Stop Selling Arms, Period, End Of Story
Trading in arms and weapon systems is a huge source of income for a lot of companies, a lot of countries, thus for a lot of people. Consequently, a very unpopular topic.
Since 1989, the European Union has an arms embargo with Communist China, meaning European countries cannot sell arms and weapon systems to partners in Beijing. Good. But just a week ago, China's premier Wen Jiabao was in Brussels complaining about this. The Telegraph has more:
China's Wen Jiabao demands EU lift arms embargo
With barely disguised frustration, Mr Wen said it a matter of “regret” that he failed over his term of office to remove the arms embargo, which was imposed after the violent suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.
Since 1989, the European Union has an arms embargo with Communist China, meaning European countries cannot sell arms and weapon systems to partners in Beijing. Good. But just a week ago, China's premier Wen Jiabao was in Brussels complaining about this. The Telegraph has more:
China's Wen Jiabao demands EU lift arms embargo
With barely disguised frustration, Mr Wen said it a matter of “regret” that he failed over his term of office to remove the arms embargo, which was imposed after the violent suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.
“I have to be very frank in saying this... but the solution [to lifting the
embargo] has been elusive over the past 10 years,” he said, using strong,
formal language in his speech to EU leaders in Brussels. “I deeply regret
this and I hope the EU side will take greater initiative to solve these
issues.”
Ahead of the annual summit, now in its 15th year, EU sources had warned that
“we have agreed to disagree” with the Chinese on the arms embargo.
To reduce tension, stop selling arms and weapon systems. It is that simple. We need less of this, not more.
Sayonara, Mr. Wen, you did nothing to help improve relations between Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, North Korea... In fact, it could be argued that all of your initiatives backfired. What did you think more European guns could have done to help Communist China? That is so terribly sad. I know blogspot (blogger.com) is still banned in Communist China, so I don't expect this to make much difference. But, one day, most likely quite soon, you will also write your memoirs, and reflect on your decisions. Was asking Europe to arm Communist China really something you wanted to be remembered for?
Well done Brussels, and Europe.
To reduce tension, stop selling arms and weapon systems. It is that simple. We need less of this, not more.
Sayonara, Mr. Wen, you did nothing to help improve relations between Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, North Korea... In fact, it could be argued that all of your initiatives backfired. What did you think more European guns could have done to help Communist China? That is so terribly sad. I know blogspot (blogger.com) is still banned in Communist China, so I don't expect this to make much difference. But, one day, most likely quite soon, you will also write your memoirs, and reflect on your decisions. Was asking Europe to arm Communist China really something you wanted to be remembered for?
Well done Brussels, and Europe.
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