France Flunks Kerry Global Test

Given today's revelations, France's timing seems a tad off kilter.

Chirac calls for lifting arms ban on China

Paris, France, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- French President Jacques Chirac is calling on the European Union to lift a long-standing arms embargo against China.

"France supports lifting the embargo," Chirac said in an interview with China's official news agency, Xinhua, adding it no longer reflected present day realities.

The European Union imposed the weapons' ban following China's 1989 crackdown against pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square, in Beijing.

Today, European countries are divided over lifting the embargo, with Sweden and the Netherlands opposed to doing so. The United States is also against it.

Chirac noted "stong reservations" on the part of Washington, but said Paris would push for a swift lifting of the embargo. His remarks were posted on the French presidency's Web site, and came ahead of Chirac's trip to China on Friday.

During his visit, the French president is expected to press for greater trade and foreign investment with China.

Wonder how much key money China paid or promised in sweetheart trade and armament contracts? The US out-sources jobs, the French out-source their soul.