Preface The uncontrolled proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) in regions of the world suffering from political instability and violent conflict has proven a major obstacle to peace, economic development, and efforts to rebuild war-torn societies. The United States is a global leader of efforts to mitigate the illicit trafficking and destabilizing accumulation of SA/LW through multilateral diplomacy and bilateral assistance to countries in need. Specifically, the United States has directed its policies at building and enhancing enforcement and legal capacities, better controlling proliferation to areas of conflict, providing training on export control and customs practices, discouraging irresponsible and indiscriminate exports, strengthening sanctions against violators of embargoes, and enhancing stockpile security and destroying excess weapons. The U.S. approach focuses on practical, effective measures to address the problem of illicit SA/LW trafficking in conflict regions where it is most urgent, while acknowledging the legitimacy of legal trade, manufacture, and ownership of arms. As the international community completes preparations for the 2001 U.N. Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, this issue of U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda examines the U.S. response to the challenges posed by the uncontrolled proliferation of these weapons. Key U.S. officials outline U.S. initiatives for reducing and preventing the excessive and destabilizing accumulation of the weapons that are contributing so greatly to the devastation occurring in regions of conflict. A leading small arms analyst and scholar give their views on U.S. SA/LW policy and comment on lessons learned so far in the global pursuit of solutions to the problems that SA/LW cause. Assistant Secretary of State Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr.     See also IIP's webpage on Small Arms and Light Weapons

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