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Cluster bombs - the bombs that keep on killing, decades after any war.
"There are no persuasive arguments for the United States not to join [the treaty]. Cluster munitions are particularly evil weapons. On falling to the ground, these bombs and shells separate into dozens of small bomblets, exploding on the enemy. With wide and uncertain dispersal patterns, they are almost guaranteed to maim and kill civilians, particularly when used in built-up areas. Up to 40 per cent of the bomblets fail to explode when they land, remaining active on the ground for years after the conflict ends. Bomblets sometimes look like soda cans or shiny metal balls, tempting curious children to towards death or disfigurement. Even experienced demolition experts sometimes fail to defuse these hyper-reactive remains of war, with horrific results."
~Obama Administration Needs to Take a Stand on Cluster Bombs, by Donald Steinberg
The Huffington Post, 12/11/2008
As of Dec 4th 2008, the countries listed below have signed a treaty for banning cluster bombs. Notably absent: China, Russia, Israel, and the United States.
Afghanistan
Albania
Angola
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
Côte d’Ivoire
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
El Salvador
Fiji
France
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Guatemala
Guinea
Holy See
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Ireland 1
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Norway
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Republic of Moldova
Rwanda
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Togo
Uganda
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Republic of Tanzania
Uruguay
Zambia
