| Chugoku Shimbun Peace News | |
| UN disarmament conference emphasizes confiscation of small arms | '02/8/9 |
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In its second day (the 8th), the UN Disarmament Conference in Kyoto (sponsored by the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific and the UN Dept. of Disarmament Affairs) heard eight reports regarding the role played by the UN and other international organizations in controlling weapons to prevent terrorist activities. The emphasis was on the need to confiscate rifles and other small arms. Senior Advisor Misturo Donowaki of the Foreign Ministry addressed the ubiquity of small arms in the world today. "Small arms are most frequently used in terrorist acts, and they're also a factor in prolonging local conflicts." He called for confiscation of small arms in areas where terrorist organizations are active and for strengthening restrictions against illegal transactions. Professor Masahiko Asada of Kyoto University (International Law) said, "We need to pursue and punish nations and individuals that provide weapons to terrorist organizations." Regarding the role of international organizations in fighting terrorism, Tariq Rauf, head of Verification and Security Policy Coordination for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made the persuasive point that, "Nuclear materials are already moving around. Inspections must be reinforced and nations that handle nuclear material must be held accountable for controlling them."
Secretary General Kevin Clements of International Alert, a British NGO, criticized the unilateralist policies of the US, which continues to attack Afghanistan. "They are undermining the UN and all the mechanisms the international community has developed." In anti-terrorist activities, "We need leadership capable of striking a balance through multilateral cooperation among international organizations."
    
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