CONTENTS
1. Rumsfeld on US-Philippines Anti-terror War
2. PRC Environment Award
3. Tiananmen Square Anniversary
4. Japan-ROK DPRK Policy
5. ROK Fighter Jet Project
6. ROK Domestic Politics
7. US-Taiwan Relations
8. Pentagon Advanced Missile Sales
II. Japan 1. Japan-PRC Relations on Salvage Operation
2. Evacuation from India and Pakistan
I. United States
1. Rumsfeld on US-Philippines Anti-terror War
The New York Times (Eric Schmitt, “RUMSFELD URGES CAUTION ON U.S. ROLE IN PHILIPPINES,” Washington, 06/04/02) reported that US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today that he would not be willing to expand a US military training mission in the Philippines unless top aides justified a step that would put Army Special Forces at greater risk and would probably commit the Pentagon to a longer-term military role there. The immediate issue is whether 160 American military advisers should go out with Philippine forces to provide side-by-side training while the soldiers are on jungle patrols in search of members of a militant Muslim group called Abu Sayyaf who are holding two American hostages. American advisers are now confined to training at battalion level, and do not go out on patrols. “I just haven’t had it presented to me in a way that I felt sufficiently comfortable that I understood what was involved, what the cost would be, what the numbers of people would be, what the benefit might be,” Mr. Rumsfeld said. “I need a greater comfort level that I understand what I am recommending to the president of this country to get involved – in terms of people, in terms of dollars, and in terms of potential benefit.” Rumsfeld’s deputy, Paul D. Wolfowitz, returned today from a five-day trip to Asia that included a visit on Monday to Basilan. There he heard directly from the mission’s commander, Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, as well as Green Beret soldiers and officers, and Philippine generals. All supported an expanded mission. Wolfowitz is believed to be leaning in favor of an expanded approach in the Philippines.
2. PRC Environment Award
Agence France-Presse (“CHINA WINS INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS,” 06/05/02) reported that the United Nations has honored the PRC industrial boomtown of Shenzhen and a desert-prone county in Inner Mongolia for their efforts in defending the environment, according to state media. Shenzhen, in southern Guangdong province, and Aohanqi, in the PRC’s Inner Mongolia region, were officially added to the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) “Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement” on Tuesday, the China Daily said. The awards were part of the 30th international World Environment Day, which is being celebrated by UNEP in Shenzhen. It is considered one of the most prestigious international environmental honours and has been given to over 500 cities and hundreds of individuals and organizations worldwide. Other recipients of this year’s award include a Jordanian princess, and five environmental groups from Angola, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and the US, a UNEP statement said. It is only the second time PRC cities had been given the award since it was launched by UNEP in 1987. Dalian, a port city in northeast China’s Liaoning province, last year became the first city in mainland PRC to receive the award. UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said Shenzhen was chosen because of its efforts to harmonize economic development and environmental protection. The city, whose skyline is dotted with highrises and has 45 percent of urban districts covered with greenery, was regarded as a fine example of eco-friendly economic development, the official Xinhua news agency quoted Toepfer saying. Aohanqi county, which is on the verge of a vast desert in north China’s Inner Mongolia, was recognized for its achievements in the past 30 years to fight desertification in its suburbs. Located in a semi-arid area at the southern fringe of the sandy region of Keerqin, Aohanqi was menaced by desertification due to the unsustainable use of natural resources.
3. Tiananmen Square Anniversary
Reuters (Carrie Lee, “TENS OF THOUSANDS IN HONG KONG MOURN TIANANMEN MASSACRE,” Hong Kong, 06/04/02) reported that tens of thousands of people gathered in a Hong Kong park on Tuesday night to mourn the hundreds, possibly thousands, who died at the Tiananmen Square 13 years ago. Organisers said the crowd was at least 45,000-strong, defying predictions of political observers who said turnout would fall short of last year’s 30,000 because of soccer’s World Cup and fading memories of the bloody 1989 crackdown. Holding candles and singing songs, many in the crowd said June 4 would always be remembered. “I will never forget the June 4 incident…as long as China doesn’t have democracy, its apparent progress and economic opening are useless,” retiree Edward Lam, 50, told Reuters. Hung all around the sprawling park on Hong Kong island were banners which read: “Free democracy campaigners, end one-party dictatorship, build a democratic China.”
4. Japan-ROK DPRK Policy
Agence France-Presse (“JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA TO DISCUSS NORTH KOREA POLICY,” 06/05/02) reported that officials from the US, Japan and the ROK are to meet June 18 in San Francisco for their next regular consultations on coordinating policy towards the DPRK, the State Department said. The announcement came a day after the department said key foreign policy officials in the Bush administration were still deciding on the message US envoy Jack Pritchard would take to Pyongyang for talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong Il. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelly will head the US delegation at the San Francisco talks, the department said in a statement. Lee Tae-shik, the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will represent the ROK and Hitoshi Tanaka, the director general for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be Japan’s delegate at the talks. The US said in late April it was ready to resume dialogue with the DPRK. So far, there has been no announcement when Pritchard would make the trip.
5. ROK Fighter Jet Project
The Associated Press (Lee Soo-Jeong, “FRENCH AIRCRAFT MAKER SAYS IT WILL SKIP DEFENSE BIDS IN SOUTH KOREA,” Seoul, 06/05/02) and Reuters (“DASSAULT SHUNS FUTURE S.KOREAN FIGHTER JET ORDERS,” 06/05/02) reported that after losing a bid to US aircraft maker Boeing Co., French company Dassault Aviation SA said Wednesday that it would not take part in any more defense biddings organized by the ROK. Dassault has accused the ROK’s Defense Ministry of unfairly favoring Boeing when it awarded a multibillion-dollar order for fighter jets to the US aircraft maker in April. “We have every reason to believe that the Korean defense market is the private hunting ground of the US defense industry,” said Yves Robins, vice president of international relations at Dassault. “We shall not participate” in any bidding for ROK defense contracts as long as the US a virtual monopoly on bids, Robins said. He accused the ROK of using Dassault as a bargaining chip in talks with Boeing. The ROK’s Defence Ministry and Boeing announced final terms for a US$4.228 billion fighter jet order last month after the US aircraft maker trimmed the price and the ROK cut back on options it will buy. Last week, a Seoul court rejected an injunction sought by Dassault to suspend the international bid for the fighter jet contract. Dassault filed the injunction in early April, accusing the ROK defense ministry of favoring Boeing. “For today, we have no plans to take another action,” Robins said. “The only plan is to look into the matter and draw conclusions from the court’s decisions,” he said. “All options are open.”
6. ROK Domestic Politics
Agence France-Presse (“SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT’S YOUNGEST SON INDICTED FOR GRAFT,” 06/05/02) reported that ROK prosecutors have said they have indicted the youngest son of ROK President Kim Dae-Jung on charges of bribery and influence-peddling. “The prosecution indicted Mr. Kim Hong-Gul on graft charges,” a prosecution spokesman told AFP on Wednesday. The youngest of the president’s three sons was indicted for receiving cash and shares worth 3.5 billion won (US$2.7 million dollars) in bribes from a lottery firm and other companies in return for exerting influence to help them win government bids. Kim Hong-Gul, 38, arrested last month, could technically be jailed for up to five years if found guilty of graft.
7. US-Taiwan Relations
Asia Pulse, “DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE TAKING SHAPE BETWEEN TAIWAN, US: CHEN,” Taipei, 06/05/02) reported that an alliance based on the principles of democracy, freedom and human rights is taking shape between Taiwan and the US, President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday. Taiwan’s democracy, it’s contribution to the US-led anti-terrorist campaign and increasing stability in the Asia-Pacific region have earned the trust of the US government, cementing the “Democratic Alliance” between them, Chen said. He was speaking to a group of foreigners visiting Taiwan for the 31st Sino-Amercian Conference on Contemporary China between June 3-4. It is because of this alliance that US President George Bush reiterated during his February trip to East Asia that “America will remember its commitments to the people of Taiwan,” and that his government will provide Taiwan with necessary protection under the Taiwan Relations Act, Chen went on.
8. Pentagon Advanced Missile Sales
The Associated Press (“PENTAGON PLANS TO SELL ADVANCED MISSILES TO KUWAIT,” Washington, 06/04/02) reported that the Pentagon is planning to sell Kuwait advanced air-to-air missiles to help the country protect itself against what the Defense Department called “hostile neighbors.” The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Tuesday it had notified Congress that it plans a US$58 million deal that would include 80 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), launch equipment, training missiles, software updates and other related equipment and services. The system allows a fighter pilot to launch the weapon from beyond visual range of his target. It also provides a greater capability to attack low-altitude targets. “Kuwait is threatened by hostile neighbors with credible air, land and sea forces,” the DSCA said in a statement. “While the nation depends on external support, the Kuwaiti Air Force must have adequate … capabilities to protect its vital resources during the early part of a possible invasion until allies can arrive with reinforcements.”
II. Japan
1. Japan-PRC Relations on Salvage Operation
The Asahi Shinbun (“CHINA OK EYED IN SALVAGE,”06/01/02) reported that the Japanese government decided Friday to salvage a suspected DPRK spy ship but only after seeking the PRC’s agreement on the recovery operation, sources said. On Friday, Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi instructed Yoriko Kawaguchi, the foreign minister, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chikage Ogi to negotiate with the PRC. Japan wants to start salvage operations as soon as possible, and with the PRC’s consent. A major concern is getting the operation completed before the typhoon season hits. Coast guard officials said the salvage operation, including preparations, would take about 50 days. Divers noted it will take time to plug holes in the vessel caused by the exchange of gunfire. Officials also said they wanted to prevent an oil spill.
2. Evacuation from India and Pakistan
The Asahi Shinbun (“JAPANESE ADVICED TO LEAVE INDIA, PAKISTAN, 06/05/02) reported that Japan’s Foreign Ministry has advised Japanese nationals to evacuate India and Pakistan to avoid the heightened conflict between the nuclear powers over the disputed Kashmir region. About 1,800 Japanese are residing in India, while about 700 live in Pakistan, ministry officials said. There are no Japanese staying in Kashmir. A ministry official said regular flights can transport those seeking to return to Japan for the time being. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also decided to ask 42 members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program and technical experts stationed in Pakistan to return home temporarily. Japanese technical experts stationed in India will likely be recalled soon. The Japanese government also began considering measures to rescue Japanese if the situation in South Asia gets out of control. Talks are focused on sending charter planes and Self-Defense Forces aircraft to evacuate the Japanese.
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Berkeley, California, United States
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Tokyo, Japan
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Tokyo, Japan
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Moscow, Russian Federation
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Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Clayton, Australia