King Receives Director of Landmines Survivors Network

Amman
23 April 2003

His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces expressed his full support to the Landmine Survivors Network to enable it to perform its humanitarian role in rehabilitating survivors of landmines and integrate them into local societies.

During a meeting at the Headquarters of the Armed Forces with the Executive Director of the Landmine Survivors Network Jerry White, head of the network's branch in Jordan Adnan Al Abodi and a number of landmine victims, His Majesty stressed Jordan's commitment to eliminate all anti personnel mines in accordance with the articles of the Ottawa Convention.

He also called signatories to the convention to follow Jordan's suit with regard to eliminating antipersonnel mines.

The King expressed appreciation for efforts being exerted by the international network to rehabilitate survivors of mines and integrate them into local communities on the world level.

His Majesty also announced during the meeting which was attended by Royal Court Chief and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Al-Hussein Prize for Creativity in Eliminating Mines and Rehabilitation".

King Abdullah affirmed readiness of the Armed forces especially the Royal Engineering Force to cooperate with the network's branch in Jordan in implementing programs designed to eliminate mines and rehabilitate mine survivors after Jordan became the first Arab country in the Middle East that is free of mines.

The Executive Director of the Landmine Survivors Network Jerry White for his part expressed appreciation for efforts being exerted by Jordan under directives by His Majesty, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to eliminate anti personnel mines, rehabilitate survivors and integrate them into the local communities.

He affirmed keenness of the network which includes 146 countries on the world level to help victims of landmines.

Head of the network's branch In Jordan presented to the King the Network's Plaque in appreciation of the King's efforts to eliminate anti personnel mines, rehabilitate survivors and integrate them into the local community.

The branch was established in Jordan in 1999 with the aim of providing rehabilitation services for the survivors of mines.