LETTER: FLEXIBLE GUIDELINES AND SECRETIVE DECISIONS

From Mrs Glenys Kinnock, MEP

Sir: Lord Scott has exposed the secretive and arbitrary manner in which arms export decisions are made and emphasised the dangerous practice of using weapons sales as an adjunct to foreign policy.

There is an urgent need for clear, objective guidelines governing weapon sales. The European parliament has passed a resolution in support of a European Code of Conduct on the arms trade. This would prevent arms exports to countries at war, countries with poor human rights records, dictatorial regimes and military aggressors.

It is time for the UK government to act, to learn the lessons of the Scott report and to press for the introduction of the code into the Maastricht treaty at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference.

Yours sincerely,

Glenys Kinnock

MEP for South Wales East

Brussels