Libya shows such weapons should not be allowed to fall into the hands of despots (click title to entry - thank you)
Reports that forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi have used cluster bombs in their siege of Misrata has brought to light once again the use of this controversial ordnance.
There are many different kinds of air-dropped or ground-launched "sub-munitions," but work more or less the same: One bomb opens prior to impact and casts up to 2,000 — depending on the type — smaller "bomblets" over a wide swath of territory. These "wide dispersal pattern weapons" explode on impact, but many of them do not. Instead they lay in wait for days, weeks, years, or even decades, to kill or maim shepherds, children or anyone else that stumbles upon them....
From all places "The Lancet." Actually, no surprise here. It was the Lance that estimated the number of dead Iraqis due to the intense power of American arms.
So what exactly are cluster bombs (click here) (often referred to as cluster munitions)? Basically, they are exploding devises designed to cause as much damage as possible to civilian populations by dispersing multiple smaller bombs (the jargon is “submunitions) that scatter over a wide area. Although designed to explode when they strike the ground, many of the ‘bomblets’ fail to function and remain as deadly explosive remnants. Like landmines, these lethal devices can continue to kill and injure for decades.
Prohibiting Cluster Bombs, our chance to protect civilians - United Nations Report (click here)
