Richard Gere Has a Point

I finally agree with Richard Gere (no, it has nothing to do with gerbils). In today's WSJ opinion page (sub required), Gere implores the E.U. not to lift the ban on arms exports to China because of China's failure to address human rights issues. He also asks the U.S. and E.U. to support Tibetan autonomy within the structure of a "sovereign but benevolent China."

Europe and Washington's most substantial means for pressure is certainly the weapons embargo, which they imposed on China after the Tiananmen Square demonstrations in 1989. Yet the EU is now seriously considering lifting the embargo -- it should not. Sixteen years later, China still has not substantively addressed the human rights abuses that led to the embargo, and, in fact, many of those involved in the 1989 demonstrations continue to linger in prison. In Tibet itself, severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association and religion remain in place. This record should not be rewarded with weapons exports.

All the more so since China enacted an anti-secession law providing it with the legal authority to attack Taiwan should it proceed further toward self-rule.

He's correct, and as a Hollywood Lib, maybe the Euros will actually pay attention to him.