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Government Statements to the BMS
(In order presented) |
Italy
(on behalf of European Union) |
- adopted a common position on arms brokering suggesting strict
domestic legislation with a transparent exchange of information
- considered further work on export controls to be essential
- allocated 7.7 million euros between 2001-3 to collection/destruction
programmes
|
|
| Norway |
- strongly supported the EU Code of Conduct
- contributed $360,000 to a UNDP capacity development
programme to assist states in compiling their national reports
- cooperated with the Netherlands in promoting a common
policy on arms brokering
- supported the presence of NGOs at the meeting
|
|
| Sweden |
- aligned with the Italian (EU) position
- supported the creation of a multilateral binding agreement
on controlling brokering
- wanted a decision to negotiate a multilateral binding
instrument on marking and tracing at the 58th UN General
Assembly
- stressed the importance of long-term reintegration
of combatants in DDR programmes
|
|
| South Africa |
- international level: conference March 2002 had
examined how OECD and African countries could support the PoA
- regional level: SADC protocol on control of firearms
- national level: legislation on firearm possession and
arms transfers
|
|
| Slovenia |
- established a Point of Contact to complement existing
mechanisms in SE Europe
- organised the first OSCE conference on SALW at the
SE Europe level
|
|
| Jordan |
- stressed the importance of settling the Arab-Israeli
conflict
- streamlined the issuing of firearm permits
- made efforts to prevent civilians with criminal records
from possessing firearms
|
|
| Japan |
- sought an international instrument on marking and
tracing as per the Group of Governmental Experts
- financially supported disarmament programmes in Afghanistan
and Cambodia
|
|
| Canada |
- stressed the importance of implementing the Basic
Principles on the Use of Force ands Firearms by Law Enforcement
Officials
- committed $15 million to security capacity building
in West Africa since 2002
- sought fundraising for practical disarmament in Albania
- raised the question of civilian ownership of weapons,
especially of the military types
|
|
| Peru |
- suggested legislation dealing with the link between
small arms and the drugs trade
- called for information exchange and international cooperation
for effective licensing
|
 |
| Togo |
- established a National Commission which had already
destroyed 200 confiscated weapons
|
|
| Mexico |
- established federal rules on the trade of SALW
incorporating licensing and registration
- recently signed a regional protocol
- wanted a commitment to ban sales t non-state actors
- felt that NGOs must be involved in the process
|
|
| Russian Federation |
- drafted a state programme on small arms for 2003-2007
- confiscated more than 20,000 firearms in recent years
|
|
| Australia |
- developed a firearms trafficking policy and a reduction
in concealable handguns
- intended to table a model Weapons Control Bill at Pacific
Island Forum meeting in August 2003
- supported transparency by including a specific category
on SALW exports in defence reports
|
|
| Switzerland |
- sought a global tracing instrument to complement
existing measures
- particularly interested in developing criteria for
export to non-state actors
- supported Small Arms Survey
|
|
| Belgium |
- adopted measures to regulate and monitor brokering
- incorporated criteria from the EU Code of Conduct into
legislation with respect to human rights
|
|
| Netherlands |
- devoted 2.3 million euros to helping developing
countries implement the PoA
- planned to help developing countries prepare their
national programmes with Norway and UK
- introduced rules to regulate the transit of arms through
its borders
|
|
| Namibia |
- established a National Focal Point
|
|
| New Zealand |
- actively worked to promote peace in Bougainville
and especially Solomon Islands
- considered legislation to fully enact the PoA
|
|
| United States |
- stressed the mandate of the PoA was for illicit
weapons
- possessed marking procedures for exports
- sponsored OSCE “best practice” guidelines
|
|
| Sri Lanka |
- announced the creation of a National Commission,
for which one immediate task would be to update the private and
military weapons registry
- stated that developing national legislative frameworks
and making non-state actors accountable are the keys to preventing
terrorism
|
|
| Venezuela |
- established an office to implement regulations on
exports
- introduced legislation to disarm people holding weapons
illegally
- acknowledged the participation of NGOs and their activities
in disseminating information
|
|
| Republic of Korea |
- developed and maintained an electronic inventory
of military SALW
- engraved each weapon with a unique, permanent serial
number
- implemented policies for burning or recycling weapons
- designated
an annual voluntary amnesty period
|
|
| France |
- associated with the statement by Italy (EU)
- stressed the importance of sharing information between
states
- drew attention to a France/UK report on export controls
- proposed that a prior French regional initiative would
lead to creation of “best practices” on illicit
traffic of SALW
- worked with ECOWAS on moratorium; peacekeeping in Cote
D’Ivoire and DRC
|
|
| China |
- cracked down severely on gun-related crime
- stressed the need for control over brokers, but in
line with national conditions
- importance of helping domestic manufacturers that had
not adapted to civilian ownership
- donated $10,000 to DDA
|
|
| Nicaragua |
- presidential proposal to form an inter-institutional
mechanism to suggest methods of limiting armaments in Central America
- creating a National Commission for verification control,
with the very best international practice
- regional project
underway in Central America to follow up the PoA
|
|
| Syria |
- included a decree on illicit trade of SALW in it’s
national report
- stressed the importance of international cooperation
to solve the problem
- possessed strict control on the quantity of weapons
licenses
|
|
| Czech Republic |
- recognised the importance of regional cooperation,
especially within the OSCE
- provided $15,000 to a seminar in Central Africa on
the PoA
- contributed $50,000 to disarmament education in Latin
America and Africa through the UN Foundation
|
|
| Guatemala |
- had introduced specific legislation on control of
SALW
- established a legal framework for the creation of registries
but would need international assistance for the technical
aspects
- regional: June 2003, Central American Security Commission
approved a mechanism for permanent evaluation and coordination
of countries
|
|
| Jamaica |
- introduced anti-corruption laws to deal with importation
of illegal weapons
- legislation objectives included strengthening licensing
and creating gun inventories
- supported a common mechanism on marking and tracing
|
|
Nigeria
(on behalf of African Group) |
- suggested sanctions against arms suppliers whose
products were found in illicit hands
- called for legally binding international instrument
on marking and tracing
|
|
| Romania |
- destroyed almost 200,000 weapons since 2001
- aimed to increase transparency in exports
- wanted to see adequate national legislation on production,
transfer, possession of SALW
- suggested the creation of a database on national legislation
|
|
| Brazil |
- stated that there were existing criminal laws on
owners and sellers of SALW
- confirmed that all SALW manufactured in Brazil would
be marked and registered
- licensed brokers, requiring prior export licensing
by the army before exporting
- desired international cooperation to control brokering
|
|
| Indonesia |
- organised national and regional seminars on SALW
|
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| Uruguay |
- strengthened legislation on acquisition, tightened
border controls and increased monitoring
- supported the initiatives of the OAS
- welcomed the participation of NGOs, especially in raising
awareness
|
|
| United Kingdom |
- focusing on strengthening controls on supply, reducing
availability of SALW, addressing demand
|
|
| Paraguay |
- law in July 2002 introduced an evidence bank and
single authority for import/export
- law is incomplete but will be implemented in next couple
of months
- regional: supported Mercosur seminar June 2003
|
|
| India |
- elaborate marking/recording procedures in place
- marking/tracing reveals misused SALW in India are imported
illicitly
- 2006 conference should address non-state actors where
2001 failed; terrorism taken more seriously now
|
|
| Germany |
- supports destruction of surplus stocks
- transparency: export/import data is available on internet
- legally binding regulations on marking/tracing necessary
|
|
| Bulgaria |
- aligned with Italian (EU) position
- ratified firearm protocol
- has a register of licensed brokers, reviewed periodically
|
|
| Central African Republic |
- worked with inter-Africa mission to monitor SALW
- favoured Arms for Development projects, which have
the side-effect of creating jobs
- wants legally binding instruments in 2006
|
|
| Costa Rica |
- 2001 Central American conference established a
model for regional plan of action
- framework convention on arms trade developed with NGOs,
Nobel laureates and jurists
- emphasised supply-side standards
|
|
| Algeria |
- responsibility is on states but not sufficient without
regional action
- has and will act upon finding arms trafficking routes
|
|
| Botswana |
- aligned with positions of Nigeria (Africa Group)
and SADC group
- National Focal Point should be expanded to include
civil society
- manual register is inadequate but funds are not available
to computerise
|
|
| Cambodia |
- associated with the Myanmar (ASEAN) position
- drafted a new law on weapons control for action later
this year
- encouraged weapons for development programmes and links
with NGOs.
- emphasised the importance of destruction programmes
with example of move from crushing weapons to creating flames
of peace
- searching for weapons hidden after the war
|
|
| Ukraine |
- very effective arms trade regulation
- passed legislation to avoid use of SALW for terrorism
- regional: supported OSCE
|
|
| Iran |
- drug traffickers are a serious problem, sometimes
armed with heavy weapons
- sub-regional Point of Contact needed especially for
drug trafficking
- border with Afghanistan is now heavily regulated to
prevent arms smuggling
|
|
| Thailand |
- national: focal point has promoted stricter regulations
for gun possession and import/export controls
- regional: hosting ASEAN meeting on transnational crime
later this year
- partnerships with civil society groups
|
|
| Philippines |
- associated with position of Myanmar (ASEAN)
- new laws and regulations essentially ban firearms carried
outside the home
- introduced trafficking regulations and production quotas
- ASEAN seminar last year discussed a regional Point
of Contact, a database and a Programme of Action on transnational
crime
|
|
| Malaysia |
- all aspects of arms trade strictly regulated
- money laundering act applicable to arms smuggling
- regional: supports 2002 ASEAN agreements on transnational
crime
- emphasised importance of DDR programmes
|
|
| Trinidad and Tobago |
- concerned about transit of guns through Caribbean – intended
to destabilise states?
- culture of gun violence linked to drug trade
- supported CARICOM taskforce on crime
|
|
| Egypt |
- import/export activities fully controlled by
state
- export
quantities and origins recorded
- stocks inventoried
|
|
| Colombia |
- focal point will soon be created by decree
- adopted the Andean plan on SALW
- desires SALW to be regulated in a similar way to WMD
|
|
| Guyana |
- supported the CARICOM taskforce on crime
- desires to see link between guns and crime/terrorism
acknowledged
|
|
| Croatia |
- proud of voluntary collection programmes, in collaboration
with NGOs and media
- reiterated that their role is in experience-sharing
- emphasised multidimensional nature of problem – not
just a matter of political will
|
|
| Turkey |
- aligned with statement of Italy (EU)
- concerned with gun proliferation in Iraq and repercussions
on regional security
- records of SALW transactions ought to be available
if requested by another UN state, including information on
denials of exports
|
|
| Saudi Arabia |
- campaigned in mass media to raise awareness on SALW
and security
- stressed cooperation at the regional level to produce
a regional Focal Point
|
|
| Chile |
- stressed the responsibility of arms importers
- supports the position of Mali as representative of
the Human Security Network
- require norms that can be standardised
|
|
| Sierra Leone |
- interim National Commission has started to develop
a Plan of Action and has supported the Sierra Leone Action Network
on Small Arms (SLANSA)
- updated legislation on arms imports has been drafted
- stressed utility of the Arms for Development programme
in preparation
|
|
| Armenia |
- wanted the establishment of arms registers at the
regional level
- suggested subregional transparency measures and harmonization
of export controls
- proposed an exchange of lists of registered brokers
|
|
| Argentina |
- intended to create a National Commission
- acknowledged new policies and regulations needed to
combat SALW
- requested assistance from DDA to manage stockpiles
and destroy surpluses
|
|
| Burundi |
- emphasised security – citizens are heavily
armed for their own protection
- no indigenous production, so cooperation with neighbours
essential to limit supplies of SALW
- wants support for DDR
|
|
| Morocco |
- fully subscribes to statement made by Africa Group
- legislation reviewed in 2002, supplemented with definitions,
storage regulations and penalties
- proposed marking/tracing of SALW in producer states
(eg EU)
|
|
| Austria |
- associated with statement of Italy (EU)
- supported initiatives of Human Security Network
- robust legislation at the national level
|
|
| Holy See |
- supply side: marking/tracing, destruction of surplus
weapons favoured
- demand side: ought to promote a “culture of life”
- desires legally binding instruments
|
|
| Kenya |
- associated with position of Nigeria (Africa Group)
- illicit SALW smuggled through porous border with neighbours
- regional: took lead in Nairobi Declaration
- law enforcement insufficient: civil society crucial
to sustainable reductions of SALW
|
|
| Serbia and Montenegro |
- emphasised underdevelopment and poverty as root
causes
- particular interest in cross-border traffic: cooperation
with Kosovo and Metohija essential
- would welcome international assistance in upgrading
border control equipment
|
|
| Nepal |
- emphasised no problem with legally imported firearms
- opposed arming of non-state actors
- states reserve the right to maintain law and order
|
|
| Kazakhstan |
- noted problems due to border with Afghanistan and
drug trade
- supported the UN register on conventional arms
- remarked on the gender aspect of the SALW problem
|
|
| Pakistan |
- strict regulations on civilian possession
- supported international marking/tracing initiatives
- reserved rights of states to self-defense and self-determination
|
|
| Bangladesh |
- civil society plays an important role, especially
in research
- wants a declaration of “child-soldier free” regional
zones at the 2006 conference
|
|
| Myanmar |
- incorporated most border area insurgents into government
- worked with all 5 neighbouring countries to tackle
the drug trade
|
|
| Israel |
- fight against illicit SALW must begin at home
- states must prove their sincerity by deeds not words
- international community should not turn a blind eye
to arms trafficking in the Middle East
|
|
| Republic of Congo |
- legislation is being reformed
- commission for common security with DRC and Angola
- wanted marking/tracing conventions as initial effort
for improving security
|
|
| El Salvador |
- supported Central American framework treaty
- “foodstuffs for firearms” programme
and gun destructions very successful
- significance of the subregional Interpol office that
is to be introduced shortly
|
|
| Belarus |
- Presidential decree on regulating exports on territory
- regulation of surpluses is being reviewed
- but funds from state budget are insufficient
|
|
| Uganda |
- passed new licensing/regulation guidelines for
private security organisations
- signed Memorandum of Understanding with Sudan to combat
rebels hiding in Sudan
- recognised problem of stock surpluses
|
|
| Niger |
- supported statement of Nigeria (Africa Group)
- national registry developed with marking procedures
required in due course
- linked SALW trade to poverty and emphasised importance
of sustainable development
|
|
| Burkina Faso |
- created import authority commission
- admitted there was still a long way to go in implementing
the PoA
- asked for development support
|
|
| Somalia (right of reply) |
Somalia objected to what it saw as the Kenyan implication
that SALW were being illicitly imported from Somalia. Instead,
Somalia felt that SALW are being imported from it’s neighbours
with the intention of destabilising the government. Somalia is
not a source of guns since it has no indigenous production. |
|
| Nigeria |
- National Committee established 2001, laws required
high-level authorization for personal possession of firearms
- "arms for development" project proposed to
committee, but required resources
- sought partners for training and arms registration
projects
|
|
| Sudan |
- despite the disordered condition of neighbouring
states, there is never a problem in controlling SALW
- stressed the importance of financial and technical
assistance of international community for DDR especially in Africa
|
|
| Senegal |
- supported the position of Nigeria (Africa
Group)
- wanted a subregional Code of Conduct to make the ECOWAS
Moratorium binding cooperation with the dynamic NGO WAANSA
- considered a training programme for parliamentarians
on border controls
|
|
| Yemen |
- endorsed statement of Qatar (Arab League)
- has put SALW on priority list but will not list all
the many initiatives taken
- international cooperation a necessity, not a choice
|
|
| Cuba |
- condemned terrorist groups in Miami training
with SALW in the Everglades
- reaffirmed the right of self-defense
while favouring allowing only states to transfer arms
- no exporting, re-exporting or acting as intermediaries
of SALW in Cuba
|
|
| Moldova |
- production in Transdniestr region is most serious
concern
- better control of eastern border was a possibility
once again until Russian troop withdrawals were blocked by
Transdniestran government on June 17 2003
- supported any envisaged OSCE DDR programme if forces
are multinational and impartial
|
|
| Mali |
- chaired Human Security Network
- stressed importance of UN protocols and conventions
- importance of collection/identification campaigns
|
|
| Benin |
- endorsed statement of Nigeria (Africa Group)
- established National Commission during Feb 2003 in
context of ECOWAS Moratorium
- devising new legislation
|
|
| Haiti |
- major problem is with militias that have not yet
disarmed
- established National Disarmament Commission in March
2003
- existence of a taskforce with Canadian and Italian
jurists
|
|
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
- SFOR initiated arms control agreements
- successful disarmament programmes (eg “Operation
Harvest”) aiming to remove 115,000 SALW by end of 2003
- by end of 2004, a new law affecting the military industry
should be fully implemented
|
|
| Côte D'Ivoire |
- established a National Commission
- created a database to identify supply of SALW
- devoted a special fund to disarmament programme
|
|
| Hungary |
- supported activities within OSCE and Wassenaar
Arrangement frameworks
- initiated the Szeged process for tackling proliferation
of SALW in SE Europe
|
|
| Ghana |
- established a national coordinating body
- proposed tightening of legal controls on SALW, including
those held by states
- called for increased transparency on illicit trade
|
|
| Tanzania |
- adopted a 5-year action plan, including a National
Focal Point and regional taskforces
- reviewed procedures for controlling firearms and explosives
- planned to review national legislation and continue
raising awareness
|
|
| Gabon |
- distinguished between ministries regulating domestic
and hunting weapons
- only hunting weapons marked
- important for development partners to help create small
arms database
|
|
| Oman |
- established the police as the coordinating authority
on SALW
- supported any framework that does not consider resistance
against occupation as terrorism
|
|
| The Gambia |
- fully associated with the statement of Nigeria (Africa
Group)
- defense ministry to create a weapons database
- supply side acknowledged as very important
|
|
| Rwanda |
- associated with the Nigerian statement on behalf of the African
Group
- involved with meetings to implement the PoA and Nairobi
Declaration
- considered supplying arms to non-state actors should
be strictly prohibited
|
|
| Ecuador |
- initiated a National Focal Point and Action Plan
despite small economy
- subscribed to the binding subregional Andean Plan
- considered international cooperation essential
|
|
| Palau |
- aligned with the statement of the Pacific states
- possessed a constitutional ban on domestic firearms
|
|
| Democratic Republic of Congo |
- stressed importance of financial and technical assistance
- national Programme of action based upon the UN PoA
|
|
| Georgia |
- considered the 3 Russian bases on Georgian territory
to be the major problem
- referred to “white spots” including Abkhazia
where SALW are out of control
- desired international community to help by urging Russian
Federation to implement the Conventional Forces in Europe
and Istanbul treaties
|
|
| United States (right of reply) |
Remarked that Cuban allegations of terrorist groups
acting from Miami were a preposterous attempt to disguise the largest
act of political repression in Cuban history which took place earlier
this year. |
|
| Cuba (right of reply) |
Rejecting the US allegations Cuba has never financed
terrorist attacks, even in self-defense against the Miami mafia. |
|
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