Cluster-bomb ban?

[tinythinker]

Representatives of 109 countries have gathered in Dublin for a 12-day conference aimed at a global ban on cluster munitions. Supporters of the ban say it is "now or never" for a deal...

The Dublin conference is meant to end in a treaty that will outlaw the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster bombs worldwide and ensure support for affected communities including clearance of contaminated land. But not all governments are showing enthusiasm for an immediate ban. Some have not even bothered attending.

But Thomas Nash of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, an umbrella body campaigning for a total ban, hopes those not present will eventually fall in line.

"While it is true that countries such as the United States, Russia, and China have refused to come to Dublin and negotiate this ban, we believe that the strong moral and legal standards that will be set over the next two weeks will very quickly become the standard by which every single country is judged," said Nash.

The United States has said that cluster munitions have a place in the military inventory as long as proper rules of engagement are followed.

Other notable no-shows at the conference are India, Pakistan and Israel who the Cluster Munitions Coalition says are also users, producers and stockpilers of cluster munitions.

Nash also pointed out that some of the countries represented in Dublin are trying to have a watered down treaty by calling for exceptions such as keeping their stocks of cluster bombs. But he says such exceptions would weaken the treaty...

-source