-Caveat Lector- Euphorian spotted this on the Guardian Unlimited Observer site and thought you should see it.
To see this story with its related links on the Guardian Unlimited Observer site, go to http://www.observer.co.uk Blair 'is arming tyrants' to beat terror Kamal Ahmed, political editor Sunday November 17 2002 The Observer Tony Blair has abandoned his 'ethical foreign policy' in favour of arming key allies in the war against terror, even if they have poor records on human rights. A former aide to Clare Short says the Government has shown 'serious inconsistencies' over arms exports, deliberately loosening controls to encourage customer-nations to unite against al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. David Mepham, who was the International Development Secretary's special adviser until April, makes the claims in a think-tank report of which he is co-author. The study, published by the Institute of Public Policy Research, says the Government is making increasing use of arms export licences allowing an unlimited quantity of goods to go to a range of destinations with no specified end-user. Mepham's attack is thought to reflect the thinking of his old boss, who has raised the issue privately with her colleagues. 'Post-11 September, there is evidence of a loosening of UK controls on arms exports, with a greater willingness to supply arms to countries seen as "on side" in the war on terror, even when they have poor human rights records,' says the report, written with Paul Eavis, director of the Saferworld campaign. 'Yet there are concerns that some governments use the war on terror to justify cracking down on internal dissent.' Mepham said that 'open' export licences had been granted to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, 'despite serious concerns about human rights in all these countries'. He added: 'They are all regions of instability, and there are concerns about the possible diversion of military equipment to other destinations.' Such licences mean that any equipment - from small arms to armoured vehicles, tanks and helicopters - can be exported without further controls. The study says Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have been granted licences despite 'highly critical' human rights assessments by the Foreign Office. Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
