ILLICIT TRADE IN SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2001 (VIS) - Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States, presented a statement yesterday in New York, U.S.A., at the International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects.

The head of the delegation of the Holy See recalled that a Convention exists which prohibits the use, as well as stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, and another which prohibits or restricts the use of certain conventional weapons. "Unfortunately, however," he said, "it is impossible to ban all kinds of small arms and light weapons."

Msgr. Migliore stated that the present conference proposes concrete measures "to avoid diverting small arms and light weapons into the illegal market. ... Of particular significance," he affirmed, "are the mechanisms for prevention, reduction, accountability and control, ... the defining criteria for the export of arms, ... the inclusion of mechanisms for collecting and destroying arms in peace processes, ... the implementation of educational and awareness activities aimed at promoting a culture of peace and life."

"The present International Conference," he added, "is an essential step, offering as it does an important opportunity to broaden the scope of both the international debate and public awareness in order to mobilize a political will and to establish and strengthen norms and measures aimed at preventing and combating this phenomenon."

The head of the delegation noted the necessity for "a precise and decisive change in international relations, which must be based not on the rule of the strongest and of those who are best prepared militarily, but on the force of law and according to standards and instruments capable of guaranteeing security independently of recourse to violence."

"The ultimate goal uniting us in this area is the protection of the life and dignity of each and every human person." He concluded by emphasizing the need for "strong action on the part of the international community, which must show particular concern for children affected by conflict situations in various regions of the world, and must work to reunite them with their families and reintegrate them into society by appropriate means of rehabilitation."

DELSS;SMALL ARMS; LIGHT WEAPONS;...;MIGLIORE;VIS;20010712;Word: 370;