A Belgian arms company is currently negotiating a contract to supply firearms to the Libyan government, reveals Le Soir in an in-depth exposé. Supplier: Herstal – and its sole shareholder is the Walloon Region (one of the three administrative regions in Belgium). Estimated contract value: €111 million. Duration of contract: Five years. Charges: “Suspicion of partiality on the part of the Walloon administration, political lobbying (…), violation of the European Code of Conduct (on Defence Procurement) towards a state with such a deplorable human rights record,” enumerates the Brussels-based daily, which believes the case will “prove a real ordeal” for Rudy Demotte’s Walloon government. It was in fact the Socialist regional minister-president who issued Herstal the export licence last 8 June. “Was that licence granted in due form?” wonders Le Soir. “Was there any political pressure in the runup to the elections?” Regional elections were held in June 2009 – and Demotte’s Socialist Party won Wallonia.
Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!
It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.
Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!