An international ban on landmines went into effect on March 1, signed by 65 nations. The agreement prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transport of anti-personnel mines. There are about 100 million of these weapons scattered around the globe, and it is estimated that someone is killed or maimed by one of them every 22 seconds. President Clinton says the U.S. will sign in 2006, but meanwhile has agreed to a Pentagon plan for a new landmine system fired by artillery to blow up both tanks and people. The Catholic Campaign to Ban Landmines, including CTA, continues to lobby. Contact Jack Cullinan at USCC 202 541-3149 landmines@nccbuscc.org

The U.S. sanctions against Iraq are "wrong, cruel and immoral," says Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, head of the U.S. bishops' conference. An estimated 700,000 Iraqi children have died since the sanctions were imposed due to the absence of food and medicine and the collapse of the country's infrastructure.

To lobby on this issue, contact USCC International Justice and Peace office: 202 541-3180 Also working to end sanctions is Voices in the Wilderness, whose leaders, Kathy Kelly and Fr. Bob Bossie, spoke at CTA last October.

Voices in the Wilderness: 773 784-8065 Web: www.nonviolence.org/vitw



The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is essential to stopping proliferation of nuclear weapons, but U.S. ratification is stalled in the committee chaired by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC). Without Senate approval, the U.S. lacks credibility to give global leadership to others, like India and Pakistan, newly entered into the deadly nuclear weapons game. Prompt ratification would allow the U.S. to participate in the September conference of nations that have approved CTBT, and help shape the future. Join USCC in the lobbying effort. Are your Senators for, against, or undecided?

Check with Gerry Powers at USCC: 202 541-3196 E-mail: gpowers@nccbuscc.org