http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L3062881.htm Britain backs international treaty on arms trade 30 Sep 2004 12:52:25 GMT Source: Reuters BRIGHTON, England, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday backed calls for an international treaty to curb the irresponsible sale of firearms that aid agencies say kill at least half a million people every year. Oxfam and Amnesty International launched a campaign last October to draw up a global treaty to introduce strict export controls on rifles, revolvers, machine guns and mortars. "We will start work soon ... to build support for an international arms trade treaty, further to extend the international rule of law," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told his Labour Party's annual conference. Europe already had a comprehensive arms control code of practice, he said. Oxfam welcomed Straw's support, saying Britain was the first major industrialised country to back the idea of a treaty on small arms. "Straw's support for the arms trade treaty brings tough international arms controls much closer," said Justin Forsyth, policy director for Oxfam. "The U.K, the second largest exporter of weapons, can play a vital role in keeping weapons out of the wrong hands and making people safe from violence," he added in a statement. Oxfam called on London to make the treaty a reality. The treaty would assess the impact of arms exports on conflict, poverty and human rights, it said. Lobby groups say the trade in arms is out of control. The International Action Network on Small Arms, which is backing Oxfam and Amnesty on the treaty, has said light weapons kill half a million people a year.