9/1/2004
More Funding Needed to Help Tackle Covert Arms Trade

Securing adequate funding for disarmament campaigns in post-conflict areas remains a key concern in dealing with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report released this week.

While noting progress in implementing several of his recommendations on how the Security Council can address the problem, the Secretary-General writes that relying on voluntary funding for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes in UN peacekeeping missions risks jeopardizing not only the DDR operations but also the entire peace process.

By contrast, if these programmes were paid for by collecting dues from States under the UN peacekeeping budget, fighters and their families could be successfully returned to their communities "where they could then take full advantage of planned reintegration activities funded from voluntary sources."

On the positive side, the reports cites significant progress on boosting protocols to trace illicit small arms and light weapons, controlling the export and transit of these types of munitions, developing mandates for DDR programmes in post-conflict situations, and encouraging countries to be more open about their arms sales.

The report also points to encouraging indications that efforts are being made to implement the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) Weapons and Explosives Tracking System, a small arms advisory service comprising experts from UN Member States. Progress has also been made in identifying links between small arms and light weapons and the illicit exploitation of natural and other resources.

The Secretary-General says political will on the part of governments is key to enforcing Security Council resolutions on sanctions and coercive measures against countries that deliberately violate arms embargoes. "Nevertheless," he adds, "further efforts by the Council to stimulate Member States in fulfilling their obligations and to assist them in the strengthening of their capacity will be required."

The report presents a mixed picture on the imposition of arms embargoes. In some instances, these bans have helped to consolidate peace. However, "the restriction on the supply of ammunition to areas of instability requires more attention and vigorous action to achieve the desired objectives."