Sources: BBC & Janes Defence Weekly; BASIC; Saferworld; The New York Times/Geoff Gates; Conscience; Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers

In 1998, approximately $660bn was spent on defence globally (NATO: $430bn, Asia: $110bn, Non-NATO including Russia: $60bn, Middle East and N. Africa: $55bn).

By comparison, a tiny fraction - some few millions of dollars - was spent globally on the prevention of violent conflict, conflict resolution, arms control and disarmament to organisations and programmes around the world……

4 million civilians have been killed in armed conflict since 1990 alone

84% of casualties have been civilian

8% of the population of Sierra Leone have been killed since 1989

1 jet fighter sold from a developed to a developing country would pay for the education of 3 million children in that country for a year

30 wars are raging around the world as you read this

There are approximately 500 million small arms in circulation around the world

UK defence budget approximately £23bn - 10% of taxation p/a

50% Oxfam's work is with people affected by conflict

200 million people have been killed in war and violent conflict in the 20th century - the bloodiest in history

Kosovo: What it cost - Bombing£2.63bn; humanitarian aid £2.54bn; peacekeeping £6bn; reconstruction (Serbia/Kosovo) £20.5bn. Total: £31.67bn

One cruise missile = $800,000

23,000 bombs and missiles were dropped during the Kosovo campaign, including some with depleted uranium tips

500,000 landmines and 10,000 unexploded bombs still in Kosovo

Russia, USA, France, UK and China possess more than 30.000 nuclear weapons between them. 13,000 are still on hair trigger alert.

187 countries are signed up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

USA has spent $120bn (1957-99) on national missile defence without fielding a single effective system

One B2 bomber costs $2.2bn to manufacture