외교부

CO-CHAIRS’ SUMMARY RECORD OF ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF) SEMINAR ON STOCKPILE SECURITY OF MAN-PORTABLE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS AND OTHER SMALL ARMS & LIGHT WEAPONS

11-13 October 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

1.          As endorsed by the 13th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Kuala Lumpur on 28 July 2006, Thailand and Australia hosted the ARF Workshop on Stockpile Management Security of Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) and Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) on 11-13 October 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand.

2.          The Workshop was co-chaired by Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Deputy Director-General, Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and COL Lindsay Morton, Joint Logistics Group, Australian Defence Force.

3.          The Seminar was attended by representatives of ARF participating countries, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, DPRK, ROK, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, USA, Viet Nam, and the ARF Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat.  The list of delegates appears as ANNEX 1.

H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and ARF SOM-Leader delivered the opening remarks.  He emphasized the significance of the Workshop, which will be addressing issues that have great bearing on national and regional security, and will be an opportunity to advance the ARF process of security dialogue and cooperation.  He noted that, although the world’s attention is generally on WMD, proliferation of SALW and the unauthorized use of MANPADS poses an equally serious security threat, particularly given the use by non-state actors.  He stated that many terrorist acts and conflicts around the world have been fuelled by illicitly trafficked SALW.  Stockpile management is therefore an essential step in the overall process to control light weapons flows.  He highlighted the importance of physical security and management aspects of stockpile security in preventing transfer and diversion of SALW and MANPADS to illicit markets.  He emphasised that while stockpile management security is primarily a national responsibility, international cooperation was vital in this respect, as recognised in the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) which calls for the enhancement of international and regional cooperation on stockpile security. His remarks appear as ANNEX 2.

In the welcoming remarks delivered by COL Lindsay Morton he stated that the objectives of the Workshop were to share information on improving stockpile security of MANPADS and other SALW.  He emphasised that the focus was on management practices as well as physical security, and that security of civilian police stockpiles was equally as important as military stockpiles. He noted that the UN PoA calls on States to ensure adequate and detailed standards and procedures for the management and security of stocks, to establish effective systems for whole-of-life management and accountability, to ensure good record-keeping and regulate stocktaking, and to conduct regular reviews of holdings and establish programs for disposal of surplus stocks.  He also noted that international assistance in capacity-building in this regard was a crucial part of the Workshop.  He expressed hope that the Workshop could exchange best practices and experiences in stockpile security and international assistance.  His remarks appear as ANNEX 3.

Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Deputy Director-General, Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand delivered his welcoming remarks.  He highlighted the alarming situation of the global circulation of SALW and its effects, especially on communities and as a threat to peace and security.  He stated that the UN PoA is an important instrument to prevent illicit trade in SALW, and that its full implementation should be emphasized at the national, regional, and international levels. On MANPADS, he stressed that the 2004 APEC Guidelines on Controls and Security of MANPADS serve as a key tool for domestic and export control of MANPADS. He encouraged ARF participating countries to address the proliferation of SALW and MANPADS by improving upon stockpile management security. He referred to the results of the ARF Seminar on SALW in Cambodia in November 2005 and stated that this Workshop was a continuation of the discussions on stockpile management. His remarks appear as ANNEX 4.

AGENDA ITEM 1: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The Workshop proceeded according to the Agenda which appears as ANNEX 5.

AGENDA ITEM 2: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS

The Workshop was held in six plenary sessions.  The Programme of Activities appears as ANNEX 6.

Plenary Session – I:  Perspectives & impact of illicit proliferation of SALW and unauthorized use of MANPADS

The Workshop was briefed by Thailand (Mr. Charn Jullamon, Director of Peace, Security and Disarmament Division, Department of International Organisations, MFA) on the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, and on Thailand’s legislation and national implementation measures with regard to the UN PoA. The participants were also briefed by Australia (Mr. Don Smith, Executive Officer, National Security Section, DFAT) on the security threat posed by unauthorised acquisition and use of MANPADS by non-state actors, including terrorists, and on international efforts to combat this threat, including the 2004 APEC Guidelines on Controls and Security of MANPADS.  The presentations appear as ANNEX 7.

Various delegations made the following points:

1. Sovereign rights of States to self-defence should be acknowledged, while dealing with this issue in the broader framework of action of international security and disarmament, including in the context of regional peace and stability;
2. Illicit brokering and transfer of SALW pose a threat to national security of all countries and adequate national controls and international cooperation are necessary to address the issue;
3. States have the responsibility to implement the existing obligations of the UN PoA, including the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, and other relevant international instruments and should be encouraged to cooperate bilaterally and regionally;
4. There is a need for a comprehensive approach, including cooperation from manufacturers in complying with relevant technical standards, including in marking of SALW;
5. The US offered to conduct, on request, MANPADS vulnerability assessments.
6. Australia invited ARF participants to attend the seminar on MANPADS in New York on 2 November 2006 to raise awareness on the issue.

Plenary Session – II:  Stockpile Management Safety and Security

The Workshop noted the progress of international efforts and cooperation under the UN and other frameworks to ensure adequate and efficient stockpile security. The Workshop recognised key elements of national best practice for military and police stockpiles, as follows:

1. Effective legislation and regulations, with appropriate penalties, covering official possession and use of SALW;
2. Cost-effective and appropriate physical security and safety measures, including during transportation of SALW;
3. Effective marking, registration, regular stocktaking, reporting and independent auditing practices;
4. Whole-of-life accountability practices, from procurement to identification and destruction of surplus weapons, including mechanisms for reporting losses or damage and independent auditing;
5. Appropriate safety and security training and certification of personnel.

The Workshop agreed to continue to share information and technical expertise to facilitate national implementation.

The Workshop followed-up on the recommendations of the ARF Seminar on SALW held on 2-4 November 2005 in Cambodia and agreed to update list of contact points on SALW and continue cooperation on various aspects of SALW.

The Plenary Session II was presided over by Thailand.  At this Session, the Workshop heard presentations by representatives of Australia (Mr. Paul McFawn, Coordinator-Field Services National, Forensic and Technical, AFP) , China (Mr. Xing Ye, Ministry of National Defence), Singapore (Maj. Lim Kok Hua, Unit Commander, Ministry of Defence), and Thailand (Gp. Capt. Punpakdee Pattanakul, Policy & Planning Division, RTAF).  The presentations appear as ANNEX 8.

Plenary Session – III:  International Assistance

The Workshop acknowledged the importance of international assistance for capacity-building with regard to stockpile management, including the importance of physical security, training, and efficient surplus identification and destruction. 

The Workshop noted key elements of successful international assistance as:

1. Covering bilateral and multilateral programmes, including with appropriate regional and international organisations and NGOs to promote confidence-building;
2. Recognising the need for a cooperative approach with host governments to tailor assistance programmes to address local conditions and needs, including civilian and military cooperation.

The Plenary Session III was presided over by Australia.  At this session, the Workshop heard presentations by Australia (Col. Lindsay Morton, Joint Logistics Group, ADF) and the US (Mr. Steve Costner, Deputy Director, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State).  The Workshop noted offers of assistance from Australia, Japan and the US. The Workshop encouraged all ARF participants to consider supporting SALW assistance projects.  The presentations appear as ANNEX 9.

Plenary Session – IV:  Cambodia case study

The Workshop discussed comprehensive and multi-dimensional SALW assistance projects sponsored by the EU/ASAC and JSAC in Cambodia as a case study in international assistance.  The Workshop recognised the importance of establishing a culture of peace with respect to voluntary surrender of weapons in a post-conflict environment, including through the JSAC Weapons reduction and Development for Peace (WDP) project.  The Workshop also took note of the continuing threat posed by explosive remnants of war and welcomed any further offers of assistance from ARF participants.

The Plenary Session IV was presided over by Thailand.  At this session, the Workshop heard presentations by Cambodia (Lt. Gen. Hak Savuth, Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence) and Japan (Mr. Hiromoto Oyama, Embassy of Japan).  The presentations appear as ANNEX 10.

Plenary Session – V:  Developing Stockpile Management Capacity

The Workshop agreed that the following elements were vital to enhancing stockpile management:

1.      Proper storage, including internal and external security measures, and high security key and lock controls covering low-cost solutions and electronic systems where appropriate;

2.      Proper marking and individual accountability of weapons;

3.      Use of low-cost alternatives to high-technology solutions, such as log books, the two-personal rule and trained animals;

4.      Implementation of structured training and capacity-building programmes;

5.      Encourage information exchange and close coordination between national agencies and local authorities.

The Plenary Session V was presided over by Australia.  At this session, the Workshop heard presentations by India (Brig. Digvijay Singh Thakur, Deputy Director General, Perspective Planning, Ministry of Defence) , Japan (Mr. Hiromoto Oyama, Embassy of Japan) and US (Mr. Dave Diaz, Deputy Chief for Conventional Arms Threat Reduction, Defense Threat Reduction Agency).  The Workshop noted offers of assistance from India and the US with regard to training assistance. The presentations appear as ANNEX 11.

Plenary Session – VI:  Co-Chairs’ Summary & Wrap-up

The Workshop agreed on the following recommendations for actions:

1. ARF participants to continue to implement the UN PoA and other international instruments, including 2004 APEC Guidelines on Controls and Security of MANPADS; 
2. ARF participants to cooperate bilaterally and at the multilateral level including international organisations with regard to assistance, such as through technology transfer and information-sharing by States in a position to do so, and as appropriate, to help countries in need improve stockpile management and assist in destruction of surplus weapons;
3. ARF participants to develop, where appropriate, community-based approaches to destruction of surplus weapons, including assistance in sustainable peace-building and alternative development;
4. ARF participants to send updated details of their respective SALW points of contact to the ARF Unit to facilitate networking.

AGENDA ITEM 3: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Workshop expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the people and Government of the Kingdom of Thailand as host of the Workshop for the excellent arrangements made for the Workshop and for the hospitality extended to the participants.  The participants also thanked Australia for the initiative and co-sponsoring the workshop.

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