UN: Israel, Iran called top exporters of light arms
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
WASHINGTON Ñ A UN report has cited Iran and Israel as among the leading exporters of small arms in the world.
The report, titled "Small Arms Survey 2009," said Iran and North Korea were also the least transparent exporters in the $4 billion annual light weapons market.
"Suspected or known significant exporters of small arms that report little or no information on their firearms exports include Belarus, Iran, Israel, North Korea and South Africa," the report said.
The report did not detail small arms exports by Iran and Israel. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, South Korea and the United States were said to be exporting at least $100 million of light weapons per year.
Pistols, revolvers, rifles and heavy machine guns were said to account for 60 percent of deaths from small arms. The report was drafted by researchers at Geneva's Graduate Institute.
"The least transparent major exporters are Iran and North Korea, both scoring zero," the report said.
The report said 80 percent of the trade in small arms and light weapons was conducted by 20 countries. The United States was said to be responsible for 48 percent of the worldwide increase in imports.
"Roughly 40 percent of state arsenals Ñ some 76 million arms Ñ appear to be surplus to requirements and highly suitable for destruction," the report said. "Collection and destruction seems readily feasible for perhaps 20 percent of all civilian firearms."