According to information released by Human Rights Watch, the Bush Administration has decided to begin production of a new antipersonnel mine called 'Spider.' In addition, HRW says, the Pentagon has requested a total of $1.3 billion for development and production activities for another new antipersonnel mine called the Intelligent Munitions System, with a full production expected by 2008.
President Bush plans to export many of these mines around the world to countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, for the war on terror.


The ICBL (International Coalition to Ban Landmines) is extremely concerned about these US plans which open the door for new production and export of antipersonnel mines. This stands in stark contrast to the reality in the rest of the world, where the norm of a total ban of the weapon is firmly taking hold. There are 145 States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, and many countries that have not yet joined the treaty have instituted a moratorium on production, exports and even use of antipersonnel mines.

In February 2002, the Bush Administration announced its decision to continue using mines, reversing the long standing US position to search for alternatives to antipersonnel landmines. President Clinton signed on to the treaty to ban land mines in 1994, a treaty President Bush pulled out of, in February 2001, just three weeks after taking office