Moscow, 20 October 1997 (RFE/RL) -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien today issued a joint statement calling for an international ban on anti-personnel landmines.
In the statement, Yeltsin voiced support for an international treaty against landmines that is due to be signed at a December conference in Canada. The statement did not say when Yeltsin might sign the treaty.
Reports say Chretien today invited Yeltsin to Canada for the signing. But Yeltsin remained non-committal, saying that he agreed Russia should sign promptly and that he would not exclude the possibility of attending the Ottawa conference.
Before his arrival yesterday for a five-day visit to Russia, Chretien said a key goal of his trip would be to persuade Yeltsin to sign the ban.
In the statement, Yeltsin voiced support for an international treaty against landmines that is due to be signed at a December conference in Canada. The statement did not say when Yeltsin might sign the treaty.
Reports say Chretien today invited Yeltsin to Canada for the signing. But Yeltsin remained non-committal, saying that he agreed Russia should sign promptly and that he would not exclude the possibility of attending the Ottawa conference.
Before his arrival yesterday for a five-day visit to Russia, Chretien said a key goal of his trip would be to persuade Yeltsin to sign the ban.