Your Sept. 9 editorial on the land mines ban was right on target. This vital defensive tool should not be unilaterally thrown away by the good guys. This will not stop the less honorable nations that created the problem by widespread and irresponsible use of mines from continuing to manufacture and use these weapons.
It is entirely possible for the U.S. and other responsible armed forces to use smart, self-disabling mines and to mark their location when laid so they will not cause damage later. The peace-loving nations, such as Canada and Japan, which are advancing this effort, are to be commended for their sentiment but excoriated for their lack of foresight. They have lived for so long behind the bulwark against chaos provided by the U.S. armed forces that they have forgotten that peace is only as enduring as the military’s ability to overawe potential adversaries.
