Small Arms: The Danger of Unexploded Cluster Bombs
This video was filmed in Southern Lebanon by independent photographer John Rodsted. He narrates his walk through a field full of these hazardous weapons, remnants of the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. Rodsted explains that these M-85 cluster munitions "shouldn't exist" because they have supposedly fail-safe self-destruct mechanisms. Unfortunately, these mechanisms are far from fail-safe, and these duds will lie like landmines, ready to kill civilians, until they are cleared.
Securing and destroying dangerous conventional weapons stockpiles is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to prevent the spread of illicit arms. Poorly secured weapons fuel destabilizing conflicts around the globe and often end up in the hands of human rights abusers and criminals. This year, the Bush administration requested $44.7 million for the State Department’s Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Destruction Program, a significant increase over last year’s request. In June 2007, the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives upheld this request. This program has destroyed weapons in countries ranging from Sudan to Nicaragua, Afghanistan to Albania, saving lives in the process.
Arms: Protect Civilians from Dangerous Cluster Bombs
Every year, hundreds of civilians are killed or maimed when they encounter the remnants of unexploded cluster bombs. From the fields of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, through the streets of Kosovo and Iraq, to the arid hills of Afghanistan and the playgrounds of Lebanon, these lethal relics of war continue to endanger the lives and limbs of innocent men, women, and children long after conflict has ended.
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 9 February 2007
According to a study of cluster bombs in 24 countries by Handicap International, civilians make up 98% of those killed or injured by these weapons. To help address this problem, Senator Feinstein and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) have introduced S. 594, the "Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act" which would ensure that cluster bombs cannot be used, sold, or transferred by the U.S. if there is a risk of civilian exposure to these weapons. In the House of Representatives, Reps. McGovern (D-MA), Issa (R-CA), and McCollum (D-MN) have introduced companion legislation, HR 1755.
The flood of small arms hurts everyone. Rebels and even some governments use small arms and light weapons to kidnap and arm children for war. The United States can and must do more to control illegal arms trafficking. Global security and human rights require our action.
U.S. Military Aid: Background
America was founded on the values of human rights and democracy. Unfortunately, current military aid and training policies do not reflect these values. Currently, our tax dollars fund weapons and training for foreign militaries with records of human rights abuses, including the use of child soldiers. Not only does this contradict American values, it fuels anti-American sentiment among abused civilian populations and siphons money away from international development programs that help prevent the rise of terrorism.
Become an arms control expert. Check out the books and resources we use to inform our work on arms trafficking and military aid. 
