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<title>MANLEY EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR CANADIAN DELEGATION AT UN CONFERENCE ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>July 11, 2001 <em>(12:30 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 103</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>MANLEY EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR CANADIAN DELEGATION AT UN CONFERENCE
ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS </strong></font></p>
<p>John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today expressed his support for the Canadian delegation at the United Nations
Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. The Conference, being held in New
York City, will run for two weeks, from July 9 to July 20. Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), is leading
the delegation on behalf of Minister Manley.</p>
<p>"I strongly support this landmark United Nations conference and the Canadian delegation who are working diligently with
the international community to ensure that the resulting programme of action is comprehensive and effective," said Mr.
Manley. "The issue of small arms and light weapons is an integral part of Canadian policies on conflict prevention and
management, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction."</p>
<p>Minister Manley also noted that access to small arms and light weapons is one of the key contributors to instability and
conflict situations throughout the world. He underscored that Canada's principle objective on this issue is to address the
human suffering and insecurity caused by the excessive and destabilizing accumulation and uncontrolled proliferation of
small arms and light weapons.</p>
<p>On the first day of the UN Conference, in a statement by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette, it was also made
known that since 1990, small arms and light weapons have contributed to approximately four million deaths, and have been
the instruments of choice in 46 out of the 49 major conflicts that have occurred during this time.</p>
<p>Canada's approach to small arms and light weapons, focusses on post-conflict disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration; the criteria to identify surplus stocks; export criteria; and the promotion of an effective follow-up to the
Programme of Action. The Canadian position also highlights the human dimension on issues related to small arms and light
weapons, including the socio-economic and humanitarian consequences of their proliferation and misuse. </p>
<p>Information regarding the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects can be
found on the following Web site: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071206200824/http://www.un.org/Depts/dda/CAB/smallarms">http://www.un.org/Depts/dda/CAB/smallarms</a> </p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sanjeev Chowdhury </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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