Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 21:46:49 +0100 From: Jan Straathof <janstr-AT-chan.nl> Subject: [fyi] another peak STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Worldwide military spending rose dramatically in 2003, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said Wednesday, citing the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq as the main cause. According to the Stockholm-based think tank, military spending rose by 11 percent in 2003, or by $956 billion dollars. The group called it a "remarkable increase." The amount was up 18 percent from 2001 and 6.5 percent from 2002. "It's very close to the Cold War peak in 1987," said SIPRI researcher Elisabeth Skoens, who co-authored the report. The figure corresponded to 2.7 percent of the world's gross domestic product. Individually, the United States led the world in defense spending, accounting for 47 percent of the $956 billion, followed by Japan with 5 percent, and Britain, France and China, each with 4 percent, and the remaining 153 countries accounting for 36 percent. ....... --- from list heidegger-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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