United States

1. US-RF Response to DPRK Nuclear Weapons Development
2. US Suspected Sites of Nuclear Program
3. US DPRK Nuclear Attack on Japan Suspicions
4. Russia-US Relations
5. US PRC War on Terror FBI Office

United States

US Under Secretary of State John R. Bolton briefed Russian officials for a second day today on US intelligence evidence that the DPRK has an active nuclear weapons program. Russian officials, who indicated on Monday that the initial evidence fell short of proof, were silent after today's presentation. But it was not clear whether that silence signaled continued skepticism or Russian agreement that the program must face united opposition, as the White House has urged. A US diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity said before that meeting that Russian officials "concur that what North Korea is doing in the uranium enrichment field amounts to a clear violation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty" and a brace of other nuclear agreements. But Ivanov had nothing to say today about his meeting with Bolton.
"RF Response to DPRK Nuclear Weapons Development" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)

The US has indicated the Academy of Sciences near Pyongyang as being one of three sites where it suspects DPRK carried out uranium-enrichment tests in connection with its admitted secret nuclear program, a diplomatic source said Monday. The other two sites US mentioned are the Hagap region located in Hwicheon, Jagang Province, and Yeongjeo-dong in Yanggang Province, about 20km from the PRC border, according to the source. US informed ROK of the three testing-grounds several days after a US high-level delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly entered DPRK earlier this month, the source said. Analysts suggested the DPRK chose to enrich uranium, rather than DPRK's initial choice, plutonium, to facilitate a nuclear weapons technology that is easier to hide and more reliable, although harder to assemble. ROK officials refused to comment on the allegation that the US delivered intelligence regarding the suspected nuclear sites to ROK government, citing issues of confidentiality.
"Suspected Sites of Nuclear Program" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK)

The US suspects the DPRK of developing nuclear weapons for a potential attack on Japan, a Foreign Ministry official quoted Japan's special envoy to US as saying Tuesday. Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who met US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage last week in Washington, briefed Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on the issue Tuesday, the official said on condition of anonymity. He declined to say why Armitage suspected the DPRK of targeting Japan and wouldn't provide other details. Hashimoto was told by US diplomats that the US suspects DPRK of developing the weapons for an attack across the Sea of Japan, according to the Foreign Ministry official.
"US DPRK Nuclear Attack on Japan Suspicions" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and US Secretary of State Colin Powell agreed during telephone talks on October 17 trying to resolve differences on Iraq within the UN Security Council. Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that Ivanov and Powell agreed that one of the key questions was to preserve the unity of the UN Security Council and its five permanent members, said the report.
"Russia-US Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

US Attorney General John Ashcroft is due in the PRC from Japan on Tuesday to open an FBI attache office and hold talks with PRC officials on law enforcement in the war on terror, a US embassy official said. "He is coming to discuss two topics -- the legal aspects in the counter-terror campaign and the FBI attache office here," an embassy spokeswoman said on Tuesday. The Beijing office is aimed to address a range of issues including organzsed crime, human trafficking, fraud and counter-terrorism, FBI officials said. The FBI has more than 40 overseas offices already, staffed with about 150 agents, known as legal attaches. It has said the Beijing office would have one to two agents, and the embassy said office staff were already in Beijing.
"US PRC War on Terror FBI Office" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)

Korean Peninsula

The DPRK proposed a non-aggression pact with the US on Friday and laid out other conditions for resolving the latest nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula. "If the US legally assures the DPRK (North Korea) of non-aggression, including the non-use of nuclear weapons against it by concluding such treaty, the DPRK will be ready to clear the former of its security concerns," the foreign ministry said. The statement released by the official Korean Central News Agency was the fullest DPRK response so far to the crisis sparked by its recent admission that it was developing nuclear weapons. The DPRK said it was ready to seek a negotiated settlement of the crisis if the US agreed to the non-aggression pact and two other conditions. Under the two other conditions, the US must recognize DPRK sovereignty and agree not to interfere in the country's economic development. "The DPRK considers that it is a reasonable and realistic solution to the nuclear issue to conclude a non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the US," the statement added. The 1,200 word statement was released ahead of summit talks Saturday in Mexico between US President George W. Bush, ROK President Kim Dae-Jung, and Japanese Prime Minister Junicho Koizumi on how to handle the crisis.
"DPRK Non-Aggression Pact" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US) "DPRK Nuclear Arms Talks" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)

The Korean Central News Agence a short article buried beneath several news items that commented for the first time on recent DPRK-US developments. It read: the US ruling quarters are now resorting to highhanded practices and war to retrieve their foreign and domestic policy setbacks. They should stop such criminal attempts and behave themselves, lending an ear to the demand of the world people for peace. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article as regards the strong-arm policy still pursued by the US in the international arena in a bid to dominate the world. Proceeding from the hegemonistic way of thinking based on upperhand in strength, the US arrogantly insists that all other countries should accept its demand and unconditionally carry out what it dictates, whether they like or not. The US strong-arm policy was manifested in what Kelly did while visiting Pyongyang some time ago in the capacity of the US President's special envoy. Kelly made an ultimatum-style notice that the DPRK-US dialogue cannot be expected and the favorably developing inter-Korean relations and DPRK-Japan relations might collapse unless the DPRK clears the US of its "security concerns". Such threatening and highhanded practice of the envoy was a vivid expression of the US imperialists' brigandish and arrogant nature. The full report can be found:

"DPRK Response to US Nuclear Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)

The US on Friday dismissed the DPRK's conditions for talks on its nuclear weapons program. "We've been very clear on the need for North Korea to disarm itself of weapons of mass destruction and we are working very closely with friends and allies to address this issue," said Sean McCormack, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. "The time of rewarding bad behavior is over," said a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity. President Bush and PRC President Jiang Zemin, in a meeting at Bush's Texas ranch, were to discuss diplomatic, political and possibly financial pressures that can be brought to bear to force the DPRK to give up its nuclear weapons program, which US officials have said has led to one or two nuclear bombs. The US has ruled out negotiations with the DPRK until they dismantle the uranium enrichment program. But the US said it sought a peaceful solution and was maintaining contacts with the DPRK through its UN mission.
"US Response to DPRK Overture" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)
"DPRK-US Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
"US-DPRK Diplomacy" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
"DPRK Responses" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK)
"Ambassador Hubbard's Comment" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK)
"Bush's Desire for Peaceful Resolution" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK)
"US-DPRK Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

After the ROK's delegation to the latest round of ministerial talks returned from Pyongyang with a controversial agreed statement Wednesday, an ROK official that the ROK government would step up efforts for international dialogue with DPRK to end its nuclear weapons program. He said the biggest issue was ensuring DPRK's compliance with international commitments on nuclear arms control, including a 1994 agreement with US. A National Security Council meeting will be held Thursday to coordinate ROK government's position, which will be presented at meetings with the leaders of US, Japan and Russia, the official said. The meeting in Pyongyang was extended by a day because of difficulties in hammering out an agreed statement, but the document met with a mixed reception in the ROK because of what some critics said was weak language concerning DPRK's persistent nuclear weapons development efforts. The delegates finally issued a joint statement in an open meeting at about 2 a.m. Wednesday before reconvening again behind closed doors.
"Inter Korean Ministerial Talk" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, ROK)
"DPRK-ROK Nuclear Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
"DPRK-ROK Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

ROK President Kim Dae Jung today signaled the conciliatory approach that aides said he would advocate when he discusses the DPRK nuclear threat on Saturday in Mexico with President Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. Kim said dialogue with the DPRK was "the only way to resolve this matter," according to a spokesman, who quoted him as adding, "I hope you understand this." Kim carefully dismissed both military action and economic sanctions, the two approaches that he said were the only alternatives to dialogue. "Military action can result in great tragedy," he said. "Nobody wants that." Economic sanctions, he added, would give the DPRK "the freedom for nuclear responses." US ambassador to Korea, Thomas C. Hubbard, said at an economic forum here on Tuesday that there was "very little basis for trust and confidence that dialogue will lead to a solution."
"ROK DPRK Nuclear Diplomacy" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US)
"ROK Calls for DPRK Dialogue" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
"DPRK-ROK Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
"3 Countries Cooperative Solution" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK)

The ROK and Japan appeared to be at odds with the US over the DPRK nuclear situation, working to keep afloat an arms control pact pronounced dead by the US. The ROK said on Monday consultations were needed to rescue the so-called 1994 Agreed Framework under which the DPRK vowed to freeze its suspected nuclear weapons program in return for economic and other benefits. Japan has also pledged to keep the pact alive. "Consultations are under way between Seoul and Washington on the issue," a foreign ministry official stated. US officials say US views the 1994 deal as "nullified" following the DPRK's admission it has violated the accord. "As far as we are concerned, it's nullified," Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday. But he stressed that the US would "not take immediate, precipitous" steps.
"ROK and Japan Response to US DPRK Nuclear Stance" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)

ROK President Kim Dae-Jung is due to confer Saturday with President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in talks aimed at forging a united front after the isolated state admitted trying to develop weapons from enriched uranium. The talks were to be held on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum at this Mexican coastal resort. All three leaders want to settle the issue peacefully and through diplomatic means, but differences are evident on how to navigate out of the crisis. US Secretary of State Colin Powell helped to set the agenda for the three-way conference on Thursday in a meeting with RPL Foreign Minister Choi Sung-hong. The two men agreed that the situation was "very serious and that it should be handled peacefully," said a second senior State Department official. "They and we agree that the ball is in the court of the North Koreans," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"APEC DPRK Summit" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)

A DPRK economic survey team due to arrive in the ROK weekend will include top state planners and close confidants of leader Kim Jong Il. The 18-member DPRK delegation is scheduled to fly to the ROK on Saturday and return home nine days later. Its itinerary includes visits to semiconductor, car, chemical and steel plants. The visit is part of a broad agreement reached with the ROK in August. "The list includes far more heavyweights than we expected," said Huh Nam-duk, an official at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. "The names suggest how serious North Korea is about the visit." The DPRK team will be headed by Park Nam Gi, chairman of the State Planning Committee which oversees the North's overall economic development, and Chang Sung Taek, a senior official in the communist Worker's Party. ROK officials drew particular attention to Chang, a brother-in-law of the DPRK leader. "Chang's visit is really significant," said the ROK official, Huh. "He is the real power in North Korea and is in a position to report directly to leader Kim Jong Il." Other names on the list include top government and party officials handling trade, tourism, chemical industry, engineering, computer and agriculture.
"DPRK Economic Survey Team" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)

An ROK official in Seoul conceded that US could halt the flow of heavy fuel oil to DPRK. Speaking anonymously, he said that the reluctance on the DPRK's part to dismantle its nuclear program could result in a halt to the flow of fuel oil. Other officials said the foreign minister would push hard to prevent any public threats by US to withdraw from the 1994 framework agreement. Those sources cited a hint from Kim Young-nam, DPRK's titular head of state, that DPRK was preparing for dialogue as a reason for not provoking DPRK.
"Cutoff of Oil by US" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, ROK)

The DPRK's admission that it had a secret nuclear arms program in violation of a 1994 agreement has not halted work on building a nuclear reactor under that pact, a senior ROK official said on Monday. The ROK official in charge of planning for two light water reactors being built in the DPRK said fuel oil shipments to the DPRK and a meeting on Tuesday in Pyongyang to discuss telecommunications links to the project were going ahead. "We will continue to be committed to the project unless reverse decisions are made, but so far we were not notified of any modifications to the ongoing projects," Chang Sun-sup, a Unification Ministry official, stated. "So far we had no disruptions in fuel oil supply to North Korea, and have completed October delivery, and we expect the remaining shipments this year to be made as planned," Chang said. Other scheduled events -- including a meeting on nuclear liability between the two Koreas in late October and on-the-job training in Seoul for about 40 to 50 North Korean engineers in mid-November -- were unaffected so far, Chang said.
"DPRK Light Water Reactors" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)

The Israeli Ha'aretz Daily reported Monday that DPRK has been experimenting with enriched uranium production and long-range missile engines in Iran. Ha'aretz said this was part of a deal in which DPRK constructed a centrifugal separator for enriched uranium production and provided long-range missile engine technology to Iran. The daily quoted US experts as saying DPRK supplied missile construction technology to Pakistan in 1990 in return for receiving help in developing the centrifugal machine for the enriched uranium production, and DPRK is currently working with Iran. It said DPRK's deal with Iran was to hide its activities from intelligence agents of the US and DPRK's neighboring countries. Foreign sources said the North Korean separator in Iran has reached the production stage, but they do not know of any progress or how much uranium Iran has handled from the separator. According to them, DPRK tested a 3,500-5,000km-range missile (Daepodong) engine in Iran and Iran began to develop the "Sihap-5" missile based on this.
"DPRK's Cooperation with Iran" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK)

A 41-member DPRK taekwondo delegation arrived in the ROK on Wednesday for an exhibition as part of sports exchanges between the ROK and DPRK. The DPRK visitors included 21 players and 20 officials and journalists. They are the first DPRK taekwondoists to visit the ROK. The demonstration is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at a gym at Seoul's Olympic Park. They will return home Saturday.
"DPRK Taekwondo Demonstration Team ROK Arrival" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)

People's Republic of China

The visit of PRC President Jiang Zemin to President Bush's ranch in Texas was intended as a sentimental send-off for the 76-year- old PRC leader as he prepares for his expected retirement next month. But the disclosure that the DPRK has a secret nuclear weapons program has turned the largely social visit into a high- stakes discussion over how to manage this new crisis. "The Chinese have influence," one senior official said. "We think it's important that they use it." After a 24-hour visit to Chicago, Jiang arrived in Houston yesterday. He was to tour NASA's Johnson Space Center today, then attend a dinner with former president George H.W. Bush, who lives in Houston. During the visit to President Bush's ranch in Crawford on Friday, Bush and Jiang will meet for 90 minutes before breaking for a two-hour lunch with first lady Laura Bush and Jiang's wife, Wang Yeping. Currently, there are no plans for a communique, although the two leaders will hold a joint news conference after their meetings.
"PRC-US Summit" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US)
"PRC-US Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
"PRC-US Summit" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
"Jiang-Bush Visit" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
"PRC-US Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

PRC President Jiang Zemin said that the PRC and the United States should step up cooperation to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and maintain peace on the Korean peninsula. But Jiang pointedly did not name the DPRK or Iraq in a speech to college students here one day ahead of a summit with US President George W. Bush, expected to be dominated by the DPRK's secret development of nuclear weapons revealed last week. "To prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, South Asia and the Middle East, and protect the world environment, these are major issues of concern to the people the world over," Jiang said in a speech in English. "China and the US ought to step up consultation and cooperation in these fields, for this serves the common interests of the two countries," he told students at the George Bush Presidential Library.
"PRC on PRC and US Role on Weapons Proliferation" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US)

Despite issuing new export controls on missiles, the PRC has resisted US demands to resolve other proliferation differences, meaning the US will not lift arms-related sanctions in connection with this week's Sino-US summit, US officials said on Wednesday. The PRC was eager to have the US lift a ban on launching US satellites on PRC rockets in time for the summit between President George W. Bush and PRC leader Jiang Zemin but it is not expected to happen.
"PRC-US on Export Controls" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US)
"PRC Military Export Rules" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
"PRC-US Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

The PRC dismissed US accusations that it helped the DPRK's nuclear-weapons program as baseless rumors and urged all sides on Monday to resolve the issue through peaceful political dialogue. "What you said in your question is absolutely unfounded rumor," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said when asked for the PRC's reaction to accusations by US officials last week that the PRC helped the DPRK's uranium-enrichment programme. "The Chinese side consistently supports the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula to safeguard peace and stability there," she stated. "We think the North Korean nuclear issue should be solved peacefully through dialogue and consultation." US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly held "very useful and productive" talks in Beijing on the issue last week, a State Department spokesman has said. Proliferation of PRC weapons technology is expected to be high on the agenda when President Jiang Zemin meets U.S. President George W. Bush at his Texas ranch on Friday.
"PRC Response to DPRK Nuclear Program" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
"Northeast Countries' Response to DPRK Nuclear Issue" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

After months of secretive maneuverings, PRC leaders have finalized their most sweeping reshuffle in more than a decade and started the first top personnel change. Initial moves suggest PRC President Jiang Zemin will succeed in promoting several allies to the new leadership at a party congress next month when he and other leaders over 70 are expected to retire, they said. Rumors in political circles in Beijing -- as yet unconfirmed -- say Jiang also may have engineered the retirement of his rival, political liberal Li Ruihuan, even though he is only 68. And Jiang, 76, looks set to keep his third post as head of the Central Military Commission, at least until a parliament meeting next year, when he must step down as president under the constitution.
"PRC Domestic Politics" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)

6. Cross-Straits Relations

Taiwan's parliament has passed a motion demanding the PRC remove the hundreds of ballistic missiles deployed near the island and settle the sovereignty dispute by peaceful means. Tuesday's motion, proposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, urged the PRC to dismantle its ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan. "The two sides should reopen talks as swiftly as possible to tackle the sovereignty dispute," it said. Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian earlier this month renewed his demand that the PRC remove "immediately" the 400 missiles it has targeted at the island and renounce the use of force against his country.
"Cross-Straits Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)

The PRC confirmed on October 17 a relaxation in the wording describing future sea and flight routes across the Taiwan Straits, which will now be called as "cross-Straits" routes rather than "domestic" routes. The report said that the goodwill gesture is seen as a major effort by mainland to push ahead with the establishment of cross-Straits trade, communications and postal services. However, a government source in Beijing told China Daily that the change in wording does not necessarily mean PRC has backed away from its long-held and cherished one-China principle. The report said that Taiwan local officials gave a cautious welcome to the reported move, hailing it as a goodwill gesture.
"Cross-Straits Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, PRC)

Japan

Japan hopes the US will not resort to force in dealing with efforts by the DPRK to develop a nuclear weapons program, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said. "The United States has said it will resolve the issue peacefully," Kawaguchi said. "This is an issue that the international community shares, and our country will take up the issue. But we also hope the United States will deal with the matter peacefully."
"Japan-US-DPRK Relations" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, Japan)

Japan will stop financing two nuclear reactors in the DPRK and suspend talks on normalizing relations if there is no progress on ending the DPRK's clandestine nuclear weapons program, Japan's lead negotiator said today. "Of course the negotiations would halt," the official, Katsunari Suzuki, told Japanese reporters. If Japan determined that the DPRK "is carrying out nuclear development, then we must suspend at a minimum, and in certain cases, must think about terminating it," he added. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, however, issued a caution about the normalization talks, which are to start October 29 in Malaysia, saying, "One must not assume they are doomed from the start."
"Japan DPRK Aid" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)

Japan conceded Friday that it has yet to win DPRK approval for the permanent return of five Japanese abducted decades ago by DPRK spies, and said negotiations on the issue will likely run into next week. The acknowledgment came a day after Japan said it would let the abductees stay indefinitely in Japan, stepping up a tug-of-war with the DPRK over their fate. The five, currently in Japan for a reunion with their families after decades apart, initially were expected to return to the DPRK after just one to two weeks. DPRK officials reportedly had accepted the principle of permanent return for the five. But the plan for them to remain in Japan has been bogged down by the question of whether the abductees' seven children - all in their teens or early 20s and still in the DPRK - would be allowed to join them.
"Japan Abduction Issue" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)
"Japan Abduction Issue" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
"Japan DPRK Abduction Victims" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)

Takeo Hiranuma, minister of economy, trade and industry, joined 88 fellow lawmakers to pay tribute at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo during an annual autumn festival. The politicians, members of a nonpartisan Diet group promoting visits to the Shinto shrine, included former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. The Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Taku Yamasaki and his predecessor, Makoto Koga, as well as Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the New Conservative Party, visited the controversial war memorial. An advisory panel to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda is considering the possibility of creating a new memorial facility for Japan's war dead to ease tension with neighboring countries, but Koga dismissed the idea, saying, "Yasukuni Shrine is indeed the only (war) memorial facility."
"Yasukuni Issue" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, Japan)

The Japanese Foreign Ministry released a document detailing the first meeting between Emperor Showa (Hirohito) and US Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1945. The ministry said it is the first time a complete written account of the meeting, which took place September 27, 1945, at the US Embassy, has been released. The document does not feature any allusions by the Emperor to his wartime responsibility. The document also states that MacArthur talked about the war in strong terms for the first 20 minutes of the 37-minute meeting. According to the document, Emperor Showa said he and the Japanese people understood the reality of Japan's defeat. He also said he hoped to carry out the stipulations of the Potsdam Declaration, voicing intent to build a new postwar system.
"Emperor's Wartime Responsibility" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, Japan)

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) held Japan's first international naval review to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Aboard the MSDF destroyer Shirane, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, commander in chief of the SDF, viewed a fleet of battle ships anchored at Tokyo Bay that included 17 vessels from 11 foreign countries.
"Multinational Naval Cooperation" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan)

Japan may not send a minister to an upcoming meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Mexico because the trade and foreign ministers are expected to be busy with an extraordinary Diet session, officials said. Hiranuma is likely be questioned in connection with a scandal in which Tokyo Electric Power Co. covered up damage at nuclear reactors. It would be the first time a Japanese minister has not attended the annual ministerial conference since APEC was launched in 1989.
"Japan on OPEC Meeting" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan)

Takeo Hiranuma, minister of economy, industry and trade, voiced confidence over a proposal to spin off the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency from METI to enhance the agency's role. But Hiroyuki Hosoda, state minister in charge of science and technology affairs, did not share Hiranuma's optimism. "Currently, there is the dual-check system by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency and the Nuclear Safety Commission," Hosoda told a news conference. There have been calls for the nuclear safety watchdog to be made an independent entity since a series of cover-ups of reactor problems by nuclear power companies, including Tokyo Electric Power Co., came to light.
"Japan Nuclear Energy Administration" (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan)

Nuclear Issues

David Isenberg's essay in Asia Times suggests that Pakistan's recent missile tests might have been motivated by "fears that its neighbor [India] may adopt the "preemptive strike" policy. Maqsud Nuri (News, Pakistan) argues that India uses "some genuine and some contrived" arguments to "justify" its nuclear and missiles program.
"Related News and Analysis" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Afghanistan

The International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) in Afghanistan has suspended daylight flights from Kabul airport as a security precaution. United Nation's flights are also been diverted from Kabul to the US military headquarters at Bagram. Three US bases were reportedly attacked with gunfire and rockets in eastern Afghanistan. The daily Dawn reports that many US soldiers in Afghanistan are feeling frustrated at being unable to pursue members of the al Qaeda network and Taliban militia that have crossed the border into Pakistan.
"Current News" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Four Afghan refugees, allegedly belonging to al-Qaeda, were arrested in a joint raid conducted by the Pakistani police and FBI agents at the Jalozai Refugee Camp east of Peshawar. B. Raman (Asia Times), former head of India's counter-terrorism division of the Research & Analysis Wing, believes that Jihadi may have plans to carry out "a well- orchestrated series of terrorist attacks against Western nationals and interests in different parts of the world as warning signals to preempt military strikes against Iraq." A report by Zamira Eshanova (Daily Times, Pakistan) examines the "threat of terrorist developments in Central Asia."
"News and Analysis" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

India and Pakistan

The Indian government has announced that it will withdraw troops from the international border with Pakistan, but has ruled out any reduction along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Sujan Dutta (Telegraph, India) reports that Indian "generals are caught between 7 lakh troops on the borders and a government that does not know what to do with its army." India has reportedly told the US that "there is no possibility of a dialogue [with Pakistan] in the foreseeable future."
"News" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

India former Foreign Secretary J N Dixit believes that India "must make preparations to resume dialogue [with Pakistan]. But it should be a step-by-step approach." Raja Mohan argues that India will lose political initiative if it keeps "refusing to talk at all" with Pakistan. K.K. Katyal (Hindu) argues that the recent elections in J&K and Pakistan will have a "close bearing" on the course of Indo-Pakistan relations.
"Analysis" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

No single party or coalition was able to win a clear majority in Pakistan's recently concluded elections. Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) - a coalition of six major religious parties - will, however, be dominant in Pakistan's Senate. President Pervez Musharraf has promised that he would hand over powers to the new prime minister on November 1. A large number of Pakistani women contested 205 seats reserved for them in the national and provincial assemblies.
"Elections - Results" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

The Daily Times believes that "any configuration will have to factor in the MMA." Another editorial in the same newspaper criticizes the chief of the Jama'at-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmad for threatening a popular uprising if the MMA is denied the right to rule. The daily Dawn sees the emergence of MMA as the most significant result of the elections.
"Elections - Editorials" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Reversing his earlier hardline position, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, one of the leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), has stated that the issue of the presence of US military and security personnel in Pakistan is "negotiable." Frahan Bokhari (News) characterizes the post elections scenario as "an unfolding nightmare." M.K. Bhadrakumar (Asia Times) argues that the success of MMA "could, despite what was initially feared, work in favor of the war on terror in Afghanistan." Nusrat Javeed (News) point out that leaders of MMA are experienced, pragmatic politicians. Syed Saleem Shahzad's (Asia Times) essay suggests that the strong showing of religious parties will force "a major shift in the country's foreign and internal policies." Mohammad Waseem (Dawn) argues that the elections results indicate "a fragmented political landscape."
"Elections - Opinions & Implications" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

A 115-member contingent of US Army will conduct a two-week joint military exercise with the Pakistan Army. Kaleem Omar's report in the Daily Times looks at the collaboration between Pakistan and China in the development of various fighter aircrafts.
"Military Affairs" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Bal Thackeray, the chief of Shiv Sena, has stated that only Hinduism should be "honored" in India. Pratap Mehta's essay in the daily Telegraph criticizes a recent ordinance issued by Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Jayalalithaa that bans religious conversions "either by force, allurements or fraudulent means." In an interview with Indian Express, Udit Raj, the chairman of All India Confederation of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Organizations, argues that Dalits (untouchables) need to form alliances with other minorities. Purnima Tripathi (Frontline, India) argues that the Congress(I)'s decision to form a non-BJP front with other secular-minded parties for the elections to the Gujarat Assembly will have a "far-reaching impact on the nature and direction of national politics."
"India: Domestic Situation" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Kashmir

The ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) lost power in the state after winning 28 out of the 87 Assembly seats. The Congress and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have emerged as potential candidates to form the government. The daily Hindu believes that the election results indicate "a strong anti-incumbency sentiment." Despite intense negotiations to put together a coalition government, Congress and the PDP have so far been unable to agree on who should be the next Chief Minister. The political parties have two more days to form a government before the state, under Indian constitutional rules, is placed under the Governor's rule.
"Elections - Results" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Omar Abdullah, whose National Conference performed poorly in the elections, has resigned for his post of India's junior foreign minister. Muzamil Jaleel (Indian Express) notes that "nothing was more symbolic of [the] desire for change than the defeat of National Conference (NC) president and Chief Ministerial candidate Omar Abdullah" in J&K elections. In another article, Muzamil Jaleel talks with a beggar found on the streets of "hyper-elite Srinagar neighbourhood" where the Abdullahs live.
"Elections - National Conference" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

Prem Shankar Jha (Hindustan Times) argues that the Indian government should remember that "the Hurriyat remains a significant force in Kashmiri politics because it is the lens that focuses Kashmiri nationalism and turns it into a potent force." Navnita Chadha Behera (Hindu) notes that the elections have thrown up "a new class of political leadership" that "must now try to segregate the political and territorial dimensions of the demand for azadi.." Muzamil Jaleel (Indian Express) argues that "the PDP's domestic agenda will ... give the Centre sleepless nights." Zubeida Mustafa (Dawn, Pakistan) urges the Pakistani government to "disengage from the armed struggle in the disputed state" and let APHC determine its own course towards the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
"Elections - Analysis and Opinions" (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #34)

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