POLITICS: Britain in bid to postpone EU lift on China arms ban

Britain has signaled that it wishes to delay the lifting of the European Union's arms embargo of China. This revelation in the Financial Times cited unnamed diplomats as thier source and indicated that they would like to delay the lifting to at least 2006. Britain which has backed the lifting has been at odds with the United States over this issue. The U.S. is pointing towards the transfer of military technology, the status of Taiwan and China's human rights record.



I simply cannot imagine why they are so eager to lift the embargo. While the images of Tienanmen have grown cold perhaps, but the questions about human rights and Taiwan remain. Coming on the heels of the newly enacted anti-secession law its shocking. Actually its not. Chirac was in China, said the right things like a puppet, secured an large A380 order plus others and now to return the favor, he will sell them arms. Actually it seems quite simple. Germany has done the same as well.

Fred, you ask questions that you already have the answers to.

Why are the US so eager to sell arms to India and Pakistan?

Are you saying that they were no oppressions by either country?

Chinese human rights? Is America holding them back so it can finally beat China for the worst human rights record in history? They're nearly there but just cant quite make it.

Im suprised Tony Blair is even entertaining the notion of holding back China. We should try and get on the good side of the next big thing in World politics and not pander to this dying neanderthal.

Also FredT have the images grown cold of Kissinger and Nixon visiting China and practically salivating over the prospects of securing them as allies?

[edit on 22/3/05 by subz]

Red Herring

as posted by subz
Also FredT have the images grown cold of Kissinger and Nixon visiting China and practically salivating over the prospects of securing them as allies?

And this, among anything else you have said, has exactly what to do with this topic, Britain in bid to postpone EU lift on China arms ban, subz?



seekerof

at odds with its US ally

Do you think Britain backflipped on this issue for no reason? Clearly if you cannot see the relevance of US pressure on Britain to vote to sustain the embargo then nothing I can point out to you will be of help.