Hello Steve,

SA>EU aims to be military superpower
SA>Anthony Browne in Brussels
SA>March 03, 2005

SA>AMID a trans-Atlantic row over its determination to resume arms sales
SA>to China, the European Union has outlined plans to become a military
SA>superpower and close the defence technology gap on the US.

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!  I love reading the comics, but this is
too much!  The United States is #1 in the world in weapons and defense,
having almost 50 percent of the entire world's armaments.  Britain is
#2 in the world, having almost 5% of the entire world's armaments.
Europe has always been divided against itself, the Island of Britain
vs. the Continent of Europe.  And the U.S. and Britain are the best
of friends, sharing much of their know-how and technology with each
other.

SA>The EU would develop unmanned drones, new armoured vehicles and
SA>advanced communication systems, the British head of the newly created
SA>European Defence Agency said.

Ah.  Britain would not mind being King of Europe.  And Prince Charles
would much rather be King of Europe rather than King of Britain.  Just
look at his coat of arms, which says it all.

SA>EDA chief executive Nick Witney said the 25-nation EU would establish
SA>a joint fighter-pilot training program and co-ordinate the testing of
SA>military equipment.

I can just see it now.  French, German, Italian, Spanish, and British
pilots taking flying lessons from Poles and Ukrainians.  It's a disaster
waiting to happen.

SA>The initiatives represent the EU's first step in military research and
SA>development.

Europe can dream, as it always has.  But for Europeans, making dreams
a reality usually turns out to be nightmares.  Recent history proves
that point.  Just look at Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany, creating a
united Europe through conquest.

SA>They are aimed at transforming the EU from being a political power, in
SA>charge of policies such as agriculture and trade, to a military one,
SA>capable of sending troops around the world to enforce a foreign policy
SA>agreed by its member states.

Europeans love to go to war against each other.  Spain.  England.
France.  Germany.  Italy.  Doesn't really matter which country.
They all hate each other.  And none speak the same language.

SA>The strategy is controversial. EU members such as Ireland and Sweden
SA>fear their traditional neutrality is being threatened, while in
SA>Britain there has been concern that the initiative will undermine NATO
SA>and its close military relationship with the US.

Europe does not have the same firepower that the US has.  Which is
probably a good thing, given Europe's history of fighting amongst
themselves.

SA>Moves to turn Europe into a military superpower will also heighten
SA>concerns in Washington over the EU's plans to lift a 15-year-old arms
SA>embargo on China. US President George W.Bush and congressional leaders
SA>from both parties presented a united front yesterday in opposition to
SA>the plan for renewed arms sales.

China is not the least bit interested in invading Europe.  Nor is China
the least bit interested in invading the US.  Even though historically
the Chinese have kept to themselves, rather than being an expansionist
power, the Chinese have been developing a growing navy.  And that could
spell trouble for many Asian countries, such as Indonesia and the
Philippines.

SA>The US Congress has warned it will consider retaliatory trade action
SA>against European countries that start selling military technology to
SA>China, a move Washington fears would threaten Taiwan and US troops in
SA>the region.

No country in the world recognizes Taiwan as a separate, independent
state.  Not even the US.  Furthermore, the US does not have troops in
Taiwan, and it is doubtful there ever will be.  If China decides to
re-incorporate Taiwan through military force, the US will not oppose.
To the US, as far as foreign policy is concerned, Taiwan is nothing
more than a mite on a chessboard.  To Europe, it is even less.

--Lee


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