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US curbs use of anti-personnel landmines - White House

WASHINGTION, June 21 (KUNA) -- The US has approved major changes to its anti-personnel landmine policy (APL), joining most countries in the world in prohibiting the use of such weapons, the White House said on Tuesday.
"The new commitment announced today will align the US with the APL policy outside of the Korean Peninsula with the key requirements of the Ottawa Convention, "the international treaty prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of APL," the White House said in a statement.
The new measure is a "sharp contrast to Russia's actions in Ukraine, where there's compelling evidence that Russian forces are using explosive munitions, including landmines, in an irresponsible manner," according to State Department official Stanley Brown.
It went on to highlight the "disproportionate impact on civilians" the use of landmines could have, which often lingers long after wars and armed conflicts come to an end, it said. (end) rsr.nam