Probing into BAE Systems Alleged Corrupt Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia

The probe into alleged corruption by the arms company BAE Systems and it's executives, dating in the 80s, will do nothing but halt the arms sale to Saudi Arabia. This will be in the interest of rival arms companies in other countries to have deals with the Saudis as long as they have the cash. UK is need of the cash to save thousands of jobs.

After all, the deal isn't a threat to national security. The company isn't selling technology secrets or arms unapproved by the government or the international law. The world of business is familiar with such cases for contracts of big magnitude. UK can't be totally immune from it in a world of ruthless competition.

British companies can’t go against trends at the expense of their expansion. It is also common that many third world countries officials thrive just on such deals. Millions of dollars are yearly given away in bribes for “grandiose” projects carried out by foreign or national companies in developing countries. We shouldn’t forget that even in Japan, one the most developed countries, corruption and bribery are common among politicians and businessmen.

As we say if you can’t beat them, join them. So let the matter close and let British companies seek their markets. A contract in most cases should be seen as a gift horse that shouldn’t be continually looked in the mouth. It's better to keep the economy rolling than closing plants because the ideal client can't be found or was found out not to be such ideal.

It is a sad fact that corruption is sometimes used as effective tools to win contracts. It goes against moral principles as the law is put aside. The treasury doesn’t benefit from the handed cash as it goes into the pockets of the corrupt recipients.

The question to ask is : Will turning a blind eye to cases like alleged corruption by the arms company BAE Systems and it's executives become part of realpolitik?

It is so in many parts of the world where no business can start or continue after its start without bribery. How many other countries will join remains to see.