On cluster bombs.The Holy See has called for a moratorium on the use of cluster bombs by warring nations. Archbishop Tomasi, the Holy See's permanent observer to the U.N. in Geneva Geneva, canton and city, Switzerland Geneva (jənē`və), Fr. Genève, canton (1990 pop. 373,019), 109 sq mi (282 sq km), SW Switzerland, surrounding the southwest tip of the Lake of Geneva. , pointed out that cluster munitions mu·ni·tion n. War materiel, especially weapons and ammunition. Often used in the plural. tr.v. mu·ni·tioned, mu·ni·tion·ing, mu·ni·tions To supply with munitions. were used in the wars in Kosovo, Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and they are causing a "humanitarian tragedy" due to their releasing a number of bomblets. These submunitions can then perforate per·fo·rate v. 1. To make a hole or holes in, as from injury, disease, or medical procedure. 2. To pass into or through (a body structure or tissue). adj. Having been perforated. armoured vehicles with their explosive cargo, wound or kill people (including civilians) with their shrapnel shrapnel Originally, a type of projectile invented by the British artillery officer Henry Shrapnel (1761–1842), containing small spherical bullets and an explosive charge to scatter the shot and fragments of the shell casing. , and cause fires (Zenit, Sept. 27, 2006). The worst of it is that many bomblets remain unexploded until the civilian population returns to the area only to be confronted by innumerable small explosions, maiming or killing individuals, often children. |
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