The bigger the crime....

It was only a few days ago that the American and British officials were patting themselves on the back for arresting 3 men after they offered bribes as part of an arms deal. "All the accused are executives or employees of companies in the military and law enforcement products industry" the Department of Justice said solemnly.

A week later and more or less the same officials are pleased to announce a massive £4billion pound deal with Taiwan. Included in the deal are two mine-hunting ships, 60 Black Hawk helicopters, missiles, machine guns and ammunition, night vision gear, radar equipment, and information technology.

But nobody is 'bribing' anyone with this deal. Oh no. "The sale indicates that President Barack Obama will continue ... to provide Tawain with weapons to deter Chinese military action" reported the Guardian

Top Gun(pushers): US, Russia & UK

A new US Congressional study reveals that the US followed by Russia and the UK are the main suppliers of arms to developing countries. The report shows that the total market in arms in 2006 was about $40 billion - 80% of which went to developing countries.

Some call for 'control' of the arms trade through an arms trade treaty. But that's not going to have any impact - witness the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, pushed by liberal NGOs and taken up the Labour Government following the 1997 election but which has little or no impact (arguably the reverse as it has allowed the government to be seen to do something without actually doing anything). The Pushy Pacifist thinks that the recent closure of DESO will have more of an impact on the arms trade than any 'code' or 'treaty'.

Meanwhile Brown's boys seem to be keen on the right to silence in certain circumstance - notably when the G-Men are pursing dodgy deals. Watch this space...