With over 60 countries now producing them, estimates of the number of SA/LW -- e.g., automatic rifles, machine guns, small caliber mortars, and shoulder-fired rocket and missile systems -- circulating in the world today range from 100 to 500 million and up. Large surplus stocks left over from the Cold War have become a principal source of arms in contemporary conflicts. Lax export and import controls, and weak enforcement, facilitate illicit transfers. While the causes of conflict still lie in political, economic, ethnic, and religious differences, the increased availability of SA/LW have made these conflicts more deadly and hinder efforts to re-build war-torn societies. Because they are widely available, relatively cheap, portable, lethal, and long-lasting, SA/LW are the weapons of choice in nearly all of today��s regional and civil conflicts.

SA/LW are illicitly trafficked in exchange for hard currency and bartered for diamonds, minerals, timber, cattle, drugs, and other contraband. Problematic transfers occur in both the gray and black markets. Technically legal but morally questionable transfers on the gray market often contribute to regional instability by exacerbating existing conflicts. Black market arms flow into the hands of terrorists and criminals. Evidence also shows that through ethnic and ideological affinities, or plain commercial activity, many SA/LW circulate from one conflict to another creating what has been described as "systems of conflict."

Since the end of the Cold War, many of the world��s poorest countries have used scarce resources to acquire weapons rather than provide for basic needs of their citizens. Funds are diverted, natural resources and crops are pillaged, and relief supplies are stolen to finance purchases of SA/LW. Development projects are delayed and often abandoned. Humanitarian aid is diverted. UN Security Council embargoes are violated. Peacekeeping forces and relief workers are threatened, kidnapped and killed; and large amounts of donor funds are consumed for purposes other than development.

The destructive impact of SA/LW is devastating. Since 1990, it is estimated that more than 4 million people have been killed with them in intra-state and regional conflicts. The mass movement of refugees resulting from conflicts where SA/LW are used -- estimated at upwards of 14 million. Although virtually every country and international organization must deal with the consequences of these weapons, no one country has the capability to effectively address the illicit SA/LW trafficking problem alone. It is a global problem.

Lack of global standards, differing national practices -- as well as easy concealment and corruption -- make monitoring and controlling the transit and transfers of SA/LW a very difficult task. States most at risk tend to have very limited resources and lack the capability to effectively prevent the illegal import and export of arms. As a result, they become prime targets of traffickers and often succumb to corrupt practices. Countries with a need for hard currency often find the temptation to market their excess SA/LW irresistible.

Until global norms are established restraining transfers of arms to regions of conflict and controls are implemented by states to license sales, register brokers, require end-use certification prior to sales, and mark and trace them, the SA/LW problem will continue to be a formidable challenge to the international community.