gair rhydd
FREE
ISSUE 830 DECEMBER 04 2006
CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY free word - EST. 1972
“
n o i l l i m 2 .p9eople died of aids
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this year
What can you do about it? Features on World Aids Day Page 16
Health pay a visit to the University’s counselling service Page 23
ARMLESS Students vote to fight the University over arms investments
Student Council calls for the University to sever links with arms trade ■ The executive are mandated to take action ■
Joanna Dingle News Editor STUDENTS HAVE condemned the University’s investment in arms manufacturer by passing a motion at Student Council which calls for them to sell their shares. The motion, which was proposed after one third-year student saw gair rhydd’s front page article entitled ‘Up in arms’, urges the University to remove any money they have invested in arms companies. This includes any money which is
invested externally by companies that they employ to manage their finances. The motion highlights the fact that “as student fees in part fund the University, the University should listen to the opinion of students in matters relating to investment.” It also indicates that other universities have policies that prevent the investment of money in companies involved in the arms trade, and calls for Cardiff University to do the same. Third year Jesse Scarf, who brought the issue to council, said: “I read gair rhydd article before the last Student
Council and immediately thought it was the sort of thing Student Council should be passing motions about. “I think it’s important that the University has pressure put on it to change its policy on investments, after all, it is supposedly trying to be more ethical.. “I’m not expecting the passing of the motion to make the University uturn on its policies but am really happy that we have been able to let our thoughts be known”. Four weeks ago, gair rhydd reported
on Cardiff University’s ownership of shares in two of Britain’s top ten arms companies. Over half of its investment, as of August 10, was in BAE systems, which describes itself as the “largest European defence company” and a “top 10 US defence company”.
B A E systems is currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, allegedly for corruption and bribery in their dealings with many countries’ governments. One of theses countries is Saudi Arabia, a country with a record of atrocious human rights abuses. They are also alleged to have paid General Pinochet, ex-dictator of Argentina a Continued on Page 6