FACTOID # 145: Three of the top ten countries for GDP per capita are island nations: Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Iceland.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

SEARCH ALL

FACTS & STATISTICS    Advanced view

Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 

 

(* = Graphable)

 

 


Encyclopedia > Al Yamamah
RSAF Tornado IDS
Enlarge
RSAF Tornado IDS

Al Yamamah ("The Dove") is the name of a series of massive arms sales by the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia, which have been paid for by the delivery of up to 600,000 barrels of oil per day to the UK government.[1] The first sales occurred in September 1985 and the most recent contract for 72 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighters was signed in August 2006. Mike Turner, the CEO of Al Yamamah prime contractor BAE Systems, said in 2005 that BAE and its predecessor British Aerospace had earned £43 billion in twenty years from the contracts. [2] Download high resolution version (924x645, 36 KB)RSAF Tornado The photos on this site are the property of BAE SYSTEMS (Copyright© 2004 BAE SYSTEMS. All rights reserved) and are made available for publishing and personal use. ... Download high resolution version (924x645, 36 KB)RSAF Tornado The photos on this site are the property of BAE SYSTEMS (Copyright© 2004 BAE SYSTEMS. All rights reserved) and are made available for publishing and personal use. ... The arms industry is a massive global industry. ... The barrel is the name of several units of measurement. ... Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Sarnia, Ontario Petroleum (from Greek petra – rock and elaion – oil or Latin oleum – oil ) or crude oil is a thick, dark brown or greenish liquid. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multi-role canard-delta strike fighter aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, Eurofighter GmbH, formed in 1983. ... Mike Turner, CBE is Chief Executive Officer of the aerospace and defence company BAE SYSTEMS. He received a CBE for services to the Aerospace Industry in the Queens 1999 Birthday Honours. ... A chief executive officer (CEO), or chief executive, is the highest-ranking corporate officer or executive officer of a corporation, or agency. ... BAE Systems plc is the worlds fourth largest defence contractor[2] and a commercial aerospace manufacturer. ... British Aerospace (BAe) was a UK aircraft manufacturer, now part of BAE Systems. ...

Contents

Background

The UK was already a major supplier of arms to Saudi Arabia prior to Al Yamamah. In 1964 The British Aircraft Corporation conducted demonstration flights of their Lightning in Riyadh and in 1965 Saudi Arabia signed a letter of intent for the supply of Lightning and Strikemaster aircraft as well as Thunderbird surface to air missiles. The main contract was signed in 1966 for 40 Lightnings and 25 Strikemasters (eventually raised to 40). In 1973 the Saudi government signed an agreement with the British government which specified BAC as the contractor for all parts of the defence system (AEI was previously contracted to supply the radar equipment and Airwork Services provided servicing and training). Overall spending by the RSAF was over £1 billion GBP. [3] The British Aircraft Corporation, or BAC, was a British aircraft manufacturer, formed from the forced merger of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, English Electric, Vickers-Armstrong and Hunting Aircraft Company in 1959. ... The English Electric Lightning (later the BAC Lightning) was a supersonic British fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, particularly remembered for its great speed, and its natural metal exterior that was used throughout much of its service life with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force. ... Riyadh (Arabic: ‎ ar-Riyāḍ) is the capital of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located in Ar Riyad Province in the Najd region. ... This article, image, template or category should belong in one or more categories. ... Thunderbird in displayed in Finnish Anti-aircraft museum (Ilmatorjuntamuseo) in Tuusula. ... Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) was a British engineering company formed in 1959 by the merger of the British Thomson-Houston Company (BTH) and Metropolitan Vickers. ... Airwork Limited, also referred during its history as Airwork Services Limited, is a wholly owned subsidiary company of VT Group plc. ...


In the 1970s United States defence contractors won major contracts, including 114 Northrop F-5s. In 1981 the RSAF ordered 46 F-15Cs and 16 F-15Ds, followed in 1982 by the purchase of 5 E-3A AWACS aircraft. Partly due to pro-Israeli sentiment in the US Congress and/or Israeli lobbying to prevent further F-15 exports, Saudi Arabia turned to the UK for further arms purchases. The Northrop Corporation was a leading aircraft manufacturer of the United States. ... The F-5 Freedom Fighter (or Tiger II) is a low cost entry level supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop in the United States, beginning in 1962. ... The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U.S., NATO and other allied air defense forces. ...


Summary

Although the full extent of the deal has never been fully clarified, it has been described as "the biggest [U.K.] sale of anything to anyone". At a minimum, it is believed to involve the supply and support of 96 Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft, 48 Air Defence Variants (ADVs), 50 BAE Hawk and 50 Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, specialised naval vessels, and various infrastructure works. The initial Memorandum of Understanding committed the UK to purchasing the obsolete Lightning and Strikemaster aircraft, along with associated equipment and spare parts.[4] The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine fighters, which was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. ... The BAE Hawk is an advanced jet trainer which first flew in 1974 as the Hawker-Siddeley Hawk. ... The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. ...


The UK government’s prime contractor for the project is BAE Systems. BAE has approximately 4,000 employees working directly with the Royal Saudi Air Force (also see Military of Saudi Arabia). The Royal Saudi Air Force is the air force of Saudi Arabia. ... Military branches: Land Force (Army), Navy (including a Naval Air Wing and Marines), Air Force (RSAF), Air Defense Force, Saudi Arabian National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Military Situation: With the collapse of the Iraqi Baathist regime in mid-2003, the greatest conventional threat to The Kingdom was...


The success of the initial contract has been attributed to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who lobbied hard on behalf of British industry. A Ministry of Defence briefing paper for Thatcher detailed her involvement in the negotations:[5] Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC, FRS (born 13 October 1925) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. ...

Since early 1984, intensive efforts have been made to sell Tornado and Hawk to the Saudis. When, in the Autumn of 1984, they seemed to be leaning towards French Mirage fighters, Mr Heseltine paid an urgent visit to Saudi Arabia, carrying a letter from the Prime Minister to King Fahd. In December 1984 the Prime Minister started a series of important negotiations by meeting Prince Bandar, the son of Prince Sultan. ..The Prime Minister met the King in Riyahd in April this year and in August the King wrote to her stating his decision to buy 48 Tornado IDS and 30 Hawk. The Dassault Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... Michael Heseltine walks out of the cabinet meeting having resigned, January 9, 1986 Michael Ray Dibdin Heseltine, Baron Heseltine, CH, PC (born 21 March 1933) is a British Conservative politician and businessman. ... King Fahd of Saudi Arabia King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz (born in Riyadh in 1923) is the king and prime minister of Saudi Arabia and leader of the House of Saud. ... Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud (Arabic: ‎, born March 2, 1949) is a highly influential Saudi politician and was Saudi ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005. ... Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud (Arabic: ) (born January 5, 1928 in Riyadh) is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and First Deputy Prime Minister. ...

There were no conditions relating to security sector reform or human rights included in the contracts.[6]


Stages

Al Yamamah I

Deliveries began in 1989, comprising

The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine fighters, which was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. ... 12 Sqn Tornado GR1 The RAF Tornado GR1 was the first generation version of the Panavia Tornado strike aircraft of the Royal Air Force. ... A RAF Tornado GR4A The Tornado GR.4A, an upgrade of the Tornado GR1. ... The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine fighters, which was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Panavia Tornado. ... The JP233 was a British submunition delivery system consisting of a pair of large pods carrying several hundred submunitions designed to attack runways. ... The BAe Sea Eagle Missile is a computer controlled, fire-and-forget, sea-skimming anti-ship missile. ... An alarm gives an audible or visual warning of a problem or condition. ...

Al Yamamah II

Deliveries early 1990s - 1998

The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine fighters, which was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. ...

Eurofighter Typhoon

In December 2005 the governments of the UK and Saudi Arabia signed an "Understanding Document" which involved the sale of Typhoon aircraft to replace RSAF Tornados and other aircraft. Although no details were released, reports suggested the deal involved the supply of 72 aircraft. On 18 August 2006 a contract was signed for 72 aircraft. The aircraft cost approximately £5.2 billion, however the full weapons system is expected to cost approximately £10 billion. [7] The fact that the deal mirrors the conditions of the previous Al Yamamah contracts suggests that it is in effect Al Yamamah III (i.e. BAE the contractor, secrecy over contract details and payment in oil via the UK government). August 18 is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Tornado upgrade

In February 2006 Air Forces Monthly suggested that the eventual Eurofighter order may reach 100 and the deal could include the upgrade of the RSAF's Tornado IDS aircraft, likely similar to the RAF's Tornado GR4 standard. In an editorial the magazine also raises the prospect of a requirement for a new lead-in fighter trainer to replace the earlier generation of Hawk 65/65As and to provide adequate training for transition of pilots to the advanced Typhoon. [8]BAE System's 2005 Interim Report noted that three RSAF Tornado IDSs arrived at their Warton facility for design evaluation tests with the ultimate aim being "to improve servicability, address obsolescence, and enhance and sustain the capability of the aircraft". On 10 September 2006 BAE won a £2.5bn (€3.7bn, $4.6bn) contract for the upgrade of 80 RSAF Tornado IDSs. [9] Air Forces Monthly is a military aviation magazine published by Key Publishing, based in Stamford, United Kingdom. ... Tornado GR4 The Tornado GR4 is a Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) originally designed for low-level penetration to attack ground targets, now increasingly used to deliver stand-off weapons and guided bombs at medium altitude. ... Warton Aerodrome (IATA: N/A, ICAO: EGNO) is located near to Warton village on the Fylde peninsula in Lancashire, England. ...


Al Yamamah timeline

  • 1984-07-11 — The Financial Times reports Saudi Arabian "interest" in the Panavia Tornado. Export had become a possibility after West Germany lifted its objections to exports outside of NATO.[10]
  • November 1984 - January 1985 — Reports emerge that France may win the Saudi contract for new fighters with the Dassault Mirage.
  • 1985-09-16 — Saudi Arabia agrees "in principle" to Tornado, Hawk and missile deal.[11]
  • 1985-09-25 — The defence ministers of the UK and Saudi Arabia sign a Memorandum of Understanding in London for 48 Tornado IDSs, 24 Tornado ADVs, 30 Hawk training aircraft, 30 Pilatus PC-9 trainers, a range of weapons, radar, spares and a pilot-training programme.[12]
  • 1987-08-11 — First aircraft delivered, two Hawks at BAe's Dunsfold facility.[13]

1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... The Financial Times (FT) is an international business newspaper printed on distinctive salmon pink broadsheet paper. ... NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation[1] (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for collective security established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on 4 April 1949. ... Former South African Air Force Mirage IIICZ The Dassault Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 11 is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The BAE Hawk is an advanced jet trainer which first flew in 1974 as the Hawker-Siddeley Hawk. ... British Aerospace (BAe) was a UK aircraft manufacturer, now part of BAE Systems. ... Dunsfold is a village in the Waverley district of the county of Surrey, England, fourteen kilometres south of Guildford. ...

Export Credit Guarantees

Contracts between BAE Systems and the Saudi government have been underwritten by the Export Credit Guarantee Department, a tax-payer funded insurance scheme. Guarantees on a contract worth up to £2.7billion were signed by the government on 1 September 2003.[14] In December 2004, the the Commons trade committee chairman, Martin O'Neill, accused the government of being foolish for concealing a £1billion guarantee they have given to BAE Systems.[15] September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Corruption allegations

There have been numerous allegations that the Al Yamamah contracts were a result of bribes ("douceurs") to members of the Saudi royal family and government officials. Some allegations suggested that the Prime Minister's son Mark Thatcher may have been involved, however he has strongly denied receiving payments or exploiting his mother's connections in his business dealings.[16] The UK National Audit Office investigated the contracts and has so far never released its conclusions - the only NAO report ever to be withheld. The BBC's Newsnight observed that it is ironic that the once classified report analysing the construction of MI5's Thames House and MI6's Vauxhall Cross headquarters has been released, but the Al Yamamah report is still deemed too sensitive. Bribery is a crime implying a sum or gift given alters the behaviour of the person in ways not consistent with the duties of that person. ... The House of Saud ( translit: ) is the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ... The Honourable Sir Mark Thatcher, 2nd Baronet (born August 15, 1953), is the only son of Sir Denis Thatcher and Margaret Thatcher, the former British Prime Minister. ... The National Audit Office (NAO) is a non-ministerial government department in the United Kingdom which is responsible for auditing central government departments, government agencies, non-departmental public bodies. ... Newsnight is a British daily news analysis, current affairs and politics programme broadcast between 22:30 and 23:20 on weekdays on BBC Two. ... Current MI5 headquarters in Thames House, London The Security Service, usually called MI5, is the British counter-intelligence and security agency. ... Thames House is an office development in London on the bank of the River Thames adjacent to Lambeth Bridge. ... The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), more commonly known as MI6 (originally Military Intelligence Section 6), or the Secret Service, is the United Kingdom external security agency. ... The SIS building at Vauxhall Cross, London, seen from Vauxhall Bridge The SIS building, seen from Millbank The opposite side of the building, seen from Vauxhall Cross The SIS Building, also commonly known as the MI6 Building, is the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service, otherwise known as MI6...


Serious Fraud Office investigation

The Serious Fraud Office conducted an investigation into a series of corruption allegations that had been reported in the press since September 2003 in relation to the Al Yamamah deals. The UK government discontinued the investigation on 14 December 2006 on grounds of the public interest.[17] The Serious Fraud Office is an arm of the Government of the United Kingdom, accountable to the Attorney-General. ... 2003 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December A timeline of events in the news for September, 2003. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The Allegations

In February 2001, the solicitor of a former BAE Systems employee, Edward Cunningham, notified Serious Fraud Office of the evidence that his client was holding. The SFO wrote a letter to Kevin Tebbit at the MoD who notified the Chairman of BAE Systems[18] but not the Secretary of Defence.[19] No further further action was taken until after the letter was leaked to The Guardian in September 2003.[20] February is the second month of the calendar year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... This article is about the year 2001. ... The Serious Fraud Office is an arm of the Government of the United Kingdom, accountable to the Attorney-General. ... Sir Kevin Tebbit (born 1946[1]) is a British civil servant. ... Look up September in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


In October 2004, the BBC Money Program broadcast an in-depth story, including allegations in interviews with Edward Cunningham and another former insider, about the way BAE Systems paid bribes to Prince Turki bin Nasser and ran a secret £60 million slush fund in relation to the Al Yamamah deal.[21] Look up October in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The allegations include over-generous hospitality for Saudi officials, as well as the fraudulent siphoning off of money intended for such expenses. They include:

  • Purchase of a £80,000 yacht for Tony Winship.[22]
  • The purchase of a £150,000 house in Putney, London for Tony Winship.[22]
  • The purchase of a £150,000 house in Ballygally, Northern Ireland for Tony Winship's mistress.[23]
  • The provision of prostitutes for visiting Saudi officers.[22]
  • Purchase of a £30,000 TVR sports car.[22]
  • Rental of a £12,000-a-year apartment at Chelsea Harbour.[22]
  • A year's use of a £18,000 corporate box at Queens Park Rangers football club.[22]
  • £30,000 a year on a gold credit card.[22]
  • A £170,000 Rolls-Royce for Prince Turki's wife.[21]
  • A £99,000 skiing trip in Colorado for Prince Turki's son.[21]
  • A £200,000 wedding for Prince Turki's daughter.[21]
  • A £2million three-month summer holiday for Prince Turki and family in 2001.[21]
  • Canteens of gold or silver worth £1,000 apiece cutlery for officials at the Saudi embassy.[21]
  • An invoice for August 1995 for "£987,365" giving no clue as to what the money had actually been spent on.[21]
  • Steven Mogford, now chief operating officer of BAE and of the company, signed off £3million of slush fund invoices for the last four months of 1995 alone.[21]

Most of the money was spent through a front company called Robert Lee International. There also exists an internal five page report from 1996 detailing the fraud allegations.


The start of the investigation

The Serious Fraud Office was reported to be considering opening an investigation in to an alleged £20million slush fund on 12 September 2003, the day after The Guardian had published the story.[24] The Serious Fraud Office is an arm of the Government of the United Kingdom, accountable to the Attorney-General. ... Portal:Currentevents September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


In November 2004 they made two arrests as part of an investigation into the allegations.[25] BAE Systems stated that they welcomed the investigation and "believe[d] that it would put these matters to rest once and for all."[26] Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


In autumn 2005, BAE refused to comply with compulsory production notices for details of its secret offshore payments to the Middle East.[27]


1992 NAO report

In July 2006, Sir John Bourn, the head of the National Audit Office, refused to release a copy to the investigators of an unpublished report into the contract that had been drawn up in 1992.[28] Look up July in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Categories: United Kingdom-related stubs ...


The MP Harry Cohen said, "This does look like a serious conflict of interest. Sir John did a lot of work at the MoD on Al Yamamah and here we now have the NAO covering up this report."[28] In early 2002 he had proposed an Early Day Motion noting "that there have been... allegations made of large commission payments made to individuals in Saudi Arabia as part of... Al Yamamah... [and] that Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda network have received substantial funds from individuals in Saudi Arabia."[29] Harry Michael Cohen (10 December 1949) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ...


Over the years there had been many calls to publish the report. In January 2003 the parliamentary ombudsman ruled that the report could be disclosed only if Parliament voted to do so.[citation needed] January is the first month of the year and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Official statements about the contents of the report go no further than to state that the then chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, now Lord Sheldon, considered the report in private in February 1992, and said: "I did an investigation and I find no evidence that the MOD made improper payments. I have found no evidence of fraud or corruption. The deal... complied with Treasury approval and the rules of Government accounting."[30] A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing government expenditures to ensure they are effective and honest. ... Robert Sheldon, Baron Sheldon, PC (born 13 September 1923), was the Labour member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne. ...


Threats by the Saudi government

At the end of November 2006, when the long-running investigation was threatening to go on for two more years in order to probe Swiss bank accounts,[31] BAE Systems were negotiating a further multi-billion pound sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to the Saudi government. According to the BBC the contract was worth £6billion with 5,000 people directly employed in the manufacture of the Eurofighter, for which there are other customers,[32] while other reports put the value at £10billion with 50,000 jobs at stake.[33] Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multi-role canard-delta strike fighter aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, Eurofighter GmbH, formed in 1983. ...


On 1 December The Daily Telegraph ran a front page headline suggesting that Saudi Arabia had given the UK ten days to suspend the Serious Fraud Office investigation into BAE/Saudi Arabian transactions or they would take the deal to France,[33] but this threat was played down in other quarters. A French official had said "the situation was complex and difficult... and there was no indication to suggest the Saudis planned to drop the Eurofighter." This analysis was confirmed by Andrew Brookes, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who said "there could be an element here of trying to scare the SFO off. Will it mean they do not buy the Eurofighter? I doubt it."[34] December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... The International Institute for Strategic Studies is a British think tank based in London. ...


There were reports of a systematic PR campaign operated by Tim Bell through newspaper scare stories, letters from business owners and MPs in who's constituencies the factories were located to get the case closed.[27] Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...


Investigation discontinued

On 14 December 2006, the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith announced that the investigation was being discontinued. The 15-strong team had been ordered to turn in their files two days before.[27] The statement in the House of Lords read: December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... Peter Henry Goldsmith, Baron Goldsmith, PC, is the current Attorney General of England and Wales. ...

The Director of the Serious Fraud Office has decided to discontinue the investigation into the affairs of BAE Systems plc as far as they relate to the Al Yamamah defence contract. This decision has been taken following representations that have been made both to the Attorney General and the Director concerning the need to safeguard national and international security. It has been necessary to balance the need to maintain the rule of law against the wider public interest. No weight has been given to commercial interests or to the national economic interest.[35] Public interest is a term used to denote political movements and organizations that are in the public interest—supporting general public and civic causes, in opposition of private and corporate ones (particularistic goals). ...

The Prime Minister justified the decision by saying:

Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is vitally important for our country in terms of counter-terrorism, in terms of the broader Middle East, in terms of helping in respect of Israel and Palestine. That strategic interest comes first.[36]

Jonathan Aitken, a former minister connected with the deals in the 1980s, said that even if the allegations against BAE were true, it was the correct decision to end the investigation in order to maintain good relations with Saudi Arabia.[37] Jonathan William Patrick Aitken (born August 30, 1942) is a former Conservative Member of Parliament, British government minister and convicted perjurer. ...


See also

  • Wafic Saïd

Wafic Saïd (born Damascus, 1939) is a Syrian businessman based in Britain. ...

References

  1. ^ "Arms sales fuel BAe's profits", BBC News, 1999-02-25. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
  2. ^ O’Connell, Dominic. "BAE cashes in on £40bn Arab jet deal", The Sunday Times, News International, 2006-08-20. Retrieved on 2006-08-22.
  3. ^ Gardner, Charles [1981]. British Aircraft Corporation. A history by Charles Gardner. B.T. Batsford Ltd, 224-249. ISBN 0713438150. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
  4. ^ Memorandum of Undestaning for the provision of equipment and services for the Royal Saudi Air Force (PDF) (September 1985). Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
  5. ^ Mottram, R (1985-09-25). Briefing for the Prime Minister's meeting with Prince Sultan (PDF). Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
  6. ^ Adam Ingram (18 November 2003). Defence - Saudi Arabia. Hansard.
  7. ^ "BAE confirms £5bn Eurofighter sale to Saudi Arabia", The Times, 2006-08-19. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
  8. ^ "Saudi Arabia Signs Typhoon Deal", Air Forces Monthly, February 2006, pp. 4-5. Retrieved on 2006-08-22.
  9. ^ Steiner, Rupert. "BAE clinches new £2.5bn Tornado deal with Saudis", The Business, 2006-09-10. Retrieved on 2006-09-12.
  10. ^ "Saudi Arabia considers Tornado fighter deal", Financial Times, The Financial Times Limited, 1984-07-11, p. 6. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  11. ^ Fairhill, David. "Saudis agree 'in principle' to 3 billion pound plane deal: Israelis angered by Tornado sale 'arms race escalation'", Financial Times, The Financial Times Limited, 1985-09-16. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  12. ^ Dobbin, Ben. "Britain signs arms deal with Saudi Arabia", Associated Press. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  13. ^ Donne, Michael. "BAe Hands Over First Part Of Saudi Aircraft Order", Financial Times, The Financial Times Limited, 1987-08-12, p. 6. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  14. ^ Rob Evans, David Leigh. "Millions risked on BAE contract", The Guardian, 27 November 2003. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  15. ^ David Leigh, Rob Evans. "£1bn BAE guarantee 'foolish', says MP", The Guardian, 15 December 2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  16. ^ Submission from the Campaign Against Arms Trade to the International Development Committee's Inquiry into corruption. Campaign Against Arms Trade (September 2000). Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
  17. ^ "Timeline: BAE corruption probe", BBC News, 15 December 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  18. ^ Adam Ingram (17 November 2003). Defence - Saudi Arabia. Hansard. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  19. ^ Geoff Hoon (25 May 2004). Al Yamamah Contracts. Hansard. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  20. ^ David Leigh, Rob Evans. "MoD chief in fraud cover-up row", The Guardian, 13 October 2003. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h Michael Robinson. "BBC lifts the lid on secret BAE slush fund", BBC Money Programme, 4 October 2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g David Leigh, Rob Evans. "BAE accused of arms deal slush fund", The Guardian, 11 September 2003. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  23. ^ David Leigh. "Homes for executive's mistress 'bought from BAE fund'", The Guardian, 15 September 2003. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  24. ^ David Leigh. "Fraud Office looks again at BAE", The Guardian, 12 September 2003. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  25. ^ "SFO to investigate BAE contracts", BBC News, 3 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  26. ^ "BAE included in SFO investigation", BBC News, 17 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  27. ^ a b c David Leigh, Rob Evans. "Brutal politics lesson for corruption investigators", The Guardian, 16 December 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  28. ^ a b Leigh, David, Evans, Rob. "Parliamentary auditor hampers police inquiry into arms deal", The Guardian, Guardian Newspapers Ltd., 2006-07-25. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
  29. ^ Harry Cohen (7 February 2002). Business of the House. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  30. ^ Alan Williams (13 February 2002). Public Accounts Commission - Al-Yamamah Arms Agreement. Hansard. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  31. ^ "Defence firms fear Saudi fall-out", 4 December 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  32. ^ "Unions confirm BAE job loss fears", 29 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  33. ^ a b Hope, Christopher. "Halt inquiry or we cancel Eurofighters", The Daily Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group Limited, 2006-12-01. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
  34. ^ Bowell, James; Fidler Stephen, Hollinger, Peggy; Khalaf, Roula; Peel, Michael. "BAE investors take flight at potential loss of Eurofighter deal.", Financial Times, The Financial Times Limited, 2006-11-28, p. 3. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
  35. ^ Lord Goldsmith (15 December 2006). BAE Systems: Al Yamamah Contract. Hansard. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  36. ^ "Blair defends Saudi probe ruling", BBC News, 15 December 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  37. ^ "Criticism of ditched Saudi probe", BBC News, 15 December 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... The Business may mean: The Business, a British Sunday broadsheet newspaper The Business, a novel The Business, a band The Business, a term describing something that is excellent, or well-done. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Portal:Currentevents September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... May 25 is the 145th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (146th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... October 4 is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Portal:Currentevents September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... November 3 is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 58 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... February 13 is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 4 is the 338th day of the year (339th on leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Al Yamamah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (599 words)
Al Yamamah ("The Dove") is the name of a series of massive arms sales by the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia, which have been paid for by the delivery of up to 600,000 barrels of oil per day to the U.K. government.
that the Al Yamamah contracts were a result of bribes ("douceours") to members of the Saudi royal family and government officials.
The fact that the deal mirrors the conditions of the previous Al Yamamah contracts suggests that it is in effect Al Yamamah III (i.e.
Ain-Al-Yaqeen - October 17, 2003 - Article 10 (3936 words)
Dt Al Samari added that the board meeting has reviewed a draft of the cooperation agreement between the Darat and the National Center for Documents in the Republic of Yemen as well as the budget of the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for the financial year 1424/1425.
King Hamad Ibn Issa Al Khalifa the King of Bahrain has urged MPs and Shura Council members to "consolidate democracy, transparency, protect human rights and the principles of a free market".These were the cornerstones of his address to the opening ceremony of the second National Assembly session.
Princess Al Jouhara Al-Ibrahim, wife of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, and Princess Hessah Al-Shaalan, wife of the Crown Prince patronized the inauguration ceremony of the National Center for Breast Cancer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:
 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.