THE US has stepped closer to a total ban on the use and export of cluster bombs with the signing by president Barack Obama of a new permanent law that would make it almost impossible for the US to sell the controversial weapons.
The decision was hailed by opponents of the weapons as a “major turnaround in US policy” that overrode Pentagon calls to permit their continued export.
The legislation, tacked on to a huge budget Bill, was passed earlier this week by Congress and now sets such stringent rules for the bombs’ use that it seems unlikely the US could export them again. Researchers believe the US has transferred hundreds of thousands of cluster munitions, containing tens of millions of unreliable and inaccurate bomblets, to 28 countries.
International opposition to cluster bombs, which maim and kill civilians long after they have been fired during conflicts, has been hardening rapidly since the Israeli defence forces fired more than one million into southern Lebanon during the 2006 war with Hizbullah.
Last year, a treaty limiting their use was signed by 95 countries, including most of the US's Nato allies – but not the US. – ( Guardianservice)