Deputy Minister and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru―Ambassador Manuel Rodriguez

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Ambassador Rodriguez began his opening remarks by highlighting the plight of the victims of AP mines. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have died or been mutilated by AP mines. Some countries in the world have more AP mines than inhabitants. Landmines have claimed the lives of more victims than chemical and nuclear weapons combined. The negative affect that these mines have had on human rights is immeasurable. Although initially mines were used for both offensive and defensive military means, their efficiency in these roles have been found to be marginal at best. Thanks to the Ottawa Convention, 136 countries have committed to eradicating mines. Ambassador Rodriguez reaffirmed the commitment of Peru and the OAS to spread their democratic vision of security and safety in the region. He congratulated Costa Rica on their success and hard work in becoming free of AP mines and extended his hope for such success in every country of the region.

Ambassador Rodriguez concluded his opening remarks by asserting that this seminar will allow for the identification of the strengths and the weaknesses of the hemisphere so that the region may further its goal to become a region free of AP mines. The authority and experiences of the participants will surely enrich the conference. He ended by asserting that the fight against landmines is the fight for peace, life, democracy, human dignity and individual human rights.