SAN JOSÉ, Sept. 2 - From Guatemala down to Panama, Central America has become the world's first region to declare itself free from cluster bombs, officials said Tuesday. The weapons, which eject explosive bomblets, have killed some 55,000 people worldwide in the past five years, experts say. Belize's accession to the treaty banning them means they join the rest of Central America -- Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. "With Belize joining in, Central America becomes the first region in the world free of cluster munitions," Christian Guillermet, a Costa Rican diplomat working with UN bodies in Geneva, told reporters. Central America was rocked by several civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s. "So it's important for us as a region that has been victim of wars to send such a clear message about our commitment to peace and development," Guillermet said. Norway led the effort to get countries to agree to ban the highly destructive weapons. The treaty took effect in August 2010 with signatories opting not to make, store or use them.
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Da Nang company director, 17 accomplices on trial for facilitating illegal travel to Canada
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Italy turns to Vietnam, Mexico for auto part exports to counter German weakness
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New Zealand nearly triples levy on international tourists
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Japan's Seven & i rejects Couche-Tard's $38.5 bln takeover offer
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Trump says he will tap Musk to lead government efficiency commission if elected
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Super typhoon Yagi causes 4 deaths, injuries upon landfall in Vietnam
The typhoon has resulted in significant damage across northern Vietnam
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Super Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam after casualties in China
Super Typhoon Yagi hit island districts of north Vietnam around 1300 local time (0600 GMT), generating winds of up to 160 kph (99 mph) near its centre
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Super typhoon Yagi causes 4 deaths, injuries upon landfall in Vietnam
The typhoon has resulted in significant damage across northern Vietnam
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Guinea-Bissau president hails Vietnam as role model for developing African countries
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Italy turns to Vietnam, Mexico for auto part exports to counter German weakness
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Typhoon Yagi approaches Vietnam’s Quang Ninh-Hai Phong coastline
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SpaceX’s Tim Hughes says firm ready to invest, offer services in Vietnam
Hughes confirmed SpaceX’s readiness to invest in and offer Starlink services in Vietnam, including for education, training, and disaster prevention
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Norwegian Seafood Council promotes strategic cooperation with Vietnamese businesses
Besides WinMart and Golden Gate Group, it expects to expand its partnership portfolio through collaborations with Royal Seafood, BRG Mart, FujiMart, GoFood, Vimexfood, and Kiwi Food
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Over $35 mln earmarked for anti-erosion project in Vietnam’s southernmost province
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