In november 2009 the International Cartographic Association (ICA) will hold its 24^th conference in Santiago, Chile. It will be organized by the Military Geographic Institute of Chile (IGM), together with the International Cartographic Association and FISA, Organization for International Exhibitions and Conferences.

The conference in Santiago provides the opportunity for the activities of the ICA to be showcased in South America for the first time.

This event constitutes, in words of Col. Juan Vidal Garcia-Huidobro, Director of IGM, “the convergence of many various sectors in the search for the geospatial solutions required by the world community, the public presentation of the most recent cartographic technologies and a milestone of great scientific significance”.

Approximately 1,000 investigators, scholars and experts in geo-science from all over the world are expected to attend this gathering.

The initiative, part of the bicentennial projects presented by the Army to celebrate 200 years serving the Republic of Chile, was officially launched in the Military Academy last Monday, with the presence of the Army Commander-in-chief, Gen. Oscar Izurieta Ferrer among many other authorities and scientists.

If you need further information regarding registration, activities and program, you can visit the ICC 2009 official website here.

VOCABULARY

• Cartographic: Cartográfico
• Commander-in-chief: Comandante en jefe
• Gathering: Encuentro
• Geographic: Geográfico
• Geospatial: Geoespacial
• Launch: Lanzar
• Milestone: Hito
• Scholar: Académico (Estudioso)
• Showcase: Exhibir

A treaty banning the use of cluster munitions was signed by representatives of about 100 different nations in Norway on Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Audio Version read by Louisa Storer

These countries have formally renounced the use of cluster bombs, normally anti-personnel weapons that eject dozens of smaller explosive bomblets when detonated.

The first country to sign this treaty was Norway, sponsor of the signing conference, followed by Laos, Lebanon and Ireland.

Laos and Lebanon, together with Afghanistan, are the most affected nations by these weapons.

Until the day of the conference, the Afghan President Hamir Karzai had opposed the treaty, but surprisingly changed its policy in the last minute, deciding to join the 100 nations gathered in Oslo.

Afghanistan had been opposed to the treaty because of concern that it could slow down the fight against the Taliban.

According to analysts, Mr. Karzai is looking for policy independence from United States, which has supported the war on the insurgents since 2001. In recent months, he has openly criticized the American mission, speaking against aerial bombings and other operations in the country that have caused civilian casualties. 

United States, together with some of the world’s biggest military powers, including China, Russia, India and Pakistan have refused to join the treaty.

Britain, France, Germany and most of the NATO members have agreed to sign. The treaty allows them to continue conducting military operations with allies that have not signed, like the United States.

Cluster bombs are able to spread dozens or even hundreds of smaller explosives across an area the size of a football field. Some of these bomblets fail to detonate after hitting the ground and can remain as a lethal hazard to civilians for years, even after the conflict has ended. 

Laos is the country most saturated with unexploded cluster munitions after the Vietnam War. Other hot spots are Afghanistan and Chechnya. United Nations peacekeepers have also reported large amounts of unexploded bomblets in southern Lebanon after the relatively recent conflict between Israel and the group Hezbollah in 2006.

Despite its refusal to sign the treaty, the U.S. government has expressed its awareness about this humanitarian concern, according to James F. Lawrence, director of the State Department’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. The Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has ordered all military services to gradually replace their least reliable cluster bombs, to avoid unexploded bomblets as much as possible.

The Oslo treaty only permits the use of cluster-type weapons if the technology used allows them to automatically deactivate the munitions in case they fail to explode as designed.

A female military officer was promoted to four-star general, the highest rank in the US Army.

Audio Version read by Louisa Storer

After a 33-year career in the Army, Gen Dunwoody reached the top rank last week. In her acceptance speech, the new four-star general said she had never expected to rise so high in the ranks.
There are 500,000 soldiers in the US Army, and 14% of them are women. There are 21 female generals, but most of them are one-star.
Women are excluded from combat roles, but serve in many other positions. Gen Dunwoody is now in charge of weapons, equipment and uniforms for the Army. She has been in Logistics for most of her career.
She was nominated for the fourth star by President Bush in June, and pinned on her stars on Friday the 14th of November in an official ceremony.
She is the first woman to achieve this rank; in 1997 Claudia Kennedy (now retired) was the first woman achieving the 3 stars.
Gen Dunwoody is married to a 26-year Air Force veteran, and comes from a family of military men dating back to the 19th century.