The Arms Trade Treaty regards the following weapons as impacting the ebb and flow of war to peace on earth. Weapons included in the ATT are:• Battle tanks• Armored combat vehicles• Large calibre artillery systems• Combat aircraft• Attack helicopters• Warships• Missile and missile launchers• Small arms and light weapons
---The intention of the ATT is to set a legally binding, comprehensive standards for trade in conventional arms in order to address the many security risks related to regulate the international legal trade in weapons.
Illicit trade is agreed by everyone as harmful to human beings.
------China clearly spoke and stated that the world is to stay out of its internal affairs or it will take human rights off the table. China's human rights is its internal affairs.... China has negotiated toughly throughout the whole ATT process and has been able to secure that most of its key points have been addressed and in an orderly and timely way has facilitated the complex final stages of the multilateral negotiating stages. China has also compromised in some key to include ammunition in support of African concerns.
China wants EU arms embargo lifted before it approves the ATT.
These sessions included people living under foreign occupation. Weapons considerations will be reviewed.
Mexico is interested in reducing gun smuggling to Mexico from the United States. Mexico has powerful drug cartels within their country. Mexico manufactures ammunition. What are the percentages of legal guns sold to Mexico from the U.S. and then taken illicitly into black markets and what is the percentage of illicit weapons smuggled directly into Mexico from the U.S ?
----As for the United States of America, the arms issue is a core issue. The American Revolution was based on the right of the regular Man to defend him/her self and family.
I watched and listened to the thoughts of some wanting all guns removed. Australia has removed all street guns and give this responsibility of protection soley to law enforcement.
I listened to the atrocities against women and children by mostly young men with arms (and yet, young men is the Number 1 category of death from weapons) illicit and legal, military, police and renegade.
I listened to two solutions to this problem: get rid of the illicit weapons or arm the women.
The strength of the various segments of our society would best not be disregarded in the face of a problem that is not yet solved.
People against registration have seen government take weapons that they knew about from the registered holders who want to defend their families.
Both, those against or for gun control have seen their friends raped or killed and want to be able to protect.
20 mass killings occur every year in America and have for 30 years.
Aurora, Colorado occurred during the time that the ATT was in session.-----
The representatives of the United States had been working diligently to tighten wording and therefore policy legally. As an American, I do come from a point of view. I would like to proudly say that the United States of America team here has worked tirelessly 24/7 to usher in a good Arms Trade Treaty. Balancing gun control, the Second Amendment, international relationships and internal legal affairs, this remarkable team has worked extremely hard. Bravo to them on their great efforts. And a special salute to the Head of U.S. Delegation Don Mahley.
I had left the ATT and walked briefly with one of the U.S. team. That representative let me know how hard they had worked in the face of accomplishing a global ATT in a four-week span and how very close we had come as a world to accomplishing that task.
A robust treaty requested by the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's office *** (see below) brought up many of these insights a year and a half ago. Many of the countries focusing on these issues couldn't pin point until the final paper that compiled a succinct document of points globally was brought forward by the U.N. and delivered to world representatives.
There wasn't enough time the last week to submit close to end points. With the time difference, authorities in the various countries were asleep. There wasn't enough time to deliver a robust Arms Trade Treaty at this time.
Yet.
This is the beginning of the ATT implementation procedures for many years to come.
Who will watch how this treaty will be implemented over the duration of our lives?
This process began 15 years ago on controlling weapons on a global scale, then six years of conversations to write an Arms Trade Treaty. Then a month to finalize first Arms Trade Treaty globally ever in the history of the human race. It has been an interesting process. One that communication techniques would adjust for the better perhaps a year from now.
The world is focused on controlling weapons. This is the first focus in the process. This is not a gun ban. This is not a stop of weapons. This is a marathon with a marker of mile three. How long the run? As long as it takes to manifest the order of weapons on earth.
It would be good if the African countries realized that, as with all of us, violence is a symptom and the ATT will not solve their internal problems.
New York: One of my art agents, coming into town at 11:30 p.m. As she walked past youth on the corner, she overheard their conversation: how they planned to steal gold, cash or diamonds -- they were the easiest to turn around to put aside money for college.
So, youth in Tunisia with highest educations with a goal of ideals to live by and create their world within. And, U.S. youth with so many, many programs thinking they can build a future for themselves or their families based upon the pain of others. This seed of doing things is a thread that contaminates within and without ourselves and our world.
Peace is as complicated as each one of us.
Global Jobs Crisis:
Tunisia: Young people in this generation who are looking for jobs. This issue brought to global attention with the death of Mohammed Bouazizi and other suicides of young people, many with extensive educations who cannot get employment. I was told by the Tunisian Representative, Hazem Ksouri, an Attorney in Tunisia, that the hard work is now in putting together a social fabric that gives employment to this generation so that they can build their lives and contribute to their families, their society and their world.
This cry of a generation can be heard globally as it is now known as a Global Job Crisis. There is a saying that in the poor neighborhoods you have a better chance of getting a job.
The vision of this generation includes bringing Democracy throughout the world through the arts, culture, expansion of peace and dignity. ---
Current Statics:
7 billion people on earth5 billion people available work force3.5 billion people required work force
USA New National Defense problem: Childhood obesity
So, problems like these see poverty as the leading contributor to weapons proliferation and if you want to defend yourself, you'd best think ahead and not poorly feed and treat your youth.
And, if you want education to matter, implement jobs programs.
Peace on Earth may mean a good space program to hire the other 1.5 billion humans capable to work.
That would reduce the fear and poverty that leads to a world at arms.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Office***Ellen TauscherUnder Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Carnegie Endowment For International PeaceWashington, DCFebruary 18, 2010Share on facebookShare on google_plusone
[*Under Secretary Tauscher's remarks were delivered by Special Negotiator Donald Mahley.]
As prepared
"It's nice to see so many friendly faces - you are what I consider "my base."
Let me start by thanking the sponsors of this meeting, the Center for International Trade & Security, Oxfam America, the Arms Control Association, and Project Ploughshares.
As everyone here knows, President Obama has set forth a bold arms control and nonproliferation agenda.
And, for good reason, and because so many of us have made such an effort to speak out about the Prague agenda, it has garnered a lot of support, attention and media coverage.
I know that conventional arms have gotten much less attention even though they kill more people every year than nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. I am here to make sure that everyone knows that the United States is strongly committed to addressing the problems posed by the irresponsible transfers of conventional weapons.
So last October, Secretary Clinton said that the United States "is committed to actively pursuing a strong and robust treaty that contains the highest possible, legally-binding standards for the international transfer of conventional weapons."
We will work between now and the UN Conference in 2012 to negotiate a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and we'll need your help in achieving it. We have made that a fundamental policy commitment. So let me explain what it means in practical terms and why we're doing this now.
Like a lot of ideas, an arms trade treaty has been in the works for a long time. The UN Register of Conventional Arms opened the door to global discussions of a range of conventional weapons.
These discussions have broadened so that we now have an A to Z list of meetings and forums on how to limit or eliminate small arms, anti-personnel landmines and other indiscriminate weapons.
But conventional arms transfers are a much wider question than just small arms or voluntary registration of some information about transfers. We need a treaty that looks at regulating all conventional weapons, from small arms and light weapons to aircraft carriers.
Unlike chemical or biological weapons, an Arms Trade Treaty cannot be a ban on conventional weapons. When conducted responsibly, arms transfers are a legitimate commercial enterprise and support global stability.
The international arms trade provides nations with material necessary to fulfill the most basic functions of a government - protecting its citizens and enforcing its national sovereignty.
What we are after is a means to have all nations do what the United States already does: examine each conventional weapons transfer before it is authorized to be certain that it will enhance ... not undermine ... security and stability.
We all know that there is a dark side to arms transfers that can have devastating consequences for people and regions.
Irresponsible transfers can support terrorists, enable genocidal, and create, sustain, and compound proliferation nightmares.
The Arms Trade Treaty discussions have gained momentum by a shared recognition of the disruptive and oppressive impact of illicit or ill-advised arms transfers by a number of countries and organizations.
That is why we need to explore a legally binding measure to better control transfers across international borders.
For the Arms Trade Treaty to be effective at thwarting irresponsible transfers, it must ensure that members effectively implement national laws that criminalize such transfers and allow for the monitoring of commerce. Without this, it won't necessarily deter or stop terrorism.
So-called "legally-binding instruments" are absolutely meaningless to such terrorists. They are criminals who don't and won't abide by any reasonable agreements.
This means that the most only effective way to inhibit their activity is indirectly.
All states must recognize the obligation to enact and enforce laws within their territory that criminalize, isolate, and punish those terrorist groups operating within their territory or profiting from transactions that originate in or transit through their territory.
And, if the state claiming sovereign jurisdiction does not have the capability for such enforcement, then the international community must make available the resources to create such capability, both in the short and long run.
This means that any international instrument hoping to make real impact on "illicit" arms transfers must focus on requiring each party to put in place those necessary means to eliminate such rogue non-state actors both from within their territory and on the receiving end of their international commerce.
It means that weak states, where terrorists operate with relative freedom, must adapt to the very real and very difficult requirements any effective instrument will lay out for them.
They must take all necessary steps to become an effective, law-abiding state.
At the same time, conventional arms transfers are a crucial national security concern for the United States.
Our government has always supported effective action to control and ensure responsibility in the international transfer of arms. That's because we believe that stable societies and secure environments are the best places for the growth of freedom and prosperity.
So we are a leading advocate of ensuring that arms transfers are done only for legitimate purposes. We carefully consider them before they are approved - I should know since I sign off on some of them - and put in place safeguards designed to ensure that small arms are used in the manner for which the transfer was intended.
The United States has one of the most comprehensive sets of requirements in the world that must be satisfied before a U.S. manufacturer is authorized to transfer arms internationally.
Every month, literally thousands of applications for export of weapons are reviewed in detail by our Government.
We have a strong and robust regulatory body. The transfer of arms are approved only when there is realistic and reasonable evidence the intended recipient has shown that they have a legitimate need and sufficient safeguards are there to preclude either deliberate or unintended re-transfers to unapproved end uses. We also consider the effect of the transfer on regional stability.
This process requires enormous effort. It is expensive. And it results in denying exports in questionable circumstances.
Although this can work to the commercial disadvantage of U.S. firms, it is the price we have to pay to try to stem the flow of conventional arms to terrorist groups, rogue states, and others who would undermine the rule of law.
It is also why the United States believes that it is the responsibility of the entire international community to settle for no less than the highest possible standards in international agreements and reporting activities.
We believe that robust and vigorous regulation and enforcement would make it much more difficult for terrorist groups or rogue nations to destabilize regions or support terrorist activity.
This is why, after careful consideration, the Obama administration has decided to actively support international efforts to achieve an effective global framework and to set high the bar that everyone must meet.
The United States will seek a result that establishes high standards of expected conduct in international activity and in national enforcement.
The Arms trade treaty negotiations will likely be long and difficult. Some participants will be tempted to take the easy road of seeking the lowest common denominator just to get a quick agreement from those states who would like to continue to support... directly or indirectly ... terrorists, pirates, and genocidal warlords for a quick profit or short-term advantage.
Let me be clear, we will not rush to judgment by approving a weak or loophole-laden agreement.
The United States is not interested in a vague or weak outcome just to feel good. That would not do anything to address the real issues in arms transfers.
The United States believes an Arms Trade Treaty is sufficiently important to national security and international stability that the deliberations need to produce consensus decisions in order to command the widest possible participation.
A document that failed to gain support from important international players capable of acting outside their reach will undercut the objectives and purposes would be worse than having no document at all.
Consensus is needed to ensure the high standards necessary for an effective ATT.
It is not, nor should others hope it to be, an excuse for avoiding hard choices or real, deliberative controls. There will no doubt be serious, lengthy negotiations over most of the elements of any outcome.
In fact, it has been our experience - sometimes painful - over the course of four decades of such negotiations that there is an inevitable rush by many of the participants in those negotiations to seek simplified or shallow provisions because they "sound good" or are easily agreed to.
The United States considers the subject of conventional arms transfers, with their pervasiveness, dual-use capabilities, and potential harm, too important to national security to be treated with less than the level of detail and engagement it deserves.
This will not make the negotiations any easier, but it will give them the greatest chance of being meaningful and of commanding both the attention and participation by those states necessary to its eventual success.
Now I know that some will argue that a consensus agreement will make it tough to get real progress. Let me say two things about that.
First, some state could attempt to derail negotiations to seek an individual concession. Our goal is to make such behavior transparent to bring public and diplomatic pressure onto the offending party.
It's sort of like earmarking in Congress. The way to curb abuse is to force the process into the light of day with reporting transparency rather than letting some members slip them into a 1,000-page bill in the dark of night.
And, there are, as you know, a handful of states who make up the backbone of the worldwide arms trade. Excluding them or not getting a universal agreement would make any agreement less than useless. In political terms, this requires a big tent policy even if bringing some into the tent is time consuming and painful.
But it is the only way to address this issue and bring about an enduring and meaningful agreement that enhances our national security and international stability.
The treaty is worth doing because it can have, unlike many things we do, a more immediate impact. Lessening the arms trade, can lead to less killing and maiming.
But the reality is that this is a very big challenge. We're going to need your help to build the political support necessary to get this done."
------
In closing, the Arms Trade Treaty is a global concern. It is the first step toward organizing weapons on earth.
Each generation polarizes energy before the next generation is born. Always. That is our way.
Whatever major issues we bring to that pitch will be offered on the altar of the next generation to solve.
We need and must bring together with the greatest minds from the various aspects on this issue and build solutions that work. It will be detailed with integral steps in building the respect that has been lost. A think tank, with policy outreach neither left nor right but firmly standing in the center of manifesting actual safety and protection in this land of our forefathers.
The United States of America is a great country made of every country. We are 193 countries and we are one of 193 countries.
To solve within and to come to solution without.
---
Arms Trade Treaty
Thank you so very much to the United Nations, Ambassador Roberto Garcia Moritan specifically, the Department of Disarmament, delegates from Australia, Tunisia, China, Viet Nam, the Holy See, Italy, etc., the International Action Network on Small Arms especially Michele Poliacof and Cesar Marin and Ray Acheson of Reaching Critical Will, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Johanna Reeves of the Fair Trade Group, D. Allen YoungmanMajor GeneralDefense Small Arms Advisory Council, Thomas L. MasonThe World Forum On The Future Of Sport Shooting Activities, Ted R. Bromund, Ph.D.The Heritage Foundation, the United States Delegation, William F. Kullman, IIIUnited States Department of Justice, Scott Bloom of AOPCT - all for their information and insights into this world of arms to peace.
I can't thank you enough. I take very seriously the role of Founder of the Peace Angels Project and the Art of Peace Charitable Trust. I walk the razor's edge in standing square in the middle. In order for there to be true peace on earth, we have allot of work to do. But isn't that what life is for? To live our lives for the betterment of humanity.
For those who are interested in the inner workings of the Arms Trade Treaty, please go to:
Arms Trade Treaty Monitor: The Blog
