H.E. Stephan Mikines is US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). He attends the first preparatory seminar on national and international economic impact of trafficking in small arms and light weapons held in Sofia. Meetings with Bulgaria's Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg, Foreign Minister Passy and President Parvanov are also on the agenda of the ambassador during his stay in Bulgaria.
Milena Dinkova met H.E. Stephan Mikines*
Q: What are the economic consequences of trafficking in small arms and light weapons?
A: I hope this is one of the things that will be defined here. I think not enough focus has been put on the economic impacts of this problem. Clearly one of the reasons why trafficking takes place is because people do not find other ways to make a living. Of course, that does not in any way condone it. But one has also to focus on the economic conditions in various countries that give rise to people to engage in clearly criminal activity.
Q: Will this seminar produce concrete results?
A: I very much hope so. We try to encourage our Dutch colleagues from the incoming OSCE chairmanship and the present chair - Portugal, to work in this direction. We want to not just have statements of official governmental positions or have one-way discussion. We rather want this to be a dialogue and to produce clear-cut set of results that the OSCE can embark on, especially in the next year. I think that a policy agenda will be formulated here. We have to fight not only terrorism but the trafficking in small arms and light weapons as well.
Q: Is there a way for curbing trafficking in light weapons?
A: Of course, there is and these steps are being taken. Legislation and effective enforcement of the laws are the key to it. And the third component is also to look into the economic conditions. All of our governments, working together, need to provide economic conditions that allow for people to improve their lives.
Q: How do you assess the chances of Bulgaria to gain the OSCE chairmanship in 2004?
A: That decision remains to be taken on December 6 when the foreign ministers of the member states meet. I know that your government is taking this very seriously and is taking my visit here very seriously. I look forward to further discussions that I will be having with your prime minister, your foreign minister and the president today.
Q: Do you think the decision-makers will take into consideration Bulgaria's work in the UN Security Council?
A: I think the good work in the leadership that Bulgaria can provide and is providing also in the Security Council will stand your country very well as it continues to integrate itself into Europe. The same thing with the OSCE chairmanship - that would be a major step in that integration process, especially with the goals that we see ahead for the OSCE in the next year. There are about thirty member states in the OSCE that have no any immediate prospects of being either member of the EU, or NATO. It is very important that we continue to express our concern in commitment to those courtiers towards a civil society, towards economic development, towards a better life for the millions of people there.
Q: Do you think Bulgaria will get invitation to join NATO in Prague?
A: The White House says it has to make a final decision on that. We will know just in couple of weeks what develops at Prague.
*Questions of other media are included
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