Landmines: Unit 1: B: Symbols of Shame

Excerpts from a speech made by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Diplomatic Conference on Landmines, Oslo, Norway, 3 September 1997
http://www.un.org/Depts/Landmine/UNDocs/sgsm6313.htm

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Each mine cleared may mean a life saved. But we know also that for every one hundred thousand mines cleared a year, between two and five million mines are laid at the same time. The presence—or even the fear of the presence—of just one land-mine can prevent the cultivation of an entire field, robbing a family or perhaps an entire village of its livelihood.

From my experience in peace-keeping, I have seen first-hand—in all parts of the world—the literally crippling effects of land-mines, for peoples and societies alike. Land-mines remain the most deadly and destructive obstacles to our work in post-conflict societies.

Whether it is the rebuilding of infrastructure, the repair of homes or, most importantly, the return of refugees, land-mines are enemy number one. In countries as diverse as Angola, Cambodia and Bosnia, we have seen how the long and hard work of post-conflict rehabilitation is marred many years into the future by the presence of land-mines.

...There is a widening consensus that the strategic utility of anti-personnel mines is marginal, and that in the growing number of conflicts with fluid frontiers, defensive minefields limit operational actions rather than enable them.

Finally, it is development itself that is held hostage to the curse of land-mines. Developing countries are too often twice cursed—with poverty and with war—land-mines being the most permanent, the most destructive wound of war. Without their elimination, refugees will be far less able to return, idle fields will be far less accessible, and peace itself will be elusive...”

landmines are called "a symbol of shame." Do you think that is an accurate name for them? Why? Why not? What other "names" or "titles" would you call landmines?
The Secretary General refers to the fact that development is "held hostage to the curse of landmines." What does he mean by that statement? Using specific examples, write a paragraph describing how landmines in any country could cause the end or the disruption of development projects.
Using the countries cited (Angola, Cambodia and Bosnia) research each, either on-line through the U.N. or other sources or in your library. In each case, select one aspect of that society which has been deeply affected by land mines (eg. children, roads, schools, etc.). In the persona of a citizen of that country, write an editorial for your newspaper talking about the "symbol of shame."