Condi's Crystals
Posted by: Lomo on 17 March 2005
Are we all agreed that the appointment of Miss Rice to Secretary of State is having a crystallising effect on the USA's role in
all areas of the world. Light at the end of some tunnels , and even a hint of good humour from some of the more recalcitrant European leaders.
She has an interesting visit to China this week but as an icebreaker the powers that be have released a dissident who sent newspaper cuttings to her husband in the US. She had been gaoled for eight years for seditious acts.
In the same week, so as to be evenhanded, a law was passed allowing the military to invade Taiwan in the event of an act of independance by that state.
So Condi has some way to go but behind that charming smile there is a will of iron.
Maybe not crystals but iron filings!!!
all areas of the world. Light at the end of some tunnels , and even a hint of good humour from some of the more recalcitrant European leaders.
She has an interesting visit to China this week but as an icebreaker the powers that be have released a dissident who sent newspaper cuttings to her husband in the US. She had been gaoled for eight years for seditious acts.
In the same week, so as to be evenhanded, a law was passed allowing the military to invade Taiwan in the event of an act of independance by that state.
So Condi has some way to go but behind that charming smile there is a will of iron.
Maybe not crystals but iron filings!!!
I like her and hope she does give the Chinese a hard time.
This might be a good opportunity to mention the issue of Europe planning to end the arms embargo to China, despite their record on human rights and their threatening stance against Taiwan.
This is typically European (appeasement) but is also incredibly dumb for another reason. Whatever the ethical rights or wrongs of supplying China, Europe would only have to do it once or twice. After that the Chinese would copy any weapons systems supplied and make their own. After all, who would stop them, the Europeans?
I speak as someone who, in my capacity as marketing director of an engineering company, supplied tube and pipe welding equipment to China in the 90s - twice only, after that they copied us. Incidentally, on a sales visit to China, our agent (from Hong Kong) offered me the opportunity to make some 'real money' - the contracts that I was negotiating were only for a mere million or two - if I was willing to deal in arms. I could be drinking G & Ts or sharing a prison cell with Mark Thatcher.
Regards
Steve M
This might be a good opportunity to mention the issue of Europe planning to end the arms embargo to China, despite their record on human rights and their threatening stance against Taiwan.
This is typically European (appeasement) but is also incredibly dumb for another reason. Whatever the ethical rights or wrongs of supplying China, Europe would only have to do it once or twice. After that the Chinese would copy any weapons systems supplied and make their own. After all, who would stop them, the Europeans?
I speak as someone who, in my capacity as marketing director of an engineering company, supplied tube and pipe welding equipment to China in the 90s - twice only, after that they copied us. Incidentally, on a sales visit to China, our agent (from Hong Kong) offered me the opportunity to make some 'real money' - the contracts that I was negotiating were only for a mere million or two - if I was willing to deal in arms. I could be drinking G & Ts or sharing a prison cell with Mark Thatcher.
Regards
Steve M
I also understand that Congress is really angry about this and is talking about trade embargos on Europe if arms are exported to China.
I think this is a plain stupid idea by the EU to give the Chinese what they want without anything in return. Are we any further forward with human rights in that country since Tiananmen Square
I think this is a plain stupid idea by the EU to give the Chinese what they want without anything in return. Are we any further forward with human rights in that country since Tiananmen Square
quote:Originally posted by 7V:
I could be drinking G & Ts or sharing a prison cell with Mark Thatcher.
...except you'd actually have the cell to yourself cos Mark Thatcher, being the rich bastard that he is, can afford to pay a big enough fine to keep himself out of jail!
Well said Jon 