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United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called for a freeze on the use of cluster bombs in or near populated areas, saying they had "atrocious, inhumane effects" on civilians. Debate over the use of the weapon has intensified after Israel dropped them on southern Lebanon in its month-long war against the Hezbollah militia this year.
"I call on you to freeze the use of cluster munitions against military assets located in or near populated areas. At the same time, we should all remember that placing military assets in such areas is illegal under international humanitarian law," Annan said.
In a speech read out on his behalf at the start of an international arms control review conference, Annan also called for freezing "the transfer of those cluster munitions that are known to be inaccurate and unreliable". Cluster bombs burst into bomblets and spread out near the ground. While some aim to destroy tanks, others are designed to kill or main people over a wide area.
Unexploded bomblets can pose a risk to civilians for years after a conflict has ended. Children are seen as especially vulnerable as they do not know the threat the bomblets pose.
Cluster bombs are not banned by an international legal treaty. Belgium is the only country to have banned their production and use. "UNICEF hopes that these and other forums will raise world-wide awareness of an issue that is quite literally a ticking timebomb for children," UNICEF spokesman Michael Bociurkiw told a news briefing on Tuesday.

Copyright Reuters, 2006

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