|
Canada lifts restrictions on arms sales to 11 countries
|
www.chinaview.cn  2008-04-24 03:29:11 |
  Print |
|
OTTAWA, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Canada is lifting restrictions on exports of automatic firearms to 11 countries, most of which are new members of NATO, the government said. The move expands by 50 percent the number of countries to which Canada's defense firms can sell automatic firearms. Currently, Canada allows exports to 20 countries. The Conservative government outlined its intentions this month in a publication of regulatory changes, saying this recognizes how important weapons makers are to Canada's economy, national newspaper "The Globe and Mail" reported Wednesday. "The proposed amendment recognizes the valuable contributions that Canada's defense industry makes to the nation's prosperity," the government is quoted as saying in a statement. All but three of the 11 nations joined NATO from 1999 to 2004, including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia. Older NATO allies being added to the list of eligible export destinations include Turkey, Iceland and Luxembourg. Ottawa argued that it is only fair to allow exports to the 11 NATO members because they are helping to defend Canada. Some critics opposed loosening firearms export controls. "Canada should be curtailing the trade in small arms, not expanding it," Rideau Institute president Steven Staples said. "These small and lethal weapons often end up being transferred into the global arms trade, and fuel terrible conflicts around the world." |
Stumble It!
Now, let's see some graphs and statistics "proving" the economic benefits of arms sales for both the sellers and the buyers.
Ed Deak.
For example, our MPs would donate their salaries and perks;
arms manufacturers would donate their products to the cause;
the workers at these places would donate their time;
and.....well you get the idea -- nobody makes money while ther is a war on.
Then (radical thought), the soldiers, when the war is over, get to retire, and all the things they fought for are provided to them FREE for the balance of their lives.
Take the flowers out of your hair hippie. After Pearl Harbour, exports to the US swiftly transfored the canadian economy and gave workers their first real relief from the Great Depression.
Even our pacifist Ammish planted extra wheat and shared the prosperity.
Take the flowers out of your hair hippie. After Pearl Harbour, exports to the US swiftly transfored the canadian economy and gave workers their first real relief from the Great Depression.