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China-Japan-Koreas
Chirac tells Japan desire to lift EU arms embargo of China 'legitimate'
2005-03-27
French President Jacques Chirac told a concerned Japan that China's desire for the European Union to lift its arms embargo was "legitimate" and would not entail exports of sensitive weapons and technology. France has been a prime supporter of ending the ban on selling arms to China, a move opposed by both the United States and its ally Japan. "The prime minister told me of his concerns. He asked me for explanations," Chirac told a joint news conference after talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. "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. "Hence the decision does not mean things would change. It's a political decision," he said. "We believe that this lifting is legitimately sought by China and that's why we have taken this decision."
Is it just me, or does that statement make no sense?
Koizumi reiterated Japan's opposition to lifting the embargo, imposed after China's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989. "We told the president that we are against it," Koizumi said. "In China, military spending had seen double-digit growth for more than 10 years. As for Japan, the defense spending has been on decline over the past three straight years," Koizumi said. "Japan does not regard China's economic growth as a threat. Rather we regard it as an opportunity. However, in relation to security concerns such as the Taiwan issue Japan has been asking for a peaceful resolution," Koizumi said.

The European Union had initially set a goal of lifting the ban by the end of June, when the presidency of the 25-member bloc shifts from Luxembourg to Britain. Britain had suggested that the end of the weapons sale ban could be delayed after China on March 14 gave its army legal power to invade Taiwan if the island seeks formal independence. But Chirac has vowed to push ahead and end the embargo by the end of June. A joint statement after talks between Chirac and Koizumi said the two countries sought to understand each other. "France expressed its desire to contribute actively with Japan to peace and the lasting stability of the region," the statement said. It said Japan believed "there are a number of major uncertainties" in "the security situation in East Asia." Chirac and Koizumi said the two countries agreed to expand dialogue "to follow the evolution of the situation in the region and to develop common views."
Then the Japanese announced arms sales to the French terrorist organization AZF, "Which they have assured us are for peaceful uses only and would never be used to assassinate French politicians, you treacherous, round-eyed S.O.B."
Posted by:Anonymoose

#11  I think the PacRim nations need to be actively unhelpful to any and all French endeavors. More than 2 can play Chirac's game.
Posted by: Sock Puppet 0’ Doom   2005-03-27 5:03:27 PM  

#10  I agree, Frank G. The French need to feel some pain.
Posted by: Tom   2005-03-27 4:07:26 PM  

#9  Thanks for the translation, Mrs. D.
Posted by: trailing wife   2005-03-27 2:28:33 PM  

#8  If French arms are sold to China - they will ineveitably be used to kill American servicemen. I propose a shut off of ALL trade with France in the event that occurs. They are not our friend and we should make the costs clear. Same with Germany if they join in. NATO is over.
Posted by: Frank G   2005-03-27 12:17:28 PM  

#7  Japan is more than capable of assembling/building any naval force it thinks necessary.
Posted by: Shipman   2005-03-27 12:13:09 PM  

#6  
Some of you may not speak Phrawg or Japanese, so here's the subtitles:

"The prime minister told me of his concerns. He was pissedHe asked me for explanations," I couldn't calm him down.Chirac told a joint news conference after talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

"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. Like our sacred Growth and Stability pact.
"Hence the decision does not mean things would change. It�s a political decision," he said.Political decisions change nothing. We do whatever we wish.
"We believe that this lifting is legitimately sought by China and that�s why we have taken this decision."China has agreed to pre-pay for all purchases
"We told the president that we are against it," I behaved well and wasn't rude.Koizumi said.
"In China, military spending had seen double-digit growth for more than 10 years. As for Japan, the defense spending has been on decline over the past three straight years," Koizumi said.But I'm still pissed
"Japan does not regard China�s economic growth as a threat. Rather we regard it as an opportunity. However, in relation to security concerns such as the Taiwan issue Japan has been asking for a peaceful resolution," Koizumi said.We don't want to kill anybody. But if a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well. And we do killing well.
The European Union had initially set a goal of lifting the ban by the end of June, when the presidency of the 25-member bloc shifts from Luxembourg French whores with German accents to BritainGood blokes, they hope.
A joint statement after talks between Chirac and Koizumi said the two countries sought to understand each other.
"France expressed its desire to contribute actively with Japan to peace and the lasting stability of the region,"France will sell second rate arms to Japan, too. the statement said.
It said Japan believed "there are a number of major uncertainties" in "the security situation in East Asia."We aren't sure how many CVBGs we want to buy from the Americans
Chirac and Koizumi said the two countries agreed to expand dialogue "to follow the evolution of the situation in the region and to develop common views."Permanent Employment Act for Translators.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2005-03-27 11:57:41 AM  

#5  Damn straight. What class of CVBGs, though? We're gonna hafta sneak them past their own people, for one ...
Posted by: Edward Yee   2005-03-27 11:12:55 AM  

#4  China may be big, but the Japanese can be ruthless.

Let's sell the Japanese a couple of CVBGs.
Posted by: badanov   2005-03-27 10:39:26 AM  

#3  "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"

Not until, that is, until it becomes expedient to break them...
Posted by: Dave D.   2005-03-27 10:36:51 AM  

#2  "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.

Riiiight. How do you say 'end run' in French?
Posted by: Raj   2005-03-27 10:22:01 AM  

#1  You know, I'm looking FORWARD to having Japan's population get pissed and militant again. China may be big, but the Japanese can be ruthless.
Posted by: too true   2005-03-27 10:02:16 AM  

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