AFP: Senators introduce bill to restrict use of cluster munitions

[Eugene]

Senators introduce bill to restrict use of cluster munitions

Wed Feb 14, 7:23 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Democratic senators introduced legislation that would bar
US use of cluster bombs in or near civilian areas or that have a "dud rate" of
one percent or greater.

Human rights groups urged speedy action on the bill sponsored by Senators Dianne
Feinstein of California and Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

-snip-

Although designed to stop armored assaults, bomblets have fallen on civilian areas
and littered fields long after the end of hostilities, most recently in Lebanon.

The bill would restrict funding for the use, sale or transfer of cluster munitions
unless their submunitions have a failure rate of less than one percent, or unless
the president grants a waiver on national security grounds.

It would also bar their use in or near civilian areas.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070215/pl_afp/usmilitaryweapons_070215002326

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Good!

But, the presidential waiver part on national security grounds is a caveat that shouldn't be in there. Cluster bombs are horrible.

[Doondoo]

2. keep kicking this thing back to the top

[LiberalFighter]

3. There should be some civilian areas acceptable for cluster bomb usage.

We already know there are cluster bombs at the Crawford Ranch and the White House.

I know we have cluster bombs in the Governor's office in Indianapolis.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. There was supposed to be an international conference to do the same thing this month.

I think it was either to take place in Norway or was called by Norway. Wonder if the US will participate?

[Stephanie]

5. A similar bill already failed last summer -

Hillary Clinton opposed it, among others.

[nealmhughes]

6. Yes, Mme. Clinton did.

Here is a photo of what they look like and the vote on F-L Round One that I blogged back in the summer.

http://screechingrats.wordpress.com/tag/feinstein-leahy-amendment/

I was sickened the more I found out about these things and how much they look like a toy or a ball for a child to pick up and detonate...they have a very high failure rate...but like to go boom when tossed against the ground or to another child...

[strategery blunder]

7. Useless. Utterly useless.

That little waiver clause just gave King George a little idea for his signing statement.

In said signing statement, he'll declare a perpetual national security waiver.

Legislation effectively rendered null and void.

[ama]

8. supplied by USA

The U.S. State Department has advised Congress Israel may have violated arms agreements over the use of cluster bombs in the Lebanon war.

The White House has been reportedly divided over the issue, however it had little choice but to notify Congress.

The State Department says it has scrupulously investigated the obligation and concluded that the law required a report be made.

Asked at a press briefing Monday whether the White House was prepared to take action over the possible abuse, spokesman Sean McCormack, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said the report did not include any recommendations of action being taken against Israel. 'It's a factual report,' he said.
(snip)
Ironically Israel has been sanctioned previously by the United States for using cluster bombs against a civilian population, and that again was in Lebanon, some twenty five years ago in 1982.

Congress at that time investigated the allegations and recommended to President Ronald Reagan that sanctions be imposed against the Jewish state. Israel was subsequently banned from buying cluster bombs from the United States for six years.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=226242