E.U. ARMS SALES BAN ISSUE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED BY NATO: CDU LEADER
Central News Agency
2005-07-15 15:33:45
Berlin, July 14 (CNA) The leader of the main German opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has suggested that the issue regarding a lifting of the European Union's arms ban on China should be discussed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Angela Merkel made the suggestion in an interview with the German Daily "Handelsblatt." The contents of the interview were published by the newspaper Thursday.
Promising that she will work on improving relations between Europe and the United States if her party wins the next general elections, Merkel said that as NATO has played a key role in the U.S.-Europe relationship, all important issues related to strategy and security should be discussed in NATO.
Merkel also criticized German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder's decision to support a lifting of the E.U. arms sales ban against China. She said his decision, made without consulting with other E.U. countries, has led Germany to become increasing isolated.
Noting that she will urge the NATO countries to reach a consensus on matters relating to a lifting of the ban, the German opposition leader also said that if NATO members fail to deal with the matter, the E.U. will then tackle the problem by itself.
The E.U. imposed the arms sales ban shortly after the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.
However, in order to further strengthen relations between Europe and China, Schroder and French President Jacques Chirac have tried to push the E.U to lift the ban over the past two years despite fierce opposition from the United Sates.
Germany is expected to hold general elections in September. According to the latest opinion polls, the CDU is leading the ruling Social Democrats and their coalition partner, the Greens.
(By Y.L. Lin and P.C. Tang)
Enditem/Li
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