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."

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SEVENTH MEETING OF ISLAMIC-CATHOLIC LIAISON COMMITTEE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee held its seventh meeting in Rome from July 3-4, 2001. The Catholic delegation was headed by Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, while the Islamic delegation was headed by Senator Dr. Kamel al-Sharif, secretary general of the International Islamic Council for Da'wah and Relief. The topic addressed during the meeting was "Religion and the Dialogue of Civilizations in an Era of Globalization." Following their exchanges on this topic and other matters the Committee agreed upon the following:

"1.- To reaffirm that civilizations with their material and technological dimensions are a common human heritage; their positive elements should therefore be preserved and their benefits made available to all; they are to be developed and promoted in the interest of the security and well-being of the whole human society.

"2.- To reaffirm that religious values should be the basic starting point from which to direct humanity in such a way as to preserve human dignity and promote peaceful coexistence among peoples and the protection of the environment.

"3.- To reaffirm the importance of dialogue among civilizations for mutual knowledge and common endeavor in peace and harmony in order to protect human societies from disasters, poverty, ignorance, moral degradation, the breaking up of the family, wars and the effect of arms of mass destruction, while refusing the thesis regarding the inevitable clash of civilizations and societal conflict.

"4.- To recognize the importance of globalization and its benefits, while calling attention to its dangers which hinder the realization of a commonly agreed just world order, the acceptance of just criteria for the achievement of the well-being of all, and respect for the religious and cultural values of human societies.

"5.- To work together to spread the culture of dialogue and to foster a spirit of responsibility towards society, to resist consumerism, to protect human dignity and human rights, to prevent aggression, oppression and injustice, to work to ensure the rights of refugees to return to their countries of origin and to refuse all forms of discrimination against people.

"6.- To condemn the violations of the sacred nature of holy places and places of worship occurring in certain parts of the world, and to work together to ensure respect and protection for holy places.

"7.- To communicate these principles through available channels and through the mass media, through educational and cultural institutes, etc."

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