PUBLIC LAW 105-85—NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1957 (5) On August 18, 1997, the administration agreed to Canada. participate in international negotiations sponsored by Canada (the so-called "Ottawa process") designed to achieve a treaty that would outlaw the production, use, and sale of antipersonnel landmines. (6) On September 17, 1997, the President announced that Norway. the United States would not sign the antipersonnel landmine treaty concluded in Oslo, Norway, by participants in the Ottawa process because the treaty would not provide a geographic exception to allow the United States to stockpile and use antipersonnel landmines in Korea or an exemption that would preserve the ability of the United States to use mixed antitank mine systems which could be used to deter an armored assault against United States forces. (7) The President also announced a change in United States Korea. policy whereby the United States— (A) would no longer deploy antipersonnel landmines, including self-destructing antipersonnel landmines, by 2003, except in Korea; (B) would seek to field alternatives by that date, or by 2006 in the case of Korea; (C) would undertake a new initiative in the United Nations Conference on Disarmament to establish a global ban on the transfer of antipersonnel landmines; and (D) would increase its current humanitarian demining activities around the world. (8) The President's decision would allow the continued use by United States forces of self-destructing antipersonnel landmines that are used as part of a mixed antitank mine system. (9) Under existing law (as provided in section 580 of Public Law 104-107; 110 Stat. 751), on February 12, 1999, the United States will implement a one-year moratorium on the use of antipersonnel landmines by United States forces except along internationaly recognized national borders or in demilitarized zones within a perimeter marked area that is monitored by military personnel and protected by adequate means to ensure the exclusion of civilians. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should not implement a moratorium on the use of antipersonnel landmines by United States Armed Forces in a manner that would endanger United States personnel or undermine the military effectiveness of United States Armed Forces in executing their missions; and (2) the United States should pursue the development of alternatives to self-destructing antipersonnel landmines. (c) ANNUAL REPORT.— Not later than December 31 each year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report concerning antipersonnel landmines. Each such report shall include the Secretary's description of the following: (1) The military utility of the continued deployment and use by the United States of antipersonnel landmines. (2) The effect of a moratorium on the production, stockpiling, and use of ^mtipersonnel landmines on the ability of United States forces to deter and defend against attack on land by hostile forces, including on the Korean peninsula. (3) Progress in developing and fielding systems that are effective substitutes for antipersonnel landmines, including an
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