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China-Japan-Koreas
China likely to wait longer for end of EU weapons ban
2006-09-11
HELSINKI, Finland - In 2004, the European Union appeared close to lifting a ban on selling weapons to China. Today, it is balking and avoids the issue as if it were a rusty grenade with the pin pulled.

The 17-year-old ban on arms sales is unlikely to go soon because the Europeans are fence-sitting _ for several reasons. The EUÂ’s 25 member states are split on the issue and wary about another rift with the United States, which vehemently opposes ending the ban. Additionally, ChinaÂ’s glacial progress in improving human rights and its bellicose language about Taiwan have slowed the momentum on the issue.

But the Chinese are not giving up and were quick to raise the weapons ban issue on Saturday at a summit with the EU in Helsinki, Finland. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reminded the Europeans they promised to scuttle the ban. At a joint news conference with EU leaders he said the bloc must display vision and courageÂ’ and end it immediately. He called it a matter of mutual respect and equality.Â’
Posted by:Steve White

#8  Dr. White:
FYI blowing diet coke out one's nose really hurts. Warning, please.
Posted by: Quana   2006-09-11 23:07  

#7  I agree with your diagnosis, Doctor. [golf clap]
Posted by: Zenster   2006-09-11 16:35  

#6  Europe finally located two of its last lonely neurons and managed to rub them together.

They've been held together by a spirochete.
Posted by: Steve White   2006-09-11 09:52  

#5  At a joint news conference with EU leaders he said the bloc must display vision and courageÂ’ and end it immediately. He called it a matter of mutual respect and equality.Â’

Why do murdering monsters always pull this kind of love talk out of their ass when they want something?
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2006-09-11 07:41  

#4  TGA, where for art thou?
Posted by: .com   2006-09-11 03:41  

#3  Imagine that. Europe finally located two of its last lonely neurons and managed to rub them together. Willfully blind regarding the Iranian threat, they somehow managed to recognize that Iran's biggest sponsor might not have their best interests at heart. Especially not so with respect to buying scads of the most advanced weaponry available. Go figure. Maybe it has something to do with Finland holding the EU presidency. The Finns have been mighty rational of late.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-09-11 03:34  

#2  Article: America has warned China it might help defend Taiwan, which raises a deeply troubling scenario to some: the EU arming an authoritarian power fighting American forces defending democracy on Taiwan.

One word needs to be changed:

America has warned China it might help defend Taiwan, which raises a deeply troubling gratifying scenario to some: the EU arming an authoritarian power fighting American forces defending democracy on Taiwan.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2006-09-11 02:14  

#1  China, you do not even need Tiawan. More mandate may await.
Posted by: newc   2006-09-11 00:36  

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