In September, 118 countries agreed to modestly strengthen a convention banning biological weapons.

A declaration issued after five days of occasionally stormy debate here reaffirmed a 1925 convention banning the use of chemical weapons in war.

Last week, Washington pulled out of long-running efforts to negotiate enforcement provisions for the convention banning biological weapons.

The accord also authorized the creation of a mechanism to monitor the observance of conventions banning biological weapons.

Anthrax has long been regarded as easily convertible to military use, which would violate a 1972 international convention banning the possession of biological weapons.

If the court says nuclear weapons are not illegal, there will be a tremendous push from nonnuclear states for a convention banning them.

"The Klingon High Council swore to uphold the military convention banning drevlocet!"

It has also failed to ratify a number of international treaties, including a convention banning land mines.

Many of these countries, it should be said, have signed the convention on children's rights or the convention banning child labour.

This stand by the Union has created an important incentive for countries to sign up to the convention banning landmines.