|
|
UK regrets exporting arms to Sri Lanka during ceasefire
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 - 9:26 AM SL Time
 Share On Facebook
|
|
|
The British House of Commons says in retrospect it regrets UK arms exports to Sri Lanka during the fragile ceasefire period and suggests that the UK government should take a `longer term view about unstable countries` when exporting arms as where the weapons end up and how they would be used become important.
A report, released today (March 30) by the Committee on Arms Export Controls of the British House of Commons welcomed the review and subsequent revocation of nine extant licenses for military exports to Sri Lanka.
The report says the UK government revoked a number of extant export licenses `in the light of changed circumstances.` The licenses were for replacement components for military utility helicopters and military telecommunications equipment.
Ian Lucas MP, the Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform, has confirmed in last December that all licenses, from 2004 had been reviewed and the UK government had not supplied any helicopters or airframes to the Sri Lankan Air Force.
The UK however, had supplied helicopter components for Sri Lankan transport helicopters and the Minister has said that based on the available information during the final stages of the conflict, Sri Lanka has used those helicopters for medical evacuation, logistical support, re-supply and other humanitarian purposes.
The Minister has told the Committee that the final offensive raised `grave concerns` for human rights and after review, the licenses were revoked.
Minister of State for the FCO has told the Committee that UK had been concerned about the Sri Lankan situation `for quite a long period of time`, and, as such have been `very cautious`.
Although the evidence and information from Sri Lanka was `very patchy`, the Minister has explained that the nine licenses revoked during July and August 2009, were a consequence of the review undertaken by the UK government, and an example of lessons learnt following consideration of the conflict situation in Sri Lanka, the Committee noted in their report.
|
|
|
DONP
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 230
Member Profile
|
 31 Mar 2010 14:52:20 GMT Report for Abuse
|
It apperas that UK actually regrets supplying equipment, those were instrumental in finishing off the Tigers, and the war.
With this action, they have, regrettably, contributed to solving a conflict instead of prolonging it, of which they are masters . |
sudeshk
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 20
Member Profile
|
 31 Mar 2010 21:19:32 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Two things!
1. Good that we didn't buy Brit weapons as they tend to jam often!
2. We have to investigate whether Brits have supplied weapons to the tigers! |
Mucha-linda
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4534
Member Profile
|
 1 Apr 2010 00:24:49 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| I wonder whether they regret in retrospect about all the crime they have committed against other countries during their imperialist rule. |
DONP
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 230
Member Profile
|
1 Apr 2010 01:31:39 GMT Report for Abuse
|
I wonder whether they regret in retrospect about all the crime they have committed against other countries during their imperialist rule
No! No!! they really regret their inability, in present time, to continue with those crimes, just the way they did freely in the good old times
Those ... were the days! (for them) |
|
Search All News and Discussions