Martin 'concerned' over cluster bomb use in Georgia

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin today expressed "deep concern" over allegations that cluster bombs were used by Russian forces in Georgia last week.

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Martin said: that "while the facts are still in dispute, the detailed reports that cluster bombs have been used in the conflict in Georgia are deeply disturbing".

"Ireland totally condemns the use of these appalling and indiscriminate weapons in all circumstances, which is why we have taken a lead in efforts to promote a worldwide ban through the Cluster Munitions Convention agreed in Dublin in May," Mr Martin said.

An international agreement to outlaw cluster munitions was adopted by more than 100 countries at the conference. Russia did not sign the agreement.

According to Human Rights Watch, Russian aircraft dropped RBK-250 cluster bombs on the town of Ruisi in the Kareli district of Georgia last Tuesday. Three civilians were killed and five were wounded in the attack.

On the same day, a cluster strike in the town of Gori killed at least eight civilians and injured dozens more, Human Rights Watch said.

A vigil, organised by by the Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC) Ireland and Action from Ireland (Afri), was held outside the Russian embassy in Dublin yesterday. Protestors urged the Government to express its opposition to the use of cluster bombs in the conflict over South Ossetia.

Cluster munitions consist of canisters packed with as many as 650 small bombs, or "bomblets" that scatter over a large area when a canister is dropped from an aircraft or fired from the ground. The bomblets often do not explode until long after they are deployed.

Human Rights Watch today called on Georgian and Russian authorities to take urgent measures to protect the civilian population Georgia from unexploded bombs.

"Highly dangerous unexploded bomblets now litter farms, roads, and pathways in Shindisi and Pkhvenisi," said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. "People remaining in these areas don't realise the dangers these submunitions pose and are at serious risk of injury or death if they handle, or even approach, the bomblets."