Norfolk CAAT

Smash EDO & CAAT event - cancelled

2012-03-07T10:26:54Z

Unfortunately the Smash EDO / CAAT talk at the UEA later this month has now been cancelled.

Updates

2012-02-19T15:26:01Z

~~Norfolk CAAT is hosting an event at the UEA on 15 March. We will have speakers from Smash EDO and National CAAT. Entrance is free.~~ This event has now been cancelled.

Our regular committee meeting also takes place on the 5 March. Details here.

Meanwhile CAAT are calling on Labour to pressure the government on it's continued arms sales to Bahrain. Please take two minutes now to call on Ed Miliband to push for the UK to stop arming repression.

Companies ejected from London arms fair for 'promoting cluster bombs'

2011-09-18T09:28:57Z

"The world's largest arms fair has thrown out two exhibitors after they were found to be promoting cluster munitions that have been banned by the UK and condemned by more than 100 other countries."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/16/ejected-arms-fair-cluster-bombs

Here's a link to proper coverage of dsei this week

2011-09-17T12:37:54Z

I'm afraid I failed this week, in my defence it has been a busy one.

Here's a link to some proper coverage of the actions this week.

13 September Day of Action

2011-09-14T20:36:49Z

I failed quite early on in my attempt to write something every day this week the arms fair is on, but I think I have a reason. day of action against the arms fair yesterday.

People had been gathering at Old Palace Yard in the morning to protest outside parliament before lobbying MPs. We joined the protest early afternoon just before there were announcements about what other actions were going on and people went off in their separate directions.

We joined a group that went to protest outside the offices of ADS the trade body representing defence, aerospace and arms companies. Missed out on a chance to get into the offices, but made some noise, sang some songs to let those inside know we were there. The offices are just off Embankment so there weren't too many people passing by, but those that did were not aware that ADS was based in their neighbourhood and interested in our protest.

Later in the day I joined the die-in outside BAE. There was a shout of 'can the police officers turn off their radios as a mark of respect' that got a ripple of laughter before silence fell. Never having taken part in one before it felt like a good way to reflect on why we were there.

On these occasions I never seem to fail to show just how disorganised I can be. Didn't charge the camera batteries so no photos. Didn't confirm where to get updates on the day so wasted some time travelling around without checking what was happening. Next time I should definitely know better.

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A little bit about BAE

2011-09-12T19:35:13Z

I was going to try and do a daily post connected to the arms fair this week, so here goes nothing. ]]>

As part of the day of action tomorrow, there is a die-in outside one of the world's largest arms producers, BAE Systems. Here's a quick reminder of recent events that make them a target of protests.

BAE were the subject of Serious Fraud Office investigations that ended in 2010 with plea bargains and fines, including one of the largest criminal fines in the history of US DoJ efforts to combat overseas corruption in international business. As part of this plea bargain BAE were to pay £29.5million to the Tanzanian Government. In July this year BAE were questioned by the International Development Select Committee in connection with accusations that they had delayed the payment of this £29.5million by 16 months. Only last week, the Commons Select Committee announced that BAE have bowed to pressure and agreed to make immediate payment.

DSEi

2011-09-11T19:20:26Z

I recently read a William Blum report that included this quote:

"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it."

Frederic Bastiat, (1801-1850) French economist, statesman, and author*

]]> I see some links with arguments made about the arms trade; it may not be nice, but it's authorised as legal by the government. As Liam Fox said, there is no need to be embarrassed about selling arms.

It may not be an answer to the original question, but it is telling that at about eight and a half minutes through this ELAAF video a spokesperson for DSEi says: "We have a 100% legitimate defence exhibition that we hold in association with the UK MOD....and the reason that I sleep well at night is because we do have a legitimate show, if it went undercover and was backdoor hand guns and rifles..."

This week arms fair DSEi (Defence & Security Equipment International) brings arms buyers and sellers from across the world to London. From 13-16 September, acres of weaponry, from fighter jets and battleships to drones and tear gas, will be on display to thousands of visitors in an immense arms dealing extravaganza.

It may be legal, but CAAT argue that "THIS IS NOT OK" and along with others are urging us to take action to stop the arms fair and stop arming repressive regimes. This weekend has already seen protestors confronting a battleship en route to DSEi and there are plenty more activities planned.

I spent yesterday over my sewing machine making this to take along with us on Tuesday. Maybe we will see you there!

* I'm afraid I haven't heard of Bastiat before and a quick search showed me that he was probably talking about the state plundering individual's wealth rather than what I assumed was the obvious meaning of this quote.

Libya and arms exports - we asked our local MPs to take action

2011-09-11T18:36:36Z

Prior to the NATO bombing of Libya and with revelations that UK military equipment was being used for internal repression, Norfolk CAAT wrote to our local MPs. that our country should refrain from selling weapons to tyrants anywhere in the world" and asked them to work towards a change in government policy in this regard.

"Controlling" Exports

In general, the responses sang from the same hymn sheet. Chloe Smith, MP Norwich North, was not the only MP to claim that the UK "has some of the toughest rules on export licences and exports of arms anywhere in the world". Alistair Burt of the Foreign Office, responding to Simon Wright, MP Norwich South, extolled the "rigorous and transparent arms export control systems" and pointed to the export licensing criteria where "respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are mandatory considerations".

However, this is the same criteria that was in place when 226 export licenses were approved to Saudi Arabia last year, a country listed by Alistair Burt's own department as being of "major concern" regarding human rights.

It's the same criteria that was in place when exports were permitted to both India and Pakistan, effectively arming both sides in a regional conflict.

And it's also the same criteria that was watered down by Jack Straw in 2002, when "the importance of the UK's defence and security relationship with the incorporating country" became a consideration.

Incorporation is where military components are sold and incorporated into weapons systems in the recipient country for onward export. Amnesty International have stated that this change of criteria was introduced specifically to allow "the export of UK components to the USA for incorporation in military equipment ... to be exported to Israel".

George Freemen, MP Mid Norfolk, wrote that he was "heartened" by the Defence Secretary, Liam Fox's, comments that "our own guidelines are quite strict".

Guidelines, indeed.

The Economy

In our letter we asked just one thing of our elected representatives: that they call on government to refrain from selling weapons to tyrants.

It's somewhat unsettling, then, that the initial response from Elizabeth Truss, MP South West Norfolk, is a defence of arms exports on financial grounds, "reducing the cost of equipment to our own armed forces, providing better value for money to the taxpayer", rather than to offer assurances that the dictators of tomorrow won't be able to procure British military hardware in the manner that Gaddafi did.

This in itself is not surprising. The taxpayer and the British economy are never far away from a defence of government support for the arms trade.

Alistair Burt claims that in 2009, "UK defence exports were worth over £7billion". But what he doesn't mention is that this industry employs just 0.2% of the national workforce.

When Elizabeth Truss talks value for money for the taxpayer she doesn't mention that more civil servants are employed by the UK Trade & Investment department promoting arms sales than every other industry combined. Or that in 2009/10 UK arms export subsidies amounted to just under £700m.

Perhaps the final word on value for money should be given to Alan Beattie, International Economy Editor for the Financial Times, when he commented in 2010:

"You can have as many arms export jobs as you are prepared to waste public money subsidising."

Arms Embargo

The UN arms embargo on Libya was put in place In February 2011. Some MPs were keen to highlight this, perhaps as evidence of decisive action. However just weeks before the Libyan uprising, arms exports for assault and sniper rifles, crowd control and other military equipment were still being approved. UK arms exports to Libya over the past five years amount to €119m and the country was considered a "priority market country" by UKTI DSO. All while under the rule of an authoritarian dictator.

Last year, Liam Fox indicated that the new government would be even more enthusiastic about arming the world than it's predecessor:
"There's a sense that in the past we were rather embarrassed about exporting defence products. There's no such embarrassment in this government."

Earlier this year, with much of the Middle-east in inner turmoil and significant unrest, David Cameron toured the region with the head of BAE, Thales and other arms manufacturers. Far from embarrassed he robustly defended his actions.

The UK has a long and undistinguished history of arming some of the world's most repressive regimes and odious dictators. Nothing from central government, nor our local MPs, suggest that is about to change.
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Amnesty International forces RBS u-turn on cluster munitions

2011-09-10T16:22:58Z

Excellent news as a recent Amnesty International campaign has led to RBS announcing it will stop investing in companies that produce cluster bombs.

In another campaign on the arms trade the organisation is pushing for a more "robust and effective" Arms Trade Treaty. Take action here.

Norwich Peace Camp 2011

2011-07-08T12:57:25Z

Norwich Peace Camp 2011 took place on Saturday 25th June.

Here's a photo of the CAAT stall where we were asking people to join the THIS IS NOT OK campaign. If you haven't already joined in, please do!

Arms sales to the Middle East

2011-04-19T17:25:27Z

Write to your mp now! template letter you can send. As well as resources to help with following up any response you receive.

Good luck!

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War: The Human Cost

2011-04-17T13:58:52Z

I had a nice surprise on Thursday, my copy of War: The Human Cost was waiting for me. ]]>
http://www.alltern8.com/library/war_and_art_-_the_human_cost/l-5209.html

http://www.comicafestival.com/index.php/festival/festival_detail/war/

http://www.myspace.com/war_comix

Norwich Peace Camp & Peace Cycle - Volunteers Needed!

2011-03-29T19:52:18Z

Norfolk CAAT will have a stall at this years Peace Camp at the Forum in Norwich.

Volunteers are needed to help run the stall!

If you can spare some time do email and let us know.

Arms trade still shames our country

2011-03-10T08:33:54Z

The following letter by Christine Wilson was published in the EDP on 1 March 2011:

During the events of the last weeks in North African and Middle Eastern countries there have been several references to the arms trade including David Cameron's
visit to the Middle East. It is high time that much more attention is given to this scandalous and unethical trade. Libya, Algeria and Saudi Arabia are among 'priority target' countries for UK arms exports and Britain makes high level political interventions in ensuring that these countries buy from us.
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Peter Luff, Defence Equipment Minister, has said: 'There will be a very, very, very heavy ministerial commitment to [arms sales]. There is a sense that in the past we
were rather embarrassed about exporting defence products. There is no such embarrassment in this Government.' Britons should be very embarrassed about the arms trade which promotes conflict and suppression, involves secrecy and often bribes, and distorts economies and it time to do something about it.

Christine

UK arms sales exposed: Urgent Action bulletin

2011-03-08T08:27:37Z

UK arms sales exposed: Urgent Action bulletin

Please add your voice to say 'This Is NOT OK'.
www.caat.org.uk/not-ok

The UK's scandalous approach to arms sales is in the spotlight. As protests against authoritarian regimes across the Middle East have been met with violent repression, CAAT has exposed the UK's role in arming the region.
]]> help we have a tremendous opportunity to turn that pressure into change.

This week a YouGov poll reported that only 7% of people think the UK was right to sell arms to Libya. Already over 2,000 people have signed our petition to tell the government that its support for arms sales is NOT OK.

This Wednesday 9 March, the first stop for the petition will be Downing Street, where we'll be sharing your comments with the Prime Minister.

ACT! Can you help us double the size of our petition by Wednesday? Please add your name if you haven't already, and please help us spread the word to others by passing this message on.

ACT! Help us keep the pressure on with a letter to your MP. It only takes two minutes with our template, or you can use our form to write in your own words.

Irresponsible exports

The government's policy says it won't approve arms export licences where there's a clear risk the equipment might be used for internal repression. But six months ago it was happy to sell tear gas and crowd control ammunition to Libya and Bahrain

What did it think authoritarian regimes like these might use crowd control ammunition for?

The truth is that its focus is on increasing, not restricting, arms sales.

Just ten days ago, as conflict escalated in Libya, David Cameron was jetting around the Middle East trying to sell more arms.

The Government hopes this will all blow over. We need to show them this is only the start. Already activists have blockaded the government departments responsible for promoting arms sales.

Please help us build the pressure by taking action today.
www.caat.org.uk/campaigns/this-is-not-ok