Oxfam Report highlights UK Government’s disgraceful arms sales record - Moore

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Oct 2008

Commenting on the Oxfam report "Shooting Down the MDGs; How irresponsible arms transfers undermine development goals, Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary, Michael Moore said:

“This report highlights the devastating impact of the arms trade on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

“The British Government’s disgraceful record on arms sales has shown how political expediency, economic self-interest and corruption outweigh the development concerns, and the human rights records, of the countries the UK sells arms to.

“The Government must ensure that this month’s talks at the UN drive forward progress on establishing an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which tackles corruption and irresponsible arms transfers.

“If we are serious about our responsibilities to the developing world, the international community must tackle every issue hindering development. Countries like the US, China and Russia must get on board the ATT process.”