Dublin Sat. 31^st May 2008

More than 100 countries have formally agreed to ban the use of cluster bombs.

However, the debate now moves to the loopholes that could benefit powers such as the United States, which refused to take part in the Dublin conference.

Along with the US, China, Russia, Israel, India and Pakistan have rejected the pact.

Cluster munitions contain "bomblets" that are scattered from planes or artillery shells and detonate like mines. Opponents say they cause indiscriminate injury, often lying unexploded for years. Children are frequently the victims.

Giji Gya from the Brussels based International Security Service said: "The main actors are the United States and the UK. You also have Israel, India, Pakistan and China as the main users."

U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the elimination of cluster bombs from U.S. stockpiles would put the lives of U.S. soldiers and those of their allies at risk.

"While the United States shares the humanitarian concerns of those in Dublin, cluster munitions have demonstrated military utility," he said.

Source: Euronews
http://www.euronews.net/index.php