No to clusterbombs, the Swedish dilemma

Over 100 countries - among them Sweden have signed in Oslo yesterday, an international agreement which forbids the use of clusterbombs. The so-called bombs contain minor bombs which explode close to the ground and covers a much larger area.

The convention which forbids the use, development and trading of clusterbombs was taken up in Dublin, Ireland in May last year. However, countries like the USA, Russia, China and Israel have not accepted the ban. Even Finland has not agreed to it.

Sweden has not shown the inclination to accept the prohibition when Norway brought it up two years ago. For one thing, Sweden has a type of clusterbomb, the Bomb Capsule 90, which is part of the Jas Gripen equipment. It weighs 600 kilos, inclusive of 118 kilo of explosive material which has a gliding, flying effect towards the target where around 72 minor bombs detonate when released.

However, in the middle of November Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt stated that even Sweden will sign the agreement. He said that the decision is in line with Sweden's disarmament ambitions and on ban against anti-personnel mines.

The use of clusterbombs has been criticised for its military strength - that they could effectively strike at troop formations over a large territory - which is also its weakness. They are not precision weapons and they can hit both civilians and military targets. The wars in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan have shown that not only personnel mines but even clusterbombs contributed to a huge humanitarian problem than other conventional weapons. It is also common that some minor boms do not explode when they spread, which leaves blind bombs that are more powerful and deadlier than landmines.

For Sweden, it would mean discontinuity in the use of Bomb capsule 90 and reduced effectivity of the Jas Gripen against any armed attacks against the country. It means that the Swedish defense must replace it with another kind of weapon to complement Jas Gripen's capacity.

In order to become legally binding, the international agreement requires the ratification by 30 countries. " As Chairman of the European Union in Autumn 2009, it is important that Sweden prioritises and with credibility expand the coverage of the agreement. We therefore expect us in the government already in spring 2009, to present a proposal to the parliament for a Swedish ratification," said Anna Ek, chairperson of the Swedish Peace.# (Edited and translated from Dagen Nyheter, 4 dec. 2008)