United Nations Conference on the

Illicit Trade in Small Arms

1^st Meeting (AM)

SMALL ARMS CONFERENCE URGED TO FORGE COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN

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

Background Release

CONFERENCE ON SMALL ARMS SET TO CONVENE AT HEADQUARTERS, 9 - 20 JULY

The United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects will be held at Headquarters from 9 to 20 July, to address the increasing threat to human security from the spread of small arms and light weapons and their illegal trade.

CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT APPOINTS THREE SPECIAL COORDINATORS

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 22 June (UN Information Service) -- The Conference on Disarmament this morning appointed three Special Coordinators on the review of its agenda, expansion of membership and improved and effective functioning.

RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES REVISED CHEMICAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION PROGRAMME

(Reissued as received.)

THE HAGUE, 14 June (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) -- the Government of the Russian Federation finally adopted its revised chemical weapons destruction programme.  Accordingly, the destruction of the Russian chemical weapons stockpile, which has already commenced on a limited scale, would be completed by 2012.

CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT DECIDES TO APPOINT THREE SPECIAL COORDINATORS

Coordinators Would Consult on Review of Agenda,

Expansion of Membership, Improved and Effective Functioning

GENEVA, 14 June (UN Information Service) -- The Conference on Disarmament this morning decided in a consensus to appoint three Special Coordinators on the review of its agenda, the expansion of its membership and its improved and effective functioning.

REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON REVISION, FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION

OF INTERNATIONAL MINE ACTION STANDARDS IN LIMA

BELARUS ANNOUNCES RATIFICATION OF OPEN SKIES TREATY

AT CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

Incoming President of Conference:

Amorim Proposal Good Basis for Further In-Depth Consultations

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 31 May (UN Information Service) -- A representative of Belarus this morning informed the Conference on Disarmament that the Parliament of Belarus had ratified the Open Skies Treaty on 17 May 2001.

CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT STARTS SECOND PART OF 2001 SESSION

President Says Delegations Concerned about How

International Developments Will Affect Work of Conference

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 17 May (UN Information Service) -- The Conference on Disarmament this morning held the first public plenary of the second part of its 2001 session, hearing statements by the representatives of Turkey, Japan, Belgium and France.

TWO UNITED NATIONS DOCUMENTARIES HONOURED AT WORLDMEDIA FESTIVAL

IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

Awards for Documentaries go to "Armed to the Teeth" and "Legacies of War"

The United Nations produced documentaries "Armed to the Teeth" and "Legacies of War" have received Gold and Silver awards respectively at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany.