” “"The illegal trade of small and small-calibre arms threatens peace, development and security": it was stated by mgr. Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, in his speech on June 28th which has been announced today at the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations about the review of the progress made in the implementation of the action plan to prevent, fight and eradicate the phenomenon. A process that began in 2001 and that is not easy, especially due to the opposition of the United States, where the Constitution recognises the citizens’ right to own and carry arms for self-defence. Mgr. Migliore recalled that peace is "not only threatened by conflicts, but also by civil uprisings, by organised crime, by the trafficking of humans, by terrorism and by poverty". The Holy See, he said, "supports those who ask for a shared approach to fight not just the illegal traffic in arms but also the related activities". (to be continued)” “
