As part of CAAT’s Stop the Arms Trade Week
, CAAT’s Christian Network will be holding a vigil with a short liturgy on Sunday 17th June at 3pm, outside the Department of Trade and Industry building at 1 Victoria Street, Westminster.
Chris Cole of the Christian Network said: The DTI is one of the main departments responsible for issuing export licenses for arms and has followed a consistent policy of promoting arms sales.
The DTI also contains the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD), one of the main tools by which the government subsidises arms sales using British tax-payers money.
Chris Cole added: To cite one example… in 1998, the Suharto regime in Indonesia defaulted on their debt to the UK – accrued through buying Hawk aircraft – which amounted to £362 million. Allegations of human rights’ abuses were particularly acute during the Suharto regime and British built Hawks are frequently reported as deployed in intimidating
fly-overs
across East Timor and Aceh.
In Stop the Arms Trade Week
CAAT will be calling for the cessation of small arms transfers by focusing upon the consequences of these transactions upon children.
ENDS
For further information please contact Chris Cole or Richard Bingley on 020 7281 0297
NOTES TO PHOTO EDITORS
CAAT will have photos of the event. Please call above for copies.
