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2013 April 3 - 9 [WORLD]

‘Yes’ from biggest arms exporter US is key to global arms pact

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The United Nations General Assembly on April 2 adopted the first-ever pact with 154 votes, regulating the global trade in conventional weapons.

The trade value of conventional arms increases year by year, reportedly amounting to 100 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 alone. The increasing weapons kill as many as five million people every year in the world.

The arms trade treaty controls deliveries of battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles, missiles launchers, and light firearms.

The treaty will come into force in 90 days after 50 countries ratify it. International public opinion should pressure the 154 member states, in particular the United States, to promptly ratify the pact.

The United States is the largest exporter of conventional weapons in the world, supplying weapons to more than 170 counties. If that country ratifies the arms trade pact, it will lead 23 countries, including Russia and China, which abstained from voting in the UNGA, to agree to the ratification of the pact.

At present, the Japanese government is seeking to take the teeth out of the Three Principles banning arms exports. What Japan should do is contribute to supporting and strengthening the global arms trade treaty.