UN NEWS (DDA) – 16th July, 2001

On behalf of South Asia Small Arms Network, Sri Lanka: The question that we ask you today is whether the programme of action will save lives around the world. Can this Conference ensure freedom from fear for the civilian population? Can governments have enough safeguards to protect their civilian population from violent armed conflicts and reduce human insecurity?We appeal to you to approach the problem of small arms from a human security perspective,in which human development is assured for the civilian population. In South Asia, the proliferation of small arms was initially due to excessive availability and supply. Both governments and civil society need to engage in a dialogue to carry forward the recommendations of this Conference. We call on our governments, particularly those of South Asia, to reach firm agreement on a clear plan of action with a time frame to resolve conflicts in a spirit of dialogue.

W. JAMES ARPUTHARAJ, Executive Director, South Asia Partnership International

On furthering the work of SASA-Net, suggestions were made by the participants at the UN Conference, on the first meeting of SASA-Net on the 11thJuly 2001 names were suggested to form a Facilitation Group for SASA-Net so that decisions could be made in a participatory way. While in the second meeting of SASA-Net on the 19th July 2001 a Vision Statement was drafted. Further 1 or 2 persons were identified to hold national network / working group meetings to depute 2 members to the SASA-Net Facilitation Group.

The immediate priority for SASA-Net:

1. Consensus on implications to South Asia from the outcome document (L5/Rev1) of the UN Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons – to evolve a Strategy Plan.

2. Formation of Facilitation Group for SASA-Net.

3. Identifying scope for research,

For inquiries please direct email to: sasa@eureka.lk

Sunday 8 July 7.30 p.m : Get-together and dinner for South Asian participants at Maharaja Restaurant

ASIA DAY / ROOM 4 Tuesday 10 July 1.15 to 2.45 p.m.
Chair : James Arputharaj
Chief Guest : M. Haider, Minister of Interior Affairs, Government of Pakistan.

IMPACT IN ASIA Tuesday 10 July 3.00 – 5.00 p.m.
Panel of Speakers: Cesar Villanueva, Hemachandra Basappa, Sukumar David, Balakrishna Kurvey, Deepak Thapa, Ayesha Siddiqa-Agha, Mohamed Tahseen, Syed Fasahat and Faruq Faisel

Asian Caucus & IANSA Wednesday 11 July 1.15 – 2.45 p.m.
Chair : Mohammed Tahseen 3.00 – 5.00 p.m. : SASA-Net Meeting (10 participants)

"ILLICIT PRODUCTION" Thursday 12 July 3.00 – 5.00 p.m.
Chair : Rohit Kumar Nepali
Speaker: Ayesha Siddiqa-Agha

Tuesday 17 July 1.00 – 2.00 p.m.:
Lunch with Jayantha Dhanapala, Under- Secretary-General UN (James, Sulochana & Bandula Jayasekera)

ASIA FOCUS 3.00 – 5.00 p.m.
Panel of Speakers: Sharif, James
7.00 – 9.00 p.m.: Dinner discussion with Mitsuro Donowaki, Japanese Ambassador to the UN (James, Philip & Kae)

SASA-Net meeting (6 participants) Thursday 19 July 12.30 – 2.00 p.m.