DSEi's co-organisers
Comedy corner
In 2009 DSEi's organisers were again claiming
it is not an "arms fair". In a letter to one
concerned customer, Clarion Events wrote: "CAAT
inaccurately describes these as 'arms fairs'; in fact
these are trade exhibitions." Hmmm... Last time we looked,
there seemed to be an awful lot of weaponry on display,
and Clarion were promoting DSEi as "a place to do business".
DSEi is co-organised by Clarion Events and UKTI DSO, with the financial backing of the UK taxpayer.
Clarion Events
Since 2008, Clarion Events has bought a total of six international arms fairs, including DSEi, and made it clear they are keenly interested in this deadly business. They have defied disinvestment calls from stakeholders of other exhibitions they run, such as the Spirit of Christmas Fair and the Baby Show, arguing that these are not 'arms fairs' but 'trade exhibitions'.
UKTI DSO
In addition to exhibiting at DSEi, UKTI DSO is taking an active role in organising the event, coordinating the presence of MoD and military representatives as well as inviting international delegations. In 2009 UKTI DSO extended official invitations to countries including Algeria, India, Libya and Oman. All places where UKTI DSO reports recent 'high-level political interventions' to help arms companies secure deals.
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