WCC sees hope in the Dublin Conference on Cluster Bombs

Rev. Dr. Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, applauds the positive direction the multilateral discussion in Dublin has taken. (read Rev. Kobia's statement here) These discussions seek to chart the way to an eventually ban on the use of the cluster bomb. Though it is true that 110 countries have agreed that steps should be taken to secure a ban on this weapon of mass destruction, the three major countries involved in the production of these weapons were absent from the talks. :-(

I had initially doubted the success of these talks in bringing about any change due to the absence of the major players. However, im reminded through the hope expressed by Rev. Kobia that there is still much power on the side of those who stand up for what is right. The only way that 'world powers' can dictate what happens in our world is if we allow it. We are the ones with the power! The organizers of the conference must have known this fact and unlike me were not discouraged by the 'no show' of the US, China India, Pakistan and Russia. They still continued with what they knew was right. They knew that a start had to be made.

Many times in the day-to-day decisions of our lives we feel powerless, We may feel that our input, what we have to contribute, will be of no significance, we just won't make a difference. The good we do either seems to make little difference or blows up in our face.

It's at times like these that we should remember Galatians 6:9

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." NIV

We may not reap the results in our lifetime, but hopefully future generations to come will live in a world where cluster bomb and other WMD can only be found in museums.

Bless

USA humanitarianism at its best!

The US government shows once again why they are the leaders in world humanitarianism! Please read the link below:-

US Official: Cluster Bomb Ban Could Hurt ‘Cooperation’ and ‘Humanitarian Work’ by Foster Klug

After reading this article, aren't we very luck to have the US government crusading the cause of Human Rights. Their work in human rights has prevented them from attending the conference in Ireland.

An unexploded cluster bomb containing hundreds of
bomblets shot in an open field in southern Lebanon
last week. (AP)
It could be argued that Mull's comments show that USA has no interest in negotiating about the use of cluster bombs and will use any sort of far-fetched argument to secure their interest.

This could not be entirely true as the article does report that the US would rather discuss this issue at an UN organized talk. Oh yes, that sounds like a good idea. Why not make it a matter for the Security Council to handle.

The following quote from the article states that, "...The three biggest producers of cluster bombs - the United States, Russia and China - oppose ban proposals and have veto power on the U.N. Security Council. None of the three is represented at the talks in Dublin..."

Now if this is the case, and there are UN talks on this mater we can defiantly look for positive progress on this matter! It is very comforting to know that the people with the power to maintain our semblance of security are the ones holding the gun to our head!


Bless