posted on January 19, 2004 03:49:44 PM newLeading Arms Seller
According to one website: http://www.clw.org/atop/hrreport01/
“In 1999 alone, the U.S. sold, or licensed for sale, military equipment to 151 nations and trained the militaries of over 125 nations.”
The United States administration is required by Congress to prepare an annual report on military assistance, military exports, and military imports known as the "Section 655"
Fiscal Year 2002 Section 655 Report
posted on January 19, 2004 06:20:20 PM new
You mean there are human rights abuses that are not serious and there is a country somewhere that didn't commit them?
posted on January 19, 2004 08:57:17 PM new
Apparently so gravid, comparing the two charts on the site, those countries which are not accused of having “Committed Serious Human Rights Abuses” in 1999 are:
Singapore
Thailand
Philippines
Israel.
No apparent correlation between the amount of spending and seriousness of human rights abuses, when comparing 2 biggest ‘clients’.
One country is on the list and the other is not. Saudi Arabia & Israel.
But are human rights abuses really important when considering good business for the biggest arms dealing nation in the world?
posted on January 20, 2004 03:51:01 PM new
Would Saddam ever have had all those Kurds gassed if Americans hadn’t assisted him with the means to do it, & would we be where we are today.
Would Ossama have succeeded in dropping the Twin Towers if it wasn’t for past military funding and training by Americans.
It appears that there is room left for American restraint in military business.
The point is, Is it good or bad business?
Are you concerned?
posted on January 20, 2004 10:19:48 PM new
One of the most telling aspects of your list of countries we've sold arms to, Austy, is that fact that most of them are also featured on our own State Department's "Do Not Go Here" list...
