STEVE COSTNER ( United States ) said that effective and candid reporting by both affected States and donors should help match the needs to potential resources. The international community could not seriously consider the way forward or develop new initiatives for 2006 until it had thoroughly assessed progress in fulfilling commitments made in the Programme of Action. Just last month, Member States had concluded negotiations on an international instrument to enable them to identify and trace illicit small arms and light weapons. He welcomed that important achievement and looked forward to its adoption by the General Assembly this fall.
A good example of significant strides in implementing the Programme of Action on a regional basis was the way MANPADS had been addressed, he continued. At the national level, he applauded the States that had taken the initiative to seek small arms destruction assistance. One of his country’s most significant contributions had been in the area of destruction assistance projects run by the Department of State, coupled with physical security and stockpile management programmes by the Defence Threat Destruction Agency. Such programmes were a high priority for his country. Among the activities undertaken by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( ATF ) in support of the Programme of Action was a Basic Firearms Identification Course for international law enforcement professionals. Between January 1994 and December 2004, the ATF had responded to over 147,000 requests from foreign governments for assistance in tracing illegal firearms.
In conclusion, he said that the Programme of Action had given the international community a solid foundation four years ago to forcefully tackle the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. He urged States to continue their work to develop and implement all provisions of the Programme. That would require addressing many factors underlying the illicit trade worldwide. Such trade persisted, in part, because of lax enforcement of laws and regulations, or their absence altogether. It also occurred because of poor governance and an environment that tolerated illegal commerce, often involving corruption among government officials. Stricter border security and export controls would certainly bring the international community closer to its goals.
