Stop Week
highlights government support for the arms trade
The UK is the world’s second largest arms exporter, exporting over £5bn of arms every year to around 150 countries.
This year, for Stop the Arms Trade Week
, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) are focusing upon the amount of public money which is used to support UK arms exports (around £760million). CAAT will also put the spotlight on local authority investment in arms companies that export weapons. Around £1bn is invested by UK local authorities in arms companies.
Stop Week events
Stop Week
will be launched outside Downing St on Saturday 8th June (midday – 2pm) where CAAT activists will be calling for a UK embargo on arms sales to India and Pakistan.
Richard Bingley of CAAT said: It is vital at this time of grave tension in South Asia that UK arms companies don’t exacerbate the tension by enhancing either sides’ military capabilities. Long-term respect for the sanctity of human life is more important than making a quick buck through arms sales.
The India – Pakistan Crisis
Call for A Full Arms Embargo Now!
Demonstrate at Downing Street
Saturday 8th June 2002-05-30 Noon – 2pm
With regular outbreaks of conflict and tension continuing to rise between India and Pakistan, there is an urgent need for an immediate and full arms embargo on the region. Whilst the UK government has sent Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to act as a peacemaker between the two countries, it has yet to take the obvious step of suspending all sales of arms and military equipment to the two governments. This sends a mixed message to the countries about the acceptability of their behaviour.
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is organising a demonstration to call on the government to act as a real peacemaker in this time of international crisis. Tony Blair’s government needs to:
- order an immediate and full arms embargo on the two countries;
- do all it can to reduce tension between the two countries;
- urge Kofi Annan and the UN to broker a lasting settlement.
Whilst UK government spokespeople have said that they will look at each application for an arms export licence on a case-by case basis
(implying that a de facto embargo is in operation) this really isn’t good enough. It seems that the prospect of the £1bn BAE Systems Hawk deal with India is clouding the government’s judgement on this issue.
We must have a clearly articulated arms embargo to ensure that UK does not further fan the flames of war in Kashmir.
Join us to call for a full arms embargo on India and Pakistan and for the government to act as a real peacemaker – not arms broker – to the region.
Downing Street
Saturday June 8th, Noon – 2pm
For more details contact Campaign Against Arms Trade on 020 7281 0297
Other London Events
On 13 June CAAT host a Club Night at 93 Feet East in London’s Brick Lane (8pm-2am). Big name DJ’s include Ali B, Deadly Avenger and Mixmaster Morris.
Around the UK
In Frome, near Bath, Roger Berry MP, a parliamentary committee chairman (with a remit for looking at UK arms exports), joins CAAT’s Local Co-ordinator, Chris Cole, for a public meeting (Library, 7.30 on 10th June). Other events and street stalls will be taking place in Southend (8 June), Croydon (15 June), Birmingham (22 June), Sheffield (TBC), Luton (TBC), Derby (TBC), Liverpool (12 June outside Sacred Heart Church 5-6pm; 16 June at BAE’s Wharton site 5-6pm), Manchester (TBC), Edinburgh (TBC), St Albans (TBC), Derry (TBC).
Please call the CAAT office on 020 7281 0297 or email enquiries(at)caat·org·uk for further details.
