The discussion on conventional weapons continues:

Archie Law discussed the Cluster Munitions Convention and the Oslo process to establish a ban on these terrible weapons that cause indiscriminate civilian casualties.  Cluster bombs are weapons that have a “parent” delivery device (usually drop from a plane) that then breaks up into “bomblets” that scatter and kill over a wide area. Some 34 nations, including the U.S., make these weapons.  21 nations have been affected by them.

One of the problems with these devices is that a large percentage of the munitions do not explode on impact.  When civilians return to their homes after the fighting stops these weapons can fall from trees or be picked up by children – and the killing continues.

Their use in Lebanon has touched off a process to ban them led by Norway.  A treaty has been drafted and so far 40 nations have signed on.  A meeting to be held in the near future in Oslo is expected to attract over 100 signers.  Unfortunately the United States, along with Russia, China, Israel, Sudan, and others is not on board.

More later

Don Kraus