Holy See "Working Intensely" to Stop Cluster Bombs

Archbishop Tomasi Hopes Dublin Conference Brings Results

DUBLIN, Ireland  -  The Holy See is working hard to put an end to the use of cluster bombs, affirmed one of its representatives.

A delegation from the Holy See, led by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent observer at the U.N. offices in Geneva, participated in the conference taking place in Dublin in May 2008. Some 100 countries were represented there.

Archbishop Tomasi affirmed that the "Holy See is working intensely so as to be able to approve, together with other countries, a new juridical instrument that we hope will be truly efficacious, operative and decisively prohibit and eliminate the use, transport and storage of cluster bombs."

The archbishop told Vatican Radio that the effort is based on "the desire to prevent civilian populations being victimized, particularly, to prevent that [civilians] pay an overly elevated price because of activities of a military character."

"The Holy See forms part of a small group of states that, for a few years now, is creating public opinion and is working through operative organizations, and even juridical ones, to reach practical conclusions that can limit the damage caused by these weapons," he explained. "For example, after 40 years of using these bombs in Southeast Asia, still today there continue to be people killed and wounded by them. Therefore, we are not speaking of an abstract or historical reality, but rather of something that continues producing victims.

"Therefore, we, as a Church, as Christians, who want to be sensitive to the protection of the most vulnerable, are trying to do something to limit the impact of these devices on people, who afterward pay the consequences for the rest of their lives, that is, if they haven't lost their lives."


Papal voice

On May 18, Benedict XVI expressed his hopes that "through the responsibility of all the participants, a strong and credible international instrument will be created" at the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions.

"In fact it is necessary to remedy the errors of the past and to avoid their repetition in the future," added the Holy Father. "I accompany the victims of cluster munitions and their families with my prayers as well as the participants in the conference, offering my best wishes of success."

Cluster munitions are weapons that include cargo containers and so-called sub-munitions.

The cargo containers are fired, launched and dropped by aircraft or land-based artillery. The containers open over a target area and disperse large numbers of the sub-munitions that are designed to explode when they hit a target.

Sub-munitions are classified as either bomblets, grenades or mines, and can be powerful enough to destroy armored vehicles.

The vast majority of cluster munitions contain hundreds of sub-munitions that are unguided and that cover 1 square kilometer (0.4 square mile) with explosions and shrapnel.

It is said that more than 70 countries have a stockpile of these bombs. Statistics show that up to 30% fail to explode, threatening passers-by for many years.

Holy See Address on Cluster Bomb Ban

"New Chapter in International Humanitarian Law"

DUBLIN, Ireland  -  Here is the English-language address Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See's permanent observer at the U.N. offices in Geneva, gave on May 30, 2008 at the International Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions in Dublin.

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Mr. President,

The protection and care of the victims of cluster munitions, the prevention of their suffering, and the addition of a related new chapter in international humanitarian law, have been clear and compelling objectives of the Holy See from the very beginning of the Process that has led to this Diplomatic Conference. These goals have been achieved.

The success of the Conference is due to the convergent efforts of all participants whose good will and their primary concern for the dramatic condition of many victims, and the victims' families and communities, have moved them to take decisive action.

My Delegation recognises with great appreciation the invaluable contribution of everyone and wants to underline in particular the leadership role that you Mr. President have effectively exercised with the support of your capable team and the full weight of the Irish Government.

Among the many voices raised in the world on behalf of the victims of cluster munitions, of peace and development in the countries affected but stifled by these terrible weapons, there has been that of Pope Benedict XVI who called for "a strong and credible international instrument".

Moving along this path, many countries as well as non governmental organisations and individuals, have engaged with determination and a sense of solidarity and compassion, in hard work for a Convention on cluster munitions. The Process has steadily progressed from Oslo, to Lima, to Vienna, to Wellington and finally to Dublin.

Mr. President,

Among the positive results reached allow me to highlight three of them. First, the new Convention opens up a wider care for victims of cluster munitions by including their families and communities. It also calls on the sense of solidarity of the international community to assume responsibility for their psychological and material assistance and for the clearance of the territories contaminated by these munitions.

Second, the new Convention recognises "the specific role and contribution of relevant actors" (article 5.2(c)). Indeed many actors are providing care to the victims as well as human, financial and technical cooperation in the different activities called for by this Convention: State parties, United Nations bodies, International Organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the civil society. In this connection, we would like to put on record our understanding and interpretation of article 5.2(c): when a State party develops a national plan and budget to carry out assistance activities according to the Convention "with a view to incorporating them within the existing national disability, development and human rights frameworks and mechanisms", it shall guarantee the pluralism that is inherent in any democratic society and the diversity of relevant non governmental actors. This respectful form of coordination of the various activities of governmental and non governmental actors is in line with what the Preamble states (PP 10).

Third, the new Convention is an achievement in itself but also a positive message to pursue efforts by the international community in the overall disarmament and arms control negotiations. The task is not concluded. In fact, now begins the challenge of implementing this instrument and directing material and human resources towards works of peace, solidarity and development.

Mr President,

The Delegation of the Holy See cannot conclude without stating once again how much it values the spirit of partnership shared with the members of the Core Group and of all other Delegations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Cluster Munitions Coalition.

The spirit of partnership has sustained the process successfully concluded, a success that was not assured when a handful of States started it. That same spirit can ensure an equally successful implementation and a hopeful future for victims and affected countries.

Thank You Mr. President.