ARMS TRADE NEWSWIRE For personal, noncommercial use only May 8, 2001 HEADLINES: * Nigerian leader launches fight against arms trafficking * ISO-14001 Certification to Boost Sales of Pakistan Ordnance Factory * Congress Approves Landmine Treaty * Russia to modernise Libya's military hardware, no fresh arms sales * EU says dialogue with North Korea will end if missile sales continue * Saitoti Condemns Arms Sale to Africa * Malaysia to buy new helicopters The Nation (Kenya) - May 7, 2001 Saitoti Condemns Arms Sale to Africa Vice-President George Saitoti and a visiting German MP yesterday criticised the West for the woes facing Africa. Prof Saitoti said the West perpetuated civil wars through the sale of weapons to African countries. Speaking in Kajiado, Prof Saitoti and Mr Nobert Bluem urged the developed world to stop the sale of weapons and instead use the money to buy medicines and provide water to the poor. Dr Bluem, who is also the chairman of the donor organisation, Kindernothilfe Foundation, was visiting to St Martin's Vocational Training Centre in Kiserian. German Ambassador Yurgen Werth was also present. The centre is among several projects that have benefited from the Foundation and Germany's assistance. The MP said the billions of shillings used to buy weapons would be better spent to fight poverty. "Why shouldn't this money being poured to fight wars be used to buy medicines and give people water?" asked Dr Bluem. Prof Saitoti, who is also the Kajiado North MP where the centre is located, said it was no longer in doubt who was perpetuating the wars in the Third World. He lamented that Africa was going through the most difficult period in its history. "Africa is home to the largest number of poor; it is beset by civil wars and is the most affected by the Aids pandemic," said Prof Saitoti in whose Kajiado North Constituency the function was. He said that even as there was welcome development support from friendly development partners, Africans must recognise that they must face the challenges themselves. "In the final analysis, it is the Africans who must chart the destiny for Africa The German MP called on Kenyans to support the education of women as a means of developing the country.