DSEi, the world's largest arms fair, is returning to East London on
8-11 September. CAAT's Stop Week on 14-21 June aims to undermine the
government support which makes it possible by targeting UK Trade &
Investment.
The organisers deny that arms deals take place at 'Defence Systems
& Equipment International' (DSEi). But as Magnum Photographer,
Martin Parr reported from the IDEX fair: "Buying is a long process and
rarely completed in less than a year, but for many arms deals IDEX is
the starting line."
Many of the delegations and exhibitors, which in 2007 included
India, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, and
Ukraine, will be there at the invitation of UKTI DSO, which will also
provide significant financial, logistical and political support. In
short, without UKTI (with whom the fair is run 'in association'), DSEi
would be unlikely to happen at all.
On 14-21 June, UKTI DSO staff will be busy at another arms fair: the
Paris Airshow. CAAT is calling on our supporters to take action on
these dates to:
- Target UKTI with local demonstrations, media work and petitioning
- Fund the fight against the arms trade by planning some fundraising
- Build local links by encouraging others in your area to get involved too!
http://www.caat.org.uk/events/stopweek09.php
