Afghanistan Agrees to Cluster Bomb Treaty that U.S. Rejected

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:56 AM EST

Article Source: The New York Times

world-news, cluster-bombs, cluster-bomb-treaty, u-s-rejects-treaty

OSLO — In a surprising last-minute change of policy, the government of President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan agreed on Wednesday to join about 100 nations in signing a treaty banning the use of cluster munitions, a senior Afghan official said.

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{"commentId":4273626,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

But cluster bombs are some of our best selling munitions...

{"commentId":4273626,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

3 votes

#1 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:58 AM EST

{"commentId":4286016,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}

Meloney

US has banned the export of cluster bombs. It's something in the right direction...

{"commentId":4286016,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"Meloney"}

3 votes

#1.1 - Thu Dec 4, 2008 7:58 AM EST

{"commentId":4284828,"authorDomain":"kahaire"}

Rella

Afghanistan as a more civilized government than the US? Uh-oh.

{"commentId":4284828,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"kahaire"}

3 votes

#2 - Thu Dec 4, 2008 1:25 AM EST

{"commentId":4285042,"authorDomain":"davetopper"}

davetopper

Not surprisingly, Israel is not signing the ban either along with Russia. Luckydog reminded me of who the biggest buyer of American arms is, Israel and sure enough they want no part of this.

{"commentId":4285042,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"davetopper"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:03 AM EST

{"commentId":4299603,"authorDomain":"kahaire"}

Rella

I suspect Israel would sign on if we did. Don't think I can make the same statement about Russia though, particularly these days.

{"commentId":4299603,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"kahaire"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Fri Dec 5, 2008 4:00 AM EST

{"commentId":4316578,"authorDomain":"forrestg"}

forrestg

I'm kind of on our side on this one. Why should we give up our advantage. If these nations ever thought they could approach any type of parity with the United States we would be toast. Sometimes I think it is imperative that we lead from a position of dominance. No nation on the planet can face the United States Military Forces in outright full force battle and win. If that ever changes, I just don't know.

{"commentId":4316578,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"forrestg"}

2 votes

#3 - Fri Dec 5, 2008 11:15 PM EST

{"commentId":4317171,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

Well, the problem is that these munitions are particularly dangerous to civilians, especially children. Like poison gas, napalm and land mines, some weapons are simply too terrible to use. However, no general ever likes to give up a weapon in their arsenal and no military contractor ever wants to quit making money from them.

As to leading from a position of strength, the U.S. unquestionably has the strongest most capable and best equipped military in the world.

{"commentId":4317171,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

2 votes

#3.1 - Sat Dec 6, 2008 12:02 AM EST

{"commentId":4317352,"authorDomain":"forrestg"}

forrestg

Until we evolve to a point where these types of weapon are no longer necessary, I'm glad we've got more marbles than anybody else in the sand box. My testosterone level must be high today.

{"commentId":4317352,"threadId":"433710","contentId":"2173056","authorDomain":"forrestg"}

2 votes

#3.2 - Sat Dec 6, 2008 12:19 AM EST

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	93 countries sign cluster bomb ban	Associated Press	Wed Dec 3	0
	Landmark cluster bomb treaty signed in Oslo	Amnesty International	Wed Dec 3	2

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Afghanistan Agrees to Cluster Bomb Treaty that U.S. Rejected

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