Today (Monday, 5 November), the newly-established New Zealand Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC) kicked off a chain of events across the world with a cluster “bombing” stunt in the capital of Wellington.

At 1:00pm local time (00.00 GMT) a light plane circled above the city dispersing hundreds of leaflets in the shape of a cluster bomblet to inform the public about the horrific toll caused by this weapon. The leaflets were dropped from the air to mimic the deployment of an actual cluster bomb strike and feature a petition asking the public to sign on to the global call for a ban and send the leaflet to the Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control (Hon. Phil Goff).

Below in Civic Square in the heart of Wellington visiting Australian photo journalist and cluster munitions expert John Rodsted did media interviews with major national television networks (TV One, TV3) and other press, which included catching one the leaflets as it fluttered down to earth. Campaigners from Amnesty International NZ and Oxfam NZ urged members of the public who were taking their lunch break in Civic Square to sign the petition. White ribbons were tied around the flyer and it was hung from trees to show how cluster bomblets often catch in foliage as they are dropped.

The leaflets, which are made from recycled paper, were designed by communications agency DraftFCB, which is providing pro bono assistance to the NZ Cluster Munition Coalition. The petition flyer has been printed in the shape of an M-85 cluster bomblet notorious from its widespread deployment by Israel in Southern Lebanon in August 2006 (the submunition had a much-hyped “self-destruct” feature that failed to function correctly). The flyer features real stories of cluster bomblet victims collected by humanitarian agency Handicap International.

The Global Day of Action Against Cluster Bombs is being observed by 20 countries with a series of events to raise awareness and demonstrate global public concern against this weapon. A total of 80 countries have endorsed a call to establish an international treaty to ban cluster bombs that “cause unacceptable harm to civilians” by the end of 2008. New Zealand has endorsed this objective and will convene a treaty conference in Wellington (in the Town Hall on Civic Square) from 18-22 February 2008 that approximately 100 governments are expected to attend.

Prior to the stunt, Rodsted and Mary Wareham of Oxfam NZ, coordinator of the NZ Cluster Munition Coalition, met with the ambassadors of Mexico and Peru (the only core group countries with full diplomatic representation in New Zealand). After the event they met with the Mayor of Wellington, Honorable Kerry Prendersgast, who expressed her support for the global initiative.

Rodsted is mid-way through a speaking tour and has given talks in Christchurch and Dunedin. On 6 November 2008, he will speak to audiences in Wellington as well as meet with disarmament representatives of every NZ political party. For photos and more details on his tour, please see: www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz

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