U.S. Should Scrap ‘Garbage Weapon’
Regarding “Sappers Seek to Zap a Most Menacing Enemy” (Dec. 21): In December 1997, in Ottawa, Canada, 123 nations pledged to ban the use, production or shipment of antipersonnel mines. Even U.S. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf endorsed the ban. But while as many as 26,000 people a year are being killed (mostly innocent civilians in developing countries), four countries did not endorse the ban. Sadly, the United States was one of them. Since Sept. 11, one would hope that America’s concern for the tragic loss of innocent lives would be heightened and extend to other countries as well. Banning this “garbage weapon” would go a long way in signifying America’s concern for the loss of innocent lives everywhere.
MARK P. MEALEY
La Habra
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