Dublin the city that captured the minds of Anglo Irish literature scholars had concluded a draft through its 900 delegates that will put a ban on the use of Cluster Munitions. The 111 Diplomats gathered here for 11 days reached an agreement on the draft that will be signed and sealed in Oslo next December. It is a new dawn for the campaigners who have lobbied for this ban on the use of Cluster bombs for years.

Earlier in April an awareness campaign had prepared the public to support the upcoming Conference. Billy Timmins a member of Irish parliament had called Dail Eireann to pass legislation that prohibits the use of Cluster Munitions well ahead of the treaty and many activities headed by the Cluster Munition Coalition in Ireland had taken effect .From the 19th of April and up till the 19th of May a ban awareness bus pasting the Country from Dublin to Kilkenny, from Cork to Limerick where presentations were made to audiences from different walks of life who met campaigners like Mette Sofie Eliseussen and John Rodsted. John and Mette worked in Countries like Vietnam and Afghanistan and had seen and documented the devastating effects of Cluster bombs and landmines on lives and livelihood.

Lebanon was the heart of all discussions. Experts agree that the war on Lebanon in 2006 had exposed the criminal intentions of the assailants. The legacy left by the three days bombings was revealed after the return of the villagers to their homes that followed the declaration of ceasefire.

Three documentary films about Lebanon were screened on the 28th of May .The Cluster Munition Coalition Ireland held a special night to present the works of three film producers. Earlier that day the Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation (ILCF), a Humanitarian organization based in Ireland had met Lebanon’s representative at the conference and were very happy to learn that Lebanon’s presence was not just essential but a had a vital role at the Forum. Two interventions by the Lebanese delegation were noted to have made an impact that changed the course of events during the conference. Later that night the panel at the FilmBase in Templebar in central Dublin took on after the viewing of the documentaries ‘Deadly Playground’ a film by Katia Saleh, ‘’Fields of Fire’’ courtesy of UNMAS and ‘Postcard from Lebanon’ by Jocelyn Ajami. The panel composed of Chris Clark UNMAS Programme Manager in South Lebanon, Jocelyn Ajami, Director of 'Postcard from Lebanon' filmmaker and artist and Dalia Farran Spokesperson of UNMAS in the South of Lebanon.

The audiences were mainly former Irish soldiers who served in Lebanon, members of the ILCF, students from various Universities in Dublin and participants from of other members of the Coalition like Amnesty International and members of the Media and National News agencies. The impressive films had already addressed all the issues about Cluster Bombs but the first hand experience of Dalia Farran who is dealing with the locals and Media day in day out added a locals’ perspective that satisfied the questions addressed in that regard. Jocelyn Ajami a second generation Lebanese born in Venezuela had documented a visit to Lebanon when she accompanied a group of dignitaries from the USA that visited Lebanon just weeks after the ceasefire. She reflects the emotions and disbelief and the inquisitive Western mind seeking rational to understand a senseless and unjust attack on innocent civilians.

Chris Clark bears witness of the effects of Cluster Bombs on the South of Lebanon as he remained in Tyre during and after the war .The debates that followed the viewing of the films were chaired by Guy Jones of the ILCF .Questions taken from the floor were obviously addressed by a well informed audience. The type of questions that most skillful diplomats would like to avoid answering: Why was the call for a ceasefire purposely delayed? Why is it that the ceasefire had been called for on a Friday and took effect only on the Monday after? What evidence is there that support the claim that Cluster bombings occurred in the last three days that preceded the Ceasefire? Why is it that the Lebanese Army was not present in the South for near thirty years?

Cluster Bombs impact on socio economical had also taken a great interest from the public. This particular aspect is closer to the heart of the Irish veterans of the Irish Army who served in Lebanon. Many of them have revisited Lebanon to witness the emergence of normality in desolated and war torn areas they had patrolled over the years. Lebanon holds a very special place in contemporary Irish History. In a statement at the last post session ending 23 years of Peacekeeping in Lebanon former Minister of Defence Micheal Smith said ‘’as we are leaving after 23 years we have left our heart with the people of Lebanon ’’ It is also confirmed that the two hours discussions during the meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Fouad Siniora Prime minister of Lebanon in May 2007 revolved around Cluster Bombs and dealing with the aftermath.

Irish Diplomacy did it again .Just like Ireland’s successful intervention on the issue of landmines. The efforts exerted by the Department of Foreign Affairs secured a comprehensive agreement that will see an end to Forty years of Cluster terror this coming December in Oslo.