OTTAWA — Former Liberal foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy says he's hopeful the United States will join the international treaty to ban landmines, which the Americans have snubbed since it was signed in Ottawa 17 years ago.
The U.S. is one of three dozen countries outside the landmark treaty, but this week Secretary of State John Kerry said his country was going to look at joining the Ottawa Convention.
In a column published earlier this week in the newspaper USA Today, Kerry says landmines remain a hazard for civilians in 60 countries.
Axworthy says he hopes the renewed U.S. interest might spur the Harper government to do more to support the clearance efforts of the deadly weapon.
Paul Hannon, executive Director of Mines Action Canada, says Ottawa should push Washington to join the treaty.
The office of Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird did not immediately respond to a request for reaction.
