Sixty-first General Assembly

First Committee

15^th Meeting (AM)

HUGE, SOPHISTICATED CONVENTIONAL ARMS TRADE FLOURISHING IN MORAL, LEGAL

VACUUM, FIRST COMMITTEE TOLD IN CONTINUED DEBATE

 

Speakers also Address Illicit Small Arms Trade,

International Nature of Problem, Need for Arms Trade Treaty

Conventional weapons were becoming something of a blind spot for the international community, and an overemphasis on small arms could overlook the huge quantities of sophisticated conventional weapons and technology being traded worldwide, the representative of Pakistan told the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, as it continued its debate on conventional weapons.

He said that such trade flourished in a moral and legal vacuum, disrupting regional balances, escalating tensions and resulting in a colossal waste of resources.  Conventional arms control needed to be pursued primarily in the regional and subregional contexts, he added, since most threats to peace and security arose from States located in the same region or subregion.  On that issue, Pakistan also today introduced a draft on “regional disarmament”, which stressed that such measures enhanced the security of all States. 

The representative of Sierra Leone, however, said that, on the specific issue of small arms and light weapons, the focus should be on international approaches.  “There’s still a tendency to underestimate the international nature of the problem, as well as the need for legally-binding international instruments”, he said.  It was difficult to understand the resistance against tough, legal measures at the international level, when punitive measures had been advocated to deal with international threats posed by nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.  The issue could not be addressed by declarations or administrative measures alone, he added.

The representative of Cameroon said that, because of the devastating effects of small arms and light weapons, they were increasingly compared to weapons of mass destruction.  Every year, they caused the deaths or mutilation of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children.  In addition to causing armed conflicts and promoting crime and terrorism, they also undermined recovery and development.  In Central Africa, armed attacks were common, and there existed widespread banditry and roadblocks in border regions.  It had been noted that the situation in Darfur had increased the flows of illicit weapons, while decreasing regional security, all of which posed a serious threat to the region’s well-being and jeopardised efforts at investment and development.  There was a need for an effective arms trade treaty, he said. 

The representative of Benin said that fewer resources should be allocated to weapons and more to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, so that extreme poverty could be eliminated.  There was also a need to integrate the combating of small arms and light weapons into a strategy for conflict prevention.  Given the seriousness of the problem, the United Nations must remain the crucible for inclusive multilateral cooperation.  He hoped that regional norms would find broader acknowledgement in a multilateral framework.  Producer countries should be held more accountable, and measures to limit the supply of such weapons needed to be supplemented by addressing such factors as the unemployment of young people and the exploitation of natural resources.

On the issue of landmines other than anti-personnel mines, the representative of India said that a future instrument on such weapons would supplement existing instruments on anti-personnel mines in addressing humanitarian challenges.  While India supported the humanitarian objectives of the Ottawa Convention, that instrument did not address the national security concerns of States with long land borders, where minefields at frontiers would continue to form an important component of defence in times of conflict.  While India’s security requirements necessitated the use of anti-personnel mines, they were used in accordance with internationally acknowledged security norms and safety parameters, he said. 

Statements were also made by the representatives of Morocco, Spain, Suriname, Ethiopia, Denmark, Bulgaria and Yemen.

The Committee will meet again at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, 18 October, to continue its thematic debate on conventional weapons, begin its debate on other disarmament measures and international security, and hear the further introduction of draft resolutions and decisions.

Background

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this morning to continue its thematic debate on conventional weapons and hear introduction of several draft texts.

Statements

SIHAM MOURABIT (Morocco) said that excessive accumulation and illicit trade in small arms threatened international peace and security and social development, while plunging developing countries into destitution and poverty.  Highlighting the lack of a final outcome document at the Review Conference on implementation of the Programme of Action, she said that it was imperative that the international community agree international action was a priority.  The instrument adopted on tracing small arms, though not legally-binding, was a good starting point.  Small arms promoted transnational crime and armed conflict, which further aggravated a country’s insecure situation.  Furthermore, it made attempts at reconciliation and post-conflict peacebuilding difficult.  Their illicit transfer was an obstacle to development, as well.

Work must continue on combating the illicit transfer of small arms, she continued.  Regional and subregional initiatives should also be considered.  She urged the Committee to conclude a legally-binding instrument on brokerage, while appealing to the international community to provide the necessary machinery for international cooperation on the illicit trade.

GERARDO BUGALLO OTTONE ( Spain) said that his country fully shared the goals of the Antigua Declaration against small arms and light weapons, as well as the United Nations Programme of Action.  On the issue of mines in Latin America, Spain supported the efforts of the Central American Integration System to meet the objectives of a zone free of landmines, as well as ensuring that all of Latin America was free of landmines.

NICOLE HEW A KEE ( Suriname) said that the uncontrolled spread of conventional weapons continued to be the cause of conflict and organized crime, especially narco-trafficking, throughout the world and especially in Africa.  In light of that, Suriname remained fully committed to the implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms.

There was an urgent need to regulate and reduce the trade of conventional weapons, she continued.  Many people were killed daily by conventional weapons and the international community had to step up to the plate and demonstrate the necessary political will to end the suffering of innocent civilians, especially women and children.

She also noted that, with international assistance, Suriname was able to clear anti-personnel landmines laid during the internal conflict of the 1980s.  Suriname reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of the Ottawa Convention, in order to reach the attainment of a mine-free world.

DESALEGN ALEMU ( Ethiopia) said that the issue of landmines was of particular interest for his country, which was severely affected by the widespread havoc of unexploded ordnance from past external wars and internal conflicts, particularly in its northern and eastern parts.  In view of the tremendous harm being inflicted on human lives and on development activities, particularly agriculture, Ethiopia had designed a national plan and established the Ethiopian Mine Action Office. 

He said that a number of promising results had been registered in the past few years.  A national landmine impact survey in 2003-2004 had indicated that more than 1.9 million people in the country were directly or indirectly affected by landmines.  Some 2,226 hectares of land had been cleared of unexploded mines from March 2002 to March 2006, and 76 per cent of the total land area thus far cleared had been put to use for economic and social development activities.

He said that the rehabilitation of landmine survivors had been given paramount importance, and the Government was working towards a lasting solution for the victims.  Mine risk education was being carried out, and a strong sense of collaboration was being nurtured with the local community.  A national committee was being set up, and a national focal point for the implementation of the Ottawa Convention was being assigned.  Once that process was complete, Ethiopia would be in yet a better position to fulfil all of its treaty obligations, including the submission of national reports on a regular basis.

He said that, as one of the 24 parties to the Ottawa Convention known to have a high number of mine victims and survivors, Ethiopia needed continued financial and technical assistance.  The international community, particularly the developed countries and the concerned United Nations bodies, deserved to be thanked for their kind assistance.  He said he remained confident that their cooperation would be intensified, with a view to buttressing Ethiopia’s national efforts.

IB RITTO ANDREASEN ( Denmark) said that he aligned himself with Finland’s statement on behalf of the European Union, that uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons were at the heart of the security challenges of the present time.  Armed conflicts were aggravated and prolonged by the unrestrained transfer of arms, which caused insecurity, poverty and human rights violations.  Denmark supported an arms trade treaty, which should be legally-binding and include all such weapons.

MARTIN BELINGA EBOUTOU ( Cameroon) said that, because of the devastating effects of small arms, they were increasingly compared to weapons of mass destruction.  Every year, they caused the deaths or mutilation of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children.  They were the reason for armed conflicts and promoted crime and terrorism.  They also undermined recovery and development.

As Cameroon was located in Central Africa -- a region that was a source of concern for the international community because of conflicts in that region –- his Government could not be indifferent to the debate.  In Central Africa, armed attacks were common; there was widespread banditry and roadblocks on border regions.  All that was a serious threat to the region’s well-being and jeopardised efforts at investment and development.  As a co-sponsor of the draft resolution on an arms trade treaty, Cameroon saw the need for an effective treaty, with international standards for a responsible arms trade.

On a regional level, several initiatives had been launched.  The 2003 Brazzaville Seminar on the 2001 Programme of Action had adopted a programme of priority actions.  It was noted that the situation in Darfur had increased the flows of illicit weapons, while decreasing regional security.  A subregional conference was to be held in Yaoundé in 2007, which aimed at mobilizing the international community’s support based on specific border security projects in Central Africa.  Support from the African Union, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, were all necessary in organizing the upcoming meetings. 

Furthermore, the 2005 adoption of a tracing instrument on small arms was a step in the right direction, he continued.  Legally-binding measures were needed and the question of munitions also must be addressed.  The adoption of an instrument on brokering was, likewise, necessary.  On the issue of man-portable air defence systems, it was crucial to adopt international standards on those weapons as soon as possible. 

ANIL BASU ( India) said that the unregulated and illicit trade in conventional weapons and small arms and light weapons continued to have devastating consequences.  The direct costs included death, injury, the cost of caring for the wounded and disabled, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.  The indirect costs included displacement, destitution and prolonged underdevelopment.  Such proliferation gravely endangered the security of States, disrupted their social harmony and hampered growth and development.  It also fostered organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal exploitation of natural resources, while promoting sectarian violence, insurgency and terrorism.  For that reason, India was strongly committed to the full implementation of the Programme of Action.

He said he hoped for cooperative action, including on brokering and the prohibition of the transfer of weapons to non-State actors.  Future biennial meetings of States would provide a welcome opportunity to take stock of national implementation of the Programme of Action.  The General Assembly could then consider further practical steps to strengthen and promote the Programme’s implementation. 

He said that India was among 20 states that adhered to the entire Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, which it favoured strengthening through a compliance mechanism.  India also supported the creation of a sponsorship programme to facilitate enhanced participation from mine and explosive remnants of war-affected States parties in Convention-related meetings.  He said that India’s policy on landmine use was regulated by an abiding concern for protection of civilian life from the threats posed by irresponsible use of mines other than anti-personnel mines, including improvised explosive devices.  A future instrument on such mines would supplement existing instruments on anti-personnel mines in addressing humanitarian challenges. 

He said that India supported the humanitarian objectives of the anti-personnel mine ban Convention.  At the same time, it recognized the limitations of that Convention in not addressing national security concerns of States with long land borders, where minefields at frontiers would continue to form an important component of defence in times of conflict.  While India’s security requirements necessitated the use of anti-personnel mines, they were used in accordance with internationally acknowledged security norms and safety parameters.  India favoured strengthened cooperation in mind clearance.

MASOOD KAHN ( Pakistan) said that conventional weapons and arms were becoming something of a blind spot for the international community.  Overemphasis on small arms could overshadow the importance of sophisticated conventional weapons and technology being traded in huge quantities worldwide.  Trade in combat aircraft, aircraft carriers, airborne and early-warning and control systems, missile defence, nuclear submarines and warships disrupted regional balances and escalated tensions.  Such trade also flourished in a moral and legal vacuum.

He said that he had called global military expenditure a colossal waste of resources in 1978, and that had only worsened, with expenditure exceeding
$1.1 trillion in 2006.  Meanwhile, the United Nations had a budget that was less than 1.5 per cent of the world’s military expenditure.  Moreover, the total value of international arms transfer agreements, from 2001 to 2004, was $131 billion.  Developing countries accounted for 63.2 per cent of all international arms deliveries.  Furthermore, arms sellers encouraged all sides in a conflict to buy more weapons -– some of them seeing conflict situations as a unique selling opportunity.

He believed that conventional arms control needed to be pursued primarily in the regional and subregional contexts, since most threats to peace and security arose from States located in the same region or subregion.  He also could not overemphasize the value of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe -– a cornerstone of European security. 

Further concrete action was called for, he said.  First, the Department for Disarmament Affairs could analyze the data on arms transfers and help States develop benchmarks for conventional arms control at regional and subregional levels.  Data extrapolated from the Conventional Arms Register and the Standardized Instrument could serve as significant early-warning mechanisms.  Secondly, the Conference on Disarmament could consider formulation of the principles that could serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control.  He added that massive induction of sophisticated weaponry accentuated conventional asymmetries and compelled greater reliance on nuclear and missile deterrence in the regions that had such capabilities.  In South Asia, the Strategic Restraint Regime was based on conflict resolution, nuclear and missile restraint, and conventional balance.

He looked forward to a successful Third Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, while noting that differences remained on anti-vehicular mines in the areas of detectability, active life, recording and removal of minefields, and categorization of fuses and censors.  He said that he believed the Convention and its five protocols adequately addressed humanitarian aspects of mines, including anti-vehicular mines.

Introducing a draft on “regional disarmament” (A/C.1/61/L.41), ROZINA TUFAIL ( Pakistan) said that it was important to pursue disarmament efforts at international and regional levels.  In most areas of tension, regional approaches could offer the most effective way to enhance security.  The draft expressed the conviction that such measures enhanced the security of all States.  Adoption of the draft should encourage concerned countries to step up efforts at regional disarmament, strength regulation and international security.  She expressed the hope that it would be adopted without a vote.

SYLVESTER EKUNDAYO ROWE ( Sierra Leone) said that the reason for urgency in taking action on the issue of small arms and light weapons was that “thousands of innocent people are being killed and maimed every day”.  Thousands more starved to death or languished in refugee camps.  All of that suffering involved the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons.

He said that it was essential to reassess the understanding of humanitarian and security implications and expressed the hope that next year the First Committee would hold a joint debate with the Third Committee on the humanitarian and security aspects of small arms and light weapons.  Experts in human rights law, health and other fields would be invited to the special debate.  The proliferation of small arms was an urgent human security matter.  It was essential to reassess the global international dimension of the problem and acknowledge the necessity for tough measures, especially at the international level, to eradicate the scourge.

He said punitive measures had been advocated to deal with international threats posed by nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.  It was difficult to understand the reluctance, resistance even, against tough, legal measures at the international level to combat the proliferation of illicit weapons, which did not merely threaten peace and security, but also caused much destruction of human life, particularly in Africa.  The issue could not be addressed by declarations or administrative measures alone.  “There’s still a tendency to underestimate the international nature of the problem, as well as the need for legally binding international instruments”, he said.

He said he hoped that States would join the instrument on an arms trade treaty, guided by the imperative that human security and protection of innocent lives should be at the heart of all efforts for responsible arms trade and transfer.

PETKO DRAGANOV (Bulgaria), aligning itself with the statement on conventional weapons made by Finland on behalf of the European Union, said that Bulgaria was co-sponsoring the draft resolution “Towards an arms trade treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms”.  It was in the Committee’s common and global interest to put in place an effective arms control treaty that would establish legally-binding principles for the trade in conventional weapons.  Setting effective international standards was essential for reinforcing the Committee’s commitment to deal with the human security and humanitarian concerns associated with the illegal arms trade.  Bulgaria also supported the proposal to establish a group of governmental experts, entrusted with the task of producing recommendations on the core elements of a future instrument.

On the national level, he said that Bulgaria had established a viable national export control system based on the principles and best practices applied within the framework of the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  Current Bulgarian legislation envisaged licensing procedures for both exporting companies and brokers, as well as: the issuance of a permit for each individual transaction; and the provision of pre- and post-shipment assurance and verification, including end-user certificates by the competent authority of the recipient country and a delivery verification certificate.  Assurances were also needed to confirm goods would not be re-sold or otherwise transferred to a third party.  Strict sanctions were also envisaged for possible violators and the arms trade control instruments were constantly looked at for possible improvement and amendments.

JEAN-FRANCOIS ZINSOU ( Benin) said that on the subject of small arms, his Government agreed with Pakistan’s statement that there was a link between military expenditure and development and the elimination of poverty.  More resources must be allotted to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and fewer resources to weapons, so that extreme poverty could be eliminated.

He noted that the Review Conference on the Programme of Action had achieved success in allowing States to be better-equipped on the illicit transfer of small arms, so that their activities were more effective.  However, further strengthening of international cooperation was needed in that arena.  There was also a need to integrate the fight against small arms into a strategy for conflict prevention.  Though the Review Conference had stumbled on the issue of a five year evaluation cycle, the Programme of Action was still the appropriate framework to combat that scourge.

The United Nations must remain the crucible for inclusive multilateral cooperation, given the seriousness of the scourge, he continued.  It was necessary to have binding legal frameworks that were non-discriminatory and transparent.  Benin had lent its support for the adoption of an arms trade treaty.  He hoped that regional norms would find broader acknowledgement in a multilateral framework.  It was incumbent on producer countries to be more accountable.  Measures to limit the supply of small arms needed to be supplemented by addressing such factors as the unemployment of young people and the exploitation of natural resources.  On anti-personnel landmines, Benin encouraged their complete elimination under the Ottawa Convention.

ISMAIL MOHAMED YAHYA ALMAABRI (Yemen) said that the spread of small arms and light weapons throughout his country was complex and widespread -- a result of a multitude of considerations and historical factors, including its geographical location and proximity to flashpoints of tension and conflict in the Horn of Africa, the long coastline and rugged topography of its territory, and the social fabric and culture, which considered the personal weapon as a major feature of the personality of the land.  All of those factors had combined to facilitate the widespread circulation of small arms and light weapons throughout society. 

He said that, at end of the last century, Yemen had recognized the danger of the phenomenon and the importance of international efforts to combat the plague of small arms.  Yemen participated in the Review Conference, based on the conviction that the programme of action provided a viable basis for cooperation at the international level, while recognizing that the scope of the problem in Yemen required measures that exceeded available national resources.  It was important to redouble international efforts to support action, in that regard.

He said that Yemen continued its vigorous efforts, and had taken a host of measures and actions, including legislation to combat the illicit small arms and light weapons trade.  A new bill submitted to parliament authorized only the State to import weapons to meet the basic needs of security.  Individuals would be prohibited from importing any type of weapons.  All market outlets for selling weapons had been closed, and weapons were being collected, all of which incurred heavy financial costs.  The national Coast Guard was working to stop international arms transfers along Yemen’s coastline.  Tight control of the coastline would require enormous resources, exceeding the country’s capabilities.  More cooperation and support was needed to that end.  There had also been great progress in landmine clearance, as well as awareness activities, technical surveys and provision of support to landmine victims.

He called for renewed international and regional efforts in the area of small arms.  It was important, however, that those efforts still recognize the regional right of people under occupation to exercise their right to self-determination and to live in freedom, peace and security.  Further, countries had the right to protect themselves and exercise legitimate self-defence to maintain their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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For information media • not an official record