EU arms trade ban with China set to end, Chirac tells Koizumi
From The Japan Times

By KANAKO TAKAHARA
Staff writer

The European Union will probably lift its arms embargo against China by the end of June as scheduled, despite opposition from Japan and the United States, visiting French President Jacques Chirac told Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Sunday evening.

While Koizumi reiterated Japan's opposition to the move, Chirac tried to reassure Tokyo by saying lifting the ban will not result in big arms exports to China.

"The decision is of a political nature," Chirac told reporters through an interpreter after meeting with Koizumi. "Regulations on exports of weapons and sensitive technology to China will remain unchanged" after the embargo is lifted.

Chirac, who is in Japan on a three-day visit, said weapons exports will be carried out in accordance with the code of conduct and other regulations imposed by European nations.

The arms embargo was imposed after China's bloody crackdown on the democracy movement in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

France has led efforts to secure an early end to the embargo despite pressure from Washington to keep it in place out of fear that China may get access to advanced weapons.

The EU, eager to boost trade and diplomatic ties with China, agreed last year to aim to lift the embargo by the end of June.

Koizumi expressed concern that the move may change the military balance in East Asia at a time when China is rapidly building up its military and Japan is cutting its defense budget.

"It is necessary to deal with the issue in ways that would not create tension in the East Asian security environment," Koizumi said.

Koizumi also warned that lifting the embargo could result in increasing tension over the Taiwan Strait, especially after China recently introduced an antisecession law that authorizes the use of force against Taiwan if it declares independence.

"Japan hopes for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution over the issue of Taiwan," he said.

Media reports said last week that the EU may delay lifting the arms embargo in light of the passage of the antisecession law.

Chirac and Koizumi did not mention the possibility of a delay in their remarks to the press.

Koizumi and Chirac said they will continue talks on a project to build the world's first nuclear fusion reactor.

Japan and the EU are at odds over where to build the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor; Japan wants to host the project in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, while the EU wants it built in Cadarache, France.

Koizumi stressed that Japan has no intention of withdrawing from the race.

The EU has threatened to press ahead and start building the facility in Cadarache if there is no international agreement.

Diet members meanwhile urged the government earlier this month to start building the reactor in Rokkasho with its supporters -- the U.S. and South Korea -- if no agreement is reached with the EU.

Chirac further expressed support for Japan's bid to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council with the same conditions granted to the current five permanent members, including veto rights.

"I support the plan that will enable major nations to be represented at the U.N. Security Council with every possible rights," Chirac told reporters.

The Japan Times: March 28, 2005