UK Foreign Minister says end to embargo is near. But both London and Lisbon demand progress in human rights. China sees embargo as litmus test on its Tibet and Taiwan policy.

London (AsiaNews/Agencies) – UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw said yesterday that the arms embargo imposed on China might be lifted in the next few months.

Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Mr Straw said: "I think it is more likely than not that it will be decided under this [Luxembourg] presidency of the EU."

Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, who is on an official visit to China, said in an interview broadcast last night on the mainland that his country was open to ending the embargo.

Both leaders, however, have said that China must meet certain conditions before the arms ban can be lifted—China must show clear progress in political reform and human rights.

The arms embargo was imposed after the massacre on Tiananmen Square in 1989.

In recent months, France, Germany and Italy had openly called for lifting the ban but there was no consensus within the European Union. Hitherto, the United Kingdom was opposed.

China is likely to see the end to the embargo as a favourable litmus test.

In October 2004, it released an official paper on relations with the European Union. First of its kind since it deals with a multi-state entity, the document acknowledges that "relations with the EU are the best they have ever been" and lifting the embargo "would remove many obstacles in their social and economic relations".

The paper however urges the EU to be "prudent" vis-à-vis Taiwan, which China considers a break-away province. It demands that the EU not sell weapons to the island and not recognise it as an independent member in international organisations.

The paper goes further and warns the EU against any ties with the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama.

By contrast, the US has asked the EU to maintain the embargo for fear that its lifting might cause an arms race between mainland China and Taiwan.

Russia has not yet made its position on the issue known, primarily for economic reasons since Moscow has been China's largest arms supplier throughout the embargo.

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