Preparatory Committee for the

United Nations Conference on

 The Illicit Trade in Small Arms

 And Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

12^th Meeting (AM)*

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR JULY SMALL ARMS CONFERENCE

BEGINS DISCUSSION OF DRAFT ACTION PLAN

As the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects began its week-long exchange of views on a proposed draft action plan for the Conference, differing views emerged on how to control what some called the complex and borderless nature of illicit arms trafficking.

The current session is the second of three preparatory sessions prior to the Conference, which will be held in New York from 9 to 20 July.  Yesterday the Committee decided to convene a formal debate to evaluate the Chairman’s proposed draft programme of action, in the context of addressing the delicate question of the illicit arms trade.

The representative of Sri Lanka reminded delegations that each country had a unique viewpoint on the small arms problem that was shaped by its own background and experience.  The discovery yesterday in his country of a stash of small arms, which included landmines, booby traps, explosives and other light weapons, was becoming an everyday occurrence.  Sri Lanka, a fully democratic nation, had fallen victim to protracted internal armed conflict waged by a small, but massively funded and armed rebel group.  Small arms in and of themselves were not the problem; but, in the hands of non-State actors, they invariably sparked the growth of transnational terrorist networks. 

With respect to the transparency of arms deliveries, the representative of the Russian Federation warned that such transfers were difficult to control and monitor.  Transparency in the field, therefore, should seek to “unmask” the illicit transfers.  It was more important today to concentrate on concrete measures aimed at freeing regions of conflict from illicit arms flows, rather than radical measures to reduce and monitor legal transfers and deliveries of such weapons.  Remedial efforts undertaken globally, as well as by the United Nations, had been insufficient, as demonstrated by the illicit circulation of small arms in Kosovo.

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*     The 8 January meeting (covered in Press Release DC/2735) was listed in the Journal as the 1^st Meeting of the Second Session when, in fact, it was the

11^th Meeting.

Concerning the proposed draft programme of action, some delegations viewed it as an adequate basis for deliberations, while others expressed concern that it reached far beyond the framework originally set forth by the General Assembly.  The representative of Egypt warned that operating outside the context of that mandate risked compromising the prescribed objectives of the upcoming Conference.

The representative of Mexico called the Chairman’s proposals “unbalanced”.  The preambular section, for example, must recognize, first and foremost, the nature of the problem and the extent of international political will to combat it.  Measures should be devised that would achieve consensus and effectively combat and eradicate the illicit small arms trade.  At the same time, the weakest links in the legal transfer of weapons among States should also be considered. 

The representative of the United States said there were a number of shared common points on which there appeared to be broad international consensus.  Those included greater global information sharing, improved customs services and border controls, secured weapon stockpiles, and assured destruction of excess weapon stocks, particularly those collected in the aftermath of conflict.  A Conference document that reflected those broadly acceptable principles could have a meaningful impact on illicit trafficking. 

Delegations also emphasized the value of the broad participation of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process, as well as in the upcoming Conference.  The representative of Norway said that since civilians were most affected by the evils of the illicit arms trade, civil society organizations should be fully involved in the negotiation process.  Those organizations had well-developed mechanisms for disseminating information and their techniques for mobilizing communities to action was unassailable.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Sweden (on behalf of the European Union), Jordan (on behalf of the League of Arab States), Algeria, Peru, Philippines, China, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, India, Libya and Ghana.  The Observer of Switzerland also spoke.

The Preparatory Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its general exchange of views.

Committee Work Programme

The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects met this morning to begin a week-long exchange of views on the Chairman's proposal for a draft programme of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (document A/CONF.192.PC/L.4).

The working paper is divided into four main sections:  preamble; preventing, controlling and curbing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons; international cooperation and assistance; and implementation and follow-up.  Each section contains commitments and measures to be undertaken at the national, regional and global levels.

Section I, the preamble, contains 30 paragraphs.  It begins by expressing a determination to end the human suffering caused by the illicit trade and subsequent misuse of small arms and light weapons, which kill, maim and terrorize thousands of innocent people.  In the end, countries would commit themselves to launching and implementing an integrated action plan at the national, regional and global levels, to prevent, reduce and curb the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

The second section, on preventing, controlling and curbing the illicit small arms trade, calls for measures regarding the illicit manufacture, acquisition, stockpile and transfer of those weapons, as well as measures to prevent diversion from legal manufacture, acquisition and transfer.  It also contains measures on:  stockpile management and safe storage; the collection and destruction of illicit and surplus small arms and light weapons; civilian possession of those weapons; post-conflict situations and effective disarmament in the context of peacekeeping operations; and on transparency, confidence-building and exchange of information.

The third section, on international cooperation and assistance, contains provisional agreements by countries in the areas of police, intelligence, customs and border control, civil society, and research and raising awareness.  The fourth section, on implementation and follow-up, submits examples of immediate follow-up actions to be taken at the national, regional and global levels.

Statements

JOHN DE SARAM (Sri Lanka) said every delegation had a point of view shaped by its own background and experience with the evil of small arms.  Sri Lanka had such experience.  Just yesterday, national news agencies had reported the discovery of a stash of small arms, which included landmines, booby traps, explosives and other light weapons.  Unfortunately, that sort of discovery was becoming an everyday experience in his country.  Sri Lanka, a fully democratic nation, had fallen victim to protracted internal armed conflict waged by a small, but massively funded rebel group.  The evidence was clear that most of the funds supplied to the terrorist group went to purchase small arms.

He went on to say that the proposed draft programme of action contained many useful proposals.  One that stood out from the rest as fundamentally important was the call that small arms and light weapons be identified in such a manner that, regardless of how they were used, their origin, method and purpose of procurement could be identified.

He said a comprehensive programme of action should incorporate a broad range of action to eliminate the trafficking of small arms.  The programme should not weaken or diffuse the overall focus of the Conference.  The legitimate procurement of small arms, for the purpose of national security, should not be the focus.  His Government also called for a greater focus on the activities of terrorist groups.  Small arms in and of themselves were not a problem; but, in the hands of non-State actors, they empowered those actors. Such empowerment invariably sparked the growth of terrorist characteristics and the development of international networks that facilitated movement across international boundaries.  Moreover, there was an inextricable link between terrorist networks and other transboundary crimes, such as trafficking in women and drugs.

The Government of Sri Lanka also felt that the issue of fundraising for terrorism and trafficking in small arms should be highlighted in the programme of action.  There should also be a requirement for States to take steps to prevent the financing of terrorist organizations.  The creation of international legal norms to criminalize trafficking in small arms and light weapons must be part and parcel of a harmonized international legal framework.  Finally, regional perspectives should be considered, since groups involved in the illicit arms trade could establish operations outside States, but still operate within them.  The borderless nature of the problem deserved urgent attention.

SUNE DANIELSSON (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the opportunity to build on the Chairman’s proposed draft action plan. The preambular section, however, could be reduced and simplified in order to make the concrete political commitments clearer.  The Union would expand this afternoon on related comments.  Moreover, the regional perspective should be fully reflected throughout all parts of the document.  He had introduced a proposed plan of action yesterday and as the discussion of the Chairman’s paper proceeded, he intended to highlight various aspects of the proposal.

He said that the Chairman’s paper contained proposals for a number of mechanisms -- probably too many.  Export control was an essential element that deserved full coverage.  It was also necessary to include criteria for export control.  The Union would underline the importance of activating all relevant United Nations organs throughout the programme of action.  Thus, reference should be made to the United Nations Development Programme, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.  In the next draft, the Chairman could merge the introductory paragraphs with the preamble.  Would the Chairman explain the relationship between his proposed Conference objective paper (document A/CONF.192/PC/L.3) and his draft programme of action?

RAMEZ GOUSSOUS (Jordan), also speaking on behalf of the League of Arab States, said the problem of small arms was serious, not theoretical or academic. Therefore, the Committee’s deliberations should adhere to the framework established by the General Assembly, namely consideration of this issue “in all its aspects”.  The commitment of the Arab States to solving the problem of the illicit arms trade reflected a clear political vision to strengthen regional and national disarmament efforts.  His delegation welcomed the upcoming Conference, but stressed that efforts at overall disarmament should not be abandoned.  The international community should remain equally focused on nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Turing to the draft programme of action, he said it was important to note that small arms and light weapons had a limited range and were not necessarily dependable in military operations.  For that reason, distribution of small arms should not be seen as the main cause of conflict.  Small arms were in fact a means for strengthening or sustaining conflicts that were rooted in ethnic or cultural differences.  It was the duty of States to strengthen their efforts to combat terrorism and ensure small arms were not distributed worldwide through terrorist networks.  Manufacturers also had a duty to monitor technological initiatives that might increase the spread of small arms and light weapons.  He suggested that the Bamako Declaration would provide an excellent guideline for the Committee’s work. 

He went on to say that the Conference’s final document should focus on respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly non-interference in the internal affairs of States and the right to self-determination of all peoples.

ABDELKADER MESDOUA (Algeria) said he endorsed the statement made by the representative of Jordan on behalf of League of Arab States.  The issue on the table was of great concern to the international community.  His country, which had faced the destabilizing effects of the most barbarous terrorist acts owing to the illicit arms trade, wished to assure the Committee of its commitment to work with the international community to eradicate the illicit trade.  The General Assembly decision to convene the 2001 Conference in New York undoubtedly would assure the continuity required in the process. 

He said that the second session was important.  Continental meetings had led to a definition of regional positions, which would hopefully facilitate a consensus.  Those positions must be reflected in the final document of the Conference.  His country had participated actively at the African ministerial meeting in Mali.  Particularly welcome had been the adoption of the Bamako Declaration, which defined a common African position on the proliferation, distribution and illicit trafficking of those weapons.  The Bamako Declaration was an excellent working basis for the international Conference, as it expressed the unshakable commitment and determination of Africa to combat the phenomenon that had threatened its stability and seriously hampered its development. 

The scope of the illicit trade required a realistic approach and appropriate measures, he said.  Nevertheless, the tireless initiatives and efforts of Africa and other regions to end that trade could only succeed with effective and concerted international action.  African States had requested in their Declaration the adoption of a realistic and applicable programme of action by the Conference.  That action plan should deal with the root causes of the illicit trade through the adoption of appropriate and realistic measures, particularly by focusing on weapon stockpiles controlled by terrorists and organized criminals in zones of conflict.

An overly ambitious programme of action would detract from the main principle of the Conference, whose objective was to focus on that particularly sensitive issue of illicit trade.  The preparatory process must reflect on an action plan that focused on the dangers and scope of that trade and the destabilizing and dangerous effects on States.  A common strategy based on international cooperation was crucial, but it would not be effective unless it was adapted to the specific characteristics of each region and promoted international cooperation through global information sharing.

The proposed action programme, he said, could be further consolidated if it included the following measures:  dismantling of uncontrolled manufacturers; adherence by all Member States to international instruments relating to the struggle against terrorism and organized international crime; and respect by all weapon producing countries for the international regulations on the legal trade in small arms and light weapons.  The action programme should also include measures to strengthen the exchange of information worldwide.

He said he welcomed the Committee’s decision to continue working within framework of plenary meetings, which should be the forum in which to draft the programme of action.  He hoped the Committee could take a decision on unresolved procedural issues before beginning consideration of the final document, which should be adopted by consensus.  He reiterated his commitment to the principle of the participation of non-governmental organizations and hoped a decision would be taken quickly.  He had no objection to the participation of those with status in the Economic and Social Council, and of those that had participated in the 2000 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), as well as those that were competent in the subject.

REDA BEBARS (Egypt)said one of the fundamental aims of the international community should be ending the suffering that plagued people due to the devastating consequences of the illicit trade in small arms.  In that regard, his delegation supported the Jordan’s statement on behalf of the League of Arab States.

Turning to general remarks on the draft programme of action, he noted its ambitious approach, which went beyond the framework set forth by the original General Assembly resolution.  Since some paragraphs touched on matters that went beyond the Assembly’s mandate, his delegation would reiterate the need to uphold the General Assembly recommendations in order to achieve the prescribed objectives of the upcoming Conference.  There was also a need for the draft’s preamble to focus on the crux of the problem of the illicit trade in small arms, as well as the political will of States to tackle the problem at the national level. 

He went on to say that the draft highlighted transparency, but had not taken into consideration the specific positions of States.  The follow-up mechanism in the draft was highly ambitious and would perhaps be difficult to apply, as it was.  Finally, he viewed the Bamako Declaration on the prohibition of the illicit trade in small arms issued last September as a guide for beginning the process to establish a realistic plan of action.

ELIZABETH VERVILLE (United States) said that present efforts underway in Vienna could have a real impact in combating the illicit trafficking in firearms.  Her country was committed to concluding a binding Protocol in Vienna.  Presumably, with regard to the 2001 Conference, everyone would like to see as effective a result as possible.  The question was how to get there and what shape the product should take.  The mandate was to produce a political document, not a treaty. 

Yesterday and today, she said, delegations had expressed agreement to use the Chairman’s text as basis for discussion.  Some, including the European Union and the Japanese delegation, had also submitted their proposals or would soon do so.  Several references had also been made to regional instruments that had commanded wide agreement, including the Bamako and Brasilia Declarations.  The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had adopted a framework document on small arms and light weapons, which committed members to establish serious export controls.  It also detailed what those controls should be.  Moreover, it contained normative principles that provided guidelines for evaluating such exports.

Those consensus documents might be the best guide to the realistic prospects for a Conference consensus, she said.  They could focus the Committee’s work as it began a discussion of the Chairman’s text.  There might be elements in his and other models that would not gain consensus here, but all of them shared a number of common points on which there appeared to be broad international consensus.  Those included:  greater international information sharing; improved customs services and border controls; secured weapon stockpiles; assured destruction of excess weapon stocks, particularly those collected in the aftermath of conflict; improved and increased assistance to countries in need; the establishment by all countries of an effective export control and licensing system; careful review of license applications; implementation of domestic legislation to supervise broker activities; and domestic legislation to sanction violations of Security Council-mandated embargoes.

She said that a Conference document that reflected those broadly acceptable principles could have a meaningful impact on illicit trafficking.  The Preparatory Committee should express strong support for the conclusion of the international Protocol being negotiated in Vienna and should not attempt to duplicate those efforts.  She looked forward to a productive two-week session.

RAUL SALAZAR-COSIO (Peru) said the programme of action should focus on the legal, as well as the illicit trade in small arms.  The international community must focus on the elimination of the illicit trade, as well as ensure that legal weapons were not diverted for illicit activities.  In that regard, the issue of supply was most important.  He suggested that pre-marking the weapons or strengthening the responsibility of manufacturers would help curb the flow of illegal arms.  He was confident of a positive outcome for the Conference, but stressed that the outcome must touch on all international spheres.

He went on to say that measures adopted by the Committee should have a practical, but flexible approach that would allow specific regions to deal with problems in their own way.  Latin American countries were indeed moving forward on their own legislation in that regard.  His delegation considered the input of all other regional actors essential to the process.  Also essential was the participation of non-governmental organizations.  Recognition of their capacity to disseminate information on the issue of the illicit trade in small arms was imperative.

ALEKSANDER A. ORLOV (Russian Federation) said his delegation was convinced that the preservation of strategic stability was a crucial prerequisite for maintaining international peace and security.  In that context, he wished to emphasize his country’s position in the preservation and strengthening of the 1972 Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABM Treaty) as a cornerstone of international security and strategic stability, and an important condition for the further reduction of strategic offensive armaments. 

He said that as a constructive alternative to the plans to undermine that Treaty, he proposed broad international cooperation on the issue of the non-proliferation of missiles and missile technologies.  He counted on broad support for that initiative, aimed at establishing a global control system for the non-proliferation of missiles and missile technologies.  The principal task was to determine the parameters of the world in which people wanted to live.  The forthcoming United Nations Conference on small arms was aimed at exactly that goal.  Pursuant to its mandate, the Conference should make a decisive contribution to enhancing international cooperation in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

Continuing, he said that the Conference should adopt a political declaration that would determine the main principles of future cooperation in resolving that issue in all its aspects, and should practically guide the national and international efforts towards that goal.  The core of the problem was the illicit circulation of those weapons, which could only be solved through international cooperation in the field of export control, including interaction of law enforcement, licensing and customs agencies and through unification of national laws.  It was possible to discuss some measures to coordinate the legal circulation of small arms and light weapons in cases where that related to the illicit trade.  In particular, he would not object to proposals on the obligatory national marking of such arms.

With regard to the transparency of arms deliveries, such transfers were difficult to control and monitor, he said.  Transparency in that field should be aimed at “unmasking” the illicit transfers.  Today, it was more important to concentrate on concrete measures aimed at freeing regions of conflict and the whole world from illicit arms and weapons flows, rather than radical measures to reduce and monitor legal transfers and deliveries of such weapons.  Obviously, the efforts undertaken globally, as well as by the United Nations, to remedy the situation were not sufficient, as demonstrated by the illicit circulation of small arms in Kosovo.  His country was facing similar problems in the northern Caucasus.

He said his country supported the stock destruction of small arms and light weapons of illicit origin, and was ready to provide expert and technical support in preventing the illicit proliferation of such weapons, upon request.  The most effective means of solving the problem could be the further strengthening of national control of storage and transfers.  His country had undertaken decisive steps in that direction and was ready to share its experience with others.  A programme of international cooperation could comprise a wide range of measures, including the timely monitoring and appropriate reaction to the illicit spread and accumulation of those weapons, cooperation with related institutions of other countries, joint activities on the disarmament of former combatants, and the collection and destruction of their weapons.

The Russian Federation, he said, was also ready to consider the national and regional initiatives connected with limitations and moratoriums on export, import and manufacture of small arms and light weapons, as well as a greater transparency in the field, on a voluntary and non-discriminatory basis.  He was satisfied with the OSCE activities in that direction.  It was of utmost importance that the Conference set out a compendium of measures and principles on preventing the illicit small arms trade, taking into account the different approaches of the Member States to the problem. 

GUNNAR LINDEMAN (Norway) said half of the world’s small arms were in civilian possession.  That meant that a good portion of those were outside the control or knowledge of the authorities and, therefore, invariably subject to become part of the illicit arms trade.  It was also important to note that all illicit arms started out as legal.  The agenda of the upcoming Conference should be comprehensive in its exploration of that particular issue.  Also, as civilians were most affected by the evils of the illicit arms trade, civil society organizations should be widely involved in the preparatory process, as well as the Conference itself.  Many civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations had well-developed mechanisms for disseminating information and their techniques for mobilizing communities to action was unassailable.

Turning to the draft plan of action, he said though the current proposals were a good starting point, a more detailed description of the work undertaken at national, regional and subregional levels was necessary.  Regional action should be seen as the catalyst for all initiatives in the small arms process.  He noted that the significance of civil society had not been satisfactorily reflected in the draft.  The international community must take advantage of their considerable knowledge and allow the widest possible representation at the Conference.  Finally, he said that the Committee must avoid the establishment of follow-up mechanisms that would hamper or delay the implementation of the outcome of the Conference.

ENRIQUE MANALO (Philippines) said the programme of action for the upcoming Conference should be concrete and, in form and substance, effectively address the problems caused by destabilizing accumulations and the unchecked spread of small arms and light weapons.  The draft submitted by the Chairman in the Committee’s first meeting would provide an excellent basis to begin work towards that end.  He also subscribed to the view that there should be a reasonably exhaustive and meaningful discussion of each of the draft’s provisions.

Turning to comments of a general nature, he said one of the crucial issues the Committee should consider was the relationship between the licit and illicit trade in small arms.  He was aware of the concerns of some delegations in that regard, but felt that legal dimensions could be discussed without limiting the consideration of illegal trade.  Another key issue that should be examined was the humanitarian cost of the proliferation of small arms.  Regional cooperation should also be emphasized.  While he believed in an integrated approach to the illicit arms trade issue, there were particular challenges that could best be resolved through the process of regional cooperation.

RAIMUND KUNZ, Observer for Switzerland, said the Conference should be a focal point for strengthening and developing international efforts in the area of small arms.  The final document should be motivated by a desire to raise awareness about the problems at hand, mobilize the political will and necessary resources worldwide, and “draw a road map” for future coordinated and comprehensive action. 

He said that the draft plan of action provided a very valuable basis for substantive discussions.  The small arms issue was a complex and multidimensional one.  Particularly welcome, therefore, was the comprehensive nature of the draft action plan.  The clusters contained therein had indeed addressed most of the key problems caused by the excessive and destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms.  Regional documents, including the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Bamako and Brasilia Declarations also represented an important contribution to the preparatory process and to the Conference, itself. 

The Conference would be a beginning, rather than the end of a process, he said.  Accordingly, the development of robust follow-up and implementation measures should be at the centre of deliberations.  In particular, it was crucial to mobilize the necessary resources and expertise to assist States in implementation.  He attached particular importance to that aspect of the work and stood ready to cooperate with all interested parties in developing appropriate implementation mechanisms.  The non-governmental organizations had made and would continue to make an important contribution in the area of small arms.  Their contributions before, during and after the Conference would be pivotal to achieving success.

WU HAITAO (China) said the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons was a serious threat to the security and development of many countries and often severely hampered social and economic growth.  China, therefore, strongly supported international efforts to tackle that problem, particularly at the upcoming Conference.  A comprehensive programme of action was absolutely necessary to ensure the objectives of the Conference were met.

Turning to the Chairman’s draft programme of action, he went on to note his concerns.  There was a specific need to address the legal production, manufacture and transfer of small arms, he said.  That was an issue that touched on all States, as small arms were indeed a necessary category of weapons used to ensure law and order.  Legal manufacture was a sovereign right, which must be respected.  He also stressed that the illicit trade was not a necessary outcome of legal production.  That view should be reflected in the programme of action.

He went on to say that the objectives of the programme should be realistic, applicable and operational.  At the same time, those objectives should address problems specific to certain regions.  A core of measures whose effectiveness had not been fully thought out could divert the direction of the overall programme.  The issue of transparency in the manufacture of small arms, an issue in itself that involved national security, could be divisive for the Conference.  He believed, therefore, that delegations should hold an exchange of views on their respective legislative schemes on the manufacture of small arms. Finally, he said the fundamental objective of the follow-up mechanism should be to review the implementation of relevant measures contained in the programme of action.

MARIA ANGELICA ARCE DE JEANNET (Mexico) said that negotiations were underway in Vienna to conclude a binding Protocol on firearms.  That process should not be confused with the preparatory process which, in the context of the Preparatory Committee, was working on a document which was ultimately political in nature.  There would be illicit trade as long as the supply and demand existed.  In terms of the problem at hand, the black market for other products could also be found in the field of small arms and light weapons.  That consideration should be kept in mind during discussions of the Chairman’s draft action programme.

She said that a careful reading of the Chairman’s proposals had led her to conclude that it was unbalanced in its content.  The preambular section, with

30 paragraphs, should have been much shorter.  It must recognize, first and foremost, the nature of the problem and the political will of the international community to define measures to combat and eradicate the illicit small arms trade.  Section II, which was the most important section in terms of political compromise, should be redrafted in order to clarify its scope.  As the representative of Sweden has stated, clearly there was a disconnect between the draft objective of the Conference and section II of the draft action programme. 

She said that the second section should present measures that would achieve consensus and effectively combat and eradicate the illicit small arms trade.  At the same time, the weakest links in the legal transfer of weapons among States should also be considered.  Many comments had focused on those States that did not have adequate national legislation or effective measures of cooperation at the regional level.  There was a shortcoming in both documents since neither focused on the responsibility of exporters and manufacturers, or brokers who carried out the financial transactions.  It was time for delegations to touch on those aspects -- the intermediaries and those who carried out financial transactions.

Section III, on international cooperation and assistance, was reduced in its scope, and should be carefully examined, she went on.  Some of the approaches in section IV, on implementation and follow-up, were too ambitious, even surprising, since some had not even been considered in the inter-sessional consultations over the past year.  A follow-up should be considered in light of the scope of the measures to be included in sections II and III.

She said that, while the problem was multi-faceted, the related humanitarian, security and development aspects should not detract from the main element -- namely the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons.  As the Chinese representative had indicated, most of those weapons began their “life” with an authentic certificate; secondary elements should not divert attention from that issue.  She hoped the question concerning the modalities of participation of non-governmental organizations would be solved quickly.  At this stage, the Committee should have their active participation, in the framework of other review processes on weapons. 

RODOLFO ELISEO BENITEZ VERSON (Cuba) warned that a fragmented discussion would endanger the appropriate balance and necessary link among the various sections of the draft action plan.  Many elements now in the preamble could become part of the political declaration of the Conference.  In order to avoid duplication, the preamble could be much shorter.  The contents of section IV, on implementation and follow-up, depended on the ultimate drafting of the other sections.  Despite an initial exchange of views on section IV, therefore, that should not be a priority at the current session. 

He said that the programme of action to be adopted at the Conference should be much less prescriptive and ambitious than the current text.  For example, section II was excessively detailed and ambitious and ultimately might make the action plan ineffective for States and regions.  It should follow the basic principle that each State had the right and duty to devise its own national measures in accordance with its national and regional characteristics.  There were countries and regions where illicit trafficking was related to violence or conflict or questions of transnational crime, terrorism and drug trafficking.  In some cases, historical or socio-economic reasons prevailed.  The military balance also varied enormously among regions.

In light of the position of some countries with major military arsenals, including nuclear weapons, efforts to eradicate the illicit small arms trade could not be the same for them as non-nuclear-weapon States.  That should also be reflected in the programme of action.  The draft did not focus at all on the need to look at the deepest root cause of the illicit arms trade.  The international community should not fail to adopt measures which addressed the socio-economic factors, which quite often were related to the illicit weapons trade.  That was the only way to reach lasting solutions. 

Moreover, he said, the action programme should be fully in line with the mandate given to the Preparatory Committee and Conference by the General Assembly, namely to consider the illicit trade in all its aspects -- and not the legal trade.  Discussions which moved away from the mandate would make it more difficult for the Conference to arrive at widely accepted results.  The section on international cooperation and assistance was insufficiently drafted, and there was a clear imbalance between that section and the rest of draft.

He said he endorsed the comments made yesterday by the Syrian delegation and today by others, such as the Jordanian and Algerian representative, relating to the need for a programme of action that did not undermine the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter -– sovereignty, non-interference, non-use of force, and legitimate self-defence needs.  Those principles should be explicitly reflected in the preamble and should also be fully borne in mind when determining concrete measures to be included in the rest of the document.

ANA MARIA MOGLIA (Argentina) drew the Committee’s attention to the importance of shared regional and subregional experiences when developing strategies to tackle the illicit firearms trade.  Such experiences would provide a valuable contribution in developing a comprehensive plan of action.  The responsibility of States should also be a central element to the plan.

She went on to say that recent statements made by governments at various international meetings and conferences represented renewed support for action against the illicit trade.  In her region, the joint communique issued by the presidents of Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) drew attention to that issue, as well as highlighted the importance of peace and tolerance and better communication links with the media.  A recent meeting of the Rio Group had highlighted the fight against drugs and the link between drug smuggling and the illicit arms trade.  The outcome of the regional preparatory meeting for the upcoming conference, held in Brazil, was also essential.  That outcome had called for a “common approach”, but also stressed addressing the problems of specific countries or regions.  Finally, she could not fail to mention the contribution and significant role to be played by non-governmental organizations in validating and disseminating the plan of action.

ANA MARIA SAMPAIO (Brazil) said that the Conference would add to other important existing initiatives in the search for ways to combat illicit trafficking, which must be done under a global and balanced approach that safeguarded the legitimate self-defence needs of States.  The problem was the result of an interaction among a variety of supply and demand factors, specific to each country or region.  To effectively address the problem, a comprehensive approach was needed that took into account the complexity of the elements involved.  Appropriate treatment depended upon the capacity of the global community to promote concrete measures of cooperation, which took into account the responsibilities and sovereign prerogatives of States. 

Indeed, she said, international cooperation was key in the fight to curb illicit trafficking.  Cooperation among all players was crucial to attaining positive results.  As a result of certain efforts, the amount of arms that legally entered Brazil from its subregion had significantly decreased.  Nevertheless, the problem persisted and a new challenge had emerged -- the illegal inflow of small arms coming from forces outside the region.  Cutting back that illegal flow required the cooperation of the international community as a whole.  An acceptable system should be established that not only allowed for the identification of weapons, but also allowed for the tracking of their roots, from producer to final use, in order to prevent diversion from the legal to the illegal trade. 

She said she firmly believed in the importance of non-governmental organization participation in the work of the Preparatory Committee and Conference, as that would contribute to the goals.  A balance must be achieved between representation from both developed and developing countries, paying special attention to regions, subregions and countries most affected by the problem.  The modalities of non-governmental organization participation should be the object of a prompt decision by the meeting.  The proposed plan of action was an adequate basis for negotiation.  

J.S. MUKUL (India) drew the Committee’s attention to the need to focus on supply and the diversion of illicit small arms and light weapons to non-State actors, such as terrorist groups.  The Committee should also focus on the links the illegal trade in arms had to other crimes, such as drug trafficking.  His delegation supported an integrated approach that included an in-depth analysis of the ammunition trade as an integral part of gunsmuggling.

He went on to say that States should extend strict controls over the manufacturer of small arms.  It was up to the international community to identify specific measures, such as marking, to ensure that weapons could be traced.  All those issues should be reflected in a strong political declaration and plan of action that included comprehensive follow-up measures.

RAMADAN BARG (Libya) said his delegation was gravely concerned at the consequences of the illicit arms trade and the suffering it caused.  He added that its impact on the stability, security and development of States was staggering.  He had great hopes that the Conference should reach an workable plan of action.

Turning to the Chairman’s proposed draft, he stressed that the preamble of such an important document should stress the need to solve conflicts by peaceful means, within the rules of international law and respect for the United Nations Charter.  The right of States to protect themselves and to develop their own defence systems must be insured.  Those principles should be at the forefront of the preamble, along with a definition of the problem and its root causes, as well as the objectives of the Conference.

He went on to say that deliberations and discussions should be confined to the mandate of the General Assembly resolution.  Members should not indulge in discussions of ambiguous issues or matters not relevant to the topic of the illicit trade in small arms and all its aspects.  He noted that the negative aspects of globalization, which affected the complexity of the situation, should also be addressed.  The section of the draft concerning international cooperation was very brief, he added, and did not emphasize the importance of the international community’s burden to assist disadvantaged States in dealing

with the problem of illicit trade by mobilizing financial and technical assistance.

YAW ODEI OSEI (Ghana) said there appeared to be two broad headings: prevention and reduction measures; and institutional amendments and operational requirements.  The following measures were essential in containing the proliferation of small arms:  identification of the elements necessary to improve the capacity of States, which would require a review of relevant laws and the establishment of common standards of registration; mobilization of support within communities of supplying countries; prohibition of civilians from the possession of certain types of weapons and encouragement of their voluntary surrender; and cooperation at the subregional, continental and global levels through information exchange.  At the institutional level, the strengthened capacity of law enforcement agencies and joint regional initiatives was required.

He said he subscribed to the Chairman’s format, which highlighted the relevance of regional and subregional initiatives.  In that process, he underscored that many such initiatives were underway in a number of regions, particularly in Africa. 

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