Russian News  
US accused of pressing nations over cluster bomb treaty

by Staff Writers
Brussels (AFP) April 9, 2008
A leading group working on behalf of disabled people accused the United States Wednesday of pressuring European and African countries not to join a new treaty next month banning cluster bombs.

"Five weeks before the conclusion of the historic Cluster Munition Treaty, Handicap International urges states to resist the growing pressure from the United States and other arms producing countries," a statement said.

Cluster bombs are notorious for killing and maiming civilians. They contain smaller bomblets, which scatter over a wide area and can explode decades after a conflict has ended.

The treaty banning the weapons, which is opposed by China and Russia, is expected to be published in Dublin during an event involving almost 100 countries from May 19 to 30.

"We got evidence from a number of states they have been lobbied, sometimes very aggressively, by the US," said Stan Brabant, head of the non-governmental organisation's Belgian section.

He said African states had been threatened with losing aid from the United States if they signed up, while some in Europe were told such a ban could hurt the NATO military alliance.

He also accused Britain and the Netherlands -- which have used the munitions in Iraq and Kosovo -- of trying to weaken treaty provisions on helping the victims of such weapons.

Another group of countries was accused of trying to water down the treaty so as to exempt from any ban the cluster munitions that they produce.

No official records exist of how many people have been maimed or killed by the weapons, but Handicap International estimates that about 98 percent of victims were civilians, usually children.

The treaty is part of a Norwegian initiative launched in February 2007 when 46 states agreed to conclude an international ban treaty to be signed by the end of this year.

Cluster munitions are among the weapons that pose the gravest dangers to civilians since antipersonnel mines, which were banned in 1997.

They caused more civilian casualties in Iraq in 2003 and Kosovo in 1999 than any other weapon system. Israel's widespread use of cluster bombs during the 2006 war in Lebanon caused more than 200 civilian casualties in the year following the ceasefire, the Cluster Munitions Coalition has said.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

Thales' I-Master Radar Reports Flight Trial Success
London, UK (SPX) Apr 08, 2008
Thales UK presented the I-Master radar in cooperation with Seabird Aviation at SOFEX 2008. Seabird Aviation and Thales are working together to study the incorporation of the I-Master radar onto the Seabird SB7L-360 Seeker to enable further joint success in approaching a particular segment of the global airborne surveillance market.







  • Commentary: 'Hey guys, let's be friends'
  • Outside View: Bush, Ukraine look westward
  • Walker's World: Bush's last summit
  • US-Russia Strategic Framework Declaration

  • Walker's World: Iran wins again
  • Israeli nuclear whistleblower still wants asylum in Norway: report
  • NKorea says it reached deal with US on nuke declaration
  • Time running out to resolve NKorea nuclear impasse: US envoy

  • Analysis: India eyes fake currency flow
  • Process On For Establishing Aerospace Command
  • Cisco plans to turn India into global hub, triple workforce
  • India's Biotech Baby Elephant

  • US House calls China to end Tibet crackdown
  • China Says 170 Monks Arrested; As More Protests In Front Of Foreign Reporters
  • Tibetan task force seeks talks with Beijing
  • China says it has brought 'golden age' to Tibet

  • Carbon Certification Of Biofuels Confusion Causes Concerns
  • Modern Icon Was Invented On Back Of Envelope
  • US Wind Power Market Set To Experience Unprecedented Growth
  • Analysis: Nigeria trial raises questions

  • New Station Crew Prepares For Launch Tuesday
  • In maiden voyage, European space freighter docks with ISS
  • Crew Conducts Science, Preps For Jules Verne Docking
  • European space freighter in dress rehearsal for ISS hookup

  • Boeing And TEAM TSAT Confirm Readiness Of Advanced Satellite Electronics
  • Raytheon To Lead Team Pursuing The USAF Global Broadcast Service
  • Advanced Mobile Satellite Communications Network Being Rolled Out For Florida National Guard
  • General Dynamics Awarded Army Contract For WIN-T Satellite Communications Terminals

  • US accused of pressing nations over cluster bomb treaty
  • Thales' I-Master Radar Reports Flight Trial Success
  • USAF Evaluation Found Boeing Tanker More Capable, Survivable For Flight Crews
  • BAE Receives US Army Contract For MMPV

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement