Subject: [Fwd: UN Small Arms Panel Makes Progress/ NRA NGO "Irrelevant".]
Date: 19 Feb 1997 09:33:58 -0700
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The following is taken from the 11 February 1997 issue of BASIC {British
American Security Information Council] Reports, No. 56, pp. 4-5.
UN Small Arms Panel Makes Progress
by Dr. Natalie J. Goldring
Diplomats reported significant progress as the United Nations Panel of
Governmental Experts on Small Arms concluded its second formal session in New
York on 31 January. Regional workshops and plenary sessions have helped clarify
important issues related to the scope of the panel's work and definitions of
weapons to be covered in its report. Panel members agree, however, that the
toughest tests lie ahead, as the panel seeks consensus on policy
recommendations. Members are also concerned that preliminary agreement over
issues such as definitions could disappear during debates over other provisions
of the panel's report.
At the meeting, the panel agreed on the general structure for its
report
to the Secretary-General, with the first two chapters providing an
introduction
to the panel's work and an overview of light weapons issues. The three
remaining
chapters will each address one aspect of the panel's mandate: the types of
small
arms and light weapons actually being used in conflicts being dealt with by the
United Nations; the nature and causes of excessive accumulation and
destabilizing transfer of these weapons, including their illicit production and
trade; and ways and means to prevent and reduce such accumulations and
transfers. (See "UN Experts Panel on Small Arms Faces Obstacles," BASIC Reports
#54 for additional information.)
Definitions largely resolved
The panel has created a draft typology of the small arms and light
weapons to be covered in its report, including all weapons, ammunitions, and
explosives that are built to military specifications and are being used in
conflicts being dealt with by the United Nations. In special circumstances,
some
non-military weapons that have been used in violent conflict and have been
deemed to be destabilizing may also be included.
According to a Western representative on the panel, there are still
significant questions about the upper limit of the definition of these weapons.
The panel has reportedly decided to include all portable weapons, while
excluding any weapons that are covered by the UN register of Conventional Arms.
However, certain key issues, such as the definition of "portable," remain
unresolved.
Disagreement over "nature and causes" of excessive transfers
Panel members still disagree over the causes of destabilizing transfers
of small arms and light weapons. Some panel members interviewed for BASIC
Reports emphasized the importance of "root causes," such as socio-economic
factors, while others argued that military issues were more relevant. The Sri
Lankan representative said that root causes were useful in understanding the
factors that drive demand, but described this panel as a "disarmament effort,"
and said that illicit transfer "is the major issue that is contributing to
destabilizing accumulation." While the Colombian representative agreed with his
assessment of the importance of dealing with the illicit trade, she emphasized
that, "Roots and causes are the starting point to talk about any
recommendations
and solutions." The Western representatives, concurred, saying "...we have to
have the root causes, otherwise the report won't be complete."
Recommendations remain contentious
According to all of the panel members interviewed by BASIC Reports, it
will be difficult to achieve consensus of recommendations. For example, the
panel has not yet resolved a dispute over whether the UN Disarmament
Commission's guidelines on illicit transfers should be the starting point for
its recommendations. In addition, the Western representative said," We can't
skew the report to any particular incident in any particular region." The
Belgian representative agreed, saying, "The problem we will have to face is
also
to make general recommendations without specifying one cause in preference with
others. We cannot say that the drug problem is the cause everywhere."
In interviews, panel members suggested many policy approaches. While
some of these recommendations have already been discussed by the panel,
