I. The scourge of small arms*:

There is an estimated 500 million small arms and light weapons in circulation, one for every twelve people on earth. The effects of these weapons are legion. Lives lost is certainly a tragedy, as is the increased drug trade, human smuggling, money laundering, and organized crime. But in addition, when resources are diverted to purchase weapons there is an ensuing hindrance of progress in development. At the Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, the representative of Nepal said that [children were indeed the worst part of the story. They found themselves caught up in every aspect of the violence wrought by the widespread availability of those weapons, as helpless victims, agile handlers or as addicted killers. Tragically, children got explosives and munitions when they needed food and medicine.] Small arms and light weapons were used in 46 of the 49 major conflicts since 1990. Of the 400 million deaths about 90 percent were civilian and 80 percent women and children. At to this the fact that peacekeeping is made more hazardous, and that the authority of weak, but legitimate governments is easily challenged. The need for global dialog and action on the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons is obvious.

II. Background of international efforts to reduce and alleviate damage caused by small arms:

On December 17, 1999 the United States and the European Union signed a "Statement of Common Principles on Small Arms and Light Weapons," containing a 10-point plan of action and a pledge to support a UN conference on the issue. Two days earlier the UN had passed a resolution calling for a conference to address the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons. Resolution 54/54 V established a preparatory committee to write a draft document to be used at the conference. One of the resolutions in The United Nations Millennium Declaration (September, 2000) was to "take concerted action to end illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons, especially by making arms transfers more transparent...." The United Nations has been working on arms transfers by organized crime and some of the aspects of the issues overlap.

III. The United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects:

Since virtually every part of the United Nations system is dealing with the direct and indirect fall out of armed inflicts fought with these weapons, a conference to address the problem was of apparent necessity. The conference was held at United Nations headquarters from 9 to 20 July, 2001. In the five day "Ministerial Segment," nations seemed to be divided into three categories One group felt the draft programme of action did not go far enough. (Canada, Norway, the EU, Japan, and some South Asian states.) One group (including Egypt and India) felt the draft programme of action should be protected as written. And a group wanted to be sure the document did not go too far. This included the United States, China and Russia. (The United States, specifically the current Administration, pressed for a "politically binding agreement," not a legal one and that private ownership of guns be excluded.)

IV. Conference outcome:

In the afternoon of July 21st the Conference adopted, without a vote and as orally amended, the "Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects." The document contains measures to be undertaken at the national, regional and global levels. At the national level States agreements included: requiring manufacturers to apply "marking" on each small arm and light weapon; and that seized or confiscated weapons be destroyed or be used in an authorized manner.

Highlights of the regional level agreements include: trans-border customs cooperation, information-sharing among law enforcement. At the global level it was agreed that states would cooperate in tracing illegal weapons; and that they would meet again no later than 2006. Because of the inflexibility of one nation (as the UN press release referred to the United States) there was a degree of disappointment in the final document. It was watered down. This was expressed by the African delegations whose populations have been harmed by these weapons more than anyone in the world. The irony of the most affected nation being the one to compromise the most was noted. According the UN press release, "many said that there was no way to imagine the sadness African delegations felt at having to set aside their noble and important concerns in order to reach consensus.

V. The future of small arms trafficking:

One success the conference can claim is increased visibility in this country. It is felt by many experts that the low level of public involvement and understanding allowed the U.S. delegation to behave as it did, and is the reason for so little Congressional movement on the issue.(The United States Congress has never gone on record supporting the aims. ) Another success is how far the dialogue has progressed. Nations can continue to work on the complex aspects, such as brokering.

What you can do:

• First, do not get discouraged. Your efforts are part of the international movement, and as such are appreciated and do count. The representative of Uruguay, speaking for the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) said that NGO's were making "great contributions to efforts to combat the illicit trade in small arms, through such means as the creation of information campaigns and promotion of a culture of peace."

• Second, remember that The United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects was a beginning and be on the lookout for ways to support the Programme of Action.

• Third, be vigilant in speaking out " when the emperor has no clothes." The conference was always about the illicit arms trade, not the legal trade. Michel Rocard, former French Prime Minister and the co-chair of the Eminent Persons Group on small arms said, "some states are mixing national interest with logic and stupidity....It is clear no one wants to ban licit arms transports."

* According to United Nations publications, "Small arms are weapons designed for personal use, while light weapons are designed for use by several persons serving as a crew. Examples of small arms include revolvers and self-loading pistols, rifles, sub-machine guns, assault rifles and light machine-guns. Light weapons include heavy machine-guns, some types of grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft and antitank guns, and portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems.

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