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"I will form part of a human chain around the Defence Export Services Organisation headquarters in London to protest its existence but only if 15 other people will join the chain."
— Alicia, Fellow tax-payer
Deadline to sign up by: 16th October 2006
13 people signed up, 2 more were needed
Country: United Kingdom
Place: London (view map)
More details
“...over 75% of [arms export orders] would not have been achieved without the assistance of DESO." (www.deso.mod.uk/origin.htm)
The Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) is a government unit within the Ministry of Defence that employs 500 civil servants to sell arms around the world. DESO identifies potential opportunities for arms sales, then works with the companies and other elements of government to push for deals. It focuses purely on arms company sales and profits and is uninhibited by ongoing conflicts, human rights abuses, or pressing development needs. Its position and role within Whitehall means that the arms industry's vested interests are relentlessly promoted across government.
Did you know that £900 million of public money is spent annually on arms export subsidies?
On Monday 16th October, I will be joining the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) in designating DESO as a 'global danger zone' because I find it appalling that public money, which could be spent on education and health, is used to promote arms deals that do not benefit anyone but arms companies. The more people that join the human chain, the more powerful the message to Parliament that this must be stopped. I am looking for 15 other people who feel the same way to join the 170-strong human chain on this day of action.
So, ask yourself...
Does the government have the right to use my money to promote arms exports?
Do I support arms exports to countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia and Libya?
REMEMBER – HISTORY IS MADE BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP!
If you want more information about the campaign, here is a link to CAAT's website: http://www.caat.org.uk/events/DESOaction...
See you there!