Chirac Ignores US, Assures Arms Support for China

On the other hand, human rights associations harshly criticize the EU’s attitude regarding the removal of the arms embargo. About 500 Chinese human rights advocates sent a letter to the EU last week and demanded that the embargo remain in place. Suggesting that it follows the human rights violations in the world in any case, the EU’s attitude was interpreted as "contradictory".

Currently visiting Tokyo, Chirac, held a press conference following a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, said that they talked about the removal of the arms embargo on China. The French President added, "Koizumi told me about his concerns regarding the issue and demanded an explanation." The conditions at the time of their decision on arms embargo had changed Chirac defended; therefore, there was no need for the embargo to remain in place. Expressing that China was right to demand the removal of the embargo the French President reminded that the EU had promised a lifting of the embargo of before the end of the first half of 2005.

Chirac also reiterated their support for Japan’s permanent member status in the United Nations (UN) Security Council. While the US, on the other hand, calls the EU not to remove the arms embargo. Meanwhile, the reactions against the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s offer to lift the embargo on China increase. Fritz Kuhn, the foreign policy spokesperson of the Greens, the coalition partner, warned Schroeder not to create new tensions with the US. The Green Party sees the removal of the embargo in a critical manner. The Christian Unions party also made similar announcements regarding the issue during the past few days. Meanwhile, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana said in his speech to the German press that they were working toward the removal of the embargo; however, China’s threatening attitude towards Taiwan has forced them reconsider the removal of the embargo. In 2003, Chirac had suggested the lifting of the arms embargo, which was implemented in 1989, with Germany’s support.