§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the experience in Africa, Central America, former Yugoslavia and elsewhere, what steps they are taking, together with fellow members of the United Nations Security Council, to ensure that the collection and destruction of light weapons are given high priority in peacekeeping and conflict resolution; and what specific lessons have been learned from Mali in 1995–96. [HL550]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UN works closely with fellow members of the UN Security Council to ensure that demobilisation and disarmament are included, where appropriate, in the mandate of UN peacekeeping operations authorised by the Security Council, as for example, was recently done in Angola (MONUA) and Guatemala (MINUGUA). The UK has also endorsed the report of the UN panel of experts on small arms, encouraged the recently appointed Under Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs to give a high priority to a reduction in the illicit trade in small arms, and played a leading role in developing an EU project to combat the illegal trafficking of light weapons in Southern Africa.
The example of Mali shows that a 'security first' approach, based on building the capacity of local police, and strengthening border controls and demobilisation, has an important role to play in establishing a firm foundation for economic growth and development. This approach now forms an integral part of HMG's overall development policy.