Post by tizreporter on May 18, 2006 16:54:01 GMT -5
www.theinfozone.net/salw-news.html#thailand
May 18, 2006
UN Gun Conference -- Thailand
As reported May 12th, Professor Gary Mauser's comments on Earl Turcotte, who chaired a
recent Canadian UN Committee meeting appear very accurate.
Leading to the June UN Small Arms Light Weapons Conference, Aiming to prepare for an
upcoming United Nations conference on illegal gun trafficking worldwide, some 70
participants from governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across South
and Southeast Asia have gathered in Thailand for a two-day workshop on specific aspects
of the problem.
The discussions in Bangkok will help lay the groundwork for the Review Conference on
eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, to be held in New York from 26
June to 7 July. Topics include the implementation of an international pact on marking and
tracing, export/import controls, and supply and demand.
Organized by the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific of the
Department for Disarmament Affairs, the workshop is sponsored by the Governments of
Canada, Japan and Thailand, along with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The
June conference will review progress since an international action plan was adopted in
2001 to fight the menace posed by small arms and light weapons. Among other provisions,
countries agreed to ensure that licensed manufacturers apply an appropriate and reliable
marking on each small arm and light weapon as an integral part of the production process.
They also committed themselves to keeping comprehensive and accurate records for as
long as possible on the manufacture, holding and transfer of small arms and light weapons
under their jurisdiction. In addition, countries agreed to strengthen their ability to cooperate
in identifying and tracing illicit small arms and light weapons and guaranteed that all
confiscated, seized or collected small arms and light weapons should be destroyed.
As reported, Gary Mauser recently wrote the Chairman of Canada's Foreign Affairs
Committee after attending a meeting of Canada's SALW Committee.
Mauser stated, ""The Canadian National Committee on SALW has spent tens of millions of
dollars - possibly hundreds of millions -- on a large number of vague "feel good" projects
around the world. At least 24 different international programs and initiatives are listed as
being funded or largely funded by them." It appears that while Canada's goverment is
moving to stop the waste from Canada's gun registry, the bureaucrats in the Department of
Foreign Affairs have choosen "even though they do not have a mandate from the new
Conservative government, they intend to continue acting as if they had," as Mauser noted.
Canada's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter MacKay, could not be reached for comment.
May 18, 2006
UN Gun Conference -- Thailand
As reported May 12th, Professor Gary Mauser's comments on Earl Turcotte, who chaired a
recent Canadian UN Committee meeting appear very accurate.
Leading to the June UN Small Arms Light Weapons Conference, Aiming to prepare for an
upcoming United Nations conference on illegal gun trafficking worldwide, some 70
participants from governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across South
and Southeast Asia have gathered in Thailand for a two-day workshop on specific aspects
of the problem.
The discussions in Bangkok will help lay the groundwork for the Review Conference on
eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, to be held in New York from 26
June to 7 July. Topics include the implementation of an international pact on marking and
tracing, export/import controls, and supply and demand.
Organized by the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific of the
Department for Disarmament Affairs, the workshop is sponsored by the Governments of
Canada, Japan and Thailand, along with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The
June conference will review progress since an international action plan was adopted in
2001 to fight the menace posed by small arms and light weapons. Among other provisions,
countries agreed to ensure that licensed manufacturers apply an appropriate and reliable
marking on each small arm and light weapon as an integral part of the production process.
They also committed themselves to keeping comprehensive and accurate records for as
long as possible on the manufacture, holding and transfer of small arms and light weapons
under their jurisdiction. In addition, countries agreed to strengthen their ability to cooperate
in identifying and tracing illicit small arms and light weapons and guaranteed that all
confiscated, seized or collected small arms and light weapons should be destroyed.
As reported, Gary Mauser recently wrote the Chairman of Canada's Foreign Affairs
Committee after attending a meeting of Canada's SALW Committee.
Mauser stated, ""The Canadian National Committee on SALW has spent tens of millions of
dollars - possibly hundreds of millions -- on a large number of vague "feel good" projects
around the world. At least 24 different international programs and initiatives are listed as
being funded or largely funded by them." It appears that while Canada's goverment is
moving to stop the waste from Canada's gun registry, the bureaucrats in the Department of
Foreign Affairs have choosen "even though they do not have a mandate from the new
Conservative government, they intend to continue acting as if they had," as Mauser noted.
Canada's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter MacKay, could not be reached for comment.