Principles And Profits

 

The British government likes to portray itself as an organisation of the highest moral standards on such issues as human rights. When it comes to making profits however such high principles are soon forgotten.'The UK government has approved more than 3,000 export licences for military sales to countries which it believes have questionable records on human rights, MPs say. The House of Commons Committees on Arms Export Controls says the value of the existing export licences to the 27 countries in question exceed £12bn. This includes significant sales to China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.' (BBC News, 17 July) Although the current policy states that they cannot issue licences where there is a clear risk that the proposed export might provoke or prolong internal conflicts or repression, this has not stopped them dealing with Egypt. When there is a £12bn business at risk principles count for little. RD