SIPRI Update, December 2008
Countering Illicit Trafficking–Mechanism Assessment Project (CIT–MAP)
The activities of arms brokers and shipping agents involved in illicit and clandestine small arms and light weapons (SALW) transfers are difficult to detect and control. In addition, a lack of institutionalized transnational or inter-agency cooperation hampers existing national and international efforts in this area. This project maps efforts to identify and control arms brokers and shipping agents engaged in illicit and clandestine SALW transfers. The project will also propose European Union (EU) level mechanisms to improve the coordination of these efforts and, where relevant, make the information generated available to stakeholders, such as licensing officials, customs authorities and other law enforcement agencies.
CIT-MAP studies are derived from investigative field research and empirical analysis. The project involves a multi disciplinary approach to the problem of illicit and clandestine arms transfers, drawing upon different fields of study that are synthesized in solution-orientated reports.
This project is funded by a grant from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs for the period 2008–2009.
For further information, contact Mark Bromley Email or Hugh Griffiths Email.
Stemming destabilizing arms transfers: the impact of European Union air safety bans
This study examines the impact of EU air safety regulations on
the
activities of air cargo operators that are suspected of being involved
in destabilizing arms transfers. In particular, it focuses on the
system of coordinated air safety inspections carried out by EU member
states, backed up by community-wide flight bans, which the EU has put
in to place in recent years. The research shows that such measures have
had a profound effect upon the activities of air cargo carriers with a
suspected involvement in destabilizing arms transfers. Indeed, EU air
safety bans have disrupted the activities of these companies to an
extent unseen since the emergence of a non-governmental arms transport
sector at the end of the cold war.
Publications
'Stemming destabilizing arms transfers: the impact of European Union air safety bans', SIPRI Insights on Peace and Security No. 3, Hugh Griffiths and Mark Bromley, Oct. 2008. More information.
Background information
The EU's engagement in air safety regulation
CIT-MAP Air Cargo Database
Information on all of the air carriers covered by this study
Enter
This CIT-MAP study focuses on the impact that EU air safety regulations have had on the activities of air cargo operators with a suspected involvement in destabilizing arms transfers. CIT-MAP has compiled more detailed information on the EU's system of air safety regulations, including descriptions of the role of the EASA, Eurocontrol and the European Commission. More information.
Case studies: air safety violations and destabilising arms transfers
This CIT-MAP study argues that air cargo operators involved in destabilizing arms transfers habitually violate air safety standards, increasing the likelihood of their being targeted by EU controls. CIT-MAP has compiled additional information demonstrating the connection between destabilizing arms transfers and violations of international air safety standards. More information.
Case studies: Beyond the published EU blacklists
This CIT-MAP study analyses all air carriers that have been listed in European Commission air safety regulations which ban them from entering EU airspace, or targeted as a result of EU technical inspection missions. CIT-MAP has compiled several case studies, containing additional information on some of these carriers. More information.
Conference papers
'Air Cargo Carriers and WMD Proliferation: EU Threats and Solutions', Mark Bromley and Hugh Griffiths, Paper presented at 'The European Union and the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Are there new ways of strengthening European action?', French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fondation pour la Reserche Strategique (FRS), and Delegation aux Affaires Strategiques (DAS), Paris, 15-16 July 2008, (PPT - 684kb; (PDF - 208kb).
'Illicit Transfer of Weapons via Air: New Avenues', Hugh Griffiths, Paper presented at 'Conventional Arms Control and Disarmament Seminar', UNIDIR, Geneva, 25 June 2008, (PPT - 176kb; MP3 - 3.1mb).