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FAIR
TRADE GROUP
FIREARMS IMPORTERS ROUNDTABLE
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
PRESENTATION
TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE ILLICIT
TRADE IN SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS IN ALL
ITS ASPECTS
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK
July 15, 2001
Thank you Mr. President:
My name is Rob Talley and I serve as the Executive Director of the FAIR Trade
Group, an organization representing the interests of businesses involved in the
legal import and export of firearms across international boundaries. It is very
important that we clarify at the outset that our membership supports efforts to
minimize global violence and restrict the illicit trade in small arms and light
weapons. However, we are concerned that the well-meaning efforts of this
Conference will have an unintentional negative impact on legitimate business
transactions.
Specifically:
The failure of the Plan of Action to clearly define `small arms' effectively
limits the international scope of the Programme. Without a reliable and clear
definition, business transactions will be restricted, as definitional conflicts
among states result in an inability of businesses to attain appropriately
required permits. We recommend that establishing one clear definition will be
the key to a working international system.
Second, the recommendation that export and import control regimes for
firearms commerce include end use certificates will prevent trade with countries
that do not or can not provide such documentation. We recommend that there are
other methods to attain a similar goal.
Third, steps by this conference to enforce and require eradication of weapons
deemed surplus by participating nations fails to recognize the interests of
legitimate collectors and sporting enthusiasts whose lawful acquisition of these
same weapons would: One, remove them from regions of concern; Two, introduce
them into a regulated and controlled system; And three, provide controlling
governments--many of whom are financially struggling--with foreign currency.
On behalf of its membership, the FAIR Trade Group urges consideration of the
interests and views of those who are intimately familiar with the practical
implications of the initiatives under discussion.
2121 K STREET N.W., SUITE 650, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037 * (202) 296?2537 *
(202) 296?2675
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