REPORT REINFORCES CASE FOR SUSPENSION OF ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL - HARVEY
August 3, 2006 12:47 PM
Following the House of Commons Quadripartite Committee report on Strategic Export Controls, the Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to tighten up strategic export controls.
Amongst other recommendations the report calls on the Government to explain its policy on arms export licensing to Israel.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey MP said:
"The concerns raised in this report reinforce the need for a complete suspension of arms sales to Israel.
"The rules are clear: the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria states there must be no export of weapons to countries where it poses a risk to regional stability.
"The rules must be applied equally, without fear nor favour, to all states. Weapons exports to Syria, Iran and Hizbollah are rightly prohibited. UK arms transfers to Israel, which can only perpetuate the current crisis, must also be halted with immediate effect.
"The Government must demonstrate its commitment to curbing the illicit trade in arms by ensuring an informed debate takes place prior to a full review of the Export Control Act in May next year.
"There are major grey areas in legislation governing the activities of brokers outside of the UK which must be addressed. Brokers must be registered and all exports subject to extra-territorial controls.
"The Government's record on end-use monitoring is abysmal, it must not grant licences where there is any doubt about possible end-use."
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