Cluster bomb ban convention adopted

Cluster bomb ban convention adopted	30.05.2008
A LANDMARK international convention banning cluster munitions was formally adopted by some 111 countries today, in a move supporters hope will stigmatise the lethal weapons as much as landmines. There were no objections to its adoption, which came after 12 days of robust negotiations in Dublin. Signatories, including Australia, vow to outlaw the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions, help victims and clear contaminated areas. Conference president Daithi O`Ceallaigh said: "I propose that we formally adopt the text of the convention on cluster munitions. We agreed to do this on Wednesday evening. I propose that we adopt the convention text as a whole. "I see no objections. The convention is adopted.`` The adoption of the treaty, which has been spearheaded by Norway, sparked applause and a standing ovation from delegates. Politicians and campaigners have described the pact as hugely significant, despite the absence of key powers like the United States, China and Russia, which have led to criticisms about its worth. Apart from those three countries, Pakistan and India - which also figure among the world`s major producers and users of cluster bombs - did not attend the conference. Cluster munitions are among the weapons posing the gravest dangers to civilians, especially in heavily-bombed countries like Laos, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Dropped from planes or fired from artillery, they explode in mid-air, randomly scattering bomblets, with many civilians having been killed or maimed by their indiscriminate, wide area effect. They also pose a lasting threat as many bomblets fail to explode on impact. The treaty requires the destruction of stockpiled munitions within eight years - though it leaves the door open for future, more precise generations of cluster bombs that pose less harm to civilians. The convention is due to be signed in Oslo on December 2-3. States then have to ratify the Share this article Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Newsvine Post to Facebook Add to kwoff
Share this article:

05/30/2008		Blind student killed by religious teacher
A BLIND seven-year-old student at an Islamic school in eastern Pakistan has died after his teacher punished him for not learning the Koran, police said today

05/30/2008		Nightclub owners win 2am lockout battle
NIGHTCLUB owners who provide extra door security are allowed to let in people after 2am following a state government compromise

05/30/2008		`Al-Qaeda on brink of defeat`
AL-QAEDA has been essentially beaten in Iraq and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, says CIA chief

05/30/2008		Actor Bill Murray `abusive drug, sex addict`
THE wife of actor Bill Murray has accused him of being a sex addict, abusive and hooked on marijuana and alcohol

Happy Feet / supplied

Win for Australia ... Happy Feet / supplied

Happy Feet wins the Oscar 02/26/2007


	08. 2008

Categories:

Entertaiment News

Hi-tech & Science

Global: