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Controlling Arms Brokering and Transport Agents: Time for International Action
Clegg, E. Crowley, Michael J.A.
Clegg, E.
Crowley, Michael J.A.
Publication Date
2001
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© 2001 The Authors, British American Security Information Council (BASIC), International Alert and Saferworld. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share-Alike License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/uk).
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Abstract
Evidence suggests that many of the arms transfers to the worst affected conflict regions and
human rights crisis zones are organised and trafficked by arms brokering and transport agents.
Targeting those states with weak national export controls and enforcement, unscrupulous
brokers and transportation agents organise the transfer of arms and security equipment to a
range of illegitimate end users such as criminals, terrorists and human rights abusers.
Arms brokers can be defined as middlemen who organise arms transfers between two or more
parties, often bringing together buyers, sellers, transporters, financiers and insurers to make a
deal. They generally do so for financial gain, although political or religious motivation may also
play a part in some deals. Often such brokers do not reside in the country from which the
weapons originate, nor do they live in the countries through which the weapons pass or for
which they are destined. As a result, such `third party¿ arms brokering is notoriously diff i c u l t
to trace, monitor or control. Arms brokers work very closely with transport or shipping agents.
These agents contract transport facilities, carriers and crews in order to move arms cargoes
by sea, air, rail or road.
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published version paper
Citation
Clegg, E. and Crowley, M. (2001). Controlling Arms Brokering and Transport Agents: Time for International Action. London: British American Security Information Council (BASIC), International Alert and Saferworld. Biting the Bullet Briefing Papers. Briefing 8.
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