Madam, - It is alarming to see the move to lift the EU embargo on arms sales to China gathering pace.
The ban was imposed because of the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989. China claims it was imposed as a "Cold War" gesture. This is not true. By 1989, with perestroika and glasnost well under way, the Cold War was effectively over, and the Berlin Wall came down.
The ban was a signal to China that the slaughter of her own innocent people was not acceptable if China was to take its place amongst the civilised (however undemocratic) nations of the world.
China has never shown the slightest remorse over Atonement Square. No apologies to the bereaved families, no admission that it might have been "a mistake", no release for the many who are still in labour camps or in exile for their part in the demonstrations. The would-be democrats are still described as "counter-revolutionary criminals". Until China makes amends, the ban should stay in place.
France's and Germany's mercenary motives for removing it should not be countenanced. The implications for Taiwan's newly won democracy are grim. Surely Ireland for once can give the EU a strong lead in this matter. - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY OBRIEN, Tibet Support Group Ireland, Dublin 4.