WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. government has issued a third warning to Europe if it lifts its ban on arms sales to China, the Washington Post said Wednesday.
Senior members of congress met with President Bush Tuesday and emerged with warnings of a form of technology embargo if Europe lifts the 15-year-old ban.
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said if the ban is lifted, Congress could react with "a prohibition on a great number of technical skills and materials, or products, being available to Europeans."
While visiting Europe last week, Bush spoke of a U.S. intelligence assessment that Beijing is rapidly becoming better equipped to carry out a sophisticated invasion of Taiwan.
The intelligence reports indicate since Bush took office, China has raced ahead with one of the most ambitious military buildups in the world, including building 23 new amphibious assault ships that could ferry tanks, armored vehicles and troops across the 100 miles to Taiwan, and 13 new attack submarines.
