Tokyo hears Chirac on China EU ban

[bemildred]

Boy, the Shrubites aren't going to like this. I expect even
more strident impotent threats now ...

French President Jacques Chirac has promised to press ahead with the lifting of an EU arms embargo on China, explaining his decision to a nervous Japan.

Chirac, the prime proponent of lifting the 16-year-old boycott, acknowledged that Tokyo was worried about arms sales to its western neighbour and rival but said Beijing's demands were "legitimate".

Chirac told a joint news conference in Tokyo that Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had expressed his concerns and wanted some explanations as to the planned sale.

"I indicated to him that the decision of the European Union does not imply a change in exports of sensitive arms or technology to China as they are subject to rules which cannot be broken," Chirac said.

al Jazeera

[w4rma]

1. Chirac is a member of the right-wing in France. His donors see big $$$ in

China and they want a piece of the pie.