UN Small Arms Trade Treaty Opposed by 130 Members of
the House of Representatives
Posted on June 2, 2013 by Tim Brown
The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is scheduled
to be signed by Barack Obama on June 4, this Monday. He has already said he will
sign it. However, the United States Senate passed a resolution that they will not ratify the
document. Now a
letter has been sent to Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry
by 130 members of the House of Representatives opposing the ATT.
On May 30 the 130 congressmen wrote to
remind both Obama and Kerry that they are supposed to be “defenders of the
sovereignty of the United States and as such the
representatives wrote to “express…grave concern about the dangers posed by the
United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty.”
According to the letter, “Our country’s sovereignty, and the protections it
affords our individual freedoms, including those recognized by the Second
Amendment, must not be infringed.”
The letter then went on to cite three reasons not to sign the treaty:
<blockquote>
The congressmen expounded on the flaws of the treaty. They wrote, “It
includes only a weak preambular reference to the lawful ownership and use of,
and trade in, firearms, and recognizes none of these activities, or personal
self-defense, as inherent rights. It frequently employs the term “end users,”
which can refer to individual firearms owners, and, in its sixth Principle, it
creates a national “responsibility” to “prevent … diversion” of firearms, a
requirement that could be used to justify the imposition of further controls
within the United States.”
“This risk is enhanced by Article 5.1, which requires nations party to the
treaty to implement it in accordance with this principle,” the letter reads. “We
know that, in the final March negotiating conference, your administration
opposed a number of these treaty elements: we do not believe that your
administration should now support them by signing the treaty.”
The letter also points out that “in Article 20.3, allows amendments by a
three-quarters majority vote. We note that Article 20.4 makes it clear that
amendments are binding only on those nations that accept them, but we do not
regard this as an adequate safeguard.”
The vagueness of the treaty was also pointed out. “It defines none of the
terms essential to interpreting or implementing it, or defines them only by
reference to terms that are themselves undefined. This means that, by becoming
party to the treaty, the United States would be accepting commitments that are
inherently unclear.”
By being unclear, it would thus open the US to repeated charges of breach of
faith, and no doubt it would also place pressure on the US to adopt new
interpretations or amendments to the treaty.
Specifically the congressmen point out Article 7.1 (b)(i) and (ii) of the
treaty, which requires nations party to the treaty to assess whether exports
could be used to “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international
humanitarian law,” or of “international human rights law.”
As for the violation of the “red line” set by the Obama administration, well
they used former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s owns word to bolster their
claim, citing Obama’s support for the negotiation of the treaty. Clinton stated
in October of 2009:
<blockquote>
“As long as that Conference operates under the rule of consensus
decision-making needed to ensure that all countries can be held to standards
that will actually improve the global situation by denying arms to those who
would abuse them, the United States will actively support the negotiations.
Consensus is needed to ensure the widest possible support for the Treaty and to
avoid loopholes in the Treaty that can be exploited by those wishing to export
arms irresponsibly.”
</blockquote>
They further pressed Obama’s hypocrisy in the matter by stating “the State
Department noted that consensus was necessary to provide “the opportunity to
promote the same high standards for the entire international community.” But
when the March 2013 negotiating conference failed to reach a consensus
agreement, your administration supported the move to adopt the treaty through
the U.N. General Assembly, where opponents and abstainers included many of the
world’s most important and irresponsible arms importers and exporters, including
Iran, North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and Egypt.”
Therefore, the US didn’t even come close to ensuring “that all countries can
be held to standards that will actually improve the global situation.”
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued a statement regarding the letter he authored
and submitted:
<blockquote>
“As the signing period for the ATT gets underway next week, President Obama
has an opportunity to take a monumental stand for our national sovereignty and
our Constitutional rights. The ATT threatens both of these things and should be
fully rejected. Any treaty that would put the United States–the world’s
defender of peace and freedom–on equal footing with the world’s worst
dictatorships and terror-sponsors ought to be condemned, dismissed, and
ultimately denied our country’s signature. I sincerely hope the
administration will listen to the very real objections my colleagues from both
parties in Congress share and rightly decide that joining the ATT is not at all
in America’s interest.”
</blockquote>
The letter’s signatures included Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte
(R-VA), Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA), and Rules
Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX).
Rep. Steve Stockman, who also signed the letter, said “The right to keep and
bear arms is granted by God and protecting from government aggression by the
Constitution. It is not subject to the whims of global totalitarians
massed in New York City. I oppose any UN treaty touching the right to keep and
bear arms. It’s beyond time for the United States to withdraw
from the UN.”
I completely agree with his assessment. However, once a treaty is signed by a
president, it normally remains available for the Senate to ratify. This treaty
must not only not be ratified, but it must be completely removed
off the table from any future ratification.
Tim Brown is the Editor of Freedom Outpost and a regular contributor to The D.C.
Clothesline.
http://dcclothesline.com/2013/06/02/un-small-arms-trade-treaty-opposed-by-130-members-of-the-house-of-representatives/
the House of Representatives
Posted on June 2, 2013 by Tim Brown
The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is scheduled
to be signed by Barack Obama on June 4, this Monday. He has already said he will
sign it. However, the United States Senate passed a resolution that they will not ratify the
document. Now a
letter has been sent to Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry
by 130 members of the House of Representatives opposing the ATT.
On May 30 the 130 congressmen wrote to
remind both Obama and Kerry that they are supposed to be “defenders of the
sovereignty of the United States and as such the
representatives wrote to “express…grave concern about the dangers posed by the
United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty.”
According to the letter, “Our country’s sovereignty, and the protections it
affords our individual freedoms, including those recognized by the Second
Amendment, must not be infringed.”
The letter then went on to cite three reasons not to sign the treaty:
<blockquote>
- The treaty as adopted by the
General Assembly is deeply flawed. - The treaty suffers from vagueness.
- The procedure by which the treaty was adopted
violates a red line set out by Obama’s own
administration.
The congressmen expounded on the flaws of the treaty. They wrote, “It
includes only a weak preambular reference to the lawful ownership and use of,
and trade in, firearms, and recognizes none of these activities, or personal
self-defense, as inherent rights. It frequently employs the term “end users,”
which can refer to individual firearms owners, and, in its sixth Principle, it
creates a national “responsibility” to “prevent … diversion” of firearms, a
requirement that could be used to justify the imposition of further controls
within the United States.”
“This risk is enhanced by Article 5.1, which requires nations party to the
treaty to implement it in accordance with this principle,” the letter reads. “We
know that, in the final March negotiating conference, your administration
opposed a number of these treaty elements: we do not believe that your
administration should now support them by signing the treaty.”
The letter also points out that “in Article 20.3, allows amendments by a
three-quarters majority vote. We note that Article 20.4 makes it clear that
amendments are binding only on those nations that accept them, but we do not
regard this as an adequate safeguard.”
The vagueness of the treaty was also pointed out. “It defines none of the
terms essential to interpreting or implementing it, or defines them only by
reference to terms that are themselves undefined. This means that, by becoming
party to the treaty, the United States would be accepting commitments that are
inherently unclear.”
By being unclear, it would thus open the US to repeated charges of breach of
faith, and no doubt it would also place pressure on the US to adopt new
interpretations or amendments to the treaty.
Specifically the congressmen point out Article 7.1 (b)(i) and (ii) of the
treaty, which requires nations party to the treaty to assess whether exports
could be used to “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international
humanitarian law,” or of “international human rights law.”
As for the violation of the “red line” set by the Obama administration, well
they used former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s owns word to bolster their
claim, citing Obama’s support for the negotiation of the treaty. Clinton stated
in October of 2009:
<blockquote>
“As long as that Conference operates under the rule of consensus
decision-making needed to ensure that all countries can be held to standards
that will actually improve the global situation by denying arms to those who
would abuse them, the United States will actively support the negotiations.
Consensus is needed to ensure the widest possible support for the Treaty and to
avoid loopholes in the Treaty that can be exploited by those wishing to export
arms irresponsibly.”
</blockquote>
They further pressed Obama’s hypocrisy in the matter by stating “the State
Department noted that consensus was necessary to provide “the opportunity to
promote the same high standards for the entire international community.” But
when the March 2013 negotiating conference failed to reach a consensus
agreement, your administration supported the move to adopt the treaty through
the U.N. General Assembly, where opponents and abstainers included many of the
world’s most important and irresponsible arms importers and exporters, including
Iran, North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and Egypt.”
Therefore, the US didn’t even come close to ensuring “that all countries can
be held to standards that will actually improve the global situation.”
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued a statement regarding the letter he authored
and submitted:
<blockquote>
“As the signing period for the ATT gets underway next week, President Obama
has an opportunity to take a monumental stand for our national sovereignty and
our Constitutional rights. The ATT threatens both of these things and should be
fully rejected. Any treaty that would put the United States–the world’s
defender of peace and freedom–on equal footing with the world’s worst
dictatorships and terror-sponsors ought to be condemned, dismissed, and
ultimately denied our country’s signature. I sincerely hope the
administration will listen to the very real objections my colleagues from both
parties in Congress share and rightly decide that joining the ATT is not at all
in America’s interest.”
</blockquote>
The letter’s signatures included Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte
(R-VA), Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA), and Rules
Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX).
Rep. Steve Stockman, who also signed the letter, said “The right to keep and
bear arms is granted by God and protecting from government aggression by the
Constitution. It is not subject to the whims of global totalitarians
massed in New York City. I oppose any UN treaty touching the right to keep and
bear arms. It’s beyond time for the United States to withdraw
from the UN.”
I completely agree with his assessment. However, once a treaty is signed by a
president, it normally remains available for the Senate to ratify. This treaty
must not only not be ratified, but it must be completely removed
off the table from any future ratification.
Tim Brown is the Editor of Freedom Outpost and a regular contributor to The D.C.
Clothesline.
http://dcclothesline.com/2013/06/02/un-small-arms-trade-treaty-opposed-by-130-members-of-the-house-of-representatives/
Today at 6:53 am by Rocky
» MM&C The Iraqi Private Banks Association told NEWS: These are the results of the Prime Minister’s me
Today at 6:52 am by Rocky
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The general amnesty law will be passed
Today at 6:46 am by Rocky
» A change in the fuel smuggling map... “control” over the central ports and “laxity” in the north
Today at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani takes three urgent decisions to block the wheat mafias in Iraq
Today at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Electricity embarks on an 11-axis plan to develop the energy sector
Today at 6:39 am by Rocky
» “Thug and smuggler.” A female representative talks about a crocodile in Parliament blackmailing exec
Today at 6:37 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani told the US State Department: Iraq is keen to strengthen its democratic system
Today at 6:36 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank sells more than $275 million at auction today
Today at 6:34 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Commerce stresses the observance of the Iraqi standard in the supply of goods
Today at 6:33 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Trade Bank announces its participation in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdis
Today at 6:32 am by Rocky
» Iraq adopts an advanced system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing
Today at 5:25 am by Rocky
» Increase in Euphrates River levels due to Turkish water releases
Today at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Demands the need to legislate the capital law
Today at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Parliament decided to extend the legislative term by one month
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» A bank participating in the process of localizing the salaries of employees in the region
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary request to the Ministry of Finance regarding defense mobilization dues/document
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Dollar prices in Baghdad and Kurdistan today
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Rasheed decides to increase the ceiling for granting “construction” loans to 75 million dinars
Today at 5:14 am by Rocky
» A government plan to expand the construction of water harvesting dams
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Frozen or banned? An Iranian official reveals the fate of Tehran’s money in Baghdad
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Trade Bank participates in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdistan Region empl
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» After targeting its branch in Kurdistan... Dana Gas announces a decrease in its profits to $38 milli
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary understanding to extend the legislative term to approve the 2024 budget schedules
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Stopping the Commission’s procedures regarding the region’s elections
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Foreign oil companies violate Iraqi laws
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» The position of Speaker of Parliament depends on the political agreement
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Finance decides to send the April salary to the Kurdistan region
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» 88 projects awaiting resolution.. What will happen to the stalled laws in Parliament? - Urgent
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the US Undersecretary of State
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Advisor to Al-Sudani: Sanctions on 32 private banks caused financial problems inside Iraq (video)
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» An expert comments on the use of the Iraqi currency in commercial transactions with Iran
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Why does Iraq depend on foreign banks for dollar transfers?
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The fuel smuggling map in Iraq has “radically changed” from what it was years ago
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Petroleum Products announces a decrease in gasoline imports by about 8 million liters
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Government advisor: Collections will shift almost completely to electronic payment in the middle of
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Complete decisions of the Council of Ministers session
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» The National University holds its second international scientific conference with the participation
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary proposals to extend the legislative term of the House of Representatives to resolve th
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Hanoun: We are working on preparing a six-year strategy to combat corruption based on technology
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» The Ministerial Council for the Economy decides to stop the import of 6 crops due to their abundance
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Minister of Industry: He turned to Chinese companies to supply Iraq with spongy iron ores
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» A foreign report reveals the existence of an undeclared Iraqi-British agreement regarding asylum see
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» “Fares Issa” visits the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» The position of Speaker of Parliament.. Representatives confirm: “There is no amendment to the bylaw
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Demands to put an end to foreign workers
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Iranian official: We do not have frozen funds in Iraq
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Entering 31 countries in the world without a visa.. A look at the Iraqi passport during 2024
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» An Iranian plan to export goods to Iraq worth $3 billion
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» The Board of Commissioners decides to suspend the technical and financial procedures for the Kurdist
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Governorate approves the two paths of the development road
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Mawazine publishes the full decisions of the Council of Ministers at its session today
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Asaib: The Sunnis are accustomed to having an external actor leading them
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: The Sudanese government enjoys the support of the Shiite and Sunn
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Politician: Representatives of Taqadum “hurt” Al-Halbousi and their party
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» “Deficit” is the password.. Parliamentary Finance decodes the budget delay
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The tourism sector will be a substitute resource for oil in the coming years
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
Yesterday at 5:10 pm by Rocky
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
Yesterday at 8:06 am by Rocky
» A deputy in finance expects the Council of Ministers to approve the budget schedules in today’s sess
Yesterday at 8:02 am by Rocky
» A deputy resolves the controversy over the “transfer supplement” in two ministries
Yesterday at 8:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi’s “vacant” seat.. Will the coordination framework end the “Taqaddum” dream of an allianc
Yesterday at 7:59 am by Rocky
» The Federal Government issues a state order to stop the Commission’s work procedures regarding the K
Yesterday at 7:57 am by Rocky
» Including the freedom to choose the bank and withdraw the salary for “free”... “My Account” features
Yesterday at 7:55 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank sells more than $250 million during its daily auction
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
Yesterday at 7:44 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the United States of America hold trade meetings in Washington
Yesterday at 7:43 am by Rocky
» In pictures... The activities of the Union of Arab Banks conference in Baghdad, “Day Two”
Yesterday at 7:42 am by Rocky
» The Director General of Ports announces the completion of berths (3) and (4) in Al-Faw Grand Port
Yesterday at 7:40 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 7:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament publishes the agenda of its session for next Thursday
Yesterday at 7:37 am by Rocky
» A government measure to reduce "money laundering" using the buying and selling of real estate in Ira
Yesterday at 7:35 am by Rocky
» Iraq proposes establishing a specialized council to combat corruption in Arab countries
Yesterday at 7:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Mawarid intends to establish infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:30 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court issues a decision regarding postponing the election of the Speaker of the House of
Yesterday at 7:28 am by Rocky
» A government meeting to discuss financing and implementation mechanisms for the Development Road Pro
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraqi banks are on the right track with financial transfers
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Al-Khazali: The Turkish side is still imposing its conditions on Iraq
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Rights: We refuse to amend the bylaws of Parliament under political influence and desires
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Today, Iraq and Iran signed the minutes of a joint meeting related to trade
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» KPMG International begins auditing the revenues of telephone companies operating in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Oil: The seventh batch of equipment for the gas manufacturing project in the Nasiriyah and Gharraf f
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani assures the French ambassador of Iraq’s openness to “fruitful” partnerships
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The oil sector is witnessing a rapid renaissance
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Opening offices specialized in employing people with disabilities
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Adopting the electronic system in the next census
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Business Council: Efforts to open a branch of the Chinese Bank in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Iraqi diplomacy is balanced openness
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky