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British Arm Sales To Africa Expected to Quadruple Next Year
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| Blair expected to discuss arms sales with African leaders next week |
LONDON, Feb. 3 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The British government is facing condemnation from protesters against the arms trade after new figures revealed that the value of arms sales to Africa will more than quadruple by next year, reported UK daily newspaper,
The Observer.
The paper said that the figures will come as an embarrassment to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is preparing to visit the continent this week.
"The Prime Minister has said he wants to 'heal the scars' of underdevelopment in the region. High levels of spending on arms are seen as one of main causes of poverty in Africa," said the paper.
The Observer said that a report by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) reveals that in 1999, African nations received £52 million in arms in deals with British firms.
"That figure rose to £125.5m in 2000 and is set to top £200m next year. A £28m deal to supply Tanzania with a military air defense and traffic control system agreed this year and a £100m-a-year deal with South Africa to supply Hawk jets will inflate the figure.
"Small arms deals have also been signed with Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe," the paper reported.
It is believed that the question of arms will be raised at Blair's meetings with African leaders in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.
“On the one hand the government is talking about the urgent need for constructive development in Africa, while on the other government departments are underwriting and assisting arms dealers to sell weapons on the continent,” said Richard Bingley of CAAT.
“There has been a tangible increase in arms export activity to Africa under this government and it is likely this pattern will soar over the next few years.”
Later this year, the U.K. government will give official backing to one of the continent's largest arms fairs. Africa Aerospace and Defense will take place in September 2002, and is expected to be used by British defense firms as a showcase for their weapons.
This week, the government will face fresh scrutiny over its arms policy when the Lords launches a concerted attack against the Export Control Bill, which the government has said will cut illicit trade in arms.
Last night, the British government defended its position on Africa, saying that Blair was not going to promote any particular business or arms interests.
“It is about opening a conversation; this is not about grabbing immediate deals,” Blair's official spokesman said. “It is about addressing in a serious way the problems that have bedeviled Africa. No one is saying that you can resolve these problems in a week, or a month or a year, but you can begin to address these issues.”
Blair will say that he wants to tackle the “failed states” of the region and make up for 30 years of economic problems on the continent, the paper reported.
He will also discuss the situation in Zimbabwe where President Robert Mugabe is under the threat of European Union sanctions.
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