Search the Internet          Tips

Concern Over UK Arms Exports

Sanjay Suri in London

An arms export watchdog has raised concern over the increasing export of British arms to Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The increase in export of arms to Nepal and to Sri Lanka was listed in the annual Strategic Export Controls report published Friday. The report listed increased sales to Nepal and to several other countries with what Saferworld called "repressive regimes" and areas of conflict and instability.

Saferworld points out that the arms to Nepal would be used for internal opposition rather than to counter any external threat. It strongly opposed exports that would "provoke or prolong tensions".

Arms for Sri Lanka would also be used in the internal conflict and could be used to suppress civilian protest and opposition, the watchdog said.

Nepalese prime minister G.P.Koirala resigned earlier this week in the face of growing insurgency by armed Maoist rebels. The insurgency has in fact strengthened the Nepalese government's case for more arms imports.

Saferworld and other peace groups are however opposed to export of arms to regimes that may use them for internal repression. Control of arms exports to such regimes is central to the "ethical foreign policy" announced by previous foreign secretary Robin Cook.

Saferworld is demanding parliamentary approval for arms exports. This would mean that every export order would have to be debated and approved by Parliament first. That demand comes after greater transparency shown by the British government than by any other European country exporting arms.

Following publication of the arms review trade secretary Patricia Hewitt said Britain will look to export of arms that combine support for the British arms industry with preservation of human rights abroad.

The British government also faces questions over the sale of aircraft parts to Indonesia. The government in Indonesia is fighting strong insurrection in East Timor and Irian Jaya.

Saferworld also expressed concern over exports to Jordan and Singapore. In some cases these exports had been linked to re-export to countries like Iran and Iraq, it says.

The report reveals that Britain exported $2.5 billion worth of arms last year. One of the biggest customers was Saudi Arabia which bought arms worth about $350 million. Other big buyers were Australia, South Korea and Germany.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report