arms trade

For breaking into a Saab Bofors arms factory in Eskilstuna, Sweden, and disarming 14 Carl Gustaf bazookas, a local court today sentenced Anna Andersson and Martin Smedjeback to four months imprisonment. The judge dismissed Saab's claim for some 120 000 Euros in damages.

The 10-12th of February a conference titled 'Disarmament for Peace and Development - Warfare or Welfare' was held in Bangalore, India by peace and solidarity organisations in India. It coincided with Aero India 2009 - Asia's biggest display of military aircrafts. The disarmament conference spelled out the need for India to put more money on social security rather than military spending since 80 % of the population are living in poverty. Also because of the great tragedy with 12 people dying every day in India because of gun violence.

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The latest episode of criminal aggression by Israeli forces in Gaza killed 1,330 Palestinians and injured 4,500: it destroyed about 5,000 homes and severely damaged 17,000 severely damaged. These crimes have been executed using technology of war for bombardment from air and land, weapons which have been imported from a number of countries and produced by a large number of war profiteers.

While diplomats and lobbyists are preparing for the renewal of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and peace activists are preparing for a closure of European nuclear bases on april the 3th, the arms industry is making money of developing new nukes. These are the biggest profiteers making new NATO nukes:

For the US

Honeywell is one of the biggest global arms companies, although only 10% of its profits comes from arms. Honeywell produces equipment for simulated nuclear explosions. Such simulated explosion are essential to develop new nuclear weapons.

My money clear conscience is a Belgian campaign that initially began asking the banks to disinvest from arms producers, later, the goal became disinvesting from controversial arms producers.

Citigroup, operating as Citi, is a major financial services company based in New York City. Formed by the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group, the company employs 332,000 people around the world and holds over 200 million customer accounts in more than 100 countries.

Campaign Against Arms Trade Local Campaigns Guide

With tips and case studies on working with local media, setting up a group, online campaigning, challenging arms companies, effective lobbying and more, this is a useful tool for anyone who wants to make a real impact through local campaigning.

Download it from: http://www.caat.org.uk/getinvolved/local/LocalCampaignsGuide2008.pdf

Report on EU policies on weapons of space

The verdict will be slow in coming. There are several things to be optimistic, shall we say, “hopeful,” about when it comes to confronting the corruption, fraud, waste, and deceit of war profiteers – and, not surprisingly, there are many reasons to doubt that we’ll see any real change after all. I am genuinely torn as to what to expect. If Obama follows through on his positive programs, life will be much more difficult for military contractors.

Sweden has historically been a big weapons producer and exporter. For decades the Swedish peace movement have been working to end the Swedish weapons export. In spite of this the weapons export has dramatically increased lately. Since 2001 it has tripled and today Sweden is the second biggest weapons exporter in world per capita. Swedish weapons go to countries at war like the US, to dictatorships like Saudi Arabia and human rights abusers like Bahrain.

Mercedes/Daimler – Luxury Limousines for High Society and Military Vehicles for the Battlefields of the World

The Daimler Corporation is known throughout the world for the production of Mercedes vehicles. The Mercedes Car Group sold almost 1,3 million vehicles in 2007, from “Smart” to luxury limousines of the C, E and S class to the “Maybach” as well as more than 467 000 trucks and 328 000 vans and buses. The Daimler Corporation is one of the world’s leading car groups.

On Wednesday 15h of October a mass protest against Brighton-based arms manufacturers EDO MBM/ITT took place in Brighton. Organised by the Smash EDO campaign, the event was called Shut ITT! and was the third such demonstration this year. Last June, Brighton saw the Carnival Against the Arms Trade, organised by Smash EDO too. During this last demonstration the 600 or so protesters managed to reach the Brighton bomb factory despite police attempts to stop them.

The goal with the campaign Disarm (Avrusta) is to stop the Swedish weapons export. In their manifesto you can read more about the campaign, which is part of the network Ofog and its work for a world without war or militarism.