Thursday, December 4, 2008

TOWARD BANNING THE BOMBLET

Norway became the first of 92 countries to sign an anti-cluster-bomb treaty yesterday. It was followed by Laos and Lebanon, which have been hit hard by the small bomblets that are scattered in conflict zones. The United States, Russia and China declined to sign, saying cluster munitions have valid military uses. But Handicap International, a nongovernmental organization, says 98 percent of victims are civilians and 27 percent are children.

SOURCE: Associated Press