Landmines Diana, Princess of Wales

diana chatting in map room united states first lady hillary clinton, 18 june 1997

diana patron of halo trust, organisation removes debris left behind war, in particular landmines. in january 1997, pictures of diana touring angolan minefield in ballistic helmet , flak jacket seen worldwide. during campaign, accused of meddling in politics , called loose cannon . despite criticism, halo states diana s efforts resulted in raising international awareness landmines , subsequent sufferings caused them. in june 1997, gave speech @ landmines conference held @ royal geographical society, , travelled washington, d.c. promote american red cross landmines campaign. 7 10 august 1997, days before death, visited bosnia , herzegovina jerry white , ken rutherford of landmine survivors network.

her work on landmines issue has been described influential in signing of ottawa treaty, created international ban on use of anti-personnel landmines. introducing second reading of landmines bill 1998 british house of commons, foreign secretary, robin cook, paid tribute diana s work on landmines:

all honourable members aware postbags of immense contribution made diana, princess of wales bringing home many of our constituents human costs of landmines. best way in record our appreciation of work, , work of ngos have campaigned against landmines, pass bill, , pave way towards global ban on landmines.

carol bellamy, executive director of united nations children s fund (unicef), said landmines remained deadly attraction children, innate curiosity , need play lure them directly harm s way . urged countries produce , stockpile largest numbers of landmines (united states, china, india, north korea, pakistan, , russia) sign treaty. few months after diana s death in 1997, international campaign ban landmines won nobel peace prize.