Small Arms/Light Weapons Destruction in Albania Memorandum

Fully understanding the problems posed for national security, regional stability, and international peace by harmful proliferation and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons,

Acknowledging the work currently being undertaken in the OSCE, the United Nations, G-8, EAPC/PfP, and especially commitments made by Albania in the Stability Pact November 18, 1999 Declaration on Small Arms/Light Weapons,

Welcoming assistance that may be provided by the international community,

Reaffirms its commitment to destroy the small arms and light weapons looted during the 1997 crisis, including those that have already been collected and will be collected in the future from the civilian population,

Announces its intention to destroy the above-mentioned small arms and light weapons, and commits to promoting the process of destroying stockpiles of weapons that are in excess of those needed for national defense purposes, and,

Undertakes to carry out this commitment in an expeditious fashion, and to destroy by the end of 2000 or soon as practicable, the small arms and light weapons already collected and to be collected, thus setting an example for all countries in Southeast Europe,

And looks forward to further discussions with the Governments of the United States, Norway, and Germany, aimed at supporting the Government of Albania's implementation of the preceding commitments.