Conclusion | The US's supply of cluster ammunition to Ukraine may lead to "indiscriminate killing of innocent people" and be criticized and banned by multiple parties | Cluster | Ammunition
On February 28th last year, then White House spokesperson Pusaki stated that the use of cluster ammunition "could constitute a war crime.". However, more than a year later, US President Biden approved military assistance such as cluster ammunition to Ukraine, which was surprising.
Currently, Biden is visiting the UK, but even the UK, which is usually blindly loyal to the US, feels uneasy about the US's move.
British Prime Minister Sunak recently cleverly stated that the UK is a signatory to the Convention on the Prohibition of Cluster Munitions and "does not encourage" the use of cluster ammunition.
Compared to Sunak's subtle and tactful tone, Spanish Defense Minister Rovers bluntly stated that Spain does not support the US decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine, and "we oppose the provision of cluster bombs.".
As Gilles Calbonier, Vice Chairman of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said at a conference in Switzerland last year, "Cluster ammunition is one of the most dangerous weapons in the world.". Why do you say that? This is because cluster ammunition indiscriminately kills innocent people and can easily cause harm to civilians. After the launch of cluster ammunition, some sub bombs do not immediately explode, but are scattered everywhere. Long after the conflict ends, some civilians, especially children, may come into contact with these duds, causing explosions and injuries.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned that these ammunition could pose a huge danger to Ukrainians for many years or even hundreds of years. Hun Sen spoke sharply, but also to the point, and he has a voice in this because Cambodia was a victim of the United States' heavy use of cluster ammunition in the 1970s.
It is precisely in view of the enormous threat of cluster ammunition to civilians that many countries around the world have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the production, use, storage, and transfer of cluster ammunition. 123 countries have joined the convention, but the United States, Ukraine, Russia, and 71 other countries have not yet joined.
For the United States, Ukraine is an agent to weaken Russia, and for this purpose, the United States is clearly willing to let Ukraine shed its last drop of blood. Secondly, the United States has a large amount of cluster ammunition, which has been gradually phased out and no longer used since 2016. Now, using the banner of assisting Ukraine is also a way to deal with it. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, this is a dirty, despicable and shameless behavior.
This article is translated from the July 11th editorial of China Daily
Original Cluster unions move a nasty piece of business
Production: Editorial Office of China Daily
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