Mindful of Friends' historic testimony that we seek to live in that life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars, Northampton Friends Meeting calls upon our elected officials, and particularly President Clinton, to support, sign, and ratify the treaty forbidding the manufacture and use of all forms of land mines which will be offered for signing in Ottawa this December. We further urge the President not to ask for exceptions to the prohibition.
While we oppose all weapons of warfare, we note that landmines are particularly pernicious, since they continue to maim and kill civilians, including children, long after a war has finished, and deny people the use of their land. This abrogates the duty of all governments to protect their people. We urge the United States to join the international community in recognizing this obligation.
Benigno Sanchez-Eppler, Clerk