Feb 07, 2020, 20:24 pm
(This post was last modified: Feb 07, 2020, 21:26 pm by Resurgence. Edited 1 time in total.)
President Donald Trump on Friday relaxed Obama-era restrictions on the U.S. military’s use of anti-personnel landmines, arguing that the previous policy could put American troops at a “severe disadvantage.”
The move was criticized by arms control proponents and underscores the administration’s willingness to upend policies set by Trump’s Democratic predecessor, in the face of concerns about the dangers such weaponry poses to civilians long after conflicts end.
President Barack Obama’s administration said in 2014 it would no longer produce or otherwise acquire anti-personnel landmines, including to replace existing U.S. stockpiles which can age to the point where the munitions can longer be used.
The United States had also prohibited the use of the weapons outside of the Korean Peninsula.
In a statement, the White House said the Pentagon had determined the restrictions could put troops at a disadvantage.
“This policy will authorize Combatant Commanders, in exceptional circumstances, to employ advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces,” the White House said.
The Pentagon said there were no “geographic limitations” to where the land mines could be used.
Vic Mercado, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities at the Pentagon, said the focus of the policy was on “great power competition” - referring to China and Russia.
Mercado said land mine use would need to be authorized by a four-star military official and reviewed by the secretary of defense.
He spoke after Defense Secretary Mark Esper, speaking at a news conference with his Italian counterpart, said American forces needed access to landmines.
“Landmines are an important tool that our forces need to have available to them in order to ensure mission success and in order to reduce risk to forces,” Esper said.
The United States is not a signatory to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which took effect in 1999 and broadly prohibits the development, use and acquisition of anti-personnel landmines.
Civilian deaths and injuries are mentioned yet there is never a mention of the injuries, maiming, and deaths of animals as a result of landmines.
Animal injuries or deaths as a result of war and munitions are never a concern for the warmongers.
How many animals suffered and died in Vietnam while U.S. Inc. sprayed Agent Orange?
"Don't worry about the landmines. You can trust us...you know...like you could trust us with Agent Orange."
![[Image: ec7eb8d8c5d22685bfb0f8a98f4e68f2.jpg]](https://extraimage.net/images/2020/02/08/ec7eb8d8c5d22685bfb0f8a98f4e68f2.jpg)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-w...SKBN1ZU2GA
The move was criticized by arms control proponents and underscores the administration’s willingness to upend policies set by Trump’s Democratic predecessor, in the face of concerns about the dangers such weaponry poses to civilians long after conflicts end.
President Barack Obama’s administration said in 2014 it would no longer produce or otherwise acquire anti-personnel landmines, including to replace existing U.S. stockpiles which can age to the point where the munitions can longer be used.
The United States had also prohibited the use of the weapons outside of the Korean Peninsula.
In a statement, the White House said the Pentagon had determined the restrictions could put troops at a disadvantage.
“This policy will authorize Combatant Commanders, in exceptional circumstances, to employ advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces,” the White House said.
The Pentagon said there were no “geographic limitations” to where the land mines could be used.
Vic Mercado, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities at the Pentagon, said the focus of the policy was on “great power competition” - referring to China and Russia.
Mercado said land mine use would need to be authorized by a four-star military official and reviewed by the secretary of defense.
He spoke after Defense Secretary Mark Esper, speaking at a news conference with his Italian counterpart, said American forces needed access to landmines.
“Landmines are an important tool that our forces need to have available to them in order to ensure mission success and in order to reduce risk to forces,” Esper said.
The United States is not a signatory to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which took effect in 1999 and broadly prohibits the development, use and acquisition of anti-personnel landmines.
Quote:2017 was the third year in a row with exceptionally high numbers of recorded casualties due to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), including improvised landmines, as well as unexploded cluster submunitions, and other explosive remnants of war (ERW)—henceforth mines/ERW.
Casualties in 2017 were identified in 49 countries, of which 35 are States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, and in four other areas. The vast majority of casualties, 87%, were civilians and 47% were children.
Of the total of 7239 mine/ERW casualties the Monitor recorded for 2017, at least 2,793 people were killed and another 4,431 people were injured.
http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/the-iss...jured.aspx
Civilian deaths and injuries are mentioned yet there is never a mention of the injuries, maiming, and deaths of animals as a result of landmines.
Animal injuries or deaths as a result of war and munitions are never a concern for the warmongers.
How many animals suffered and died in Vietnam while U.S. Inc. sprayed Agent Orange?
"Don't worry about the landmines. You can trust us...you know...like you could trust us with Agent Orange."
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-w...SKBN1ZU2GA