CONTENTS
1. EU Visit to DPRK
2. Japanese Textbook
3. ROK Response to US NMD
4. International Response to US NMD
5. US-PRC Relations
6. Downed US Spy Plane
7. Suspension of US-PRC Military Exchanges
8. PRC Naval Deployments
II. Republic of Korea 1. DPRK Listing as Terrorism Supporting Country
2. DPRK-Russia Arms Deal
3. DPRK War Compensation from Japan
III. People’s Republic of China 1. DPRK Military Build-up
2. DPRK-Russian Military Relations
3. DPRK Criticism of US Policy
4. US Arms Sales to Taiwan
5. European Refusal to Sell Weapons to Taiwan
6. US Reconnaissance Plane
7. PRC-Russian Relations
8. PRC-Japanese Relations
9. NMD Program
IV. Announcements 1. DMZ Forum
I. United States
1. EU Visit to DPRK
The Associated Press (John Leicester, “EU DELEGATION VISITS NORTH KOREA,” Pyongyang, 5/2/01) reported that the DPRK on Wednesday welcomed a historic delegation that included the first Western European leader to visit the country. After the lavish ceremony, DPRK leader Kim Jong-il and the European Union mission agreed to talk Thursday about the EU’s main goal: restarting reconciliation efforts between the DPRK and the ROK. Prime Minister Goeran Persson of Sweden said that the DPRK leader was “open and lively” while greeting the EU delegation. Persson said that their talks Thursday would also cover issues such as the DPRK’s human rights record, its missile program, food shortages and its interest in economic reform. Swedish news agency TT said that Kim paid a surprise visit to the cottage where Persson is staying. The two had a 10-minute session, speaking through translators. Persson was quoted as saying by TT, “I met a leader who was all there and had done his homework. We have received clear signals that North Korea wishes to discuss human rights and missiles with us.”
2. Japanese Textbook
Agence France Presse (“JAPAN REJECTS SKOREAN MINISTER’S CALL TO REVISE CONTROVERSIAL TEXTBOOKS,” Tokyo, 5/2/01) reported that a call by ROK Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Han-gill for Japan to revise its new history textbooks met with an immediate refusal on Wednesday. Kim was quoted by an education ministry official as telling Japan’s Education Minister Atsuko Toyama, “There were cases when textbooks were revised following political decisions in 1982 and 1986. The controversial parts of the textbooks are inconsistent with the Japanese government’s official stance shown in the 1998 partnership declaration. They should be revised.” The 1998 joint declaration stipulated that Japan recognized that it caused great pain and damage through its occupation of the Korean peninsula. However, the Japanese minister refused. According to the ministry officials, Toyama said to Kim, “In 1986, the revision was made before the approval. As the current approval system is different from the one at that time, we cannot deal with (revisions) under the current system as we did at that time. Our nation’s textbook system is that one is chosen to be actually used from among the approved textbooks. I expect our nation’s textbook system and the results of this round of vetting to get the South Korean people’s understanding.”
3. ROK Response to US NMD
Agence France Presse (“KIM DAE-JUNG URGES BUSH TO CONSULT ON NMD,” Seoul, 5/2/01) reported that ROK officials said that ROK President Kim Dae-jung on Wednesday urged US President George W. Bush in a telephone conversation to closely consult its allies on the US plan to deploy a missile shield. Bush had called his ROK counterpart to brief him on his announcement that the US would press ahead with its proposed National Missile Defense (NMD). In the conversation with Kim, Bush requested the ROK’s understanding on the NMD plan. Kim was quoted as saying, “I appreciate the fact that the US government is holding deep talks with its allies and other countries with their interests at stake in pushing through with a new missile defense shield. I hope that (the US) contributes to bolstering peace and stability in the world through this process.”
4. International Response to US NMD
The Associated Press (Joseph Coleman, “WORLD WARY ABOUT BUSH MISSILE PLAN,” Tokyo, 5/2/01) reported that the PRC state media warned Wednesday of a possible new arms race and several key governments were critical after US President George W. Bush’s announcement that the US would build a shield against ballistic missile attacks. There was no formal government response in the PRC, but the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted unidentified analysts as saying the decision will “spark a new arms race and create a proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” The most favorable response came from Australia, which said that it would allow the US to use joint military bases in Australia for the planned missile shield. Great Britain and Canada issued statements Tuesday that stopped short of endorsing the plan, while Sweden, Germany and others expressed deep concern, fearing the plan could jeopardize global security. Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected to respond later Wednesday. C.P. Chung, a China expert at Singapore’s Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, said, “The Chinese will probably try to build up their nuclear strike force, which will not be a stabilizing thing in this part of the world.” Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry declined comment on an “internal issue” of the US. Japan’s prime minister also said it would refrain from immediate comment. The DPRK was expected to come out strongly against the plan. The ROK made limited comment.
Agence France Presse (“US MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM MAY THREATEN WORLD PEACE, SAY CHINESE ANALYSTS,” Beijing, 5/2/01) and Reuters (Stephen Addison, “CHINA WARNS ON MISSILES; RUSSIA READY TO TALK,” London, 5/2/01) reported that the PRC warned Wednesday of a possible arms race if the US goes ahead with its missile defense plan. The PRC response came in a commentary by the official Xinhua news agency attacking the planned National Missile Defense (NMD) system. It said, “The U.S. missile defense plan has violated the Anti- Ballistic Missile treaty, will destroy the balance of international security forces and could cause a new arms race. Therefore, it has been widely condemned by the international community.” However, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, while backing the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) pact as a key part of global security, said that he was ready for talks with the US on new structures for international defense. He said that international security deals in place since the pact was signed were extremely complicated, involving treaties banning nuclear tests and reductions in strategic missiles. Ivanov said, “That is why we are so insistent in keeping and strengthening ABM,” adding that he was looking forward to meeting the experts Bush promised to send for talks on the US ideas on ABM and future defense arrangements.
5. US-PRC Relations
The Washington Times (Ben Barber, “US OFFICIAL TALKS TOUGH ON CREW DETENTION,” 5/2/01) and Agence France Presse (“CHINA NOT AN ENEMY, SAYS U.S. OFFICIAL,” Washington, 5/2/01) reported that US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia James A. Kelly said Tuesday that the US will not forgive or forget the spy plane incident. Kelly told the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia, “We’re not going to conduct business as usual after our servicemen and women were detained for 11 days in China. Beijing needs to understand that.” Kelly also said that the US would not pay reparations to the PRC for the crash of its fighter and the costs of moving its own damaged plane onto a barge to ship it back home. Kelly offered to “work with the current leaders and with the next generation of leaders in China.” However, he added, “We will hold China to its bilateral and international commitments. We will use all available policy tools to persuade it to move in more constructive directions.” He also said that the US “will continue to focus on Tibet” and seek “an end to religious restrictions against Tibetan Buddhists.” Kelly said that US President George W. Bush intends to visit the PRC in the fall when he will attend the meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Shanghai. He added that while the US is running a US$80 billion deficit in its trade with the PRC, US firms sold US$16 billion worth of goods to the Asian country in 2000, an 18 percent increase over the previous year. Kelly said, “China is a kind of friend. Not a kind of enemy. But not an ally.” David Shambaugh of George Washington University told the congressional panel that the PRC sees US surveillance flights off its coast as a sign of “hostile intent.” He said that the PRC was also concerned about stepped up US arms sales to Taiwan, the suspension of US-PRC military exchanges, US condemnation of its alleged human rights abuses, the downgrading of the PRC’s importance while ties to Japan are strengthened, and possible opposition to its hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. [Ed. note: The Washington Times article was included in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for May 2, 2001.]
6. Downed US Spy Plane
The Associate Press (Robert Burns, “U.S. TEAM ALLOWED ABOARD SPY PLANE,” 5/2/01), Agence France Presse (“TIGHT SECURITY SURROUNDS TECHNICIANS’ SPY PLANE VISIT,” Haikou, 5/2/01), and the Washington Post (Philip P. Pan, “AMERICANS IN CHINA TO INSPECT PLANE,” Beijing, 5/2/01) reported that US Defense Department officials said that US civilian technicians spent about four hours aboard the Navy surveillance plane on the PRC island of Hainan island on Wednesday assessing the extent of damage. US Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said that the technical experts from Lockheed Martin Corporation, maker of the EP-3E Aries II aircraft, were allowed to board the plane at about 2 PM local time and planned to return for a second day of work on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told reporters at the US Defense Department on Wednesday that it was not yet clear whether the plane would be flown off the island or would be partially disassembled and returned by ship or air. He said, “There’s an assessment team on the ground at the present time. We’ve received some reports back, but there’s nothing conclusive on that point.” Army Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Barger, a spokesman for the US Pacific Command, said Tuesday that they would prefer to fly the plane out of Hainan or “Otherwise, it would have to be hauled out or possibly disassembled, which would take more time on the ground and would be more cumbersome.”
7. Suspension of US-PRC Military Exchanges
Reuters (Charles Aldinger, “U.S. SUSPENDS MILITARY RELATIONS WITH CHINA,” Washington, 5/2/01) reported that the US Defense Department said on Wednesday that the US has suspended all military relations with the PRC. Navy Lieutenant Commander Terry Sutherland, a US Defense Department spokesman, said that US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld ordered the move this week and that his order was signed two days ago by Christopher Williams, special assistant to the secretary for policy matters. Sutherland said, “The secretary of defense has directed the suspension of all Department of Defense programs, contacts and activities with the People’s Republic of China until further notice.” No reason was immediately given for the announcement, but other defense officials said that the move was taken in large measure because of the PRC refusal so far to return the EP-3E Navy spy plane after the PRC also earlier delayed returning the crewmembers. US defense officials said that while current military-to-military programs between the US and the PRC were very modest, the move would at least temporarily end ties ranging from military ship visits to exchanges of visits by military officers.
8. PRC Naval Deployments
Kyodo (“CHINA REPORTEDLY DEPLOYING TWO DESTROYERS NEAR TAIWAN STRAIT,” Taipei, 5/2/01) reported that a PRC military Internet site reported Wednesday that the PRC has deployed the second of two advanced destroyers it bought from Russia. According to the site, the Hangzhou, a Sovremenny-class destroyer, was commissioned in February, to join the East China Sea Fleet. The other Russian-made destroyer, the Fuzhou, was commissioned in January. The ministry also said that the PRC has built a deep-water wharf on a small island off Ningpo [Ningbo], Zhejiang Province, for exclusive use by the two destroyers.
II. Republic of Korea
1. DPRK Listing as Terrorism Supporting Country
Chosun Ilbo (Lee Ha-won, “NK RE-DESIGNATED AS TERRORISM SUPPORTING COUNTRY,” Seoul, 05/01/01) reported that the US State Department once again re-designated Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, the DPRK, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of international terrorism. The “Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000” released Monday, however, noted that the State Department is engaged in “ongoing discussions” with the DPRK and Sudan on steps they could take to get out of the terrorism business and off the list.
2. DPRK-Russia Arms Deal
Chosun Ilbo (Lee Ha-won, “PUTIN AGREES ARMS SALES TO NORTH KOREA,” Seoul, 05/01/01) reported that Russia plans to sell fighter jets, intelligence-gathering systems and other high-technology equipment to the DPRK in a US$50 million deal. Military sources said that the sales, intended to reassert Russian influence in the region, are backed by President Vladimir Putin, who appears to have a rapport with Kim Jong-il. Sources familiar with the DPRK deal said that Russia is ready to sell short-range anti-aircraft systems, SU-27 and MiG-29 fighter planes, unmanned Pchela-1 spy planes and radar that could monitor US and ROK military movements, plus some small naval patrol vessels. The Kremlin has agreed to send military engineers to help the DPRK modernize its tank and armament assembly lines. The Russians insist that the equipment is only defensive, and not state-of-the-art.
3. DPRK War Compensation from Japan
Joongang Ilbo (Hisane Masaki, “NORTH KOREA SEEKS 4 BILLION YEN FOR ITS ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVORS,” Seoul, 05/02/01) reported that the DPRK has asked Japan for 4 billion yen in compensation for victims of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The sources said that the DPRK has also asked Japan to build a hospital to treat survivors of the two bombings, but it was not known if this forms part of the 4 billion yen requested or is in addition to it. Japanese officials believe the pleas for assistance strongly reflect DPRK policy.
III. People’s Republic of China
1. DPRK Military Build-up
People’s Daily (Xinhua News Agency, “KIM JONG-IL EMPHASIZE MILITARY BUILD-UP,” Pyongyang, 04/27/01, P3) reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il stressed strengthening the DPRK’s armed forces to make them invincible. Kim inspected the 671st unit of the People’s Army on April 25, the 69th anniversary of the armed forces. Currently, the DPRK has a policy of “political line with an orientation toward the army.” Since assuming the Chairmanship of National Defense Commission, Kim has inspected the army more than 200 times. Since this April, he has inspected air units, artillery troops, and ground forces 5 times.
2. DPRK-Russian Military Relations
People’s Daily (Xinhua News Agency, Wei Zhengqiang, “RUSSIA AND DPRK SIGNED MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT,” Moscow, 04/30/01, P3) carried news story reporting that Russian Defense Minister Igor Ivanov held talks with the visiting DPRK Defense Minister on April 27. The two sides signed two agreements on bilateral military cooperation, military industry, and military technology. The Russian Defense Minister also said that the two sides discussed the issue of Russian training of DPRK military officers. They did not discuss the DPRK’s missile planning issue. The DPRK delegation visited Moscow for three days starting April 26. This is the highest- level visit from the DPRK since the disintegration of the former Soviet Union.
3. DPRK Criticism of US Policy
People’s Daily (Zhang Jingfang, Li Zhengyu, “DPRK LEADER CRITICIZED US POLICY,” Pyongyang, 04/27/01, P3) reported that the DPRK’s Chief of General Staff on April 24 criticized the US hardline position toward the DPRK. The US President George W. Bush administration’s Korea policy was viewed as to have seriously damaged the good momentum of DPRK-US development of relations and inter-Korean reunification. He said that the aggressive remarks of the US bellicose force and military action have brought the situation on the Korean Peninsula back to an intensive crisis mode. The current US government attempts to resolve all problems pertaining to the DPRK with force, which the Korean people cannot tolerate.
4. US Arms Sales to Taiwan
Jiefang Daily (Zhu Min, “US ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN VIOLATES JOINT COMMUNIQUES,” 04/27/01, P3) carried an interview regarding US weapons sales to Taiwan. Shen Dingli, professor at the Center for American Studies of Fudan University, and Xia Liping, deputy Director of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies’ American Department, were quoted.
China Daily (Jiang Zhuqing, “NATION EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER ARMS SALE TO TAIWAN,” 04/25/01, P1) reported that the PRC expressed serious concern on April 24 over reports that the US will sell a package of sophisticated arms to Taiwan. “China has consistently opposed the sale of weapons to Taiwan, and resolutely opposed the sale of Kidd-class destroyers, P-3 ‘Orion’ planes and diesel-powered submarines,” said Zhang Qiyue, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a regular press conference. Such sales would seriously undermine China’s sovereignty, grossly interfere in its internal affairs, escalate the tentions across the Taiwan Straits and upset the stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific area, said Zhang.
China Daily (Xinhua News Agency, “NATION SLAMS US FOR ARMS SALES,” 04/26/01, P1) reported that the PRC strongly protested to the US Government on its announcement of arms sales to Taiwan. On April 25, Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urgently summoned US Ambassador Joseph W. Prueher and lodged solemn representations and protests as instructed by the PRC Government. Li said that the US act only further the arrogance of pro-Taiwan independence forces to split China, intensify the tension across the Taiwan Straits, and harm peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Such a move will also seriously impact bilateral cooperation in the nonproliferation field and cause destructive damage to Sino-US relations, Li added. The US side has even claimed to help the Taiwan authorities procure offensive submarines from other countries, which “scotched the US lies of selling only defensive weaponry to Taiwan.” Li said that Sino-US ties are at a sensitive and complicated juncture. China demands that the US side fully understand the seriousness, dangers and destructive nature of US arms sales. PRC Ambassador to the US Yang Jiechi also lodged a strong protest on April 24 local time to a top official with the US State Department against the arms sales to Taiwan.
China Daily (Jiang Zhuqing, “FM: BUSH MAKES ERRONEOUS’ REMARKS ABOUT TAIWAN,” 04/27/01, P1) reported that the PRC reiterated on April 26 that the US should adhere to the one-China principle, the three Sino-US joint communiques and other relevant commitments on the Taiwan question. “The United States made erroneous remarks after it decided to sell sophisticated arms to Taiwan,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhang Qiyue at a press conference. In a separate move, Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress, has cancelled a trip to Japan in protest at Tokyo’s decision to allow former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui to visit. US President George W. Bush said on April 25 that the US would do “whatever it took” to defend Taiwan if it is attacked by the Chinese mainland. Zhang said that Bush’s remarks “undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and will create further damage to Sino-US relations.”
5. European Refusal to Sell Weapons to Taiwan
Jiefang Daily (Xinhua News Agency, “PRC APPRECIATE GERMANY AND THE NETHELAND’S DETERMINATION,” Beijing, 04/27/01, P3) reported that at a routine press conference on April 26, PRC Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhang Qiyue said that the PRC appreciates the German and Dutch Governments’ declaration not to sell weapons to Taiwan and not to ratify any application to manufacture submarines for Taiwan. She stated, “mutual beneficial ties between China and the two countries in political and other fields are developing smoothly with broad prospects.”
6. US Reconnaissance Plane
Wenhui Daily (Xinhua News Agency, “US INSPECTION OF SPY PLANE ALLOWED,” Beijing, 04/30/01, P3) reported that China has decided to allow the US side to inspect its plane at Lingshui Airport after it has completed its own investigation and collected evidence, in view of international procedures on handling such issues. The two sides recently held several rounds of consultations in Beijing regarding the US EP-3 reconnaissance plane. The Chinese side has reiterated its principled position on the incident in which the US plane rammed into a Chinese plane. The US side has agreed to consider making a payment to the Chinese side. The two sides have also agreed to discuss ways in which they can avoid similar incidents occurring in the future through enhanced consultations on military maritime safety. Government sources said that the two sides will continue their discussions for the final settlement of the issue concerning the US reconnaissance plane.
7. PRC-Russian Relations
People’s Daily (Sun Yongjun, Ma Jian, “RUSSIA AND PRC LEADERS THINK HIGHLY OF BILATERAL RELATIONS,” Moscow, 04/30/01, P3) reported that on April 29 Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jianxuan, both speaking highly of bilateral relations. Putin welcomed Tang’s visit to Russia again, and highly commended the bilateral relations in various aspects. The trade last year between the two sides was over US$8 billion, a 40 percent increase compared with the previous two years. When PRC President Jiang Zemin visits Moscow this July, the two countries will sign officially a Russia-China Friendly neighboring and cooperation agreement. This will provide a more solid legal guarantee for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations, Putin said. The two foreign ministers also signed a protocol that confirmed the contents of this agreement.
8. PRC-Japanese Relations
Jiefang Daily (Xinhua News Agency, “LEE TENG-HUI’S JAPAN VISIT UNDERMINED PRC-JAPANESE RELATIONS,” Beijing, 04/27/01, P3) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said on April 26 that Lee Teng-hui’s visit to Japan is not welcomed in the PRC, and his movements are also restricted. Lee’s evil political intention has been recognized by more people. Lee is scheduled to end his Japan visit on April 26. When asked whether the PRC considers that Japan has implemented its commitment to prevent political activities by Lee in Japan, Zhang point out, “As Lee Teng-hui is the chief representative of ‘Taiwan independence’, Japan’s permit to allow him to visit Japan undermines the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations.”
9. NMD Program
People’s Daily (Tang Shuifu, Xinhua News Agency, “US WILL DISCUSS WITH ITS ALLIES ON NMD,” Washington, 04/30/01, P3) reported that on April 27 an advisor to the US President said that the US will consult with its allies on the National Missile Defense (NMD) issue from the following week. He said that Bush would deliver a speech on May 1 at National Defense University detailing the US development and establishment of an NMD system as well as nuclear weapons reduction etc. Then Bush will call the US allies’ leaders and dispatch officials to discuss with them on NMD.
IV. Announcements
1. DMZ Forum
Donald P. Gregg, former Ambassador to the ROK and National Security Advisor to former President George H.W. Bush, and seven other Korean experts will address a seminar on the future of the Demilitarized Zone between the DPRK and the ROK at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at New York University. The Seminar is sponsored by the DMZ Forum (http://www.dmzforum.org), a nonprofit organization formed to encourage preservation of the 2 1/2- mile by 150-mile strip of land between the DPRK and the ROK as a Peace Park and environmental laboratory. Ethel Tobach of the American Museum of Natural History, Professor Ke Chung Kim of Pennsylvania State University, William J. Holinger of the Harvard Graduate School of Education will discuss the idea of a peace park, while James M. Lee, former special advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the UN Command on Armistice Affairs, Selig Harrison of The Century Foundation, Nicholas Eberstadt of American Enterprise Institute, and Leon V. Sigal of the Social Science Research Council will debate US policy toward the DPRK. The seminar will run from 1:30-6 p.m. at the King Juan Carlos Center, 53 Washington Square South, NYC, on May 16th. There is a charge of $15; students $5. For further information contact Bill Shore, Ph: 212 992-9887, Email: bill.shore@nyu.edu.
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