LONDON, July 23 - Lawmakers on Wednesday queried why Britain had granted licences to sell tens of millions of pounds worth of arms to Russia, embarrassing Prime Minister David Cameron, who has called for a Europe-wide ban on such sales because of the Ukraine crisis. The criticism, in a report compiled by four of parliament's select committees, comes two days after the British leader said France's sale of two helicopter carriers to Russia would be "unthinkable" in Britain. The government said in March it would stop some arms exports to Russia, but the report said that as of mid-May only 34 of 285 outstanding licences worth more than 131 million pounds ($223.41 million) had been suspended or revoked. "We should have been applying a more cautious approach for some considerable time towards Russia," said John Stanley, chairman of parliament's Committees on Arms Export Controls. "Many people ... given the nature of the Russian regime, will be wondering why it is the UK is giving export approval to a particular number of items on that list." A spokesman for Cameron said Britain had halted all arms exports destined for the Russian military, calling the ban "comprehensive". He said licences for other users, such as hunting enthusiasts, had not been blocked, however. In a separate statement, a government spokesman said it had never approved the export of missiles or missile parts to the Russian military, despite suggestions from local media that it had. Nor had it approved licences for the export of rifles or ammunition to the Russian military, he said. The lawmakers' report covered exports in 2013, before the current ban on arms sales to the Russian military entered into force, the spokesman said. At odds with the government, lawmakers asked the government to explain why it had approved contracts for everything from body armour to components for assault rifles and military communications equipment. Cameron has talked tough on Russia following the downing of a Malaysian airliner last week, saying Britain will no longer sell arms to Moscow. He has also said the weight of evidence suggests the plane was shot down by a missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian separatists. In the same report, lawmakers were also critical of arms sales to Syria, saying the government's decision to approve export licences for chemicals to Syria in January 2012 after the civil war there had started was "irresponsible". The report also said that a decision by the previous government to approve five export licences for dual-use chemicals to Syria between July 2004 and May 2010 had been "highly questionable". The government said there was no evidence to suggest that the chemicals were used for anything other than their legitimate end-use and that two of the licences issued in 2012 were revoked before the goods were sent.
More
Ho Chi Minh City seeks to replant more trees than those leveled for infrastructure projects
The city will prioritize the relocation of trees that are able to be replanted
Read more
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Mobsters have moved aggressively into the low-risk, low-key world of white-collar crime
10 hours agoFrench bakers make world's longest baguette, beating Italy
French bakers cooked the world's longest baguette on Sunday at 140.53 metres
10 hours agoDeath toll from southern Brazil rainfall rises to 78, many still missing
The death toll from heavy rains that have caused flooding in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78, local authorities said on Sunday, with more than 115,000 people displaced
14 hours agoGlobal health heavyweights team up for climate, disease funding
The Novo Nordisk Foundation, Wellcome and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the research partnership, focused particularly on finding affordable solutions for people in low and middle-income countries, in Denmark on Monday
12 hours agoAustralian police shoot boy dead after stabbing with 'hallmarks' of terrorism
There were signs the 16-year-old, armed with a kitchen knife, had been radicalised online
1 day agoHighlights
Vietnam wishes for Cambodia’s coordination in assessing Funan Techo Canal’s impacts
Vietnam always attaches importance and gives top priority to its relationship with Cambodia
Photos
Artist paints murals on house to raise awareness of COVID-19 prevention in Hanoi
He drew the virus, vaccine, and earth on the exterior walls of a house
Latest news
Bird flu threatens to put a damper on cow cuddling
But this practice of opening the barn door to the public is facing a new risk, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed bird flu in dairy herds in nine states
Startup shakes hands with global digital payment firm to revolutionize Earned Wage Access in Vietnam
In Vietnam, many middle- and low-income employees face exclusion from conventional banking facilities, rendering them susceptible to predatory lending practices
Vietnam wishes for Cambodia’s coordination in assessing Funan Techo Canal’s impacts
Vietnam always attaches importance and gives top priority to its relationship with Cambodia
Vietnamese billiards player makes history with stunning victory at Scottish Open
The Vietnamese player staged a remarkable comeback
ADB willing to help Vietnam with climate change adaptation
Climate change, saltwater intrusion, and Vietnam’s commitment to a net-zero emission target by 2050 require the country to adopt more effective measures to manage and use land, water sources, and fertilizer
Vietnam, France ink deal to strengthen defense cooperation
The two countries have the same views and interests in maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world
Vietnamese mathematician named as recipient of 2024 Dénes König Prize
Dr. Huy, 28, is the first Vietnamese to win the prize
5 safe after car falls into abyss in northern Vietnam
They just suffered slight injuries
Vietnam’s Phu Quoc seeks to lure more Chinese tourists
Phu Quoc will offer maximum support to Chinese airlines which carry travelers to the island city
French bakers make world's longest baguette, beating Italy
French bakers cooked the world's longest baguette on Sunday at 140.53 metres