Thomas P. Broughan
Question:76 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he proposes to raise at the UN Security Council during Ireland's term of membership towards the reduction, control and licensing of weapons. [17801/01]
Written Answers. - United Nations Security Council.
The United Nations Security Council has very specific responsibilities for the maintenance of peace and international security. The issues raised by the Deputy are not dealt with directly by the Security Council but are pursued on a thematic basis and, in the Security Council, in the context of specific situations. For example, sanctions are in place with the specific aim of reducing the flow of arms to a number of conflict areas.
Unfortunately, there is also illicit trafficking in arms and this is often linked to illegal trade in high value commodities, such as so-called blood diamonds and other natural resources. This link often leads to the exacerbation of conflicts, particularly in Africa. Both aspects of this problem are now being addressed. The UN conference on the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in all its aspects will take place in New York next July with the objective of agreeing an international action plan in order to combat this illicit trafficking. The Irish delegation is already fully engaged in the preparatory work. The trade in high value natural resources and commodities is also being addressed especially in areas which suffer from persistent conflict, such as Angola and Sierra Leone.
In the case of Angola, Ireland, as a member of the UN Security Council, is playing a very active role through its chairmanship of the United Nations Sanctions Committee Against UNITA, Angola. The sanctions have an important role to play in bringing the tragic conflict in Angola to an end and I am determined to ensure that they are fully implemented. So far as Sierra Leone and Liberia are concerned, Ireland, as vice-chair of the Liberian sanctions committee, is also playing an active role. Security Council sanctions against Liberia came into effect on Monday, 7 May, and we will work to help ensure their full implementation and effectiveness.
In all our efforts on these important issues we remain conscious of the commitment made by the leaders of all UN member states on the occasion of the millennium summit in New York last September. The declaration which they made, inter alia, addressed the interrelated issues of development, peace, security and disarmament, and specifically the need to implement treaties in arms control and disarmament, to strive for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and to end illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.
In compliance with these undertakings, the UN Secretary General is preparing a progress report on implementation for consideration at the next regular session of the General Assembly.