Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
5th November 2012, 10:56
The government / rulers has never really been a big deal when it comes to arms selling; if they've got deep eneough pockets, they can have any weapons they like. Good ol' Dave flying the flag for British-branded business interests.
David Cameron has pledged to raise human rights as he arrived in the Gulf on a trip to strengthen the UK's defence, security and commercial ties.
He said there would be no "no-go areas" but discussions would take place showing "respect and friendship".
Britain is looking to sell Typhoon jets to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, despite allegations of human rights abuses.
Discussions are also under way to develop an airbase near Dubai into a strategic base for the UK military.
Strained relations
Mr Cameron is hoping to increase defence co-operation with the UAE, including contingency plans for the possible basing of RAF warplanes if conflict erupts with Iran, says BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner.
He added that Mr Cameron's visit came amid signs of strained relations with Gulf states. His Arab hosts, while publicly welcoming the prime minister, have their own issues they want to address with him.
They have told the BBC that in the wake of the Arab Spring they worry Britain risks confusing democracy and human rights movements with revolutionaries who, they say, want to replace the current monarchies with Islamic republics.
Gulf Arab officials have hinted that Britain risks losing out on major contracts in future, but human rights groups want the British government to put more pressure on Gulf rulers to speed up democratic reforms.
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been criticised for alleged abuses but they have rejected these criticisms.
(More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20202058)
David Cameron has pledged to raise human rights as he arrived in the Gulf on a trip to strengthen the UK's defence, security and commercial ties.
He said there would be no "no-go areas" but discussions would take place showing "respect and friendship".
Britain is looking to sell Typhoon jets to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, despite allegations of human rights abuses.
Discussions are also under way to develop an airbase near Dubai into a strategic base for the UK military.
Strained relations
Mr Cameron is hoping to increase defence co-operation with the UAE, including contingency plans for the possible basing of RAF warplanes if conflict erupts with Iran, says BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner.
He added that Mr Cameron's visit came amid signs of strained relations with Gulf states. His Arab hosts, while publicly welcoming the prime minister, have their own issues they want to address with him.
They have told the BBC that in the wake of the Arab Spring they worry Britain risks confusing democracy and human rights movements with revolutionaries who, they say, want to replace the current monarchies with Islamic republics.
Gulf Arab officials have hinted that Britain risks losing out on major contracts in future, but human rights groups want the British government to put more pressure on Gulf rulers to speed up democratic reforms.
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been criticised for alleged abuses but they have rejected these criticisms.
(More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20202058)