By Anna Macdonald, Head of Control Arms, Oxfam International
It was a packed day yesterday here at the UN, as in addition to running a lunchtime meeting with states, to present Control Arms analysis of government’s submissions to the UN consultation on an ATT, we also had a meeting with the Liberian President, Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
On my way to the Liberia Mission, I thought about how much the campaign has moved on in the 4 years since we launched it. In 2003, there were 3 governments who publicly supported the idea of an ATT, now we are regularly meeting with many of the 153 who voted in favour of it last year.
I admire President Sirleaf incredibly, not only is she the first woman President in Africa, but she is determinedly tackling the task of rebuilding her country which was so devastated by civil war, and the influx of thousands of weapons and rounds of ammunition.
When we got to the mission, hordes of security guards were surrounding the building, but myself and Rebecca Peters, the Director of IANSA, were allowed through. After being thoroughly grilled by the Liberian security team, we presented the President with a large folder with some of the many media articles that our report on Africa and arms transfers, for which Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf wrote the foreword, secured last week around the world. We also urged her to raise the importance of the ATT when she meets President Bush later this week.
The President responded with some powerful comments on why she firmly believes we must all work together to make the ATT happen. “You can count on my government and you can count on me to keep working until we get this essential treaty in place”. With such an inspirational woman on our side I can’t help but feel we will succeed.
3 Comments
October 19, 2007 at 8:41 am
Having inspirational leaders like Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf certainly will help – I wish there were more like her. I think the real difficulties to be faced to get this treaty to work is to do with the very rich people who profit from such an immoral trade. I don’t think new laws will be enough – implementing them will be a key factor. People who benefit from the arms trade will only stop when they see that their profits put them in serious risk of gaol sentences and/or enormous fines – the risks and costs will have to far outweigh the benefits before they consider stopping – after all we all know these people have no morals or cares for the results of their actions.
I think it must be a kind of mental health problem to have that little empathy for other human beings (not that that excuses such behaviour).
October 25, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Dear Friends,
I am writing to tell you how proud I am to have been associated with this campaign. I am proud to see all the great strides you have made since the First Committee begun. I am especially elated to see the Liberian President nearly wearing a Control arms T shirt! I am even happier to see my Ambassdor right there at the discussion table, meaning we must have done something good once upon a time.
I still believe in this campaign and i know the objectives shall be realised, in the fullness of time!
Take care all and enjoy the campaign!
Love Sana!
Roselyn Mungai
in Nairobi
November 4, 2007 at 6:37 pm
the illicits small arms are a big problem.
We must combat it and tha control of arms is a solution of tha peace.