CAAT Campaigns - Call the Shots

The Defence Export Services Organisation exists to sell arms for companies and to lobby for arms exports within government. It identifies potential opportunities for arms sales, then works with the companies and other elements of government to push for deals. DESO appears uninhibited by ongoing conflicts, human rights abuses, or pressing development needs. Nor is it motivated by international security or the 'defence' of the UK. It focuses purely on arms company sales and profits. DESO acts as a state-sponsored marketing department for arms companies, but its importance goes far beyond that. Its position and role within Whitehall means that the arms industry's vested interests are relentlessly promoted across government.

2006 marks DESO's 40th anniversary. The world has changed radically since 1966, and we believe that it is time to shut DESO for good. CAAT has launched this second part of the Call the Shots campaign at DESO's Symposium on 22nd March. The campaign has already gained widespread support:

the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party as with as more than 30 organizations including CND, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, SPEAK and Quaker Peace & Social Witness have already signed a statement calling for DESO's closure
many individuals have also signed the statement. You can still sign it here
more than 300 MPs have already received a postcard from their constituents, most of them CAAT supporters, calling for the closure of DESO.
an (EDM), a sort of parliamentary petition, has been tabled. Check here to see if your MP has signed. If not, ask him or her to do so. Most post and email addresses can be found here

Lobby your MP

Visit your MP between 1 Sept and 30 Nov in your local constituency or come to London on the 16th October and lobby them alongside other CAAT supporters. You can download the

lobby documents here >>

Come to the Action Day

Join us on Monday 16th October in Central London to send a clear message that time's up for the government's gunrunners

Send your MP a postcard

Please send a postcard to your MP calling for the closure of DESO. More than 300 MPs have already received a postcard

order here >>

Sign the Statement

CAAT is co-ordinating a public statement calling on the government to close DESO, which is already gaining widespread support from individuals, charities and political parties

Sign here >>

Spread the word

Here you can download our web banner, send emails to your friends and find other campaign resources...

spread the word >>

Download the briefing

Our 8-page briefing on DESO is now available to download or read online. You can also order printed copies from the office