Preparatory Committee for the

United Nations Conference on

 The Illicit Trade in Small Arms

 And Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

26^th Meeting (AM)* and Round-up

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ON SMALL ARMS EMPHASIZES NEED

FOR CONSENSUS IN CONFERENCE DECISION-MAKING

Defers Decision on NGO Participation

The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects concluded its second session this morning.  Its report adopted today included a decision that the July Conference should not vote on substantive matters until all efforts to achieve consensus had been exhausted.  Several key decisions were deferred to the third Preparatory Committee session. 

The second preparatory meetings report included an approved draft agenda for the Conference, which would have the Conference conduct a general exchange of views and adopt final documents, containing a series of measures aimed at collective action to eradicate the illicit small arms trade.  The disarmament Conference, the first since 1987, will convene from 9 to 20 July in New York. 

Meanwhile, several decisions were deferred to the third session of the preparatory process, to be held in New York from 19 to 30 March.  Among them was consideration of the final documents, the draft rules of procedure and the draft objective of the Conference, as well as modalities of attendance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Following a wide-ranging discussion at the first meeting about how to proceed on the formulation of a draft action plan, it was decided that the Committee would undertake a sequential consideration of the Chairman's draft action programme in formal plenary meetings.  That text contained four sections: a 30-paragraph preamble; a section on preventing, controlling and curbing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, containing concrete measures at the national, regional and global levels; another section on international cooperation and assistance; and a fourth on implementation and follow-up. 

Consideration of the preamble drew sharp debate, as delegations delved into the question of whether or not to formulate a separate political

__________

*     The meeting number for Press Release DC/2748 of 18 January should have indicated 25^th meeting.  The 24^th meeting was closed. 

declaration or include all references to political commitments in the lengthy preambular section of the action programme.  Most delegations expressed flexibility, but sought to ensure that, either way, the final document or documents would contain strong language on the political commitments underpinning the goal of the Conference to eradicate the illicit small arms trade.

A divergence of views also emerged during consideration of the rules for attendance of civil society groups.  That decision had been deferred during both the first and second preparatory sessions.  Many delegations insisted that civilians had been the main victims of the small arms scourge and, thus, their representatives should be awarded a key role in the process.  The Chinese delegation agreed, but sought to limit the participation of those groups specifically involved in the disarmament aspect of the small arms question.

Specifically, the Chinese delegation called for the inclusion of NGOs, which had not only gained consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, but which were "relevant and competent" as regards "the scope and the purpose" of the Conference.  Subsequent agreement was reached to hold an informal plenary meeting at the present session to hear NGOs.  A decision concerning their future participation at the third preparatory session and the Conference, however, was, once again, deferred.

Representatives of the following NGOs presented their views informally:  Institute of Securities Studies, British American Security Information Council, Fund for Peace, Viva Rio, Amnesty International, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Physicians for Social Responsibilities, Safer-Net, Saferworld, National Rifle Association, Groupe de Recherche sur la Paix et la Securite, International Alert, Centre for Democratic Empowerment, Oxfam and United Nations Association-United Kingdom.

Additional NGOs making presentations included:  the Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, Security Research and Information Centre, Small Arms Survey, Human Rights Watch, National Centre for Economic and Security Alternatives, World Council for Religion and Peace, Public Affairs Committee, European Institute for Risk, Security, and Communication Management (EURISC Foundation), Quaker United Nations Office, Pax Christi International, Fellowship for Reconciliation, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, International Action Network on Small Arms and Eminent Persons Group.

The following specialized agencies, inter-governmental organizations and relevant entities participated as observers in the second session:  the European Commission, the Permanent Observer Mission of the International Organization of la Francophonie, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Organization of African Unity, the World Health Organization and the World Bank.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, which also participated as observers, addressed the session in a formal meeting.

(page 1b follows)

During the session, Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Joao Honwana (Mozambique) as Secretary-General of the Conference, and Mohammad Sattar (Afghanistan) as Deputy Secretary-General.

Also today, the representative of South Africa announced that on

17 January, the South African Police Service destroyed 102 tons of small arms, and parts and spares, worth an estimated $3.5 million.  A total of 27,816 small arms, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and homemade arms, were confiscated, as well as 23,292 redundant police arms.  Seven launchers and 20,335 parts of arms and spares were also destroyed.

Statements and Action

Before inviting Members to taking up the Report of the Committee, the Chairman opened the floor for brief comments.

JEAN P. DU PREEZ (South Africa) said his Government had recently made significant inroads in its attempts to stem the proliferation of small arms and to increase the effectiveness of its surplus and redundant weapons preventive measures.  On 17 January, the South African Police Service had destroyed

102 tons of small arms, weapons parts and spares, worth an estimated

$3.5 million.  A total of 27,816 small arms, including pistols, shotguns and home-made weapons had been destroyed.  Seven launchers were also destroyed and 23,292 redundant police arms were confiscated.  All these small arms confiscated by the Government were destroyed after the completion of the investigation processes or forensic testing.

He said that his Government was committed to combating the flow of illegal arms across the country’s borders and many other successes had been reported. During the past few years, thousands of small arms, light weapons and munitions had been destroyed in Mozambique.  Further, “Operation Crackdown” had netted nearly 104,000 rounds of ammunition since last March.  In most cases, serial numbers on those weapons had been removed, making it difficult or impossible to trace the original owner or manufacturer.  South Africa trusted that those efforts to unilaterally destroy all surplus and small arms would serve as an example of practical measures to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit weapons trade.

The Chairman then announced that the President of the General Assembly had asked participate in the opening of the 2001 Conference.  The President saw the Conference as an important and integral aspect of the follow-up to the Millennium Summit and Declaration.

The Committee Secretary then introduced the report of the Committee, saying it was a technical report simply recording the proceedings of the session.

GAILE ANN RAMOUTAR (Trinidad and Tobago) asked that her delegation be included in the list of participants.

The report of the Committee was adopted as amended.

In closing remarks, the Chairman said the successful conclusion of the preparatory session had only been possible because of the constructive participation and cooperation of all delegations.  The Committee’s work had also benefited from the participation of NGOs.

Closing Remarks

SUNE DANIELSSON (Sweden) speaking on behalf on the European Union, reiterated his delegation's thanks and appreciation at the smooth running of the session.

RAMEZ GOUSSOS (Jordan), speaking on behalf of the League of Arab States, said he hoped the constructive work at the current session would lead to a sound foundation for the future work of the Committee and the upcoming Conference.  The deliberations had made clear the importance delegations attached to the

2001 Conference.  Further efforts should be made to include the comments and recommendations of all delegations in the next preparatory meeting.  The Arab States had expressed great interest and a sincere wish to contribute to the success of the Conference.  At the next preparatory session, the Committee should devote its attention to the illicit trade in small arms and the reaffirmation of the role of the United Nations in curbing weapons of mass destruction.  Attention should also be paid to the final structure of the Conference.  The question of small arms and light weapons presented a true challenge to the international community and required the utmost cooperation.

JEAN P. DU PREEZ (South Africa), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said the fact the Chairman had come from a country most affected by the proliferation of illicit small arms had been invaluable.

CAMILO REYES (Colombia), speaking on behalf of the Latin American Group, reiterated his delegation’s commitment to the utmost level of cooperation needed to make the 2001 Conference a success.  He drew attention to the importance of highlighting regional perspectives in the Committee’s future work.

SYLVESTER ROWE (Sierra Leone), on behalf of the African Group, said the Chairman’s particular point of view, one that had been informed by having come from a country affected by the devastation of small arms and light weapons, had been important in guiding the work of the Committee.

Highlights of Session

During this session, the Committee focused much of its energy on framing and strengthening the elements of the final documents that would guide the work of the 2001 Conference, including the Chairman's proposed draft programme of action, and a possible political declaration.  It also considered modalities for the participation of NGOs at preparatory sessions as well as the Conference.  The rules of procedure and objectives of the upcoming Conference were also considered.

In a week-long plenary review of the proposed action plan, Committee members stressed their determination to end the human suffering caused by the illicit small arms trade while remaining within the mandate of the Conference. Delegations also reaffirmed the need to preserve the sovereignty of States as prescribed by the Charter.  The draft plan itself was divided into four 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 contained commitments and measures to be undertaken at national, regional and global levels.

Beginning its sequential consideration of the draft, the Committee first took up the preamble.  There was a widely held view that the preamble should be pared down to key essentials, rather than attempt to cover every relevant issue. The danger of trying to do everything was the possibility of failing to do anything effectively.  While some delegations emphasized the need to simplify the language of many of the preamble's paragraphs, others sought to preserve the nature of some specific references, particularly those which highlighted the importance of regional efforts and adherence to the principles of the Charter. There was also concern that many of the recommendations in the preamble were too far-reaching.

As the Committee turned to consider section II of the draft action plan, the representative of Canada urged members not to fear ambition; it was necessary to reach farther than ever to achieve new points of consensus from which to address the serious problem of trade in illicit small arms.  That delegation, along with others, felt it was critical to tackle the problem from a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration perspective.  Other delegations, however, felt that the Committee should try to curb the temptation to move into other fields and use discretion when drafting the final language for section II.

The representative of the United States cautioned members that expanding the recommendations in section II beyond the Assembly's mandate endangered the Conference's chances for success.  Moreover, core language in the section appeared to create a legal obligation in States.  The object should be to create political commitments, not to draft a treaty, she warned.  In order to help guide the Committee's deliberations on this section, the representative of Mali introduced the Bamako Declaration, adopted by the 2000 Ministerial Conference of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).  It was felt that the basic structure of that document, endorsed by other delegations, would provide the Committee with a blueprint to soften the mandatory tone of some of the language included in section II.

Moving on to a substantive review of section III, the representative of Nigeria said it was time for the Committee to get beyond the mere recognition of national and regional initiatives and craft a global action plan that would facilitate the implementation of those initiatives through technical and financial assistance.  Indeed, assistance and cooperation were seen as "not just words", but as a means to enhance law enforcement capabilities, information exchange and capacity-building in ways that could change the culture of violence so deeply rooted in many regions of the world.  The representative of China said that for the most affected countries, section III was the draft's critical component since it called on the international community to promptly adopt specific measures to curb the trade in illicit weapons.

Taking up section IV of the draft action plan, Committee members sought agreement on a structured follow-up procedure.  The representative of Syria pointed out the importance of follow-up measures that were fully realized but which could be comprehensively implemented.  Other delegations suggested that any approach should integrate four functions:  implementation, coordination, review and evolution.  While many delegations felt that a review conference should be held in 2005, others thought it was too soon to formulate follow-up procedures.  "Patience might be the way forward", suggested the representative of Algeria.  Perhaps members could wait until the nature of the 2001 Conference had crystalized.  Setting up a mechanism now might have the negative effect of burdening some countries, he added.

The importance of the participation of NGOs in the Committee's work as well as at the 2001 Conference was stressed throughout the deliberations on the draft programme of action.  The representative of Norway pointed out that, with human security at stake, civil society and its organizations should be at the centre of the development of a culture in which conflicts were resolved without using small arms.

Many delegations felt this was a critical issue since during two previous preparatory sessions the Committee had not reached a decision on the procedure for NGO attendance.  Thus far, civil society organizations had been unable to participate.  During the current session however, members were invited to consider a proposal by the Chairman which called for the participation of NGOs which had attained consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and were "relevant and competent" within the scope of the Conference.

After a formal debate on the issue sparked by the proposal of the Chinese delegation to limit the participation of NGOs to those specifically involved in the disarmament aspect of the illicit arms trade, the Committee agreed on the participation of NGOs but disagreed on whether to limit such participation to groups deemed "relevant and competent" with respect to the scope and purpose of the Conference.  The Committee deferred a decision on the issue but agreed to hear civil society groups in an informal session.

Addressing the possibility of recommending a political declaration to the 2001 Conference, delegations expressed a wide range of views.  The European Union, in a suggestion echoed by others, proposed that the Committee concentrate on making progress on the action plan and preamble, rather than attempting to draft two sets of final documents.  The outcome of the Conference should be politically binding and that action plan should be underpinned by the principles contained in the preamble.  The representative of Jordan, on behalf of the League of Arab States, said that if consensus was reached on this issue, any political statement should affirm, among other things, that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons was not the root cause of conflict, but exacerbated it.

Also during the current session, many delegations highlighted the necessity of establishing adequate procedures for marking and tracking illegal small arms.  A comprehensive mechanism for tracking small arms could form the nexus of United Nations efforts to implement international arms embargoes.  Some delegations also suggested that the Committee should consider fashioning a legally binding instrument on the issue while others went farther, calling for an international convention.

The representative of Pakistan urged members not to be swayed by suggestions that small arms could not be effectively traced today.  It would be illogical to assume that States transferred weapons without any records; if only for the financial benefit of manufacturers, weapons would be marked, he added.  And those that were marked could be traced.  The Russian Federation urged

caution, noting that establishing tracking mechanisms "camouflaged" to monitor the legal transfer of weapons went beyond the Conference's mandate.  The representative of Colombia drew attention to the need to address the issue of small arms designed to look like toys or other everyday items that would make them easier to conceal. 

     During the current session, the Committee also approved draft rule 33 of the Conference draft rules of procedure by which every effort to reach consensus would be exhausted before matters of substance were put to a vote.  The Committee also adopted its draft provisional agenda for the 2001 Conference.

      Committee Background

The Preparatory Committee, established by General Assembly resolution 54/54 V (15 December 1999), was requested to make recommendations to the Conference on all relevant matters, including the objective, a draft agenda, draft rules of procedure and draft final documents, which would include a programme of action and might include a separate political declaration.  It was also mandated to decide on the modalities of attendance of non-governmental organizations, as well as to decide on background documents to be made available in advance of the Conference.

Officers

The officers of the Preparatory Committee are:  Chairman:  Carlos Dos Santos (Mozambique):  Vice-Chairmen:  Shen Guofang (China); Makmur Widodo (Indonesia); Hamid Baeidi Nejad (Iran); Mitsuro Donawaki (Japan); Richard Pierce (Jamaica); Nury Vargas (Costa Rica); Yahsar Aliyev (Azerbaijan); Alyaksandr Sychov (Belarus); Valeri Kuchynski (Ukraine); Dace Dobraja (Latvia); Samuel Insanally (Guyana); and Denis Dangue Rewaka (Gabon).

Other Vice-Chairmen include:  Alioune Diagne (Senegal); Ismail Khairat (Egypt); Fares Kuindwa (Kenya); Gunna Lindeman (Norway); Przemyslaw Wyganowski (Poland); Carlos Sorreta (Philippines); Herbert Calhoun (United States); Marie-France Andre (Belgium); Jean Du Preez (South Africa); Robert McDougall (Canada); Henrik Salander (Sweden); Raul Salazar-Cosio (Peru); and Ana Maria Sampaio Fernandes (Brazil).  The Committee Secretary also served as Rapporteur.

* *** *