Political Quotes

“there is a very troubling development taking shape in the security policy of the European Union concerning arms sales to China. Briefly stated, the major European countries have already resumed arms sales to China and now propose to terminate altogether the long-standing embargo on arms sales that they imposed in 1989 following the Tiananmen Square massacre. This is all part of a new ``strategic partnership'' which the European Union proclaimed at its summit meeting with China last December. Also reflected in the communique for that meeting is European support for China's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime. The contrast with the policy of the United States Government could not be greater. Just a few days later, the Department of State once again imposed sanctions on several most prominent entities in China's military industrial complex for illicit sales to Iran. Recent public comments by European authorities seek to downplay the significance of their new policy. They maintain that their arms sales to China will not result in quantitative or qualitative increases. But, this provides little assurance since the major EU member states have already doubled their arms sales in the one year period between 2002 and 2003 to $500 million. Indeed, there are no rose-colored glasses available that can soften the impact of this dangerous course of action. The development of democracy in China would be the first casualty.”