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Fanning The Flames | |
... How UK Arms Exports Fuel Conflict | |
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Contrary to the constant assurances from the government, the UK continues to export arms and military equipment to countries engaged in conflict. According to CAAT's research the UK has exported arms and military equipment to 20 countries engaged in serious conflicts around the world since 1997. Whilst these may be the worst example of the UK's proliferation of weaponry around the globe, unfortunately it is just the tip of the iceberg. |
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Each day we can turn on the news and hear about conflicts that are taking place around the world, from Algeria in North Africa, to Colombia in South America. TV footage repeatedly shows makeshift camps bursting with refugees fleeing from conflict zones. Sunday supplements carry photo-articles on small children left maimed by weapons of war, whilst through our letter-boxes we receive pleas from development agencies trying to deal with the humanitarian and economic consequences of conflict. Often we feel pretty impotent in the face of these images, feeling too far away to be able to do anything other than sympathise with the victims and, if we are able, donate to charities trying to alleviate the suffering. Yet there is something that we can do as a nation which could make a real difference to the numerous conflicts that are currently taking place around the globe: end the promotion and export of weapons and military equipment, particularly to countries engaged in conflict. CAAT's 2003-4 campaign, Fanning the Flames, aimed to build agreement around the idea that we can make a real difference in the world by stopping the promotion of arms, particularly to countries engaged in conflict. Central to this would be the closure of the Defence Services Export Organisation (DESO), the government agency that promotes arms exports. You can download pdf versions of the campaign materials:
For more details about our continuing work to close DESO and end the promotion of arms sales have a look through our current campaigns | |
Campaign Against Arms Trade, 11 Goodwin St, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HQ
Tel: +44-(0)20 7281 0297 | Fax: +44-(0)20 7281 4369