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Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network DAILY REPORT For Thursday, October 8, 1998, from Berkeley, California, USA |
1. ROK-Japan Summit
The Associated Press (Joseph Coleman, "JAPAN APOLOGIZES TO S. KOREA,"
Tokyo, 10/08/98) and Reuters (Teruaki Ueno, "JAPAN MAKES HISTORIC APOLOGY
TO SOUTH KOREA," Tokyo, 09/08/98) reported that Japanese Prime Minister
Keizo Obuchi and ROK President Kim Dae-jung signed an agreement Thursday
on new areas of cooperation. Obuchi stated, "It is my conviction that
this joint declaration will be a new start." The agreement included a
US$3 billion loan package from Japan to the ROK. Also in the
declaration, Obuchi "expressed deep remorse and extended a heartfelt
apology to the people of South Korea, having humbly accepted the
historical fact that Japan inflicted heavy damage and pain on the people
of South Korea through its colonial rule." It was the first written
apology ever issued by Japan to an individual country. Kim accepted the
apology and Japan's recognition of the past, and acknowledged that it
went deeper than previous Japanese apologies for the war. The two sides
also agreed that implementing the agreement to build two light-water
nuclear reactors in the DPRK was the best way to prevent the DPRK from
developing its own nuclear weapons. Kim also promised Obuchi a gradual
opening up to Japanese cultural imports. The two sides also agreed to
create a working holiday system for travelers aged 18-25, as well as a
new tax treaty. Kim said at a news conference after the meeting, "The
apology in the declaration is different from previous statements by the
Japanese government in terms of form and gravity." In a speech to the
Japanese Diet, Kim stated, "It is truly infantile to regard 1,500 years
of exchanges and cooperation as insignificant because of unfortunate
periods that totaled fewer than 50 years. Isn't it something we should
be ashamed of and something we should be reproached for by our ancestors,
who forged such a history, and by our descendants?" However, the Korean
Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan said
in a statement "We are seriously disappointed because the joint
announcement doesn't even mention the issue of" women forced into sexual
slavery during World War II.
2. PRC-Taiwan Relations
Reuters ("CHINA SAYS TAIWAN TIES AT CRITICAL POINT," Beijing, 10/07/98)
reported that the People's Daily on Wednesday quoted Chen Yunlin,
director of the Taiwan Affairs Office under the PRC State Council, as
saying that relations with Taiwan were at a "critical historical point."
Chen stated, "Whether there will be sound relations in the 21st century
depends on whether the two sides can start political negotiations as
early as possible." The official Xinhua news agency quoted Chen as
saying he that hoped Taiwan would actively respond to the PRC's proposal
to hold political negotiations, saying dialogue was in line with the
aspiration of Taiwan residents for peace, stability, and better ties. He
added that the PRC also hoped Taiwan would prove its sincerity to improve
relations and seek reunification of the two sides by abandoning attempts
to hinder the development of relations.
3. Alleged US Technology Transfers to PRC
The Washington Post (Walter Pincus, "INFORMATION EXCHANGES WITH FOREIGN
NUCLEAR ARMS LABS SCRUTINIZED," A08) reported that since July, scientists
from the Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia nuclear weapons
laboratories have been showing Chinese scientists and government
officials at the PRC Institute of Atomic Energy some of the latest US
techniques for safeguarding nuclear facilities and fissionable materials,
as part of an exchange program that also brings Chinese scientists to US
laboratories. One senior US scientist who has participated in the
program said that the exchanges are "our only eyes and ears into the
Chinese program." However, some US Congressmen have expressed concern
that the exchanges may be unregulated and lead to unauthorized technology
transfers. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), chairman of the
House National Security military procurement subcommittee, stated, "Many
of the foreign visitors are from countries that are considered possible
threats from national security or proliferation perspectives." Keith O.
Fultz, assistant comptroller general at the General Accounting Office,
told the subcommittee that "counterintelligence experts believe that the
laboratories are targets of foreign espionage efforts, and investigations
have shown that security has been jeopardized." However Paul Robinson,
head of Sandia, told the subcommittee that "programs on threat-reduction,
nonproliferation and arms control, safe and secure dismantlement, nuclear
materials protection, proliferation prevention, [and] lab-to-lab
collaborations in basic science ... require the cooperation of foreign
nations if they are to be successful." He also noted that allowing
visits in the US opened up nuclear labs in other countries that were not
accessible before.
4. Russian Nuclear Policy
The Associated Press ("RUSSIA MAY USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IF THREATENED -
DEFENSE MIN," Moscow, 10/08/98) reported that Russian Defense Minister
Igor Sergeyev said Thursday that Russia believes it has the legal right
to use its nuclear weapons to defend itself from an external threat.
Sergeyev stated, "We frankly admit that at a time of reform of the entire
military organization of the country, and of certain reduction in the
combat ability of the conventional forces, the role of the nuclear
deterrent factor is increasing." He added, however, that Russia is aware
of the dangers of nuclear weapons and remains committed to the principles
of nuclear deterrence.
5. Russian Missile Test
The Associate Press ("RUSSIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES BALLISTIC MISSILE,"
10/08/98) reported that Russian officials said on Thursday that Russia's
strategic missile forces have successfully test-fired an RS-18 inter-
continental ballistic missile from neighboring Kazakstan to a designated
target area in Russia's Far East. The launch, the 85th during the 20
years that the missile has been in service, was undertaken to "study a
possibility of extending the lifetime of such missiles." ITAR-Tass news
agency said that the military considers the extension of the RS-18's duty
"especially important in current conditions," because Russia needs time
to replace older nuclear forces with the new Topol-M ballistic missiles.
6. Russian Nuclear Waste
The Associated Press ("RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR MINISTRY SEEKS OUTSIDE FUNDS FOR
CLEANUP," Moscow, 10/08/98) reported that Russian Atomic Energy Minister
Yevgeny Adamov said Thursday that the nuclear ministry is planning to
seek outside help for cleaning up contamination from weapons production
as it does not expect any more federal money. Adamov also insisted that
Russia has no plans to develop new types of nuclear arms.
1. Nautilus DPRK Windpower Project
JoongAng Ilbo ("US REASEARCH CENTER OPERATES GENERATORS IN DPRK," Seoul,
10/07/98) reported that wind generator towers constructed by the Nautilus
Institute began supplying electric power to a village north of Nampo in
the DPRK. The institute revealed on October 7 that Peter Hayes, the
institute's executive director who recently visited the DPRK, informed
them of this fact through the Internet. This institute said that the
power generated by the seven wind towers is being supplied to neighboring
houses, a kindergarten, and a hospital. Institute workers visited the
DPRK last May and constructed a 30m-high generator tower and electronic
equipment to measure wind speed in farmland 48 km north of Nampo City.
On the second visit, the institute constructed the remaining six
generator towers as scheduled. Peter Hayes said before his second visit
to DPRK, "This project will tell us how important alternative energy is
in fulfilling the Geneva Agreement concluded between DPRK and the US in
October 1994."
2. ROK-Japan Summit
Korea Times ("HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTION PLAN FOR ROK-JAPAN PARTNERSHIP,"
Seoul, 10/08/98) reported that the leaders of Korea and Japan agreed to
strengthen bilateral security consultations and expand "person to person"
cooperation, moving away from the past focus on government to government
contacts. The two leaders issued a joint statement on the new ROK-Japan
partnership, which mandates the two countries to implement a 43-point
action plan. The action plan included agreements on diplomatic
exchanges, coordination of policy toward the DPRK, economic cooperation--
including US$3 billion in untied loans to the ROK through the Japanese
Export-Import Bank--and cultural exchanges, including an end to the ROK
ban on imports of Japanese popular culture.
3. Asian Financial Crisis
Korea Times (''ROK CALLS FOR STRENGTHENED WORLD FINANCIAL STRUCTURE,''
Seoul, 10/08/98) reported that ROK Finance Minister Lee Kyu-sung on
Wednesday urged world leaders to introduce a stepped-up international
financial structure to stave off a global economic meltdown. ''The
international financial structure must be updated for greater global
stability and soundness,'' said Lee during the annual meetings of the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He suggested that
enhanced surveillance, improved standards in transparency, and an
effective early warning system be put in place to ward off risks of
contagion. Minister Lee called on the world to address the intrinsic
instability associated with short-term capital flows. However, he made
it clear that the ROK fully supports the efforts made by the IMF and
endorses its position on global economic matters. He stressed that the
world will have to take immediate steps to improve macroeconomics policy
coordination at the global level. He praised US President Bill Clinton's
proposal to use a new method to overcome the spreading crisis and
welcomed a recent interest rate cut by the US central bank. ''We need
new arrangements that enable crisis-hit nations to quickly regain access
to the capital market,'' Lee continued. He also hailed a Japanese
initiative to help countries in the Asian region by providing them with
US$30 billion in aid.
1. ROK-Japan Summit
China Daily ("OBUCHI SET TO APOLOGIZE FOR JAPAN'S INVASION INTO KOREA,"
Tokyo, 10/08/98, A11) reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung started a
four-day state visit to Japan in an effort to build a new bilateral
partnership in the next century. He is also likely to receive the most
thoroughgoing apology yet for Japan's colonial rule, Obuchi's deputy
spokesman, Akitaka Saiki, told reporters. Obuchi is scheduled to deliver
the apology during wide-ranging talks with Kim. Obuchi also intends to
propose that six-party talks be held on the situation in the DPRK, Saiki
said. Obuchi and Kim may also sign a provisional agreement on a new
bilateral fisheries pact today, which the two countries, through last-
ditch efforts, managed to achieve in time for Kim's visit. In Seoul,
senior ROK officials said that Kim's trip will be highlighted by non-
economic issues, although economic issues are not less important.
2. Implementation of Agreed Framework
Jie Fang Daily ("THIRD ROUND OF FOURTY-PART TALKS TO BE HELD," New York,
10/1/98, A4) reported that the Korean Energy Development Organization
published its annual report in New York on September 29. According to
the report, the organization expects to carry out the full-scale
construction of two light-water reactors in the DPRK in 1999.
3. DPRK-US Missile Talks
People's Daily ("NO PROGRESS IN US-DPRK MISSILE TALKS," New York,
10/5/98, A6) reported that US-DPRK missile talks ended on October 2
without progress. Commenting on the DPRK statement that it launched a
satellite, not a missile, on August 31, a senior US official said after
the talks that the launch proved that the DPRK has the ability to launch
longer-range missiles. Therefore, it concerns the US.
4. US Defense Bill
People's Liberation Army Daily ("US ANTI-CHINA DEFENSE CLAUSES OPPOSED,"
Beijing, 10/7/98, A4) reported that the PRC is concerned by, and opposed
to, the US 1999 fiscal year National Defense Department Authorization
Act, which contains some anti-PRC clauses and was passed recently by the
US House of Representatives and the Senate. The act includes Taiwan in
the missile defense system, and allows continued US arms sales to the
island. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said that passage of
such a bill creates obstacles to improving and developing relations
between the countries, and is detrimental to the security and stability
of Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region. The PRC hopes that the US
Government will take effective measures to prevent the anti-PRC clauses
from becoming law, and refrain from transferring the theater missile
defense system and related technology and equipment, and from selling
advanced weapons to Taiwan.
5. Tang Jiaxuan's Visit to the US
People's Daily ("TANG HOLDS TALKS WITH US STATE SECRETARY," Washington,
10/1/98, A6) reported that PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and US
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright held talks in Washington. During
the meeting, Tang noted that to handle the Taiwan issue carefully is the
key for the healthy and stable development of PRC-US relations. The US
side should adhere to the principles in the three Sino-US joint
communiques and the Sino-US joint statement. The PRC and the US agreed
to start negotiations soon on nonproliferation issues, including talks on
the Missile Technology Control Regime. The two foreign ministers also
had positive discussions on how to carry out, on the basis of equality
and mutual respect, dialogues and exchanges on the human rights issue
between the two countries.
Wen Hui Daily ("JIANG, CLINTON TO MEET AGAIN," 10/2/98, A2) reported that
PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Tang Guoqiang said in Beijing on October 1
that PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan's visit to the US had been
successful. The spokesman also announced that the PRC and US presidents
would meet again at next month's informal Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation summit in Malaysia.
6. PRC-Taiwan Relations
China Daily ("OFFICIAL HOPE SEF LEADER'S TRIP HELPS TALKS," 10/7/98, A1)
reported that a senior PRC official hopes Straits Exchange Foundation
(SEF) leader Koo Chen-fu's visit to Beijing will lead to political talks
between Taiwan and the PRC government. Chen Yunlin, director of the
State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a council meeting of the
Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS)
that talks can touch on anything under the auspices of the "one China"
principle. Citing the PRC's reunification with Hong Kong last year and
the scheduled return of Macao, Chen said the PRC Government is confident
that the reunion with Taiwan can take place, completing the motherland's
"thorough reunification." ARATS's council elected, during its meeting on
October 6, Zhang Jicheng, Sun Yafu, and Liu Zhentao as vice-presidents to
assist President Wang Daohan and Executive Vice-President Tang Shubei.
When answering a question about Taiwan's cancellation of a military
exercise on its "national day," PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu
Bangzao urged Taiwanese authorities to make some "practical efforts" to
improve cross-Straits ties, according to a report in China Daily ("US
ANTI-CHINA DEFENSE CLAUSES OPPOSED," 10/7/98, A1). Zhu said at a routine
briefing on October 6 that if Taiwan's authorities are really sincere,
they should come back to the position of "one China," instead of delaying
the procedural arrangements for cross-Straits political negotiations.
7. PRC Military's Business Activities
People's Daily ("BUSINESS: ARMY TO RETREAT," Beijing, 10/8/98, A1-2)
reported that the People's Liberation Army, the Armed Police, and law
enforcement offices are no longer to be allowed any involvement in
business activities. The decision was reached at a two-day meeting
ending on October 6 involving the Central Committee of the Communist
Party of China (CPC), the State Council, and the Central Military
Commission. Hu Jintao, a member of the Standing Committee of the
Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the
Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, told the meeting that the
central authorities had taken this decision two months ago and that it
had the wholehearted support of the Party, the military and the people.
Hu said that the state will ensure that all the expenditure necessary for
the military, the Armed Police, and law enforcement offices are provided.
Arrangements have been made to carry out the decision, Hu said. A
thorough investigation of the situation and policies should be carried
out, and programs worked out to provide a foundation for further work.
Zhang Wannian, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central
Committee and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, told the
meeting that the military is the people's military, under Party
leadership and Party orders. The military and the Armed Police will put
the interests of the Party and the people first and disengage themselves
from their business activities.
8. PRC Military Reductions
China Daily ("PLA BEGINS DOWNSIZING, REDUCING 500,000 POSITIONS,"
10/06/98, A1) reported that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will be
cutting 500,000 personnel from its ranks during the next three years.
Officials said that when the reduction is completed, the PLA's personnel,
including non-military, will be 2.5 million, 0.21 per cent of the PRC's
population. Wang Huiqing, a doctor of military science, describes the
disarmament as "a manifestation and enrichment of China's outstanding
traditional military thinking, characterized by pursuit of peace."
1. New NAPSNet ROK Partnership
The Nautilus Institute is pleased to announce the implementation of a new
NAPSNet partnership with the International Policy Studies Institute
(IPSI) of Korea University in Seoul, Republic of Korea. As part of this
partnership, IPSI takes over the task of contributing the ROK section of
the Daily Report, in addition to other cooperative activities. IPSI's
executive director is Dr. Hyun In-taek. Mr. Lee Dong-young is the new
NAPSNet ROK writer.
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
Lee Dong-young: leedy112@unitel.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
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We invite you to reply to today's report, and we welcome
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Institute for International Policy Studies
Korea 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
Tokyo, Japan
Moscow, Russian Federation
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Shanghai, People's Republic of China