Ireland
Draft convention ban on cluster bombs
Wednesday, 28 May 2008 22:50
An international conference being held in Dublin has accepted a draft convention to ban the use of cluster munitions.
The conference attended by more than 100 nations, though not the US, agreed on the draft at its meeting this evening.
Campaigners have described the agreed text as a major achievement.
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They say the main manufacturers and stockpilers of the munitions will be forced to accept a ban if one is agreed at the conference at Croke Park.
130 countries are working to agree a treaty that would be widely supported.
However, the weapons' main producers and stockpilers - including the US, Russia and China - are against any such treaty move and are not represented at the conference.
Audio & Video
- Nine News: Joe O'Brien, Defence Correspondent, reports that campaigners say the deal will stigmatise the weapons
- Nine News: Margaret Ward, Foreign Editor, reports that the people of Laos are still suffering the aftereffects of the Vietnam war
- Six One News: Margaret Ward, Foreign Editor, reports that hopes are high that a resolution banning cluster bombs can be agreed at a Dublin conference
