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Arms exports to Argentina halted
27 April 2012British companies must stop providing equipment to maintain Argentina's armed forces with immediate effect, Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced.
Since 1998 British companies had been allowed to sell equipment to the Argentine military as long as it was to maintain, rather than enhance, the country's military capability.
In the last five years some 25 British companies have exported around £3.3m of equipment to Argentina's military, with 67 export licences granted.
Typically the items have been spare parts or engines for existing equipment.
The original relaxation of the rules on arms sales to Argentina came 16 years after the end of the Falklands War, but the recent increase in political rhetoric from Argentina regarding its sovereignty claim over the islands has led to the resumption of the ban.
"The government have reviewed this policy in the light of recent actions by the Argentine government aimed at harming the economic interests of the Falkland Islanders," said Cable.
"We are determined to ensure that no British licensable exports or trade have the potential to be used by Argentina to impose an economic blockade on the Falkland Islanders or inhibit their legitimate rights to develop their own economy.
"New restrictions on the export and trade of licensable goods with the Argentine military will now be introduced with immediate effect. In future no licences shall be granted for any military or dual-use goods and technology being supplied to military end-users in Argentina, except in exceptional circumstances."
HAVE YOUR SAY
27 April 2012
Good !
Graham - High Wycombe
27 April 2012
Never mind arms sales, what about foreign aid?
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
27 April 2012
I am shocked that we've allowed armed exports to them since 1998. Why that hell did we do that? Oh yes , New Labour!
Pugg - Blighty
27 April 2012
It may only be 3 million, but the point is, it should have been acted on ages ago,
But as some here has said,
Stop worrying abt others and concentrate on our own forces, we need more ships – planes – equipment – troops.
It just annoys me that all we get from these incompetent fools is we have no money,
The country cannot afford it,
And thus we have no military of any size to be proud of,
And yet they give billions to Europe, billions to overseas aid, and yesterday another 10 billion to the IMF .
One rule for their mates and one rule for the poor British taxpayer.
These MPs should be ashamed of them selves, if they had any self respect,
Sadly they do not .
Just a thought.
criss of herts - london
28 April 2012
Well said Daniele, the fact that britain pays £7 million a year in assistance to Argentina through an EU aid package is a disgrace and does not receive enough media atention. Argentina owe massive debts and refuse to pay them off, but happily accept vast cash sums from a country which they are trying to organise a trade boycott against.
David Forster - Durham
30 April 2012
What the UK should also do is use any influence to stop other countries selling military hardware too.
I prefer an all or nothing approach, bugger them.
Shaun - Ex_RNZN