Martin hopes for convention on cluster bombs at Dublin talks

THE MOST significant humanitarian treaty in a decade would be adopted in Dublin by the end of next week, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, said yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of a major international conference aimed at ending the production, use and stockpiling of cluster bombs, Mr Martin acknowledged that there would be challenges over the next two weeks, but he insisted that there was "broad consensus" on the issue.

Cluster munitions are launched by aircraft and scatter smaller explosive devices over large areas. Although they are meant to explode on impact with the ground, some can remain intact for several decades, until disturbed.

The conference, which is being attended by representatives from 109 states and from the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Cluster Munitions Coalition, continues until the end of next week.

Among the states not attending, however, are the United States, Russia and Britain, some of the most prolific users of the munitions.

Asked whether a convention of genuine significance could be achieved without these states signing up, Mr Martin said there had been "unprecedented momentum" over the 15 months since the issue was first discussed at a conference in Oslo in February last year. "That and the sheer scale of the conference - the fact that so many people have made the journey - give us confidence.

"That said, it will not be without its challenges, and we hope to achieve as wide a consensus as possible."

Despite the absence of major users of cluster munitions, among those attending are over 70 states which do use and stockpile cluster munitions. "This convention will make a powerful international statement which will create a momentum that will be irreversible," Mr Martin said.

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, described the conference as "historic" and said he was optimistic that a cluster bomb convention would be adopted by the end of next week.

"What can be achieved here in the coming two weeks should not be sacrificed in the name of what cannot be achieved."

A spokesman for the Cluster Munitions Coalition and victim of a cluster bomb, Serbian national Branislav Kapetanovic, said that he had attended every meeting on the issue since the first in Oslo, and some had been difficult.

Mr Kapetanovic has lost his hands and legs. He said that any treaty must prohibit all cluster munitions, which "cause unacceptable harm to civilians", it must come into effect immediately and it must provide for aid and assistance for victims.

Countries with a high number of cluster-bomb victims include Laos, Lebanon, Sierra Leone and Israel.