UN Adopts Landmark Arms Treaty

Most nations back, but Russia, China abstain
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 2, 2013 12:25 PM CDT
UN Adopts Landmark Arms Treaty
In this Sept. 13, 2005 file photo, the flags of member nations fly outside the General Assembly building at the United Nations headquarters in New York.   (AP Photo/Adam Rountree, File)

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the first UN treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar international arms trade today, a goal sought for more than a decade to try to keep illicit weapons out of the hands of terrorists, insurgent fighters, and organized crime. The resolution adopting the landmark treaty was approved by a vote of 154 to 3, with 23 abstentions. As the numbers appeared on the electronic board, loud cheers filled the assembly chamber.

A group of treaty supporters sought a vote in the 193-member world body after Iran, North Korea, and Syria blocked its adoption by consensus at the end of a two-week final negotiating conference last Thursday. The three countries voted "no" today, while Russia and China, both major arms exporters, abstained. Many countries, including the United States, control arms exports. But there has never been an international treaty regulating the estimated $60 billion global arms trade. (More United Nations stories.)

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