- Title: IRELAND: Conference adopts cluster bomb ban, debates loopholes
- Date: 31st May 2008
- Summary: (EU) BLEEDA, SOUTHERN LEBANON (RECENT) (REUTERS) NAEMA GHAZI, WOMAN WITH ARTIFICIAL LIMB USING STICKS TO WALK VARIOUS OF NAEMA WALKING
- Embargoed: 15th June 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ireland
- Country: Ireland
- Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA6H2D3VD01SLYE6UV7J6A2ND1U
- Story Text: Representatives of more than 100 nations adopt a new treaty banning the use of cluster bombs.
Over 100 nations formally agreed on Friday (May 30) to ban the use of cluster bombs but debate continued on loopholes that could benefit powers such as the United States, which has refused to take part in talks on a ban.
The Dublin Diplomatic Conference president declared the draft treaty adopted on Friday after the text formulated during 12 days of talks received no objections from delegates.
"I think it has been a very good process and a very good outcome and as others have been referring to I think this very much a sign of how norms are being or can be created in the twenty-first century," Norwegian deputy defence minister Espen Barthe Eide said.
The head of the Norwegian delegation Steffen Kongstad told the conference implementation should start straight away. Delegates agreed on the draft treaty on Wednesday (May 28) after a promise from Britain to stop using the devices.
The United States, China and Russia have rejected the pact, while NATO states have backed it.
Spokesman for the German delegation Rudiger Ludeking said Germany was committed to signing the convention.
"We inform this conference of a joint declaration of the German federal ministers of foreign affairs and defence Dr. Steinmeier and Dr. Jung issued yesterday in support of the draft convention. In it they quite find the draft convention as a mile stone in the development of international humanitarian law and committed that German will sign the convention in Olso and ratify it as quickly as possible thereafter," he said.
Cluster munitions contain "bomblets" that are scattered from planes or by artillery shells and that detonate like mines.
Opponents say the bombs cause indiscriminate injury after often lying unexploded for months or years until accidentally trodden on. Children are frequently the victims.
The accord's impact has been softened by a clause, known as Article 21, that allows troops of a signatory state to cooperate with an ally using the weapons, such as the United States.
Campaigners said they aimed to ensure that countries avoid using the clause to allow non-signatories to stockpile the munitions on their own territory or help in joint operations where cluster bombs were being deployed.
The U.N. Development Programme says cluster munitions have caused more than 13,000 confirmed injuries and deaths around the world, the vast majority of them in Laos, Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Israel, which made widespread use of cluster bombs during its 2006 war with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, has reiterated its intention to go on using them. India and Pakistan are also notable non-signatories of the treaty.
The so-called Oslo process against the explosive devices, modelled on the campaign against anti-personnel land mines a decade ago, is due to end with the signing of a treaty in the Norwegian capital in December. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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