Bulk of states back cluster bomb ban, organisers say
Posted: 22 February 2008 1721 hrs

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WELLINGTON: A key conference on cluster bombs ended on Friday in Wellington with most of the 122 governments represented backing a draft treaty banning the deadly weapons, organisers said.

However, major countries such as China, Russia and the United States – the main manufacturers of the munitions – remain opposed to an outright ban on cluster bombs and did not attend the meeting.

The five-day conference was one of a series held as part of a Norwegian initiative launched in February 2007 which it is hoped will culminate with the adoption of a treaty banning the bombs in Dublin in May.

The conference was organised by the Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC), a global network of 200 civil society organisations which includes the leaders of the Nobel peace prize-winning international Campaign to Ban Landmines.

The coalition said by late Friday, 82 states had signed the so-called 'Wellington Declaration' which will allow further negotiation of the draft treaty to ban cluster bombs, assist survivors and clear land.

The declaration says cluster bombs cause unacceptable harm to civilians and their use, production and transfer must be banned. It calls for a framework so survivors of cluster bombs are provided with care and rehabilitation.

New Zealand Defence Minister Phil Goff said he expected more of the states present at the meeting to eventually endorse the draft by the meeting in May.

"We anticipate the overwhelming majority of states that attended will sign up to the draft," said Goff.

Cluster bombs are especially deadly as they contain smaller bomblets, which scatter over a wide area and can explode decades after a conflict has ended, killing and maiming civilians.


- AFP/so