Gunilla Carlsson comments on air cargo transports
12 May 2009
Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) will today release a report on air cargo companies that contribute to stimulating conflict and crisis economies and at the same time deliver air transport to humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations.
The report reveals that these companies have been involved in illicit arms trafficking and have thereby contributed to promoting conflict in large parts of Africa. At the same time these air cargo companies have been contracted by major humanitarian organisations and troop-contributing countries and actors to reach conflict zones.
"I welcome this report, which draws attention to a serious problem that requires immediate action. The conclusions in this report are cause for grave concern," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Sweden will contribute to ensuring the implementation of the recommendations and concrete proposals contained in the report. This can be done, for example, through Sweden's close cooperation with humanitarian organisations and contacts with troop-contributing countries and organisations. As a first measure Sweden will also organise, in conjunction with SIPRI, an expert meeting in Brussels on 14 May to discuss the report and its recommendations.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has given financial support to SIPRI for research in the field of conflict prevention. This study is part of the research project.
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