DSEi opens for business

by: PN

DSEi protest 2003.
PHOTO: Richie Andrew ,

London: Despite opposition from the local authority (Newham), London's mayor, and now even the police (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1567763,00.html#article_continue), DSEi opened for business this morning and the Defence Services Export Organisation have confirmed humanrights abusing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Colombia, Algeria, Jordan, and Indonesia are amongst those invited. More than 300 companies are reportedly exhibiting.

In an MoD press release issued last night (12 September 2005) Defence Secretary John Reid is quoted as saying "I believe that Britain, as a major importer and exporter, is well placed to understand the interests and concerns of other trading countries. We aim to champion the case for more open defence markets."

That's clear then! (ps. read a funny on John Reid at http://www.peacenews.info/issues/2462/246211.html.)

Convergence Centre

Info point, crash space, workshops, food etc can all be found at the convergence centre. This is housed in a former community centre and is an excellent space for this purpose. Location: St Matthias Centre, Bullivant Street, E14 0ER. See http://www.dsei.org for further details.

Public events

A list can be found at http://www.dsei.org/ and at http://www.caat.org.uk/events/diary.php

News updates

UK Indymedia are providing rolling news from activists and campaigners
See http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2005/dsei/

More info

The current issue of Peace News carries three pages of background articles, comment and links to further resources. This will be available on the web within the next fortnight, in the meantine you can pick up a copy for the handsome price of 50p - either on the street or give us a ring (+44 (0)207 278 3344 or email admin@peacenews.info). ALternatively take out a subscription at http://www.peacenews.info/webshop/index.php?category=1.
PN produced a special issue to coincide with DSEi 2003 on the "international arms trade". This is available to read in fuill online at http://www.peacenews.info/issues/2452/index.php
You can also read arms trade related news articles published at PeaceNews online, here http://www.peacenews.info/news/category/8
Campaign Against Arms Trade have a microsite dedicated to arms fairs. See http://www.caat.org.uk/armsfairs/
Campaign Against Arms Trade produced an excellent briefing which can be read/downloaded as pdf (800k)

DSEi Arms Fair 2005: The global arms trade comes to London Defence Systems and Equipment International is one of the world's largest arms fairs. This comprehensive report looks at the organisers, the Ministry of Defence and Reed Elsevier plc, the sellers and the buyers. Also includes a special section on DSEi in the context of the international arms fair circuit.
LINK: http://www.caat.org.uk/publications/armsfairs/dsei-2005.pdf