This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7407631.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Forum seeks to ban cluster bombs | Forum seeks to ban cluster bombs |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Diplomats from around the world are gathering in Dublin for a conference that aims to secure a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs. | Diplomats from around the world are gathering in Dublin for a conference that aims to secure a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs. |
| The proposed ban has the support of more than 100 countries. | The proposed ban has the support of more than 100 countries. |
| Humanitarian organisations say a binding treaty is now urgent because these weapons cause unacceptable harm to civilians. | Humanitarian organisations say a binding treaty is now urgent because these weapons cause unacceptable harm to civilians. |
| But some of the biggest producers of cluster weapons, including the US, China and Russia, are against the move. | But some of the biggest producers of cluster weapons, including the US, China and Russia, are against the move. |
| On the eve of the conference, Pope Benedict XVI expressed hopes that "it will be possible to reach a strong and credible international agreement". | On the eve of the conference, Pope Benedict XVI expressed hopes that "it will be possible to reach a strong and credible international agreement". |
| "It is necessary to heal the errors of the past and avoid them happening again in the future. I pray for the victims of the cluster munitions, for their families and for those who will join the conference too, wishing that it will be successful," the pontiff said. | "It is necessary to heal the errors of the past and avoid them happening again in the future. I pray for the victims of the cluster munitions, for their families and for those who will join the conference too, wishing that it will be successful," the pontiff said. |
| 'Essential' treaty | 'Essential' treaty |
| Cluster bombs have been used in countries including Cambodia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon. | Cluster bombs have been used in countries including Cambodia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon. |
| Cluster munitions are weapons that never stop killing ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger UK seeks cluster exemption | |
| The initial weapon scatters thousands of smaller bombs across a wide area, but these bomblets can fail to explode, leaving a deadly legacy as civilians return to their homes. | The initial weapon scatters thousands of smaller bombs across a wide area, but these bomblets can fail to explode, leaving a deadly legacy as civilians return to their homes. |
| Humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, see the daily consequences of cluster munitions among the wounded civilians they treat. | Humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, see the daily consequences of cluster munitions among the wounded civilians they treat. |
| They argue that a comprehensive and binding treaty - one that includes provision for compensation for victims - is essential. | They argue that a comprehensive and binding treaty - one that includes provision for compensation for victims - is essential. |
| "Cluster munitions are weapons that never stop killing," said ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger. | "Cluster munitions are weapons that never stop killing," said ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger. |
| But some of the biggest producers and stockpilers of cluster weapons - the US, China, Russia, India and Israel - are against the ban, claiming such munitions can be useful on the battlefield. | But some of the biggest producers and stockpilers of cluster weapons - the US, China, Russia, India and Israel - are against the ban, claiming such munitions can be useful on the battlefield. |
| Although they will not be present in Dublin, they have been lobbying to have the treaty watered down. | Although they will not be present in Dublin, they have been lobbying to have the treaty watered down. |
| If, as expected, the conference does come to agreement, it will be the most important disarmament treaty since the Ottawa convention to prohibit landmines over 10 years ago, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes says. | If, as expected, the conference does come to agreement, it will be the most important disarmament treaty since the Ottawa convention to prohibit landmines over 10 years ago, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes says. |