OSCE workshop in Zagreb to focus on better ways to control sale of small arms and light weapons

VIENNA, 27 March, 2006 - Croatia this week plays host to a two-day OSCE workshop on controlling the sale and export (brokering) of sale of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus.

Convened by Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, the workshop brings together experts from various OSCE countries, including representatives of the two regions as well as other international governmental and non-governmental organizations that have a prominent role in the monitoring and control of SALW sales, such as NATO and South Eastern Europe Clearing-house for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC).

The workshop will be held near Zagreb at the premises of the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) that also helped organize it.

Control over brokering SALW sales and transfers has been identified as one of the topics of the forthcoming United Nations Review Conference on the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, to be held in New York from 26 June to 7 July.

With that in mind, the Head of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the OSCE, Ambassador Axel Berg, said the goal of the Zagreb workshop was twofold: "First, to contribute to the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on the illicit SALW trade, in the run-up to the UN Review Conference. At the same time, the OSCE workshop should assess and raise awareness of its own participating States' efforts to implement OSCE commitments in this area."

Everyone realised the grave consequences of irresponsible SALW transfers, Ambassador Berg said: "The OSCE will make its contribution towards the implementation of the UN Programme of Action as a regional organization under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. The workshop itself is part of its contribution and will help in determining how to present its achievements in this area at the Review Conference."

Participants will assess the implementation of these decisions and discuss the existing legislative framework that regulates SALW transfers - including licensing, registration and authorization - its administrative practice and enforcement.

Journalists and photographers are invited to attend the opening speeches of the workshop,  9.30 to 10.30 a.m., Wednesday 29 March,  at the RACVIAC, Rakitje, Stari hrast 53, 10437 Bestovje, Croatia.