PRESS RELEASE

25 September 1998

Renowned Actor Michael Douglas Speaks Out for Gun Control

Foreign ministers and arms experts take a stand against the global threat of small arms at BASIC conference

NEW YORK – Renowned film and television actor Michael Douglas today (9/25/98) challenged the international community to do more to control the spread of small arms worldwide. Before a unique gathering of foreign ministers, UN officials, arms experts, and arms lobbyists, Douglas, a newly appointed UN Messenger of Peace, relayed movingly the facts that "speak for themselves" which underlie the need for responsible control of small weapons. Douglas’ speech was the keynote event at a meeting organized by the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) and co-sponsored by the governments of Canada and Norway at the United Nations. The purpose of today’s event was to evaluate current efforts to halt the spread of small arms and investigate strategic solutions to this global threat.

"Wherever arms flow, the violence follows. Bullets replace ballots as the solution to political disputes. We’ve seen it in Rwanda…Afghanistan…[and] El Salvador…. If these weapons are not properly controlled, peace will become obsolete and so will humanity," said Douglas. "Together, we can make sure we leave the world a safer, more peaceful place – where conflicts are resolved by rational debate and democratic processes."

Douglas committed himself to using his celebrity stature to educate the American public and world community as to the dangers associated with the proliferation of arms. The issue was presented as one that is "pertinent, relevant and significant to everyone." The spread of small arms represents one of the most complex and demanding security challenges facing civil society at the end of the twentieth century. Governments have failed to keep their arsenals under control, and have allowed weapons to fall into the wrong hands. As a result, small arms are changing the nature of conflict. They cause 90% of war casualties, 9 out of 10 of which are civilians. Many of these weapons are cheap, durable, and so easy to use that a child of ten can assemble and operate one.

"The spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons harms each and everyone of us," said Dan Plesch, BASIC’s Director. "The harms comes from the fear in everyday life, the harm comes from the destruction of efforts to build calm and prosperous communities, the harm comes in the pain, in the suffering and the death we see around the world."

Copies of Michael Douglas’ speech are available upon request.

Sponsored by British American Security Information Council,
the Permanent Mission of Canada, and the Permanent Mission of Norway

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