Action on small arms in Pacific imperative
In 2001 Tonga, a country with deep set social and political problems, was set to buy $10 million dollars worth of small
arms from the United States. New Zealand helped to stop the sale said former Minister of Disarmament, Matt Robson MP.
"A research report released today 'Small Arms in the Pacific' reminds us that we need to work harder to ensure security
in our region.
"New Zealand is working to put in governance structures that foster the rule of law not the rule of the gun, in the
Solomon Islands, Fiji and other Pacific countries.
"Philip Alpers and Conor Twyford have done groundbreaking work with their comprehensive report that indicates how much
work we have to do in our own neighbourhood to ensure peace and stability for the people. Reaching for the gun is
becoming a solution for too many of our neighbours.
The report's emphasis on linking development and disarmament is the answer to instability and terrorism. Coups and
violence in the Pacific could well be limited by careful arms control, structures that strengthen the rule of law and
focused development programmes.
"It is essential that New Zealand contribute to security in the Pacific both by providing assistance in arms control
programs and by working with countries to improve their economic development so that tensions caused by poverty and
political struggles do not evolve into armed aggression, said Matt Robson MP.