It is also important that people all over the world are aware of what we are trying to achieve. Therefore the media are important to spread the message. The written press will undoubtedly cover the main issues of our Conference, but not everybody in the world can be effectively reached in this way. Therefore, it seems essential that radio, and in particular TV, play an important part in spreading the ideas behind the Conference. TV is however, not the best medium to handle complex matters.
TV needs interesting pictures.
With all due respect, Mr. Chairman, our deliberations here on the details of export controls etc., when you would see them on television, would not provide the most inspiring and interesting images. We need something else to get attention of the world public. The Republic of Mali has given us the answer. The 'Flamme de la Paix', when numerous small weapons were destroyed in public, was a very inspiring event, showing what can be done in practice to diminish the scourge of small weapons, i.e. how to get rid of all those weapons which had fallen in the wrong hands. The Flamme de la Paix has subsequently been lit in other countries, to the great enthusiasm of the participants.