EUROPEANS REACH OUT

EU Intends to End China's Arms Embargo (Deutsche Welle, February 22nd, 2005)

The European Union announced on Tuesday that it intends to bring its 16-year arms embargo against China to an end, much to the regret of visiting US President George W. Bush.

US President George W. Bush expressed "deep concern" on Tuesday about European Union plans to lift an arms embargo on China, saying that it might upset relations between Beijing and Taiwan. His concerns alone are unlikely to be enough to stop the EU from pursuing its goal of ending its ban on arms sales to the People's Republic.

"With regard to China, Europe intends to remove the last obstacles to its relations with this important country," French President Jacques Chirac announced after talks with President Bush.[...]

It looks increasingly like some Europeans have been lying in wait for Bush. After the relaxed smiles and cordiality offered to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her tour earlier this month, the president looks to be having a rougher ride since arriving two days ago.

As well as the China issue, Bush has faced behind-closed-doors opposition to aspects of his Iraq plan concerning NATO members and the training of security forces in the country. France has agreed to spare just one member of staff from their NATO team while the French, Germans and Belgians continue to oppose sending any of their military personnel to Iraq.

Bush is also likely to face heat on other subjects such as the Kyoto protocol on climate change, the International Criminal Court and disputes over transatlantic trade.