CLOSER REGIONAL COOPERATION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION STRESSED STRESSED

United Nations Conference on the

Illicit Trade in Small Arms

2^nd Meeting (PM)

CLOSER REGIONAL COOPERATION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION STRESSED

AS POSITIVE FACTORS IN CURBING SMALL ARMS PROLIFERATION

A distinction must be made between the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and the legitimate purchase of such weapons for national security purposes, the representative of Sri Lanka told the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, as it continued its general exchange of views this afternoon.

The two-week Conference, scheduled to conclude on 20 July, was convened to address the increasing threat to human security from the spread of small arms and light weapons and their illegal trade by General Assembly resolution 54/54 V of

15 December 1999.  It was expected that delegations would complete their work with the adoption of a Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

The representative of Sri Lanka went on to urge delegations to recognize that many nations like his own had no weapons industry, and were forced to purchase small arms from manufacturers abroad in order to ensure their national security.  Such legitimate purchase of small arms fell outside the framework of the Conference –- except to the extent of elaborating procedures necessary to ensure the non-diversion of those arms to the illegal arena.

He described Sri Lanka’s unique experience as a long-established democracy that had, for many years, faced an internal rebellion by a relatively small terrorist group which was massively funded and supplied with illicit small arms and heavy weaponry from abroad.  He looked to the Conference to incorporate in its programme of action provisions that would prevent small arms and light weapons from reaching violent and rebellious groups.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister said even though the capacity of African States to manufacture small arms and light weapons was very much limited, the continent, unfortunately, was the recipient of large quantities of those weapons.  In West Africa alone, it was estimated that there were some 7 million of those deadly weapons.  The incessant conflicts and wars in the continent had provided the perfect milieu in which illicit trade in small arms, bartered for the natural resources of the continent, continued to thrive.  The programme of action should reinforce and extend measures already taken at the national and regional levels.  The Conference could not fail to lead the way and underscore, in an unambiguous manner, the collective determination to fight the scourge of the illicit trade. 

Echoing that sentiment, the Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian dimensions of the illicit proliferation and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons.  He shared the concerns of the wider global community that such weapons facilitated local armed conflicts, as well as international terrorism.  Illicit proliferation of small arms presented a threat to regional and international peace and security.

Belarus’ presence today was a recognition that the problem could not be solved by individual nations –- it required agreed and coordinated efforts on a multilateral basis.  Only more efficient global measures, accompanied by regional and national efforts, could help stem the flow of illegal small arms.

The representative of Bangladesh said that the issue of small arms could be very effectively addressed through a framework of greater regional cooperation.  Since his was a country used as a transit route for the illicit movement of small arms, he strongly recommended greater cooperation in policing of such trade through regional efforts.  Institutionalization of regional information-sharing between law enforcement, intelligence, customs and border control agencies would greatly facilitate and enhance national action.  Regional organizations could also play a critical role in monitoring the arms flow in cooperation with governments of the region.

Also addressing the Conference this afternoon were the high-level government ministers of Sweden, Austria, Sudan, Lithuania, Germany, China, Lesotho, Thailand, Czech Republic and Mali (on behalf of the French-speaking Group). 

The Chairman of the Preparatory Committee, Carlos Dos Santos (Mozambique), introduced the reports of the Committee.

The Conference will continue its general exchange of views at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Background

The United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects met this afternoon to continue its general exchange of views.  For background, see Press Release DC/2782 of 5 July.

Statements

ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh):  The sheer number of small arms in circulation around the world facilitates the steady supply of weapons to illicit markets.  Private citizens worldwide own as many small arms as do State security forces.  If this cycle is to be broken, international standards and principles for the destruction of confiscated or surplus small arms and light weapons must be established.  Regional initiatives in this area can generate global action. 

The phenomenal ease of communications brought about by globalization has also been a factor in the uncontrolled spread of small arms.  It is well known that organized groups have been active in the illicit trade and criminal activities.  The worldwide nexus of these agents thrives in the continuing absence of meaningful cooperation among States.  This forms a useful backdrop to the deliberations of this Conference. 

Bangladesh believes that the issue of small arms could be very effectively addressed through a framework of greater regional cooperation.  As a country used as a transit route for illicit movement of small arms, we strongly recommend greater cooperation in policing of such trade through regional efforts.  Institutionalization of information-sharing between law enforcement, intelligence, customs and border control agencies will greatly facilitate and enhance national action.  Regional organizations could also play a critical role in monitoring the arms flow in cooperation with governments of the region.

SVEN-ERIC SODER, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden: Everyone in this room is well aware of the problems caused by the destabilizing accumulations and uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons.  The widespread availability, rapid accumulation and easy flow of small arms have all contributed to escalating and prolonging conflicts, and to exacerbating the negative impact of crime.  Few countries have been spared the scourge of the misuse of small arms, and Sweden is no different.  Indeed, a 16-year-old schoolboy was recently shot to death in a suburban high school outside Stockholm. 

The Conference should not be seen as the end of the process, but as the beginning of a period of concrete action.  The challenges in addressing the problem of the misuse of small arms include targeting illicit trade, but also dealing with existing stockpiles and surpluses and the prevention of the uncontrolled spread of such weapons.  That was why it was important to consider the issue in “all its aspects”.  Regional efforts are vital, but a global approach is necessary when it comes to defining small arms issues that require the establishment of universal norms, such as export control and regulations for brokering activities.  Sweden hopes that the programme of action to be adopted will encompass concrete measures in those areas.

Sweden participated in the elaboration and adoption of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) document on small arms.  We also took an active part in the Firearms Protocol to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by the General Assembly in May.  Sweden has provided financial and technical support to a number of United Nations programmes.  We support the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in both practical and field work.  The rehabilitation of children involved in war activities is also a high-priority area of concern.

This Conference should lay the groundwork for coordinated international action to rein in and roll back the uncontrolled flow of small arms.  We need a concrete programme of action with clear targets and timelines for governments and NGOs, manufacturers, importers and exporters.

ALBERT ROHAN, Secretary-General of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria:  Austria regards the challenge of small arms and light weapons mainly as a problem of controlling arms availability. Over the past decade, irresponsible arms transfers to conflict prone areas often were the result of weak export control and the absence of adequate resources to implement responsible policies.  This Conference cannot aim at banning firearms, but we should strive to respond as effectively as possible to the Secretary-General’s call to bring small arms and light weapons back under the control of governments.

When we talk about small arms and light weapons, we are confronted, above all, with a humanitarian problem.  The widespread availability and misuse of small arms and light weapons fuel high levels of conflict, instability, crime and underdevelopment in certain regions.  Among such regions is the southern Balkans.  Despite some positive developments for identifying effective responses to existing political problems, the uncontrolled proliferation and illicit trafficking of these weapons continues to fuel crime and undermine development.

This Conference must establish the United Nations as the focal point for combating problems caused by small arms and light weapons.  At the same time, we must recognize the importance of regional organizations, such as the OSCE, in the implementation of decisions.  Among the elements Austria would like to see in the programme of action are commitments for marking of small arms and light weapons at the time of production.  The Conference should also aim at introducing practical cooperation measures for better controls of international brokering activities.  Further, the provision of a strong follow-up mechanism will be required.

STANISLAV KNYAZEV, Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus:  We share the concerns of the wider global community that the weapons under discussion are major facilitators of local armed conflicts and international terrorism.  Illicit proliferation of small arms presents a threat to regional and international peace and security.  Our presence today is a recognition of the fact that the problem cannot be solved by individual nations -– it requires agreed and coordinated efforts on a multilateral basis. 

Belarus is devoted to the principle of eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  Transfers of such weapons are regulated by export control legislation on the basis of a single established procedure for all categories of arms and dual-use goods.  Only a limited number of enterprises authorized by the Government has the right to carry out foreign trade operations.  Selling firearms to the population, with the exception of hunting rifles when a license is available, is prohibited by the Government.  Violating any of those legislative rules leads to prosecution.  Stockpiles of small arms are kept under strict accounting controls and safeguards.

More attention should be paid to wider cooperation between law enforcement, border control and customs services.  Other priority issues include strict compliance with international obligations with respect to sanctions established by the Security Council and rendering assistance to nations suffering from illicit trafficking in and accumulation of small arms and light weapons.

Transparency issues should be dealt with separately.  Belarus believes that efforts in this area should be aimed at solving specific problems.  Transparency and limitations on the legal trade in small arms can hardly be considered a basis for solving the problem of illegal trade in such arms.  Strict accounting and control must be ensured at the national level.  The proliferation of small arms into the illegal arena should be thoroughly examined and the necessary measures to prevent them from spilling over should be taken. 

ABDULRAHIM MOHAMED HUSSEIN, Minister of the Interior of the Sudan:  The final document of this Conference should emphasize the need to respect the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, as well as the right to individual or collective self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter, which tacitly gave Member States the right to own arms for self-defence and the right of every Member State to establish its own system of defence. 

It is essential to tackle the root causes of conflicts.  We would like to reaffirm the need to distinguish between rebel movements fighting against central authority and the legitimate liberation movements struggling against foreign occupation.  We want the final document of this Conference to include a call on all countries supporting rebel groups with arms to desist from doing so.  All countries, particularly those which export arms, should strengthen their monitoring and control of small arms and light weapons and institute laws to prevent the spread of these weapons through illicit trade.  Such countries should commit themselves to export arms and light weapons only to governments.  It is also necessary to strengthen international cooperation to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and to assist the affected countries -- based on their request -- by providing technical and material resources in order to combat this phenomenon.

OSKARAS JUSYS, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania:  The uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons has an increasingly negative impact on human security, on respect for human rights and on social development. It is our responsibility to act without delay to reach comprehensive agreement on a global action plan.  It is our task to identify a set of international standards and mechanisms in order to consolidate, reinforce and coordinate regional and national measures against the illicit proliferation and misuse of small arms.

Efforts to prevent illegal trade in small arms and light weapons cannot be effective without tighter control of the legal trade.  The main purpose of this Conference should be to identify a long-term plan focused on export-control principles, marking, tracing, brokering and stockpile management.  It should also consider weapons destruction and follow-up mechanisms.  Another important point is that the exchange of information and increased transparency on legal flows will build confidence among States and will help to uncover and combat illegal flows.   Lithuania also agrees with other delegations that a review conference should be convened no later than 2006.

Small arms proliferation is not exclusively a global concern.  It also has important regional, national and local dimensions, which can effectively be addressed through domestic regulations.  Lithuania is wholeheartedly committed to reducing the flow of such arms.  Over the past few years, we have worked intensively with the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to establish stringent national legislation.  We have also worked to develop sound export controls.

Lieutenant General T.Y. DANJUMA, Minister of Defence of Nigeria:  There is no question that Africa is the region most devastated by small arms-aided conflicts.  In many instances, economies have been totally destroyed, infrastructures laid waste, millions of people killed and wounded, while thousands are internally displaced and many more turned into refugees. 

Even though the capacity of African States to manufacture small arms and light weapons is limited, the continent is, unfortunately, the recipient of large quantities of these weapons.  In West Africa alone, it is estimated that there are some 7 million such arms.  The incessant conflicts and wars in the continent have provided the perfect milieu in which illicit trade in small arms, bartered for the natural resources of the continent, continues to thrive. 

The so-called “blood diamonds”, for example, have provided lucrative opportunities for arms dealers and merchants of war.  They have also made it easier for dissidents and rebel movements within the continent to start and sustain conflicts, often with devastating consequences for the population.  The programme of action should reinforce and extend measures already taken at the national and regional levels.  The Conference cannot fail to lead the way and underscore, in an unambiguous manner, our collective determination to fight the scourge of the illicit trade.

JOHN DE SARAM (Sri Lanka):  The distinction must be made between the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, on one hand, and, on the other, the legitimate purchase of such weapons essential for national security purposes.  Further, it must be noted that for many Member States no such distinction has been made in their infrastructures for a weapons industry.  Therefore, the purchase of small arms from manufacturers abroad for the purpose of national security has become essential.  Such legitimate purchase of small arms falls outside the framework of this Conference –- except to the extent of procedures necessary to ensure non-diversion of those arms to the illegal arena.

Sri Lanka’s experience of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons can be briefly put:  a long-established democratic State, Sri Lanka has, for a number of years, faced an internal rebellion by a relatively small group with a record of terrorism.  That group is massively funded from abroad and is supplied, also from abroad, with illicit small arms and heavy weaponry.  We look to this Conference to incorporate in its outcome document provisions that would prevent small arms and light weapons from reaching violent and rebellious groups.  We know that terrorist groups have developed elaborate international networks to collect funds and acquire arms through various means, including setting up “front” organizations, abusing shipping regulations and insurance and document fraud.

Successive General Assembly resolutions on measures to eliminate international terrorism have sought to deal with this contemporary phenomenon.  The Organization as a whole has attempted to deal with the issue, most particularly through the Assembly’s adoption in 1970 of a declaration on the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among Sates.  There have followed a number of other conventions against terrorism.  Terrorist groups and their activities pose a formidable threat to international peace and security -- which this Organization is pledged to maintain.

DIETER KASTRUP (Germany):  Conflict prevention requires that the weapon of choice, the military small arm, should not be readily available to those who want to make private profits by using them.  Destabilizing accumulations and poorly guarded stockpiles are important sources for the grey market.  They need to be dried up.  For this reason, reliable stockpile management of all stockpiles belonging to security forces –- military, paramilitary and police -– is essential.  We have to decide what amount of small arms and light weapons are necessary for safeguarding territorial integrity, internal peace and national security, as well as for safeguarding our participation in collective actions mandated by the United Nations or regional organizations.  This decision is a sovereign decision by each nation. 

More needs to be done to prevent violent conflict. Successfully demobilizing and disarming ex-combatants and effectively reintegrating them into the social and economic fabric of their country, into civil society, helps prevent future conflicts.

Assistance is the key to improving the situation on the demand side.  It can be in the form of capacity-building for border control, for customs and law enforcement and in other areas.  We should, therefore, agree on measures designed to be as concrete as possible in the programme of action.  We should invite the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other United Nations organs and financial institutions to assist in the implementation of national follow-up programmes.  Without decisive national and regional action to combat the flow of illegal weapons, social follow-up programmes cannot be effectively implemented.

WANG YINGFAN (China):  The problem of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is multifaceted, involving disarmament, security, development and humanitarian dimensions.  Therefore, we believe efforts should be made at the national, regional and international levels for a comprehensive solution.  First, countries should formulate and improve legislation and regulations on the production, holding, transfer and stockpiling of small arms and light weapons.  Practical measures should be taken to ensure strict enforcement and prevent legally produced and transferred small arms and light weapons from ending up in the hands of illegal possessors and users.

Secondly, countries and regions should strengthen their cooperation and coordination in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  In this regard, priority should be given to exchange and cooperation between law enforcement authorities, such as police, customs and border control.  Third, the international community should further support efforts by countries and regions in their fight against the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  The United Nations and other relevant international organizations have an important role to play in this respect.

Fourth, the root causes of the illicit trade should be addressed, and not just its symptoms.  The international community should also make vigorous efforts to help conflict-affected countries develop their economies and eliminate poverty, so as to realize sustainable development and durable peace and stability by eradicating the illicit trade from its breeding ground.  Fifth, the sovereignty of States should be respected and their right to legal production, holding and transfer of small arms and light weapons should not be compromised.

SEPHIRI ENOCH MONTANYANE, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Defence of Lesotho:  The convening of this milestone Conference makes it clear that in a world where actors other than States and governments have enjoyed easy access to a wide variety of lethal weapons, we can no longer rely on traditional arms control and disarmament framework based on “State centric” national security criteria. 

Africa has been particularly vulnerable to the scourge of small arms proliferation, and Lesotho sees the demilitarization of the region as essential not only to ensure peace, but for the revival of civil society, for the reduction of poverty and for sustainable development.  The achievement of these noble goals largely depends on disarmament, demobilization of forces and the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life.  Above all, it depends on the elimination of the flow of illegal arms to the continent.  In Lesotho, the spread of illegal arms has made it difficult to build social peace.  Indeed, those arms have been used in robberies and stock theft, prompting the Government to introduce new gun-control legislation.  Other measures to curtail the flow of illegal arms include the establishment of a Counter Crime Unit to search for such weapons throughout the country.

It is essential that the outcome document give particular weight to the views and concerns of the most affected countries, particularly on Africa.  While we realize that there may be a need to strengthen certain parts of the document, a wholesale revision of the proposals put forth by the Preparatory Committee would be unwelcome.  This Conference should give clear guidance on steps to be taken in order to pave the way for the elaboration of an internationally binding legal instrument for the regulation of brokering, marking and identifying the lines of supply for small arms and light weapons.

PRACHA GUNA-KASEM, Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand:  This Conference should lay an initial foundation upon which the international community can develop further initiatives to tackle the multifaceted nature of this problem and expand pertinent future areas of cooperation. To make this Conference a success, the draft programme of action should be realistic, implementable and acceptable to all.

The programme must also represent a balance between mandatory measures to be implemented by States and the assistance needed to implement them.  Both supply and recipient countries must share the responsibility of addressing the problem. Thailand believes that complying with arms embargoes authorized by the Security Council is neither optional nor voluntary.  We hope the programme of action will emphasize this obligation.  Thailand also shares the view that lack of regulation on arms brokering and its related activities can contribute to the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  We, therefore, support the proposal to develop model-brokering regulations.

The root cause of the problem facing us is conflict itself -- and the demand for small arms arising from such conflict.  We urge the United Nations to continue its good work on the causes of conflict and conflict-prevention.  Moreover, the international community should not be sidetracked from the priority issues of disarmament in nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

The problem of small arms and light weapons, however, cannot be solved by any State alone.  Regional and international cooperation is necessary and must be encouraged.  Thailand has established an International Law Enforcement Agency, with the aim of strengthening law enforcement capacities.  We have also established an Office of Money Laundering Control.  In addition, Thailand has conducted joint border patrols with Malaysia and joint naval patrols with Viet Nam.  We hope this kind of cooperation will continue in the immediate future and be expanded to other neighbours in the region.

MIROSLAV SOMOL, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic:  The core element of any comprehensive solution is national responsibility for domestic regulatory legislation.  Small arms stocks should be held for legitimate defence needs, including participation in peacekeeping operations.  The complex, multidimensional problem posed by small arms requires a broad range of counter-measures, as well as mutually reinforcing, concerted action by international and regional organizations.  The two guiding principles of transparency and information exchange should help States to detect and suppress illicit trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, and to provide cost-effective technical assistance.

Also important is a responsible export policy which lowers the risk of diversion of legal transfers into the illegal market.  All these aspects must be taken into account in formulating workable conclusions for this Conference.  In this context, I would like to recall the European Union’s proposals, including the suggested measures on traceability of small arms, such as marking, record-keeping, long-term availability of records and broad cooperation between all competent authorities.

The Czech Republic urges that the programme of action be very clear and realistic.  The programme should lay sound foundations for future action and outline the responsibilities and tasks of States, regional and international organizations.  The irreplaceable role of non-governmental organizations in the field should be taken into account as well. 

MODIBO SIDIBE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mali, on behalf of the French-speaking Group:  Small arms cause the most casualties in both military and civilian populations.  Small arms and light weapons are the most adapted to the field, easily concealed and handled.  Children are also both users and victims. Taking into account the threat of the scourge, it needs to be fought urgently and vigorously.  At the regional level, through the Bamako Declaration, African countries have highlighted their great concern at an illicit trade responsible for fuelling conflicts and destabilizing societies.

No single solution can solve the problem.  We must act at all levels –- national, regional and international -- and in numerous fields, including disarmament and the accountability of producer and consumer States.  We need a realistic and applicable programme of action.  It is important to encourage the international community and appeal to it for increased support.  Regional, subregional and international efforts are crucial for the prevention and management of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.  Improving the traceability of small arms and light weapons would contribute significantly to combating the illicit trade. 

The Group appeals to international organizations, including the funds and agencies of the United Nations, the World Bank and the community of donors, to assist in the implementation of measures to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  The Group also appeals to all States not to lose sight of the fundamental aims which concern us and the expectations of those most affected by the scourge.  Let us not let them down. 

CARLOS DOS SANTOS (Mozambique), Chairman of the Preparatory Committee, introduced the reports of the Committee as contained in document A/CONF.192/1.  The Committee was established pursuant to Assembly resolution 54/54 V with a clear mandate to make recommendations to the Conference on the matters before it.  It held three sessions and several inter-sessional meetings.  A draft text of the programme of action had been submitted by the Chairman to the second session of the Committee.  A revised text was considered by delegations at the third session.  The Committee decided to forward the revised text, as contained in document A/CONF.192/PC/L.4/Rev.1, to the Conference for further consideration.

One hundred and fifty States participated in the Committee, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and regional bodies, he said.  Among the events which contributed to the work of the Committee was the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Ministerial Meeting in Bamako, which resulted in the Bamako Declaration.  An important initiative which resulted from international meetings was the proposed “Small Arms Surrender Fund”.  The stage was set for the successful conclusion of the Conference, as well as for the implementation of its outcome.

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