Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Politics & Current Affairs => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on December 20, 2016, 02:35:28 PM

Title: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 20, 2016, 02:35:28 PM

Why are we (a) still selling 'good' bombs to the Saudis at all, and (b) given our commitment to stop the use of 'bad' cluster bombs surely we immediately now stop the selling of the nice bombs?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-38365921
Title: Re: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: jakswan on December 21, 2016, 11:05:09 AM
Quote from: Nearly Sane on December 20, 2016, 02:35:28 PM
Why are we (a) still selling 'good' bombs to the Saudis at all, and (b) given our commitment to stop the use of 'bad' cluster bombs surely we immediately now stop the selling of the nice bombs?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-38365921

I think the government justifies it on the basis they are an ally. The arms trade gives them leverage for intelligence and to encourage the Saudi government for more human rights?

Don't really know its a difficult complex situation, I don't think we should do what we did in Iraq.
Title: Re: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: Walter on December 21, 2016, 02:41:49 PM
Quote from: jakswan on December 21, 2016, 11:05:09 AM
I think the government justifies it on the basis they are an ally. The arms trade gives them leverage for intelligence and to encourage the Saudi government for more human rights?

Don't really know its a difficult complex situation, I don't think we should do what we did in Iraq.
let them all blow themselves to hell , they seem intent on it !
Title: Re: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: Hope on December 21, 2016, 10:04:02 PM
Have to say that I understood that the manufacture of cluster bombs was internationally illegal.  If so, why are we still making them, let alone selling them?
Title: Re: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: Nearly Sane on December 22, 2016, 04:02:21 AM
Quote from: Hope on December 21, 2016, 10:04:02 PM
Have to say that I understood that the manufacture of cluster bombs was internationally illegal.  If so, why are we still making them, let alone selling them?
we aren't, they are 'old' cluster bombs.
Title: Re: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: jeremyp on December 22, 2016, 07:19:44 PM
Quote from: Nearly Sane on December 20, 2016, 02:35:28 PM
Why are we (a) still selling 'good' bombs to the Saudis at all, and (b) given our commitment to stop the use of 'bad' cluster bombs surely we immediately now stop the selling of the nice bombs?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-38365921
It's important to realise it is not us who are selling bombs to Saudi Arabia but certain British commercial organisations. The only way we can stop the sales is by making the government pass a law to make trading arms to Saudi Arabia illegal. I don't think there is any chance of that happening while the Tories are in charge. Frankly, there's too much money and too many jobs involved to make them do it.
Title: Re: British sold cluster bombs used in Yemen
Post by: Hope on December 22, 2016, 07:23:58 PM
Quote from: Nearly Sane on December 22, 2016, 04:02:21 AM
we aren't, they are 'old' cluster bombs.
Thanks for that clarification, NS.  The problem of only jumping in and out of discussions because of having so many other things to do!!