Other thoughts & fears of Kerrys buddys France & Germany;
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan is getting jittery about a new push within the
European Union (news - web sites) to lift a 15-year Embargo on weapons sales
to China - the communist giant that's been threatening to attack this tiny
democratic island.
The Taiwanese argue that dropping the ban would shake up the delicate
military balance in Asia and increase the threat of war with Taiwan, a
conflict that could drag in America and spark a Japanese military buildup.
They also insist that the EU Embargo - imposed after China's bloody 1989
crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests - should continue until the
Chinese improve their dismal human rights record.
Some analysts agree that EU sales could pose a threat to Asia's security.
But the argument that the Embargo should be used to push for better human
rights rings hollow, other say, noting that Taiwan has for years been one of
China's biggest investors.
In recent months, France and Germany have been the most enthusiastic about
selling weapons to China. EU leaders are reviewing the policy, but no date
has been set for a decision.
The French hope the arms sales to China can help create a more "multipolar"
world with several strong countries or blocs that can check American power,
said Willem van Kemenade, a Dutch sinologist and author who's writing a new
book about the U.S.-China-EU relationship.
Van Kemenade does not think scuttling the ban would destabilize the region.
For many years to come, European arms sales to China will represent just a
fraction "of what the U.S. is stuffing into Taiwan," he said, referring to
years of American weapons sales to the island.
But Lai I-chung, director of foreign policy studies at the Taiwan Thinktank,
said there would be booming trade with China's massive, big-spending
military if the EU Embargo ended. With advanced weaponry, China would feel
emboldened and tempted to use force to achieve its sacred goal: unification
with Taiwan.
"The regional balance of power will be tipped over," Lai said.
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It is obvious, France is no friend to the US, regardless
of who is in political power. They are a threat to world
peace and only have their own economic benefit in mind.
Chirac is a Bozo and a effete hypocritical Euro snob. |
