By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The anti-landmine treaty, which came into force in 1999, has more than 160 signatories who pledged to ban the use of these weapons, along with the destruction of remaining stocks, and clearance of mined areas, and assistance to victims.
But at least 10 key countries—including the US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, Japan and Ukraine—opted out of the treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention.