The deadly hole in global security - Óscar Arias

[YankeyMCC]

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NTERNATIONAL SECURITY will be at the top of the agenda at the UN General Assembly meeting this week in New York. For many leaders, enhancing security involves spending more money on weapons for themselves and their allies. The five years since 9/11 have seen a boom in the conventional weapons trade, accompanied by a new willingness to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses committed in the pursuit of the war on terrorism. Yet the focus on the production and distribution of weapons to allies, whatever their human rights record, does not enhance global security.
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The Cold War-mindset endorsed proxy wars, leading the United States to train and equip mujahideen like Osama Bin Laden in its fight against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. The Cold War-mindset promoted arming regimes with questionable human rights records for ``strategic" reasons, resulting in US forces eventually having to face enemies armed with US-made weapons in Panama, Somalia, Haiti, and Iraq.

What has become clear is that in order to advance global security, nations must unite to prevent the transfer of arms to dictators and human rights abusers. This is not done by looking to the false security of military buildup, but by strengthening the safeguards of international law.
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The treaty is supported by more than 50 governments. Not surprisingly, the biggest opposition comes from those with the most money to lose. Russia, the United States, France, China, and the United Kingdom -- the five permanent members of the Security Council -- account for roughly 80 percent of the world's arms sales, and of these nations, only the UK and France have expressed support for the treaty. A mix of outdated strategy and financial interest has undermined the security goals that these states have pledged to pursue.
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http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/09/21/the_deadly_hole_in_global_security/

[arcos]

1. Arias is an economic right winger, but on the arms issue he's right... nt