Dear _______________________,

I write to express my support for a new international treaty prohibiting cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians and to urge the government to take a leading role in the new process to develop and negotiate such a treaty.

I am deeply concerned about the many well-documented reports that illustrate the dangers posed by cluster munitions to civilians in conflict situations. Cluster munitions are an immediate danger to civilians during attacks due to their inaccuracy and wide dispersal pattern and a long-term danger due to the high number of submunition duds that are left to kill and injure civilians long after the conflict.

In February 2007, 46 countries met in Oslo and agreed to the Oslo Declaration on Cluster Munitions.  This Declaration commits governments to conclude in 2008 a new treaty that prohibits cluster munitions which cause unacceptable harm to civilians.  I urge the government to take an active part in treaty discussions and negotiations and to fully support an international prohibition on cluster munitions that cause unacceptable humanitarian harm.  In the meantime, I ask the government to adopt a domestic moratorium on use, production, importation or exportation of cluster munitions.
 
In countries where cluster munitions have been used, civilians continue to suffer on an almost daily basis from the long term effects of these deadly weapons. I urge the government to add a strong voice to the growing numbers already opposed to unreliable, inaccurate cluster munitions.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,