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Chirac defies Bush on China arms
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40855000/jpg/_40855241_parade203apbody.jpg China’s military build-up has alarmed the Pentagon
US President George W Bush has voiced “deep concern” about European plans to lift an arms embargo on China - putting him at odds with the French president.
Jacques Chirac insisted the ban was “no longer justified” but said Europe and the US should agree on conditions for lifting it.
Earlier, Mr Bush warned that arms transfers to Beijing would “change the balance” of China-Taiwan relations.
He was speaking after a Nato summit in Brussels that stressed alliance unity.
“There is deep concern in our country that a transfer of weapons would be a transfer of technology to China,” Mr Bush said.
He voiced a willingness to consider safeguard clauses, but he hinted that the US Congress could still take action against any move by the Europeans. “They know Congress is concerned so they will try to develop a plan that will ease concerns,” he said.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4288067.stm
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40855000/jpg/_40855241_parade203apbody.jpg China’s military build-up has alarmed the Pentagon
US President George W Bush has voiced “deep concern” about European plans to lift an arms embargo on China - putting him at odds with the French president.
Jacques Chirac insisted the ban was “no longer justified” but said Europe and the US should agree on conditions for lifting it.
Earlier, Mr Bush warned that arms transfers to Beijing would “change the balance” of China-Taiwan relations.
He was speaking after a Nato summit in Brussels that stressed alliance unity.
“There is deep concern in our country that a transfer of weapons would be a transfer of technology to China,” Mr Bush said.
He voiced a willingness to consider safeguard clauses, but he hinted that the US Congress could still take action against any move by the Europeans. “They know Congress is concerned so they will try to develop a plan that will ease concerns,” he said.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4288067.stm