Foreign Affairs committee  I have some relevant information on Afghanistan. We made Freedom of Information Act requests about U.S. use of cluster munitions in recent years, and the response came back that they had used them on a couple of occasions in Iraq after 2003. They used them very heavily in 2003 in

Foreign Affairs committee  Could I add one small comment, Mr. Chair?

Foreign Affairs committee  It is unlikely that a new treaty on cluster munitions would require any new expenditures for clearance on the part of Canada, even though it likely would have a provision about assistance with clearance. That's because Canada is already engaged in funding that kind of activity.

Foreign Affairs committee  On your first question, it may be a little early to predict precisely what will be in a treaty, but there was much discussion in Oslo about the need for this to be a comprehensive treaty that has an integrated approach and will, like the Mine Ban Treaty, deal with clearance issue

Foreign Affairs committee  It's May 23 to 25 this year. We're moving very quickly on this, as the humanitarian imperative demands.

Foreign Affairs committee  Do you want to take that one?

Foreign Affairs committee  There is no unified position on cluster munitions within NATO. However, the majority of members of NATO are part of this group of 46 nations that committed to a new treaty within a two-year period of time. On this issue they will have to devise some approach that will allow them

Foreign Affairs committee  I tend to speak extemporaneously, but it was my understanding that for translation purposes you like to have written statements. So I prepared one, and I will read just part of it, if we're concerned about time. We do very much appreciate this committee's recognition of the impo