A global ban on cluster bombs could be the first achievement of Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s new Government, it was claimed today.
Delegates from more than 100 countries gather in Dublin tomorrow for a 12-day diplomatic conference on cluster munitions sitting at Croke Park. The Dublin event is the culmination of a series of international gatherings aiming to agree a text for a historic treaty banning the production and use of cluster bombs.
Cluster bombs are small munitions which are dropped in conflict zones like Lebanon and Afghanistan and are blamed for indiscriminately killing or maiming civilians.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin will have a key lobbying role on behalf of the government in brokering consensus between high-level delegations on the issue.
He said: "It's fitting that Ireland is the base for this historic event given our reputation for overseas development aid and UN peacekeeping duties.
"We are very hopeful of a successful outcome. Very solid groundwork has already taken place and believe there is positive political momentum in place."
The Cork City TD, who is due to deliver a keynote speech to the conference tomorrow, said he was confident there would be constructive debate between nations.
Mr Martin will have a strong lobby role in coming days as he meets with international delegations from military nations like the UK and France. His predecessor at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, took a strong interest in the issue following a visit to Lebanon during which he met victims.
Ireland is part of a core group spearheading moves for an international ban, alongside Austria, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Peru and the Vatican. At a previous summit in Oslo, nations agreed to draw up a treaty to prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians.
Dozens of NGOs and human rights groups are expected to attend the Dublin event, which ends on May 30th.
PA