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EUROPEAN Union a Worst Arms Merchants, Champion of Human rights or human right abuser?
EU. Arms Exports to Countries Where Terror Thrives
The European arms merchants got into the EU shop: it was via the EU Commission 'kitchen'. There are over 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels.
Thanks to EU for 3 million people killed in conflict and war last decade, by their share of arms export till thats date and now we are hoping million will dead till MDG will achived, and code of ATT will passed and implemented by UN, EU.
In the 20th century, over 191 million people were killed directly or indirectly in war or conflict. Before World War I, 90% of casualties were military, but by the end of the 20th century, 90% of casualties in war were civilian
EU arms makers dont have to sacrifice profits for the sake of principle, instead they can simply subcontract, You cant sell it whole, but you can sell it in individual pieces You cant sell from here, but you can sell from over there EU policy and code of conduct from Lisbon treaty, EU worst human right abuser due to arms exporting Business
European Union states have firmly established themselves on global arms market and global leader after USA. The EU doesnt act as a united arms supplier to date. Europe is represented by the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy on the global market. The production and sale of weapons have become one of the most important Budgets sources for many European unions States.
From the end of World War II to 2006, there were 232 armed conflicts in total under way in the world. Only in 2003, there were 30 conflicts participated in by states and also 59 ones the participants of which werent states, but various paramilitary groupings. During which there was a cumulative decrease of 12 armed conflicts, 2007 saw an increase in armed conflicts from 29 to 30, with two added to the report and one removed. The number of countries involved increased from 25 to 26. Statistics show a total of at least 54 local wars and armed conflicts have taken place in the world in 2008, of which 11 are new, more than what the year 2007 saw in both counts.
Africa having seen 24 of them, the most among all regions, followed by Asia with 14, six in the Middle East, five in the former Soviet bloc, three in Latin America and two in other regions.
EU companies are responsible for over 80 billion a year in arms sales in 2008. 10, largest arms exporting countries 6 of them are European countries in 2008-09.10 top arms exporting company of world, 4 belong from Europe. Some thirty-two Western European companies accounted for another 29% in 2005.34 Western Europe firms accounted for 29%.42 European firms accounted for 37% revenue. Of the remainder, the countries with the highest company arms sales in the Top 100 Companies of world .European countries arms export, 2005 revenue was US$85.0 billion ,2006US $92.1 billion,2007,2008,$128.9bn.
According to the European Defense Agency, EU countries spent ¬201 billion [$309 billion] on their defense budgets in 2006 (up from ¬193 billion [$296 billion] the previous year) - an average of 1.78 percent of GDP across the 26 participating Member States. This compares to ¬491 billion [$755 billion] spent by the United States (up from ¬406 billion [$624 billion] in 2005) - or 4.7 percent GDP .2007EU Combined military spend 204 Bln US$311.92 billion Defence Expenditure Per Capita 417, 2008 US$ 337.9billion.
In June 1998, the European Union introduced a Code of Conduct in the export of arms. The Code of Conduct provided the criteria against which arms licenses are judged. Licenses should not be granted where there are concerns that the equipment for export could be used to commit human-rights violations, fuel internal or external armed conflict, or increase poverty by undermining development.
The recently-formed umbrella lobby organization Aero Space and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), which serves as the mouthpiece for most of Europes arms
Industry. names, Leader SHIP 2015 (shipbuilding), the Group of Personalities (R&D) and Star 21 (Aerospace), ASD the lobby giant.
The 5 largest arms suppliers for the period 20032007the USA, Russia, Germany, France and the UKaccounted for about 80% of the volume of transfers.
One should also examine who makes up this influential group. Of the 25 personalities besides Busquin and Liikanen, eight have direct roots in a range of arms-producing companies: BAE Systems, Diehl, EADS, Ericsson, Finmeccanica, Indra, Siemens and Thales. A handful of others come from defence-related research institutes and ministries of defence.
The most comprehensive arms industry lobby group is the recently formed ASD - the Aero Space and Defence Industries Association of Europe. It is the result of the April 2004 merger between three older industry bodies: EDIG, AECMA and EUROSPACE.
ASD claims to represent 32 associations in 20 countries across Europe, or more than 800 companies with combined annual revenues of about 100 billion.
Top arms exporting firms of European countries United Kingdom BAE Systems, Cobham plc ,MBDA, Rolls-Royce Ukarine, (1) Antonov (2) KMDB, (3)Malyshev Factory,( 4) RPC Fort, (5) Yuzhmash (,6)Yuzhnoye Design Bureau ,Turkey (1)MKEK ,(2) TAI ,(3) Aselsan. Switzerland ,(1) SIGARMS ,(2) RUAG ,(3)Pilatus Aircraft, (4)Armasuisse ,(5)MOWAG (General Dynamics) ..
France (1) EADS (2) Dassault Aviation (3) DCN (4)Thales Group(5)GIAT Industries. Germany (1) Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen (2)Diehl BGT Defence(3)EADS (4) Heckler & Koch(5)Krauss-Maffei(6)Rheinmetall (7)Mauser (8)Lürssen (9)Thyssenkrupp (10)MBDA. Italy (1) Beretta (2)Finmeccanica(3)Fincantieri (4)Avio (5)AgustaWestland
(6)Benelli (firearms)
Norway(1) Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (2) Nordic Ammunition Group. Poland (1) Bumar (2)PZL. Portugal(1) INDEP. Sweden,(1) BAE Systems Bofors ,(2) Kockums,(3) Saab..Spain (1) EADS-CASA,,(2) Navantia,(3) Santa Barbara (General DynamicsAustria (1) Glock Steyr (2) Mannlicher, Belgium , Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. Denmark (1) Skandinavisk Aero Industrim(2)Hydrema (3)Terma.
There was a continued political push within the European Union (EU) in 2007 to promote a more integrated intra-EU arms industry and market. The European Defence Agency (EDA) agreed two strategy documents, one on building a European defence-technological and industrial base and the other on a military research and technology strategy. The European Commission proposed two directives, one to open up intra-EU arms procurement, the other to relax export control regulations for intra-EU arms transfers.
The countries of Europe are significant arms exporters. The bestseller list includes: British fighter jets, German submarines, French missiles, and Italian small arms. European countries do not only earn money from arms exports. They also support the build up of arms industries in countries . Europe is providing loans and export credits to clients of the arms factories. This financial support is given by governments as well as by banks.
EU enlargement in 2004 has increased the scope and number of companies producing and exporting military and dual-use equipment, with more than 400 companies in 23 out of the 25 EU countries producing small arms and light weapons, in total slightly fewer than in the US. Enlargement means opportunities and dangers for European arms controlOf the 25 largest players in the security sector, 14 were American, one Japanese and 10 European. EADS and Thales are not the only European defense companies eyeing homeland security as a potentially significant growth sector in the next few years.
Four large, diversified European groups rank among the world's top 10 defense suppliers: BAE 19.7 bn Systems, Inc. EADS 37.9 bn, Finmeccanica12.5bn , Thales10.3bn in 2006
These are the top 5 world-wide (4 U.S. and 1 U.K.) defense contractors for the 2007 year. Together, their defense revenue well exceeds $100 billion.
EU firms BAE Systems 29.800 billion, EADS 12.239 billion, Finmeccanica 10.601 billion, Thales $ 20.0 billion in 2008. The DIB accounts for nearly 20 per cent of Britain's GDP and up to ten per cent of manufacturing output. In 2000-2006 the UK had a 20 per cent share of the global defence market, making it only second to the US. Figures released by the UKTI DSO in June 2008 claimed that the UK actually became the worlds top global defence exporter in 2007 and had a 33 per cent share of the defence market.
Since the end of the Cold War, Europe's defense industry has undergone important changes. There has been a marked consolidation of the defense industry and a visible increase in intra-European collaboration. In 1993 only two European defense firms--British Aerospace (BAE) and Thompson SA--were among the top-ten defense firms in the world. Today, four European firms--BAE Systems, EADS, Thales and Finmeccanica--are among the top ten. Figures released by the UKTI DSO in June 2008 claimed that the UK actually became the worlds top global defence exporter in 2007 and had a 33 per cent share of the defence market, buoyed by £10 billion worth of sales to the US, Saudi Arabia, India and Oman.
The four major West European suppliers (France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy), as a group, registered a significant increase in their collective share of all arms transfer agreements with developing nations between 2006 and 2007. This groups share rose from 18.5% in 2006 to 32.2% in 2007.
Thales' major shareholders are the French state (27.1%) and Dassault Group (25.8%). Founded 6 December 2000, Aerospace, Defence and IT, Tactical radios, product Remote Weapon Systems, RADAR, Infantry Mobility Vehicles,Revenue 12.3bn (Y/E 2007), Employees 68,000 (2008), Subsidiaries, Thales Communications, Thales Air Defence Limited, Thales Underwater Systems, Thales Nederland. The Group is ranked as the 485th largest company by Fortune 500 Global and is the 9th largest defence contractor in the world.
BAE Systems plc (BAE) is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, Hampshire, BAE is the world's third largest defence contractor and the largest in Europe.It was formed on 30 November 1999 by the £7.7 billion merger of two British companies, Marconi Electronic Systems (MES), the defence electronics and naval shipbuilding subsidiary of the General Electric Company plc (GEC), and aircraft, munitions and naval systems manufacturer British Aerospace (BAe). Civil and military aerospace Defence electronics, Naval vessels, Munitions ,Land warfare systems. Employees, 105,000 (2009).
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (EADS) is a large European aerospace corporation, formed by the merger on 10 July 2000 of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany, Aérospatiale-Matra of France, and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) of Spain. The company develops and markets civil and military aircraft, as well as communications systems, missiles, space rockets, satellites, and related systems. The company is headquartered in Ottobrunn, Germany
Paris, Francethe Netherlands in Schiphol-Rijk. The company operates under Dutch law. revenue in 2008 41.12 billion.Employees 116,500, Divisions, Airbus, Astrium ,Defence & Security. Eurocopter ,Military Transport Aircraft Division. As of 30 July 2008 41.63% of EADS stock is publicly traded on six European stock exchanges, while the remaining 58.37% is owned by a "Contractural Partnership". The latter is owned by SOGEADE (27.38%), Daimler AG (22.41%), SEPI (5.46%) and Dubai Holding (3.12%).SOGEADE is owned by the French State and Lagardère, while SEPI is a Spanish state holding company. France also owns 0.06% of publicly traded stock .
Finmeccanica S.p.A. is an Italian conglomerate. Finmeccanica is the second largest industrial group and the largest of the hi-tech industrial groups based in Italy.Founded in 1948,Headquater is Rome, Italy .It works in the fields of defence, aerospace, security, automation, transport and energy. The company has offices in over 100 countries.Employees 60,748. Divisions, Alenia Aeronautica, Alenia Aermacchi, Alenia Aeronavali ATR (50%), AgustaWestland, Thales Alenia Space (33%), NGL Prime SpA (30%), Telespazio (67%), DRS Technologies, SELEX Galileo, SELEX Sistemi Integrati, SELEX Communications, Elsag Datamat, Quadrics Supercomputers, Ansaldo Energia, Ansaldo Fuel Cells, Ansaldobreda, BredaMenarinibus.Revenue, 21.429 billion in 2008.
Worldwide Defense Spending in 2009.USA US$711.0 billion (US$170 billion is supplement budget )2 China US$121.9 billion,3 Russia US$ 70.0 Billion,4 United Kingdom US$ 55.4 billion,5 France US$ 54.0 Billion,6 Japan US$41.1 billion,7 Germany US$ 37.8 billion,(8)Italy US$30.6 billion,(9) Saudi Arabia US$29.5 billion,(10) India US$ 22.4 billion,(11) South Korea US$24.6 billion,(12)Australia US$ 17.2 billion,(13) brazilUS$16.2 billion (14) Canada US$ 15.0 billion, (15) Spain US$14.5 billion.
The UK, France both actively encouraged by the respective government. The French state-owned shipbuilder DCN took over the naval operations of Thales in a deal worth $714 million, while in the UK BAE Systems and VT Group agreed a joint venture amalgamating their surface shipbuilding and service operations.The government spends £1.5bn on R&D of weapon systems each year. Approximately 40 percent of defence equipment produced in the UK is exported. Arms exports make up only 2.5 percent of the UK's overall exports. Government subsidies to arms exporters, worth at least £453m and possibly up to £936m a year
European corporations receive enormous tax breaks and even lend money to other countries to purchase weapons from them. Therefore tax payers from these countries end up often unknowingly subsidizing arms sales According to different estimates, between fifteen and twenty percent of the total global debt is related to military expenditure
Based on a survey of the European Network Against Arms Trade conducted in 2006, an overview can be given of the percentage of military exports in the portfolio of European ECAs.
1. United Kingdom (ECGD) between 23 and 50 % in 2000 - 2006, with an average of 38% per year.
2. France (COFACE) one-third.
3. The Netherlands (Atradius-DSB) on average 27 % since July 2002, with a peak of 57% in 2004.
4. Germany (Hermes) between 0,5 and 9,4 % of all long- and short-term- credits.
5. Belgium (Delcredere) on average 20% of all the exported arms for which an export licence has been provided.
6. Sweden (EKN) between less then 1% and 40% since 2000, with an average of 11%.
Countries profiting from Export Credit Agencies for the purchase of arms and military infrastructure are India and Pakistan. While India bought military products and services with Dutch, Belgian and Swedish ECA coverage, Pakistan bought Hermes backed military equipment.
In 2006 Swedish SEK further fuelled the arms race between these two low-income countries when it guaranteed the export of a $1.1 billion Saab contract with Pakistan to deliver an airborne early warning surveillance system, comprising Saab 2000 turboprop planes equipped with Erieye airborne radar. 55 As the single largest export credit in the first half of 2006, it contributed to a doubling of the value of the Swedish export credits.
Two in the high-tech areas of military electronics and communicationsSAFRAN (France) and Elettronica (Italy)and two armoured-vehicle manufacturersKrauss-Maffei Wegmann (Germany) and Patria (Finland). BAE Systems saw smaller, but
still substantial, increases in its Electronics, Information and Support and Land
Systems businesses.
BAE gave a Saudi prince a £75 airliner ($150m approx) as part of a British arms deal, with the arms firm paying the expenses of flying it.
Bribes in SouthAfrica, silence in Europe. is a huge internationally- defense package for South Africa, including 28 Swedish and 24 British fighter jets, 4 German frigates, 3 German submarines and 28 maritime helicopters, worth over 4 billion. Bidders for the contracts made payments in cash or kind to senior members of the South African government with decision-making power on who received those contracts.
A contract was awarded to British Aerospace (now BAe Systems) which was 616 million more expensive than an Italian competitors offer, despite the Italian jets being the preferred choice of the South African Air Force. British newspaper, the Guardian, revealed that BAE systems paid as much as 220 million in secret commissions to secure the contract. Prominent ANC leader, and former deputy President, Jacob Zuma is still under suspicion of being involved in unsavoury dealings involving the French company Thales South Africa- subsidiary Thint. Meanwhile, German prosecutors are investigating
payments of $25-million made by Thyssen (part of the German Frigate Consortium, GFC) to actors in the transaction. A senior official at EADS has already been found guilty of bribery in a Munich court and fined.
Sources: Underwriting Bribery: Export Credit Agencies and Corruption, Susan Hawley,
The Corner House, 2003;
A five year (2003-2007) top 20 arms exporters Countries of world 12 from European union. Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Ukraine, Spain,Switzerland Poland ,Belgium, Denmark.
Volume of arms production, export sales, and employment in the arms industry: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, 19912000 Figures are in US $bn,
France, arms export 1991, 4.5,1995,2.8,1996,4.4,1997,6.3,1998,5.9.1999,3.6,2000,2.5 billion.
France employment
1991,248,000,1996,193,000,1997,178,000,1998,175,000,1999,171,000,2000,166,000. http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/fr/chiffres/ index.html
Germany export,1991,1.6billion,1995,2.6.1996,2.7,1997,2.7,1998,2.9,1999,2.8,2000,2.6 Billion, Germany Employment 1991,39,000,1995,21,000,1996,19,000,1997,18,000,1998,20,000,1999,16,000,2000,16,000.BMWi - Startseite
UK, arms production,1991,6.7,1995,8.2,1996,10.4,1997,11.0,1998,9.8,1999,6.6,2000,6.7
UK employment, 1991,275,000,1995,205,000,1996,210,000,1997,180,000,1998,165,000,1999,155,000,2000,150,000.
In the UK, for example, overall military-related employment has declined from 550,000 in 1990/1 to 305,000 in 2003/4. Of this, MoD related-employment had declined from 405,000 to 245,000, while export-related employment declined from 150,000 to 65,000
European Union largest arms exporters countries from 2000, to 2008, were following.
Germany 2000US$2622 million,2001, $4325 million,2002,$ 3.2 billion ($3.95 billion),2003, 4.8 billion euros ($5.7 billion) .2004, 3.8 billion euros, 2005 $6678million,2006, 7.7 billion,2007,$3395million,2008, $3590 million.
France, 2000, $ 4505 Million, 2001, $5196 million, 2002, $1342million, 2003, $1313million, 2004, $4.6 billion, 2005, $8.8 billion, 2006, $4605 million, 2007, $7778 million, 2008, 6.3 billion euros ($8.28 billion)
Italy arms export value 1997-2000 US$ 1,800million Italy arms export in 2000856 million ,2001 863million,2002920 million, 2003 1.282 billion,20041490 million.2005, US$ 1400 million, Italys arms exports reached record levels in 2006, with 2.1 billion in authorisations 61% higher than in 2005. Weapons actually delivered during the year came to nearly 1 billion, 2007 1.2 billion, 2008 1.5 bn.
United Kingdom arms export, 2000, £4,406m, 2001, £4,216m United Kingdom 24 percent share, worth $4.0 billion in 2002.United Kingdom (£4,120m) worth of arms deliveries in 2003. UK arms export 5.6 billion pound in 2004, 2005 £7,142m, 2006 £7.0bn, 2007£10bn, 2008, £9bn
Netherlands arms export, 2000-2004 US$1,483 million2005 $611 million, 2006 $1575 million, 2007 $1355 million,2008 $1555 million The Netherlands totaled 790 exports, including shipments of 217 ACVs to Egypt and 522 U.S.-origin missiles to Finland. South Africas reported exports consisted of 692 ACVs, 427 of which were identified as going to the U.S. Army.
Arms exports from Switzerland in 2000 $104 million,2001,$120 million,2002$109 million,2003$139 million,2004 $210 million,2005$186 million,2006$166million,2007 $211million,2008 330 million rose by 55 percent in 2008.
The Swedish Government has been a vocal champion of peace and disarmament, Institutions like the Nobel Prize have helped link Swedens international reputation to peace and reconciliation, but few people know Sweden is also one of the worlds top exporters of weapons. Sweden is among the worlds top arms exporters in per capita terms. Its clients include the United States and Britain, with shipments more than doubling since 2000.During the five-year period of 1997 to 2001 Sweden was number 11 in the world.
The abnormally high 2007 tally, for example, stemmed in large part from the export of 16,576 122-millimeter rockets to Bulgaria by Slovakia, which also shipped 764 rockets to Indonesia and another 380 rockets to Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkey, for the third straight year, delivered 3,000 122-millimeter rockets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
All Other European in 2000 US$5000 million, 2001,$3500 million.2002 $5500 million.2003 $ 4000 million,2004 $6223 million.2005 $6755,2006,$6350,2007 $7000 million,2008 $ 7800 million.
Germany 14 percent of global exports respectively in 2007. France was the fourth largest arms exporter, with 11% of the global market. Germanys market share rose 11% to 14%. Frances market share rose 6% to 11%United Kingdom United Kingdom saw the value of its foreign arms contracts more than double, from $4.1 in 2006 to $9.8 billion in 2007. (Source atlanticreview.org/archives/1078-Top-four)
Arms sales (agreements), European Union Countries, 2000-2007 (in billions of constant 2007 U.S. dollars) France US$ 32.09 billion 10% Percent of total sales, United Kingdom US$ 26.425 billion 8% Percent of total sales, Germany US$ 13.859 billion 4% Percent of total sales, Italy US$ 7.045 billion 2% Percent of total sales. Other European Countries US$ 39.024 billion 11% Percent of total sales.35% of total arms sale by European countries from 2002-2007 more than US$ 130.9 billion, United state of America US$ 134.835 billion 38% Percent of total sales.
At least 279 companies in Germany are producing or trading military, security and police products and services. Germany licensed small arms exports to many countries including Egypt, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, all countries where serious human rights abuses have been committed.
Global arms exports between 2003 and 2007, according to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Germany export arms to following countries ,Turkey 15%,Greace,14%,South Africa 12%,Australia,9%,others 50%.France export to following countries,Grece,12%,UAE 41%,Saudia Arabia 9%,singapore 7%,others 31%.UK export US 17%,Romania9%,India,8%,chile,9%,others 57%.
France has continued to export military equipment to countries subject to EU arms embargoes, including Myanmar (Burma), Sudan and the Peoples Republic of China. This shows that successive French governments have not abided by their commitments to implement arms embargoes effectively, despite official policy requiring them to respect arms embargoes imposed by the EU .
Italian small arms have been transferred to a number of countries experiencing violent conflict or where violations of human rights and international humanitarian law occur including Algeria,Colombia, Eritrea, Indonesia, India, Israel, Kazakstan, Nigeria,
Pakistan, and Sierra Leone. weapons. About 33 per cent of arms, semi-automatic weapons, spare parts and ammunition exported, fall outside the remit of the arms control law.57 Also, a number of weapons routinely used by the police are normally not considered military arms.
The UK is the second largest arms exporter in the world by value. A major problem with the UK arms export control system is that the UK government is increasingly using open licences108, particular with the transfer of military technology, and is encouraging exporting companies to use them whenever these are available109 Open licences allow the exporting company to make multiple shipments to specified destinations. Once such a licence has been issued there is no further advance authorization or scrutiny prior to the shipment of the goods. example, in 2004 the UK Government authorised Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) for armoured all wheel drive vehicles to Algeria, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey - countries where armed forces and police have committed persistent human rights violations.
This apologist agenda is particularly relevant for the Labour government which, during the first two years of power, included among its top 15 arms customers persistent human rights abusers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, Kuwait, Brazil, Oman, South Korea, Turkey, China, and Indonesia. The lack of information about incorporation OIELs [Open Individual Export licences] is worrying, as it means we only have a partial picture of how British components and technology are being used abroad.
The top exporters of small arms and light weapons (those with an annual export value of at least USD 100 million) were the Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria,France,Sweden,UK in 2008
"Denmark is one of the only countries where ships carrying arms are allowed to sail to countries blacklisted by the EU." Danish shipping companies were continuing to transport arms to countries such as Myanmar, China, and Sudan. Despite these countries being subject to EU embargoes that prohibit the export of weapons to repressive governments.
In 2002, the involvement of an Irish registered company with an international arms smuggling operation was revealed. The company, Balcombe Investments Limited, owned the aircraft operated by Renan Airways of Moldova to fly several shipments of illegal arms to Africa.
Many of the mentioned states, or rather, companies have been violating agreements on the suspension of weapons import to conflict zones and states with non-democratic regimes.Weapon producers and exporters are also other EU member states like Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
The Austrian company Glock dealing with handgun production, similarly to other European arms firms, moves its production facilities to the countries of Latin America and Asia which arent bound by international agreements in order to have the option to export weapons to any state.
IN AN APPARENT violation of the EUs Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, the Economy Ministry has approved a shipment of 10,000 artillery rockets to the Sri Lankan government, which is engaged in a civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels in which both sides are suspected of grave human rights abuses. The Slovak Spectator, the three-metre rockets were due to be shipped from Slovakia to Croatia, from where they were to depart by boat for Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, on April 10. The end-user of the weapons was listed as the Sri Lankan Armed Forces General Staff.
While the Czech Republic sent almost 4 million worth of goods in a range of military categories. During the same period the UK dispatched over 8.5 million worth of weapons to Colombo.
Spanish satellite intelligence, military equipment and training have been promised to Colombia despite concerns that the Colombian government's polices are exacerbating the human rights disaster there.
The supply by a German technology company of surveillance equipment to Turkmenistan despite a history of the government there using such methods for political repression.
French helicopters and parts manufactured under licence in India, and delivered to Nepal where armed forces have used helicopters to shoot and kill civilians.
Conculsion
EU member countries themselves could do more to be a positive example of arms trade behavior by supporting a proposed international arms trade treaty that would prevent arms transfers to human rights abusers and violators of the laws of war.
The EU is by far Israels biggest export market, and by far the biggest donor of aid to the Palestinians. It is an economic superpower in the region, but for too long has acted like a political pygmy
In 2007, UK government approved £6m of arms exports. In 2008, it licensed sales twelve times as fast: £40m of exports. In 2007 EU Member States authorised the export to Israel of 200m of items on the EU Military List. France, Germany and Romania were valued at126m,28mand 17mrespectively. There was no military partnership with Israel, but admitted that annual imports of defence equipment from the country were worth 37 million kronor.
Amnesty International and other NGOs have repeatedly documented the impact of arms brokers operating from Europe in fuelling human rights abuses in many parts of the world. From the genocide in Rwanda to the bloody conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone DRC, SriLanka, Darfuar, Somalia, now in Afghanistan , Iraq Lebanon and recently war in GAZA by Israel brokers have taken advantage of the lack of effective export controls within the European Union,
Usman karim based in Lahore lmno25@hotmail.com.
EU. Arms Exports to Countries Where Terror Thrives
The European arms merchants got into the EU shop: it was via the EU Commission 'kitchen'. There are over 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels.
Thanks to EU for 3 million people killed in conflict and war last decade, by their share of arms export till thats date and now we are hoping million will dead till MDG will achived, and code of ATT will passed and implemented by UN, EU.
In the 20th century, over 191 million people were killed directly or indirectly in war or conflict. Before World War I, 90% of casualties were military, but by the end of the 20th century, 90% of casualties in war were civilian
EU arms makers dont have to sacrifice profits for the sake of principle, instead they can simply subcontract, You cant sell it whole, but you can sell it in individual pieces You cant sell from here, but you can sell from over there EU policy and code of conduct from Lisbon treaty, EU worst human right abuser due to arms exporting Business
European Union states have firmly established themselves on global arms market and global leader after USA. The EU doesnt act as a united arms supplier to date. Europe is represented by the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy on the global market. The production and sale of weapons have become one of the most important Budgets sources for many European unions States.
From the end of World War II to 2006, there were 232 armed conflicts in total under way in the world. Only in 2003, there were 30 conflicts participated in by states and also 59 ones the participants of which werent states, but various paramilitary groupings. During which there was a cumulative decrease of 12 armed conflicts, 2007 saw an increase in armed conflicts from 29 to 30, with two added to the report and one removed. The number of countries involved increased from 25 to 26. Statistics show a total of at least 54 local wars and armed conflicts have taken place in the world in 2008, of which 11 are new, more than what the year 2007 saw in both counts.
Africa having seen 24 of them, the most among all regions, followed by Asia with 14, six in the Middle East, five in the former Soviet bloc, three in Latin America and two in other regions.
EU companies are responsible for over 80 billion a year in arms sales in 2008. 10, largest arms exporting countries 6 of them are European countries in 2008-09.10 top arms exporting company of world, 4 belong from Europe. Some thirty-two Western European companies accounted for another 29% in 2005.34 Western Europe firms accounted for 29%.42 European firms accounted for 37% revenue. Of the remainder, the countries with the highest company arms sales in the Top 100 Companies of world .European countries arms export, 2005 revenue was US$85.0 billion ,2006US $92.1 billion,2007,2008,$128.9bn.
According to the European Defense Agency, EU countries spent ¬201 billion [$309 billion] on their defense budgets in 2006 (up from ¬193 billion [$296 billion] the previous year) - an average of 1.78 percent of GDP across the 26 participating Member States. This compares to ¬491 billion [$755 billion] spent by the United States (up from ¬406 billion [$624 billion] in 2005) - or 4.7 percent GDP .2007EU Combined military spend 204 Bln US$311.92 billion Defence Expenditure Per Capita 417, 2008 US$ 337.9billion.
In June 1998, the European Union introduced a Code of Conduct in the export of arms. The Code of Conduct provided the criteria against which arms licenses are judged. Licenses should not be granted where there are concerns that the equipment for export could be used to commit human-rights violations, fuel internal or external armed conflict, or increase poverty by undermining development.
The recently-formed umbrella lobby organization Aero Space and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), which serves as the mouthpiece for most of Europes arms
Industry. names, Leader SHIP 2015 (shipbuilding), the Group of Personalities (R&D) and Star 21 (Aerospace), ASD the lobby giant.
The 5 largest arms suppliers for the period 20032007the USA, Russia, Germany, France and the UKaccounted for about 80% of the volume of transfers.
One should also examine who makes up this influential group. Of the 25 personalities besides Busquin and Liikanen, eight have direct roots in a range of arms-producing companies: BAE Systems, Diehl, EADS, Ericsson, Finmeccanica, Indra, Siemens and Thales. A handful of others come from defence-related research institutes and ministries of defence.
The most comprehensive arms industry lobby group is the recently formed ASD - the Aero Space and Defence Industries Association of Europe. It is the result of the April 2004 merger between three older industry bodies: EDIG, AECMA and EUROSPACE.
ASD claims to represent 32 associations in 20 countries across Europe, or more than 800 companies with combined annual revenues of about 100 billion.
Top arms exporting firms of European countries United Kingdom BAE Systems, Cobham plc ,MBDA, Rolls-Royce Ukarine, (1) Antonov (2) KMDB, (3)Malyshev Factory,( 4) RPC Fort, (5) Yuzhmash (,6)Yuzhnoye Design Bureau ,Turkey (1)MKEK ,(2) TAI ,(3) Aselsan. Switzerland ,(1) SIGARMS ,(2) RUAG ,(3)Pilatus Aircraft, (4)Armasuisse ,(5)MOWAG (General Dynamics) ..
France (1) EADS (2) Dassault Aviation (3) DCN (4)Thales Group(5)GIAT Industries. Germany (1) Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen (2)Diehl BGT Defence(3)EADS (4) Heckler & Koch(5)Krauss-Maffei(6)Rheinmetall (7)Mauser (8)Lürssen (9)Thyssenkrupp (10)MBDA. Italy (1) Beretta (2)Finmeccanica(3)Fincantieri (4)Avio (5)AgustaWestland
(6)Benelli (firearms)
Norway(1) Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (2) Nordic Ammunition Group. Poland (1) Bumar (2)PZL. Portugal(1) INDEP. Sweden,(1) BAE Systems Bofors ,(2) Kockums,(3) Saab..Spain (1) EADS-CASA,,(2) Navantia,(3) Santa Barbara (General DynamicsAustria (1) Glock Steyr (2) Mannlicher, Belgium , Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. Denmark (1) Skandinavisk Aero Industrim(2)Hydrema (3)Terma.
There was a continued political push within the European Union (EU) in 2007 to promote a more integrated intra-EU arms industry and market. The European Defence Agency (EDA) agreed two strategy documents, one on building a European defence-technological and industrial base and the other on a military research and technology strategy. The European Commission proposed two directives, one to open up intra-EU arms procurement, the other to relax export control regulations for intra-EU arms transfers.
The countries of Europe are significant arms exporters. The bestseller list includes: British fighter jets, German submarines, French missiles, and Italian small arms. European countries do not only earn money from arms exports. They also support the build up of arms industries in countries . Europe is providing loans and export credits to clients of the arms factories. This financial support is given by governments as well as by banks.
EU enlargement in 2004 has increased the scope and number of companies producing and exporting military and dual-use equipment, with more than 400 companies in 23 out of the 25 EU countries producing small arms and light weapons, in total slightly fewer than in the US. Enlargement means opportunities and dangers for European arms controlOf the 25 largest players in the security sector, 14 were American, one Japanese and 10 European. EADS and Thales are not the only European defense companies eyeing homeland security as a potentially significant growth sector in the next few years.
Four large, diversified European groups rank among the world's top 10 defense suppliers: BAE 19.7 bn Systems, Inc. EADS 37.9 bn, Finmeccanica12.5bn , Thales10.3bn in 2006
These are the top 5 world-wide (4 U.S. and 1 U.K.) defense contractors for the 2007 year. Together, their defense revenue well exceeds $100 billion.
EU firms BAE Systems 29.800 billion, EADS 12.239 billion, Finmeccanica 10.601 billion, Thales $ 20.0 billion in 2008. The DIB accounts for nearly 20 per cent of Britain's GDP and up to ten per cent of manufacturing output. In 2000-2006 the UK had a 20 per cent share of the global defence market, making it only second to the US. Figures released by the UKTI DSO in June 2008 claimed that the UK actually became the worlds top global defence exporter in 2007 and had a 33 per cent share of the defence market.
Since the end of the Cold War, Europe's defense industry has undergone important changes. There has been a marked consolidation of the defense industry and a visible increase in intra-European collaboration. In 1993 only two European defense firms--British Aerospace (BAE) and Thompson SA--were among the top-ten defense firms in the world. Today, four European firms--BAE Systems, EADS, Thales and Finmeccanica--are among the top ten. Figures released by the UKTI DSO in June 2008 claimed that the UK actually became the worlds top global defence exporter in 2007 and had a 33 per cent share of the defence market, buoyed by £10 billion worth of sales to the US, Saudi Arabia, India and Oman.
The four major West European suppliers (France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy), as a group, registered a significant increase in their collective share of all arms transfer agreements with developing nations between 2006 and 2007. This groups share rose from 18.5% in 2006 to 32.2% in 2007.
Thales' major shareholders are the French state (27.1%) and Dassault Group (25.8%). Founded 6 December 2000, Aerospace, Defence and IT, Tactical radios, product Remote Weapon Systems, RADAR, Infantry Mobility Vehicles,Revenue 12.3bn (Y/E 2007), Employees 68,000 (2008), Subsidiaries, Thales Communications, Thales Air Defence Limited, Thales Underwater Systems, Thales Nederland. The Group is ranked as the 485th largest company by Fortune 500 Global and is the 9th largest defence contractor in the world.
BAE Systems plc (BAE) is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, Hampshire, BAE is the world's third largest defence contractor and the largest in Europe.It was formed on 30 November 1999 by the £7.7 billion merger of two British companies, Marconi Electronic Systems (MES), the defence electronics and naval shipbuilding subsidiary of the General Electric Company plc (GEC), and aircraft, munitions and naval systems manufacturer British Aerospace (BAe). Civil and military aerospace Defence electronics, Naval vessels, Munitions ,Land warfare systems. Employees, 105,000 (2009).
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (EADS) is a large European aerospace corporation, formed by the merger on 10 July 2000 of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany, Aérospatiale-Matra of France, and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) of Spain. The company develops and markets civil and military aircraft, as well as communications systems, missiles, space rockets, satellites, and related systems. The company is headquartered in Ottobrunn, Germany
Paris, Francethe Netherlands in Schiphol-Rijk. The company operates under Dutch law. revenue in 2008 41.12 billion.Employees 116,500, Divisions, Airbus, Astrium ,Defence & Security. Eurocopter ,Military Transport Aircraft Division. As of 30 July 2008 41.63% of EADS stock is publicly traded on six European stock exchanges, while the remaining 58.37% is owned by a "Contractural Partnership". The latter is owned by SOGEADE (27.38%), Daimler AG (22.41%), SEPI (5.46%) and Dubai Holding (3.12%).SOGEADE is owned by the French State and Lagardère, while SEPI is a Spanish state holding company. France also owns 0.06% of publicly traded stock .
Finmeccanica S.p.A. is an Italian conglomerate. Finmeccanica is the second largest industrial group and the largest of the hi-tech industrial groups based in Italy.Founded in 1948,Headquater is Rome, Italy .It works in the fields of defence, aerospace, security, automation, transport and energy. The company has offices in over 100 countries.Employees 60,748. Divisions, Alenia Aeronautica, Alenia Aermacchi, Alenia Aeronavali ATR (50%), AgustaWestland, Thales Alenia Space (33%), NGL Prime SpA (30%), Telespazio (67%), DRS Technologies, SELEX Galileo, SELEX Sistemi Integrati, SELEX Communications, Elsag Datamat, Quadrics Supercomputers, Ansaldo Energia, Ansaldo Fuel Cells, Ansaldobreda, BredaMenarinibus.Revenue, 21.429 billion in 2008.
Worldwide Defense Spending in 2009.USA US$711.0 billion (US$170 billion is supplement budget )2 China US$121.9 billion,3 Russia US$ 70.0 Billion,4 United Kingdom US$ 55.4 billion,5 France US$ 54.0 Billion,6 Japan US$41.1 billion,7 Germany US$ 37.8 billion,(8)Italy US$30.6 billion,(9) Saudi Arabia US$29.5 billion,(10) India US$ 22.4 billion,(11) South Korea US$24.6 billion,(12)Australia US$ 17.2 billion,(13) brazilUS$16.2 billion (14) Canada US$ 15.0 billion, (15) Spain US$14.5 billion.
The UK, France both actively encouraged by the respective government. The French state-owned shipbuilder DCN took over the naval operations of Thales in a deal worth $714 million, while in the UK BAE Systems and VT Group agreed a joint venture amalgamating their surface shipbuilding and service operations.The government spends £1.5bn on R&D of weapon systems each year. Approximately 40 percent of defence equipment produced in the UK is exported. Arms exports make up only 2.5 percent of the UK's overall exports. Government subsidies to arms exporters, worth at least £453m and possibly up to £936m a year
European corporations receive enormous tax breaks and even lend money to other countries to purchase weapons from them. Therefore tax payers from these countries end up often unknowingly subsidizing arms sales According to different estimates, between fifteen and twenty percent of the total global debt is related to military expenditure
Based on a survey of the European Network Against Arms Trade conducted in 2006, an overview can be given of the percentage of military exports in the portfolio of European ECAs.
1. United Kingdom (ECGD) between 23 and 50 % in 2000 - 2006, with an average of 38% per year.
2. France (COFACE) one-third.
3. The Netherlands (Atradius-DSB) on average 27 % since July 2002, with a peak of 57% in 2004.
4. Germany (Hermes) between 0,5 and 9,4 % of all long- and short-term- credits.
5. Belgium (Delcredere) on average 20% of all the exported arms for which an export licence has been provided.
6. Sweden (EKN) between less then 1% and 40% since 2000, with an average of 11%.
Countries profiting from Export Credit Agencies for the purchase of arms and military infrastructure are India and Pakistan. While India bought military products and services with Dutch, Belgian and Swedish ECA coverage, Pakistan bought Hermes backed military equipment.
In 2006 Swedish SEK further fuelled the arms race between these two low-income countries when it guaranteed the export of a $1.1 billion Saab contract with Pakistan to deliver an airborne early warning surveillance system, comprising Saab 2000 turboprop planes equipped with Erieye airborne radar. 55 As the single largest export credit in the first half of 2006, it contributed to a doubling of the value of the Swedish export credits.
Two in the high-tech areas of military electronics and communicationsSAFRAN (France) and Elettronica (Italy)and two armoured-vehicle manufacturersKrauss-Maffei Wegmann (Germany) and Patria (Finland). BAE Systems saw smaller, but
still substantial, increases in its Electronics, Information and Support and Land
Systems businesses.
BAE gave a Saudi prince a £75 airliner ($150m approx) as part of a British arms deal, with the arms firm paying the expenses of flying it.
Bribes in SouthAfrica, silence in Europe. is a huge internationally- defense package for South Africa, including 28 Swedish and 24 British fighter jets, 4 German frigates, 3 German submarines and 28 maritime helicopters, worth over 4 billion. Bidders for the contracts made payments in cash or kind to senior members of the South African government with decision-making power on who received those contracts.
A contract was awarded to British Aerospace (now BAe Systems) which was 616 million more expensive than an Italian competitors offer, despite the Italian jets being the preferred choice of the South African Air Force. British newspaper, the Guardian, revealed that BAE systems paid as much as 220 million in secret commissions to secure the contract. Prominent ANC leader, and former deputy President, Jacob Zuma is still under suspicion of being involved in unsavoury dealings involving the French company Thales South Africa- subsidiary Thint. Meanwhile, German prosecutors are investigating
payments of $25-million made by Thyssen (part of the German Frigate Consortium, GFC) to actors in the transaction. A senior official at EADS has already been found guilty of bribery in a Munich court and fined.
Sources: Underwriting Bribery: Export Credit Agencies and Corruption, Susan Hawley,
The Corner House, 2003;
A five year (2003-2007) top 20 arms exporters Countries of world 12 from European union. Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Ukraine, Spain,Switzerland Poland ,Belgium, Denmark.
Volume of arms production, export sales, and employment in the arms industry: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, 19912000 Figures are in US $bn,
France, arms export 1991, 4.5,1995,2.8,1996,4.4,1997,6.3,1998,5.9.1999,3.6,2000,2.5 billion.
France employment
1991,248,000,1996,193,000,1997,178,000,1998,175,000,1999,171,000,2000,166,000. http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/fr/chiffres/ index.html
Germany export,1991,1.6billion,1995,2.6.1996,2.7,1997,2.7,1998,2.9,1999,2.8,2000,2.6 Billion, Germany Employment 1991,39,000,1995,21,000,1996,19,000,1997,18,000,1998,20,000,1999,16,000,2000,16,000.BMWi - Startseite
UK, arms production,1991,6.7,1995,8.2,1996,10.4,1997,11.0,1998,9.8,1999,6.6,2000,6.7
UK employment, 1991,275,000,1995,205,000,1996,210,000,1997,180,000,1998,165,000,1999,155,000,2000,150,000.
In the UK, for example, overall military-related employment has declined from 550,000 in 1990/1 to 305,000 in 2003/4. Of this, MoD related-employment had declined from 405,000 to 245,000, while export-related employment declined from 150,000 to 65,000
European Union largest arms exporters countries from 2000, to 2008, were following.
Germany 2000US$2622 million,2001, $4325 million,2002,$ 3.2 billion ($3.95 billion),2003, 4.8 billion euros ($5.7 billion) .2004, 3.8 billion euros, 2005 $6678million,2006, 7.7 billion,2007,$3395million,2008, $3590 million.
France, 2000, $ 4505 Million, 2001, $5196 million, 2002, $1342million, 2003, $1313million, 2004, $4.6 billion, 2005, $8.8 billion, 2006, $4605 million, 2007, $7778 million, 2008, 6.3 billion euros ($8.28 billion)
Italy arms export value 1997-2000 US$ 1,800million Italy arms export in 2000856 million ,2001 863million,2002920 million, 2003 1.282 billion,20041490 million.2005, US$ 1400 million, Italys arms exports reached record levels in 2006, with 2.1 billion in authorisations 61% higher than in 2005. Weapons actually delivered during the year came to nearly 1 billion, 2007 1.2 billion, 2008 1.5 bn.
United Kingdom arms export, 2000, £4,406m, 2001, £4,216m United Kingdom 24 percent share, worth $4.0 billion in 2002.United Kingdom (£4,120m) worth of arms deliveries in 2003. UK arms export 5.6 billion pound in 2004, 2005 £7,142m, 2006 £7.0bn, 2007£10bn, 2008, £9bn
Netherlands arms export, 2000-2004 US$1,483 million2005 $611 million, 2006 $1575 million, 2007 $1355 million,2008 $1555 million The Netherlands totaled 790 exports, including shipments of 217 ACVs to Egypt and 522 U.S.-origin missiles to Finland. South Africas reported exports consisted of 692 ACVs, 427 of which were identified as going to the U.S. Army.
Arms exports from Switzerland in 2000 $104 million,2001,$120 million,2002$109 million,2003$139 million,2004 $210 million,2005$186 million,2006$166million,2007 $211million,2008 330 million rose by 55 percent in 2008.
The Swedish Government has been a vocal champion of peace and disarmament, Institutions like the Nobel Prize have helped link Swedens international reputation to peace and reconciliation, but few people know Sweden is also one of the worlds top exporters of weapons. Sweden is among the worlds top arms exporters in per capita terms. Its clients include the United States and Britain, with shipments more than doubling since 2000.During the five-year period of 1997 to 2001 Sweden was number 11 in the world.
The abnormally high 2007 tally, for example, stemmed in large part from the export of 16,576 122-millimeter rockets to Bulgaria by Slovakia, which also shipped 764 rockets to Indonesia and another 380 rockets to Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkey, for the third straight year, delivered 3,000 122-millimeter rockets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
All Other European in 2000 US$5000 million, 2001,$3500 million.2002 $5500 million.2003 $ 4000 million,2004 $6223 million.2005 $6755,2006,$6350,2007 $7000 million,2008 $ 7800 million.
Germany 14 percent of global exports respectively in 2007. France was the fourth largest arms exporter, with 11% of the global market. Germanys market share rose 11% to 14%. Frances market share rose 6% to 11%United Kingdom United Kingdom saw the value of its foreign arms contracts more than double, from $4.1 in 2006 to $9.8 billion in 2007. (Source atlanticreview.org/archives/1078-Top-four)
Arms sales (agreements), European Union Countries, 2000-2007 (in billions of constant 2007 U.S. dollars) France US$ 32.09 billion 10% Percent of total sales, United Kingdom US$ 26.425 billion 8% Percent of total sales, Germany US$ 13.859 billion 4% Percent of total sales, Italy US$ 7.045 billion 2% Percent of total sales. Other European Countries US$ 39.024 billion 11% Percent of total sales.35% of total arms sale by European countries from 2002-2007 more than US$ 130.9 billion, United state of America US$ 134.835 billion 38% Percent of total sales.
At least 279 companies in Germany are producing or trading military, security and police products and services. Germany licensed small arms exports to many countries including Egypt, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, all countries where serious human rights abuses have been committed.
Global arms exports between 2003 and 2007, according to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Germany export arms to following countries ,Turkey 15%,Greace,14%,South Africa 12%,Australia,9%,others 50%.France export to following countries,Grece,12%,UAE 41%,Saudia Arabia 9%,singapore 7%,others 31%.UK export US 17%,Romania9%,India,8%,chile,9%,others 57%.
France has continued to export military equipment to countries subject to EU arms embargoes, including Myanmar (Burma), Sudan and the Peoples Republic of China. This shows that successive French governments have not abided by their commitments to implement arms embargoes effectively, despite official policy requiring them to respect arms embargoes imposed by the EU .
Italian small arms have been transferred to a number of countries experiencing violent conflict or where violations of human rights and international humanitarian law occur including Algeria,Colombia, Eritrea, Indonesia, India, Israel, Kazakstan, Nigeria,
Pakistan, and Sierra Leone. weapons. About 33 per cent of arms, semi-automatic weapons, spare parts and ammunition exported, fall outside the remit of the arms control law.57 Also, a number of weapons routinely used by the police are normally not considered military arms.
The UK is the second largest arms exporter in the world by value. A major problem with the UK arms export control system is that the UK government is increasingly using open licences108, particular with the transfer of military technology, and is encouraging exporting companies to use them whenever these are available109 Open licences allow the exporting company to make multiple shipments to specified destinations. Once such a licence has been issued there is no further advance authorization or scrutiny prior to the shipment of the goods. example, in 2004 the UK Government authorised Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) for armoured all wheel drive vehicles to Algeria, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey - countries where armed forces and police have committed persistent human rights violations.
This apologist agenda is particularly relevant for the Labour government which, during the first two years of power, included among its top 15 arms customers persistent human rights abusers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, Kuwait, Brazil, Oman, South Korea, Turkey, China, and Indonesia. The lack of information about incorporation OIELs [Open Individual Export licences] is worrying, as it means we only have a partial picture of how British components and technology are being used abroad.
The top exporters of small arms and light weapons (those with an annual export value of at least USD 100 million) were the Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria,France,Sweden,UK in 2008
"Denmark is one of the only countries where ships carrying arms are allowed to sail to countries blacklisted by the EU." Danish shipping companies were continuing to transport arms to countries such as Myanmar, China, and Sudan. Despite these countries being subject to EU embargoes that prohibit the export of weapons to repressive governments.
In 2002, the involvement of an Irish registered company with an international arms smuggling operation was revealed. The company, Balcombe Investments Limited, owned the aircraft operated by Renan Airways of Moldova to fly several shipments of illegal arms to Africa.
Many of the mentioned states, or rather, companies have been violating agreements on the suspension of weapons import to conflict zones and states with non-democratic regimes.Weapon producers and exporters are also other EU member states like Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
The Austrian company Glock dealing with handgun production, similarly to other European arms firms, moves its production facilities to the countries of Latin America and Asia which arent bound by international agreements in order to have the option to export weapons to any state.
IN AN APPARENT violation of the EUs Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, the Economy Ministry has approved a shipment of 10,000 artillery rockets to the Sri Lankan government, which is engaged in a civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels in which both sides are suspected of grave human rights abuses. The Slovak Spectator, the three-metre rockets were due to be shipped from Slovakia to Croatia, from where they were to depart by boat for Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, on April 10. The end-user of the weapons was listed as the Sri Lankan Armed Forces General Staff.
While the Czech Republic sent almost 4 million worth of goods in a range of military categories. During the same period the UK dispatched over 8.5 million worth of weapons to Colombo.
Spanish satellite intelligence, military equipment and training have been promised to Colombia despite concerns that the Colombian government's polices are exacerbating the human rights disaster there.
The supply by a German technology company of surveillance equipment to Turkmenistan despite a history of the government there using such methods for political repression.
French helicopters and parts manufactured under licence in India, and delivered to Nepal where armed forces have used helicopters to shoot and kill civilians.
Conculsion
EU member countries themselves could do more to be a positive example of arms trade behavior by supporting a proposed international arms trade treaty that would prevent arms transfers to human rights abusers and violators of the laws of war.
The EU is by far Israels biggest export market, and by far the biggest donor of aid to the Palestinians. It is an economic superpower in the region, but for too long has acted like a political pygmy
In 2007, UK government approved £6m of arms exports. In 2008, it licensed sales twelve times as fast: £40m of exports. In 2007 EU Member States authorised the export to Israel of 200m of items on the EU Military List. France, Germany and Romania were valued at126m,28mand 17mrespectively. There was no military partnership with Israel, but admitted that annual imports of defence equipment from the country were worth 37 million kronor.
Amnesty International and other NGOs have repeatedly documented the impact of arms brokers operating from Europe in fuelling human rights abuses in many parts of the world. From the genocide in Rwanda to the bloody conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone DRC, SriLanka, Darfuar, Somalia, now in Afghanistan , Iraq Lebanon and recently war in GAZA by Israel brokers have taken advantage of the lack of effective export controls within the European Union,
Usman karim based in Lahore lmno25@hotmail.com.
