Gun control for Angola??!!
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FOR: FOREIGN AFFAIRS & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
MARCH 15, 2000
Axworthy Welcomes Report of Angola Sanctions Expert Panel
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today
welcomed a report prepared by an Expert Panel concerning alleged
violations of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) measures
imposed against the Angolan rebel group, UNITA. The report makes
39 recommendations designed to strengthen the sanctions against
UNITA and improve their implementation. Canadian Permanent
Representative to the UN, Robert Fowler, as Chair of the Angola
Sanctions Committee, presented the report to the Security Council
in an open briefing this morning.
"Conditions for the implementation of peace must be established in
order to achieve a lasting settlement to a conflict that has gone
on for over two decades and has so seriously undermined the human
security of Angolans," said Mr. Axworthy. "The work of the Expert
Panel will assist the international community in ensuring that
sanctions become an effective tool for reducing UNITA's capacity
to wage war."
Council-imposed sanctions against UNITA have been introduced
incrementally, beginning in 1993. The sanctions regime now
encompasses prohibitions on UNITA's representation abroad and
travel by its senior representatives; the provision or movement of
funds and financial resources to UNITA; the sale or supply to
UNITA of arms and related material and military assistance, the
sale or supply of petroleum products to UNITA; and the direct or
indirect export of diamonds by UNITA.
Security Council resolution 1237 of May 1999, established two
independent expert panels, which were later merged, to collect
information on the sources and methods of violations of the
relevant Security Council sanctions against UNITA and to recommend
measures both to end those violations, name perpetrators and to
improve implementation of the sanctions. Chaired by Swedish
diplomat Anders Mollander, and vice-chaired by Botswana Colonel
Otisitswe B. Tiroyamodimo, members of the panel visited 30
countries and met with a wide variety of parties, including
governments, commercial companies, non-governmental organisations,
and others, in order to fulfil their mandate. The Government of
Canada has fully respected the independent nature of the Expert
Panel initiative and has neither sought, nor was offered, an
opportunity to influence its content.
During Canada's April presidency, Mr. Axworthy plans to chair an
open meeting of the Security Council to formally consider the
report's recommendations and develop an appropriate response.
Canada is studying the report and will announce initiatives in
April in areas which will assist in curbing the illegal
trafficking of small arms, as identified in the Panel's report.
Work with partners on measures to help cease the illicit trade of
diamonds and to strengthen corporate responsibility in this regard
will also be a priority. Canada welcomes the statements made by
the Governments of Belgium and South Africa outlining the measures
they are taking to ensure their full compliance with the
UNSC-mandated sanctions, and will contact other countries
mentioned about how they intend to respond.
"As was demonstrated in the Expert Panel report, even where
sanctions regimes are imposed, the continued availability of small
arms and light weapons seriously undermines the peacebuilding
process and frequently leads to a renewal of fighting," said the
Minister. "To tackle this problem effectively requires a
comprehensive approach, including strict adherence to
internationally imposed sanctions regimes."
Canada's work on the Angola Sanctions Committee is part of its
wider efforts on sanctions, which have focussed on the issues of
effectiveness and humanitarian impact. To address these broader
questions, Canada has sponsored a comprehensive report on
sanctions by the International Peace Academy, an international
organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful settlement of
armed conflicts between and within states. That report will be
launched during Canada's April presidency of the Security Council.
The Expert Panel report is available at: un.int
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