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The criticism on
selling arms to Saudi Arabia never was so strong, not only in the EU,
but also in Australia, Canada and in the US Congress. But who brings
together all the scattered voices and joins them against the UK, French and industry (in all member states) forces
which want to exclude an arms embargo on the Saudi dictatorship,
because reasons of gain, profit and political affiliation.
(See under the tag 'Saudi Arabia' for a selected list of national
positions.)
Netherlands / Nederland (see 8)
1 – 261018: Dutch Fokker produces
components for Reaper killer drones.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/10/reaper-drones-dutch-air-force-and-fokker.html
2 – 23-241018: Dutch petition to Stop
Arms Trade with KSA asks to implement a full arms embargo and aiming
for an EU embargo.
Teken ook voor een stop op wapenhandel met
Saoedi-Arabië! Het regime schendt mensenrechten. Nederland moet
stoppen met wapenhandel en moet het voortouw nemen tot een Europese
stop. Teken!
https://actie.degoedezaak.org/petitions/wapenembargo-tegen-saoedi-arabie
3 – 23(24)1018: Dutch government
publishes factsheets on the export of crypto technology
(https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/brochures/2018/10/23/factsheet-cryptografie/20181023+Factsheet+Cryptografie.pdf)
and
Cybersecurity technology
(https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/brochures/2018/10/23/factsheet-cybersecurity-export/20181023+Factsheet+cybersecurity+export.pdf).
[in Dutch]
4 – 261018: Adoption of new EU
legislation and recent Dutch Belgium cases in the fight against
chemical weapons
http://www.worldtradecontrols.com/adoption-of-new-eu-legislation-and-recent-national-cases-in-the-fight-against-chemical-weapons/
EUROPE (see
4, 12-13, 30)
Austria / Österreich
(see 15)
Belgium / België (see
also 4, 27, 38)
5 – 261018: Atlantic ties over EU
industrial cooperation. Airbus accepts the decision by Belgium to
acquire the F-35 and is aware of the strong links with the US on
defence industrial matters. Therefore, yesterday’s decision does
not come as a complete surprise.
https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/10/a-lost-opportunity-for-european-defence-.html
Czech Rep. / Česko
(see 16)
France (see
also 17)
6 – 251018: Defying reports that
their planned partnership is doomed to fail, France’s Naval Group
and Italy’s Fincantieri have announced a joint venture to build and
export naval vessels.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/euronaval/2018/10/24/naval-group-fincantieri-join-forces-to-survive-competitive-global-shipbuilding-industry/
Germany / Deutchland (see
17, 18, 19)
Greece / Ellas
7 – 231018: A prominent Greek
socialist ex-minister was jailed for graft late Tuesday in a 2003
case linked to a navy frigate upgrade, a court source said. AFP news
http://www.spacewar.com/afp/181024080556.drfa8ij8.html
8 – 261018: Greek arms-corruption
scandal expands. Former Defence Minister Papantoniou and his wife
were remanded in preventive prison for their alleged involvement in a
money laundering scheme linked to arms sales during the Socialist
government rule from 1996-2010.
Greek arms-corruption scandal. Minister
profitted from a 2003 naval defence contract to upgrade six Greek
Navy Type S frigates (bought in the Netherlands), signed between
Greek Shipyards and @thalesnederland Nederland BV.
Italy / Italia (see
also 6)
9 – 251018: When Italy invests in
infrastructure and welfare programs it is critised in the EU because
of budget considerations. But at the same time this cut on Defence
will also meet sharp critique. Italy will cut €450 million (US
$512.3m) from its planned defense spending in 2019.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/10/24/italy-plans-to-slash-half-a-billion-dollars-from-defense-in-2019/
Romania / România
10 – 231018: Romania set to choose
four new corvettes, frigate upgrade | Jane's 360
https://www.janes.com/article/83937/romania-set-to-choose-four-new-corvettes-frigate-upgrade#.W89FBsA-IdU.twitter
Spain / España (see
21-23)
Sweden / Sverige (see
24)
Switzerland / Suisse (see
23)
Turkey
/ Türkiye (see 17)
UK
(see 20, 25)
REST of the world
Australia (see
14)
Bahamas (see
36)
Indonesia (see
32-33)
Lybia / Lībīyah (see
35)
New Zealand
11 – 241018: Blockade the arms trade:
Peace groups gear up for defence industry forum protest, via
@nzherald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/horowhenua-chronicle/news/article.cfm
Qatar (see
28)
Saudi Arabia / Al-Arabiyah as
Sa'udiyah (see also 2, 31)
Europe
12 – 241018: EU’s arms trade with
Saudi's. 2013-2017 figures of SIPRI show UK 48.8% of arms exports go
to KSA, Belgium 32%, Sweden 12.8, Slovakia: 11.8, Spain 8.3, Austria
7.7, Italy 6.3, Finland 5.8, France 5.5, Bulgaria 5.4, Germany 3.1
and the Netherlands 2.4.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/eu-s-arms-trade-with-saudi-arabia-comes-under-scrutiny/1291960
13 – 251018: Overview on EU member
states positions on arms embargo on Saudi Arabia. Rising scruples in
European countries over Saudi arms sales
https://apnews.com/68a744c375ba4c2e80089fa31f21135e
Australia
14 – 241018: Don't let them of the
hook after all those years. Even Australia may impose Saudi arms
sales ban.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-may-impose-saudi-arms-sales-ban
Austria
15 – 271018: Austria has called on
EU member states on Friday to stop arms exports to Saudi Arabia after
the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-austria/austria-calls-for-eu-wide-halt-in-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-idUSKCN1MZ34T
Czech
16 – 271018: Foreign Minister Tomas
Petricek did Friday not rule out a debate on a ban of arms exports to
Saudi Arabia. "We should talk about arms exports." CTK
National News Wire, 26/10/18
France
17 – 281018: Merkel and Emmanuel
Macron call for a 'co-ordinated' European position on selling arms to
Saudi Arabia in a summit with Putin and Erdogan after Jamal
Khashoggi's murder
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6323509/Turkeys-President-Erdogan-hosts-Vladimir-Putin-Angela-Merkel-Emmanuel-Macron.html
Germany
17 – 261018: Germany puts Saudi
border police training on hold Berlin German police are no longer
training Saudi border guards as of the beginning of October, the
Interior Ministry in Berlin announced on Thursday. Deutche Presse
Agentur, 25/10/18
19 – 231018: Affaire Khashoggi: the
«Davos of the desert» opens in a poisonous atmosphere. [in French]
https://theworldnews.net/fr-news/affaire-khashoggi-le-davos-du-desert-debute-dans-un-climat-deletere
Joe Kaeser CEO of Siemens, with 2,000 employees in KSA and main
sponsor of the event isn't going. Here his diplomatic explanation:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/decision-make-what-really-matters-joe-kaeser/
Scotland
20 – 251018: SNP's Westminster leader
Ian Blackford asked May to follow Merkel's lead and "commit to
ending the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia". May has refused to
stop British firms selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.
http://www.thenational.scot/news/17005379.theresa-may-not-ending-sales-to-saudi-arabia-despite-khashoggi-murder/
Spain
21 – 241018: Socialist view on
solidarity inside national borders? The proposal by the so-called
mixed group includes deputies from smaller parties was defeated by
votes from the ruling Socialists and the opposition People’s Party
in a session Tuesday.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-23/spanish-deputies-reject-proposal-to-stop-saudi-arabia-arms-sales
via @bpolitics
22 – 241018: Bitter cocktail of
bribes and arms sales to KSA. Spanish High Court probes 23 years of
bribery in arms sales to Saudi Arabia
https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/10/24/inenglish/1540364892_173612.html
via @elpaisinenglish
23 – 271018: CORRUPTION: Switzerland
froze four bank accounts over probe into Spanish arms sale to Saudi
Arabia.
https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/10/25/inenglish/1540458976_912394.html
Sweden
24 – 231018: Swedish Greens deputy
@LinneaEngstrom calls for EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia.
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/articles/news/swedish-greens-deputy-linn%C3%A9a-engstr%C3%B6m-calls-eu-arms-embargo-against-saudi-arabia
UK
25 – 241018: #Saudi arms deals worth
billions likely to stay in place. "Only 6% of people in the UK
support these arms sales and we don't have any reason to believe that
public opinion anywhere else in Europe is any less sceptical,"
Adrew Smith #CAAT said
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/lucrative-saudi-arms-deals-under-scrutiny-over-jamal-khashoggi/10422200
via @ABCNews
US
26 – 251018: The US admin defends
engagement in Yemen by overstating Iranian support for the Houthis.
But the fact is that the relationship between Iran and the Houthis
has only strengthened with the intensification of the war And more on
the dirty War in Washington.
Feel the Bern: I very much hope that
Congress will act, that we will finally take seriously our
congressional duty, end our support for the carnage in Yemen, and
send the message that human lives are worth more than profits for
arms manufacturers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/opinion/bernie-sanders-saudi-arabia-war-yemen.html
26 – 231018: The little-known 11th
Commandment, says, ''On the other hand, thou shalt excuse stuff
like killing and bearing false witness if weapons deals are at
stake.''
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/opinion/khashoggi-saudi-trump-arms-sales.html
Wallonia
27 –
231018: Wallonië trekt staart in: wapenverkoop gaat door Wallonia
waits for Europe to end arms exports to Riyadh.
https://www.hln.be/de-krant/wallonie-trekt-staart-in-wapenverkoop-gaat-door~a2cab510/
Other
28 – 231018: Apart from the needless
military intervention in Yemen, let's not forget the blockade of
Qatar, which started more than a year ago. And Lebanese PM Hariri,
who announced his resignation last November in a Saudi hotel,
speculation arose he was abducted.
https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-no-weapons-for-riyadh-right-for-the-wrong-reason/a-45991937?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-rdf
Somalia / Soomaaliya
29 – 281018: OIC meeting in Mogadishu
to reinforce end for arms embargo via @goobjoognews
http://goobjoog.com/english/oic-meeting-in-mogadishu-to-reinforce-end-for-arms-embargo/
South Sudan
30 – 241018: The European Union has
slightly relaxed its arms embargo on South Sudan by agreeing to allow
the government purchase arms and related materials that are solely in
support of the implementation of the terms of the peace agreement.
http://www.eyeradio.org/eu-softens-arms-embargo-s-sudan/
Yemen / Al-Yaman
31 – 251018: In the meantime.
Saudi-led airstrike kills 21 civilians near Yemeni city
http://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/144079
via @Qatar_Tribune
DEFENCE-INDUSTRY
Airbus (see
5)
Damen (see
also 10, 41)
32 – 231018: Damen sold naval
vessels to Jakarta, but dismissed Indonesian sales agent because of
corruption. [in Dutch] Tempo doeloe: Damen stuurde tussenagent
Indonesië weg om vermoedens corruptie.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2018/10/22/vlissingen-eet-nu-eenmaal-van-damen-a2752330
33 – 231018: The Damen corvette of
the period 2004-09 wasn't about establishing naval industrial
relations with Indonesia. It was the continuation of a policy which
started in 1974 delivering warships to the Suharto regime. Overview
[Dutch]:
http://www.stopwapenhandel.org/sites/stopwapenhandel.org/files/imported/publicaties/boekenbrochures/Brochure_Oorlogsschepen.pdf
and
http://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2017/12/damen-een-overzicht-deel-3-korvetten-en.html
34 – 231018: Vendors of Damen - the
main sponsor of Sail Amsterdam 2020 - make suspicious payments
worldwide - Curaçao Chronicle
http://curacaochronicle.com/local/vendors-of-shipbuilder-damen-make-suspicious-payments-worldwide/
via @CuraChronicle
35 – 261018: Part 3 of 4 on Dutch
civil/military shipwharf conflomerate Damen and the potential reasons
for the raid by the Dutch tax authorities few years ago. This 3rd on
the role of Damen vessels in the refugees hunt of the coast of Libya.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2018/10/26/gaddafi-verdween-damen-bleef-geliefd-a2752912
36 – 281018: HMBS Bahamas (P-60) is
expected to dock in the Bahamas at the end of October after
undergoing a modernisation process at the Maaskant Shipyard, operated
by Damen Shipyards, in the Netherlands.
https://www.janes.com/article/84094/bahamas-to-receive-modernised-vessel-from-damen
Fokker (see
1)
Thales (see
8)
WEAPENS
Drones
(see 1)
F-35 (see
also 5)
37 – 241018: Lockheed Martin
3rd-quarter profit. Net income rose to $1.47 billion, helped by F-35
and lower tax rate.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/reuters/lockheed-martin-third-quarter-profit-beats-helped-by-f-35-lower-tax-rate-118102301403_1.html
38 – 241018: Brussels makes a choice
for Washington DC (or Bethesda, Lockheed HQ). [in Dutch] Regering
kiest voor Amerikaanse F-35
http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20181025_03871711
via @destandaard
39 – 261018: And here it's again the
most expensive arms program ever: Some F-35s grounded again for new
round of inspections
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2018/10/25/some-f-35s-grounded-again-for-new-round-of-inspections/
Nukes
40 – 241018: Frank Miller, senior
director for defence policy and arms control for President George W.
Bush’s NSC: “if the Russians don’t see us as reliable
partners in arms control agreements and think they are likely to be
surprised by us, as ...” read further at:
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2018/10/23/one-nuclear-treaty-is-dead-is-new-start-next/
Observation technology (IT) (see
3)
Submarines
41 – 241018: Euronaval 2018: Saab
and Damen join forces for Dutch Walrus-class submarine replacement:
to enhance domestic submarine competence (doesn't sound solid) and in
the hope to find space on the overcrowded submarine export market.
http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2018/euronaval-2018/6609-euronaval-2018-saab-and-damen-join-forces-for-dutch-walrus-class-submarine-replacement.html
OTHER
Corruption and fraud (see
7-8, 32, 34)
Defence budget
(see 9)
Refugees
(see 35)
Research and activism (see
2, 11)
This is a selection from a larger
amount of tweets. Tweets with a relation the Netherlands, arms trade
and defence-industry weight heavier in the selection. If you want to
have them daily see http://twitter.com/martinbroek
