Bush Ready to Study EU Plan to Lift China Arms Ban

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4G5ZX4QA5PU4WCRBAE0CFFA?type=politicsNews&storyID=7703568

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - President Bush warned Europeans their plan to lift a 15-year-old ban on arms sales to China could skew the military balance with Taiwan, but he vowed to consider a compromise if it addressed U.S. security concerns.

"There is deep concern in our country that the transfer of weapons would be a transfer of technology to China, which would change the balance of relations between China and Taiwan," Bush told a news conference Tuesday after a 26-nation NATO summit.

The U.S. Congress, fearing an end to the embargo could alter the balance of military power and put U.S. forces in Asia at risk, has threatened unspecified restrictions on defense cooperation with Europe should it lift the ban.

The Europeans are now trying to develop a plan to address U.S. concerns, Bush said on the second day of his conciliatory mission in Europe following two years of bickering over Iraq.

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[Spinzonner]

1. Isn't "Bush ... Study" an oxymoron ?

[nookiemonster]

3. Yeah, what the fuck is he going to study?

He doesn't even read.

What a dipshit.

[Rose Siding]

2. NYT w/link: Bush Voices Concern on Plan to Lift China Arms Embargo

snip>
"There is deep concern in our country that a transfer of weapons would be a transfer of technology to China, which would change the balance of relations between China and Taiwan, and that's of concern," Mr. Bush said at a joint news conference at NATO headquarters with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. "And they, to a person, said, well, they think they can develop a protocol that isn't that shouldn't concern the United States."

Mr. Bush added: "Now, whether they can or not, we'll see."

Despite the relatively diplomatic words from Mr. Bush, the issue showed signs of opening a new strain with Europeans during a trip that was promoted on both sides as a critical make-up session after the transatlantic quarrel over the war in Iraq. There appeared little negotiating room on either side.

http://nytimes.com/2005/02/22/international/europe/22cnd-prexy.html?hp&ex=1109134800&en=e3f89a990d275c56&ei=5094&partner=homepage

WHAT "relatively diplomatic words"??? Idiot!

[bif]

4. Does he even know where China is?

Or Taiwan?

[Tempest]

5. Bush is sending weapons to Taiwan

Bush is such a Goddamn hypocrite.

[seasat]

6. This brings back memories of Gramm's bill.

Phil Enron Gramm proposed a bill supported by Shrub Inc. early in their residency that would have provided China with tons of dual use technology. (LINK) I think their opposition is not about concern for Taiwan but concern that what little bit of export that we do with China will be replaced by European exports. Europeans will start setting up in China and increasing trade while the US and our dollars will become less important to China. Theri concern is for Walmart and their suppliers not Taiwan.