10 July 2006
Secretary-General
SG/SM/10558
DC/3038
(UN Press Release)
Secretary-General disappointed small arms conference ended without agreement but says Global Community committed to action plan to curtail illicit trade
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is disappointed that the United Nations Conference to review the implementation of the Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons has ended without agreeing on an outcome document.
He notes, however, that many States sent high-level representatives to the conference, and that many civil society groups contributed energetically to its discussions. To that extent, the Conference did succeed in recalling the issue of small arms and light weapons to the attention of the international community, which clearly remains committed to the Programme of Action as the main framework for measures to curtail the illegal trade in these weapons.
Delegates from all parts of the world reaffirmed that the most urgent task is to take firm steps to control illicit arms brokers. This issue will be studied in depth by a United Nations intergovernmental expert group, which will hold its first session in November.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 10, 2006
10:52 AM
CONTACT: Center for Defense Information
Rachel Stohl, rstohl@cdi.org, 202.797.5283
or, Whitney Parker, wparker@cdi.org, 202.797.5287
UN Small Arms Conference Collapses; U.S. Key Resister to Compromise
WASHINGTON - July 10 - The two-week UN Review Conference on Small Arms concluded Friday with no agreement. Participants in the Small Arms Working Group (SAWG) expressed disappointment at the Conference’s failure to reach a conclusion. SAWG was dismayed by the actions and attitude of the United States. “The failure of the conference to agree on any document squandered an opportunity to establish critical agreements to combat small arms trafficking,” said Rachel Stohl, a senior analyst with the Center for Defense Information who chairs the Small Arms Working Group. “U.S. intransigence significantly contributed to the collapse of this conference” she added.
The meeting was intended to review progress on the agreed 2001 Programme of Action and strengthen efforts for continued UN work on small arms. From the outset, the United States made clear its redlines – those issues on which they would not compromise in a final document – including references to development, inclusion of ammunition, a ban on sales of weapons to non-state actors, references to civilian possession, and mandatory follow-up. These U.S. positions were in stark contrast with the views of the majority of states. The U.S. refused to negotiate, and throughout the two weeks the United States thwarted efforts to strengthen national regulations to control small arms, to allow references on the impact of small arms on development, and refused to agree to convene future UN meetings on small arms. U.S. obstinacy during the two weeks also harmed U.S. efforts to gain its own conference priorities, as other countries were unwilling in many cases to support U.S. concerns.
“It is deeply disconcerting that the United States would not work with the international community and compromise,” said Sarah Margon, a policy advisor at Oxfam America. “The unequivocal opposition of the United States to so many issues that had near universal agreement had serious implications for U.S. credibility,” Margon added. Adding insult to injury, the United States held up its own practices as a model for other countries to follow at the end of the conference, after resisting all attempts for compromise and ways forward.
Although the conference failed, efforts to control the proliferation and misuse will continue. “One thousand people die every day from small arms and the international community faces an urgent need to develop a global strategy. Unfortunately, political posturing trumped concrete measures,” said Scott Stedjan, the legislative representative for the Friends Committee on National Legislation. The next opportunity for the international community to act on small arms will take place at the General Assembly in October.
Editor’s Note: SAWG is an alliance of U.S.-based non-governmental organizations and individuals that are working together to promote awareness of the small arms issue and changes in U.S. policies.
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Small-arms trade talks end in failure
Spectator wire services
United Nations (Jul 10, 2006)
Delegates to a United Nations conference trying to curb global trade in illegal weapons say they will turn to a UN committee after their own two-week conference ended in failure.
Nations were too divided on too many contentious issues to agree on the best way to combat a scourge that fuels conflict worldwide.
After days of negotiations, delegates gave up their bid to agree on an "outcome document" meant to reflect their consensus on the most serious threats and the best way to fight the illegal trade in small arms, worth about $1.1 billion Cdn a year. The arms -- including handguns, assault rifles and machine guns -- cause 60 per cent to 90 per cent of all deaths in conflicts every year.
Many nations refuse to disclose the extent of their small-arms trade, and are unwilling to discuss restrictions on ammunition and national gun ownership, selling weapons to non-state actors and tracing weapons back to their original seller.
Delegates plan to raise many of the same issues in the UN disarmament committee, where consensus is not needed for agreement, to begin preparing a treaty that would make law out of many of the global principles supported by nongovernmental groups.
