historic event. I am very happy that we have two representatives from our government here. I do hope and believe that our government will respond positively to the convention in the near future to help victim and affected communities.”
Judith Majlath - Director, Austrian Aid for Mine Victi/ CMC Austria
Transcript: “(German) My name is Judith Majilath. I am the Director of CMC Austria, the Austria section of the international campaign to ban cluster munitions. First I would like to thank Austria for its leadership role in the entire Oslo Process. I am delighted that Austria will sign the convention and I am asking for swift ratification and a fast parliamentary process so that we will set an example again to help to achieve the 30 ratifications so that we help thisi treaty to enter into force as quickly as possible. I would also like to ask Austria to continue its leading role to get as many countries as possible on board the treaty.”
Ayman Sorour - Executive Director, Protection Against Armaments and their Consequences, Egypt
Transcript: “(Arabic) Unfortunately Egypt is not signing the cluster bomb Convention here in Oslo. This is due to disarmament baggage within the region. Egypt is the only producer in Africa that is not signing, as South Africa will sign. We call on Egypt to sign the treaty as soon as possible because this will reflect positively on the region.”
Nhar Ny - Landmines Advocacy Officer, Jesuit Service Cambodia / Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmnies, Cambodia
Transcript: “(Cambodian) The Cambodian government is not coming from Cambodia but the Cambodian ambassador to Oslo will join the treaty meeting. I really want Cambodia to sign the treaty because it is important for affected countries like Cambodia to sign because they will get more victim assistance. So we strongly encourage Cambodia to sign the treaty.”
Boubine Toure - Campaigner, Senegalese Campaign to Ban Landmine/ICBL, Senegal
Transcript: “(French) We are very happy that Senegal is here because we worked hard to make this happen and finally the delegation came and are fully participating and signing. We are going to carry on working so that Senegal ratifies the treaty so the treaty is rapidly put into action.”
Raza Shah Khan - Executive Director, Sustainable Peace and Development Organization, Pakistan
Transcript: “(Urdu) My name is Raza Shah Khan and I represent CMC in Pakistan. I am proud to be here being a part of this campaign at the Oslo signing conference. Pakistan, a producer and stockpiler is unfortunately not here to sign the Convention and being a campaigner I request the Pakistan government to sign the Convention as soon as possible.”
Laura Lodenius - Executive Director, Peace Union of Finland
Transcript: “(Finnish) My name is Laura Lodenius. I’m from the Finnish campaign to ban cluster munitions. Finland is not here signing this treaty banning cluster bombs, but we will keep working so Finland will sign this important humanitarian treaty banning cluster bombs as soon as possible.
Muteber Öğreten - Coordinator, Initiative for a Mine-Free Turkey
Transcript: “(Turkish) The cluster bomb ban treaty is a humanitarian treaty that will save lives. Unfortunately Turkey is one of the countries who will not sign the treaty and has cluster bomb stocks. My hope is that before its too late Turkey will sign this treaty and will join the side of the majority of the world’s governments that will save lives.”
Mary Wareham - Coordinator, ANZCMC, New Zealand
Transcript: “The ANZ CMC is a strong group of civil society groups that has been calling on the government to ban cluster bombs so we are very happy that New Zealand was part of the negotiations to create the Convention on Cluster Munitions. We’re pleased that New Zealand is here in Oslo to sign the treaty. It would have been better if our minister signed. but Ambassador Do MacKay was very important in creating the treaty. Now we will work to ensure that New Zealand and our neighbours in the Pacific ratify the Convention without delay. hopefully before the end of 2009.”
Pamela Kehinde Cole - National Network Coordinator, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Gambia
Transcript: “The Gambia is represented here by the Minister of the Interior Ousman Sonko, together with two other government officials from the Department of State for Defence and the President’s office. I’m excited that the Gambia will sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The Gambia, being a peace loving country is proud to stand in solidarity with the rest of the world to ban this terrible weapon once and for all. Beyond the signing we will ensure that ratification takes place as well as domestication.”
Purna Shova Chitrakar - Coordinator, Ban Landmines Campaign, Nepal
Transcript: “(Nepali) The treaty is going to be signed by over 100 countries so I am very glad about this because it will protect civilians. But I am unhappy that Nepal is not here to sign the treaty. I hope Nepal will sign this treaty as soon as possible. It will help the whole world.”
Jo Perera - Lao PDR
Transcript: “I work for COPE, which provides assistance to victim in Lao PDR. Laos is the most heavily contaminated country in the world and over half the people we provide prosthesis to are injured by cluster bombs, some of those 30 years after they were dropped. I am delighted that the Lao government are signing the treaty because it will increase investment in services for the support of victim and help rebuild.”
Alma Taslizan - Communication Officer, Handicap International, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Transcript: “(Bosnian) As a representative of Bosnia Herzogovina I must say that I am very proud that Bosnia will sign the treaty and I think that it is the result of the good work of the NGO sector and the Bosnia Herzogovina government’s positive will to sign the treaty. I sincerely hope that they will continue the good work and take further steps to ratify and implement the treaty.”
Etchen Sambu - National Coordinator, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Guinea-Bissau
Transcript: “(Portuguese) Guinea Bissau will sign this international treaty against cluster bombs in Oslo. For us Guinea Bisau’s signature of the convention is a way of regaining its image in the international community. But its after the signature that the real work of civil society begins. We have to work now so that the national assembly ratifies the treaty in national law.”
Khaled Yamout - Landmine Action Program Coordinator, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Lebanon
Transcript: “(Arabic) I believe that this treaty is one of the strongest treaties of the decade especially because of the clauses it has regarding victim assistance which Lebanon severely needs. Im glad that Lebanon will be amongst the first states to sign the convention. But they should not stop at this stage they must ratify.”
Maia Buchukuri - Coordinator, ICBL Georgia Committee, Georgia
Transcript: “(Georgian) The Georgian government is participating in this conference but it is not signing at this stage, for its own reasons. Georgia is an affected country. Last August both sides used cluster bombs but we understand that this is not the solution to our problem. Let’s join the Oslo Process as this is what we, our people and country needs.”
Lora Lumpe - Coordinator, US Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs, USA
Transcript: “I’m saddened and angry that the US government isn’t here to sign this convention. The US has been the leading user, producer and exporter of cluster bombs ever and I don’t want them using these weapons in my name. I have renewed optimism with the change of government that we will bring the US in in the coming year and we will redouble our efforts to do so.”
Shushira Chonhenchob - Disability and Development Manager, Handicap International Thailand/TCBL, Thailand
Transcript: “(Thai) Thailand will be attending the signing ceremony but Thailand is not ready to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions yet. As an NGO working actively on this we would like Thailand to show leadership in the region by signing the treaty within six months to a year.”
Cristian Wittman - Brazilain Camapign to Ban Landmines, Brazil
Transcript: (Portuguese)
Yassir Chavarría Gutiérrez - Researcher, Institute of Strategic Studies and Public Policies, Nicaragua
Transcript: “(Spanish) During this week we will be part of the most significant event of the century related to international issues. Nicaragua has been an active State and it has demonstrated its commitment to international humanitarian law. From now, my country must work to ratify this Convention as soon as possible. I think it will be part of the first 30 countries to do so.”