UN's Kofi Annan: For many, small arms pose greater threat than WMDs

India Times ^ | FEb. 5, 2004 | AFP

[FairOpinion]

UNITED NATIONS: Although weapons of mass destruction grab headlines, many people see handguns and other small arms as a far greater threat to their safety, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has said.

"Dire potential scenarios involving nuclear, chemical and biological weapons have dominated recent disarmament discussions," he told the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters on Wednesday. "But a much more direct threat to many people around the world is the day-to-day violence of conflict fought with small weapons.

Those weapons, said Annan, are "supplied-sometimes legally, sometimes illegally-by often unscrupulous and predatory arms merchants.

"We must do more to fight this menace, too," said the UN chief. "Such efforts might involve ensuring jobs and opportunities for disarmed ex-combatants in countries emerging from conflict. They might include clamping down on the illicit exploitation of natural resources."

The 21-member advisory board meets twice a year. Members are chosen by the secretary general for expertise in various arms fields.

[FairOpinion]

And just remember that the Dems want to subordinate the US to the UN.

[GeronL]

well, believe it or not there are some Republicans who do to... and some that will if it gets them elected.

[Prime Choice]

Perhaps Kofi Annan would care to explain why his entourage got caught by NYPD with ILLEGAL ASSAULT WEAPONS in their possession then.

Kofi is just another "security for me but not for thee" Left-wing elitist.

[Caipirabob]

UN's Kofi Annan: For many, small arms pose greater threat than WMDs

I can easily imagine the threat of "sudden justice" catching up with them keeps Kofi and cronies up late at night.

Bring it on, chump.

[BikerTrash]

For many, small arms pose greater threat than WMDs

Well, maybe they should work out...you know...bulk up a little bit.

[Diogenesis]

THIS JUST IN: Kofi Annan, Emperor of Terrorists, has declared
that freedom poses a greater threat to the UN than either terrorism OR slavery.

[Atlantic Friend]

I'm no big UN fan, but some things make sense here, though. You can wage a very ugly war or terrorist campaign without any WMDs. Rwanda comes to mind, or Kosovo, or the Congolese civil war.

Look at Israel : the terrorists that attack this country everyday do not need WMDs to stage their heinous attacks. They do not even need a spectacular terrorist attack, except as a morale-booster tool. Small arms and conventional explosives are deadly enough in their hands.

The media focus on the WMD threat. That's understandable, partly because of Iraq, although I remember there was a similar wave after the fall of the Soviet Union. But what about those who sell ordinary M-16s or AK-74s or C-4 to terrorist groups or to the governments that support them. Aren't these doing a fine job of butchering innocent civilians ? I haven't looked it up, but I guess Israel has lost many, many more people to small arms than were killed on 9/11. IMHO, we shouldn't allow the small arms issue to be eclipsed by the WMDs, nor should we allow the small arms dealers that are the terrorists' suppliers to fall below our radar horizon.

[Diogenesis]

Do you still live in France?

[Atlantic Friend]

Why, yes.

[Diogenesis]

Bon jour, and welcome to FR.

[Wonder Warthog]

" But what about those who sell ordinary M-16s or AK-74s or C-4 to terrorist groups or to the governments that support them. Aren't these doing a fine job of butchering innocent civilians ? I haven't looked it up, but I guess Israel has lost many, many more people to small arms than were killed on 9/11. IMHO, we shouldn't allow the small arms issue to be eclipsed by the WMDs, nor should we allow the small arms dealers that are the terrorists' suppliers to fall below our radar horizon."

Actually, no. The reason small arms are a problem is because the terrorists have them and the normal run of citizens don't. Terrorists will ALWAYS be able to get small arms, if nothing else, by building them themselves (see the small arms made in Afghanistan, for instance).

As counter-intuitive as it may seem, the CORRECT answer is to arm the citizens, as was PROVEN by Israel--which DOES allow the general citizenry to carry arms at any time and any place. That "general armament" actually resulted in a large DROP in small-arms based terrorist incidents. The problem in Israel is explosives (suicide bombers), not firearms

Lastly--far more civilians have been killed by THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT than all the terrorists to date. Terrorist have accounted for a paltry few thousands---governments have killed upwards of 120,000,000 people (Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot and others).

[Atlantic Friend]

Thanks, Diogenesis. Nice to meet you again.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

If the RATS ever gain control of Washington again, it will be time to start buying pvc pipe and using it to bury your weapons.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

The most effective way to end war and ensure peace is to kill the enemy.

End terrorism, kill terrrorists.

[Fresh Wind]

That's a scary thought. A guy breaks into your house and is standing over your son's or daughter's bed, and you are out digging up the back yard.

[Atlantic Friend]

You're, of course, right about the bombings, but these seem to target urban areas only, where the density of population means a high number of casualties. In more rural areas, as it seems, many attacks involve terrorist snipers and roadside ambushes staged with assault rifles and grenades, very conventional weapons.

I'm not in favor of banning weapons for ordinary decent citizens, don't get me wrong. Arm sales are a legitimate business, and people who buy weapons for their protection or for recreational purposes usually are no threat for their neighbors. Like you, I fail to see how taking weapons away from honest people would act as an incentive for criminals.

[GailA]

btt

[gakrak]

And don't forget that the Dem leader Kerry, once proposed
abolishing the CIA and placing the US Armed Forces under
the command of the UN!
That should make everyone feel real safe.

[marktwain]

Note that arming the peasants has worked quite well in Peru to defang the Sendero Luminoso, and that part of the effective war (so far) on the Columbian terrorists has involved the arming of more people.

[Centurion2000]

If the RATS ever gain control of Washington again, it will be time to start buying pvc pipe and using it to bury your weapons.

If it is time to start burying them, then it is time to start using them.

Geocaching your primary weapons is foolish.