The Holy See is outlining several achievements toward the goal of global disarmament, but is urging the United Nations to recognize some issues as well.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, affirmed this today in an address to the first committee of the general assembly’s 64th session. He underlined the expectations of “those suffering and struggling because of armed conflicts and violence” who look to the United Nations for “tangible and convincing results in the hope of seeing a world free of nuclear weapons.”
The prelate affirmed the need for “strict controls over arms trade, which in our day is strongly embedded in illicit markets and causing serious damage to humanity.” He noted that last year, despite the “acute economic crisis,” military expenditures increased by 4% and totalled some $1.46 billion. “The world is watching while we are entering once again into discussions on disarmament issues,” the archbishop said.
He continued: “The main role of the disarmament machinery is to reduce military expenditures through arms control and disarmament so that the international community can progressively de-weaponize security.”
One way of doing this, Archbishop Migliore proposed, is by strengthening multilateralism.
“There are positive signs that disarmament is returning to the multilateral agenda,” he added.
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 8, 2009 (Zenit.org)