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Press Release

OAS UNVEILS REPORT ON NICARAGUAN WEAPONS
DIVERTED TO COLOMBIAN GROUP

The governments of Colombia, Nicaragua and Panama should pursue criminal investigations to uncover possible criminal conduct by each and every person involved in diverting Nicaraguan arms to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.

That recommendation was contained in an Organization of American States (OAS) report presented by Ambassador Morris Busby to the Permanent Council Wednesday. Busby was appointed to lead the investigations that began last May at the request of the three countries.

The report also referred to the Inter-American Convention against the Illegal Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials, saying “it is and should remain the most important hemispheric instrument to prevent illegal arms and ammunition manufacturing and trafficking.”

In his remarks, OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi said the report shows that weapons diverted to unauthorized hands, including terrorist hands, are a problem affecting not only the Middle East but one that can also victimize all of us.”

Ambassador Busby said he had fulfilled the mission assigned him, and added: “The three countries fell victim to criminal actions by those criminal elements.” He warned that “this could happen to any member state unless concrete and effective steps are taken to close any loopholes in domestic and international laws and to bolster cooperation.”

He said only half of the OAS member states have ratified the hemispheric treaty that was adopted in Washington in November 1997, and stressed that the broadest possible ratification of that Convention, especially as regards implementing its provisions, “would be a very good thing for the entire region.”

Nicaragua’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Ambassador Leandro Marín, said the investigation stemmed from a proposal by his President, Enrique Bolaños, “whose objective was, and continues to be, to get to the bottom of the matter to determine the whole truth.”

Commenting on the report, Panama’s Ambassador to the OAS Juan Manuel Castulovich noted the link between its recommendations and the Inter-American Convention he said was adopted precisely to prevent arms trafficking. “The developments as outlined can also serve as a caution to states in preventing a repeat of this kind of weapons diversion.”

Meanwhile, Colombia’s Alternate Representative, Jaime Casabianca, stated that his government is studying the report for any implications it may have for Colombia, so as to determine what action to take to ensure the recommendations are fully implemented as soon as possible.

Reference: E-015/03