Profiting from War Then and Now

the quarterly magazine for Campaign against arms trade CAAT news July – SEPTEMBER 2014 • Issue 233

The arms trade ARMING and World War 1 ALL SIDES Image © Peace Pledge Union Archives

Profiting from war then and now

BAE Systems Swiss ‘no’ to Arms trade PLUS AGM P12 arms deal P7 in schools P11 There’s plenty here to get stuck website, which goes live on July 10. into over the summer months, and If you’ve got a holiday planned to plan towards for the autumn. and are after some reading The First World War is likely to then you might like to consider be covered by a wide range of Nicholas Gilby’s book on arms C AAT media during this time and we hope trade corruption (see page 11). that you find CAAT’s perspective It may not be light reading but an interesting complement to it’s highly engaging and very mainstream coverage – see page 3. well-informed – and will certainly news If you get a chance, have a look at have you primed to carry on JULY – SEPT 2014 information and resources on the campaigning come September! contents P14 3 First World War 4–5 Arms Trade Shorts P6 © O r h a m

6 Arms trade in schools i l t

i c

7 Swiss arms deal referendum k r 8–9 Disarm public institutions 10 Parliamentary; Comic Relief

11 Interview: Nicholas Gilby G

A 12–13 Updates 14 Fundraising; DSEi prosecution P7 15 Eurosatory; Action dates 16 Donate

Editor Melanie Jarman The content and views Campaign Against Arms Trade Design Chris Woodward expressed in articles, works to end the international advertisements and promotional arms trade. The arms business Proofreader John Moseley material included within CAAT has a devastating impact on Legal consultant Glen Reynolds NEWS by other organisations human rights and security and PRINTED by Russell Press on 100% recycled are not necessarily endorsed or damages economic development. paper using only post-consumer waste. supported by CAAT. Any related Large scale military procurement enquiries or concerns should and arms exports only reinforce Thank you also to our dedicated team be addressed to the a militaristic approach to of CAAT NEWS stuffers. relevant organisation. international problems.

Campaign Against Arms Trade, Unit 4, 5–7 Wells Terrace, London, N4 3JU Tel: 020 7281 0297 Email: [email protected] Web: www.caat.org.uk

To receive this issue of CAAT NEWS in large print please call 020 7281 0297

o n / f l r i k c

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• :

Arms TRADE Shorts FRANCE-RUSSIA AFRICA Arms company Saab has As conflict continues in Ukraine, The US has called for a break in expanded its presence in sub- Russian sailors are due in France to the contract, while Russia has Saharan Africa through a new begin training on the first of two threatened a financial penalty. office in Botswana. One of the Mistral-class carriers from a 2011 A major contract for German products Saab is keen to sell deal worth $1.6bn. firm Rheinmetall to build a locally is the Gripen fighter jet. The second carrier is not yet fully combat training facility in Russia Defenceweb, 13/3/14 paid for and France is exploring was suspended in March due to the option of withholding delivery, developments in Crimea. Eurocopter Southern Africa while weighing implications for its defensenews.com, 23/5/14; Ltd is to establish a permanent reputation as a reliable supplier. DW.de, 19/3/14 base in Kenya to work on Airbus helicopters in Africa and parts of the Middle East. The military and civilian helicopter market in the developing world, including the Middle East and Africa, is predicted to rise to $146.8bn between 2014 and 2022. The estimated value of European and North American markets for the same period is $9.7bn. defensenews.com, 16/3/14

Russian President Vladimir Putin © World Economic Forum GERMAN EXPORTS A German minister has signalled BAE SUB SPAIN interest in a more restrictive Saudi Arabia and Spain have signed arms export regime, raising INVESTMENT a co-operation agreement covering concerns amongst the industry The UK government is spending £300m future arms sales between the two and a threat from Airbus to move on BAE Systems’ submarine yard at countries. production lines abroad. Barrow in Cumbria, making it more likely Spain’s 2013 military export figures In particular, the minister that the company will be given the received a huge boost from sales to called for restrictions on small £14bn deal to build the Royal Navy’s countries on the Arabian peninsula, arms that could be used for civil next generation of nuclear missile doubling to €3.9bn from €1.95bn wars. He said weapons exports submarines. The Government is due to for 2012. The rise was propelled by should be guided by foreign decide in 2016 whether to approve this increased output at Airbus military and security policies, not Successor programme. aircraft plants. economic policy. Telegraph, 6/4/14 Janes.com, 20/5/14 & 27/5/14 defensenews.com, 31/5/14

4 • arms trade shorts EU military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, 2013

Sweden 1.2 Finland 1.2

Estonia 2.0

Latvia 1.0 Denmark 1.4 Lithuania 0.8

UK 2.3 Neth’lands 1.3 Poland 1.8 Ireland 0.5 Belgium 0.81.0 Germany 1.4 Czech Rep. 1.1 Luxembourg 0.5 Slovak Rep. 1.0 Austria 0.80.8 Hungary 0.9 France 2.2 Slovenia 1.2 Romania 1.3

Croatia 0.81.6 Bulgaria 0.81.6 Italy 1.6

Spain 0.9

Portugal 2.2 Greece 2.4 Cyprus 0.82.1 Malta 0.6

Figures are taken from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), sipri.org NATO has an unofficial military spending target of at least 2% of GDP. Countries spending less than 2% are shown in green and those at or greater than 2% are shown in red (broadly after Defense News, bit.ly/1juD1rk). Not all EU countries are members of NATO.

QATAR BAE ALLEGATIONS In the spring, Qatar – the world’s PAYMENTS Two former German MPs have been top liquefied natural gas exporter BAE Systems has given £1.4m accused of accepting bribes in relation to – announced military contracts of share bonuses to the former an arms contract between Munich-based worth about $23bn, accelerating boss of the company’s US arm company Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann and its military build-up. Companies as a retention payment, despite Greece. The payments were allegedly involved include Lockheed her retiring in February. This made to a consulting firm of the two Martin and Raytheon. follows a deal to pay former former parliamentarians. Reuters, 27/3/14 company Chair Dick Olver ThePressProject.net, 4/6/14 £215,000 for another three months after he retired. JAPAN Sunday Times, 23/3/14 EUROSATORY Japan has eased restrictions on Russian and Ukrainian official delegations weapons exports in the first major were not invited to this year’s Eurosatory review of arms transfer policy in CHEMRING arms fair in Paris (see page 15). However, nearly half a century. This shift from As part of its strategic review, the arms industry of each was represented a ban on all weapons exports in UK-based Chemring has sold its in exhibitions at the fair. principle is aimed at strengthening European munitions business to Eurosatory also had exhibitors from ties with allies and boosting the French state-owned company Japan for the first time, reflecting the domestic arms industry. Nexter Systems. country’s recent decision to allow exports. Reuters, 1/4/14 defensenews.com, 24/4/14 defensenews.com, 16/5/14

ARMS TRADE SHORTS • 5 In September 2015, a new ‘defence’ school will open in Salisbury, sponsored by the military and arms companies. A school sponsored by arms companies The proposed South Wiltshire In schools the promotion of The weapons manufacturers University Technical College plans military solutions is seen in benefiting from taxpayer funding to teach science and engineering the Department of Education’s for their future employees’ for ages 14 to 19 “in the context of “Military Ethos” programme training have more than most the defence industries”. University which promotes military values to gain from the association, Technical Colleges (UTCs) are part such as discipline as a solution through the normalisation of their of the Academies programme. Like to ‘underachievement’ and work. An industry which fuels other academies, they are state- ‘disengagement’. The Ministry conflict and profits from human funded, independent schools. Their defining feature is their In Wiltshire, weapons companies and the military will ‘sponsorship’ relationships: a enjoy influence & access, courtesy of the taxpayer. partnership with a local university, and ‘sponsorship’ from local of Defence describes its visits rights abuses must work hard to employers. South Wiltshire UTC’s to schools as a “powerful tool maintain public acceptability. employers include weapons for facilitating recruitment” Working in schools is an explicit manufacturers such as Chemring and a means to “influence part of this. BAE Systems runs and QinetiQ, security giant Serco future opinion-formers”. an ‘ambassador’ programme and the Army’s 43 (Wessex) Brigade. (See Forceswatch.net for in schools; it says one of the more information on military main objectives is to improve Taxpayer funded, involvement in schools). its “corporate reputation at driven by employers The involvement of the armed both a local and national level”. Although companies are described forces in actually running schools CAAT has been challenging arms as sponsors, they are actually takes this one step further. The companies’ attempts to legitimise sponsors-in-kind, putting staff- Commander of the Army’s 43 and normalise their work by time into the college and offering (Wessex) Brigade said the school sponsoring cultural institutions use of their facilities. In exchange, will provide “local businesses (see pages 8 and 9). We need to they have an extraordinary amount with the skilled employees they keep them out of our schools too. of influence over the college and will need to be part of the Army’s Find out more and get involved: access to students. According growing supply and support chain”. caat.org.uk/utcs to UTC literature, companies will “determine the ethos of the College”, “have seats on the governing body”, “help to construct the curriculum”, “assist in the appointment of staff” and “support and mentor students”. In Wiltshire, weapons companies and the military will enjoy this influence and access, courtesy of the taxpayer. Militarising our schools Allowing arms companies and the army to shape schools is a worrying manifestation of the militarisation of society, making military approaches an accepted part of life and bolstering support School ‘sponsor’ Chemring produces munitions, bomb detectors, countermeasures and for military ‘solutions’ and public pyrotechnics. It supplies some of the world’s most repressive regimes. The CS gas canister spending to support them. on the right was used against protesters in Egypt in 2011. © Orhamilton/flickr

6 • ARMS TRADE SPONSORSHIP Swiss say nO to new fighter jets Andreas Weibel of the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (GsoA) outlines a remarkable recent turn of events.

Many European governments and £6.6 billion including up to the referendum. Many have used the situation in operations and maintenance of these tried to invoke Ukraine as justification to over the next few years. The a feeling of insecurity by increase military spending. Swiss government had proposed linking the Ukraine crisis to But only in Switzerland do the procurement to replace the the proposed deal. people have a direct say in their ageing F-5 Tiger fleet that will be • The Government, both country’s military policy. And put out of operation next year. chambers of Parliament and the signal that the Swiss people all major right-wing and liberal sent out recently was very clear: Striking points parties had recommended buying expensive weapons The vote is remarkable for buying the jets. systems is not a priority. several reasons: Opponents to the deal focused The campaign focused on arguments that entirely on voters on the centre of the political spectrum. We people in the political centre would relate to. knew that we didn’t need to convince pacifists and the left, Referendum • Traditionally, Swiss voters are because they would vote against In a national referendum, 53.4 mostly military-friendly. As the new fighter jets anyway. per cent of voters rejected the recently as last September, purchase of 22 Swedish JAS they rejected a proposal to What happens with Gripen E fighter jets. The deal abolish general conscription the money now? was worth £2 billion immediately with a 73 per cent majority, Parliament will have to decide leaving Switzerland as one of what should happen with the the last countries in Europe with money that was reserved for the compulsory military service. fighter jets now that the deal has

Image © GsoA • The campaign in favour of the been rejected. At the moment new fighter jets had at least ten it is not clear what the outcome times as much financial support will be outcome, but lobbying has as did the opposing campaign. already started from all sides. Advertisements for the As campaigners we will have no procurement were everywhere time to rest on our laurels. during the last weeks leading For more see gsoa.ch/english/

Key arguments We were very strategic in our campaign focused on arguments arguments. We are convinced that we thought people from the that there is no military threat political centre could relate to to Switzerland now – nor will more easily: there be such a threat in the • Don’t waste billions of foreseeable future. We know that taxpayers’ money the challenges to our country are • Don’t spend money on a of civilian nature and cannot be plane with high technical solved with arms. But we tried risks No cash left? No to the to avoid any discussion about • Our air force is already very security policies. Instead, the fighter jet billions! well equipped

FEATURE • 7 1 2

DISARM Arms companies like to sponsor and host events at our museums, galleries, and local OUR PUBLIC institutions! festivals – even our cathedrals. They don’t do Uncover the Use creative action this to be nice: it can give 1 arms trade links 2 to spread the word them positive publicity Campaigners discovered the National 16 “artists” with easels popped up outside the and often means they Gallery was hosting arms dealers when it gallery and proceeded to paint the message, can impress clients by hosted an arms fair after-party in 2011. “Disarm the Gallery”, to launch the campaign. inviting them to wine We used Freedom of Information This was a great way to get lots of support. We and dine in prestigious requests to find out more about the arms gave out postcards people could send to the locations. By buying into company’s relationship to the Gallery. Gallery. It helped get the word out on social our public institutions, They showed that the amount of media and attracted media coverage too. arms companies are sponsorship money involved was pretty insignificant and that the sponsorship Start a group to buying the impression of HELP your campaign public respectability. deal ran for two years. Think about who uses the public institution Do some digging! and what will engage them. Brainstorm We can stop creative ways to spread the word! them buying Search the internet. Look for press releases and webpages which might give How can people show that they support you? legitimacy and you clues on what is happening locally. ensure our local Check institutions’ websites. Many institutions do institutions list their sponsors. Big Bang Fair – this science education not deal with Read annual reports. Most organisations event for school-children was sponsored publish their annual report online, with a list arms dealers. by numerous arms companies. More than of their corporate partners and sponsors. 125 academics and others signed a letter Contact organisations. Try asking! which was published in the Guardian. Make a Freedom of Information request. Activists from Coventry leafleted hundreds Public bodies must reveal certain of attendees and Stop the Arms Fair information – CAAT can help with helped distribute alternative teaching questions. resources as school visits arrived.

810 • •PU spendingBLIC INSTITUTIONS 4 5

institutions!

Get wider support Promising Success! 3 4 more action 5 The zombies were the final straw. Approaching the campaign creatively meant It emerged that arms A week before the demo was artists were inspired to get involved too. dealers were due to have due to take place, the Gallery People contributed subvertised artworks, their next event in the phoned us to let us know that the and organised pop up “sketch-ins” and poetry Gallery on Halloween. We sponsorship arrangement had readings in the gallery. A letter signed by lots planned a zombie demo and “come to an end”. of artists was published in the Guardian. lots of people promised to Thanks to our research, we Our online petition attracted hundreds of come! knew this was a year earlier than signatures too. Sometimes an action planned. doesn’t even need to take An end to arms companies buying Think about who you place to have an effect. legitimacy from the National Gallery! need to influence Choosing a time when image and how to do it. is important to the venue Don’t forget to celebrate the Can you reach any members of the board? Do (e.g. a fundraising dinner) impact you have – this will inspire you know of people who can influence them? can help have more impact. others to get involved too! In the last few months:

Glasgow Commonwealth Games – Edinburgh Science Festival – Edinburgh London Transport Museum – Glasgow CAAT will challenge arms CAAT challenged the festival’s arms trade At an event in May, company sponsorship of the games. sponsorship, distributing hundreds of action London CAAT distributed It’s looking good with two newspapers postcards to festival-goers. They have hundreds of leaflets and did already reporting on their campaign also been in dialogue with board members another banner drop from and a motion planned for the and managed to get the festival to host a an antique bus inside the Scottish Parliament. debate on the issue. museum!

Challenge arms company sponsorship and events near you. Contact [email protected] to order our new campaign guide.

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS • 9 Parliamentary Surveillance Defence Committee Chair technology Parliamentary Select The growth of Select Committees do vital work in Committee influence was and the right holding the Government to highlighted in May. The Chair to know account. On several occasions of the Defence Committee CAAT NEWS has drawn attention James Arbuthnot resigned as Privacy International (PI) is campaigning to the excellent work of the he is hoping to find work with an to shed light on the secretive surveillance Committees on Arms Export arms company. The election of technology industry and its exports. Now Controls under its determined a successor was a hard-fought the High Court has ruled that Her Majesty’s Chair, Sir John Stanley, while contest with MPs arguing that Revenue and Customs (HMRC) acted every listener to the BBC’s Today a prime qualification for the unlawfully and “irrationally” in refusing to programme will be aware of next Chair should be the ability answer PI’s inquiries about any investigation Public Accounts Committee Chair to stand up to the weapons’ into the exports to repressive regimes by a Margaret Hodge challenging the manufacturers. Rory Stewart UK-based company. arms buyers at the Ministry of was elected and we hope he will, In November 2012 PI submitted evidence to Defence over their mind-boggling indeed, challenge BAE and the HMRC suggesting that Gamma International expenditure. rest. had illegally exported surveillance technology to governments with records of human rights abuse, including Bahrain, Ethiopia, Egypt and Turkmenistan. Technical evidence was Brokering consultation provided as well as accounts from activists The Department for Business, such brokers needed to register whose computers were targeted. HMRC Innovation and Skills (BIS) has prior to undertaking such work; refused to tell PI how it was following up the undertaken a consultation what, if any, training should evidence. asking whether there should be be required; and whether In his judgement, Mr Justice Green made a register of arms brokers. The background checks should be it clear that the public is entitled to know Export Control Organisation, which made on them. CAAT responded what HMRC is doing to investigate and, if co-ordinates the UK’s export to the consultation, arguing that appropriate, prosecute companies exporting licensing, comes within BIS. In any extra information about surveillance technologies to countries where general, arms brokers, who put brokers and their activities it is likely to be used for human rights abuses. sellers in touch with buyers, need would be welcome. However, the He also said that campaigning groups, Trade Control Licences to deal in register should not be seen as an such as PI, together with the media: “act as arms. “approved list” of arms brokers. guardians of the public conscience”, playing a The questions posed by the This could provide legitimacy to significant role in ensuring transparency and consultation included whether an unacceptable business. enforcing legal rights in court. Success! Arms trade dropped Comic Relief has now announced the strength of public feeling. We its new investment policy: the urged the charity to acknowledge arms trade is banned for good. explicitly that arms trade With your help, CAAT investments were unacceptable. highlighted how investments In May Comic Relief announced such as shares in BAE Systems that it “will not make investments contradicted the charity’s stated in companies that manufacture aims (see CAAT NEWS 232). armaments”, recognising that Comic Relief agreed to review such investments are in conflict its investments and CAAT passed with Comic Relief’s ethos and the comments of more than 1200 threaten its reputation. CAAT supporters on to the review Thank you for your support in panel to ensure it understood securing this important change.

10 • PspendingARLIAMENTARY; COMIC RELIEF A close look at corruption Nicholas Gilby has played a leading role in exposing the corruption at the heart of Britain’s arms deals with Saudi Arabia. His findings are included in his new book Deception in High Places: A History of Bribery in Britain’s Arms Trade (2014, Pluto Press). Nicholas spoke to CAAT’s Media Coordinator Andrew Smith.

Q: What is the book about? Q: How do past events Q: What has been the role It is intended to show the extent to impact on today? Is of the Government in arms which bribery and corruption have corruption still rife? trade corruption? been central to the UK arms trade. Structural factors make it likely The Government used to be My research is mainly focused on there will always be corruption in central to the facilitating of Saudi Arabia, as it is such a large the arms trade. Much of it is focused bribery and corruption. They and long term buyer of UK arms on deals with undemocratic knew exactly what was going on and arms deals have always been regimes and there is little if any and officials saw themselves as central to the political relationship part of a collective endeavour between the two countries. Until those involved are with the company executives. punished under the new Now we live in a more transparent Q: What made you age and the Government still write about corruption anti-bribery laws then promotes arms deals, but is not in particular? those engaged in the arms so directly involved in corruption. There have always been Government officials still have allegations of corruption in trade will still feel immune. the same responsibility, but they the UK’s arms trade, but there oversight. The UK government’s try to stay ignorant and know has been little research based involvement has changed, but as little possible about what is on declassified Government not disappeared. For example, we happening below the radar. documents. When I was in the know that the investigation into National Archives I found a the Al Yamamah deal was shut For more info and number of documents that made down for political reasons. Until to buy the book see it clear there was a story. I began those involved are punished under deceptioninhighplaces.com/. researching the book at the the new anti-bribery legislation To watch a Pluto Press interview same time as the Serious Fraud then those engaged in arms trade with Nicholas see youtube.com/ Office (SFO) was conducting its watch?v=a99sxfnQsk8 corruption will still feel immune. investigation into corrupt arms deals to Saudi Arabia, so it was very relevant. Q: How did you investigate the story? The bedrock of my research was Government documents because the Government is responsible for regulating the arms trade and hence has a unique insight into how it works. The choices it makes set the political context in which the arms trade operates. The key was to learn as much as possible about the main individuals and use their private papers and other non- Government papers to build as full a A BAE Systems fighter jet of the type involved in the picture as possible. controversial deals with Saudi Arabia © Darren Hillman / Flickr

INTERVIEW • 11 Bahrain BAE AGM Bahrain’s public relations machine must The BAE Systems Annual General have spent tens of thousands of pounds in the week preceding its King’s attendance Meeting, held in a remote airbase near at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. Farnborough, was a long and often The drive included a Telegraph supplement nauseating lesson in evasion and denial. celebrating the relationship with the UK and a London conference due to be opened by Prince Andrew. CAAT didn’t have tens of thousands of pounds, just some staff time and £18 of materials. But working with Bahraini human rights activists – most of whom had direct experience of their regime’s repressive practices – we were able to tell the real story. Three national papers wrote about Bahrain’s continuing human rights abuses and Prince Andrew withdrew from the conference. Money well spent! It’s vital that this challenge continues. A Human Rights Watch report has criticised

CAAT activists turned out to give BAE Systems another ‘memorable’ AGM UK government claims that Bahrain is implementing reform, warning that “stability Proceedings began with a Watch and the Economist and reform will remain out of reach in Bahrain speech from company Chair Intelligence Unit, which listed it as long as its allies, notably the UK, offer Roger Carr, in which he claimed as the fifth most authoritarian uncritical support in the face of mounting that BAE works “for peace at regime in the world. evidence of abuses.” Help keep up the home and abroad”, a claim that Time and again Carr stressed pressure: more info on writing a letter to your met with shock and derision that BAE’s allies are the UK MP is at caat.org.uk/actnow. Chair Roger Carr, claimed that BAE works “for peace at home and abroad” from the floor. government’s allies and BAE Questions focused on BAE’s only sells to countries approved relationships with authoritarian by the UK. This may be the case, regimes, including those in but that doesn’t mean BAE can Bahrain, Libya and Saudi Arabia. absolve itself of responsibility There was particular focus for the consequences when on Saudi Arabia, the largest it arms human rights abusers. customer for British weaponry, Clearly Carr and the rest of the including BAE-manufactured Board have bought into a world- armoured vehicles used view in which arming tyrants by Saudi Arabia to support can bring peace and where the repression of peaceful protest in human consequences of war Bahrain. Saudi Arabia has been have nothing whatsoever to condemned by the organisations do with those who provide the Freedom House, Human Rights weapons.

From Roger Carr, Chair of BAE Systems, at the company’s AGM: They “Saudi Arabia is a critical “BAE is an ethical “This has, ally in defence terms and company that works indeed, been a said critical to world peace to promote peace at very memorable it from our perspective” home and abroad” AGM”

12 • UPDATES Farnborough arms fair This summer the arms trade will Lockheed Martin. descend on Farnborough. The CAAT is working with local Farnborough Airshow (14–20 activists and campaigners to make July) is best known as a family sure that the event is challenged event but it coincides with a trade and scrutinised. In May CAAT show that brings together some campaigners met with Christians of the biggest arms companies and community activists in in the world and some of the Farnborough to discuss best ways worst dictators. to campaign around the event. It

The Farnborough Airshow is known as a family event, but it coincides with a trade show that brings together arms companies and dictators.

The last Farnborough event was a positive and well-attended included military delegations meeting with great ideas and from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, discussions. Libya, Pakistan and UAE and If you would like to get arms companies including BAE involved please contact Systems, Boeing, Chemring and [email protected]. Farnborough 2012

genuinely vital to UK prosperity, environment and security. Yet to realise its potential it needs skilled Green jobs workers, and government support and investment: resources that are Engineering giant Siemens Manufacturing currently focused in the stagnant has confirmed a £310 million renewables and destructive arms industry. investment in facilities for wind New research from CAAT shows turbine production and installation that offshore wind and marine CAAT campaign at Alexandra Port in Hull and the energy require similar skill-sets CAAT will be launching a green jobs nearby village of Paull. Siemens to arms workers and many of the campaign in the autumn. Contact estimates it “will create up to locations where arms trade jobs the office now to request a copy of 1,000 jobs directly, with additional are concentred would be natural the report or to request a speaker. jobs during construction and locations for renewable energy We hope the research will be of indirectly in the supply chain.” manufacture. particular interest to green groups Unlike the arms industry, this and trade union branches. Valuable skills sector is growing rapidly and is This is especially good news for a region where the arms This is especially good news for a region where trade has been an important the arms trade has been an important employer. employer. Arms trade jobs are in long-term decline with workers facing uncertainty over the future. Yet there is a pressing need for their skills, and the Government has said: “the demand for skilled engineers far exceeds supply.” These workers are likely to find alternative work within the normal employment market – but for jobs to be a good substitute, factors such as location and skill-set must be considered. An artist’s impression of the Siemens site © Hull City Council

ARMS FAIR; GREEN JOBS • 13 Each One Turning of Us is THE TABLES Precious ON arms companies Eddy Knasel, Horfield Quakers I have been offering A group of people arrested at last year’s DSEi Thoughts for the arms fair have turned the tables by taking Day from a Quaker private prosecution proceedings against arms perspective on companies who exhibited illegal weapons. BBC Radio Bristol’s breakfast show French company Magforce regularly since 2005. International and Chinese company In 2010 I began Tianjin MyWay International Trading posting links to these will be summonsed to answer broadcasts via my Facebook account. An information about alleged crimes old friend, who I had not seen for a while including the unlawful promotion suggested to me that I should publish a for sale of leg irons, electric stun selection of the scripts as an eBook. The batons and electric stun guns. result is Each One of Us is Precious which These weapons are likely to be used pulls together 60 of my scripts from for torture (that is in fact their sole October 2008 to May 2014. purpose), so are are illegal to sell or The topics covered include: promote in the UK without a licence. • The white (or peace) poppy At the initial hearing, Magforce • Marching to protest against the International instructed Ian Morley invasion of Iraq QC, who specialises in war crimes • Peace making rather than peace – a clear sign that they are taking keeping the matter seriously. • Cuts to the defence budget The group who initiated the • International conscientious proceedings want to make clear objectors day. that they are not merely opposed step towards discrediting and then Each script is about 300 words long and is to “illegal” weapons at the arms stopping DSEi for good. accompanied with an introduction putting fair: they are against the arms The next substantive hearing it in context. In many cases there is also a fair full stop and everything it of this case will be at 9.30am postscript bringing things more up to date. represents – corruption, human on 26 November at Thames All royalties from the publication misery, and profiteering by a Magistrates’ Court. Campaigners (70 per cent of the price of the eBook) narrow elite at the expense of are calling for support – see will be donated to Campaign Against people and planet. They see the armsdealersontrial.wordpress.com Arms Trade. private prosecution as a further or Twitter @dseiprosecution The Kindle version of Each One of Us is The private prosecution is a step towards Precious costs £5.14 – an iBook version (for discrediting and then stopping DSEi for good. iPad) will be available from iTunes shortly. Support CAAT with no cost now When it comes to your Will, it’s only Including a gift to CAAT in your Will is a organisation, leaving a legacy to right that your loved ones come first in way of ensuring the campaign remains the campaign will make a really big your thoughts. But you can also leave strong with no cost to you now. Every difference. a gift to a cause close to your heart. gift in every Will makes a difference, Please let us know if you have If the time is ever right for you to however large or small already included CAAT in your Will – leave a gift in your Will, please consider If you have already made your Will we will never ask you how much. If CAAT. By remembering CAAT in your but would now like to leave a gift to you would like further information Will, you can provide support for CAAT, then it is a simple process to please contact CAAT using the campaigns that make a real difference. update it. Because CAAT is a small contact details on page 2.

14 • FUNDRAISING; DSEI PROSECUTION Action in Europe

With the exciting news that the Swiss public have managed to stop the purchase of new fighter jets (see page 7), we thought we should share some of the other impressive action against the arms trade across Europe. In Belgium, Vredesactie took direct action at the annual conference of the European Defence Agency (pictured). They blocked the entrance with litres of fake blood in which they sat reading business papers with the headline “War!”. Campaigners said: “We took action to challenge the disproportionate influence of the European arms industry on EU security and defence policy. At this conference, CEOs of the arms industry are given the stage to hand over their Vredesactie in action wish-lists to the EU.” CAAT took part in the People not Profit campaign in the run up to the European election to build resistance to arms company lobbyists at the EU. With joint action by organisations across Europe, many election candidates were asked to challenge arms company influence. In June, while activists challenged the Underwater Defence Technology arms fair in Liverpool, Quakers organised a daily presence at Eurosatory, one of the world’s largest arms fairs, which takes place in Paris. More about the organisations challenging the arms trade in Europe: enaat.org Quakers in France challenged Eurosatory © Philippe Leroyer Taking action ON THE ARMS TRADE Keep up the pressure! Upcoming dates Contact [email protected] Contact [email protected] • Book a speaker for a meeting where you • 14–20 July Farnborough Airshow: take part in the Quaker meeting live “WW1 – the arms trade then and now” for worship on Sunday 20 July or get in touch to find out what else is (p3) or “Arms to renewables – time to shift planned for the week (p13) priorities” (p13) • 30 Aug–5 Sept Protest the NATO summit in Newport: nonatonewport.org • Order our new guide on uncovering and • 6 Sept Campaign Day in Manchester: book your place to explore challenging the links that exist between CAAT’s campaigns and creative action. your local public institutions and the • 7 Sept CAAT Christian Network Day of Prayer: order materials arms trade (p8–9) • 18 October One year to stop the arms fair! A day long event to share • Visit armingallsides.org.uk from 10 July, info, skills and ideas for stopping one of the world’s largest arms fairs. and take part in the project on the arms See stopthearmsfair.org.uk trade during WW1 (p3) If you’re not on email, feel free to call 020 7281 0297 for more information.

Eurosatory; Action dates • 15 You can donate to CAAT by either visiting our website at www.caat.org.uk,

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