PLEASE BUY OUR JETS and maybe, pretty please, get a bit democratic.

international | anti-war | other press Monday November 05, 2012 12:54 by Elric

British PM Cameron is on his way to the Gulf to try and secure billions in military technology sales, he may also mention democracy but no sanctions. Saudi Arabia & the UAE are different from Syria. Full text at link.

During the tour Cameron will seek to revive relations with both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where the UK has significant business interests in the oil industry. In addition, Britain will also seek to peddle 100 Typhoon fighter jets to both nations in a deal worth a potential US$10 billion. The UK PM faces stiff competition, with French President Francois Holland also in the region to sell defense equipment.

The UK’s significant financial dealings with the region, worth around $27 billion according to UK newspaper The Guardian, are also on the rocks. Saudi Arabia has warned that if the UK shows support for anti-regime groups pushing for government reform it will begin courting Asian markets with lucrative trade deals.

The UK government has come under increasing pressure from human rights groups to use its influence with UAE and Saudi Arabia to push for reform. Nevertheless, Britain has been reluctant to vocalize any criticism for fear of endangering economic ties with the Gulf nations