US News

US defends use of cluster bombs

May 22, 2008, 0:06 GMT

Washington - The United States will not agree to a ban on the use of cluster bombs because the weapons remain tactically useful for fending off advancing armies and for self-defence, a US official said Wednesday. 'We think this kind of blanket ban is a mistake,' said Stephen Mull, the US State Department's top official for political and military affairs. His comments come during a two-week gathering of more than 100 countries that began Monday in Dublin with the goal of forging an agreement on an international prohibition against cluster bombs. Cluster bombs are munitions that drop hundreds of tennis-ball sized smaller explosives known as 'bomblets,' which scatter and detonate across the battlefield. But many bomblets fail to explode and for years after a conflict has ended can continue to pose a threat to civilians, especially children who often mistake the munitions for toys. Mull said that the US military has designed a more advanced cluster bomb that uses electronic timers to ensure that bomblets either explode as intended or self-destruct to prevent harm to civilians. Most of the world's major military powers - the United States and other countries that produce or stockpile cluster bombs, including China, Russia, Israel, India and Pakistan - did not send representatives to the Dublin conference. Australia, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden are among the 109 countries attending the gathering, hosted by the Irish government. Many of those countries are seeking exceptions that would allow them to keep current stockpiles or allow for a transition period to develop tactical alternates. The most recent reported use of cluster bombs was during the July- August 2006 Israeli incursion into Lebanon. Israel was heavily criticized for dropping such munitions in civilian areas. The United States last used the weapons during the 2003 invasion of Iraq but not since, Mull said, because cluster bombs have few applications against insurgencies. Cluster bombs can be militarily effective against massed troop formations. Washington wants to maintain the option of cluster munitions for 'traditional' warfare, such as protecting South Korea against any possible invasion from North Korea, Mull said. Other attendees at the conference are civilian victims of cluster bombs and advocacy groups seeking a ban including the Cluster Munition Coalition, which has sought to pressure governments to end use of the munitions. 'We are confident that governments will make the right decision and adopt a ban with no exceptions, no loopholes and no delays,' CMC said. 'This is what is needed to do justice to the victims of this weapon and to stop the maiming and killing of generations to come.' UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon began the conference by calling for a ban on cluster bombs.

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in US

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1 2

I would rather that you just said 'thank you' ...May 22nd, 2008 - 01:45:37

'But many bomblets fail to explode '

Not true unless they are deliberately set not to explode.

'But many bomblets fail to explode and for years after a conflict has ended can continue to pose a threat to civilians, especially children who often mistake the munitions for toys. '

Are we supposed to think the bomblets are shaped like teddy bears now?

Report this comment

the first poster is very wrongMay 22nd, 2008 - 02:20:27

anywhere between 10 and 40 percent do not explode as they should. By his logic there are no WW2 bombs left unexploded. This is patently absurd as it is estimated that it will take another 50 years to clean up all the unexploded bombs dropped on Germany. Anything made by man is not perfect and liable to not work as advertised. As for his Teddy Bear comment, what a fricking idiot he is. I guess he doesn't have children of his own. Kids will pick up and play with anything. Therein lies the danger. It is obvious that the first poster has absolutely no experience with weaponry or explosives.

Report this comment

'the first poster'May 22nd, 2008 - 03:33:54

'anywhere between 10 and 40 percent do not explode as they should. '

No, that is simply not true.

'By his logic there are no WW2 bombs left unexploded.'

No, that is not a logical syllogism.

'This is patently absurd as it is estimated that it will take another 50 years to clean up all the unexploded bombs dropped on Germany. '

War is a bad thing. However, if you are going to enter in to one you should utilaze every tool you have to bring it to a swift conclusion.

I might add, WW2 was finished over 60 years ago, don't you think munitions development has advanced since then?

'As for his Teddy Bear comment, what a fricking idiot he is.'

Just trying to combat some of the hysteria that folks like you like to introduce in to topics like this.

'Kids will pick up and play with anything. '

Well you should put down your mommy's computer and let the adults talk.

' It is obvious that the first poster has absolutely no experience with weaponry or explosives.'

Wrong again..

Report this comment

Thanks, idiot. You lose.May 22nd, 2008 - 05:52:52

When you default to language like that I can sit back and smirk knowing that you have shown your true stupid and helpless little self. I think your sputtering frustration at your inability to come up with anything intelligent to say absolutely delicious. I just love watching an idiot like you wet themselves and self-nullify anything you had to say.

:-D

Report this comment

The bomblets should be nuclear bombletMay 22nd, 2008 - 09:59:58

Whatever we do we do with good intention. We sold the CLUSTER BOMBS to the zionist entity, with the idea of defending against Arab Muslims. They used against the Lebanese in 2006 war against HizbAllaah, wasn't that defensive use? Off courese it was! The HizbAllaah people have defeated our zionist ally three times and in the 4th attack against HizbAllaah, our client state of Israel might get thrown in the mediterranean! Who would like that?

There is a report that India is making cluster bombs with nuclear bombelets. We are the only two countries making CLUSTER BOMBS, so be it.

Report this comment

tonny from belgiumMay 22nd, 2008 - 15:45:53

Can anybody clarify against which advancing army cluster bombs were used in Irq,or failing to do so what was the defensive use as claimed by the USA ?
For these are the reasons invoked by the Bush administration for a legitimate use ...
As for the use by Israel against lebanese children,what could be the possible reason
www.unicef.org/emerg/index_35418.html
I always thought Israel claimed the moral upper ground in this conflict ,I fail to find any,unles the usual lame excuse invoking Hezbollah is sufficient reason for some ,but then again it contains the absurd and crual consequence that children and civil population are collatral vicitms .Jus how does a cluster bomb differentiate between a hezbollah militant and a child playing ?

Report this comment

Dan the conquerorMay 22nd, 2008 - 15:50:44

I think that the US has done enough damage already. It's known that cluster bombs can fail to explode and can pose a threat to civilians years after the war is over. With as advanced as we are I think that we can afford to limit our options.

Report this comment

Hidden ImamMay 22nd, 2008 - 17:23:26

'Whatever we do we do with good intention. '

You are not a part of 'we' you metastasizing tumor.

'They used against the Lebanese in 2006 war against HizbAllaah, wasn't that defensive use? Off courese[sic] it was'

Well yes, yes it was.

'
There is a report that India is making cluster bombs with nuclear bombelets'

Kind of defeats the whole purpose, but I am not going to argue against your fantasy.

' We are the only two countries making CLUSTER BOMBS, so be it.'

They too know what it is like to be attacked.

Report this comment

SP4: why yes...May 22nd, 2008 - 18:28:38

Just as soon as the Palestinians quit heaving rockets at Israel...or just as soon as Iran quits feeding the Imam's...Just as soon as Chavez quits feeding FARC...

oh yeah, we'll get right on it.

Have you ever read such nonsense? Who, in their right mind, thinks we can sanitize war???? It is the carnage that dissuades those from starting wars, except for the nut cases like Saddam.

Interesting though that we seem to use nuclear weapons as a successful deterrent, as they have never been used since the second time, but clusters do not seem to deter wars...

perhaps they are not the deterrent we think they are?

Report this comment

TypicalMay 23rd, 2008 - 07:31:41

Of an bleeding power to defend its use of a barbaric weapon.

Report this comment

page: 1 2

Add your comment (no registration required)