Arms traffic (I)

BERLIN The German government is participating in an initiative of the large western states designed to control the international traffic routes. Current international law prohibits this. It is now planned to change these laws or to circumvent them by ,,creative"measures.

In early September, Berlin takes part in the third meeting of the ,,Proliferation Security Initiative"(PSI) in Paris along with the governments of the USA, Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland and the Netherlands. The eleven states are preparing legal and organizational steps which will enable the large countries to gain worldwide control of international traffic by water, on land and in the air.

Legal...

Supposedly to prevent (unwanted) shipments of arms, the participating states, contrary to international conventions, intend to claim the right to forcibly coerce to stop or land, as well as confiscate if necessary, ships, airplanes and other means of transport - worldwide - since ,,PSI is a global initiative with global reach". International law, especially maritime law, preferably shall be changed in order to legalize this practice which has been utilized already in some cases.

... illegal?...

In case of failure to legalize the previous illegal activities, the states are willing to circumvent or reinterpret international law: ,,The group is focusing on the 'creative' use of existing national laws to achieve its objectives", by invoking the right to self-defense against ,,terrorism". The meeting in Paris concentrates on international maritime shipping. But it shall also embark on a campaign to induce ,,voluntary"agreement on the planned ,,robust and creative steps"of the PSI-states by the Asian and Middle East coastal states as well as such countries as Liberia and Panama which issue flags of convenience.

... all the same!

The German navy already participates in the practical preparations: During the coming months, German naval forces are going to take part in three maneuvers of the US-navy, practicing actions against ,,terrorists and supporting states"; mentioned by name were North Korea and Iran. The first maneuver will take place off the Australian coast, the others are to be conducted in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

See also earlier article Complementary war power

Sources:
Strengere Kontrollen für Waffenhandel. USA, Deutschland und weitere neun Ländern wollen gegen Nordkorea und Iran vorgehen; Welt am Sonntag 31.08.2003
Proliferation Security Initiative; www.globalsecurity.org
The Proliferation Security Initiative. An interdiction strategy; www.iiss.org
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), Brisbane Meeting, 9-10 July 2003. Chairman's Statement; www.dfat.gov.au


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