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M.Howard of the Arms Trade.

pirate | 18.03.2005 14:05 | Anti-militarism | South Coast | World

Reply from Tory leader M.Howard to constituent's letter re Amnesty Intl Control Arms campaign (and the Intl Arms Trade Treaty etc).





Following received today from Tory leader M.Howard in reply to letter on Controlling Arms campaign.
(In original letter he was also asked if he supported the cancelling of DESI due later this year).

--------------------------------------

House of Commons,London. 16.March 2005.

Dear.

Thank you for your letter of 11 February.

I am a supporter of Britain's defense industry which currently is second only to that of the United States of America,having a 20% market share of the world's arms export industry.This is an important part of our declining manufacturing sector,providing jobs and incomes to thousands of families.

It is also imperative for the defence of the people of this country that we have a vibrant defense manufacturing capability. We cannot rely simply on our home market; we have to engage in defense exports in order to ensure economies of scale, so that we can sustain our industry. Further to this, the supply of defense equipment to our allies and friends around thw world enhances Britain's influence overseas and reinforces stability for Britain's interests around the world.

Whilst I am not opposed to the creation of an International Arms Trade Treaty for small arms, it is important to note that the real problem lies not with the UK defence industry, which is probably the most closely regulated and responsible, in the world, but with the illegal arms trade. It is the illegal trade in small weapons which fuels civil wars and guerrilla insurgencies. It is not at all clear that any new treaty will be able to address the illegal arms trade instead it could end up just piling more burdens on the responsible countries.

My collegues and I in the Conservative Party believe that there are a number of questions which arise about the proposed treaty's ability to achieve its stated objectives:

* Who is going to police this treaty? It is unclear what the Foreign Secratary's independent enforcement agency could in reality achieve.

*What actions are being proposed to tackle the illegal trade in weapons by nations and organisations,which refuse to be bound by the traty?

*Critics of the Iraq War claim that human rights abuses occurred and that the war fuelled conflict.Would such a claim render Britain liable under the new treaty?

These are issues which we will continue to press the Government on. I have fowarded a copy of your letter to the Forieng Secretary for his comments of which I shall keep you informed. Thank you again for contacting me.

With best wishes. Micheal Howard.

-----------------------------------------------------------

pirate

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

bloodsoaked populist

18.03.2005 20:51

>>This is an important part of our declining manufacturing sector,providing jobs and incomes to thousands of families.


yes, the basic reason labour and the tories and the unions support the arms trade. send them all to the santa cruz cemetary in east timor, november 1991 - an event made possible by UK arms exports - and let's see what they have to say then. not much. familes eh?

 http://pilger.carlton.com/timor/santacruz


- -


Spelling

20.03.2005 12:57

So you are suggesting Howard spells "Defence" in the american way "defense"

Faker !

I don't think so


Typo...

20.03.2005 14:06



The spelling was a typo.. Letter is Gen.. copies can be made available...(one already
has)

pirate


More Tory lies

21.03.2005 14:13

Howard's a liar - Britain's arms-dealers have been falling over themselves to get down n' dirty, illegally, with the wars going on in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo (at least 3.5 million dead so far). One of these was the Sunningdale-based killer John Bredenkamp, and the British run mercenary outfit "Avient".

See:  http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,860258,00.html

 http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:8VSji20guQ0J:www.appggreatlakes.org/content/word/AppendixII.doc+bredenkamp,norman+lamb&hl=en

RW
- Homepage: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,860258,00.html


Helping to knock them down and build them up

27.03.2005 09:22

Did you know Mr. Howard is a non executive director of a Lancing based medical company called Eschmann Equipment who produce operating tables and electro surgery equipment.He dosent give a toss if they live or die hes covered his finantial backside! Hope this may be of some use to someone.
Regards

Scooter


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