41.   France, which was mentioned in the interim report as a possible illegal arms supplier, has since provided detailed denials of any violations, the commission said.

42.   France is the main arms supplier of the UAE, which is also tied to a defence pact with the United States.

43.   He did not name foreign arms suppliers, however.

44.   He is expected to meet with private arms suppliers there.

45.   In private talks, Turkish government and defense officials have expressed annoyance over the US move and said they would seek other arms suppliers if Washington continued its stance.

46.   Arms suppliers managed to sidestep the embargo without technically violating it by delivering most of their supplies to Zaire.

47.   Britain is a major trade partner with Saudi Arabia and its second biggest arms supplier after the United States.

48.   The UAE began enforcing offset programmes around six years ago in a bid to attract capital from industrial countries, its main commercial partners and arms suppliers.

49.   The United States is the leading arms supplier to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

50.   The three countries are the main economic partners of the UAE and its leading arms suppliers.