UN Conference Ends

[TIZReporter]

Background and updates at http://www.theinfozone.net/salw-news.html


The United Nations conference on progress in stemming the illicit trade in small arms that fuel conflict and crime ended today without adopting a common position paper – as differences between delegations on follow-up actions remained unresolved – but it succeeded in drawing world attention to the issue, its chairman said.

“This conference was a success in that it brought great international attention to the issue,” Chairman Prasad Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka said, noting the broad media coverage of the conference, which opened on June 26 to review the implementation of the 2001 Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, which remains the pivotal framework for international, regional and national activity to curtail illegal gun trafficking.

Though an agreed final declaration was not concluded, that Programme of Action firmly remained “an enabling framework that empowered states, international and regional organizations and other relevant organizations and civil society” to work to end the illicit trade in small arms. “Its validity and effectiveness remained undiminished,” he said.

As Secretary-General Kofi Annan reminded the Conference in his opening address, every year an estimated $1 billion worth of these weapons are traded illicitly worldwide, exacerbating conflicts that kill tens of thousands, sparking refugee flows, undermining the rule of law and spawning a “culture of violence and impunity.”

In the past five years since the Programme of Action was adopted, nearly 140 countries have reported on illegal gun trafficking, while a third of all States have made efforts to collect weapons from those not legally entitled to hold them, Mr. Annan said. Other progress included increased cooperation among and within regions to stem the flow of illicit weapons across national borders.

More than 2,000 representatives from governments, international and regional organizations and civil society took part in the two-week event.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19136&Cr=small&Cr1=arms

 

[Zedicus]

 

[taliv]

anybody want to take a stab at the headline on next month's _Freedom 1st_?

 

[geekWithA.45]

every year an estimated $1 billion worth of these weapons are traded illicitly worldwide,

A billion?

That's it?

Doesn't anyone realize that a billion dollars is how much revenue NJ lost in 2004 due to people fleeing?

How big is the international drug trade?

Isn't there like a billion dollars worth of toilet seats sitting in a military storehouse somewhere?

gah.

 

[mountainclmbr]

How about an Agreed Framework for the Elimination of Leftist and Totalitarian Tyrants. That would tackle about 90% of the problem and leave the law abiding alone to live their own lives. Unfortunately that Framework would eliminate about 90% of the UN membership aka "the Tyrants Club".

 

[xd9fan]

The United Nations conference on progress in stemming the illicit trade in small arms that fuel conflict and crime ended today without adopting a common position paper – as differences between delegations on follow-up actions remained unresolved – but it succeeded in drawing world attention to the issue, its chairman said.

“This conference was a success in that it brought great international attention to the issue,” Chairman Prasad Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka said, noting the broad media coverage of the conference

what a joke. Nothing was done "but we brought attention to the issue" As if that is there only goal. I wish they where reduced to a persuasion-only body.

Liberals always hide behind this "it was a success because we brought attention to the issue" cover, which sounds so great and harmless and warm and fuzzy. It sounds nonthreatening. They just want to educate, increase awarness. How could you be against that right???

But underneath it all they want change by force. THEIR change by force. They are not concerned about your Rights. They will not treat you like an adult and try to educate you (respective of your Rights and diginty as a human being) via persuasion.


The word "persuasion" embodies both freedom of choice and responsibility for choice. In order to persuade, you must have a moral philosophy, a system of right and wrong, which you govern yourself. You want to persuade people to do the right thing not because they have to, but because they want to.

There is little satisfaction from doing good if individuals are mandated to do the right thing. Character and responsibility are built when people voluntarily choose right over wrong, not when they are forced to do so.


Liberals love to pretend that they are for choice.....for persuasion as their modus operandi. When in truth, if you do not see the light, their light, they will force you to. They call this progressive......I call it a break down of a civilized society.

 

[Firehand]

I just love it:
In the past five years since the Programme of Action was adopted, nearly 140 countries have reported on illegal gun trafficking, while a third of all States have made efforts to collect weapons from those not legally entitled to hold them, Mr. Annan said. Other progress included increased cooperation among and within regions to stem the flow of illicit weapons across national borders.

Let's see, since 'illegal gun trafficking' to 'those not legally entitled to hold them' includes anyone trying to fight someone like Mugabe or Castro, and 'increased cooperation' includes one dictator helping another stay in power...

While some of the people involved in this may have good motives, a lot of them are just after more power over others, so any "we didn't accomplish anything, but we drew attention!" translates to "We lost, and we're trying not to admit it".

 

[bumm]

Kofi Annan blames illicit arms for "sparking refugee flows." Well, the refugees are the ones who've been successfully disarmed. That's why they have to be refugees in the first place.
Marty

 

[Robert Hairless]

Many notable world leaders throughout history have pursued the goal of cleansing the world of illegal arms. It's one of the priorities on their agendas. First, they declare that only their governments, armies, forces, or bands may legally possess arms. From then on a firearm in anyone else's possession is illegal and subject to seizure.

It's quite a convenient arrangement, really, because it enables those enlightened world leaders not only to remain in power but also to increase their power and eliminate their opponents.

It speaks well of George W. Bush and the government of the United States of America that they do not fear this citizenry and believe that the only way to retain their power is to disarm everyone else.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, on the other hand, might be angling for a position with the United Nations. He would feel comfortable there.

 

[sparx]

Kofi Annan blames illicit arms for "sparking refugee flows." Well, the refugees are the ones who've been successfully disarmed. That's why they have to be refugees in the first place.

+1