Trump administration ends Obama-era landmine restriction
As predicted, via the Trump White House - the Pentagon is relaxing its policy on the use of landmines by U.S, forces, so that landmines can be used on the Korean peninsula.
A Friday afternoon statement by the Trump Press Secretary formally announced that Trump has canceled the Obama Administration's policy to ban United States military forces from using anti-personnel landmines outside of the Korean Peninsula.
Said Stephanie Grisham to reporters: "The President is unwilling to accept this risk to our troops."
PREVIOUSLY ON BOING BOING:
Landmines are actually good, says Defense Sec as Trump prepares to undo Obama-era landmine ban
President Trump formally cancels Obama-era restrictions on use of landmines, WH announces pic.twitter.com/Se1MBNwtcP
- Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) January 31, 2020
Just in from the White House - Pentagon is relaxing its policy on use of landmines so that they can be used outside of South Korea/DMZ
- Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) January 31, 2020
Trump has canceled the Obama Administration's policy to prohibit United States military forces from employing anti-personnel landmines outside of the Korean Peninsula. pic.twitter.com/ExZlHr19Jl
- Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) January 31, 2020
From Afghanistan & Angola to Cambodia & Colombia, anti-personnel landmines have devasted soldiers & civilians alike.
For nearly 3 decades the US has limited their use, production & export - and for the past decade, used them only on the Korean Peninsula. https://t.co/Ey8KbUMaGe
- Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 31, 2020
The U.S. will now allow "advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces" to allow the military more "flexibility and capability."
- Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) January 31, 2020
Per @PressSec, new @DeptofDefense #landmine policy "will authorize Combatant Commanders, in exceptional circumstances, to employ advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces"
- Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) January 31, 2020
#InOtherNews ... Pres #Trump has canceled Obama Admin policy prohibiting US military from using anti-personnel landmines outside of the Korean Peninsula. #LandMines
**160 other countries maintain ban b/c of history of killing and wounding civilians
- Michael Holmes (@holmescnn) January 31, 2020
New #landmine policy will authorize combatant commanders, "in exceptional circumstances, to employ advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces," says @PressSec in statement. pic.twitter.com/MgH89xwaXV
- Steve Herman (@W7VOA) January 31, 2020
Was Congress included in or informed of any discussions to change US landmines policy? @RepMcGovern makes a case for why the policy change could be dangerous for US servicemen and women and civilians around the globe. https://t.co/onojg1TPm3
- Rachel Stohl (@rachelstohl) January 31, 2020
WH announces @POTUS has cancelled his predecessor's decision to prohibit US military use of anti-personnel landmines outside of the Korean Peninsula. WH says such restrictions could place US forces "at a severe disadvantage during a conflict.
- Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 31, 2020