Countries could be required to dispose of unexploded cluster bombs they dropped

Mainchi Daily News
Mainchi Japan
Geneva: Monday, 19 November 2007

A convention being drafted in the Oslo Process on a ban on cluster munitions is to require countries that have dropped such bombs to dispose of those that remain unexploded, according to a copy obtained by the Mainichi.
So far, countries that have dropped cluster munitions have not been held responsible for any harm that dud bombs caused to civilians.
The United States, Russia, Israel and other countries that have reportedly used a massive number of cluster munitions are not participating in the Oslo Process, and are unlikely to sign a new treaty. However, if the convention clearly mentions the responsibility of countries that used cluster bombs, it will certainly put huge pressure on them.
Austria that chairs the process is set to propose the draft at a meeting to be held in Vienna in December.
The 22-article draft states that countries that have used cluster munitions in other territories are obligated to cooperate in disposing of any bombs that remain unexploded.
It also urges countries that have used such weapons to provide funds, technology and information to help dispose of them.
Countries that have dropped cluster munitions have failed to clarify the number and locations of such weapons they used, obstructing disposal of such weapons that remain unexploded and causing harm to civilians.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/international/news/20071119p2g00m0in010000c.html