Senators introduce bill to restrict use of cluster munitions

Wed Feb 14, 7:23 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Democratic senators introduced legislation that would bar
US use of cluster bombs in or near civilian areas or that have a "dud rate" of
one percent or greater.

Human rights groups urged speedy action on the bill sponsored by Senators Dianne
Feinstein of California and Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

Although designed to stop armored assaults, bomblets have fallen on civilian areas
and littered fields long after the end of hostilities, most recently in Lebanon.

The bill would restrict funding for the use, sale or transfer of cluster munitions
unless their submunitions have a failure rate of less than one percent, or unless
the president grants a waiver on national security grounds.

It would also bar their use in or near civilian areas.

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