【正文】
Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral to the Conference on Disarmament, I am very much encouraged by the many strides made towards the total eradication of antipersonnel mines which provide us with a good example for disarmament efforts in all directions. The opening of the International Center for demining here in Geneva in 1996 and the entering into force of the MineBan Convention in March 1999 are a few of the milestones which merit special mention. [TONE] // [TONE] The overwhelming mitment of the international munity towards the goal of the plete eradication of the scourge of landmines and the full implementation of the Convention is evident here today. [TONE] // [TONE]Governments and the public at large are increasingly recognizing the vital importance of success in this humanitarian undertaking and the costs of failure. [TONE] // [TONE] The urgency conveyed by the theme chosen for this second meeting: Every minute counts is all too apt as 27 people are killed by landmines every day and 41 are seriously injured. One out of two victims is a child. As the human being should remain at the center of everything we do, assistance to victims must be accorded the highest political importance. [TONE] // [TONE] We at the United Nations, are deeply engaged in this work and are gratified that to date, more than 100 St