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14 April 2005

United States Welcomes Continued EU Arms Embargo Against China

European Union wants to see positive steps from China on Taiwan, human rights

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed the announcement from German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer April 14 that the European Union will not proceed with plans to lift its arms embargo against China until it sees concrete steps from Beijing on easing tensions with Taiwan and improving human rights.

"[I]t is a positive statement because, as you know, we have been very concerned about the lifting of an embargo that would send the wrong message on human rights," Rice said during a press conference in Washington April 14 with visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs Natwar Singh.

She added that “the United States has borne the greatest responsibility for the defense of [the Pacific] region.  Yes, the concerns over Taiwan are there," she added.

Following is an excerpt from the transcript of the Rice-Singh press conference dealing with the EU decision:

(begin excerpt)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

April 14, 2005
2005/419

REMARKS

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
And Indian Minister of External Affairs Natwar Singh
After Their Meeting

April 14, 2005
Benjamin Franklin Room
Washington, D.C.

QUESTION:  Secretary Rice, the German Foreign Minister said today that the European Union will not proceed with plans to lift its arms embargo against China unless it sees concrete steps from Beijing on Taiwan and human rights.  What is your reaction to that? 

SECRETARY RICE:  Well, I can't help but think that it is a positive statement because, as you know, we have been very concerned about the lifting of an embargo that would send the wrong message on human rights, given that it was imposed in response to the Tiananmen Square situation, but also that would send the wrong message and possibly create a reality in which technologies are available to a military -- increased military modernization in China that could, indeed, threaten U.S. security interest in Asia, not to mention the security interest of other allies in the region.

We have had broad discussions with the Europeans on this.  We have been pleased at the openness of the Europeans in discussing this.  But when it comes right down to it, as I said when I was in Asia, the Pacific is a region that particularly the United States has borne the greatest responsibility for the defense of that region.  Yes, the concerns over Taiwan are there and the anti-secession law did nothing to reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait; in fact, it enhanced - it increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

So this is perhaps recognition of that, those facts, and it will be the European Union's decision but we are quite clear that we think the lifting of the embargo would be a mistake. 

(end excerpt)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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