It's getting colder outside but our campaigns are just beginning to hot up. Keep warm over winter by helping us to keep the pressure on the government and the arms industry.
Read on to find out more...
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Contents:
Two days of uplifting speakers, interactive workshops and inspiring encounters with other CAAT supporters made both the CAAT National Gathering and University Network Gathering very special. We went away ready to take action against government support for the arms trade in the run up to the general election. See photos and read more about the days.
The National Gathering heard how CAAT will continue the campaign to close UKTI Defence and Security Organisation (DSO) in 2010.
A major concern is that a future Conservative Party government would further increase government support for arms exports. There is even talk of moving arms export promotion back to the Ministry of Defence.
We believe that there is still time to change Conservative policy on this issue. We are urging supporters to write to David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, explaining why support for arms exports is a bad policy and urging the Conservative Party not to adopt it.
With a general election coming up, it's important to put pressure on all the political parties. CAAT's Action Pack for Lobbying Candidates will be available in December.
Thanks to everyone who turned up for our comic turn cum protest as BAE's boss gave a lecture on business ethics: CAAT was inside asking serious questions, and outside - with a band of clowns - to say “you must be joking”!
CAAT is following with interest news reports on the progress of the SFO (Serious Fraud Office) prosecution of BAE Systems on allegations of corruption and false accounting on arms sales in four countries - Czech Republic, Romania, South Africa and Tanzania.
It now appears that the SFO has handed files to its QC, Timothy Langdale, for advice before forwarding files to the Attorney General. Meanwhile, BAE has instructed QC Clare Montgomery to handle its defence - she previously represented General Pinochet! There is also a possibility that BAE will reach a plea bargain with the SFO.
Watch our website for information and ideas for action. For further information visit our BAE pages.
CAAT is keen to learn about the role of the government-backed insurance scheme, the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) in facilitating arms exports. Since they are unwilling to give information, CAAT has used the government's Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to make them open up.
Some time ago, CAAT had asked the ECGD for information on risk assessment relating to the Al Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The ECGD refused and the case went to an Information Tribunal. The recent ruling by the Tribunal blasted the ECGD for its "exaggerated" and "dismissive" attitude. You can read more on the BBC's Open Secrets blog.
We are currently trying to gain a clearer picture of CAAT’s supporters to help us plan our future campaigns in the most effective way.
You can fill out the survey online.
Please note – there’s no need to complete the online survey if you have already returned your answers to us in the post.
We’d like to thank all those supporters who have already returned a survey to us – the response rate has been really encouraging.
The deadline for responses is 30 November, so please respond today. Thank you.
Planning a festive feast with friends over the next few weeks? Why not use it as an opportunity to raise money for CAAT through Dinner4Good?
Dinner4Good makes planning really easy. Invitations can be sent through the website to guests, who can then accept and make a secure donation of their choice to TREAT. TREAT has kindly agreed to pass all donations to CAAT to help fund our important research and education work. Your guests can relax and enjoy their meal, knowing all the money raised is going to a great cause!
Find out more by visiting the TREAT page at Dinner4Good. If you do host a dinner we’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch with Sally .
Our greetings cards are selling fast, but there’s still time to get yours. Choose from this year’s beautiful card, exclusively designed for us by CAAT supporter Sally Brooks, or take advantage of the special offer on last year’s card, both available online.
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Campaign Against Arms Trade is working for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade, together with progressive demilitarisation within arms-producing countries.