We must turn our backs on the guns by controlling small arms and light weapons. In this context, we welcome the proposed conference on small arms to be held in 2001. Conflicts clutter up Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The Middle East is yet to conclude the final settlement and be at peace with itself. The Balkans is still rife with disputes, though of lesser extent now, South Asia is in perennial pain of low intensity war.
Terrorists are on the prowl in many places, exploiting fragility of states.
As a -result of all these, thousands of innocent lives have been lost. The Security Council, which is the world's sentry, has acted too little too late in many situations, and let emerging disputes descend into fully blown conflicts. Nepal urges the Security Council to act timely, promptly, decisively, and adequately to prevent conflagration. Nepal has always been an active participant in United Nations peace operations. Nepalese peacekeepers have served with impeccable professionalism and dedication, and have earned a name for them.