UN weapons conference cautious on use of cluster bombs

The Hindu News
Associated Press
November 14, 2007

Geneva (AP): A UN weapons conference adopted a cautious approach on the use of cluster bombs, calling for new rules on when the weapons can be used but stopping short of launching talks on legally binding treaty.

The use of the bombs has come under growing criticism from Canada, the European Union and other, as well as from campaign groups which argue that the weapons inflicts severe suffering on civilians.

But the US, Russia and China have repeatedly insisted that the weapon has a legitimate military purpose, even if they have signaled a readiness to discuss non binding recommendations on usage.

Diplomats from 102 nations agreed to "negotiate a proposal to address urgently the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, while striking a balance between military and humanitarian considerations."

The bombs - which typically scatter hundred of small bomblets over a wide area - are not explicitly regulated by the 1980 UN Convention on Conventional Weapons, known as CCW.

Washington said it was pleased with the result.

"The language of the decision taken today is clear and direct," said Ronald Bettauer, who headed the US delegation. "Humanitarian and military considerations are both important".

But Stephen Goose, executive director of Human Rights Watch, disagreed. "We see this as a wholly inadequate outcome," he said. "The room does not have a clue as to what is being negotiated."

European countries said the week long meeting ended below their expectations, but expressed hope that an international ban on the use and production of the cluster bombs most dangerous to civilians can still be achieved, highlighting the various interpretations of the watered-down agreement.