[sinkspur]

I didn't miss it. I disagree with the conclusion of the author.

The Vatican is not trying to place guns under the UN, nor is it trying to take away anybody's guns.

[ANGGAPO]

Lets get the US out of the UN and that will make most Americans happy.

[seowulf]

STATEMENT OF H.E. MONS. RENATO RAFFAELE MARTINO TO THE 56th SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS ON DISARMAMENT

Monday, 15 October 2001

EXERPT

The Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Lights Weapons in All Its Aspects has been attributed various degrees of success and failure. In terms of success, 189 countries were able to agree on a Program of Action that urges governments to enact laws, regulations and administrative procedures to prevent the illicit trafficking in small arms and to make the illegal manufacture, possession, stockpiling and trade of these weapons a criminal offense. It was also decided that a review Conference is to be held no later than 2006 to examine progress in implementing the agreement, thereby ensuring that this would be the first step in what is expected to be a lengthy effort. The Conference has also been commended for placing a spotlight on the issue of small arms and providing an important platform for civil society and concerned governments to press for serious action.

However, the success of the Conference was limited from the beginning since it only set out to discuss the illegal aspects of the small arms trade. This focus has been criticized for ignoring the fact that most illicit weapons originate in the legal export market before being diverted. Moreover, the agreement that was reached is a non-binding voluntary declaration with no enforcement mechanism, thereby raising the question of how seriously it will be taken by its signatories. Unfortunately, the Conference’s final document did not include provisions that would have regulated civilian gun ownership and restricted arms transfers to legitimate States.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_doc_20011015_un-disarmament_en.html