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Report: US led in 2006 arms to developing countries

Oct 1, 2007, 7:54 GMT

New York - The United States led the world in 2006 in selling arms to developing countries, according to a US government report being released Monday. The study, by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service and reported in Monday's New York Times, said that nearly 36 per cent of the weapons bought last year in developing countries were sold by the US. The value of the arms was 10.3 billion dollars. Next were Russia with more than 28 per cent of the market, worth 8.1 billion dollars, and Britain at 3.1 billion dollars, or nearly 11 per cent. The top three rankings were the same as in 2005. More than 60 per cent of the global arms market, about 28.8 billion dollars, was in sales to developing countries, a decline of about 9 per cent from 2005's 31.8 billion dollars. Titled Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, the study found that Pakistan was the number-one buyer at 5.1 billion dollars in 2006, followed by rival India at 3.5 billion dollars. Saudi Arabia was third at 3.2 billion dollars. Combining both developed and developing countries, the global arms market in 2006 was 40.3 billion dollars, a decline of 13 per cent from 2005. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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Garrett 'Garrdor' DeRoseOct 15th, 2007 - 15:14:25

Wowza - I'm really surprised.

*insert black-and-white footage of guided munitions falling down on american-made C140 cargo aircraft on Taliban airstrips*

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Why USA wants Sri LankaNov 21st, 2007 - 17:11:21

Why is United States Helping Sri Lankan Government Destroy the Tamil Population ? Thats the big question, why is US. Keeping the media silent on what's Happening in Sri Lanka. Why is USA Preaching one thing and doing another thing. Why is USA supporting the Killing of Tamils. This is the big question. I think US Government had clearly proven they have no value for Human Beings in General, You can see it in Katrina, Somalia, Darfur, Iraq and Afghanistan. Why Sri Lanka on this list ?

My answer, US needs a land that it can use for another Naval Base that would threaten India' . Sri Lanka provides that for them, by allowing the US supported war on LTTE to destroy both LTTE and Tamil population and re-claim the land to provide space necessary for the US troops to occupy Sri Lankan ports in the region.

All for in exchange of weapons to the Sri lankan government to kill the Tamils and the LTTE. When will george bush learn to stop killing people. ?

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help sri lankaNov 26th, 2007 - 17:37:43

Its great that Oprah can help him out. I think last election there was one another person campaigned for Oprah for President.

In another news. I wish if the American people can shed some thought on whats happening outside of the american world.

As you know USA gives away weapons and training to many nations, including IRAQ, Canada, Japan and other poor countries that has no money to buy weapons in exchange for SOMETHING.

SOMETHING is usually a resource of some kind. Oil, Gas, Land use, or Human capital.

In Sri Lanka, USA recently donated some more weapons to support the State Sponsored Killing of Tamils. I know my voice so little here it wouldn't matter, but it would go in record for those ignorant.

Anyway, if you want to read more about the killings and struggles of the Tamils, Google Tamils in Sri Lanka, or go to one of the new website like BBC or retures, where the news reported is just mild of what's happening on ground.

Basically my problem is this president Bush has been a strong supporter of Arming the nations with Weapons to kill. Previous President Clinton did nothing when Rawanda Genocide happened, and this president did nothing when Sudan Durfar Genocide Happened. I am writing this article to reflect on the human struggle and value for each american president has become cheap. We need a president for America that will value each human being. In Iraq george bush armed the Iraqies in order to kill them, if you don't know cause you don't here this on CNN or Fox. You can do your own research and find out if the amount of weapons stollen from the American weapons cash, during the begining of invasion is enough to arm a many more terrorist organization around the world. My point is that an american president is a bully like George Bush. should not be arming the weaker players in the world with weapons that kill people, poor people, that live in Huts. This is not a equal playing field. Poor people in Sri lanka still live in the 1950s style living, where they don't have access to modern things. If Sri Lankan Goverment is going to Fight LTTE, they should fight with the at the same level, may be strong in number of troops but, we don't need a nuclear bomb to kill the LTTE, this would wipe out all Tamils.

Anyway what i am saying is that if America is saying that Sri Lankan government should have negotians with tamil population, then they must stop the killings of Tamils, by not supporting the amrmerment of weapons to Sri Lankan Government, LTTE represents most of the Tamils in the Region, they have proven track record for their capabilities to operate as a organization. If America wants to arm Sri Lankan government then they must arm the LTTE as a organization,so they can defend them selves and the Tamil people.

your truly,
Lonely Planet, where no voice in the interent is barely heard.

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1000 Americans Arrested in Sri LankaDec 1st, 2007 - 17:34:47

I wish I could say 1000 Americans Arrested. Then it would be a important headling on CNN or GOOGLE NEws website. But it was not the case.

Why are we loosing more Tamils in the Hands of Sri Lankan Government.

Why is UN and US Keeping Silent.

Both Cheifs of USA George W Bush and UN Cheif Baki MOON are care less of what happens in Sri Lanka.

The American Government's and UN have in past kept a Blind Eye to What happens to non american people around the world. They don't care of even American black people. So why would you expect them to step in.

American Goverment has been Aiding sri lanka thru two fronts. One thru Pakistan Arms Dealing and Direct thru Sri Lankan Government. They have been wanting the war in Sri Lanka to continue and Kill the people of Northen Region in Sri Lanka for Return of Land to the American Naval Operations.

Pakistan has been contributing because of their pressure from American Government. Pakistan is a warehouse for Weapons trade by American's it is not country that can produce weapons. It can only get free weapons from American or Britan. They do what USA will tell them TODO.

India has no interest in Helping Tamils or Sri Lankan's because they will be loosing their interest to protect their economy. If Sri Lanka becomes a power house then it would eat up India's peice of the pie.

I love the Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka, Sinhala and Tamil. What I don't like the Social and Govermental Injustice done. Thru the help of International Governments.

If Tamils. in sri lanka are not getting help from UN to protect them, then the Tamils in the internation community has the right to sponsor LTTE for any weapons support the defend them from being hit.

In additions, Tamils in Internation community should consider, buying Amry Support from Internation Community to Fight the Sri Lankan government, if UN has not responded the way it has been doing so Far.

Basically Buy or LEase Private Army personally like the US does in IRaq war. I think its a fair game for any one who threaten to kill another race.

If it wasn't for the tamil people of sri lanka, we would not have an identity in the world for a Tamilan to be a Known Race.

I would not want to be called a Tamil Tiger in western world, but atleast that is what is know to the western world when talk of Tamils.

ANy way I hope the people around world will understand that Tamils and Sinhala people are just humans, but the politcal governments are not too kean on doing much to help the Tamils or SInhala population by Bombing the Tamils.

So Lets arrest 1000 american's around the world and then we will know what makes the headlines. I guess it could be americans or canadians it might matter. then again, UN is just a Puppet Show done by Americans , they would care less.