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the quarterly magazine for Campaign against arms trade
CAAT news
July – SEPTEMBER 2014 • Issue 233
ARMING The arms trade
and World War 1
ALL SIDES
Image © Peace Pledge Union Archives
Profiting from war then and now
BAE Systems Swiss ‘no’ to Arms trade
PLUS AGM P12 arms deal P7 in schools P11
CAAT
There’s plenty here to get stuck website, which goes live on July 10.
into over the summer months, and If you’ve got a holiday planned
to plan towards for the autumn. and are after some reading
The First World War is likely to then you might like to consider
news
be covered by a wide range of Nicholas Gilby’s book on arms
media during this time and we hope trade corruption (see page 11).
that you find CAAT’s perspective It may not be light reading but
an interesting complement to it’s highly engaging and very
mainstream coverage – see page 3. well-informed – and will certainly
JULY – SEPT 2014 If you get a chance, have a look at
information and resources on the
have you primed to carry on
campaigning come September!
contents
P14
3 First World War
4–5 Arms Trade Shorts P6
©
Or
6 Arms trade in schools
ham
i lto n/
7 Swiss arms deal referendum
f lick r
8–9 Disarm public institutions
10 Parliamentary; Comic Relief
11 Interview: Nicholas Gilby
© G s oA
12–13 Updates
14 Fundraising;
DSEi prosecution P7
15 Eurosatory; Action dates
16 Donate
Editor Melanie Jarman The content and views Campaign Against Arms Trade
Design Chris Woodward expressed in articles, works to end the international
advertisements and promotional arms trade. The arms business
Proofreader John Moseley
material included within CAAT has a devastating impact on
Legal consultant Glen Reynolds NEWS by other organisations human rights and security and
PRINTED by Russell Press on 100% recycled are not necessarily endorsed or damages economic development.
paper using only post-consumer waste. supported by CAAT. Any related Large scale military procurement
enquiries or concerns should and arms exports only reinforce
Thank you also to our dedicated team
be addressed to the a militaristic approach to
of CAAT NEWS stuffers.
relevant organisation. international problems.
Campaign Against Arms Trade, Unit 4, 5–7 Wells Terrace, London, N4 3JU
Tel: 020 7281 0297 Email: enquiries@caat.org.uk Web: www.caat.org.uk
To receive this issue of CAAT NEWS in large print please call 020 7281 0297
2
Selling to all sides:
the arms trade then and now
CAAT is challenging the use of the First World War to promote militarism,
focusing instead on inspiration to challenge the arms trade.
For the next four years the a licence to German firm Krupp to Arms companies now
First World War may be used to make Maxim guns, while in 1902
Arms companies exist to sell
promote militarism. But to use Krupp licensed Vickers to make
weapons, irrespective of
the war to promote military their fuses.
national boundaries, and selling
spending and justify conflict
is a miserable legacy for those Remembering how people to all sides in a conflict has not
abated since the First World War.
who died. CAAT is challenging opposed the arms trade The conflict in Libya in 2011 is
this militarism, which helps to
sustain the arms trade now, by after WW1 will inspire us a case in point. Arms from one
company, MBDA, were used by
exposing the profiteering of to challenge it now. Gaddafi’s forces, the Libyan
the arms trade during the First
rebels and the UK and French
World War, and the opposition to Turkish contract military.
it that followed. A new website
Armstrong and Vickers (which To challenge the arms trade
armingallsides.org.uk will be
were incorporated into what is we need to counter the myth
launched in July to expose the
now BAE Systems) both built that arms companies act in the
arms trade in that period, and
a super dreadnought for the national interest. Exposing their
draw parallels with current times.
Ottoman Empire in 1911–1912. behaviour a century ago will help
Parallels In 1913 the companies signed us to counter those trying to
lucrative deals with the Turkish teach the wrong lessons from
By the time of the First World
government to maintain two naval the First World War: remembering
War arms companies had already
bases. No foreign worker, unless how people opposed the arms
developed the characteristics
they were British, was allowed trade then will inspire us to
that they have been criticised
to be employed there. British challenge it now.
for ever since: corruption,
creating war scares and selling
to potential opponents or to both
To challenge the arms trade we need to
sides of a conflict. counter the myth that arms companies
Meanwhile, there had been a
high level of cooperation amongst
act in the national interest.
companies across national
workmanship and technicians For more information and to help
boundaries. In 1901 Vickers gave
were thus unwittingly responsible challenge pro-military voices
for the slaughter of British troops around the First World War:
and their allies at the Dardanelles,
• Visit armingallsides.org.
Anzac Cove and Cape Helles.
uk from 10 July for more
Courtesy of University of Glasgow, Special Collections
Opposition information and resources.
In the 1920s, public questioning Get in touch with CAAT to:
of what the war had achieved • Book a speaker in your
and opposition to the arms trade area on the arms trade and
was growing. By the time a Peace the First World War.
Ballot, organised by the League
• Write to your local
of Nations Union, took place in
newspaper to highlight
1934, arms trade profiteering
the profiteering of arms
was considered to have been one
companies during the war.
of the causes of the war and 10
million out of the 11.25 million • Organise a creative action
people polled voted to prohibit the locally, such as re-staging
private manufacture of arms. the Peace Ballot.
ww1 • 3
Arms TRADE
Shorts
FRANCE-RUSSIA AFRICA
Arms company Saab has
As conflict continues in Ukraine, The US has called for a break in
expanded its presence in sub-
Russian sailors are due in France to the contract, while Russia has
Saharan Africa through a new
begin training on the first of two threatened a financial penalty.
office in Botswana. One of the
Mistral-class carriers from a 2011 A major contract for German
products Saab is keen to sell
deal worth $1.6bn. firm Rheinmetall to build a
locally is the Gripen fighter jet.
The second carrier is not yet fully combat training facility in Russia
Defenceweb, 13/3/14
paid for and France is exploring was suspended in March due to
the option of withholding delivery, developments in Crimea. Eurocopter Southern Africa
while weighing implications for its defensenews.com, 23/5/14; Ltd is to establish a permanent
reputation as a reliable supplier. DW.de, 19/3/14 base in Kenya to work on Airbus
helicopters in Africa and parts
of the Middle East.
The military and civilian
helicopter market in the
developing world, including
the Middle East and Africa, is
predicted to rise to $146.8bn
between 2014 and 2022.
The estimated value of
European and North American
markets for the same period
is $9.7bn.
defensenews.com, 16/3/14
Russian President Vladimir Putin © World Economic Forum GERMAN
EXPORTS
BAE SUB SPAIN A German minister has signalled
interest in a more restrictive
INVESTMENT Saudi Arabia and Spain have signed
a co-operation agreement covering
arms export regime, raising
concerns amongst the industry
The UK government is spending £300m future arms sales between the two and a threat from Airbus to move
on BAE Systems’ submarine yard at countries. production lines abroad.
Barrow in Cumbria, making it more likely Spain’s 2013 military export figures In particular, the minister
that the company will be given the received a huge boost from sales to called for restrictions on small
£14bn deal to build the Royal Navy’s countries on the Arabian peninsula, arms that could be used for civil
next generation of nuclear missile doubling to €3.9bn from €1.95bn wars. He said weapons exports
submarines. The Government is due to for 2012. The rise was propelled by should be guided by foreign
decide in 2016 whether to approve this increased output at Airbus military and security policies, not
Successor programme. aircraft plants. economic policy.
Telegraph, 6/4/14 Janes.com, 20/5/14 & 27/5/14 defensenews.com, 31/5/14
4• arms trade shorts
EU military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, 2013
Sweden 1.2 Finland 1.2
Estonia 2.0
Latvia 1.0
Denmark 1.4
Lithuania 0.8
UK 2.3
Neth’lands 1.3 Poland 1.8
Ireland 0.5
Belgium 0.8
1.0 Germany 1.4
Czech Rep. 1.1
Luxembourg 0.5
Slovak Rep. 1.0
Austria 0.8
0.8
Hungary 0.9
France 2.2
Slovenia 1.2 Romania 1.3
Croatia 0.8
1.6
Bulgaria 0.8
1.6
Italy 1.6
Spain 0.9
Portugal 2.2
Greece 2.4
Cyprus 0.8
2.1
Malta 0.6
Figures are taken from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), sipri.org
NATO has an unofficial military spending target of at least 2% of GDP. Countries spending less than 2% are shown in green and those
at or greater than 2% are shown in red (broadly after Defense News, bit.ly/1juD1rk). Not all EU countries are members of NATO.
QATAR BAE ALLEGATIONS
In the spring, Qatar – the world’s PAYMENTS Two former German MPs have been
top liquefied natural gas exporter BAE Systems has given £1.4m accused of accepting bribes in relation to
– announced military contracts of share bonuses to the former an arms contract between Munich-based
worth about $23bn, accelerating boss of the company’s US arm company Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann and
its military build-up. Companies as a retention payment, despite Greece. The payments were allegedly
involved include Lockheed her retiring in February. This made to a consulting firm of the two
Martin and Raytheon. follows a deal to pay former former parliamentarians.
Reuters, 27/3/14 company Chair Dick Olver ThePressProject.net, 4/6/14
£215,000 for another three
JAPAN EUROSATORY
months after he retired.
Sunday Times, 23/3/14
Japan has eased restrictions on Russian and Ukrainian official delegations
weapons exports in the first major
review of arms transfer policy in CHEMRING were not invited to this year’s Eurosatory
arms fair in Paris (see page 15). However,
nearly half a century. This shift from As part of its strategic review, the arms industry of each was represented
a ban on all weapons exports in UK-based Chemring has sold its in exhibitions at the fair.
principle is aimed at strengthening European munitions business to Eurosatory also had exhibitors from
ties with allies and boosting the French state-owned company Japan for the first time, reflecting the
domestic arms industry. Nexter Systems. country’s recent decision to allow exports.
Reuters, 1/4/14 defensenews.com, 24/4/14 defensenews.com, 16/5/14
ARMS TRADE SHORTS • 5
In September 2015, a new ‘defence’ school will open in
Salisbury, sponsored by the military and arms companies.
A school sponsored
by arms companies
The proposed South Wiltshire In schools the promotion of The weapons manufacturers
University Technical College plans military solutions is seen in benefiting from taxpayer funding
to teach science and engineering the Department of Education’s for their future employees’
for ages 14 to 19 “in the context of “Military Ethos” programme training have more than most
the defence industries”. University which promotes military values to gain from the association,
Technical Colleges (UTCs) are part such as discipline as a solution through the normalisation of their
of the Academies programme. Like to ‘underachievement’ and work. An industry which fuels
other academies, they are state- ‘disengagement’. The Ministry conflict and profits from human
funded, independent schools.
Their defining feature is their In Wiltshire, weapons companies and the military will
‘sponsorship’ relationships: a enjoy influence & access, courtesy of the taxpayer.
partnership with a local university,
and ‘sponsorship’ from local of Defence describes its visits rights abuses must work hard to
employers. South Wiltshire UTC’s to schools as a “powerful tool maintain public acceptability.
employers include weapons for facilitating recruitment” Working in schools is an explicit
manufacturers such as Chemring and a means to “influence part of this. BAE Systems runs
and QinetiQ, security giant Serco future opinion-formers”. an ‘ambassador’ programme
and the Army’s 43 (Wessex) Brigade. (See Forceswatch.net for in schools; it says one of the
more information on military main objectives is to improve
Taxpayer funded, involvement in schools). its “corporate reputation at
driven by employers The involvement of the armed both a local and national level”.
Although companies are described forces in actually running schools CAAT has been challenging arms
as sponsors, they are actually takes this one step further. The companies’ attempts to legitimise
sponsors-in-kind, putting staff- Commander of the Army’s 43 and normalise their work by
time into the college and offering (Wessex) Brigade said the school sponsoring cultural institutions
use of their facilities. In exchange, will provide “local businesses (see pages 8 and 9). We need to
they have an extraordinary amount with the skilled employees they keep them out of our schools too.
of influence over the college and will need to be part of the Army’s Find out more and get involved:
access to students. According growing supply and support chain”. caat.org.uk/utcs
to UTC literature, companies
will “determine the ethos of the
College”, “have seats on the
governing body”, “help to construct
the curriculum”, “assist in the
appointment of staff” and “support
and mentor students”. In Wiltshire,
weapons companies and the
military will enjoy this influence and
access, courtesy of the taxpayer.
Militarising our schools
Allowing arms companies and
the army to shape schools is a
worrying manifestation of the
militarisation of society, making
military approaches an accepted
part of life and bolstering support School ‘sponsor’ Chemring produces munitions, bomb detectors, countermeasures and
for military ‘solutions’ and public pyrotechnics. It supplies some of the world’s most repressive regimes. The CS gas canister
on the right was used against protesters in Egypt in 2011. © Orhamilton/flickr
spending to support them.
6 • ARMS TRADE SPONSORSHIP
Swiss say nO
to new fighter jets
Andreas Weibel of the Group for a Switzerland without
an Army (GsoA) outlines a remarkable recent turn of events.
Many European governments and £6.6 billion including up to the referendum. Many
have used the situation in operations and maintenance of these tried to invoke
Ukraine as justification to over the next few years. The a feeling of insecurity by
increase military spending. Swiss government had proposed linking the Ukraine crisis to
But only in Switzerland do the procurement to replace the the proposed deal.
people have a direct say in their ageing F-5 Tiger fleet that will be • The Government, both
country’s military policy. And put out of operation next year. chambers of Parliament and
the signal that the Swiss people all major right-wing and liberal
sent out recently was very clear: Striking points parties had recommended
buying expensive weapons The vote is remarkable for buying the jets.
systems is not a priority. several reasons:
Opponents to the deal focused
The campaign focused on arguments that entirely on voters on the centre
of the political spectrum. We
people in the political centre would relate to. knew that we didn’t need to
convince pacifists and the left,
Referendum • Traditionally, Swiss voters are because they would vote against
In a national referendum, 53.4 mostly military-friendly. As the new fighter jets anyway.
per cent of voters rejected the recently as last September,
purchase of 22 Swedish JAS they rejected a proposal to What happens with
Gripen E fighter jets. The deal abolish general conscription the money now?
was worth £2 billion immediately with a 73 per cent majority, Parliament will have to decide
leaving Switzerland as one of what should happen with the
Image © GsoA
the last countries in Europe with money that was reserved for the
compulsory military service. fighter jets now that the deal has
• The campaign in favour of the been rejected. At the moment
new fighter jets had at least ten it is not clear what the outcome
times as much financial support will be outcome, but lobbying has
as did the opposing campaign. already started from all sides.
Advertisements for the As campaigners we will have no
procurement were everywhere time to rest on our laurels.
during the last weeks leading For more see gsoa.ch/english/
Key arguments
We were very strategic in our campaign focused on arguments
arguments. We are convinced that we thought people from the
that there is no military threat political centre could relate to
to Switzerland now – nor will more easily:
there be such a threat in the • Don’t waste billions of
foreseeable future. We know that taxpayers’ money
the challenges to our country are • Don’t spend money on a
of civilian nature and cannot be plane with high technical
solved with arms. But we tried risks
No cash left? No to the to avoid any discussion about • Our air force is already very
security policies. Instead, the
fighter jet billions! well equipped
FEATURE • 7
1 2
3
DISARM
Arms companies like
to sponsor and host
events at our museums,
galleries, and local
festivals – even our
OUR PUBLIC
1 Uncover the
2 Use creative action
cathedrals. They don’t do
this to be nice: it can give arms trade links to spread the word
them positive publicity 16 “artists” with easels popped up outside the
Campaigners discovered the National
and often means they Gallery was hosting arms dealers when it gallery and proceeded to paint the message,
can impress clients by hosted an arms fair after-party in 2011. “Disarm the Gallery”, to launch the campaign.
inviting them to wine We used Freedom of Information This was a great way to get lots of support. We
and dine in prestigious requests to find out more about the arms gave out postcards people could send to the
locations. By buying into company’s relationship to the Gallery. Gallery. It helped get the word out on social
our public institutions, They showed that the amount of media and attracted media coverage too.
arms companies are sponsorship money involved was pretty
buying the impression of insignificant and that the sponsorship
Start a group to
deal ran for two years. HELP your campaign
public respectability.
Think about who uses the public institution
We can stop Do some digging! and what will engage them. Brainstorm
creative ways to spread the word!
them buying Search the internet. Look for press
How can people show that they support you?
releases and webpages which might give
legitimacy and you clues on what is happening locally.
ensure our local Check institutions’ websites. Many
institutions do institutions list their sponsors.
Big Bang Fair – this science education
not deal with Read annual reports. Most organisations
event for school-children was sponsored
arms dealers. publish their annual report online, with a list
by numerous arms companies. More than
of their corporate partners and sponsors.
125 academics and others signed a letter
Contact organisations. Try asking! which was published in the Guardian.
Make a Freedom of Information request. Activists from Coventry leafleted hundreds
Public bodies must reveal certain of attendees and Stop the Arms Fair
information – CAAT can help with helped distribute alternative teaching
questions. resources as school visits arrived.
8
10• •PUBLIC
spending
INSTITUTIONS
4 5
institutions!
3 Get wider support 4 Promising
more action 5 Success!
Approaching the campaign creatively meant The zombies were the final straw.
It emerged that arms
artists were inspired to get involved too. A week before the demo was
dealers were due to have
due to take place, the Gallery
People contributed subvertised artworks, their next event in the
phoned us to let us know that the
and organised pop up “sketch-ins” and poetry Gallery on Halloween. We
sponsorship arrangement had
readings in the gallery. A letter signed by lots planned a zombie demo and
“come to an end”.
of artists was published in the Guardian. lots of people promised to
come! Thanks to our research, we
Our online petition attracted hundreds of
knew this was a year earlier than
signatures too. Sometimes an action planned.
doesn’t even need to take
hink about who you
T place to have an effect.
An end to arms companies buying
need to influence Choosing a time when image
legitimacy from the National Gallery!
and how to do it. is important to the venue Don’t forget to celebrate the
Can you reach any members of the board? Do (e.g. a fundraising dinner) impact you have – this will inspire
you know of people who can influence them? can help have more impact. others to get involved too!
In the last few months:
Glasgow Commonwealth Games – Edinburgh Science Festival – Edinburgh London Transport Museum –
Glasgow CAAT will challenge arms CAAT challenged the festival’s arms trade At an event in May,
company sponsorship of the games. sponsorship, distributing hundreds of action London CAAT distributed
It’s looking good with two newspapers postcards to festival-goers. They have hundreds of leaflets and did
already reporting on their campaign also been in dialogue with board members another banner drop from
and a motion planned for the and managed to get the festival to host a an antique bus inside the
Scottish Parliament. debate on the issue. museum!
Challenge arms company sponsorship and events near you. Contact outreach@caat.org.uk to order our new campaign guide.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS • 9
Parliamentary
Surveillance Defence Committee Chair
technology Parliamentary Select The growth of Select
and the right Committees do vital work in
holding the Government to
Committee influence was
highlighted in May. The Chair
to know account. On several occasions of the Defence Committee
CAAT NEWS has drawn attention James Arbuthnot resigned as
Privacy International (PI) is campaigning
to the excellent work of the he is hoping to find work with an
to shed light on the secretive surveillance
Committees on Arms Export arms company. The election of
technology industry and its exports. Now
Controls under its determined a successor was a hard-fought
the High Court has ruled that Her Majesty’s
Chair, Sir John Stanley, while contest with MPs arguing that
Revenue and Customs (HMRC) acted
every listener to the BBC’s Today a prime qualification for the
unlawfully and “irrationally” in refusing to
programme will be aware of next Chair should be the ability
answer PI’s inquiries about any investigation
Public Accounts Committee Chair to stand up to the weapons’
into the exports to repressive regimes by a
Margaret Hodge challenging the manufacturers. Rory Stewart
UK-based company.
arms buyers at the Ministry of was elected and we hope he will,
In November 2012 PI submitted evidence to
Defence over their mind-boggling indeed, challenge BAE and the
HMRC suggesting that Gamma International
expenditure. rest.
had illegally exported surveillance technology
to governments with records of human rights
abuse, including Bahrain, Ethiopia, Egypt
and Turkmenistan. Technical evidence was Brokering consultation
provided as well as accounts from activists
The Department for Business, such brokers needed to register
whose computers were targeted. HMRC
Innovation and Skills (BIS) has prior to undertaking such work;
refused to tell PI how it was following up the
undertaken a consultation what, if any, training should
evidence.
asking whether there should be be required; and whether
In his judgement, Mr Justice Green made
a register of arms brokers. The background checks should be
it clear that the public is entitled to know
Export Control Organisation, which made on them. CAAT responded
what HMRC is doing to investigate and, if
co-ordinates the UK’s export to the consultation, arguing that
appropriate, prosecute companies exporting
licensing, comes within BIS. In any extra information about
surveillance technologies to countries where
general, arms brokers, who put brokers and their activities
it is likely to be used for human rights abuses.
sellers in touch with buyers, need would be welcome. However, the
He also said that campaigning groups,
Trade Control Licences to deal in register should not be seen as an
such as PI, together with the media: “act as
arms. “approved list” of arms brokers.
guardians of the public conscience”, playing a
The questions posed by the This could provide legitimacy to
significant role in ensuring transparency and
consultation included whether an unacceptable business.
enforcing legal rights in court.
Success! Arms trade dropped
Comic Relief has now announced the strength of public feeling. We
its new investment policy: the urged the charity to acknowledge
arms trade is banned for good. explicitly that arms trade
With your help, CAAT investments were unacceptable.
highlighted how investments In May Comic Relief announced
such as shares in BAE Systems that it “will not make investments
contradicted the charity’s stated in companies that manufacture
aims (see CAAT NEWS 232). armaments”, recognising that
Comic Relief agreed to review such investments are in conflict
its investments and CAAT passed with Comic Relief’s ethos and
the comments of more than 1200 threaten its reputation.
CAAT supporters on to the review Thank you for your support in
panel to ensure it understood securing this important change.
10 • PARLIAMENTARY;
spending COMIC RELIEFA close look
at corruption
Nicholas Gilby has played a leading role in exposing the corruption at
the heart of Britain’s arms deals with Saudi Arabia. His findings are
included in his new book Deception in High Places: A History of Bribery
in Britain’s Arms Trade (2014, Pluto Press). Nicholas spoke to CAAT’s
Media Coordinator Andrew Smith.
Q: What is the book about? Q: How do past events Q: What has been the role
It is intended to show the extent to impact on today? Is of the Government in arms
which bribery and corruption have corruption still rife? trade corruption?
been central to the UK arms trade. Structural factors make it likely The Government used to be
My research is mainly focused on there will always be corruption in central to the facilitating of
Saudi Arabia, as it is such a large the arms trade. Much of it is focused bribery and corruption. They
and long term buyer of UK arms on deals with undemocratic knew exactly what was going on
and arms deals have always been regimes and there is little if any and officials saw themselves as
central to the political relationship part of a collective endeavour
between the two countries. Until those involved are with the company executives.
Q: What made you
punished under the new Now we live in a more transparent
age and the Government still
write about corruption anti-bribery laws then promotes arms deals, but is not
in particular?
those engaged in the arms so directly involved in corruption.
There have always been
allegations of corruption in trade will still feel immune. Government officials still have
the same responsibility, but they
the UK’s arms trade, but there
oversight. The UK government’s try to stay ignorant and know
has been little research based
involvement has changed, but as little possible about what is
on declassified Government
not disappeared. For example, we happening below the radar.
documents. When I was in the
know that the investigation into
National Archives I found a
the Al Yamamah deal was shut For more info and
number of documents that made
down for political reasons. Until to buy the book see
it clear there was a story. I began deceptioninhighplaces.com/.
those involved are punished under
researching the book at the To watch a Pluto Press interview
the new anti-bribery legislation
same time as the Serious Fraud with Nicholas see youtube.com/
then those engaged in arms trade
Office (SFO) was conducting its watch?v=a99sxfnQsk8
corruption will still feel immune.
investigation into corrupt arms
deals to Saudi Arabia, so it was
very relevant.
Q: How did you investigate
the story?
The bedrock of my research was
Government documents because
the Government is responsible
for regulating the arms trade and
hence has a unique insight into how
it works. The choices it makes set
the political context in which the
arms trade operates. The key was
to learn as much as possible about
the main individuals and use their
private papers and other non-
Government papers to build as full a
A BAE Systems fighter jet of the type involved in the
picture as possible.
controversial deals with Saudi Arabia © Darren Hillman / Flickr
INTERVIEW • 11BAE AGM
The BAE Systems Annual General
Bahrain
Bahrain’s public relations machine must
have spent tens of thousands of pounds in
the week preceding its King’s attendance
Meeting, held in a remote airbase near at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.
Farnborough, was a long and often The drive included a Telegraph supplement
nauseating lesson in evasion and denial. celebrating the relationship with the
UK and a London conference due to be
opened by Prince Andrew.
CAAT didn’t have tens of thousands of
pounds, just some staff time and £18 of
materials. But working with Bahraini human
rights activists – most of whom had direct
experience of their regime’s repressive
practices – we were able to tell the real story.
Three national papers wrote about Bahrain’s
continuing human rights abuses and Prince
Andrew withdrew from the conference.
Money well spent!
It’s vital that this challenge continues. A
Human Rights Watch report has criticised
CAAT activists turned out to give BAE Systems another ‘memorable’ AGM UK government claims that Bahrain is
implementing reform, warning that “stability
Proceedings began with a Watch and the Economist and reform will remain out of reach in Bahrain
speech from company Chair Intelligence Unit, which listed it as long as its allies, notably the UK, offer
Roger Carr, in which he claimed as the fifth most authoritarian uncritical support in the face of mounting
that BAE works “for peace at regime in the world. evidence of abuses.” Help keep up the
home and abroad”, a claim that Time and again Carr stressed pressure: more info on writing a letter to your
met with shock and derision that BAE’s allies are the UK MP is at caat.org.uk/actnow.
Chair Roger Carr, claimed that BAE
works “for peace at home and abroad”
from the floor. government’s allies and BAE
Questions focused on BAE’s only sells to countries approved
relationships with authoritarian by the UK. This may be the case,
regimes, including those in but that doesn’t mean BAE can
Bahrain, Libya and Saudi Arabia. absolve itself of responsibility
There was particular focus for the consequences when
on Saudi Arabia, the largest it arms human rights abusers.
customer for British weaponry, Clearly Carr and the rest of the
including BAE-manufactured Board have bought into a world-
armoured vehicles used view in which arming tyrants
by Saudi Arabia to support can bring peace and where the
repression of peaceful protest in human consequences of war
Bahrain. Saudi Arabia has been have nothing whatsoever to
condemned by the organisations do with those who provide the
Freedom House, Human Rights weapons.
They From Roger Carr, Chair of BAE Systems, at the company’s AGM:
“Saudi Arabia is a critical “BAE is an ethical “This has,
said ally in defence terms and company that works indeed, been a
it
critical to world peace to promote peace at very memorable
from our perspective” home and abroad” AGM”
12 • UPDATESFarnborough arms fair
This summer the arms trade will Lockheed Martin.
descend on Farnborough. The CAAT is working with local
Farnborough Airshow (14–20 activists and campaigners to make
July) is best known as a family sure that the event is challenged
event but it coincides with a trade and scrutinised. In May CAAT
show that brings together some campaigners met with Christians
of the biggest arms companies and community activists in
in the world and some of the Farnborough to discuss best ways
worst dictators. to campaign around the event. It
The Farnborough Airshow is known as a family
event, but it coincides with a trade show that
brings together arms companies and dictators.
The last Farnborough event was a positive and well-attended
included military delegations meeting with great ideas and
from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, discussions.
Libya, Pakistan and UAE and If you would like to get
arms companies including BAE involved please contact
Systems, Boeing, Chemring and events@caat.org.uk. Farnborough 2012
Green jobs
genuinely vital to UK prosperity,
environment and security. Yet to
realise its potential it needs skilled
workers, and government support
Manufacturing and investment: resources that are
Engineering giant Siemens
renewables currently focused in the stagnant
has confirmed a £310 million
and destructive arms industry.
investment in facilities for wind New research from CAAT shows
turbine production and installation that offshore wind and marine CAAT campaign
at Alexandra Port in Hull and the energy require similar skill-sets
CAAT will be launching a green jobs
nearby village of Paull. Siemens to arms workers and many of the
campaign in the autumn. Contact
estimates it “will create up to locations where arms trade jobs
the office now to request a copy of
1,000 jobs directly, with additional are concentred would be natural
the report or to request a speaker.
jobs during construction and locations for renewable energy
We hope the research will be of
indirectly in the supply chain.” manufacture.
particular interest to green groups
Unlike the arms industry, this
Valuable skills and trade union branches.
sector is growing rapidly and is
This is especially good news
for a region where the arms This is especially good news for a region where
trade has been an important the arms trade has been an important employer.
employer. Arms trade jobs are in
long-term decline with workers
facing uncertainty over the
future. Yet there is a pressing
need for their skills, and the
Government has said: “the
demand for skilled engineers far
exceeds supply.” These workers
are likely to find alternative work
within the normal employment
market – but for jobs to be a
good substitute, factors such
as location and skill-set must
be considered. An artist’s impression of the Siemens site © Hull City Council
ARMS FAIR; GREEN JOBS • 13Turning Each One
of Us is
THE TABLES Precious
ON arms companies Eddy Knasel, Horfield Quakers
I have been offering
A group of people arrested at last year’s DSEi Thoughts for the
arms fair have turned the tables by taking Day from a Quaker
private prosecution proceedings against arms perspective on
companies who exhibited illegal weapons. BBC Radio Bristol’s
breakfast show
French company Magforce regularly since 2005.
International and Chinese company In 2010 I began
Tianjin MyWay International Trading posting links to these
will be summonsed to answer broadcasts via my Facebook account. An
information about alleged crimes old friend, who I had not seen for a while
including the unlawful promotion suggested to me that I should publish a
for sale of leg irons, electric stun selection of the scripts as an eBook. The
batons and electric stun guns. result is Each One of Us is Precious which
These weapons are likely to be used pulls together 60 of my scripts from
for torture (that is in fact their sole October 2008 to May 2014.
purpose), so are are illegal to sell or The topics covered include:
promote in the UK without a licence. • The white (or peace) poppy
At the initial hearing, Magforce • Marching to protest against the
International instructed Ian Morley invasion of Iraq
QC, who specialises in war crimes • Peace making rather than peace
– a clear sign that they are taking keeping
the matter seriously. • Cuts to the defence budget
The group who initiated the • International conscientious
proceedings want to make clear objectors day.
that they are not merely opposed step towards discrediting and then
Each script is about 300 words long and is
to “illegal” weapons at the arms stopping DSEi for good.
accompanied with an introduction putting
fair: they are against the arms The next substantive hearing
it in context. In many cases there is also a
fair full stop and everything it of this case will be at 9.30am
postscript bringing things more up to date.
represents – corruption, human on 26 November at Thames
All royalties from the publication
misery, and profiteering by a Magistrates’ Court. Campaigners
(70 per cent of the price of the eBook)
narrow elite at the expense of are calling for support – see
will be donated to Campaign Against
people and planet. They see the armsdealersontrial.wordpress.com
Arms Trade.
private prosecution as a further or Twitter @dseiprosecution
The Kindle version of Each One of Us is
The private prosecution is a step towards Precious costs £5.14 – an iBook version (for
iPad) will be available from iTunes shortly.
discrediting and then stopping DSEi for good.
Support CAAT with no cost now
When it comes to your Will, it’s only Including a gift to CAAT in your Will is a organisation, leaving a legacy to
right that your loved ones come first in way of ensuring the campaign remains the campaign will make a really big
your thoughts. But you can also leave strong with no cost to you now. Every difference.
a gift to a cause close to your heart. gift in every Will makes a difference, Please let us know if you have
If the time is ever right for you to however large or small already included CAAT in your Will –
leave a gift in your Will, please consider If you have already made your Will we will never ask you how much. If
CAAT. By remembering CAAT in your but would now like to leave a gift to you would like further information
Will, you can provide support for CAAT, then it is a simple process to please contact CAAT using the
campaigns that make a real difference. update it. Because CAAT is a small contact details on page 2.
14 • FUNDRAISING; DSEI PROSECUTIONAction in Europe
With the exciting news that the Swiss
public have managed to stop the
purchase of new fighter jets (see page 7),
we thought we should share some of
the other impressive action against
the arms trade across Europe.
In Belgium, Vredesactie took direct
action at the annual conference of the
European Defence Agency (pictured).
They blocked the entrance with litres
of fake blood in which they sat reading
business papers with the headline
“War!”. Campaigners said: “We took
action to challenge the disproportionate
influence of the European arms industry
on EU security and defence policy. At this
conference, CEOs of the arms industry
are given the stage to hand over their Vredesactie in action
wish-lists to the EU.”
CAAT took part in the People not Profit
campaign in the run up to the European
election to build resistance to arms
company lobbyists at the EU. With joint
action by organisations across Europe,
many election candidates were asked to
challenge arms company influence.
In June, while activists challenged
the Underwater Defence Technology
arms fair in Liverpool, Quakers organised
a daily presence at Eurosatory, one of
the world’s largest arms fairs, which
takes place in Paris.
More about the organisations
challenging the arms trade in
Europe: enaat.org Quakers in France challenged Eurosatory © Philippe Leroyer
Taking action ON THE ARMS TRADE
Keep up the pressure! Upcoming dates
Contact outreach@caat.org.uk Contact events@caat.org.uk
• Book a speaker for a meeting where you 4–20 July Farnborough Airshow: take part in the Quaker meeting
• 1
live “WW1 – the arms trade then and now” for worship on Sunday 20 July or get in touch to find out what else is
(p3) or “Arms to renewables – time to shift planned for the week (p13)
priorities” (p13) • 30 Aug–5 Sept Protest the NATO summit in Newport: nonatonewport.org
• Order our new guide on uncovering and Sept Campaign Day in Manchester: book your place to explore
• 6
challenging the links that exist between CAAT’s campaigns and creative action.
your local public institutions and the
• 7 Sept CAAT Christian Network Day of Prayer: order materials
arms trade (p8–9)
8 October One year to stop the arms fair! A day long event to share
• 1
• V
isit armingallsides.org.uk from 10 July,
info, skills and ideas for stopping one of the world’s largest arms fairs.
and take part in the project on the arms
See stopthearmsfair.org.uk
trade during WW1 (p3)
If you’re not on email, feel free to call 020 7281 0297 for more information.
Eurosatory; Action dates • 15You can donate to CAAT by either visiting our website at www.caat.org.uk,
ATe ! or completing the form below (in block capitals) and returning it to:
DON AY Freepost RSYR-UCBS-GHEE, CAAT, Unit 4, 5–7 Wells Terrace, London, N4 3JU
TOD Donations direct to CAAT are the most useful for the campaign, but if you send a Charities Aid Foundation cheque
please make it payable to TREAT (Trust for Research and Education on Arms Trade) making clear that you wish for
your donation to support CAAT’s research programme. Unlike CAAT, TREAT is a registered charity (No.328694).
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