U.S.-EU Statement of Principles on Small Arms and Light Weapons

[robnoel]

U.S.-EU STATEMENT OF COMMON PRINCIPLES ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS

December 17, 1999

The United States and the European Union agree that the problem of the
destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons
demands the urgent attention of the international community.

They agree that a comprehensive approach is needed, addressing human
security, development, law enforcement, disarmament and arms control,
and legitimate national and collective defense requirements.

Both are committed to seeking urgent, concrete, and practical
responses through global, regional and national measures. Their
approaches include stemming the flow of illicit trafficking,
confronting those aspects of the legal trade that contribute to the
destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons,
and dealing with the root causes of conflict that fuel the spread of
small arms.

To better address these issues, the U.S. and the EU will expand their
cooperation, coordinate their activities, and reaffirm the common
principles governing their conduct.

The EU pledges cooperation with the U.S. Comprehensive Initiative on
Small Arms and Illicit Trafficking. The U.S. pledges cooperation with
the EU on small arms, including support for the objectives and
principles of the EU Joint Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons
adopted in December 1998, consistent with U.S. policy and domestic
legislation.

They agree that the UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms
and light weapons in all its aspects should undertake concrete and
tangible steps to combat the destabilizing accumulation and spread of
small arms and light weapons.

They agree on the goal of concluding the Protocol to Combat the
Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and
Components, and Ammunition by 2000, which will serve as a key element
in international efforts to combat illicit firearms trafficking.

Recognizing the special responsibilities that arms exporting states
have, the U.S. and the EU affirm their commitment to observe the
highest standards of restraint in the transfer of small arms and light
weapons. They reaffirm support for the OSCE Principles Governing
Conventional Arms Transfers. With respect to policies on small arms
and light weapons the U.S. welcomes the EU's adoption of the EU Code
of Conduct on arms exports and the principles contained in its
criteria, which the U.S. endorses.

http://www.usia.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=99121716.wlt&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml

 

[fal308]

Typical political double-speak. Inferring that we mere peons aren't good enough to acquire small arms yet they want to protect their acquisition and building capabilities. I notice in the last paragragh where it states that they will uphold the highest standards...I would venture to state that it still means whatever country has the money has the highest standards - $. As Mykl's sig states, follow the money trail.

 

[Art Eatman]

Just the usual crapola that only governments are good guys, so only governmental employees should ever possess any firearm at all. It follows, then, from this viewpoint, that all individuals who are not in some form of government service should give up all guns of whatever sort.

I remember a TV newsclip during the days following the fall of the Berlin Wall, in Latvia. As part of the Soviet disarmament of the populace, to prevent "warfare", the news clip showed Olympic free-style .22 rifles being sequestered...Don't ever believe that "sporting" or "hunting" guns will be inviolate from the gun-grabbers.

[This message has been edited by Art Eatman (edited December 20, 1999).]

 

[Dennis]

"They agree that the UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms
and light weapons in all its aspects should undertake concrete and
tangible steps to combat the destabilizing accumulation and spread of
small arms and light weapons."
-----
The beat goes on. All they have to do now is say private ownership is "illicit".

Suddenly *WE* would be the lawbreakers we have been urging our government to punish so severely.

What's that old saying? "Be careful what you ask for. You might get it."


[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited December 21, 1999).]

 

[Alan B]

WHY??

I spent several years in the army as SGT in charge of an air defence system capable of blowing aircraft out of the air. I was, and did have sole authority on whether to fire or not. There was no higher authority that had control of my launch rails. I carried evil "assault" rifles and even crewed the dreaded .50 cal...

Then why is it the moment I took off the uniform I become irresponsible with fire arms and their usage?

This is somthing I heve yet to figure out...

Maybe we should be called serfs not citizens

 

[DC]

Hmmm...political content...wonder where it belongs?

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"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" RKBA!