AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PRESS RELEASE

News Flash

AI Index: MDE 14/067/2003 (Public)

News Service No: 080

3 April 2003

Iraq: Condemnation of British use of cluster bombs

Amnesty International today condemned the British Government for using cluster bombs in Iraq.

Responding to an admission from Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon that these weapons had been used in Iraq, Amnesty International said: "We had asked the US and UK governments to confirm that they would not use such indiscriminate weapons because of the threat they pose to civilians. Now we understand why they were silent."

"In the face of the glaring evidence of how these weapons affect civilians, we reiterate our call on both governments to undertake not to use them again for the sake of the civilians of Iraq."

"They must also explain where and why the weapons were used."

For more information, please download Amnesty International's previous press releases on the use of cluster bombs:

http://www.web.amnesty.org/ainsf/recent/mde140652003

http://www.web.amnesty.org/ainsf/recent/act790062003

http://www.web.amnesty.org/ainsf/recent/mde140502003

To view an interview with Secretary General Irene Khan please see http://emedia.amnesty.org/IK_clusterbombs.ram

To view an interview with Amnesty International's military expert, please see http://emedia.amnesty.org/mines.ram

Public Document

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For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566

Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org

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