London - Amnesty International yesterday accused major gun-producing nations such as the US, Russia and China of trying to undermine the first United Nations conference aimed at controlling small arms distribution. Small arms are involved in more than 1,000 deaths each day, the UN told delegates in New York.
At least 550 million small arms are in circulation around the world. They are the weapons of choice in 90 per cent of conflicts and one of the biggest killers.
"Up to now, the main spoilers at the UN conference are the world's biggest small arms producers and some of their dependents and allies," Mr Brian Wood of Amnesty International said.