I think the following statement is extremely disingenuous:
"Regardless, it has become clear that the part of the Reed
Elsevier group that organizes the DSEI exhibition in
question (note not arms trade fair - no arms or any other
equipment is bought or sold and major charities such as
Oxfam exhibit there) does not make arms, does not sell arms,
and does not promote arms. It organizes conference space.
Although no arms may be directly sold at DSEI weaponry of various types are
on display and deals are undoubtedly brokered as a result of the exhibition.
No weapons may be sold there, but the exhibition oils the wheels of the
international arms trade - national delegations network with arms suppliers
and component subcontractors chat to the big players. If anyone is in any
doubt, I suggest you take a look at Reed Elsevier's own promotional video,
on their website, about the success of DSEI 2005:
http://www.dsei.co.uk/exhibitors/video/
I would also suggest people take a look at the contract for exhibitors on
the same site. Although it does outline those arms and torture implements
that cannot legally be exhibited (cluster bombs, landmines and various forms
of shackles etc.) the contract does offer advice how to register with the
Met Police as a Firearms Dealer.
The ethics of this are clear to me.
Gavin
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