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Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network DAILY REPORT For Thursday, August 13, 1998, from Berkeley, California, USA |
1. DPRK Nuclear Program
Associated Press ("NORTH KOREA AGAIN THREATENS TO REACTIVATE ITS NUCLEAR
PROGRAM," Seoul, 08/13/98) reported that an unidentified DPRK Foreign
Ministry spokesman said Thursday that the DPRK may be forced to take the
"undesirable option" of unfreezing its nuclear program unless the US
lifts economic sanctions against it. He said that the government's
decision would hinge on a scheduled mid-August meeting in New York
between US Ambassador-at-large Charles Kartman and DPRK Vice Foreign
Minister Kim Gye-kwan. He accused the US of displaying continued
hostility toward the DPRK and of failing to promptly fulfill its part of
the 1994 Geneva agreement. He stated, "We hope the two sides will settle
the problems smoothly at the upcoming ... talks lest we should take an
undesirable option." He added, "In fact, all our nuclear activities have
been frozen and the safekeeping of spent fuel rods has reached a final
stage. But the U.S. side has not taken substantial steps for lifting
sanctions."
2. ROK-DPRK Economic Exchanges
The Associated Press ("UNIFICATION CHURCH, NKOREA IN DEAL," Seoul,
08/13/98) reported that the Tongil Business Group, owned by the Reverend
Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church, said Thursday that it has signed a
contract to send up to 400 tourists a day to the east coast of the DPRK.
Pak Po-hi, a top aide to Moon, said that the DPRK approved Tongil's
project during an eight-day visit that ended Tuesday. He added that
Tongil would use high-speed ferries to carry tourists to and from the
north on day trips as early as September.
3. ROK Student Movement
The Associated Press (Sang-Hun Choe, "S. KOREAN STUDENTS PLAN UNITY
RALLY," Seoul, 08/13/98) reported that the ROK government deployed
thousands of riot police on Thursday to deal with students planning to
march to the Demilitarized Zone for a pro-unification rally with their
DPRK counterparts. The DPRK has invited ROK students to the border for
the rally, but the ROK has outlawed attendance. About 2,000 students
gathered at Seoul National University for a three-day festival that will
culminate in the march on Saturday, the 53rd anniversary of Korea's
liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. The students shouted
slogans demanding the abolition of the ROK's National Security Laws and
the withdrawal of US soldiers.
1. ROK-US Military Exercises
China Daily ("MILITARY EXERCISE," Seoul, 08/13/98, A11) reported that ROK
and US troops will launch an annual training exercise this month
involving about 13,000 US troops. "The Combined Forces Command's
preparedness is an effective deterrent to external aggression and serves
as the foundation for diplomatic efforts to achieve peace and stability
on the peninsula through dialogue," the Combined Military Command said on
August 12. The annual exercises, code-named Ulchi Focus Lens, will be
held from August 17 to 19.
2. PRC-US Relations
China Daily ("AMBASSADOR SEEKS TALKS ON EQUAL BASIS," Washington,
08/07/98, A1) reported that PRC Ambassador Li Zhaoxing is ready to meet
US congressmen for face-to-face dialogues on an equal basis. Li would
like to talk with US lawmakers about matters of mutual understanding.
Capitol Hill, the PRC Embassy, or Li's residence are possible sites for
discussions, Counsellor Zhang Keyuan told a press conference at the PRC
Embassy in Washington on August 5. The PRC was responding to the
complaints raised by Christopher Smith, chairman of the House
Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, regarding Li's
absence from a scheduled meeting on human rights in the PRC. The PRC
ambassador initially agreed to participate in the meeting. However, the
meeting notice indicated it was a "hearing," a term unacceptable to Li as
a formal representative from a sovereign country.
3. PRC-Japanese Relations
People's Daily ("JIANG ZEMIN MEETS WITH JAPANESE FM," Beidaihe, 08/10/98,
A1) reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin met with Japanese Foreign
Minister Masahiko Komura on August 9. Jiang said that, as Japan is one
of the major developed countries in the world, the PRC hopes to see Prime
Minister Keizo Obuchi's new cabinet make progress in restoring its
economy and mitigating economic difficulties in Asia. Jiang said that
the PRC and Japan, as important countries in the world, shoulder a major
responsibility to maintain peace and promote development. In this way,
the two sides should work together to bring a peaceful, prosperous, and
stable world to the new century. Jiang said that the invasion of China
by the Japanese military in the 1930s and 1940s had brought not only
catastrophes to the Chinese people, but also sufferings to Japanese
people. It is imperative to summarize both the positive and negative
experiences of Sino-Japanese ties, and that on this basis, the two
countries will push forward the bilateral relationship. Jiang said that
this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese
Peace and Friendship Treaty, which defined all the principles set out in
the Sino-Japan Joint Statement and thus laid a solid political foundation
for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations and embodied the
common aspiration of both the Chinese and Japanese people to enhance
friendship for coming generations. He said that he looks forward to a
state visit to Japan this fall and is willing to engage in a wide range
of contacts with all walks of life in Japan, including the government and
the public, to discuss the direction of development for the bilateral
relationship in the long run.
Jie Fang Daily ("JAPAN SHOULD ATTACH MORE IMPORTANCE TO JAPAN-CHINA
RELATIONS," 08/11/98, A3) carried an article written by Lu Zhongwei,
deputy director of China Institute of Contemporary International
Relations, saying that the re-definition of Japan-US relations promoted
the Japan-US relationship, but brought pressure to the Japan-PRC
relationship and estranged Japan from Asia. The article said that
Japan's policymakers were aware of the imbalance in its diplomatic
structure. Therefore, the Japanese side repeatedly expressed its
willingness to explain the redefinition of the defense cooperation
guidelines to the PRC. Besides, former Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto
tried to improve the PRC-Japan relationship and to balance the Japan-US
relationship with the breakthrough in the Japan-Russia relationship.
According to the article, the PRC-Japan relationship has come to an
important period to determine its nature. From the viewpoint of the PRC,
the construction of a PRC-Japanese relationship into the next century
should be done from long-term and strategic perspectives. According to
the author, the PRC-Japanese relationship of the future should be a
cooperative partnership, which covers comprehensive areas and has large
potentials, but still carries some limitations. He urged Japan to
respond to the PRC's aspiration for creating a stable peripheral and
international circumstances with a PRC policy that takes a strategic
perspective.
4. Taiwan Politician Killed in PRC
China Daily ("DPP REBUKED FOR ABUSING CASE," 08/11/98, A4) said that the
"pompous" allegation that some members of the Taiwan Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) have voiced concerning the death of Lin Ti-chuan
has misled people on Taiwan and sabotaged cross-Straits relations. The
article by a Xinhua commentator on August 9 pointed to the DPP's
"irresponsible" remarks on Lin's case. The DPP has pledged to press
Taiwan authorities to suspend cross-Straits exchanges and called on Koo
Chen-fu, president of the Straits Exchange Foundation, to cancel his
anticipated visit to the PRC in September, according to the commentary.
The commentary said that the relevant department in the PRC has taken
into full account Lin's family's opinions when dealing with the
unfortunate incident, and this has won recognition from most Taiwan
compatriots. However, some DPP members are still bent on plotting to
incite the feeling of Taiwan compatriots against the mainland by taking
advantage of the return of Lin's remains to Taiwan, the article said,
adding that their attempt to make trouble in cross-Straits relations will
surely end with failure.
1. Chinese Development Publication
Chinabrief is a 24-page, quarterly English language publication
containing sectoral analyses, project digests, news and features covering
social development, rural development, poverty alleviation, and
environment protection projects in China. It also produces a four page,
Chinese language companion to each English edition, distributed free on
request to mainland Chinese organizations, summarizing themes covered in
the English version. A website with sample articles and additional
information is forthcoming. Chinabrief aims to improve information flows
to and between international agencies funding or implementing development
projects in China, with particular emphasis on the work of non government
organizations. It also aims to share this information with Chinese
government agencies and non profit organizations (who may receive the
publication free on request), and to advance analysis and discussion of
key development challenges in China. Chinabrief is supported by
subscription sales and grants from the Ford Foundation, Save the Children
(UK), and the World Wide Fund for Nature International--China Programme,
and is published by China Development Research Services, an independent
company registered in Hong Kong. It is available to international non-
profit organizations and individuals for a subscription rate of US$40 and
to other institutions, libraries, and corporations for US$60. Sample
copies are free on request from: chinabrief, Qing Yun Jie Post Office,
Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, PRC. Tel/Fax: 86 (0)871 532 7302.
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