STORY: Pakistani expert condemns U.S. decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine
DATELINE: July 20, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:28
LOCATION: Islamabad
CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of cluster bombs
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SAID NAZIR MOHMAND, Defense analyst at Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad
3. various of cluster bombs
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SAID NAZIR MOHMAND, Defense analyst at Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad
 
STORYLINE:
 
A Pakistani defense expert has condemned the U.S. decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine and especially warned of its potentially catastrophic consequences.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SAID NAZIR MOHMAND, Defense analyst at Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad
"The cluster ammunition is banned around the world, almost more than 100 countries have signed the (Anti-) Cluster Bomb Treaty.
It (the U.S. decision) is a double standard, which means on the one hand, you are condemning it, and they say it is a war crime. And the second thing, you are providing the ammunition and fodder which is being banned, or which you consider that it will escalate the war and more."
 
The United States announced earlier this month that the cluster bombs will be a part of a new military assistance package worth 800 million U.S. dollars to Ukraine. The move has elicited sharp criticism worldwide.
 
The expert also warned of the serious consequences that may occur after using cluster bombings.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SAID NAZIR MOHMAND, Defense analyst at Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad
"The way American use depleted uranium shells in Iraq War, so it not only killed the population, but it polluted the soil as well as the water, and the cancer rate rose by 50% in this area. So, the same goes to the cluster bombs.
It is not the weapon or the bomb which is dropped, and it explodes, but it remains on the earth. And that's why after years it will be a danger to the humanity."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Islamabad.
(XHTV)