TOKYO SMALL ARMS WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON DEMAND

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001280

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR PM/WRA STEPHANIE PICO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2016
TAGS: PARM PREL JA UNGA
SUBJECT: TOKYO SMALL ARMS WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON DEMAND


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D)


1. (C) Summary. The MOFA-sponsored March 12-13 workshop on
small arms and light weapons (SALW) shared best practices in
addressing SALW among the participants, according to MOFA
Conventional Arms Division Officer Michiko Makino.
Discussions focused on demand reduction and arms transfer
issues, with attendees agreeing to develop a comprehensive
approach to demand reduction. MOFA believes the SALW
workshop laid the groundwork for subsequent workshops to be
sponsored by Germany and Canada. End summary.


2. (C) MOFA Conventional Arms Officer Michiko Makino briefed
Embassy political officer on March 22 on the Tokyo Workshop
on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW): "SALW Issues from the
Perspective of the Protection and Empowerment of the Peaceful
Community," which Japan hosted March 12-13. The workshop
attracted 26 representatives from 18 governments, as well as
members of 29 organizations and research institutes. (Note:
A set of papers distributed at the workshop has been faxed to
PM/WRA.) Embassy political officer attended parts of the
workshop on both days.


3. (C) Workshop participants shared experiences and best
practices in addressing small arms and light weapons,
focusing on demand factors and transfer control &from the
perspective of protecting and empowering the peaceful
community,8 according to Makino. Pointing to
accomplishments achieved during the workshop, Makino noted
that attendees agreed to develop a comprehensive approach in
reducing demand. Participants also noted that weapons
collection efforts are not the only solution - they depend on
the background and specific "environment" of the particular
community.


4. (C) The workshop urged the international community to take
concerted action through the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT),Makino
continued. The ATT by itself will not end the arms trade,
but will set clear standards and help participants to reach
agreement on when arms transfers should not be approved.
Makino added that participants emphasized that the Program of
Action (PoA) remains in place and remains the primary
international agreement on SALW.


5. (C) Discussion on day one focused primarily on demand.
South Africa representative Fatima Nagdee-Hajaig urged
participants to think about the link between resources and
small arms proliferation. Donor aid should address
development needs, because poor individuals would not give up
selling arms as long as they need food, she said. Dr. Owen
Greene, Director of Research in the Department of Peach
Studies at the University of Bradford, called on participants
to: 1) conduct additional assessments about the kinds of
programs needed to address demand issues, 2) share &lessons
learned8 about experiences dealing with demand, including
arms transfer in border communities, and 3) dispel
long-standing myths about the role of "gun culture" in
determining demand. Many societies use guns simply to keep
the "elite" class in power, he noted. Echoing those
comments, Makino said that there was no best way to reduce
demand for small arms, because each community has its own set
of demand factors, some of which include real threats to life
and security.


6. (C) Makino characterized the workshop as "successful" in
addressing a variety of issues relating to illicit transfer
of small arms. MOFA believes the seminar will prepare the
groundwork for workshops hosted by Germany (May 2007) and
Canada (August 2007),leading up to the Biennial Meeting of
States in 2008.
SCHIEFFER