Letter: Shameful trade

IT IS hardly surprising that George Robertson, Secretary of State for Defence, lobbied for Britain to export armoured vehicles to one of Indonesia's most notorious generals ("Fury at arms to Jakarta letter", 26 July). He is merely continuing the great British tradition of arming brutal regimes around the globe.

In The Independent on 14 July he claimed that foreign policy protects "a secure and prosperous Britain in a world where democracy and liberal economics continue to spread". This is a classic example of how politicians sweep aside truth and compassion in the interests of propaganda. The primary aim of our foreign policy is to secure profits and economic interests abroad, often at the expense of human rights, justice and the environment. Our post-war role in the Middle East, South-east Asia and elsewhere is shameful.

A change of government has done little to promote ethical concerns above business priorities.

David Cromwell

Southampton