Israel now a top defense exporter
By Peter Enav, Associated Press (via Newsday), November 19, 2003

With an arsenal ranging from the Uzi to attack drones and airborne early warning systems, Israel has quietly transformed itself into one of the world's top defense exporters.

Defense News has ranked Israel as No. 3 based on 2002 contracts, and an Israeli expert told The Associated Press the country was now considered to be in the top five. Growing sales to Turkey and India, two major new markets for Israel, have driven the surge.

The country's success as a weapons exporter comes against the backdrop of three years of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has stifled Israel's economic development and deepened its isolation. [...more]
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Short: A 'Kind and Caring' Diplomat
Louisa Nesbitt, PA News


Roger Short, the Consul General feared dead in the Istanbul, was described tonight as a “kind and generous” man who was dedicated to his career as a diplomat.

The 59-year-old, who was educated at Oxford, was posted in Turkey on a number of occasions and spoke the language fluently.

The consulate’s chaplain Ian Sherwood said: “His life was his career in the Foreign Office.”

Earlier this week Mr Short hosted a reception for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who was visiting Turkey.

“It comes as an even deeper shock given that he was such a kind and generous person,” Mr Sherwood said.

“He was one of my best friends.

“He was one of these characters that a lot of people knew.”

Mr Short had an extensive career spanning more than 30 years with the Foreign Office.

After leaving Oxford he joined the Diplomatic Service and had his first overseas posting in the Turkish capital, Ankara, in 1969.

He served in Rio de Janeiro and then returned to become Head of Chancery in Ankara in 1981.

Mr Short was made deputy head of the Permanent Under-Secretary’s office in 1984 and was posted as Head of Chancery in Oslo in 1986.

After becoming head of the Foreign Office’s Personnel Services Department he went on to become UK ambassador to Sofia in 1994.

He was Chief of Staff in Sarajevo from 1999 and in 2000 took up his latest posting as UK Consul General in Istanbul.

Mr Short is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
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- posted by ARYABHATT @ 6:38 pm