Brussels, 24/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday 20 November by a large majority (471 votes for, 6 against and 21 abstentions), the European Parliament reiterated its support for a total ban on cluster munitions and invited EU member states to sign and ratify the Convention of Cluster Munitions (CCM) adopted during the diplomatic conference in Dublin on 29 and 30 May at the earliest opportunity. Under the CCM, signatory states should never use, invest in, stockpile, produce, transfer or export cluster munitions, and should destroy all cluster munitions held in stock. The Parliament also invites member states to take steps towards implementation at national level even before the Convention is signed and ratified. The Parliament calls on those EU member states that have already used such munitions to provide aid to the populations affected and to contribute (financially and technically) in the withdrawal and destruction of cluster munitions remnants after conflicts have taken place. The European Commission is invited to step up financial aid to victims.
Those submitting the oral question during the debate the day before the vote put pressure on the Council to encourage member states to sign the Convention on 3 December. One such signatory, Girst Kristovkis (UEN, Latvia), specified that, as a former minister of defence for his country (six years before accession to NATO), he understands that every country needs to defend itself but said he was highly critical of the use of cluster munitions, which mainly hit civilians and very often children. The Union must have a common position, he said, but it is also necessary to convince countries such as the United States, China and Russia, that used these weapons against the population of Georgia. British Labour member Richard Howitt cited the specific case of persons who have fallen victim to these weapons, in Laos, Afghanistan and in Georgia. British Liberal member Liz Lynne welcomed the fact that her country was no longer reticent about signing the Convention, which was approved by over 100 countries in Dublin, in May. Speaking on behalf of the Council, Jean-Pierre Jouyet bemoaned the fact that all Union countries are not ready to sign but, although all countries attended the meeting in Dublin, the decision to sign and ratify remains a sovereign decision of each member state. This said, France has decided to destroy 90% of its cluster munition stocks, and welcomes the active role played by a number of countries in this debate.
The Convention will be open for signature in Oslo on 3 December. Thirty ratifications are needed to ensure it takes effect. From among the EU countries, 22 states endorsed the text of the Convention during the Dublin conference. Five others (Cyprus, Poland, Greece, Latvia and Romania) took part as observers. (A.By./L.G./transl.jl)