-Caveat Lector- U.N. Discusses Gun Control Measure By PETER JAMES SPIELMANN .c The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) - In a bid to curb civil wars, ethnic massacres and terrorism, the U.N. Security Council on Friday discussed an initiative by the U.N. chief to implement greater gun-control measures around the world. At the end of the first ministerial debate on small arms, council members called for new measures to discourage arms from reaching conflict zones and also called for effective implementation of arms embargoes. ``Small arms and light weapons are primary tools of violence in many conflicts taking place in the world,'' Annan told the council. ``The proliferation of small arms, ammunition and explosives has also aggravated the violence associated with terrorism and organized crime. ``Even in societies not beset by civil war, the easy availability of small arms has in many cases contributed to violence and political instability,'' he said. With at least 200 million firearms are owned by American citizens, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced the United States would refrain from sellings arms to war zones not already covered by arms embargoes. ``We encourage other nations to establish and observe such moratoria,'' she said. ``We have passed laws making it illegal for traffickers subject to American law to broker illicit deals anywhere. We ask others to crack down on brokering as well.'' British Foreign Minister Robin Cook told the Council: ``It is a tribute ... that nuclear weapons have never been used for half a century, and that chemical weapons have rarely been used. ``However, over the same period the assault rifle has become the weapon of mass killing. ... Over the last decade alone, conflicts fought with only small arms have killed over 3 million people, mostly civilians,'' Cook said. ``Five million dollars will buy approximately 20,000 assault rifles - enough to equip the army of a medium-sized state,'' he noted. The ministers met to discuss a report by Annan which recommended among other things: Better enforcement of U.N. arms embargoes on nations and regions in conflict. Nations should require arms manufacturers to put serial numbers and identification marks on weapons so the diversion of legitimate sales into the black market can be monitored. Nations should share information on the registration of guns and on legal transactions, in order to trace black market deals. Clinton, Reno Condemn Killings By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans must find a way to protect young people - ``as if it were our own children being targeted'' - President Clinton said Thursday as he and Attorney General Janet Reno decried the latest deadly shootings. ``Yet again, we have seen a sanctuary violated by gun violence, taking children brimming with faith and promise and hope before their time,'' Clinton told reporters at the White House. ``We know we have to redouble our efforts to protect our children,'' the president said. He expressed sadness for Wednesday's attack on Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where a gunman killed seven worshippers and wounded seven others before killing himself. ``We know we have to act as if it were our own children being targeted,'' Clinton said. Earlier, during her weekly briefing, Reno also deplored the carnage. ``The thought of gunfire in a place of worship should be inconceivable. But for families, for others last night, the inconceivable became a reality,'' she said. ``In 1999 alone, we have watched as innocent people were gunned down while attending school, while walking home from a church or synagogue, while playing at a summer camp, while working in their offices, while delivering mail and now while worshiping in their church,'' she said. Clinton, who has urged Congress to pass laws restricting sales at gun shows and requiring childproof locks, made no mention of gun control Thursday. But he said the attack underscores the need to address a rise in gun violence. ``We know that there is nothing we can do to assure that this will never happen,'' Clinton said. ``But there is a lot more we can do to assure it will happen more rarely. I can only hope that the shock of this event will spur that kind of action.'' Reno, meantime, said gun control must be among the steps to lessen violence. ``I would hope that people would look, not just at what handguns have done to America this year, not in the context of this case, but what handguns have done to America over the last many years, and that this nation would listen to its people who again and again cry out ... asking government to make sure that we take reasonable steps to ensure that guns are not placed in the hands of people who are not lawfully entitled to have them,'' she said. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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