Arms exports: MEPs want curbs on deadly trade

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) gave strong backing, January 2007, to a report that aims to ensure greater control of the worlds legal and illegal arms trade. Globally, the world spends 15 times more money on arms than on international aid. Much of this is sold to countries that have poor human rights records. A quarter of the trade in small arms - like Kalashnikov rifles and grenades - is illegal. With a third of all arms exports coming from the European Union, MEPs have shown they think the Union has a duty to act.