During the Vietnam War, the US dropped many millions of cluster bombs. Over 400,000 tonnes in total. Several thousand civilians were injured and killed. Earlier this year, Ukraine asked Western allies for the same weapon. Then NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg replied that the alliance did not deliver such weapons. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that it was completely out of the question. Cluster munition Bomb, grenade or warhead that can contain several thousand small bombs. The small bombs are spread over a larger area, and can explode when touched. The bombs can go off several decades after they were released. On Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder said that the United States is considering giving Ukraine cluster weapons. This despite the fact that last year they criticized Russia for using cluster weapons in the war against Ukraine. – We have seen the reports. If true, it would potentially be a war crime, the Biden administration said at the time. This change in attitude is not accidental. According to American media, it is happening because the US believes that Ukraine’s offensive is going too slowly. They hope that cluster munitions can help Ukraine. LEBANON: Israel dropped four million cluster bombs during the war in Lebanon in 2006. About one million were not detonated. Photo: Mohammad Zaatari / Norwegian People’s Aid’s weapons policy advisor, Grethe Lauglo Østern, reacts to the US considering providing cluster munitions: – Cluster munitions are no more useful than other ammunition. But the long-term cost of cluster munitions is very high. Ukraine’s partners should support with weapons that will not continue to kill and maim Ukrainians for several decades after the war is over. Controversial weapon Many of the bombs dropped by the US during the Vietnam War ended up in Laos, where Norwegian People’s Aid still finds cluster bombs 70 years later. In 2008, Norway pushed for a ban on cluster munitions, and is one of 111 countries that have so far ratified the agreement that prohibits the production, stockpiling and sale of cluster munitions. The agreement, which entered into force in 2010, has not been signed by either Ukraine, Russia or the USA. During the war in Ukraine, both sides have used cluster munitions. It has led to civilian casualties on both sides, according to Human Rights Watch. These bombs can also hit civilians for many years to come. NORWAY IN THE FRONT: Former Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg signs the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2008. Norway was a strong proponent of the law. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB When Ukraine asked for cluster munitions, they pointed out that Russia uses such weapons, and assured that the weapons would only be used against the Russian military. Eastern in Norwegian People’s Aid believes that civilians will nevertheless pay a high price in peacetime. – The small bombs are scattered in bushes, in the ground, in gutters and in trees, she says. “False marketing” Pentagon spokesman, General Patrick Ryder, has not yet announced that the US will provide cluster munitions, but says that cluster munitions with a failure rate of 2.35 percent are now being considered. LOW ERROR RATE: Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder says that the cluster weapons that Ukraine can get have a low error rate. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP According to Østern, the error rate is incorrect marketing: – These tests were done under controlled conditions, on hard and flat ground. They are not made in a real conflict. With varied and soft vegetation, the error rate is significantly higher. She hopes that the US does not use an unrealistic PR figure when transferring weapons, and believes it is important that the US is honest with Ukraine about the danger of such weapons: – The US must be honest about its own experiences, also with its own soldiers, as in Iraq. There were many situations where American soldiers went on cluster munitions that the USA itself had spread. DISAGREE: Grethe Lauglo Østern believes that the US cannot guarantee the failure rate of the cluster weapons. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB Responsibility through the UN Convention All countries that have signed the UN Convention have, through Article 21, a responsibility to prevent cluster weapons from being used, also in countries that are not bound by the convention. Countries must do their best to prevent countries that are not part of the agreement from using cluster munitions. Article 21 of the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions 1. Each party shall encourage states that are not party to the convention to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the convention, with the aim of getting all states to accede to the convention. 2. Each party shall notify the authorities of all states that are not party to the convention (as discussed in point 3) of their obligations under this convention, and shall promote the norms established by the convention, and do their best to prevent states that are not party to this convention, uses cluster munitions. 3. The parties, their military personnel or citizens may, without regard to article 1 of this convention, and in accordance with international law, participate in military cooperation and military operations together with states that are not parties to this convention, but which will be able to participate in activities which is prohibited for a party. In 2011, the USA, together with Russia among others, tried to regulate the convention. They wanted it to become legal to use cluster weapons that have an error rate of up to 1 percent. The regulation did not go through, but the US nevertheless committed itself not to use cluster munitions with an error rate of over 1 percent. Former President Donald Trump made an exception to the law and sent cluster munitions to South Korea. Now it can happen again. Hear also:
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