19 October 2006

UK Opposes Ban on Cluster Bombs

Over a million unexploded cluster bombs remain in Lebanon (90% of which were dropped in the last 3 days of the conflict) after this summer's war, but the UK has blocked a proposed a worldwide ban on cluster bombs at arms talks in Geneva. Britain has extensively used cluster bombs in Kosovo and Iraq, so it's sadly not surprising.

The real effects of the government's move: Lebanese schools, roads, houses, and gardens are still littered with unexploded devices. Farmers have not been able to safely harvest what was left of this summer's tobacco, wheat, and fruit; winter crops will be lost because farmers will be unable to plough their grains and vegetables.

No comments: