Press Release (96)139 4 October 1996

Defence Research Group Seminar on Non-Lethal Weapons NATO s Defence Research Group (DRG) recently concluded a Seminar on the topic of Non-Lethal Weapons . In the current environment of increasing emphasis on peacekeeping and peace support operations, governments are interested in the possibility of developing weapons with significantly reduced lethality or likelihood of long-term injury. The term Non-Lethal Weapons applies to a broad array of technologies with the potential of meeting this need. This DRG Seminar was hosted by Italy at its C.I.S.A.M. Study Institute (Centro Interforze Studi per le Applicazioni Militari), near Pisa, Italy. 148 participants attended this technical conference, representing 12 NATO nations (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and two non-NATO nations (Sweden and Switzerland). Thirty-two papers were presented in two key sessions, dealing with Conceptual/Operational Aspects and Technological Aspects . This was the first conference sponsored by NATO dealing with Non-Lethal Weapons, and it provided the participating nations with an opportunity to exchange information on their technology activities in this important area. For more information on this meeting, please contact the Head of the Defence Research Section, Defence Support Division: Dr. K. Gardner, tel: (32 2) 707.44.20, fax: (32 2) 707.41.03.