Summary Notes:

QUNO in NYC has an office staff of 8-9 people; they operate both the
office at 777 UN Plaza and the Quaker House.

Globalization: corporations are taking a more major role than states;
the IMF (International Monetary Fund), WTO (World Trade Organization),
and the World Bank are all in the 'club of states'. More dialogue is
needed; NGO's (non-governmental organizations) have more power than
formerly.

Continued militarization: it is impossible to totally ban small arms,
light weapons. Half are traded legally, half illegally - there are no
international controls. The definition of security is changing;
illicit trade is now a threat to global security. A conference is
planned for July to see if it is possible to deal with illegal trade
of small arms; success is possible if there is a transfer from arms
issue to humanitarian issue.

Middle East - Iraq: Colin Powell will look at the sanctions
Observer force for Palestine/Israel was vetoed in the UN by the U.S.
The UN Security Council talked into the night concerning this problem
- even a softer decision would be vetoed by the U.S. It has been
suggested that members of the Security Council go to see what is
happening in the Middle East.

Increased collaboration between the NY QUNO office the one in Geneva.

Child Soldiers is being dealt with largely through the Geneva office;
an agreement has been reached not to use children under 18 in combat.
A qualitative survey is being done to evaluate girls as child soldiers
- interviewing is going on in collaboration with other groups.

Peaceful Conflict Prevention - helping to facilitate dialogue
suggested in the Secretary General's report. Both Mali and Albania
have requested UN help - attitudes must change in order to alter
political approaches. In Albania, a development project is needed -
on condition that they would turn in arms. World surplus arms
destruction days…. Arms are not the only way to commit genocide.


Submitted by Joan D. Overman