Profits are made from arms exports to repressive regimes, for example Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe, to areas of tension or conflict such as Israel & Middle Eastern countries, India and Pakistan, Nepal and to areas with tremendous development needs eg South Africa & Tanzania. The Fund has also made profits as a result of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Protests have been held outside the Town Halls at Bolton, Bury and Manchester and have received good media coverage. Leaflets on the Fund's investments were distributed and people were asked to sign a petition opposing them. Protests are yet to be held in July at Oldham Civic Centre & Rochdale Council Offices, and Salford, Stockport, Tameside & Trafford council offices in October with Wigan in November (full details on Networking Newsletter online calendar). All welcome for as long/little as you can manage.
Defence Systems & Equipment International
Every 2 years, arms dealers converge on London's Docklands for Defence Systems & Equipment International arms fair, an important event in the inter-national military equipment sales calendar organised in association with the government's Defence Export Services Organisation. Governments of some of the worst human rights abusing states, including Colombia, Israel & Saudi Arabia were invited to DSEi 2003. Their presence at DSEi not only gives them access to tools for further human rights abuses, but also lends them political support & legitimises them. The international arms trade fuels conflict around the world encouraging even the poorest countries to spend money on weapons systems rather than welfare. CAAT is organising protests at DSEi 2005 (13-16 Sept) which will be 30% bigger than last time with "products and services related to Homeland security, anti-terrorism, access control, and personal security", as well as the usual rockets, tanks and machine guns. If you want to join in activities opposing the Docklands arms fair, please visit www.armsfair.com where details of the protests against DSEi will be posted as they are organised. Come along and oppose the arms trade!
Mike Kavanagh, Manchester Campaign Against Arms Trade (0161 224 6042, mkavanagh@astor.demon.co.uk)
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