Ilkin: Light Weapons Are As Dangerous As Weapons Of Mass Destruction

NEW YORK - Turkish Permanent Representative to United Nations (UN) Baki Ilkin said on Friday, ''light weapons are as dangerous as weapons of mass destruction. Fight against illegal weapon smuggling requires coordinated and determined efforts of all UN-member countries.''
Speaking at the UN Security Council on a report of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on light weapons, Ilkin said, ''UN Acting Plan is a significant step in fight against light weapons.''
Highlighting importance of a working group preparing an international measure for supervision of light weapons, Ilkin said, ''such a measure should include all kinds of light weapons and their ammunition. It should also be legally binding. Illegal spread of light weapons entails us to develop long-term strategies. We appreciate the UN Security Council's efforts to keep the issue on global agenda.''
''Turkey will continue supporting development of international cooperation under the structure of the UN in fight against light weapons,'' he added.