We find ourselves at the turn of the twentieth century - a century in which man has not only landed on the moon, but also made significant advances in interplanetary exploration. The era of computers and satellite communication has transformed society in a way never before envisaged. The advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering have opened new avenues, with potentials to treat and/or eliminate diseases and revolutionize agricultural production. Science continues to provide new materials for diverse uses by society. These achievements should make man proud.

We also find ourselves in a century that has seen two world wars, a series of civil wars, internal conflicts, international terrorism, urban violence, environmental degradation and the spectre of total annihilation. There have been no less than 170 wars worldwide during the past 50 years. The world's oceans are contaminated by chemical weapons which have been dumped at sea. Radioactive material and other poisons used in the manufacture of weapons have polluted rivers, soil and underground water reserves. Forty per cent of deaths worldwide are now believed to be caused by environmental pollution and degradation. Militarism, including the manufacture and testing of weapons, has contributed its share to this state of affairs. This is a legacy that man should be ashamed of.

Before we start talking about disarmament, we should tackle the issue of whether or not there is a justifiable need for creating the weapons in the first place. One justification that is often thrown is national security, or the need to preserve or safeguard national sovereignty against potential aggressors. However, this is an untenable argument, since there are no winners if and when nuclear wars are waged between the so-called nuclear Powers. The entire world would be at risk of total annihilation.

In a world with over 1 billion people living in "absolute poverty", and where hunger and disease are so rampant, nations are trading in arms to the tune of $750 billion annually - a sum which could wipe out the national debt of the world's 40 poorest countries. Countries, which year after year are in the grip of widespread famine, are spending their meager earnings for the procurement of arms in preparation for wars that would add misery to an already impoverished, war-weary and emaciated populace. Where have our priorities gone?

Perhaps scientists, politicians, businessmen and others should complete their education with an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath made by physicians when they graduate. They should vow not to avail themselves of the manufacture and distribution of weapons, and that they would aspire to resolve conflicts through peaceful means rather than through armed struggle. But promises are simply words unless they stem from conviction.

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FOCAL POINT ON SMALL ARMS The Department for Disarmament Affairs has been designated by the Secretary-General as the focal point to coordinate all action on small arms within the United Nations system. That decision was taken at a meeting of the Senior Management Group which discussed the security, and developmental and humanitarian dimensions of the problem of excessive accumulation and proliferation of small arms. The Department established the Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) as the mechanism for implementing that decision. At its inaugural meeting, CASA agreed to concentrate on pursuing three priorities in the near future: an advocacy campaign to promote a better public awareness of the direct and indirect consequences of the excessive accumulation and proliferation of small arms; resource mobilization for responding to specific requests for assistance by affected States; and the holding of an international conference on all aspects of illicit arms trade. The proposal to hold an international conference was first made in the report of the Secretary-General on small arms, prepared in July 1997 with the assistance of a 16-member Panel of Governmental Experts. Switzerland offered to host that conference in the year 2000.