Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-12-13-Speech-4-142"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2001-12-13"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Cluster bombs2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20011213.11.4-142"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2001-12-13-Speech-4-1432
lpv:speaker	lp:Geoffrey Van Orden2
lpv:spoken text	"Could I just briefly refer to the statement made by the Commissioner on Zimbabwe, which I very much welcome. We have put off these Cotonou negotiations and we really need to have a deadline by which they must take place. Otherwise I can see Mugabe will just keep on deferring it until nothing happens at all. I would suggest that we ought to set a date, such as January 12, by which, if nothing has happened, we proceed with the sort of strong measures that we have suggested. Turning to the cluster bomb issue, I have to say that I have been one of the foremost activists in support of the campaign to ban antipersonnel landmines because our armed forces recognise that their limited military utility is outweighed by the danger that they so often pose to civilians, often many years after a conflict is over. There are other weapon systems that could be used instead of antipersonnel landmines to equal effect, but without the negative dangers. There are those engaged in mine clearance actions who will testify to the fact that a large proportion of the hazardous material they come across is unexploded ordnance of various sorts rather than antipersonnel mines Sometimes this ordnance includes unexploded bomblets from cluster bomb units. I have to say that cluster bombs are not antipersonnel landmines and it is bogus to try and confuse these two issues. While I would support the need for such remotely delivered munitions to contain self-destruct or neutralising mechanisms, it would be most unwise to insist on a ban until our armed forces are satisfied that their operations would not be impaired or that they have substitute weapons of equal effectiveness. We have to be very careful and beware of what I might call 'banning creep'. Otherwise we are going to blur the focus of our actions against systems such as antipersonnel landmines and the wide support which that sort of campaign attracts. There are some elements in the resolution that I can support, but I am suspicious of some of its driving elements. Therefore, I am inclined to abstain on the resolution."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	substitute; EMPL (1999-09-08--2002-01-14)3 member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (1999-10-06--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Conservative and Unionist Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Van Orden (PPE-DE )."1

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