HUMAN RIGHTS HICCUP: A meeting of top officials in Japan reminded the Europeans that the region would not be happy about China getting access to advanced weaponry
European leaders yesterday signaled that they were in no rush to lift an arms embargo on China and could tie it to improvements in human rights, amid criticism that the move would destabilize East Asia.

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By Charles Snyder
Taiwan's government yesterday thanked US President George W. Bush for calling on Beijing to talk to the Democratic Progressive Party government, saying direct dialogue was essential to bettering cross-strait relations.

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IRAQ BACKLASH: Opposition leader Michael Howard said he would step down after the Tories' loss, but Blair was also a victim, with a marked swing against Labour
British Prime Minister Tony Blair won an historic third term yesterday and promised "radical" legislation on health, education and law and order, and said it was time to move on from divisions on Iraq that hurt his Labour Party in national elections.

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`HAVE CONFIDENCE': The president tried to rally party members to keep faith with the DPP, despite recent polls that showed falling support
By Huang Tai-lin
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) last night stressed that he had not altered his basic stance on upholding Taiwan's national sovereignty and dignity, amid the recent controversy triggered by opposition party leaders' trips to China.

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