Pope Joins Call for Weapons Ban

Pope Benedict XVI called on April 5 for all nations to end the production, stockpiling and use of land mines and cluster bombs. He also expressed his support for programs and measures that “guarantee the necessary assistance to victims of such devastating weapons.” He noted that 10 years have passed since the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty first took effect. Signatories to the treaty agree to ban the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel mines. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which would similarly prohibit cluster bombs and munitions, was recently adopted and is open for signatories, the pope added. “I wish to encourage countries that still haven’t done so to sign without delay.” The United States is a signatory to neither treaty.