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Bush warns Europe not to lift arms embargo against China By TERRENCE HUNT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BRUSSELS, Belgium — President Bush and European leaders settled simmering differences about Iraq but plunged into a troublesome new dispute Tuesday over the lifting of an arms embargo against China. Bush warned Congress might retaliate if Europe revokes the 15-year ban. Bush said lifting the embargo, imposed after the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy activists, “would change the balance of relations between China and Taiwan and that’s of concern.” But French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the ban should go. “It will happen,” Schroeder said. The China quarrel was a jarring note on an otherwise upbeat day of reconciliation, handshakes and hopes ror oetter relations. “First time I’ve been called charming in a while,” Bush said after a NATO summit. He also met with leaders of the 25-nation European Union. “Europe and America have reconnected,” EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said afterward, Bush at his side, at a news conference. In a show of unity after bitter disputes, all 26 countries in NATO pledged money, equipment or personnel to train Iraqi security forces, though many of the pledges were modest. Estonia said it would send one staff officer to Iraq, and $65,000. France offered one officer to help mission coordination at NATO headquarters, said it would train 1,500 Iraqi military police in Qatar outside NATO’s mission. “The. NATO training mission is an important mission, because after all, the success of Iraq depends upon the capacity and the willingness of the Iraqis to defend their own selves against terrorists,” Bush said. “Every contribution matters.” The European Union and the United States, meanwhile, agreed to joindy host a conference to rally and coordinate international aid to Iraq. Consulting with his harshest critics on Iraq, Bush met with Chirac over dinner Monday night, will travel to Germany on Wednesday to visit with Schroeder and meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Slovakia. Chirac said America’s attitude is becoming “more realistic... It is progress.” Bush’s broad unpopularity in Europe because of the U.S.-led invasion was evident in the protests on the streets of Brussels. Police targeted demonstrators with water cannons Tuesday, after protesters, which numbered in the hundreds, threw a fire bomb and glass bottles at them near the European Union headquarters. Many Europeans also are nervous about a possible U.S. strike against Iran to stop its suspected nuclear weapons program, and Bush gave mixed signals about American intentions. “This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous,” the president said with a slight smile. “Having said that, all options are on the table.” He made a similar statement last week, saying a president never says never about military action. Europe is trying to persuade Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program in return for technological, financial and political support. The United States, reluctant to reward Iran, has refused to get involved in the bargaining and has suggested asking the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions. “It’s in our interests for them not to have a nuclear weapon,” Bush said. Schroeder said he urged Bush to fully back Europe’s diplomatic approach toward Iran. “We have to go down the road of negotiations together,” the chancellor told reporters. Bush also signaled his unhappiness with Putin’s retreat from democracy. “It’s very important for President Putin to make very clear why he’s made some of the decisions he’s made, and as well as respect his neighbors,” Bush said. “I’m confident that can be done in a cordial way.” Putin, speaking in Moscow, defended his approach. “Russia chose democracy 14 years ago not to please anyone, but for its own sake, for the sake of the nation and its citizens,” Putin said. “Naturally, basic principles and institutions of democracy must be adapted to today’s realities of Russian life, to our traditions and history.” Before Bush’s trip, Congress sent a clear warning to Europe about lifting the arms embargo on China. In a resounding 411-13 vote, the House said revoking the ban would endanger both Taiwan and U.S. troops stationed in Asia and would harm U.S. relations with Europe. Hinting at trade retaliation, the House resolution noted that the United States and Europe cooperate on the governmental and industrial level. It said lifting the embargo “would necessitate limitations and constraints in these relationships that would be unwelcome on both sides of the Atlantic.” Bush said he understands that the Europeans are working on a way to address U.S. worries about allowing China to modernize its military with arms and communications, intelligence and surveillance equipment that would give Beijing an edge over Taiwan. $700 roundtrip - Auckland from $783 ‘ Fares are roundtrip from LAX & subject to change. Taxes are additional. Depart 4/24-6/09/05 & stay up to 1 year! Roundtrip student E youth Rirfare Sale uiith the Travel CUTS H TRAVEL CUTS 8oo-592-cuts(2887) See the world your way Dance Marathon Thanks Student Government and the American Culinary Federation for Joining the Legacy! -1 Childs's M trade ar Network BERND KAMMER/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A demonstrator protests against US President George W. Bush' visit in Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesday prior to the president’s visit to Germany on Wednesday. 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