UN Initiates Arms Trade Treaty

July 23, 2010 – On Friday a conference at the United Nations General Assembly ended on a very positive note. Its aim was to formulate a legally binding treaty amongst nations that will prevent human rights violators, terrorists, and other armed groups that fuel conflicts from receiving weapons and it seemed to be met with wide spread agreement.


In October the Obama administration reversed the Bush administration’s December 2006 “no” vote on a treaty that would regulate the growing arms trade. French Ambassador Eric Danon called that reversal “very important” in that it not only initiated the current negotiations, its very concept will support future disarmament and arms control efforts.


Don Mahley, U.S. Ambassador, said, “The U.S. made clear last October our desire to see a negotiation that would produce an effective Arms Trade Treaty as a means of addressing many of the enduring global challenges caused by unregulated arms,” and that he is “pleased” with the discussions so far.


Initially many of the UN delegates were rather uncertain about the possibility of wide support for the current treaty negotiations. However, Danon said “the principle of an Arms Trade Treaty is now agreed by all the countries, even if some countries make reservations on some aspects.”


What is especially encouraging is that even Pakistan seems to support the concept. A Pakistani diplomat, Reza Bashir Tarar,, referring to consensus on the treaty being achieved, said, “When we do, documents that emerge will have lasting value.”