British arms sales to Africa reach $1.8b

LONDON, June 12 (UPI) -- British arms sales to Africa have reached a record $1.8 billion after rapid increases over the past four years, the Observer reported Sunday.

Official figures have shown annual weapons sales nearly quadrupled between 1999 and 2004, the Observer said, and many exports approved by the Department of Trade and Industry involved selling arms countries with poor human rights records.

Government ministers and lobbyists have criticized the increases at a time when the government is pouring money into poverty eradication in Africa.

"It would seem obscene that at a time when one arm of government is focusing on debt relief, behind the scenes another arm is boosting this unacceptable trade," said Andrew George, Liberal Democratic spokesman on international development.

Paul Eavis, director of Saferworld, which campaigns for the control of the arms trade, agreed.

"The government is to be congratulated on leading the charge on debt relief, but if it is serious about helping Africa develop as a continent, then it should think again about its arms sales policies towards these countries," he said.