South Africa Refuses to Ratify Agreement on Cluster Bombs

(23 Apr 08 - RV) A two-day meeting of 39 African countries earlier this month produced the Livingstone Declaration, which calls for the eradication of all cluster munitions. However South Africa was the only African nation not to endorse the Declaration, saying that cluster munitions are a valid weapon of war provided they are targeted according to laws of armed conflict. Many countries say this jeopardizes the country’s moral standing on the continent where it is the economic and diplomatic heavy-weight. Spokesperson James Stapleton of the Jesuit Refugee Service told us more about how South Africa justifies its position...