Rhetoric versus reality

[dArKeR]

As a European, I am vehemently opposed to the EU lifting the ban on arms sales to China, on the basis of world security as well as Beijing's human rights record.

This is part of a wider problem with the West irresponsibly selling military equipment and training to undemocratic countries and organizations.

However, what Lee Long-hwa fails to address in his letter (Letters, June 15, page 8) is that America is undoubtedly the leader in this respect.

The figures are shocking. Despite the rhetoric of being the guardian of peace and democracy in the world, the US has supplied arms or military technology in about 90 percent of world conflicts in recent years.

In the 1990s, around three-quarters of US arms sales were to undemocratic countries.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/06/20/2003175837