CONTENTS
1. DPRK-Canada Relations
2. PRC View of US Missile Defense
3. US-PRC Talks
II. Republic of Korea 1. ROK-Russia Defense Talks
I. United States
1. DPRK-Canada Relations
Agence France Presse (“CANADA ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH NORTH KOREA,” Ottawa, 2/6/01) reported that Canada announced on Tuesday that it has established diplomatic relations with the DPRK, following its decision in July to formally recognize the state as a member of the international community. Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley, said, “Establishing diplomatic relations will create formal channels through which Canada and the DPRK can further enhance communications and cooperation and develop a deeper understanding of each other.”
2. PRC View of US Missile Defense
Agence France Presse (“CHINA VOICES CONCERN OVER U.S. ANTI-MISSILE PLANS,” Beijing, 2/6/01) reported that the PRC said Tuesday that it was “seriously concerned” about US plans to develop an anti-missile defense system, but expressed hopes that high-level contacts with the new US administration will go on. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said, “The U.S. plans go against the trend of the times and are detrimental to international disarmament and arms control efforts. It will have far-reaching and extensive negative impacts on the global and regional strategic balance and stability in the 21st century. We hope the U.S. side will abide by the ABM treaty, which has all along been the cornerstone in safeguarding the global strategic balance and stability and provided the necessary security framework for nuclear disarmament.” Sun admitted on Tuesday that US President George W. Bush and PRC President Jiang Zemin have not had any direct dialogue since Bush assumed office in January. Sun said, “We are confident (contacts between the leaders) will continue. But it should be decided by the two parties in consultations when telephone calls will be made.” Sun declined to confirm reports that PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen is planning to visit the US as the first high-level official since Bush took office.
3. US-PRC Talks
Reuters (“TOP CHINESE OFFICIAL TO MAKE U.S. TRIP IN MARCH,” Beijing, 2/6/01) reported that US diplomats in the PRC said on Tuesday that PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen will travel to the US next month in the first visit by a senior PRC official under the George W. Bush administration. Diplomats also said that US Ambassador Joseph Prueher held talks with Premier Zhu Rongji in Beijing on Tuesday.
II. Republic of Korea
1. ROK-Russia Defense Talks
The Korea Herald (“KOREA, RUSSIA TO HOLD TALKS ON DEFENSE INDUSTRY,” 2/6/01) reported that the ROK Defense Ministry said that ROK and Russian military officials would meet in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss matters concerning the ROK’s purchase of some US$500 million worth of Russian weapons. The ministry said that the working-level meeting will continue until February 9 at the conference room of the ROK Defense Ministry. ROK Army Colonel Kim Yong-hwan, director of the ministry’s Acquisition Policy Division, said, “Following the Seoul meeting, we plan to visit Russia next month for an on-site evaluation of Russian weapons and the final list of purchase items would come out at the end of this month. When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Seoul later this month, our purchase amount from Russia will likely be set, which could be roughly $500 million.” [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for February 6, 2001.]
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