100 countries to sign treaty to ban the use of cluster bombs
Thursday, 4 December 2008
The first of more than 100 countries are due to begin signing a treaty to ban the use of cluster bombs, at a conference in Oslo, Norway, reports BBC.
Campaigners are hailing the treaty as a major breakthrough. But some of the biggest stockpilers, including the US, Russia and China will not be among them.
First developed during World War II, cluster bombs contain a number of smaller bomblets designed to cover a large area and deter an advancing army.
But campaigners, including some in the military, have long argued they are outmoded and immoral because of the dangers posed to civilians from bombs that do not explode and litter the ground like landmines.
Although many of the world's biggest stockpilers of cluster munitions will not be signing the treaty, its backers say the move will help stigmatise the weapons.
As he opened the signing convention in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said the treaty would make the world safer, but had been too long in coming.
"Too many people lost their lives and their limbs; too many futures were shattered," he said.
"The tragedy of their needless suffering is matched only by our joy today in being able to prevent more human misery in the future.
Campaigners are hailing the treaty as a major breakthrough. But some of the biggest stockpilers, including the US, Russia and China will not be among them.
First developed during World War II, cluster bombs contain a number of smaller bomblets designed to cover a large area and deter an advancing army.
But campaigners, including some in the military, have long argued they are outmoded and immoral because of the dangers posed to civilians from bombs that do not explode and litter the ground like landmines.
Although many of the world's biggest stockpilers of cluster munitions will not be signing the treaty, its backers say the move will help stigmatise the weapons.
As he opened the signing convention in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said the treaty would make the world safer, but had been too long in coming.
"Too many people lost their lives and their limbs; too many futures were shattered," he said.
"The tragedy of their needless suffering is matched only by our joy today in being able to prevent more human misery in the future.