|
Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network DAILY REPORT For Thursday, April 30, 1998, from Berkeley, California, USA |
1. ROK-DPRK Talks
Reuters (Bill Tarrant, "N.KOREAN LEADER MAKES PEACE OVERTURE IN LETTER," Seoul,
04/29/98) and the Associated Press ("N KOREA LEADER URGES DIALOGUE WITH SOUTH, WITH
CONDITIONS," Seoul, 04/29/98) reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, in a statement carried by the
Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday, called for improving ties with the ROK. Kim told a political
meeting Tuesday, "We must improve the relations between the North and the South in order to achieve the
great unity of our nation." He added, "All the Koreans in the North, South and abroad must visit one
another, hold contacts, promote dialogue and strengthen solidarity." He also stated, "Bilateral and
multilateral dialogues and negotiations of various forms must be promoted." However, he insisted that the
ROK first abolish its national security laws and disband its intelligence agency. ROK officials said that
Kim's statement was significant in its timing, coming after ROK President Kim Dae-jung openly expressed
willingness to improve ties with the DPRK. Kim Kwang-in, an analyst at semiofficial Naewoe Press,
stated, "The North is just repeating what it has been saying. But we can find significance in its timing."
Shinya Kato, an analyst in Tokyo with Radiopress, stated, "It's highly unusual for a North Korean leader to
make these kind of statements on unification. This letter is the most significant political statement Kim has
made on the subject since he took the reigns in North Korea about four years ago." Meanwhile, ROK
President Kim Dae-jung said Wednesday he was willing to have a summit with Kim Jong-pil. He stated, "I
know as much about Kim Jong-il as anyone else does." He added, "I'm sure a summit will be discussed
during North-South talks. If a summit is realized, I'll have the opportunity to judge myself what sort of
person Kim Jong-il is."
2. Search for Remains of US MIAs
The Office of the US Assistant Secretary Of Defense for Public Affairs issued a press release on
Wednesday ("AMERICAN TEAM TO RECOVER REMAINS IN NORTH KOREA," Washington, USIA
Text, 04/29/98) which said that a 10-man Department of Defense team has arrived in the DPRK to begin
the first of five scheduled operations for 1998 to recover the remains of servicemen unaccounted-for from
the Korean War. The team is operating in an area about 60 miles north of Pyongyang in Kujiang County,
at the site of a November 1950 battle between US and PRC forces. Two members of the team will remain
in Pyongyang to maintain communications linkage between the site and the US. The operations include
archival reviews of DPRK military documents, including a review in the Fatherland Liberation Museum
scheduled for next month. The last of the five operations this year will conclude in October, and US
personnel will conduct recovery operations in the DPRK almost continuously for the next seven months.
3. DPRK Famine
The Washington Post carried an opinion article from Per Pinstrup-Anderson, Director General, and Marc
Cohen, Special Assistant to the Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute
("NORTH KOREA'S FOOD NEEDS," Washington, 04/29/98, A20) which argued that the ROK's decision
to link fertilizer aid to the DPRK with the problem of divided Korean families "makes exceedingly poor
policy sense, from either a humanitarian or a food-security point of view." The authors argued, "Delaying
vital agricultural assistance will only compound the family-unification tragedy by sentencing Korean
children to death by starvation." They also stated, "Long-run food security in North Korea depends on new
policies that offer the country's farm families incentives to grow food." They concluded, "North Korea
needs access to policy advice, farm inputs and agricultural technology from aid donors to overcome
chronic food shortages. Finding a way to end more than five decades of family division is no less urgent,
but linking the two issues is a bad idea that helps no one."
3. DPRK-Japanese Relations
Dow Jones Newswires ("HASHIMOTO PRESSES N. KOREA ON ALLEGED KIDNAPPINGS -
KYODO," 04/30/98) reported that Japan's Kyodo news service said that Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro
Hashimoto on Thursday called on the DPRK to account for missing Japanese citizens allegedly kidnapped
by DPRK agents in the 1970s and 1980s. He made the plea in response to a question from Shingo
Nishimura, a lower house member of the opposition Liberal Party, during a plenary session of the House of
Representatives. Government sources said that Hashimoto's remarks represent an unusual appeal to DPRK
leader Kim Jong-il and that the Japanese government is closely watching how the DPRK would respond.
4. ROK-Japan Fisheries Talks
Dow Jones Newswires ("JAPAN, S. KOREA END FISHERIES TALK WITHOUT ACCORD - KYODO,"
Tokyo, 04/30/98) reported that Japan's Kyodo news service cited Japanese government officials as saying
that Japan and the ROK ended two days of talks Thursday without tangible progress toward achieving a
proposed new fisheries pact. However, the officials said that the two countries agreed to conclude the pact
soon in light of ROK President Kim Dae-jung's visit to Japan scheduled for October.
5. Alleged Korean War Massacre
The Associated Press (Sang-Hun Choe, "KOREAN WAR SURVIVORS' CLAIM NIXED," Seoul,
04/30/98) reported that the ROK Compensation Committee rejected a demand for compensation today by
ROK citizens who claim that US warplanes bombed and strafed hundreds of unarmed civilians in and
around their villages near Yongdong in the last week of June 1950, killing about 100. They also claim that
US soldiers later herded the survivors into two railroad underpasses and shot and killed about 300. The
committee ruled that a five-year statute of limitations on such claims had expired long ago, but did not try
to determine whether the massacre had actually taken place. Jim Coles, spokesman for the US military
command in Seoul, refused comment on the ruling. Chung Eun-yong, a representative of the villagers,
stated, "We cannot accept the committee's ruling. We will continue to fight to get compensation and an
apology from the American government." He accused the ROK government of trying to cover up the
alleged massacre to avoid embarrassing the US.
6. US-Japan Military Relationship
The New York Times (Sheryl WuDunn, "JAPANESE MOVE TO BROADEN MILITARY LINKS TO
THE U.S.," Tokyo, 04/29/98) reported that the Japanese Government submitted legislation to the Diet on
Tuesday to broaden military ties with the US and allow Japan to offer logistical support to US forces in the
event of a crisis. Japanese Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi stated, "It is indispensable for Japan and the
United States to coordinate and develop active diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region for the peace and
stability in the region." Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and Obuchi signed
a related agreement that underscores the expanded support from Japan. Masashi Nishihara, professor of
international relations at National Defense Academy, said of the legislation submitted Tuesday, "It does
raise new questions about the role Japan should play in the region." He added that the more immediate
issue is exactly what Japan's military relationship with the US should be. He argued, "Sometimes Japan
should be able to say no. And sometimes it might like to say how American forces should be operated
here, but today it just tends to blindly follow the U.S." Akio Watanabe, professor of international relations
at Aoyama Gakuin University, stated, "The main purpose is not fighting a war but preventing a war. If
we're very careless, we may unnecessarily provoke Beijing." Kanezo Muraoka, the Japanese chief Cabinet
Secretary, said that a decision on the area covered by the legislation would be deferred until an emergency
arises.
The US Department of Defense ("DEFENSE DEPT. RELEASE ON U.S.-JAPAN LOGISTICS
AGREEMENT," Washington, USIA Text, 04/28/98) announced that US Secretary of State Albright and
Japanese Foreign Minister Obuchi on April 28 in Tokyo signed an amendment to the existing agreement
governing reciprocal provision of logistics support, supplies, and services between the Japan Self-Defense
Forces and the US armed forces (Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)). The original
version of the ACSA, signed in April 1996, established terms and conditions for exchange of logistics
support for bilateral training and exercises, UN peacekeeping operations, and humanitarian international
relief operations. This amendment builds upon the existing ACSA to include reciprocal provision of
logistics support during situations in areas surrounding Japan that have "an important influence" on Japan's
peace and security. The statement said that the ACSA "provides a framework for exchange of supplies and
services but does not require provision of such support, or authorize new military roles or missions for U.S.
or Japanese forces." The agreement expressly prohibits the provision of weapons systems or ammunition.
7. Albright's Japan Visit
Reuters (Carol Giacomo, "ALBRIGHT SEEKS BALANCE IN U.S.-JAPAN TIES," Tokyo, 04/28/98)
reported that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, at a press conference following her meeting with
Japanese Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi, emphasized Japan's role as a key US ally and stressed that
improved US-PRC ties would not be a "zero-sum game" in which Japan loses. Regarding a recently
announced Japanese economic stimulus package, Albright stated, "Generally, we see this as a bold and
important step forward by the government."
8. Albright's PRC Visit
Reuters (Carol Giacomo, "ALBRIGHT EYES FORWARD-LOOKING SINO-US SUMMIT," Beijing,
04/29/98) and the Associated Press (Barry Schweid, "ALBRIGHT SEEKS STRONGER CHINA TIES,"
Beijing, 04/29/98) reported that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Wednesday signed an
agreement with PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan for a "hot line" to link the US and PRC. Speaking of
the upcoming US-PRC summit in June, Albright stated, "We are looking towards the 21st century in terms
of our relationship with China and that is the focus of the summit to try to look forward." Tang expressed
satisfaction that US-PRC ties have "maintained the momentum of continued improvement and growth"
created at the last summit, although he highlighted some "uncertain factors." Tang stated, "The issue we
attach greatest importance to is the question of Taiwan, for this is the most important and the most sensitive
core issue in the relations between China and the United States." Meanwhile, an anonymous senior US
official said that the PRC has halted delivery of medium-range missiles to other countries, but still exports
dangerous technology.
9. PRC Military Purchases
The Associated Press (Laura Myers, "CHINA'S BUYING BILLIONS IN WEAPONS," Washington,
04/29/98) reported that Harold Johnson of the US General Accounting Office told Congress Tuesday that
military sales to the PRC are expected to increase as European nations consider lifting the embargo on
arms sales imposed after the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Currently, Russia and Israel are the top
suppliers of weapons to the PRC. An anonymous administration official said that Europe was watching
closely "to see if there's a chink or loophole" that might open in US policy to allow weapons sales.
10. PRC Missile Development
The Washington Times (Bill Gertz, "SPACE DEAL MAY ENHANCE CHINA'S MISSILE PROGRAM,"
04/29/98) reported that the Clinton administration has drawn up a space cooperation agreement with the
PRC for the upcoming Beijing summit that permits the transfer of technology that also could enhance PRC
strategic nuclear missiles. Administration officials said that the plan would set up "scientific cooperation"
in the areas of earth observation, climate change, and the environment, and is aimed at enticing the PRC to
halt missile cooperation with Iran and Pakistan. A copy of the draft agreement was given to PRC officials
in Beijing last month during the visit by John Holum, director of the US Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency, and Assistant Secretary of State Robert Einhorn. The pact would be signed by representatives of
the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the State Science and Technology Commission
of China (SSTCC). An unnamed Senate Republican aide said the SSTCC is the same organization that
concluded a 10-year agreement with Iran in 1990 to share military technology. He stated, "Under this
agreement, American space technology would pass automatically to the Iranian missile program." A State
Department spokesman said Tuesday that the proposal "is still under discussion" and that it is not clear that
the pact will be concluded in time. The deal would include speeding up consideration of US exports to the
PRC of goods controlled by the Missile Technology Control Regime. Henry Sokolski, director of the
Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, said that the proposed agreement appears to be an effort by the
White House to coax the PRC into ending missile sales to rogue states. However, he warned, "What it is
going to do is increase the number of folks with access to our space industry, and it could make it easier for
them to get at military-related technology."
11. Russian Ratification of START II
Dow Jones Newswires ("RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS CRITICIZE NEW GOVT, VOW TO BLOCK
START II," Moscow, 04/30/98) reported that Russian Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov on Thursday
threatened to block ratification of the START II arms control agreement. Zyuganov stated, "It makes no
sense to consider this treaty now when we have zero national security."
12. Accidental Nuclear Launch Threat
Reuters (Leslie Gevirtz, "RISK OF ACCIDENTAL NUCLEAR ATTACK SAID RISING," Boston,
04/30/98) and the New York Times (Tim Weiner, "RUSSIA'S DISARRAY BRINGS A NUCLEAR RISK
TO THE U.S., STUDY SAYS," Washington, 04/30/98) reported that, according to a study by the
Physicians for Social Responsibility in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, the steadily
deteriorating condition of Russia's nuclear command system increase the probability of a single Russian
nuclear submarine launching its weapons against the US. The study's co-author, Theodore Postol of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that the Russians "have had a lot of trouble with their
submarine force historically." Postol and the study's lead author, Dr. Lachlan Forrow of Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, said authorities believe that a launch based on a false warning of a nuclear
attack would be the most plausible scenario for an accidental attack, noting that several false alarms had
already occurred in both the US and Russia. Forrow called on US President Bill Clinton and Russian
President Boris Yeltsin "to remove the nuclear weapons from high-alert status and remove from them the
capacity to be rapidly launched." He said that a much larger group of researchers from around the world
will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday to present the first 13 million signatures collected on
Abolition 2000 petitions in connection with the 1998 UN Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty conference.
The NAPSNet Daily Report aims to serve as a forum for dialogue
and exchange among peace and security specialists.
Conventions for readers and a list of acronyms and
abbreviations are available to all recipients.
For descriptions of the world wide web sites used to gather
information for this report, or for more information on web
sites with related information, see the collection of
other NAPSNet resources.
Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and
Sustainable Development in partnership with:
Wade L. Huntley: napsnet@nautilus.org
Timothy L. Savage: napsnet@nautilus.org
Shin Dong-bom: dongbom_shin@wisenet.co.kr
Choi Chung-moon: cily@star.elim.co.kr
Hiroyasu Akutsu: akutsu@glocomnet.or.jp
Peter Razvin: icipu@glas.apc.org
Chunsi Wu: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Return to the Top of this Daily Report
[Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Contents][Credits]
We invite you to reply to today's report, and we welcome
commentary or papers for distribution to the network.
The Center for International Studies,
Yonsei
University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
The Center for Global Communications, Tokyo,
Japan
Center for American
Studies,
Fudan University, Shanghai, People's
Republic of China
Berkeley, California, United States
Berkeley, California, United States
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tokyo, Japan
Moscow, Russian Federation
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Shanghai, People's Republic of China