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13/09/2005
Protests planned at London arms fair
Campaigners against the arms trade are beginning a series of demonstrations, as Europe’s largest arms fair gets under way in London.
The Defence Systems & Equipment International event, which is being held at the ExCel Centre in London’s Docklands, is a showcase for the latest defence technology, demonstrating the latest weapons and equipment for use by the army, navy and air force.
More than 1,000 firms from over 30 countries will be displaying equipment at the event, including BAE Systems, Thales and Lockheed Martin, and security is tight at the venue.
Around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, which runs until Friday.
However, campaigners have criticised the government’s decision to invite delegates from several countries with bad human rights records.
China, which is subject to an EU arms embargo, Colombia and Indonesia, which has not been invited to the event since 1999, have all been invited to attend.
Libya, which was subject to an EU arms embargo until last year, and Iraq have also received invitations to the event for the first time this year.
Anna Jones, Campaign Coordinator for the Campaign Against Arms Trade, which is organising the demonstrations, said that the DSEi made “a mockery of European and UK arms control rules”. She said: “As Tony Blair pushes for weapons trade controls at the UN World Summit this week, his defence ministers will be welcoming the world’s arms dealers and human rights abusers to do business in London.
“If Mr Blair is serious about controlling arms exports to conflict zones and human rights abusers, he should himself be calling for the event to be cancelled.”
(KMcA/SP)
The Defence Systems & Equipment International event, which is being held at the ExCel Centre in London’s Docklands, is a showcase for the latest defence technology, demonstrating the latest weapons and equipment for use by the army, navy and air force.
More than 1,000 firms from over 30 countries will be displaying equipment at the event, including BAE Systems, Thales and Lockheed Martin, and security is tight at the venue.
Around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, which runs until Friday.
However, campaigners have criticised the government’s decision to invite delegates from several countries with bad human rights records.
China, which is subject to an EU arms embargo, Colombia and Indonesia, which has not been invited to the event since 1999, have all been invited to attend.
Libya, which was subject to an EU arms embargo until last year, and Iraq have also received invitations to the event for the first time this year.
Anna Jones, Campaign Coordinator for the Campaign Against Arms Trade, which is organising the demonstrations, said that the DSEi made “a mockery of European and UK arms control rules”. She said: “As Tony Blair pushes for weapons trade controls at the UN World Summit this week, his defence ministers will be welcoming the world’s arms dealers and human rights abusers to do business in London.
“If Mr Blair is serious about controlling arms exports to conflict zones and human rights abusers, he should himself be calling for the event to be cancelled.”
(KMcA/SP)
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