Arms Embargo On Hold
Hold onto those bullets, bombs, tanks and, okay... well you get the picture. The EU is holding off on its lifting of the embargo of arms sales to China. Aside from the obvious moral propriety of not selling arms to China, there are many positives to be seen in this decision and how the EU arrived at it. I first mentioned the potential for a delay on Friday, in my News and Notes post, and am pleased to present further data here.
Secretary Rice on Sunday, while in China, let the Europeans in on a little secret. "It is the US, not Europe, that has defended the Pacific." You’ve just got to respect a woman who says it like it is. The Times of London also reports that last week, while European delegates were attending briefings on Capital Hill, that they were given more subtle advice. The anti-secession law, passed recently in China, gives the EU an out – "a “fig leaf” that would enable it to retreat with honour intact." Very subtle compared to the 411 to 3 vote in the House to urge the EU to maintain the embargo.
The NY Times reports that European diplomats have admitted that the timeline has slipped due to pressure from the U.S. and the concerns of some of the 25 member states. No "official" statement has been given, and we shouldn’t expect one. In diplomatic parlance we’ll hear that the timeline has slipped or is taking the "slow-track" and that the EU remains committed to the end of the embargo. Reality is slow to arrive at the gare de diplomatique. [Sorry if my French is, well, poor.]
The issue isn’t over, its broadened, and that has to be seen as a good thing. The EU has for some time now been determined to treat their economic and trade issues as separate from issues of security and human rights. This time, at least, the larger issues at hand have had an impact.
