CAAT200.qxd 29/01/2007 09:19 Page 1 CAATnews
Legal challenge launched
Issue 200 11 Goodwin Street, London N4 3HQ Feb–March 2007 Tel: 020 7281 0297 Fax: 020 7281 4369 £1.00 Email: [email protected] Website: www.caat.org.uk CAAT200.qxd 29/01/2007 09:19 Page 2
CAATnews IN THIS ISSUE... Editor Melanie Jarman [email protected] Legal Consultant Glen Reynolds Proofreader John Moseley Design Richie Andrew Contributors Kathryn Busby, Beccie D’Cunha, Ann Feltham, Symon Hill, Anna Jones, Ian Prichard, Tim Street. Thank you also to our dedicated team of CAATnews stuffers. Printed by Russell Press on 100% recycled paper using only post consumer de-inked waste. Copy deadline for the next issue is 19 March and we will be posting it the week beginning 2 April. Content of most website references See Tanya Tier interview on page 11 TANYA TIER are also available in print – contact the CAAT office. Contributors to CAATnews express their own opinions and do not DESO 3 necessarily reflect those of CAAT as an organisation. Contributors retain copyright of all work used. Arms Trade Shorts 4–5 CAAT was set up in 1974 and is a broad coalition of groups and individuals working for the reduction National gathering; DSEi 6 and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade, together with Local campaigns 7 progressive demilitarisation within arms-producing countries. Campaign Against Arms Trade Legal challenge 8–9 11 Goodwin Street, London N4 3HQ tel: 020 7281 0297 Clean Investment 10 fax: 020 7281 4369 email: [email protected] Mark Thomas web: www.caat.org.uk If you use Charities Aid Foundation cheques and would like to help TREAT Tanya Tier interview 11 (Trust for Research and Education on Arms Trade), please send CAF Parliamentary 12 cheques, payable to TREAT, to the office. Unlike CAAT, TREAT is a Steering Committee registered charity (No.328694) and will be able to use your donation for education and research. Using local media 13 To receive this issue of CAATnews in large print Fundraising 14 please call 020 7281 0297 Get active 15 Diary 16
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CALL THE SHOTS Shut DESO – the big push
Keep lobbying your MP will make the short walk up CAAT’s Shut DESO lobby has had a Whitehall to hand the petitions in to huge impact over the last three the Treasury. months, raising much-needed We will be meeting at 11am awareness amongst MPs about outside the Queen Elizabeth DESO. The responses that CAAT Conference Centre in Central London supporters received from their MPs (Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3EE have highlighted the fact that there is - nearest tube Westminster or St a great deal of misunderstanding James Park). For more info, and to let and even ignorance about what us know you’re coming, please email DESO does – many MPs admitted to [email protected] thinking that DESO helps to control In the meantime keep collecting arms exports! and sending in those signatures! CAAT has therefore extended the Petitions can be downloaded from lobbying period until the end of the website. March to ensure that even more MPs hear the truth. We are also pressing Spreading the word for DESO’s closure to be considered As well as the petition, the Shut as part of the Treasury’s DESO campaign postcard is still Comprehensive Spending Review, available. If you haven’t already sent which takes place this year. The one to your MP and the Chief economic argument for closing DESO Secretary to the Treasury, please let is very strong and MPs should be us know and we can send copies for encouraged to ask Stephen Timms, Shut DESO action day PATRICK DELANEY you and your friends to sign. Many Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to groups around the country have also include DESO in the review. Reconciliation (FoR) on petitions that conducted informal street polls or So if you haven’t already call on the Government to shut street stalls – great ways to raise arranged to meet with your MP, DESO. CAAT and FoR will be local awareness about DESO. For please consider doing so between handing these petitions to the more postcards to distribute locally, now and March. You really can Treasury on Wednesday 7th March, to order a Shut DESO campaign make a difference. CAAT’s Lobby the day on which DESO holds its pack containing loads of local Guide provides easy step-by-step annual conference. Please join us for campaign ideas, or to get a copy of guidance and tells you all you need a peaceful protest outside DESO’s the Lobby Guide please contact to know about meeting with your MP. conference, which takes place near Patrick ([email protected]). Or visit You will find the guide and more Parliament Square. From there we www.calltheshots.org. ANNA JONES information at www.calltheshots.org or contact the office and we can send you a copy. We’d be very happy to talk things through with you if you have any What is DESO? questions and we may be able to put you in touch with other people in The Defence Export Services and Saudi Arabia, and regions of your area who want to lobby too. Organisation employs nearly 500 tension such as India and Pakistan. For help and advice please email civil servants to sell arms worldwide DESO’s official website boasts [email protected] or call the office. and to lobby across government for that over 75 per cent of arms And let us know if you’ve arranged a military exports. export orders would not have been meeting and how you got on. DESO sells weapons to conflict achieved without its assistance. zones, human rights abusers and CAAT’s campaign to Shut DESO is Join our protest and petition countries with desperate therefore vital if arms exports are to hand-in – Wednesday 7th development needs. Its Strategic be reduced and eventually ended. March Marketing Plan for 2005 listed Iraq For more on DESO see Over the last year, thousands of and Libya as “key markets”, along www.calltheshots.org or order a signatures have been collected by with other regimes with poor human briefing from the office. CAAT and the Fellowship of rights records such as Colombia
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ARMS TRADE SHORTS
VT deal with Thailand stops Blair’s Middle Oman barter deals East briefing Ship-builder VT has signed a £400m Thailand’s new government has deal to supply the Gulf state of agreed to stop the former prime The Times has revealed that Oman with heavily-armed ocean minister’s strategy of bartering Thai government officials urged Tony patrol vessels. This is the first export commodities and agricultural Blair to use his Middle East peace order from a UK naval yard in a produce for military equipment. The tour to lobby on behalf of the UK decade. new prime minister believes that arms industry. Blair was briefed VT hopes it may be the first of deals such as the 2005 exchange of that the United Arab Emirates was many in the Middle East, with Kuwait dried longan fruit for armoured seeking to “update its fleet of looking to buy fast attack craft and vehicles are no longer feasible, as training aircraft”. BAE Systems Saudi Arabia looking to buy more foreign military manufacturers may was mentioned in the briefing mine-hunters. not be interested in Thai agricultural document and was later waiting to VT is also in discussions to products. JANE’S DEFENCE INDUSTRY, JANUARY 07 learn whether the United Arab combine its Portsmouth yard with Emirates would buy its Hawk BAE System’s facilities in Glasgow to Israeli sales high advanced jet trainer. TIMES, 20/12/06 form one UK naval shipbuilder. INDEPENDENT, 17/1/07 Israel’s arms sales hit a record high in 2006, securing its position as one Relations with Sri Lanka buys of the top five arms exporters. India was Israel’s biggest customer and the military MIG-27s US was the second biggest, possibly due to the increase in Israeli A provision in a US military bill may Sri Lanka is to receive four MIG-27 companies establishing subsidiaries place military contractors under more fighter planes from Ukraine to quell in the US and partnering with US direct control of the military in resistance by the Liberation Tigers of companies. “contingency operations” as well as Tamil Eelam. The planes were JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 10/1/07 in a declared war. originally bought in 2000 but were Around 100,000 private sent back for repairs and upgrades Relations with contractors work with US military in 2004. The money for the planes operations in Iraq. Of particular came from Sri Lanka’s 2007 military military concern is the role of companies that budget, which is at a record high. co-ordinate with, but are not under JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 3/1/07 A provision in a US military bill may the control of the military. US Army place military contractors under more Colonel Peter Mansoor suggested Colombia aims direct control of the military in that the action of these organisations “contingency operations” as well as can often be at odds with the to increase in a declared war. military’s aim of winning the support Around 100,000 private of the local population. funding contractors work with US military JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 10/1/07 operations in Iraq. Of particular Colombia is looking to replace concern is the role of companies that Turkey unhappy fighter planes and raise $3.7bn co-ordinate with, but are not under through a special war tax. The funds the control of the military. US Army at US inspections from the tax would also go towards Colonel Peter Mansoor suggested recruiting and training another that the action of these Turkey may seek other suppliers 40,000 troops for use against organisations can often be at rather than accept the US’s insistence guerrilla movements. The need for odds with the military’s aim of on end-use monitoring of its exported Colombia to raise more funds winning the support of the military systems and services. comes from a possible cut in the local population. The Pentagon’s Golden Sentry $600m that the US gives the JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 10/1/07 programme monitors cradle-to-grave Colombian military. for compliance with US export JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 3/1/07 control requirements. It gives US officials authority for on-site inspections at any Turkish military facility where US-supplied weapons are kept. DEFENSE NEWS, 27/11/06
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DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GLOBAL ARMS TRADE
In the bargain India request bucket The Indian government has asked Shorts in brief Russia not to supply engines for some Pakistan has launched a marketing of Pakistan’s fighter planes, saying Reed links in UAE campaign for its missiles, described that the move would have a serious Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions by one official as “the poor man’s impact on the region’s strategic Company and Reed Exhibitions choice of weapon”. The missiles cost balance. India is one of Russia’s have announced an agreement to a third or less of similar weapons largest military customers. bring events to a new centre systems offered by companies in the JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 10/1/07 under construction in the United US and Europe. Arab Emirates capital. Under the JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 29/11/07 Concern over agreement Reed Exhibitions becomes the owner of IDEX, one IDEAS exhibition DU in JSF of the world’s largest arms fairs. CONFERENCE NEWS, JANUARY 2007 The Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint programme Chiefs of Staff Committee has said Lockheed Martin contract that the presence at the International Some of the partners in the Joint Lockheed Martin has been Defence Exhibition (IDEAS)-2006 in Strike Fighter (JSF) programme have contracted by Pakistan to produce Karachi of high-ranking military expressed concerns about using 18 F-16c/D aircraft as part of a delegations and business depleted uranium (DU) ammunition in package to re-equip the country’s representatives was evidence of a the aircraft’s gun. The director of air force. desire for global peace and security. international programmes in the JSF FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 12–18 DECEMBER 06 A number of UK companies took programme office said that part. DESO, which had a stand at development of non-DU ammunition Israel ban on Venezuela the exhibition, has announced a was not on the agenda. He did not Israel has joined the US in desire to generate more joint expect the issue to stop the banning new arms sales to ventures between the UK and programme moving on as expected. Venezuela. The move was Pakistan. The UK’s threat to pull out of the prompted by US requests and THE NEWS, 1/12/06; JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, programme over sharing of JSF actions of the Venezuelan 29/11/06; PAKTRIBUNE 1/12/06 technology was lifted after the government, including the Pentagon agreed to give the UK country’s support for Iran. It is France deal sensitive military technology. estimated to cost Israeli industry at FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 28 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER least $200m in pending business. with Libya 06; FINANCIAL TIMES, 13/12/06 DEFENSE NEWS, 1/1/07 France is to refurbish12 fighter Northrop GE buys Smiths planes owned by Libya as part of its GE is to buy the Aerospace first transaction with Libya since Grumman eyes division of Smiths Group for Europe lifted an arms embargo in $4.8bn. DEFENSE INDUSTRY DAILY, 16/1/07 2004. Libya also wants to order UK markets between 13 and 18 other fighter planes from France in a deal worth US company Northrop Grumman has up to 2.5 bn euros. created a UK subsidiary in order to JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY, 29/11/06; REUTERS 14/1/07 push into UK markets. In February 2006 the company said that it was RAF PFI deal India criticised coming to the UK with the aim of competing for and providing A joint venture between VT Group India has been criticised for offering information and communications and Lockheed Martin has been Burma’s military junta a military technology systems to the military awarded “preferred bidder” status package that could be used in an and security sectors. It already has on a £6bn scheme to take charge of offensive against internal opponents. contracts with the RAF, the Royal all military flight training for 25 Burma is trying to modernise its Navy and the Home Office. years. The Private Finance Initiative weaponry despite a ban on arms JANE’S DEFENCE INDUSTRY, JANUARY 07 (PFI) project is the first of several sales by many western governments multi-billion pound Ministry of over its human rights record. Defence outsourcing deals expected FINANCIAL TIMES, 8/12/06 in the next few months. FINANCIAL TIMES, 30/11/06
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CAAT NEWS 2006 National Gathering report
CAAT’s 2006 Annual Conference economy is even stronger. Rather message across locally. There was took place in November in the lovely than spending £25bn on a also time in the packed programme environment of Mary Ward House in replacement for Trident, Dr Schofield for members of the Universities Central London. People from all over argued that decision-makers should Network and the Christian Network the country came together for an focus resources on tackling the real to catch up with each other. inspiring day of looking at issues security issues of the 21st century. In the final session we tackled the related to CAAT’s campaigning. You can read more on Dr Schofield’s question of how to strengthen and Thanks to all those who took part! work at www.basicint.org expand the anti-arms trade movement The day was kicked off by Dr After coffee, CAAT staff presented in 2007 and beyond. This generated Steve Schofield, consultant for the a fun look back over 2006 and its a lot of useful feedback on CAAT’s British American Security Council campaign achievements and campaigning and loads of great (BASIC), whose presentation put the developments. Participants then had ideas. We hope to follow up on all arms trade into a global perspective. a choice of two workshops: a skills these ideas in the coming months. To Following an overview of arms workshop on new media kick us off, in this issue of conversion research in the 1980s campaigning and a discussion on CAATnews, CAAT media coordinator and early 1990s, Dr Schofield how best to campaign around the Symon Hill explains more about how argued that now, at a time when the upcoming DSEi arms fair, due to take to get the arms trade discussed in world faces the threat of catastrophic place in September 2007. Other your local media (see page 13). climate change, the case for the sessions looked at the next steps for ANNA JONES transfer of military industrial and the Shut DESO campaign and new technological resources to the civil ways for getting the anti-arms trade
DSEi arms fair, 11–14 September 2007
DSEi, which takes place every other arms fair itself and the policing that and we need your help! We will be year in east London, is one of the is required to stage it (estimated at pressuring the organisers of DSEi in world’s largest arms fairs. Playing £4m in 2005). the run up to the fair and supporting host to over 1,100 companies, There is massive local opposition protest at and around the fair itself. around 70 official military to the arms fair from local people, We will be working with and delegations and 20,000 ‘visitors’ the local council, which has supporting the local community in from across the globe, it is a key unanimously voted against it, and their campaign to stop the arms fair, event in the calendar of the from Mayor of London Ken and we will be mobilising for a mass international arms trade. As such, Livingstone. Even the Metropolitan demonstration during the event. CAAT continues to campaign for its police have voiced criticism: We’ll include more info about closure. Assistant Commissioner Steve House, plans for campaigning around the The event is run by Spearhead head of the Metropolitan Police’s DSEi arms fair in future issues, as Exhibitions, a subsidiary of Reed central operations, told the well as posting info on the website. If Elsevier, and the UK Ministry of Independent newspaper on August you’d like to be involved let us know, Defence. Ownership of what began 22 2005 that DSEi “is denuding otherwise, watch this space. life as the Royal Navy & British Army London of policing at a time of To order a copy of CAAT’s DSEi Equipment Exhibition passed to unprecedented demand. The defence arms fair briefing or Reed Elsevier Spearhead in 1997 with the arrival industry makes huge profits. I think campaign postcards please contact of the Labour Government, but it was we should be getting some money Patrick at the office: very much token privatisation. The from the people exhibiting inside the [email protected]. ANNA JONES UK government remains integral and centre. At the moment the taxpayers DESO (see page 3) plays a big role, are having to pay. I don’t think it inviting and hosting military looks right or is right.” delegations. DSEi is subsidised by CAAT will be campaigning against the UK taxpayer, both in terms of the the DSEi arms fair in various ways
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LOCAL CAMPAIGNS
Local group news
London CAAT group news Canal125 (125 Caledonian Road, In March 2005 the solicitor London, N1 9RG – nearest tubes began proceedings aimed at Launch event – Monday 19th are Angel, Kings Cross St Pancras, preventing anybody protesting March and Kings Cross Thameslink). If you within a kilometre of the factory The newly formed London CAAT live or work in London, please come (save for at a designated time, in a group met for the second time on along. This is a great opportunity to designated “protest area”). The 15th January and planned a meet other London-based CAAT action sparked a year long high- symbolic action to launch the group supporters, help plan for March’s court battle against campaigners in March. The plan so far is to do a launch event and discuss other that ended in EDO MBM dropping ‘crawl’, or walking tour, of key arms campaigning opportunities in the case at a cost of at least a trade sites in central London, London. million pounds. highlighting the conflict zones that For more information or to join Smash EDO’s complaints are that those particular companies supply. the YahooGroup email list, please the solicitor entered into intrusive The group aims through this action go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ investigations into campaigners’ to raise awareness of this group/CAAT-london. personal data, partly through ‘bloodline’ among the general accessing confidential material public and possibly the London Smash EDO news about campaigners held by Sussex media, as well as to attract others to Anti-arms trade campaigners have Police. the group. handed in seven official complaints Smash EDO demonstrate every to the law society regarding the Wednesday from 4-6pm at EDO, on Next meeting – Monday 12th conduct of the solicitor who Home Farm Road, Brighton. For February represented arms company EDO more information, see The next monthly meeting will be on MBM in its failed attempt to gain a www.smashedo.org.uk. Monday 12th February at 6.30pm civil injunction against protesters at BECCIE D’CUNHA in the upstairs room at The its Brighton factory.
CAAT public avoid disappointment! For 10th) and get in touch with Beccie if information or to book your place, you have any ideas or plans for local speaking contact Beccie in the office activity ([email protected]). training ([email protected]). Day of Prayer – CAAT ran another one-day public Stop the Arms speaking workshop on 19th January, 10th June this time in Leeds. Despite stormy Trade Week – weather and subsequent transport Every year the CAAT Christian nightmares, the day was a great 2nd–10th June Network holds a day of prayer to success. coincide with Stop the Arms Trade The time has come again to gear up Week. This year’s theme is Saudi Next training – Friday 18th for Stop the Arms Trade Week. This Arabia. May, London (TBC) is an opportunity for groups and Again, please put the date in your This training is free to those who give individuals all across the UK to take diary and think about how you might talks or would like to give talks about strategic, simultaneous local action be able to raise awareness in your the arms trade. Whether you are a against the arms trade. church and/or parish. Could you put novice or an experienced speaker, The theme this year is Saudi something in your church newsletter, this training will increase your Arabia, in the light of the put up a display or stall at the back confidence, refine your skills and government’s outrageous decision to of your church or include some give you a tool-kit for preparing and halt the Serious Fraud Office relevant prayers or readings in the delivering talks about the arms trade. investigation into BAE Systems’ service? It will also give you the opportunity dealings with the regime (see pages Day of Prayer leaflets and packs to learn more about CAAT’s 8–9). containing suggestions for prayer will campaigns and share your skills, Are you able to raise awareness be available to order from April ideas and experiences with others. of the campaign in your area during onwards. For more information, The Leeds training was fully the week of action? Please put the please contact Alun in the office booked, so please book early to dates in your diary now (June 2nd – ([email protected]).
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COVER STORY Where the power really lies
Ann Feltham and Ian Prichard outline the background to CAAT’s attempt to re-instate investigations into arms trade corruption
The judicial review is launched several years. In 2005 The Corner House brought a At five o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday 14th successful claim for judicial review against the Department December a journalist rang the CAAT office and we of Trade and Industry’s decision to weaken anti-corruption learned that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was procedures. Leigh Day & Co, the lawyers used then, were discontinuing its investigation into allegations of corruption brought on board. A few days later, acting on behalf of with regards to BAE Systems military contracts with Saudi the two organisations, Leigh Day & Co issued letters to the Arabia. Symon Hill, our Media Co-ordinator, was quickly Director of the Serious Fraud Office, the Attorney-General alerted. Another call went to Saudi Arabia researcher and and the Prime Minister laying out the intention to judicially Steering Committee member Nicholas Gilby. However, review the decision. Newsnight had got to him first and he was already on his way to a television studio. Allegations Shortly afterwards we talked to The Corner House, a In 1985/6 and 1988, the UK signed massive arms deals social and environmental justice group, with which CAAT with Saudi Arabia revolving around the sale of British has liaised on export credit and corruption issues for Aerospace (as it then was, now BAE Systems) Tornado fighter and ground attack aircraft. The deals were known as Al Yamamah. As well as actual hardware, the package included servicing and training. Within weeks of the first Al Yamamah agreement, there The legal challenge were rumours of corruption. These persisted, and the National Audit Office (NAO) launched an investigation in The basis for the legal challenge by CAAT and The 1989. The resulting 1992 report was read by only two Corner House is that: MPs and never published. • The decision was based on considerations of Allegations about the Al Yamamah deal continued to potential damage to relations with Saudi Arabia. surface beyond the NAO report. From September 2003, This is expressly forbidden under the OECD’s Anti- Guardian reporters David Leigh and Rob Evans wrote a Bribery Convention; series of articles about an alleged BAE Systems “slush • The Prime Minister, in his advice on the public fund”. It was not, however, until November 2004 that the interest to the Attorney General and the Serious SFO announced that it, together with the Ministry of Fraud Office, improperly took into account Defence Police, had “commenced an investigation into considerations of damage to diplomatic relations; suspected false accounting” with regard to BAE Systems • The advice given by the Prime Minister amounted to and the company’s military contracts with the government a direction to discontinue the investigation, which is of Saudi Arabia. an unlawful interference with the independence of prosecutors under domestic and international law. The push continues The latest information will be placed on our website The push to sell arms, especially the Eurofighter Typhoon, at www.caat.org.uk to Saudi Arabia continued. Prime Minister Tony Blair
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LEGAL CHALLENGE
visited Riyadh in July 2005 to argue BAE Systems’ case and then Defence Secretary John Reid followed in his footsteps with a two-day visit three weeks later. In Who else is complaining September the Guardian alleged that the Saudis had made three demands in order for BAE Systems to win the • The ending of the SFO inquiry was discussed at the contract. These included ending the SFO investigation. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and The Prime Minister’s sales efforts paid off. In December Development’s (OECD’s) Working Group on Bribery 2005 an “understanding” with Saudi Arabia was signed, in mid-January. The Working Group had “serious followed in August 2006 by an “agreement”. Under these concerns as to whether the decision was consistent BAE Systems will supply 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention”. It will reportedly costing the Saudis about £5.4 billion. discuss the matter again in March after it has Additional equipment such as onboard missiles bring the received an explanation from the UK government. total to £10 billion. The OECD’s Anti-Bribery Convention requires The first 24 planes for Saudi Arabia will be taken from signatories, including the UK, to criminalise the those originally destined for the RAF. This makes nonsense payment of bribes to foreign public officials in of claims that arms exports are necessary to ensure that international business transactions the UK armed forces are well equipped. • Various bodies in the US Congress are talking about On 30th November, the Government confirmed that the investigating the deal now that the UK is not. The Export Credits Guarantee Department had recently agreed Congress is able to do so as BAE Systems’ shares to renew insurance cover for sales of military equipment are traded in New York. and related services to Saudi Arabia, including the • Institutional investors including Hermes have written Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. to the Government concerning the impact on the investment climate and financial markets. The PR offensive • Over 130 UK and international non-governmental A final contract for the Eurofighter Typhoons was expected organisations including Amnesty International, in late 2006, but was said to have been jeopardised by Friends of the Earth and Oxfam, wrote to Tony Blair the SFO investigation. From mid-November, there were in mid-January asking him to reconsider. almost daily reports about concerns for the contract and • A multi-party group of MPs has tabled an Early Day jobs; BAE Systems and the Saudis, separately, were said Motion calling on the Government to re-open the to have briefed Lord Bell’s public relations company. At the investigation. See page 12 for further details and same time it was reported that the SFO was closing in and information on taking action. had asked the Swiss authorities for access to two named bank accounts. The stories kept coming – the Saudis would buy from the French instead; the share price was falling; and, again Corruption in Saudi and again, there would be tens of thousands of jobs lost (figures up to 50,000 were appearing without any arms deals justification as even a Eurofighter-commissioned report indicated that the deal would sustain fewer than 5,000 Records from the National Archive dating from the late jobs in the UK). By early December the Defence Industries 1960’s and early 1970’s (outlined in CAATnews Council was writing to all the Cabinet asking for the case June/July 2006) show that there was corruption in UK to be dropped on economic grounds and the Daily arms sales to Saudi Arabia prior to the Al Yamamah Telegraph said the Saudis had given a ten day deadline deals, and this was known about by officials in the for the inquiry to be called off. CAAT did a lot of work Government’s Defence Sales Organisation. correcting the job figures and, with The Corner House, The August 2006 Eurofighter agreement was signed Saferworld and BASIC, sent its own letter to the Cabinet on the Saudi side by Prince Sultan, Defence Minister for arguing that the SFO inquiry must continue. over 40 years. The National Archive contains a letter, dated 1st May 1971, in which Willie Morris, then UK The inquiry ends Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, described Prince Sultan On 14th December, the Attorney General announced that as having “a corrupt interest in all contracts”. the SFO inquiry with regards to Saudi Arabia was at an end, citing national security interests. Currently, Saudi Arabia has said the signing of the Eurofighter Typhoon contract is imminent. For all the UK government’s desire to We need your help to overturn the Government’s expand its influence around the world, the dropping of the outrageous decision to end the SFO investigation inquiry shows very clearly where the real power lies – into BAE Systems’ arms deals with Saudi Arabia. Please with BAE Systems and the Saudi royal family. make a donation to support our work on this issue. See Inquiries by the SFO into BAE Systems dealings In page 14 for more information. Chile, Czech Republic, Qatar, Romania, South Africa and Tanzania are continuing.
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OTHER NEWS Universities Clean Investment Campaign update The campaign got off to a good start talks at Sussex and Hertfordshire at People and Planet’s ‘Shared universities and students at UCL Planet’ annual conference for student created a website and petition activists last November. Lots of following the revelation that their students took flyers and newsletters university was the largest institutional and signed up to our mailing lists. investor in the UK (see The event gave us the opportunity to http://disarmucl.blogspot.com). talk with students about the Our website will be updated over experiences they’ve had in the next few weeks with new ideas campaigning and allowed us to Disarm UCL campaign for campaigning, a draft ethical share ideas for future actions. investment policy, a ‘frequently asked I attended a workshop run by an CAAT’s National Gathering (see questions’ page and links to existing ethical investment activist who page 6) brought together several student campaigns. Finally, our detailed the ways in which pooling university campaigners. These research with the Fellowship of information and research can included activists from Warwick and Reconciliation for our ‘Study War No improve a campaign. It was Nottingham who talked about their More’ project, which investigates UK particularly interesting to hear about actions against arms companies at universities’ military research, is still the advanced stage that ethical graduate recruitment fairs. going strong. TIM STREET investment has reached in US higher The launch of the 2006/7 Clean education. Such progress should give Investment Campaign led to many The campaign is looking for a us renewed optimism for inquiries from students, staff and voluntary co-ordinator. See page 15. developments in the UK. local and national media. We gave
Mark Thomas tour
Between September and equipment designed to inflict December last year, CAAT pain and death. If you haven’t accompanied comedian Mark already gone and out and Thomas as he criss-crossed the bought the book, do it now! It’s country on his latest tour. a fantastic read. Mark’s fantastic new comedy A big thank you to everyone show is based on his brilliant who helped out during Mark debut book As Used on the Thomas’s tour, helping to give Famous Nelson Mandela: out information to audiences at Underground Adventures in the over 70 venues all over the Arms and Torture Trade. The country. Hundreds of signatures book is a disturbing but were collected for our Call the nonetheless hilarious account of Shots petition, which calls for Mark’s dealings with the murky an end to the unfair influence of underworld that is the global arms companies over arms trade. From the Indonesian government. This will be government to individual handed in to the Government in middle-men touting for business March (see page 3). If you on the internet, Mark manages were one of the people who to illicit shocking evidence of signed the petition or a what people in power, and postcard and are now receiving seemingly very ordinary people CAATnews for the first time, a too, are getting away with big thank you to you too, and when it comes to the buying welcome to CAAT’s campaign! and selling of weapons and ANNA JONES Outside the DTI WWW.MARKTHOMASINFO.COM
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EXHIBITION Pictures for peace: an interview with the artist Tanya Tier This March, a unique exhibition will mark the fourth anniversary of the Iraq invasion. Tanya Tier, one of the artists involved, spoke to CAATnews.
CAATnews: What is the exhibition Birds of War – Hawks, Doves and Illegal Eagles about? TT: The exhibition is a chance for people to see the results of a unique collaboration between British and Iraqi female artists and their TIER TANYA interpretations of the Iraq conflict. The exhibition will feature around 45 situation. As a result, I turned back to words. The aim is to give people a works, comprising a mixture of painting. Once the war started, the snapshot of life in Iraq, and raise paintings and installations. The artists ideas kept coming with each new awareness about how much has – myself and Lou McKeever from the story that broke. I found that I was been lost and what the Iraqi people UK, and Hanaa Malallah, Firyal Al- producing my own narrative of the are dealing with on a daily basis. I Adhamy and Anahit Sarkes from Iraq conflict…like keeping a visual diary also hope visitors to the exhibition – come from a diverse range of of events over the last four years. will become aware of the extent to backgrounds but have in common the CN: How do you think the art which our own civil liberties are theme of growing up with war. Each world will respond to such a political being eroded as a result of Tony artist views the current Iraq conflict in show? Blair’s war on terror. light of what she herself has been TT: Interestingly there’s been a CN: What happens after London – through. move recently towards anti-war art, will the exhibition go on tour, or The exhibition is – in part – a and exhibitions like Peter Kennard’s feature on the web? searing attack on the orchestrators of Obscenity and Mark Wallinger’s TT: The exhibition has grown the war: Bush, Blair, Cheney, State Britain have received a lot of substantially both in interest and Rumsfeld et al, but it also looks at the exposure in the press. Artists have numbers of artists involved. I have deep sense of bewilderment and loss been slower to comment on the Iraq recently been offered the chance for felt by the Iraqi people, the conflict than authors and playwrights, a couple of very influential and destruction of their heritage and the but this is possibly due to a important Iraqi artists to join me in unforgivable use and long-term reluctance by venues to take a the project, and am discussing the effects of cluster bombs and depleted gamble on showing such work show with larger venues with a view uranium on the region. (traditionally considered of limited to moving to an alternative site. I CN: What motivated you to do interest). I hope that once they see it may take the show to Worthing or this? has public appeal, more galleries Brighton, and a gallery owner in TT: Like millions of people around will take on artists who want to make Damascus has also expressed an the world I was horrified at the a political statement about these interest in showing our work. Please decision taken by the US and UK issues. On and off, we have now check the website for updates – governments to invade Iraq. Having been a nation at war for ten years. www.birdsofwar.org. grown up in the Middle East - and It’s important that it continues to be CN: Anything else you’d like to with friends and family still living discussed – it effects everyone. say? there – I take a keen interest in the CN: What do you hope people TT: I’d like to thank Stop the War region. When Tony Blair decided to will get from the exhibition? Coalition and CND for their support ignore the biggest global protest in TT: I want people firstly to be in putting the exhibition on, and I history, I wanted to channel my entertained by the work, which will hope that some of your readers will anger into something constructive. I hopefully then engage them with get the chance to visit it while it’s in used to do a lot of satirical sketch- some of the deeper issues. Pictures – London or the south coast. writing for the theatre, but after a especially if they have a humorous For full details of the venue and while I found that I’d run out of ways aspect to them – are often a more dates for the Birds of War exhibition to describe the sheer madness of the powerful way to tell a story than see www.birdsofwar.org
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PARLIAMENTARY The Saudi deal – take action
An Early Day Motion is a sort of parliamentary petition through which opinion on particular issues is gauged. EDM 595 on the ‘Serious Fraud Office Investigation into the Al Yamamah military contract’ has been tabled by a mullti-party group of MPs – Roger Berry (Labour), John Bercow (Conservative), Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat), Angus MacNeil (Scottish National Party) and Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru). It reads: “That this House notes the recent decision that the Serious Fraud Office end its investigation into BAE Systems plc and the Al Yamamah military contract with the Government of Saudi Arabia; further notes that the UK is a signatory to the OECD reasons other than the legal merits of Please ask your MP to sign the Convention on Combating Bribery of the case sends the clear message EDM – either by writing to him Foreign Public Officials in that companies trading with countries or her at the House of Commons, International Business Transactions that governments claim to be of Westminster, London SW1A 0AA or and that Article 5 of this Convention strategic importance are above the by emailing them. Most MPs’ email requires that the investigation and law and can bribe with impunity; addresses can be found on the prosecution of foreign bribery `shall further believes that the decision is parliamentary website at not be influenced by considerations likely to cause irreparable damage to www.parliament.uk and following the of national economic interests’ or ‘the the UK’s reputation as an anti- link to ‘MPs’. potential effect upon relations with corruption champion; and calls on another State’; believes that the early the UK Government to re-open the termination of this investigation for investigation of this case.” Freedom of Information
The government has announced future, reading, consulting and established. This will mean that proposals to make it easier for public deciding would also be costed. departments know what kind of authorities to refuse Freedom of Nearly all CAAT’s requests to central information they must provide, which Information (FOI) requests. This government involve the consideration should speed the process and cut the would severely restrict the amount of of public interest issues and would costs. information obtainable under the Act exceed the new cost limits. The Government has also and would mean that many of It is premature of the government proposed that the cost of unrelated CAAT’s FOI requests would be to have reviewed the Act at this requests made by the same denied. stage. The Information Commissioner individual or organisation to an At the moment, an FOI request has yet to rule on several CAAT authority be aggregated and refused can be refused if the cost of dealing requests, referred to him over a year if their combined cost exceeded the with it exceeds £600 for a ago. The same exemptions £450 or £600 limits. This appears government department or £450 for (commercial confidentiality and arbitrary as the requests CAAT has any other public authority. In international relations) have been made tend to be in batches in calculating these limits, the authorities quoted in all cases. Once the connection with a particular piece of can take into account the costs of Information Commissioner has ruled, research. finding and extracting the requested and possible appeals against his ANN FELTHAM information. The proposal is that, in ruling heard, precedents will be
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MEDIA Using local media
Local and regional media are vital to company have any arms links? them phoning you for comments. A successful campaigning. 80 per cent What’s your MP up to? For example, good relationship with one or two of UK adults read a local newspaper if your MP has spoken about the journalists is worth a hundred press regularly and over half of them importance of democracy, you can releases. prefer it to any national paper, so tell the media that you’re asking these news sources are too influential him/her to oppose the sale of arms 9. Be available to be ignored. Local activists can to undemocratic regimes such as Journalists often need a quote at make a big difference by having a Saudi Arabia. short notice. If they can rely on you coherent strategy for approaching to give that quote, they will keep the media in their area. 5. Keep it human coming back. Try to ensure that a Don’t worry if you’ve not worked A death is a tragedy, a million campaign spokesperson is available with the media before – here are 10 deaths is a statistic. Finding a human at short notice as often as possible. tips to start you on your way. angle is well worth the effort. Does a This doesn’t always have to be the local resident have relatives in a same person. (You can have a rest!) 1. Make media a priority country affected by UK-made A good solution often involves a Media is vital to the success of your weapons? Is an unlikely person (such mobile phone for media calls, with a campaign, but is often not though as a retired colonel) joining a rota for looking after it. about until the end of a campaign protest? Has a local celebrity planning process. By making it endorsed your campaign? 10. Keep going central from the start, you can be Media liaison is hard work, much more effective. 6. Use press releases – but especially when you’re new to it. don’t rely on them Don’t give up! The more you do, the 2. Offer news Issue a press release whenever your more contacts you will acquire and The media have a very narrow idea group acts or responds to events. It the easier it will become. Keep your of what is newsworthy. Something is must be about something that has press releases and phone calls only news if it is new. Discussions of happened, not just an opinion. (“The regular. And feel free to get in touch opinions, no matter how important, group stated that it was with us if you have any questions. are not news, but you can make outrageous...” rather than “It is Good luck! SYMON HILL them into news. While it might be outrageous...”). You can find advice known that your council invests in on press releases in the CAAT Media arms companies, simply repeating Guide (see box). this point would not be news. However, a survey showing that 75 7. Talk to journalists Further help per cent of local residents opposed Very few journalists will act on a these investments would be. Be press release alone if they don’t The CAAT Media Guide can be imaginative! know the group concerned. Phone downloaded from around all the journalists who have www.caat.org.uk/getinvolved/ 3. Keep control of your message been sent your release and brace mediaguide.php or obtained from Decide what you want to say and yourself for disappointments. Half of the office on 020 7281 0297. say it as simply as possible. Stick to them will claim not to have received If you would like more advice your point and keep repeating it. it and most of the others won’t be or further information, contact Ensure that members of your group interested. Keep going. The chances Symon Hill on 020 7281 0297 or are all giving the same message. are that you will find someone who e-mail [email protected] Don’t undermine strong arguments by wants to know more. And if you • An Activists Guide to Exploiting adding weak ones or allow anyone phone after every release they’ll get the Media by George Monbiot to lead you into tangents or used to you. (see www.urban75.com/ trivialities. Be calm, concise and in Action/media.html) control. 8. Build contacts • Be Your Own Spin Doctor by Don’t give up phoning journalists Paul Richards (Politico’s 4. Make it local who don’t give you coverage. Publishing Ltd, ISBN The typical local newspaper is They’re more likely to do so once 1842751360) magnificently unconcerned about you’ve spoken a few times. Stay in • How To Win Campaigns by anything outside of its own patch. touch especially with those who are Chris Rose (Earthscan, ISBN Make your news local. Does a local interested. Eventually, you will find 1853839620)
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CAAT CASH Fundraising
By Kathryn Busby
About two weeks ago you will have place. This is an opportunity to the time to get in touch. Each year received an appeal letter from all the expose the true nature of the arms the WBC runs beer tents at the major staff at CAAT asking you to make a trade – the endemic corruption, the music festivals including Glastonbury, donation to support our legal shameful deals with oppressive Leeds and Reading. Charities, trade challenge against the Government. regimes and the massive influence of unions and voluntary organisations You may also have noticed that in arms companies over government. provide volunteers to work in the this issue of CAATnews we include a This is why it is so important that tents as servers and the wages they donation form. Here, once again, I you support us, because 80 per cent earn are donated to the organisation reiterate the need for your financial of CAAT’s money comes from people they represent. In 2006, CAAT support. such as you and we need extra volunteers raised over £1,800 from When CAAT heard of the resources to help us take these WBC events. I’d like to thank all of government’s decision to drop the campaigning opportunities and win them for their commitment and Serious Fraud Office inquiry into BAE this case. Please support us if you support. Systems’ arms deals with Saudi can, either by returning the form Being a volunteer has many Arabia, we were outraged at its enclosed or by sending a cheque benefits, including free entry to the blatant disregard for the rule of law. (payable to CAAT) or by visiting festival, free travel and a higher than We are determined to take them to www.caat.org.uk/fundraising and average standard of camping judicial review and overturn the making a secure online donation. facilities and showers! decision. So if you would be interested in The legal challenge will form a Workers Beer Company taking part, then please email me at huge part of our work on this issue, If you are interested in volunteering [email protected] or call 020 but there is so much more for CAAT with the Workers Beer 7281 0297. campaigning that also needs to take Company (WBC) this summer, now is
THE SPOKESMAN Found ed by Be rt rand Ru sse ll Available Genocide Old and New now on Edited by Ken Coates Genocide - Raphael Lemkin DVD On Genocide - Jean-Paul Sartre The First Holocaust - Robert Fisk Where the Bombs Are Robert Norris & Hans Kristensen Nuclear weapons: A disarmament deficit Hans Blix Woe unto Trident Rt. Rev. Alan McDonald Blessed are the Peacemakers Cardinal Keith O’Brien From Suez to Iraq Adam Price MP, Margaret Beckett MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Alex Salmond MP Issue 93 £5.00 The Carnage Continues ... and now for Trident! Edited by Ken Coates What is the price of peace? ‘No’ in Colour - David Gentleman Apocalypse Near - Noam Chomsky Unseen Outrage - John Berger, Harold Pinter & José Saramago The remote village of Passabe lies on the precarious border There Are No Safe Nukes - Hans Blix between East and West Timor. It is a battle scarred Making Britain’s Nukes ‘Usable’? community with a horrific past. In the run up to the vote for Paul Rogers independence in 1999, Passabe was a base for hundreds of Nuclear Dependency - John Ainslie pro-Indonesia militiamen – East Timorese who participated in Fates Worse than DEATH Kurt Vonnegut a rampage of violence that climaxed in a bloody massacre. Crisis of Greed - Gabriel Kolko This flim provides an intimate look at how ordinary folk - Whose Century? victims and perpetrators - struggle to rebuild their lives and Immanuel Wallerstein £5.00 Issue 92 attempt to come to terms with their gruesome recent history. Subscription to The Spokesman (4 issues) costs £20 (£25 ex UK ) Spokesman Books, Russell House, Nottingham, NG6 0BT, England For more information or to order go to Tel: 0115 9708318 - Fax: 0115 9420433 - e-mail: [email protected] Order online at www.spokesmanbooks.com www.passabe.com “I’ve just had chance to read The Spokesman... it’s really first-rate.” Noam Chomsky [email protected]
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GET ACTIVE! Campaign Against Arms Trade thrives on your participation
For more information on all of these Contact Anna at [email protected] or Beccie contact the CAAT office on 020 7281 0297 [email protected] or if you have any enquiries not covered For media info contact Symon at [email protected] below contact [email protected] Research the arms companies Subscribe to a CAAT email list CAAT has produced a range of research on the UK’s main Sign up to receive the monthly CAAT bulletin with the arms companies. However, staff at the CAAT office are not latest news and events; to receive press releases; to join able to track all arms company developments and would the list for the CAAT Action Network and find out about appreciate receiving any information you find. This can nonviolent direct action to stop the arms trade; or to find include anything from watching out for information in your out when the latest CAATnews is on the website. local press, to undertaking basic research in your local Contact [email protected] or visit library, to approaching a company directly for www.caat.org.uk/lists information. Contact Ian at [email protected] Make a donation The donations of our supporters enable CAAT to struggle Protest against the arms trade for a world without arms trading; without your help there A protest can confront the arms trade and illustrate that would be no campaign. Support CAAT by sending us a many people do not think that the arms trade is an cheque, setting up a regular standing order donation, or ordinary, acceptable business. In addition, a protest can by taking part in a fundraising event. generate a lot of publicity, which will raise awareness Contact Kathryn at [email protected] about the company and the arms trade in general. CAAT is a non-violent organisation and any protest organised Contact your MP under the name of CAAT needs to be non-violent (contact It is estimated that every letter written to a politician the office for the CAAT guidelines). represents about 80 people who care but haven’t got Contact Anna at [email protected] around to writing. If you would like to visit or write to your MP, contact the CAAT office to find out if your MP has Join the CAAT Christian Network shown an interest in arms trade issues. The Network raises arms trade issues within national On some issues it is also worth contacting your MEP. If church structures and local churches. you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you can Contact Alun Morinan at [email protected] also raise issues that have an impact on employment or the economy with your national representatives. Order a CAAT publication Contact Ann at [email protected] CAAT produces briefings, reports and leaflets on a range of issues. Campaign locally Contact Patrick at [email protected] CAAT has a network of local contacts and groups around the UK who take responsibility for promoting anti-arms trade activity and the work of CAAT in their area. Get in contact if you would like to know what is happening in your area or if you are interested in becoming a local CAAT Universities contact or setting up a group. All that’s needed is a willingness to raise awareness of arms trade issues in any Network Coordinator way that you feel is appropriate. Contact Beccie at [email protected] for info, including the Local Campaigns Pack. Internship (voluntary)
Raise awareness Location: CAAT office, London. 1–3 days per week for Organising a public meeting, using the local media and 9–12 months. running a street stall have proved effective ways for CAAT groups to raise awareness of arms trade issues. CAAT can Closing date for applications: 19/03/07. provide speakers for public meetings, materials for stalls and can also help with publicity. Start date: Early April 2007. Email [email protected] for a job and person specification.
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Subscribe now! Campaigns diary
Subscription is voluntary, but we need your 10 February support. We suggest £26 waged, £14 low income and £35 for groups. Please give Cambridge Students Against the Arms Trade Demonstration, more if you are able, or less if not. Cambridge University. Contact cambridge-arms- [email protected] Name 12 February Address CAAT London Group meeting, 6.30pm in The Canal (upstairs room), 125 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9RG. Contact [email protected] Postcode 7 March Tel Shut DESO Protest and Petition Hand-in. See page 3. Email March I enclose a cheque/postal order for £ ‘Birds of War – Hawks, Doves and Illegal Eagles’ exhibition. See page 11. I do not want to receive an acknowledgment 11–14 September Please give by Defence Systems & Equipment International – DSEi Arms Fair. Once again the DSEi arms fair is planned to return to London’s East End. CAAT will be joining other groups and standing order calling for the cancellation of DSEi. See page 6.
It helps CAAT plan ahead more effectively November 2007 and costs less to administer, so more money CAAT National Gathering 2007. CAAT annual conference goes directly to campaigning. Just £3 a for all CAAT supporters. Date and venue to be confirmed. month makes a real difference.
Name Weekly • Noise demos at EDO MBM. Every Wednesday 4-6pm at Bank address EDO MBM, Home Farm Business Park, Home Farm Road, Mouslecoomb, Brighton. Come and make some noise outside EDO MBM, a Brighton based company manufacturing electrical weapons components. For more Postcode information see www.smashedo.org.uk • Vigil outside headquarters of Reed Elsevier, the company Sort code Acc/no responsible for organising the DSEi arms fair and other Please pay: The Co-operative Bank Plc, 1 Islington High arms fairs around the world. Every Wednesday 12–2pm, Street, London, N1 9TR (sort code 08 90 33) for the account 1–3 Strand, London WC2N 5JR of CAMPAIGN AGAINST ARMS TRADE (account number • Vigil outside offices of Raytheon, one of world’s biggest 50503544) the sum of arms manufacturers Every Friday: 8am, on the UWE/Bristol Business Park roundabout, Coldharbour pounds (£ ) Lane, Bristol. Contact [email protected]
starting on (dd/mm/yyyy) and monthly/ Monthly annually thereafter. East London Against the Arms Fair meeting on the second Monday each month, 7.30pm, the Garden Cafe, 7 Cundy Signed Road, London E16. Contact ELAAF, c/o CIU, Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, London E7 or call 020 7474 5257
Fill in your name and address with the bankers order and return the whole form to CAAT, not your bank. Please make cheques payable to CAAT and send with this form to: 11 Goodwin Street, London N4 3HQ
CAAT, Freepost, LON6486, London N4 3BR. CAAT use only. Tel: 020 7281 0297 Please quote ref Fax: 020 7281 4369 If you DO NOT wish to receive CAATnews Email: [email protected] please tick here on all payments Website: www.caat.org.uk