These issues will serve as the basis for subsequent RASR meetings.  Participants were unanimous in their desire to see a subsequent RASR workshop in the fall. 

1) National and Regional Policy

Participants identified several issues related to national and regional policy and programs that have hindered a regional approach to stockpile reductions.  These include the lack of understanding and support from national policy-makers, particularly in the legislatures; variations and conflicts in national laws, policies, and regulations; and a lack of donor coordination leading to gaps and overlaps in bilateral and multilateral projects.  Further complicating the pursuit of a regional approach are low levels of trust between governments, low levels of commitment amongst political leaders, and short time horizons.

To address these challenges in the short term, participants agreed that conventional weapons destruction should be a recurring agenda item during regular high-level conferences of Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Defense in the region.

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