EXPLOSIVE
REMNANTS OF WAR
CLUSTER BOMBS ANDLANDMINES IN kosovo
MINES-ARMS UNIT
Mines-Arms Unit
International Committee of the Red Cross
19, Avenue de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva
Switzerland
T +41 22 730 26 67
F +41 22 730 28 30
E-mail: weapons.gva@icrc.org
Web: www.icrc.org
Front cover photo: G. Diffidenti
Design: The Magic Pencil
Original: English
August 2000
Revised June 2001
Produced with environment-friendly materials
IMPACT
1
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
2
Glossary of acronyms
3
1. Introduction
4
2. The impact of cluster bombs in Kosovo
6
The role of cluster bombs in the conflict
Post-conflict casualties
The socio-economic impact of cluster bombs
Clearance of cluster bomblets: a unique challenge
3. The impact of landmines and UXO in Kosovo
15
The use of landmines
The impact of landmines and UXO on civilians
The socio-economic impact of landmines and UXO
The impact of landmines on peace-keeping
4. Mine action and unexploded ordnance clearance in Kosovo
23
Definition and coordination
Information management
Mine and UXO survey and marking
Mine clearance
Clearance of cluster bomblets and other unexploded munitions
Mine and UXO awareness education
Mine and UXO victim assistance
5. Cluster bombs and landmines under international law
34
Cluster bombs
Landmines
6. Conclusions and recommendations
36
Cluster bombs
Landmines
Annexe
Military technical agreement
Bibliography
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report was written by Stuart Maslen, a consultant and former advisor to the ICRC’s
Mines-Arms Unit, based on field visits to Kosovo in the winter and spring of 2000 and on information
provided by the ICRC delegation in Kosovo. To Mr. Maslen we extend our greatest appreciation.
Acknowledgment should also be made of all those who contributed to field research in the province
and of the special contributions of Johan Sohlberg, Nora Demiri and Florent Mehmeti of ICRC
Pristina/Prishtine; all the ICRC Mine Awareness Officers in Kosovo; John Flanagan, Head of the United
Nations Mine Action Coordination Centre, Pristine/Prishtine;