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I. United States1. Inter-Korean Talks The Associated Press ("NORTH KOREA ACCEPTS SOUTH KOREAN PROPOSAL FOR TALKS NEXT WEEK," Seoul, 9/6/01) and Reuters (Samuel Len, "TWO KOREAS END SILENCE, TALKS SET FOR NEXT WEEK," Seoul, 9/6/01) reported that the DPRK accepted an ROK proposal Thursday to hold talks next week. The ROK made the proposal in a telephone call through its liaison office at the border village of Panmunjom. The ROK ministry quoted the DPRK telegram as saying, "We accept your proposal and we hope the upcoming talks will produce good results respecting the spirit of the June 15 (2000) summit agreement and living up to the expectations of the whole nation." The DPRK's foreign news outlet, KCNA, confirmed the telegram had been sent. The ROK had suggested that Cabinet ministers of the two sides meet September 15-18 in Seoul. The Yonhap news agency reported that ROK deputy foreign minister Yim Sung-joon, said Thursday that the two sides should discuss "easy" issues such as family reunions and economic issues. However, ROK's chief presidential spokesman Park Joon-young told foreign journalists they might also military issues. Also Thursday, Japan said it planned to send a government mission to the DPRK next week to make sure that rice it has donated to country is fairly distributed. 2. PRC Missile Development The Washington Times (Bill Gertz, "CHINA READY TO DEPLOY ITS FIRST MOBILE ICBMS," 9/6/01) reported that the Washington Times has learned that the PRC will soon deploy its first road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles with a predicted range that includes the western US. US intelligence agencies detected the PRC military's formation of the first missile units equipped with Dong Feng-31 missiles in July, and the US Defense Department believes the first missiles will be fielded by the end of the year. According to US intelligence officials, an additional flight test is expected in the near future. One intelligence official said, "This is a faster deployment schedule than was expected." A second US official disagreed with the US Defense Department's assessment. The official said deployment by the end of the year is "in the realm of possibility but not likely" because of the need for more testing. Officials said one classified US intelligence report concluded that the DF-31 will have its first "operational capability" by the end of the year. The officials said some of the missiles and launchers believed to be for the new units were photographed by a US spy satellite on a train coming from a manufacturing plant. [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for September 6, 2001.] 3. PRC Nuclear Testing The New York Times (Jane Perlez, "NUCLEAR TESTS NOT PLANNED, CHINESE DIPLOMAT SAYS," Washington, 9/6/01) reported that a PRC diplomat, speaking to reporters at a background briefing, said the PRC has no plans to test its nuclear weapons. The official said, "China is a signator to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty - even if China has not ratified the treaty - and China is not going to test nuclear weapons. As you know, the purpose of the Comprehensive Test Ban treaty is to prevent the advancement of nuclear weapons. There are other ways you can prove the reliability of nuclear weapons, through computer simulation." However, the diplomat said, it was reasonable for the PRC to forge ahead with the modernization of its military, including its nuclear weapons. He said, "Every country is doing that." He added that as the PRC's economic situation improves, the military would be modernized. [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for September 6, 2001.] 4. Sino-US Missile Defense Talks Reuters (Jeremy Page, "CHINA FOREIGN MINISTER TO DISCUSS MISSILES IN US," Beijing, 9/6/01) reported that the PRC said on Thursday that its foreign minister, Tang Jiaxuan, would pay an official visit to the US from September 20 to 21 to discuss missile proliferation and prepare for a Sino-US summit in October. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao told a news conference Tang would meet US Secretary of State Colin Powell and other US leaders before attending the UN General Assembly. Zhu said, "We hope the (Powell) meeting will enhance mutual understanding and further promote cultural and social cooperation and exchanges to pave the way for summit in Shanghai and the visit by President (George W.) Bush." Zhu added that Tang would raise the sanctions issue with his US counterpart. Zhu criticized US plans to sell Raytheon Company AGM-65G Maverick air-to-ground missiles to Taiwan, saying, "We are deeply concerned." He noted that the missile sales would violate the three joint communiques which form the basis of Sino-US relations and would encourage independence activists on Taiwan. Zhu said, "The US would be sending a wrong signal to Taiwan authorities as well as grossly interfering in China's internal affairs. We hereby express resolute opposition against the act. The US side should stop selling arms to Taiwan to avoid damage to Sino- U.S. relations as well as cross-Strait relations." 5. PRC Arms Transfer to Pakistan The Washington Times (David R. Sands, "CHINA DENIES VIOLATING NUCLEAR AGREEMENT," 9/6/01) reported that the PRC on September 4 rejected US charges that a leading PRC company had violated pledges not to supply nuclear-missile technology to Pakistan but added it hoped US sanctions imposed over the weekend would not cloud the overall bilateral relationship. A senior PRC diplomat said, "We were angry, we were stunned. This is not the way to do business between states." The senior PRC diplomat in Washington and top PRC Foreign Ministry officials both said the PRC had conducted its own investigation of the company, inspecting invoices dating back to early 1999, and had found no violations of PRC nonproliferation pledges. The diplomat said, "What is needed now in the bilateral relationship is more impetus to move the relationship forward." The diplomat said the PRC will pursue the modernization of its military and nuclear arsenal, whether or not US President George W. Bush proceeds with plans to build a missile- defense shield. However, he said the PRC would be forced to consider a much larger expansion of its military assets beyond the modernization program if the US missile-defense program proceeds. [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for September 6, 2001.] 1. Inter-Korean Working-Level Talks Joongang Ilbo (Kim Hee-sung, "S. KOREA TO HOLD WORKING-LEVEL MEETING WITH N KOREA ON GAS PROJECT," Seoul, 09/06/01) reported that the ROK Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy said on September 5 that the ROK will hold a two-day working-level meeting with the DPRK in Pyongyang starting Thursday to discuss the feasibility of running a pipeline from a gas field in eastern Siberia to the ROK through the DPRK. A six-member ROK delegation, led by Kim Jong-sool, vice president of Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), arrived in Pyongyang earlier in the day. 2. DPRK Missile Test Policy Joongang Ilbo (Kim Hee-sung, "NK REAFFIRMS HALT TO MISSILE TESTS UNTIL 2003," Seoul, 09/06/01) reported that informed sources said on September 5 that during the PRC-DPRK Summit on September 3, DPRK leader Kim Jong-il reiterated a promise to RPC President Jiang Zemin that the DPRK will suspend its missile testing activities until the year 2003. Kim had made the same moratorium pledge to Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. Sources said the two leaders also expressed their opposition to the US missile defense plan.
1. Inter-Korean Relations People's Daily ("DPRK PROPOSES RESUMED TALKS," Pyongyang, 9/3/01, P3) reported that Rim Tong Ok, vice chairman of the DPRK Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, sent a message on September 2 to his ROK counterpart, proposing a resumption of inter-Korean dialogue. In the message to ROK minister of unification Rim Dong Won, Rim Tong Ok said that the historic June 15 inter-Korean joint declaration gives great impetus to the improvement of inter-Korean relations and the reunification of the nation. The message noted that the joint declaration has won the support and welcome from people at home and abroad as the days go by and the will of the Korean people to fully carry it out at any cost is getting stronger. China Daily ("ROK TO PUSH DPRK POLICY DESPITE BLOW," Seoul, 9/6/01, P12) reported that ROK Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo said on September 5 that his country will forge ahead with its policy of engaging the DPRK despite the ROK opposition's ouster of the minister in charge of relations with the DPRK. Han told reporters a day after the cabinet resigned en masse over a no-confidence vote against Unification Minister Lim Dong-won that ROK President Kim Dae-jung would push ahead with his centerpiece reconciliation policy "without any interruptions." Han said, "This is the policy supported not only by the people of the world, but most of the people in South Korea," he said. Han told a news conference he interpreted a recent offer by DPRK to resume stalled talks with ROK in a "reconciliatory way." Jie Fang Daily ("HOW LONG WILL 'SUNSHINE' REMAIN BRIGHT?" 9/6/01, P8) published an article saying that the political turbulence in the ROK has put ROK President Kim Dae-jung's "Sunshine" policy to an unprecedented test. The article said the ouster of Lim Dong-won, ROK official in charge of relations with the DPRK, happened at a critical time. It added that shuffle indicated to some degree that Kim's policy toward the DPRK had not been accepted by most ROK legislators. However, the article noted that the ruling party led by Kim is not been at the end of the rope. Under the ROK political system, the article said, the resolution of the legislative is just a suggestion, and Kim can use his influence towards the public to maintain the implementation of the "Sunshine policy." Moreover, it noted that Kim still has the intention to retain Lim Dong-won's role on the process of inter-Korean reconciliation by appointing him special assistant to the president on unification issues. 2. PRC-DPRK Relations People's Daily ("JIANG EXPRESSED THANKS TO KIM'S RECEPTION," Pyongyang, 9/6/01, p. 1) reported that after leaving the DPRK, PRC President Jiang Zemin sent a thank-you telegraph to DPRK leader Kim Jong Il on September 5. Jiang expressed his heartfelt thanks to the DPRK leader, the WPK, the DPRK government and the people for the rand welcome and warm hospitality accorded him during his visit. Jiang said that his official good-will visit to the DPRK had been successful and he was satisfied with the results of the visit. He had cordial talks with Kim during which they had an in-depth exchange of views on furthering traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries and other issues of common concern, and reached a wide- ranging consensus. Jiang noted that the PRC is fully confident in the long-term and steady development of bilateral traditional friendship and cooperation in the new century. Guang Ming Daily ("A VISIT WITH FAR-REACHING INFLUENCE: SENIOR CPC OFFICIAL," Pyongyang, 9/6/01, B4) reported that Dai Bingguo, chief of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, who had accompanied PRC President Jiang Zemin during talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, said the visit has fully demonstrated the friendship between the two countries, deepened mutual understanding and trust, and greatly strengthened the PRC-DPRK relations. Dai said the talks were "an important measure for promoting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, an important event in the party-to-party and state- to-state relations between the two countries." He added that the visit is "bound to generate important and profound influence" on the future development of relations between the two countries, on peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and on the common prosperity in the PRC, the DPRK and other countries in the region." People's Daily ("JIANG ZEMIN MEETS WITH KOREAN LEADERS," Pyongyang, 9/5/01, P1) reported that during a meeting with DPRK president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong-nam and DPRK Premier Hong Song-nam, visiting PRC President Jiang Zemin said on September 4 that the PRC supports all reasonable propositions and suggestions raised by the DPRK to improve inter-Korean relations and realize the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Addressing the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Jiang said the PRC upholds the fundamental principle of helping maintain peace and stability there. Jiang added that the PRC viewed the unprecedented inter-Korean summit of last June as a landmark event that benefited peace and stability in the peninsula and the region, adding that such a détente was the common wish of people on both sides and in their basic interests. He noted that the PRC would continue to support the efforts made by the DPRK and the ROK to further improve inter-Korean relations and achieve peace and reunification of the peninsula. 3. Sino-US Relations Wen Hui Daily ("US, CHINA TO START NMD CONSULTATIONS," 9/6/01, P2) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said on September 4 that if the US formally proposes the missile defense consultations to the PRC, it will seriously consider it. Zhu added that the PRC has no intention of taking part in any nuclear arms race and does not approve of any country seeking a strategic edge over others through a nuclear arms race or the development of missile defense systems. He stressed the pressing issue now is to push for the early implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. China Daily ("US URGED TO KEEP WORD ON TAIWAN QUESTION," 9/5/01, P2) reported that the US was urged again on September 4 by PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao to adhere to its commitments on the Taiwan question and contribute to stability across the Taiwan Straits. Zhu made this comment following a report where a senior official with the US Department of Defense warned the PRC not to underestimate the US's determination and ability in its military involvement in Taiwan. Zhu said, "The Taiwan question is China's internal affair where no country has the right to interfere. We hope that the US will honor its commitments and do more to create peace and stability of the situation across the Taiwan Straits and the sound development of Sino- US relations." He reaffirmed that the PRC will continue its principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two system," adding that the PRC government and its people are determined and have the ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 4. Sino-Japanese Relations People's Liberation Army Daily ("HU JINTAO MEETS JAPANESE GUEST," Beijing, 9/5/01, P4) reported that PRC Vice-President Hu Jintao met with former Japanese Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa in Beijing on September 4. Hu said the PRC appreciates Hosokawa's long-term efforts in promoting Sino-Japan relations. He pointed out that a correct view and treatment of historical issues and the issue of Taiwan as well as strict observation of the principle spirit of the three Sino- Japanese joint documents will always be the political basis for smooth relations between the PRC and Japan. He said the PRC and Japan should look to the future, clear away all obstacles and push forward friendly relations between the two countries in the new century. China Daily ("TEARFUL PAST POSES A LESSON TO EVERYONE," Beijing, 9/3/01, P1) reported that a PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman said on September 2 that any attempts to deny or defend the invasion of Japanese militarists in World War Two will hinder reconciliation between Japan and other Asian nations. He added that any such attempt will absolutely meet the resistance and strong opposition from all victimized people of Asian nations. The spokesman said lessons should be learnt from the past to prevent the repeat of the tragedy. 5. Cross-Strait Relations China Daily ("'3 LINKS' VITAL FOR TAIWAN," 9/1-2/01, P1) reported that a visiting PRC official in Singapore said on August 30 that Taiwan authorities should respect the appeals from local people in business circles to quicken its pace to fully institute the direct "three links" across the Taiwan Straits. Taiwan business people have urged Taiwan authorities to abandon the "no haste, be patient" policy which has slowed progress on the three links in the recent session of Taiwan's Economic Development Advisory Commission, said Wang Zaixi, vice-direct of the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council. Wang said opening-up of the three links (trade, postal service and transportation) across the Taiwan Straits is a long held wish of people on both sides of the Straits. Wang said negotiations between individuals, corporations and business people across the Straits could be achieved if Taiwan authorities consider the three links issue under the one-China principle. 6. PRC Policy on Arms Control Jie Fang Daily ("CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE URGES TO PRESERVE GLOBAL STRATEGY STABILITY," GENEVA, 8/31/01, P3) reported that PRC Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Hu Xiaodi said in Geneva on August 30 that it was important to preserve global strategic stability and uphold the treaty regimes which have already come into force in the areas of arms control and disarmament. Hu said at the plenary of the Conference on Disarmament that the priority is to take resolute measures to prevent the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space. Hu said the PRC supports the Russian proposal, which calls for re-starting the substantive work of Conference on Disarmament, including dealing with the issue of nuclear disarmament. He noted that last year, the whole international community, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, recognized the treaty on anti-ballistic missile (ABM Treaty) as a corner stone of global strategic stability. However, Hu said, "we hear the advocacy for the total abrogation of this Treaty this year. All these cannot but generate profound negative impact on the international security of the 21st century and jeopardize the interest of all states in the world." On the issue of missile non-proliferation, he said that the international community should further explore the possibility of establishing a global regime for the prevention of missile proliferation on the basis of equality and non-discrimination and with the participation of all states. 1. Sino-US Relations Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Artur Blinov, "FROM RIVALRY TO PARTNERSHIP", Moscow, 6, 09/05/01) reported that US Presidential National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice recently said that the forthcoming October visit of US President George W. Bush to PRC would be preceded by intensive consultations where the US would reveal its plans concerning NMD. US diplomats will try to convince PRC authorities that NMD will serve the interests of stability in Asia Pacific and the whole world. Simultaneously, the US will be ready to display "understanding" as regards plans for modernization of PRC nuclear stockpiles. Rice also indicated that the two countries would have to discuss a possibility of resumption of nuclear tests. In the author's opinion, such statements are to partly neutralize the reality that the PRC is already aware of - that is that PRC's security will be the first victim of US NMD. The author wrote that even the initial NMD components will be able to neutralize some twenty PRC ICBMs. Rice reported that PRC was going to increase its nuclear deterrent ten-fold this decade. The author noted that it will be impossible without tests. 2. PRC-DPRK Summit The Izvestia (Georgy Stepanov, "AN ABSOLUTE LIKE-MINDEDNESS", Moscow, 8, 09/05/01) reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin's first official visit to the DPRK was ending. Jiang had talks behind the closed doors with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il. The parties denounced US NMD plans, discussed "particular aspects of bilateral relations, a plan to create a railway to connect Korean Peninsula with RF and a moratorium on DPRK missile tests. Jiang asked Kim not to aggravate relations with the US, Japan and Europe and the latter agreed with him. DPRK media reported about "an absolute like-mindedness." 3. ROK Government Restructuring Nezavisimaya Gazeta (SR, "A SCANDAL IN SEOUL", Moscow, 6, 09/05/01) reported that ROK Cabinet of Ministers retired following parliamentary vote of non-confidence to ROK Minister of Re-Unification Affairs Lim Don Won. The ROK Parliament held him responsible for a recent visit of 300 representatives of ROK public to DPRK, some of whom were prosecuted for "non-permitted contacts" with DPRK authorities and approval of DPRK actions. Were ROK Government not to retire voluntarily, the ROK Parliament could vote non-confidence to it as a whole and would have undermined ROK President Kim Dae-jung's policy toward the DPRK.
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