U.S. Warns EU on China Arms Embargo (Reuters)

[Up2Late]

(Well at least we haven't started threatening the EU)

U.S. Warns EU on China Arms Embargo

Sun Apr 3, 2005 12:10 PM ET

By Patrick McLoughlin

RIGA (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said if the European Union ended a ban on selling arms to China it would affect its transatlantic defense trade with the United States. EU leaders have repeatedly voiced support for lifting the embargo, which was imposed after the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989. But the European bloc wants to ensure its U.S. interests would not be hit by the move. "It would certainly affect our transatlantic defense trade because the types of arrangements that we have had with defense firms in Europe would be upset," Zoellick said in Latvia during an official visit to the Baltic state.

Several countries, especially the United States and Britain, have been critical of the plan to lift the arms embargo, notably in the light of rising Chinese tensions with Taiwan. Zoellick did not mention specifics but a number of British firms have bought U.S. companies, including BAE Systems. U.S. groups including General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin also have investments in the British defense sector. "I think some of the opportunities and the integration that we have seen develop would be inhibited by this," Zoellick said.

Zoellick's remarks follow comments from French President Jacques Chirac quoted on China's official Xinhua news agency. Chirac told President Hu Jintao by telephone the embargo was outdated and should be revoked, the agency said Friday. Hu said the embargo had become increasingly inappropriate and that lifting it would help promote relations between China and the European Union, the report said.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told a German newspaper last week that he was determined to relax the EU's arms embargo against China despite possible opposition from parliament. "We think that a move to lift the arms embargo would be a mistake," Zoellick said. "For some of us, like myself coming out of the trade industry who have worked hard to create additional opportunities, this would not be a positive move." Last month, Chirac said EU countries would not start selling weapons to China if they lifted the embargo and his support for lifting the ban was aimed at normalizing relations with China.

© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

[htuttle]

1. When was the last time that a Bush foreign policy initiative...

...didn't involve warning or threatening somebody?

He's like a dangerous drunk on a street corner waving a broken bottle around.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. more like

a dangerous deranged dry-drunk on a steet corner with full body armor and a whole mess of automatic weapons and rpgs. The problem is that the threats come from the controlling authority of the planet's largest arsenal.

[DBoon]

5. That drunk on the corner

doesn't have an arsenal of nuclear weapons.

The power drunk madman at 1600 Pennsylvania does.

[Up2Late]

6. Worst yet, "that power drunk madman at 1600 Pennsylvania..."

...thinks God speaks directly to him.
<>

[cliss]

3. After reading the news on the DU for the past few months,

I've come to one very important conclusion. The world is arming itself to the teeth, as we speak. They have fully understood that the US is in the hands of a reckless madman. NO country on earth is safe from him, not even little Madagascar, quietly tucked away.

Any country that is seen as vulnerable only has itself to blame. Look at Venezuela, and the high-profile deals that Chavez has been doing with Iran, India, Russia, and now Europe. Consider the snow storm of new agreements signed. They all have one thing in common: the US is excluded from them.

Stan Goff wrote that the most important issue with the Iraq war was for the US to establish itself as "Fearful, powerful, devastating". That was the whole point behind the "Shock and awe" bombing campaign. It wasn't meant for the Iraqis.

It was to be witnessed by the rest of the world, sort of like Captain Bligh who would whip a Mate in front of everyone. It was supposed to be a deterrent to ANY form of defiance.

The US has failed at this. Witness Chavez's open defiance, taunting Bush and calling him a "clown with lipstick", and other nations openly showing their revulsion. This has to change.

I believe that's why Bush's Inauguration Speech was so belligerent. He was warning EVERYBODY that no one is going to stop him. So the message is: Arm yourself, and quickly. Nuclear is best.

[Laurab]

7. I think you're right

and I really don't blame them a bit. He has certainly been a uniter, in the worst way. How can they help but show their revulsion? I can't hide mine. A "reckless madman" surrounded by reckless madman, all supporting an insane agenda, holding ALL the power. An extremely dangerous combination.

[bluedeminredstate]

4. "Don't you do it!!"

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go ink the deal on the fighter jets to Pakistan..."

:eyes: