Senate OKs 1-Year Ban on Land Mines
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WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted overwhelmingly to impose a one-year moratorium on U.S. use of land mines except along international borders in clearly marked and monitored minefields.
The defense bill amendment sponsored by Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) was approved late Friday on a 67-27 vote.
Leahy has led a long campaign against the land mines, which kill or maim an estimated 26,000 people a year around the world. There are an estimated 110 million unexploded land mines in 62 countries.
The amendment also calls for an end to transfers of U.S. military equipment to countries that export land mines.
Legislation signed into law two years ago halted U.S. exports of land mines, and President Clinton has declared a goal of their eventual elimination.
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