DISEC+Mali

Name: Kate Buehner Country: Mali Committee: DISEC High School: Arundel High Date: January 5, 2012

Regulating the militarization of outer space:

 In recent times, outer space has been used for more and more things. As a public area, all countries have access to use outer space however needed. For this reason, regulating the militarization of outer space is a global issue which need be addressed in order protect world safety. DISEC can direct this issue to create a weapons-free zone and limit the addition of dual-use items into space. These should better maintain the security of every country, including those without the abilities to participate in the involvement in space.  Security is of importance to every nation and every state. As the possibilities and exploration of space expand, so too does the use of it for security. Most technology now revolves around space. Whether it is dual use items such as global-positioning units, or satellite imagining, most of what civilians in developed countries use is based upon technologies in space. Military use has also been greatly impacted by space. ICBM’s or intercontinental ballistic missiles have made war a worldwide phenomenon in an instant. Yet, outer space is still considered an area for civilian use only. By becoming more militarized it risks the safety of the entire world and can turn a two country dispute into a world war. The threat of missiles which can reach anywhere at any time can destroy the world in a matter of seconds. It is so important to limit and regularize the militarization of outer space due to the detrimental effects the militarization could have.  Mali fully supports regulations in outer space. As a poor country with little ability to support a space program it does not want to fall farther behind the leading countries. Without a large aerospace or mechanical industry we do not have the ability to support any sort of outer space interest. In addition, as do many other countries, we fear the security risks of regulating outer space. We do not want to be caught in a war among the larger developed nations which turns worldwide. We would prefer to use outer space in a peaceful way, such as through exploration. Mali prefers to be able to develop their own space program in safe, healthy, non-militarized ways.  Mali believes that it would be most beneficial to create an enforceable program which limits militarization of outer space. They should begin by focusing on remaining civilian in nature. By removing any materials used fully for military or security and posing large fines on countries that did not, DISEC can began to remove militarization. Later, they can focus on dual-use items. Mali sides with many of the rest of the African countries as well as any others who want to keep outer space a neutral territory. Not stopping militarization of outer space can prove to be a dire problem if not limited. If not limited, it can lead to many problems; most of them will be worldwide. Mali is excited to discuss and come to a resolution on this issue. Although Mali may not be a leading country, it will make a large effort to support and contribute ideas.

Name: Kate Buehner Country: Mali Committee: DISEC High School: Arundel High Date: January 5, 2012

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Regulating of the small arms trade:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> The small arms trade is largely threatening the peace of the world and each individual nation within it. A phenomenon which affects the entire world, it proves to be very difficult to regulate. Combating the trade is a work in progress, yet DISEC and the United Nations are actively working on tracking the weapons, and creating new legislature. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Regulating the small arms trade requires reporting all small arms and light weapons as well as promoting transparency. In the past, the United Nations has created programs to prevent and reduce armed violence. They have begun to track all global arms trade and to raise awareness among countries and people. The small arms trade harms eventually ends up harming everyone. The trade affects little children, raising the mortality rates. The Bamako Declaration says the only way for peace to last in Africa is through the end of the small arms trade. This hits very close to home. The small arms trade threatens the stability of nations by providing weapons to gangs, terrorist organizations, mobs and small armies. These groups cause violence, deaths, and disorder. The threat is so great that DISEC must work together to come up with a way to finally stop the small arms trade. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Mali understands that its country does participate in the small arms trade. There is definitely a black market for small arms and light weapons. These weapons are used in cultural fights, and carried by many people. As a poor country, many of Mali’s residents only get the weapons through this trade. We then use them to create internal problems. However, Mali does not want to turn a blind-eye to this. We believe it is only making things worse and encouraging poverty within the country. This is not solely occurring in Mali. Around the world, small arms and light weapons are creating problems, violence, and deaths. It is our hope DISEC will take actions. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Mali is ready to take action against the small arms trade. By tracking weapons to use as evidence for the small arms trade, we can find the source of the trade and stop it there. In addition encouraging awareness in countries which most participate in the arms trade, we can expose the people who actually participate in the trade to the dangers of it. This will hopefully deter them from continuing participation. To enforce commitment among countries, Mali encourages new legislature and tracking what comes in and out of each country. We hope for a legally binding international instrument and way to allow for annual follow-ups on the marking and tracking of small arms. By developing regional incentives, Mali hopes the United Nations will help to take action. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> The small arms trade is a worldwide program which still needs many more regulations in order to fully control it and destroy it. Mali is looking forward to discussing these possible regulations with the rest of the countries in DISEC.