Meeting of States to Consider Action

Programme on Illicit Small Arms Trade

1^st & 2^nd Meetings (AM & PM)

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR REDOUBLED EFFORTS TO CURB ‘GLOBAL SCOURGE’ THAT

KILLS 60 PEOPLE AN HOUR, AS BIENNIAL MEETING OPENS ON SMALL ARMS

The first Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the 2001 Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects opened its week-long session at Headquarters today with a call from Secretary-General Kofi Annan for redoubled efforts to curb a “global scourge” that kills about

60 people every hour.

In a message delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs Nobuyasu Abe, Mr. Annan said it was difficult to overstate the importance of implementing the Programme of Action, which was adopted in July 2001 at the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

Noting that half a million people a year were killed by those weapons, 90 per cent of them women and children, he added:  “Less quantifiable, but no less palpable, are the wider consequences of small arms proliferation in terms of conflict fuelled, peacekeepers threatened, aid denied, respect for law undermined, and development stunted”.

The Meeting, which forms part of a follow up to the July 2001 Conference, will consider implementation of the action plan, formally known as the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.  The Programme of Action identifies national, regional and global measures to combat the illicit small arms trade, focusing on legislation, stockpile management, weapons destruction, identification and tracing of illicit arms, as well as on international cooperation and assistance to States.

Meeting Chairperson Kuniko Inoguchi (Japan) said the session would provide an opportunity to identify appropriate strategies to address obstacles in implementing the Programme of Action over the past two years.  It would also strengthen partnerships for action that had been set up through a variety of international assistance and cooperation initiatives, and translate the Programme of Action into concrete, effective and robust deeds in the field.

No State alone could prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, she said, but the Programme of Action had provided a framework for collective action by all.  Indeed, States had already begun to urge that partnerships at all levels among international and intergovernmental organizations and civil society, including non-governmental organizations and international financial institutions, be established and strengthened.

            Speakers during the ensuing discussion highlighted efforts their nations had made to comply with the Programme of Action, stressing the vital role of national governments, but also pointing to regional and global efforts.  In his opening address, Mr. Abe praised international efforts to tackle challenges posed by the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The representative of the Republic of Korea stressed that national governments bore the primary responsibility for controlling small arms and light weapons.  His country had put in place adequate laws, regulations and administrative procedures, including those to effectively control the production and trade of those weapons to prevent their unauthorized manufacture or illicit trafficking.

Other delegates pointed to deficiencies in the global effort to control illicit small arms, stressing the need to tighten export controls, put into place effective tracing mechanisms and curb illegal weapons at their source.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Italy’s representative emphasized that export controls were a vital tool in stemming illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.  The Union had proposed drawing up common national and international standards to prevent legal trade from being diverted into illegal channels, and limiting the excessive accumulation of arms in regions already affected by existing tensions or armed conflicts.  Illicit brokering and trafficking were recognized as main factors in fuelling the illegal trade worldwide.

Similarly, Japan’s representative said that setting up a tracing system of small arms would be an effective preventive measure.  Marking and keeping records on each weapon would make it possible to trace and identify exactly how and where the illegal diversion of weapons took place.  He added that the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Tracing and Marking had completed its work, and would be recommending that the Secretary-General initiate negotiations for an international tracing instrument.

Other delegates focused on the need to tackle the source of the illegal arms trade, and sanction arms manufacturers supplying illicit dealers.  Speaking on behalf of the African Group, Nigeria’s representative said that any sincere international effort to tackle the small arms menace should include a provision for imposing appropriate sanctions on arms manufacturers and suppliers whose products were found in illicit hands.  He called for a legally binding international instrument that would allow States to trace the flow of small arms and light weapons from their source, including a provision for appropriate arms marking.

Also this morning, the meeting adopted its agenda and agreed that its officers would consist of 15 Vice-Chairpersons, three from each of the five regional groups.  Accordingly, the following Member States were elected by acclamation:  Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia and Uganda.

Also speaking today were the representatives of Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Slovenia, Jordan, Canada, Peru, Togo, Mexico, Russian Federation, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Namibia, New Zealand, United States, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, France, China, Nicaragua, Syria, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, Romania, Brazil and Indonesia.

The Biennial Meeting will convene again tomorrow at 10 a.m. to continue considering implementation of the Programme of Action.

Background

The United Nations First Biennial Meeting of States to consider the implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects met at Headquarters this morning to consider implementation of the action plan adopted at a conference on the subject in July 2001.  The plan is formally known as the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

The meeting, which will last until Friday, 11 July, is part of the follow-up process to the Conference, and provides for a review conference to be held no later that 2006.  (For background, see Press Release DC/2871 of 3 July, 2003).

Statements

In his opening statement, the new Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, NOBUYASE ABE (Japan), said he was encouraged by the efforts and the commitment shown by the international community to address the challenges posed by uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons.  He assured participants of the United Nations commitment, and more specifically, that of his Department, to assist in the efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in those weapons. 

He said that the Programme of Action represented a milestone, both in the global efforts to advance the disarmament agenda, and in promoting human security, development, respect for human rights and protection of the most vulnerable sectors in society.  Its full implementation was challenging and important.

KUNIKO INOGUCHI (Japan), Chairperson, said the meeting would provide an opportunity to identify appropriate strategies to address obstacles in implementing the Programme of Action over the past two years.  It would also serve to strengthen partnerships for action that had been set up through a variety of international assistance and cooperation initiatives.  The meeting should maximize the opportunity to boost the momentum created in July 2001 and reinvigorate the translation of the wordings of the Programme of Action into concrete, effective and robust deeds in the field.

Continuing, she said that the more than 70 reports submitted by countries to the Secretary-General, as well as other information from international, regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), gave a clear picture of the depth and extent of the commitment of the entire international community in responding to the call to combat, prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects.  The problem of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons was multidimensional and should be addressed accordingly.  Only by addressing the issue simultaneously at a global, regional and national level, and also by tackling the problem in a comprehensive and inclusive manner in all its thematic aspects, would it be possible to make progress.

She said that no State alone could prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  But, no State was alone in the struggle, for the Programme of Action provided a framework for collective action by all.  Indeed, under the Programme of Action, States had undertaken to cooperate to ensure coordination, complementarity and synergy in their efforts to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects at global, regional, sub-regional and national levels.  States further undertook to encourage the establishment and strengthening of cooperation and partnerships at all levels among international and intergovernmental organizations and civil society, including NGOs and international financial institutions.

In a message read by the Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it was difficult to overstate the importance of implementation of the Programme of Action.  He said that, after all, small arms and light weapons caused mass destruction.  They killed about 60 people an hour or half a million people a year, 90 per cent of whom were women and children.  Less quantifiable, but no less palpable, were the wider consequences of small arms proliferation, in terms of conflicts fuelled, peacekeepers threatened, aid denied, respect for law undermined and development stunted.

He said it was particularly encouraging that many Member States had shown their commitment by undertaking, in the past two years, national initiatives, as reflected in the national reports submitted to the meeting.  There had also been notable regional efforts during the period.  In all those initiatives, civil society, and especially the NGOs, had played a significant role.  He hoped for even greater progress in implementation in the years leading up to the second Biennial Meeting in 2005 and the Review Conference in 2006.  The United Nations remained firmly committed to playing its part in assisting the world community in preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit small arms trade.  (For the full text of the Secretary-General’s remarks, please see Press Release SG/SM/8772.)

CARLO TREZZA (Italy), speaking on behalf of the European Union, outlined Union activities to comply with the Programme of Action.  Those included strengthening specific domestic legislation, actively contributing to initiatives launched in relevant regional fora, and providing financial and technical assistance to countries affected by widespread accumulation of those arms.  In addition, the Joint Action on the Union contribution to combating the destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons was amended to include relevant ammunition.  The Union had also adopted a common position on arms brokering, requiring Member States to introduce ad hoc legislation to effectively control the activities of brokers.

In 2001-2003, he said, the Union had allocated about $7.7 million euros to finance actions by affected countries to deal with the excessive and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons.  It had supported projects in Cambodia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Albania.  It had also contributed to the running costs of the Stability Pact/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Clearinghouse on small arms and lights weapons.

Further substantive work was needed on export controls, he continued.  Those were an essential tool to curtail the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons.  The Union proposed elaborating common national and international standards, with the aim of preventing legal trade from being diverted into illegal channels, and limiting the excessive accumulation of arms in regions already affected by existing tensions or armed conflicts.  Ensuring effective control on brokering was considered a high priority by the Union.  Illicit brokering and trafficking were recognized as among the main factors fuelling the illegal trade worldwide.  Strict domestic legislation on brokering should be complemented by transparent exchange of relevant information.  

OLE PETER KOLBY (Norway) said that effective international cooperation on control of the small arms trade depended on agreement on the norms and standards for acceptable behaviour by States in connection with such activities.  That had to include a common approach to fighting international terrorism and organized crime.  It was encouraging that a growing number of governments were adopting and strengthening legislation and national measures for controlling the arms trade, and that regional cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic area, in Africa and in Latin America, was focusing on small arms issues. 

He noted, however, that while the United Nations Programme of Action on small arms was the most comprehensive global agreement ever to tackle the illicit trade in small arms, it had to be implemented by all Member States if it was to succeed.  He praised the participation of a large number of NGOs from all over the world, saying they were valuable partners in support of the international community’s efforts in the small arms sphere; many of them were doing “an excellent job” in that regard, he added.

STIG ELVEMAR (Sweden) said that addressing the root causes of the demand for small arms and light weapons was fundamental to the reduction of the means of violent conflict.  That called for strict export controls, control of brokering activities and the development of effective means for the systematic tracing of weapons, so that illegally diverted arms could be traced back to the point of diversion.

He said that in cases where armed conflict had been contained, successful disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants into civilian society had been pivotal to the prevention of a relapse into conflict.  It was important, therefore, to focus on all aspects of the DDR process, not the least, the more long-term reintegration process that was closely linked to economic and social development.  Additionally, the protection of children, including the prevention of their recruitment as child soldiers, deserved attention.

Export controls were a vital instrument in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, he continued.  A strict system of controls would help check the illegal traffic, as would controlling brokering activities through a multilateral binding agreement.  On the need for a system of tracing weapons, important elements were marking, record-keeping and international cooperation.

NCUMISA PAMELLA NOTUTELA (South Africa) said her country believed that the meeting should provide the opportunity for Member States to identify, as first priority, the level of implementation that had been achieved at the respective national levels.  South Africa had initiated, or had been involved in, a number of activities aimed at preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms.  The most important of those had been detailed in South Africa’s national report, which was made available at the meeting.

He said that, at the international level, South Africa had co-hosted the “African Conference on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms:  Needs and Partnerships” in Pretoria in March 2002.  The conference reviewed the commitments made in the Programme of Action and examined how countries from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and African States could support the national, sub-regional and international undertakings in its implementation.

At the regional level, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had adopted the Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials”, which was signed at the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Blantyre, Malawi, from 12 to 14 August 2002.  Nationally, legislation had been promulgated to, among other things, control civilian firearm ownership and regulate South Africa’s national system of arms transfers.

ROMAN KIRN (Slovenia) said his country had reshaped its legislation, regulations and administrative procedures relating to small arms and light weapons.  It had also set up a national contact point for small arms and light weapons to coordinate cooperation between relevant governmental institutions in the area.  Specifically, the contact point would seek improvements in the efficiency of governmental institutions dealing with small arms.  That would complement existing mechanisms in South-Eastern Europe and beyond and serve as a kind of matchmaker between donors, scientific institutions and other organizations working to control small arms.

In March 2003, he said, Slovenia had hosted the small arms conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which drew over 100 participants and was the first of its kind at the sub-regional level.  Participants during the two-day discussion addressed problems of export controls, weapons collection, stockpile management and international cooperation and assistance.

RAMEZ GOUSSOUS (Jordan) said small arms were fuelling existing conflicts.  He stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive and permanent peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict.  A solution to the Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflict would help limit the proliferation of small and light arms in the region and enhance cooperation between countries there.

He said his country believed in the need for cooperation to impose strict controls on illicit trade in small arms.  There was also need for legislation and cooperation between security and customs organizations of States, as well as the imposition of controls, registration and licensing mechanisms.  In addition, he called for active cooperation among countries in the exchange of information about the illicit small arms trade, the manufacture of those weapons, and their end users.

Jordan was working to mitigate the effects of the problem of small arms and their illicit trade, he said.  The issue of permits was being streamlined to prevent the entry of those weapons into the country.  Efforts were also being made to ensure that those who possessed them had no criminal record.  Campaigns were being organized, involving civil society, to educate the public about the issue.  Thus, the Programme of Action was being implemented in earnest.

YUKIYA AMANO (Japan) said the establishment of a tracing system of small arms would be an effective preventive measure.  Marking and ensuring record-keeping on each weapon would make it possible, through international cooperation, to trace and identify exactly how and where the illegal diversion of weapons took place.  Further, would facilitate the disruption of such illegal supply lines if illicit trafficking routes could be identified.  Regarding tracing, the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Tracing and Marking had completed its task and would be recommending that the Secretary-General initiate negotiations for an international instrument.

He said that since the consolidation of peace was one of the main pillars of Japan’s foreign policy, it followed that the issue of small arms should be seriously addressed.  Japan had hosted the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in 2002, where States had made significant pledges for assistance to Afghanistan.  Japan had also begun a project to support the Cambodian Government’s efforts to collect small arms.  Called the “weapons for development” project, it consisted of weapons collection, destruction ceremonies, public awareness raising, and weapons registration. 

ROBERT MCDOUGALL (Canada) said his country had submitted a report in English and French to outline its efforts in implementing the Programme of Action on illicit small arms trade at both local and international levels.  Within the margins of the present meeting, a publication entitled “Putting People First:  Human Security Perspectives on the Availability and Misuse of Small Arms” would be launched on Tuesday night.  It was based on consultations with NGOs and United Nations agencies and it would identify key elements of a people-centred approach to the problem and recommend measures to be taken.  Those included exercising restraint in arms transfers, promoting community-based policing and tackling gender-based violence.  The recommendations should be considered seriously and backed with action.

Recalling that the purpose of the present meeting was forward looking, he said participants were here to take stock of the Programme, learn from each others’ experiences, exchange findings and examine how parties could help each other with implementation.  Further, it was not too early to take the first steps towards considering how the Programme could be improved and what further goals could be set.  The Progamme’s evolution would not be considered until the 2006 conference, however, its consideration could begin, based on present findings about the real world security situation and the successes and failures to date in implementation. 

MARITZA PUERTAS De RODRIGUEZ (Peru) said her country was committed to international peace and security, and had signed a number of protocols and conventions dealing with all aspects of the problem of the illicit trade in, and manufacture of, small arms and light weapons.  Measures were being put in place to implement those instruments.  But, dealing with the problem which was multi-dimensional, required international cooperation and information exchanges, and technology transfer.  An inter-ministerial commission had been established to deal with all aspects of the question, including the link between the illicit trade in those arms and drug trafficking.  The Government was promulgating legislation on the subject.

She noted that a public ceremony had been organized for later this year on the destruction of illicit weapons, and public awareness campaigns had been launched on the dangers of small arms.  The culture of peace was also being inculcated into the public.  She called for information exchange and international cooperation for effective licensing to check the trade in illicit weapons.  Her Government had requested technical assistance from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

TOYI ASSIAH (Togo) said that the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons was a pernicious threat that could resist any attempt to eradicate it.  Most international conferences had taken note of the phenomenon’s existence.  Participants must now pledge to analyze and rapidly eradicate it.  However, they must first identify such illicit trade and proliferation as well as the causes of it.

He said that the illicit trade in small weapons was particularly salient in developing countries because of the chronic instability and greed, as well as the poverty and urban crime there.  Combating proliferation was a source of concern, but prevention must become the driving force.  Togo had set up a national commission to combat the proliferation and illicit trade in small weapons, which had already destroyed more than 200 weapons confiscated by security forces.  He appealed to countries and international organizations to continue to help Togo attain its goals in the arms field.

ADOLFO AGUILAR ZINSER (Mexico) said his Government had been implementing the Programme of Action.  A number of lessons had been learned, including the need for legal instruments to combat the illegal trade in small arms.  Another lesson was the value of international cooperation in tackling the problem.  Mexico had made progress in establishing national regimes to deal with the problem, but a great deal had to be done at the international level.  Mexico had put in place federal rules to regulate the trade and sales of small arms, including licensing and registration.  A national coordinating body had also been set up to fight illicit trafficking in small arms.

He said his country had also developed close cooperation with its neighbours on the subject.  More than 16,000 firearms and a great number of other weapons had been rendered harmless in the past year.  Mexico had recently signed a protocol on the subject of small arms and had enthusiastically supported follow-up actions to the 2001 Conference.  Governments would have to commit themselves to not allowing illicit arms to go to non-State users if conflicts were to be prevented.  NGOs must also be involved in the fight to eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  Small arms were weapons of mass destruction in Central Africa, and the international community must act to stop the flow of those arms to the region.

PETR LITAVRIN (Russian Federation) said that strict control of the production, trade and export of small weapons had already been incorporated into his country’s legislation before the Programme of Action was adopted.  In 2000, the Russian Federation and OSCE countries had elaborated and started implementing measures to reduce the illegal spread of small weapons.  The main task was to increase efforts to tighten control over them, which would mean improving interaction between other nations and international law enforcement agencies.

At the beginning of the 1990s, he continued, the Russian Federation had difficulties with small arms, which were related to problems within his country, as well as neighbouring States.  However, control had now improved in the country.  In recent years, law enforcement agents had confiscated more than 20,000 firearms, including 9,000 grenades.  Regular inspections were now being carried out, and inventories drawn up.  A draft had been formulated for a State programme directed at small arms for the period 2003-2007.  He hoped that the implementation of that programme would help provide a unified State system of accounting for small weapons.

PETER TESCH (Australia) said his country had developed a national firearm trafficking policy that provided for new laws, increased enforcement powers, improved customs and border controls, and stricter monitoring of firearms dealers.  The adequacy of safe storage compliance was also being reviewed with an emphasis on owners’ obligations to safely store firearms and with stock-limits imposed to reduce the risk of theft from commercial stockpiles.  Community access to handguns had been curbed, in particular, by a reduction in the circulation of concealable handguns.  Those recent measures were in addition to an already strict firearm control policy, under which murder from firearms had decreased from 99 incidents in 1996 to 49 in 2001.  That was a decrease from 31.7 per cent of homicides to 16 per cent.  Also, firearms-related deaths had declined from 523 in 1996 to 331 in 2000.

At the regional level, he said agreement had been reached by Pacific Island States on advancing the conclusion of model legislation for a regional approach to weapons control.  The agreement had been reached at a meeting Australia had co-hosted with Japan earlier this year.  The model Weapons Control Bill would be tabled at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Auckland in August.  In addition, Australia had been assisting Pacific Island countries to implement more effective stockpile management practices and to improve the physical security of armouries.  His country would discuss that issue in greater detail during the present meeting’s thematic debate.

Finally, he said, his country supported increased transparency as a confidence-building measure in regional and international contexts that would increase the transparency of defence exports by including a specific category on small arms exports in its defence reports.    

THOMAS GREMINGER (Switzerland) said his country had traditionally been dedicated to advancing peace and security between peoples and nations, as well as to conflict prevention and the promotion of economic prosperity.  Unlike past conflicts, most wars today were civil wars.  Fighters were regular army members under the control of both State and non-State actors.  The wars were fought mainly using small arms and light weapons.  The civilian population was often the target of violence.  Given that situation, security should no longer be considered merely an inter-State matter.  It should include a human security-centred perspective, which took account of individual security needs and those of vulnerable people.  The human security approach combined aspects of security policy, development, peace promotion, human rights and humanitarian needs.

He said the subject of non-State actors was closely related to the new style of modern warfare.  His country supplied small arms to non-State actors only with the consent of their national authorities.  It had tried to get such a provision included in the 2001 Programme of Action, but the time had not been right.  The questions involved should continue to be discussed informally.  For example, how should the wording of national export criteria be phrased so as to make the criteria relevant for transfers to non-State actors, he asked.  Likewise, a global tracing instrument to complement existing measures must be developed.  The decision to commission a group of United Nations experts to examine the feasibility of such an instrument was an important step in that direction. 

JEAN LINT (Belgium) said several legislative measures had been taken in his country to strengthen the legal trade of small arms and to combat their illicit trade.  In drawing up those measures, Belgium had incorporated criteria and operational provisions of the European Code of Conduct.  As a result, applications for foreign transit licenses for illicit weapons from recipient countries would now be rejected if such weapons would contribute to flagrant violations of human rights or to domestic repression.  They would also be rejected if child soldiers were being recruited in recipient countries, or if those nations encouraged terrorism or international organized crime.

In drawing up such measures, he continued, two guidelines had been considered –- guaranteeing the ability to track all weapons, and ensuring the safety and security of the legal arms trade.  The legal transfer of small weapons was often facilitated by brokers, but brokering could take place in a grey area, on the border of legal and illegal activity.  To fill the void governing the profession of brokers in the legal weapons trade, Belgium had adopted measures making it possible to regulate and monitor it.

CHRIS SANDERS (Netherlands) said his Government would have preferred a more ambitious plan of action in such areas as export control measures.  It was important that stock was taken of the results of the 2001 Conference to assess the progress made and to ascertain what further measures should be taken.  The Netherlands had set up a national focal point in its Foreign Ministry, although other departments were also dealing with the question of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.  Government experts on the subject met every three months to discuss it. Yet, more needed to be done. 

He said that research done by the Justice Ministry had showed that there were nearly 200,000 small arms in circulation in the country.  That had led to the establishment of regional centres to deal with the problem.  The Netherlands was not an arms-exporting country, and it had introduced rules to regulate the transit of arms through its borders.  Mandatory notification had also been established for that purpose.

In the past two years, the Government had worked hard to deal better with the problem posed by the illicit small arms trade.  No government could handle the problem alone.  The Netherlands had taken part in a United Nations expert group meeting on the subject.  It was also working with Norway.  It had devoted 2.3 million euros to help developing countries implement the Programme of Action.  Together with the United Kingdom and Norway, it planned to help developing countries prepare their national programmes.  Transparency and information sharing were crucial, he added. 

JERRY EKANDJO (Namibia) said the proliferation and illicit trade in small arms and light weapons was a multi-faceted scourge, negatively affecting all aspects of humanity and posing serious challenges to governments and people in new, daunting ways.  Development and progress to better people’s lives, particularly in many developing countries, were kept at bay by the use of those weapons.

He said that success in addressing the issue of small arms and light weapons lay in collective responsibility at global, regional and national levels.  While Africa was not the primary source of manufacturing small arms and light weapons, its people were the victims in immeasurable ways.  That heavy burden had been exacerbated by the costly demand of the war being waged against poverty, underdevelopment and the horrific HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Namibia, he continued, had convened its First National Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons in October 2002.  The Conference had adopted several resolutions aimed at eliminating small arms and light weapons, and had set up a national focal point of relevant ministries to address the problem of proliferation and illicit trade, and to ensure adequate laws and regulations, and administrative procedures for effective control over the possession and transfer of those arms nationally.

PHILIP GRIFFITHS (New Zealand) said the primary focus of small arms control in his country was on the lawful possession and use of firearms through licensing individuals, based on vetting systems, security requirements and training.  The Government was presently considering the legislative and other implications of fully implementing the Programme of Action.  It was a controversial issue in New Zealand, as some questioned the need for tougher laws on guns in the absence of a real gun problem.  New Zealand did not manufacture small arms and light weapons and had very low rates of gun-related violence and crime by international standards.  High range estimates -– however difficult to verify -- put New Zealand’s ownership at 1 million guns among 4 million people.

He said his country had been active in working with its regional partners to promote peace processes in Bougainville and in the Solomon Islands.  It believed that the small arms challenge called for a humanitarian response and an extra commitment to development, security, disarmament and arms control solutions.  The situation in the Solomon Islands had become particularly serious and, together with Australia and the Pacific Island countries, New Zealand was looking at what additional steps they might be able to take to help break the cycle of lawlessness and economic decline, which had paralyzed the Government of Solomon Islands. 

LINCOLN BLOOMFIELD (United States) said the ready availability of lethal weapons of war in the wrong hands was a serious impediment to conflict mediation, and a force protection concern for his “militaries”, including peacekeepers.  The international community must work even more energetically to curb the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  The United States was ready to engage in practical ways of reducing the terrible costs being exacted by those illicit weapons of local destruction.

He said that the United States had laws, policies and programmes supporting the Programme of Action.  Nationally, it had a robust and transparent system of laws and regulations governing national holding, manufacture, and international movement of small arms and light weapons.  All firearms were marked at the time of manufacture and import, and inventories of all national military holdings of those weapons were subjected to strict security controls and registration by serial number.

At the regional and global levels, the United States had sponsored resolutions in the Organization of American States (OAS) directed at small weapons, and had supported the OSCE efforts to develop “best practice” guides to assist States in setting up effective controls over such weapons, he said.  The country’s law enforcement training programmes included a focused curriculum on illicit arms trafficking for the countries of southern Africa.  Export control and border security programmes in over 30 countries worldwide provided legal assistance, training and equipment to prevent the illicit traffic in dangerous goods, including small arms and light weapons.

M. N. JUNAID (Sri Lanka) said a National Commission Against the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms in Sri Lanka was being set up in line with recommendations made by a 2002 United Nations evaluation mission to the country.  The Prime Minister, key ministries and members of civil society would be represented to bridge the gap between the Commission and those most affected by the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.  The Commission’s first objectives would be to initiate nationwide awareness-raising and sensitization campaigns, formulate weapons collection projects, and update the registry of existing arms in private and government hands.

He said the strengthening of national legislative frameworks was the way to enhance State abilities to deal effectively with terrorism and the transnational crimes linked directly to the illicit small arms trade.  That, in turn, was an essential prerequisite for successfully implementing international collaborative efforts to eliminate those activities.  Responsibilities for arms transfers needed to be spelled out more coherently to prevent legal transfers of small arms from ending up in the hands of non-State actors.  New approaches towards making non-State actors accountable should also be pursued, while establishing national, regional and international controls.  In his country, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam continued to smuggle illegal arms into the country despite every effort made by the security forces.  That exacerbated problems such as the training of children as combatants.  Those problems should be addressed in the context of the ongoing peace process.  

MILOS ALCALAY (Venezuela) said the proliferation of small arms and light weapons was of concern to his Government because of its impact, including on terrorism and drug trafficking.  There was also the convergence of political and other interests that fuelled the problem, requiring the need for international action.  A comprehensive approach at regional and subregional levels was also required to deal with the question.  He acknowledged the contributions of NGOs, but pointed out that the primary responsibility fell on governments.

In keeping with the Programme of Action, he said an office had been established primarily to implement rules and regulations on the export of such arms and weapons.  Venezuela had become party to the Inter-American Convention on the Small arms and other instruments relating to the subject.  It had introduced legislation aimed at disarming those in possession of illegal or illicit weapons.  The law was also designed to disseminate information on the topic and required the involvement of civil society in disseminating information about the dangers of illicit or illegal possession or trade in small arms and light weapons.  Last April, Venezuela was represented at a conference on the implementation of the Andean plan to combat and eradicate illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.  He hoped the present meeting would provide a fruitful contribution in the fight against the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons.

KIM SAM-HOON (Republic of Korea) said that national governments bore the primary responsibility for preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.  His country had put in place adequate laws, regulations and administrative procedures that effectively controlled the production and trade of those weapons to prevent their unauthorized manufacture or illicit trafficking.  The Government had maintained strict regulations on both military and non-military weapons, and had adopted several measures to tighten control on the trade in small arms from the supplier side.  The country also had stringent and effective licensing and authorization systems and export controls for small arms.

In addition, he continued, his Government had developed and maintained an electronic inventory of all its domestic military small arms and light weapons through a computer programme called the Firearms Management System.  Through that system, appropriate stockpile management, physical security measures and record keeping could be implemented.  The country had also put into effect a programme that engraved each military small arm or light weapon with a unique and permanent six-digit serial number issued by the Minister of National Defence.  It had also implemented policies for disposing such weapons.  Military weapons for disposal were burned or recycled, and the National Police Agency had designated an amnesty period for the voluntary surrender of illicit weapons once a year, during which those surrendering illicit weapons were exempt from criminal punishment.

JEAN-MARC DE LA SABLIÈRE (France) said his country associated itself with the statement made by the representative of Italy on behalf of the European Union.  He observed that the situation regarding the spread and illicit trade in small arms and light weapons since the 2001 Conference had not been very encouraging.  There was no single solution to the problem, but a combination of ones.  Strong international mobilization and national actions were necessary to combat that scourge.

At the universal level, he drew attention to the “Small Arms Survey” which was carried out by the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs.  The report referred to actions being taken by France in a transparent manner.  For example, France had provided information on the controls it had imposed to check the illegal flow of small arms and light weapons.  It was important that all States exchange information on the eradication of that scourge.  He expressed gratification at the work of the expert group that dealt with tracing the sources of illicit small arms and light weapons. 

He also drew attention to a report, initiated by France and the United Kingdom, on the control of exports of small arms and light weapons.  A universal approach was needed to deal with that crucial topic.  France was further developing its cooperation on the question of the illicit small arms traffic at the regional level.  There had been a regional initiative, which should lead to a document on best practices on the question.  France had also worked with its partners in the European Union to combat the scourge, and it was actively involved in peacekeeping operations in Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Also, his country had worked with ECOWAS on its moratorium on illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.

HU XIAODI (China) said the primary responsibility for combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons resided with the governments.  His Government had cracked down severely on firearms-related crimes in accordance with legislation.  Its report on implementation of the action plan would be distributed during the present meetings.

He said that arms brokers were important actors in the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons.  Control of the brokers must be strengthened to combat the trade, but measures should be in line with national conditions or else they could be ineffective or even counter-productive.  Those brokers did not have legal status under Chinese law.  Only State-authorized arms trading companies could conduct arms trade or related activities.  In addition, the multifaceted issue of converting military industrial enterprises into civilian production should be given attention.  In China, many State-owned military industrial enterprises had switched to civilian production with the effect of maximizing the military industrial structure and strengthening administration over arms production and export.  However, some enterprises could not adapt to the civil market, which could have a negative impact on the Government’s control over small arms and light weapons.  How to help such enterprises get out of difficulties was an important development concern.  China had donated $10,000 to the Department for Disarmament Affairs towards its efforts on small arms and light weapons.

SALVADOR STADTHAGEN (Nicaragua) said his country had continued its leadership role in limiting armaments in the Central American region.  His President had recently agreed that an inter-institutional mechanism should prepare a proposal on limiting armaments.  That would be disseminated soon and other countries would then work with Nicaragua to strengthen security in the region.

He said that all individuals could fall victim to violent crime, including that perpetrated by the followers of organized crime.  The availability of small arms and light weapons to the general population had escalated, especially in recent years, and no country was spared the terrible threat of such weapons.  His country was creating a national commission for verification control, which would incorporate the best possible international practices.  In addition, a regional project was under way among Central American countries to cut down on crime statistics, violence, and on the availability of small arms and light weapons, as a follow up to the Programme of Action.

MILAD ATIEH (Syria) stressed the urgent importance of international efforts and cooperation to eradicate the problem.  He emphasized Syria’s adherence to all international instruments and to the United Nations Charter principles dealing with the matter and the right of States to self-defence.  He also referred to the right of every State to manufacture small arms for its defence, and emphasized the right of peoples to self-determination and to use all methods necessary to combat foreign domination.

He said his country was not a producer or exporter of small arms.  Nor was it a transit country.  It had in place strict controls on licenses, in terms of quantity.  Other licenses covered light military weapons, including explosives.  Syria’s national report included a decree on the illicit trade, and it was working on national mechanisms to fully implement the Programme of Action.  It would work with other delegations to ensure the success of the current meeting.

HYNEK KMONĺČEK (Czech Republic) said that the uncontrolled accumulation, proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons undermined development and jeopardized prospects for democracy and human rights in some parts of the world.  National responsibility and actions taken by governments at the national, regional and global levels were crucial for the success of the implementation of the Programme of Action in that respect.

He said that, once implemented, that action plan should result in the achievement of national legislation to control the possession, manufacture, export and import of small arms and light weapons, essential for further extensive global cooperation and exchange of information. 

The Czech Republic had recognized the importance of regional cooperation, especially within the OSCE regarding the transfer of small arms and light weapons, he went on.  At the global level, it had provided $15,000-worth of financial assistance to the seminar in Central Africa on the implementation of the Programme of Action, and had contributed $50,000 through the United Nations Foundation, to peace and disarmament education subprojects in Latin America and Africa, he added.

SILVIA CORADO CUEVAS (Guatemala) said her country had introduced specific legislative measures for the effective control of small arms and light weapons.  The Law on the Control of Arms and Ammunition dealt with the exportation, importation, transit, forwarding, manufacture of and illicit trading in those arms.  There were also provisions in force providing for the arrest of culprits, the investigation of crimes and the prosecution of natural and legal persons taking part in illegal activities, whether as perpetrators, accomplices or receivers.

She said the aim of such measures was to permit a higher degree of oversight on the possession and bearing of arms and to organize a system for the registration of arms in the hands of private parties.  A legal framework had been established that provided for complete registries in a detailed and rigorous manner.  Despite such steps, however, Guatemala would need international assistance if it was to implement programmes for action on the technical plane, which would impart greater efficiency to its systems of control and registration.

Guatemala had complemented its national efforts through initiatives on the subregional, regional and global levels, she said.  The Central American Security Commission, for example, had approved the Central American Project to Prevent and Combat the Illicit Trade on Small Arms and Light Weapons in June 2003.  Under that instrument, mechanisms for permanent consultation and evaluation had enabled countries to coordinate actions for preventing, combating and eliminating unlawful traffic in small arms and light weapons.  Although constraints in human resources and funding had made it difficult for Central American countries to maintain fully effective control at its borders, the agencies concerned were doing their best to improve the control they exercised.

NORMA TAYLOR ROBERTS (Jamaica) said the effects of the illicit trade in small arms had been most harmful on her country’s society in combination with the illegal drug trade.  Its proximity to the lucrative markets of North America and Europe had led to significant growth in the use of small arms in the constant fight for turf to secure profits from the drug trade.  Narco-traffickers often provided guns along with the drug supply as part of the payment for cargo.  An extensive coastline made Jamaica vulnerable despite the best efforts of the security forces.

To address such challenges, she said her country had taken steps to strengthen its borders by tightening security at major entry ports.  Bilateral partners had enabled it to acquire “go-fast” boats to help patrol the coast.  Stringent measures had been implemented to monitor the movement of dangerous cargo throughout territorial waters and into ports.  In terms of legislation, policy objectives included the inventory and audit of all licensed firearms, establishing standards for issuing licenses, and strengthening administrative procedures for firearms applications.  Also, a recently introduced Corruption Prevention Act monitored by a Corruption Commission would deal severely with corrupt officials involved in the importation of illegal weapons.  Weapons destruction and public relations programmes were also being carried out.  Jamaica was particularly keen to see the development of a common mechanism to mark and trace all weapons manufactured and exported so States could dismantle the transnational criminal organizations involved in the weapons trade.

CHUKA CHIDEBELEZE UDEDIBIA (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the African Group of States, said individual African countries, at the national level, had taken various measures to implement the Programme of Action.  The same priority had guided their efforts at the regional or subregional levels.  The first Ministerial Review meeting of the 2000 Nairobi Declaration on the Problem of the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa, held in Kenya in August 2002, sought to assess progress made since the signing of that Declaration.  Progress had been reported in the setting up of national focal points, but most of them lacked the necessary resources and capacity to implement their obligations under the Declaration.

He said that in the southern African region, the 14-member countries of the SADC had now all ratified the legally binding Protocol on Firearms and Ammunition and Other Related Materials.  In the West African region, the ECOWAS Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa had continued to be a useful instrument for a coordinated and sustainable regional approach to controlling the illicit proliferation of small arms in the region.  In the Central African region, the United Nations Advisory Committee on Security Questions had continued to promote arms restraint and disarmament and confidence-building measures.  Representatives of States in that region had agreed at a meeting last May to establish a commission to coordinate policies on the issue of small arms and light weapons, and on reinforcing the capacities of their security agencies to control such weapons.

African leaders had always used every opportunity to reaffirm their political commitment to harmonize, pursue and consolidate their actions on the issue of illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons, he continued.  Africa’s experience had shown that one of the most effective strategies in dealing with the problem of the illicit small arms trade was to control their source.  Many African countries were ill-equipped to counter the massive flow of illicit arms into their territories, however.  Any sincere effort on the part of the international community to tackle the small arms menace should include a provision for the imposition of appropriate sanctions on arms manufacturers and suppliers whose products were found in illicit hands.

He called for a legally binding international instrument to enable States to trace the flow of small arms and light weapons from their source, including a provision for the appropriate marking of arms. 

NINETA BARBULESCU (Romania) said the primary responsibility for enacting and implementing export control legislation rested solely on individual States.  Sound national legislation in that domain was an important tool for preventing and combating the illicit small arms trade.  After the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Romania had reassessed and strengthened its export control systems to impede access and acquisition by terrorist and criminal groups of arms and other strategic items.  In addition, the National Agency for Export Control, which had been set up in January 2001, had ensured better coordination of export-control activities among Romanian authorities.

She said that the Ministry of Defence had elaborated a national programme for the destruction of surplus small arms and light weapons in 2001.  Under that programme, some 195,510 categories of such weapons and over 36 million pieces of ammunition were being destroyed, with the financial support of the United States, Norway, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.  In addition, concrete actions were being carried out under a programme called “Transparency, Cooperation and Communication”, which aimed to strengthen export control compliance, disseminate legislation and licencing procedures, educate and train export control teams and companies, and maintain an honest image of the country and companies.

Outlining elements relevant to further effective implementation of the Programme of Action, she said those included setting up adequate national legislation to regulate small arms and light weapons, which would focus on the production, transfer and possession of such weapons, as well as sanction for violations of national regulations.  Also, regional cooperation on export control should be strengthened through assistance programmes and dissemination of relevant information.  Countries should also make full use of existing bilateral, multilateral and regional initiatives and mechanisms of cooperation, “lessons learned”, and “good practices”.  In addition, a database should be set up on national legislation as a useful tool for licensing and law enforcement authorities.

RONALDO M. SARDENBERG (Brazil) said his country was committed to effectively implementing the Programme of Action.  Since 1934, it had in place legislation on the control of small arms and light weapons, and it had ratified the Convention against the Illicit Manufacture and Trade of Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives.  Laws and regulations had been reviewed to incorporate new provisions, including those contained in that Convention.  Legislation currently in force assigned to the Brazilian Army the duty of exercising control over activities involving the manufacture, importation, exportation, transport and trade of small arms and light weapons.  All such weapons manufactured in Brazil would be marked and registered.

He said that Brazilian legislation made it a criminal offence to own or offer to sell arms that did not abide by the legal and regulatory provisions.  Sanctions included fines and imprisonment for up to four years.  All civilian arms exports and transit could only be conducted by authorized dealers, including brokers, and required previous export licensing by the army.  Brazil attached importance to the follow-up process of the 2001 Conference and it expected States to agree on basic control and cooperation elements so that brokering activities could be effectively controlled and illicit brokering halted.

MAKMUR WIDODO (Indonesia) said his country had been active in enhancing its capacity to implement the Programme of Action by, among other things, organizing a national seminar in November 2001 and, in collaboration with the United Nations and the Government of Japan, the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bali last February.  Indonesia was open to any form of technical and financial cooperation and assistance to further strengthen its capacity to implement the Programme of Action.

He said that issues of poverty, unemployment and social conflicts were among the conditions that gave rise to crimes, including the illegal trade in arms.  A comprehensive effort to combat such crimes should address those issues through sound social and economic policies.  Indonesia welcomed international cooperation to prevent, combat and eradicate the destabilizing scourge.

* *** *