The provisions of the Instrument for Stability repeal and replace the regulations concerning the rapid reaction mechanism and the different regulations concerning combating anti-personnel landmines.

Question No. 13 Ms. Dawn Black: With regard to Canada's commitments in Afghanistan: (a) what is the estimated cost of Canada's continuing commitments; (b) what is the current command structure of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, particularly their relation to United States of America (USA) forces; (c) what is the total number of Canadian soldiers present in Afghanistan at the moment and how will this change over the next 12 months; (d) how will force levels change over the next decade; (e) how does the government see the mission in Afghanistan aligning with Canada's role in the world; (f) is the government aware of the conditions in USA-controlled and Afghanistan-controlled detention facilities in Afghanistan, and, if so, what has the g ...[+++]overnment determined about the conditions; (g) has the government sought assurances from the USA regarding the treatment of prisoners who are handed over to USA or Afghan forces; (h) does the government believe that the Prisoner Transfer Arrangement signed on December 18, 2005 by the Chief of Defence Staff prevents the onward transfer of prisoners to countries other than Canada and Afghanistan; (i) have foreign forces ever surrounded Canadian encampments or bases with anti-personnel land mines; (j) are Canadian bases surrounded by any anti-personnel landmines that have been left from previous conflicts in Afghanistan; (k) how long does the government expect the Canadian military presence in Afghanistan to last; (l) does the government have any plans for further debate in the House of Commons regarding the deployment in Afghanistan; (m) does the government have any plans for a vote in the House regarding new deployments in Afghanistan; (n) are Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan part of the American Operation Enduring Freedom; (o) will Canadian Forces in Afghanistan come under North Atlantic Treaty Organization command, and, if so, when will this happen; (p) does the government believe that the current mission has a United N ...

In order to highlight and explain the Union's action in this area, External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten published a brochure, "The Response of the European Union to the Anti-Personnel Landmines Challenge", on the occasion of the Second Conference of the States participating into the Ottawa Convention which took place in Geneva from 11-15 September 2000.

In fact, the visit gave important momentum to the political dialogue between Canada and each of the countries visited, helped boost the exports of Canadian businesses working in this important market, encouraged the peace process in which Canada is very much involved, highlighted the views of Canada as chair of the committee struck at Madrid on refugees, encouraged adherence to the Ottawa treaty on anti-personnel landmines, and, in Amman, saw the embrace of the Canadian initiative to create a regional centre for c ...[+++]onflict resolution to help the parties of the region — Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians, to begin with — fortify peace and undertake different programs such as professional training for peacekeepers, the reinforcement of democratic institutions and judicial reform.

ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES - DECLARATION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION At the closure of the Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Certain Convential Weapons, the European Union recalls that it has, over the last years, redoubled its efforts to combat the severe consequences caused to civilians by the indiscriminate use of landmines, in particular anti-personnel mines.

OTHER DECISIONS (Adopted without discussion. In the case of legislative acts, votes against and abstentions are indicated. Decisions including statements to which the Council has decided to grant the public access are indicated by asterisks; the statements in question may be obtained from the Press Office.) Joint Action on anti-personnel landmines The Council adopted a new joint action on anti-personnel landmines (APL).