Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security discussed the Annual “To Walk the Earth in Safety” (TWEIS) Report, discussed the Annual “To Walk the Earth in Safety” (TWEIS) Report. She spoke at a briefing attended by United States Bureau Chief OLUKOREDE YISHAU. Excerpts:
To Walk the Earth in Safety Report
Today I had the pleasure to release the 22nd edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, the annual report on the accomplishments of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction program. I just want to show it because I’m so happy and proud of the hard work that my colleagues at my Political-Military Bureau at State is doing. So I just want to make sure everyone just sees that. And please, I commend you to definitely read this when you have an opportunity after today.
So our To Walk the Earth in Safety report highlights many of the ways communities and individuals around the world have overcome the adversity of post-conflict challenges thanks to the generous support of the American people and the hard work of our implementing partners. With U.S. funding, our partners tirelessly find and destroy landmines, improvised explosive devices or IEDs, and unexploded ordnances or UXO. They also help us destroy or secure small arms and light weapons that could be proliferated illicitly, as well as unserviceable ammunition which poses the danger of detonating and causing catastrophic consequences for civilians living in proximity to these dangerous depots. It is a hard job, but one with a big payoff of people’s lives and well-being.
Payoff of people’s lives and well-being
I have seen firsthand how our efforts do just that. During my visit last September to the State Department’s program in Vietnam, I was moved by the deep commitment and drive of all involved in such operation. I was impressed by this work by our partners and in awe of the deminers who take pride in their jobs, since it is contributing to ending pain in their communities. The incredible work being done to remove explosive hazards and the resilience of the local communities is truly inspiring.
The United States is the world’s largest – single largest financial contributor and supporter of conventional weapons destruction. We have invested more than $1.6 billion [$4.6 billion] in more than 120 countries and areas since 1993 to promote international peace and security by addressing humanitarian hazards from landmines and unexploded ordnances in post-conflict countries. We have also partnered with countries to secure or destroy excess or improperly secured munitions in order to reduce the possibility that non-state actors, such as criminals and terrorists, could acquire small arms, light weapons, and ammunition.
2022 Fiscal Year
In Fiscal Year 2022 alone, the United States supported conventional weapons destruction efforts in more than 65 countries and areas worth more than 376 – worth more than $276 million [$376 million]. With this funding, our Conventional Weapons Destruction programs have accomplished a great deal. For example, they provided thousands of in-person lifesaving explosive ordnance risk education sessions globally, while reaching millions more through social media campaigns; returned more than 243 million square meters of land, roughly equivalent to the city of Milwaukee, to communities for safe and productive use; destroyed over 14,000 excess, obsolete, or improperly stored small arms and light weapons and over 3,900 metric tons of unserviceable ammunition; cleared or destroyed more than 246,000 explosive hazards; and destroyed 223 man-portable air-defense systems, or MANPADS, and all-purpose or anti-tank guided missiles, or ATGMs, or components.
Small arms and light weapons
The Department of State, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development work together with foreign governments, private companies, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations to reduce excess small arms and light weapons stockpiles, implement best practices for properly securing and storing conventional weapons, and carry out humanitarian mine action programs.
As you review our report, you will call – we will call your attention to the human-interest stories in each of the six regional chapters. These stories about people who have benefitted directly from our programs provide tangible evidence of the success of the United States effort to improve security, including food and economic security, as well as resiliency to climate change, in a way that no dry statistics can.
For example, in Iraq, engineer Omar Al-Ani manages the restoration and cultivation of an oasis with an agriculture nursery and orchards. These were polluted by IEDs planted by ISIS, and then further damaged and polluted by unexploded ordnances generated during a fierce combat to drive out ISIS terrorists in 2017.
Now, thanks to the IED and UXO clearance funded by the United States, the Iraqi Government is reforesting this viable oasis and Mr. al-Ani and local farmers are once again growing olives, lemons, nuts, and date palms. He has even added a windbreak to combat soil erosion. This is just one of many examples of how the United States Conventional Weapons Destruction Program is fostering human security, food security, and economic prosperity across the globe.
Putin’s ongoing war
Now, my remarks would not be complete without addressing Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine and what we are doing to help the people of Ukraine. Since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the United States has committed more than $91.5 million to help the Government of Ukraine address the urgent humanitarian challenge posed by explosive remnants of war. These explosive hazards block access to farmland, slow the distribution of humanitarian assistance, impede reconstruction efforts, prevent displaced people from returning to their homes, and continue to kill and maim innocent civilians. The Government of Ukraine estimates that 174,000 square kilometers of its territory may be contaminated. This is more than twice the size of Austria or slightly larger than the state of Florida.
Problem will persist
This problem will, tragically, persist for a long time after Russia’s unspeakable brutality ends. But the international community’s attention to this issue and Ukraine’s prioritization of it means we’re on the right track. Our investment now will pay dividends long into the future and give the Ukrainian people another reason to hold onto hope.
When we review our progress for Fiscal Year 2022, we need to remember that our successes are not just about things such as landmines, UXOs, and excessive – excess munitions. The top priority for the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction program is people. This is reflected in our newest edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety. American taxpayers can be proud that they enabled the lifesaving and peacebuilding work.
Bipartisan congressional support
The United States commitment to conventional weapons destruction is grounded in more than 25 years of bipartisan congressional support, combined with the experience and determination of our implementing partners. Together we have worked with host governments, as well as communities at the local level, to create a resilient program that has evolved and adapted along with the threat from explosive remnants of war. I hope you enjoy reading the stories in this report.
North Korea seventh nuclear test
I don’t think it’s really possible to kind of prejudge or try to anticipate when North Korea may do a nuclear test. I think that the international community is aware that a test is possible and that there has been considerations by North Korea for a test (inaudible). We don’t know when that would happen. Of course, any kind of nuclear test is certainly destabilizing, certainly something that is not going to be very welcome, to say the least, in the region or internationally.
I would just also add that the U.S. has been very clear with North Korea and the international community as well that we are ready to talk with North Korea when – at a time that they’re willing to talk. We still are promoting denuclearization. That hasn’t changed. They have not approached us about having any kind of dialogue about the situation as it is now. But in answer, we don’t know, we can’t anticipate such a date, but we do know that such a test would be very destabilizing.