Pakistan propose formula to deal with illicit use of cluster munitions       

Associated Press of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD,
Nov 8 2007

Pakistan, at an international conference on conventional weapons in Geneva, has proposed six-point formula to deal with the irresponsible and illicit use of cluster munitions, says a message received here Thursday.Permanent representative of Pakistan to UN Masood Khan stated at the conference that illicit and irresponsible use of cluster munitions had caused havoc in many countries and most recently in Lebanon in 2005.

Convention on Certain Conventional weapons (CCW) is being held in Geneva, which is an annual meeting of the states party to the convention.

He said that, for its part, Pakistan has not used cluster munitions in any armed conflict to date.

"Pakistan is opposed to their use against civilians", he said.

Pakistan told the international gathering on conventional weapons that cluster munitions had legitimate military uses.

However, their use must be balanced by strict adherence to the existing international humanitarian law to address humanitarian concerns relating to the production, use and transfer of cluster munitions.

Pakistan's six-point formula had the following elements:

•        Negotiating an agreed course of action on cluster munitions within the CCW framework.

•        Recognize humanitarian concerns relating to cluster munitions as well as their legitimate use of such weapons.

•        The proposed mandate should be simple and general.

No artificial deadline.

•        Address concerns of all States Parties.

•        Benefit from the experiences of civil society.

The CCW adopted in 1980, contains five protocols prohibiting or regulating the use of various conventional weapons.

These include landmines, booby traps, incendiary weapons, laser weapons during a conflict and addressing the issue of explosive remnants of war in the post-conflict phase.