U.S. Leads the World in Sale of Military Goods

[dweller]

by Frida Berrigan

As insecurity mounts from Najaf to New Orleans, more weapons and high-tech military equipment are flowing into some of the
globe's most vulnerable and war-torn regions.

The Congressional Research Service recently found that global arms sales rose to $37 billion in 2004 -- the highest level since 2000.

U.S. companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing rang up $12.4 billion in weapons contracts -- more than one-third of the total
and more than twice what Russia -- the second largest exporter -- sold.

The Departments of State, Commerce and Defense are all involved in different aspects of approving licenses, managing logistics and
(in many cases) loaning or granting funds to nations as they seek weapons from U.S. corporations.

The findings, published in the annual "Conventional Weapons Transfers to Developing Nations" report, were released against the
backdrop of the global war on terror in which many countries are increasing military spending as insecurity rises.

They also came in the wake of rampant and irresponsible use of guns in the hurricane-ravaged Southeast that hindered aid delivery,
increased tension and led to more misery and suffering. The U.S. policy of arming friends and allies is alarming.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/12610798.htm%20
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0912-33.htm

dp

edit: changed topic, previous dupe.