US Confirms Using of Cluster Bombs in Afghanistan

The US military has used cluster bombs in Afghanistan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers confirmed Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference at Pentagon, Myers said B-52 bombers have and will be used to pound Taliban positions with large numbers of unguided bombs.

"If the target is appropriate to the kind of bombs we can drop off the B-52, which are generally unguided and in numbers, then we will do that and we have done that," Myers said.

Myers' comments came in the face of evidence of mounting civilian casualties in the 19-day-old air campaign, including a UN report Thursday that nine people were killed in a village outside the western city of Herat that was hit by cluster bombs.

The four-star general said he had no knowledge about that incident, which was reported to have occurred Monday night, but he confirmed that US forces have used cluster bombs.

"We only use the cluster munitions when they are the most effective weapon for the intended target," Myers said. "There have not been a great number of them used, but they have been used."

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