British plan to ban cluster bombs set to test alliances
Richard Norton-Taylor; 29/5/08
Britain is preparing to scrap its arsenal of cluster bombs in the face of a growing clamour against weapons that have killed and maimed thousands of civilians. Officials are paving the way for the unexpected step at talks involving more than 100 countries in Dublin on a treaty aimed at a worldwide ban. Well-placed sources made it clear yesterday that despite opposition from the military, the British Government is prepared to eliminate the cluster munitions from its armoury. These munitions are the Israeli-designed M85 artillery weapon, used during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and in attacks on Lebanon two years ago; and the M73, part of a weapons system for Apache helicopters. “The Prime Minister is very much behind this process and wants us to sign (the treaty),” a senior Foreign Office source said. “If we sign … we will lose the M85 and the M73.”
Tags: Cluster Bombs, Global, UK, UN