[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E323-E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE LANDMINE ELIMINATION AND VICTIMS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 
                                  2001

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Landmine 
Elimination and Victims Assistance Act of 2001.
  I am proud that I am joined in this effort by Representatives Quinn 
and McGovern. They have been strong leaders in our fight to eliminate 
the scourge of landmines around the world and I look forward to 
continuing our work together. We are also joined by a bipartisan group 
of nearly 30 other Members of Congress. Our legislation is the 
companion to Senator Leahy's bill which he will be introducing shortly 
as well with a bipartisan cast of sponsors.
  The legislation accomplishes four things. It expresses the sense of 
Congress that the Department of Defense should field currently 
available weapons, other technologies, tactics

[[Page E324]]

and operational concepts which provide suitable alternatives to 
landmines. I believe that alternatives exist that are more effective 
and less costly than mixed mine systems and that also match more 
closely our country's doctrine of mobility warfare. This view is shared 
by many active and retired military officers.
  It also calls on our nation to end its use of mines, and to join the 
Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines as soon as 
possible. In addition, it also codifies the Leahy-Evans U.S. moratorium 
on mine exports, which has been in effect since 1992 and is official 
United States policy.
  Finally, it establishes an inter-agency working group, involving the 
Departments of State, Defense, Health and Human Services, Education and 
the VA, to develop a comprehensive plan for expanded mine action 
programs, including programs to assist mine victims.
  The bill is the latest chapter in the work of many members of 
Congress to address the tragedy surrounding the proliferation of 
landmines. The carnage caused by landmines is well-known. Too many poor 
and developing countries have suffered tens of thousands of civilian 
casualties. The crisis that has afflicted much of the third world led 
to an outcry that forced the world to act.
  The resulting international treaty, the Convention on the Prohibition 
of Anti-Personnel Mines has gained international acceptance more 
quickly than any other arms control treaty in history. The treaty, 
which came into force in 1998, has been signed by 139 countries and 
ratified by 110. However, our nation has not signed the treaty. It is a 
glaring absence considering our role as the world's remaining 
superpower.
  President Bush has not indicated how he wants to proceed on the 
landmine issue. However, I hope that he sees that he has a tremendous 
opportunity in front of him. First he has the chance to reclaim US 
leadership and achieve the distinction of blazing the way to a truly 
landmine free world. It is a role that could help achieve 
universalization of the treaty which in turn would not only limit the 
threat of these weapons to civilians but also to our own soldiers who 
too often face landmines in peacekeeping duties around the world.
  Second, he can eliminate a weapon which actually hinders our forces 
instead of helps them. Our current military doctrine emphasizes 
mobility on the battlefield. This will become even more of a focus as 
we move towards the more mobile forces that the Army has envisioned in 
its efforts at ``Transformation''. However, deploying ``mixed'' mine 
systems comprised of anti-tank mines deployed with anti-personnel mines 
actually restricts the movement of US forces on the battlefield. Even 
with self destructing mines that destroy themselves within hours, our 
forces may need to move through an area that was just mined minutes 
before. That is the essence of mobility warfare--being able to move at 
a moments notice as the battlefield changes. It is why former Marine 
Corps Commandant Al Gray once stated ``What the hell is the use of 
sowing all this if you're going to move through it . . . We have many 
examples of our own young warriors trapped by their own minefields . . 
. We even had examples in Desert Storm.''
  However, this does not mean we have to give away military capability. 
We also have ``smart'' weapons currently in the inventory that can more 
effectively deal with armored threats and that do not have the ``side'' 
effects of landmines on our mobility doctrine and the safety of our 
fighting men and women. The US has been developing alternatives with 
the support of myself and Senator Leahy. While these technologies show 
great promise, we must remember that we do have the ability today to 
have a landmine free military that is more capable and effective.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear to me that moving towards a landmine free 
military is a win-win for our nation and the world. We can help 
eliminate the scourge that has cost tens of thousands of innocent men, 
women and children their lives and limbs while better protecting our 
own military and achieving a more effective fighting force. However, it 
will take leadership.
  We will fight hard to move this legislation. It will help demonstrate 
the will of Congress to show leadership on this issue, make permanent 
the export moratorium and establish an interagency working group that 
will more effectively provide the expertise of our own government in 
dealing with the staggering human costs that mine have already 
inflicted and will continue to inflict. Above all, I hope it is seen by 
the President as an invitation to strengthen US policy so we may see 
the day of a landmine free world sooner rather than later. I look 
forward to working with the President and his Administration.

                          ____________________