NAPSNet Daily Report 13 October, 1999

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet Daily Report 13 October, 1999", NAPSNet Daily Report, October 13, 1999, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-daily-report/napsnet-daily-report-13-october-1999/

 
CONTENTS

I. United States

II. People’s Republic of China

III. Announcements

I. United States

1. Perry Report

Reuters (Jonathan Wright, “PERRY RECOMMENDS COEXISTENCE WITH NORTH KOREA,” Washington, 10/13/99) and the Associated Press (George Gedda, “REPORT: N. KOREA NUKE ABILITY VAST,” Washington, 10/12/99) reported that former US Defense Secretary William Perry released the classified version of his DPRK policy review on Tuesday. The review recommended that the US and its allies seek peaceful coexistence with the DPRK rather than seek to undermine or reform it. The report said that the US should instead gradually eliminate sanctions and reduce pressures that the DPRK sees as threatening, in exchange for assurances that the DPRK will end its nuclear and missile programs. At a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Perry warned, “If we simply ignored them, if we simply tried to seal them off, they could still proceed with a missile and nuclear weapons program that could develop on a short time scale.” [Ed. note: The Perry Report was issued over NAPSNet as a Special Report on October 13.]

2. US Policy toward DPRK

The US House of Representatives International Relations Committee issued a press release (“GILMAN: ‘NORTH KOREA MAY STILL BE PURSUING A NUCLEAR PROGRAM’,” Washington, 10/13/99) which contained the following statement by US Representative Benjamin A. Gilman, Republican-New York, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee. “The DPRK may be seeking a parallel program based on highly enriched uranium which strongly suggests that North Korea never intended to curb its nuclear ambitions. My greatest fear is that this unpredictable regime in Pyongyang will combine its covert nuclear weapons program with an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the United States — and our policy will have failed to prevent it. North Korea continues to improve its conventional force structure despite its economic decline. North Korea buys military equipment from abroad — such as MiG-21’s from Kazakhstan — while its people go hungry…. While the U.N. World Food Program under its American Executive Director, Catherine Bertini, is doing an outstanding job, the North Koreans have not let her monitors visit more than 10% of actual food distribution sites. This means that 90% of the sites where food is distributed have not been visited by a food monitor…. North Korea is the world’s most repressive regime. It brutally oppresses the fundamental human rights of its people and sends many of them to languish in political prisons. The DPRK is now -deeply involved in international narcotics trafficking and other criminal activity such as the counterfeiting of US currency. Shockingly, North Korea still holds prisoners from the Korean War and may be holding live Americans against their will. We must get to the ground-truth about this issue of live Americans in North Korea. All of these issues must be taken into account in any process towards normalization of relations with this rogue state. I am concerned our policies towards North Korea have failed and that our aid is sustaining a brutal regime. I also fear that the Clinton Administration has conditioned North Korea to believe that brinkmanship brings benefits. I want to thank Dr. Perry for his efforts and his service — again– to our nation. But we must ensure as we embark on this new path that our policy is firm; that it will require full reciprocity; that it does not undermine our fundamental national security; that it is willing to undertake tough measures in the face of North Korean belligerence; and that it does not encourage in any way the DPRK to miscalculate our nation’s resolve.”

3. DPRK Missile Development

The Associated Press (“NORTH KOREA SNUBS JAPAN OVER MISSILE DEVELOPMENT – PAPER,” Seoul, 10/13/99) reported that the DPRK’s Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary on Wednesday that Japan has no business meddling in the DPRK’s missile development. The article stated, “The launch of satellite and missile development belong to our sovereignty. Therefore, nobody is entitled to say this or that.” The report accused Japan of trying to persuade other countries in the region to help get the DPRK to stop developing missiles. It added that Japan plotted to disarm and invade the DPRK.

4. DPRK View of US-ROK Military Exercises

The Associated Press (“N KOREA LAMBASTES JOINT US-S KOREA MILITARY EXERCISE,” Seoul, 10/13/99) reported that the DPRK’s Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday criticized a planned joint military exercise by US and ROK troops. The paper said, “The situation of the Korean peninsula is extremely tense. Who can say that the projected exercise will not be a prelude to a total war of aggression on the North under the situation?” The article called the exercise a grave military provocation and demanded that it be canceled.

5. Korean War Massacre

The Associated Press (Sang-Hun Choe, “U.S. ASSURES S. KOREA ON NO GUN RI,” Seoul, 10/13/99) reported that US Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth on Wednesday assured ROK Foreign Minister Hong Soon-young and Defense Minister Cho Sung-tae that the US will provide full cooperation in investigating allegations that US soldiers killed hundreds of Korean refugees in the early days of the Korean War. Roth stated, “It is absolutely clear to me … that our two governments see eye to eye in terms of the need for a thorough, complete and transparent investigation.” He promised “full information-sharing and joint evaluation of the results” of the US investigation, although the US and the ROK will investigate the case separately. He dismissed concerns that the investigation could undermine the US- ROK alliance, stating, “We are confident that our joint efforts to find the truth will serve to strengthen our alliance and satisfy our publics that we have acted together.” US Defense Secretary William Cohen sent a letter to ROK President Kim Dae-jung on Tuesday promising a full investigation. Cohen’s letter stated, “We understand the enormous historical, political, and emotional importance of this undertaking for you, your government, and your people.”

6. Alleged PRC Espionage

The Washington Times (Bill Gertz, “ESPIONAGE BY CHINA WOULD HELP IT BREAK PACT,” 10/13/99, 1) reported that US Representative Christopher Cox, Republican-California, stated in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott that the PRC’s alleged theft of US nuclear weapons testing data could help the PRC to violate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Cox stated, “The select committee found that the PRC has acquired classified information about nuclear testing using miniaturized fusion explosions. This inertial confinement technique would be of special usefulness to the PRC should it choose to violate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.” He added that the PRC “could further accelerate its nuclear development by violating the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and testing surreptitiously.” He warned, “The select committee found that the People’s Republic of China continues to target U.S. nuclear test codes, computer models and data at our national weapons laboratories; that it can use high- performance computers to diminish the need for further nuclear testing to evaluate its own weapons and its nuclear stockpile; and that if the PRC is successful in obtaining testing information from the U.S. or other countries, it will be in a better position to develop and deploy more modern nuclear weapons without additional testing.” He added, “Without the ability to test, the United States will be unable to modernize its own nuclear arsenal to avert such defenses, and will be forced to rely on warhead designs whose limitations and shortcomings are well understood by potential adversaries that may in the future include not only the PRC but other countries to which it may proliferate.” [Ed. note: This article was one of the top stories in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for October 13.]

7. PRC Entrance to WTO

The Associated Press (Hans Greimel, “U.S., CHINA PLAN HIGH-LEVEL TALKS,” New York, 10/13/99) reported that US Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said Tuesday that he will lead a delegation of top US economic policymakers to Beijing on October 25 to try to reach an agreement on the PRC’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The talks will be the 12th meeting of the China-United States Joint Economic Committee.

Dow Jones Newswires (Jason Dean, “JIANG IS UNLIKELY TO DISCUSS WTO BID ON EUROPE TOUR,” Beijing, 10/13/99) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said that PRC President Jiang Zemin is “unlikely” to engage in detailed discussion of the PRC’s bid to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO) when he travels to Britain, France, and Portugal this month. Zhang said that while WTO “is clearly an issue of common concern during President Jiang’s visit to those three European countries … the details of this issue will not necessarily be discussed between President Jiang and the heads of state of these three countries.”

8. Pakistan Military Coup

Reuters (Tahir Ikram, “PAKISTAN AWAITS ARMY STATEMENT AFTER COUP,” Islamabad, 10/13/99) reported that Pakistan was calm on Wednesday following the coup by General Pervez Musharraf. An army spokesman in Karachi stated, “A policy statement will be issued soon today that will answer all your questions.” He added there would be no military reshuffle. Another military spokesman said that Prime Minister Nowaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz, chief minister of Punjab province, had been taken into “protective custody.”

Reuters (Sambit Mohanty, “INDIA CONCERNED ABOUT PAKISTANI CRISIS,” New Delhi, 10/13/99) reported that Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said Wednesday that India was concerned about political developments in Pakistan. Vajpayee stated, “We are monitoring the situation and keeping ourselves fully informed. India’s policy toward Pakistan is consistent and principled… We wish the people of Pakistan well.” He added, “We remain committed to developing friendly and cooperative ties with Pakistan based on mutual trust and confidence, for which the Government of Pakistan needs to create the right environment.” Minister for External Affairs Jaswant Singh stated, “There is neither any cause for anxiety or alarm.” Singh added that for India-Pakistan peace talks to resume, Pakistan must take “concrete steps.” George Fernandes, formerly defense minister but currently without portfolio, noted, “Nothing unusual has been noticed on our borders. There is nothing to bother about our security.”

Reuters (David Storey, “MEASURED U.S. URGES CIVILIAN RETURN IN PAKISTAN,” Washington, 10/13/99) reported that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Wednesday called for the earliest possible return to civilian rule in Pakistan. Albright stated, “We expect them to return to democratic rule and want to hear what their plans are.” She added, “I want to make it absolutely clear that military takeovers of this kind make it difficult to carry on business as usual.” Albright warned, “I think there are many reasons to be concerned.” Deepa Ollapally, senior expert on South Asian affairs at the US Institute of Peace, stated, “The measured U.S. reaction is partly explained by fact that this not entirely a surprise. It has been brewing for a while — Pakistan has been sliding downhill — near bankruptcy and beset by civil strife. Sharif had been clamping down and trying to get all the levers of power.”

9. Pakistan-India Talks

The Associated Press (Ashok Sharma, “PAKISTAN COUP MAY DELAY INDIA TALKS,” New Delhi, 10/13/99) reported that acting Indian foreign minister Jaswant Singh said that, in the wake of the Pakistan military coup, the resumption of Indian-Pakistan peace talks would have to wait. Singh stated, “Let the situation normalize there.” He added, “I don’t think Pakistan will attack us. I also do not see that they will use their nuclear power against us.” Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee stated, “We are willing to talk to any regime in Pakistan. It is for Pakistan to create a climate for resumption of dialogue between the two countries.”

The Associated Press (“PAKISTAN COUP LEADER MODERATE AT HOME, HAWKISH ON INDIA,” Islamabad. 10/13/99) reported that General Pervez Musharraf, leader of the coup in Pakistan, is known to take a hard line on relations with India. According to most western analysts, Musharraf organized this summer’s occupation of Indian territory in Kashmir.

10. US Ratification of CTBT

The Associated Press (“DEMOCRATS ABANDON VOTE DELAY EFFORT,” Washington, 10/13/99) reported that US Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said Wednesday that Senate Democrats and the White House appear to have lost an effort to delay a vote on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Daschle stated, “We’re prepared to vote,” adding that rejection of the treaty would be an election issue. He said, “There’s a limit to what I can do and I’ve reached that limit.” Daschle blamed a “small group of senators on the far right” for preventing US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott from honoring a tentative deal reached Tuesday, although he indicated that Lott could still delay the vote if he chose.

11. US Missile Detection

The Associated Press (“U.S. MISSILE DETECTION BASE CLOSED,” Woomera, 10/12/99) reported that the US closed the joint Australia-US Nurrungar base missile detection base in the Australian Outback on Tuesday. US Air Force Secretary F. Whitten Peters said that the information that the base was receiving now can be gathered by satellites. The base’s functions have been transferred to another US base in the central Australian desert, Pine Gap, and to a facility in Colorado, where six Australian officials will be posted. Peters said that the upgraded system will be able to detect launches in Asia and on the Korean Peninsula, which Nurrungar could not. He added that Australia will still have access to sensitive US intelligence.

II. People’s Republic of China

1. DPRK-PRC Relations

People’s Daily (Zhao Jiaming, “KIM YONG-NAM MEETS WITH TANG JIAXUAN,” Pyongyang, 10/7/99, A3) reported that Kim Yong-nam, president of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, met with visiting PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on October 6. Tang said that PRC-DPRK friendship has stood the test of changes in the international situation since the two countries established diplomatic relations half a century ago. Kim’s successful visit to the PRC in June helped consolidate and develop this friendship, he said. Tang also expressed the belief that this traditional friendship will be more fruitful in the next century with the care given to it by leaders and the concerted efforts of both sides. Describing the establishment of diplomatic ties between the PRC and the DPRK as “a major event,” Kim said that DPRK-PRC relations are witnessing further development with the care extended by Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Worker’ Party of Korea, and Jiang Zemin, PRC president and general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.

2. Korean War Massacre

China Daily (“US, SK INVESTIGATE ALLEGED MASSACRE,” Seoul, 10/9/99, A8) reported that a senior US official is to visit the ROK to discuss the ROK’s participation in a joint investigation of the alleged massacre of civilians by US troops during the Korean War. The visit of Stanley Roth, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, was announced as the ROK launched its first official field investigation into the alleged massacre at the village of No Gun-Ri, the report said. “Roth is due here in the very near future,” said Yun Byung-Se, deputy director general of the ROK foreign ministry. He did not give the exact date, saying that the ROK and the US were still discussing the visit. The US official’s visit follows the ROK’s proposal for the ROK and the US to form a joint team to investigate the allegations.

3. ROK Anti-Nuclear Protest

China Daily (“ANTI-NUKE PROTEST STAGED,” Seoul, 10/12/99, A12) reported that some 1,000 activists and villagers staged an angry protest in the ROK capital on October 11, criticizing the operator of the country’s nuclear power plants for alleged safety breaches. Hundreds of riot police blocked the protesters outside the Seoul office of the Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO), but allowed them to stage a peaceful rally a week after a radioactive leak at a power plant. “KEPCO must apologize for cover-ups and improper safety steps in connection with the Woolsung plant leak,” an environmental activist said in a speech. Many of the protesters were fishermen from the southern county of Yongkwang, where the state utility operates two nuclear power plants and plans to build two more.

4. PRC-US Relations

People’s Daily (“FM SPOKESWOMAN COMMENTS ON US CHARGES ON RELIGION,” Beijing, 10/8/99, A4) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said on October 7 in Beijing that the PRC government and people are highly indignant over and firmly opposed to the US State Department’s unwarranted charges against the PRC’s handling of religious affairs. Zhang said that the PRC Government adopts the policy of religious freedom, which has been guaranteed by law. Article 36 of the PRC Constitution stipulates that the citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy religious freedom, Zhang said. The spokeswoman said that instead of being concerned about its own multiple domestic issues, including religion, the US Government is keen on making slanderous accusations regarding the PRC’s religious affairs and even threatens to impose “sanctions.” This is in essence a wanton interference in the PRC’s internal affairs under the pretext of religious freedom, she said. The PRC Government and people will never accept this, she insisted. Zhang said while the US recently reiterated its desire to improve Sino-US relations, the relationship has reached a crucial point. The Chinese are demanding that the US halt its use of the so-called “religious issue” to interfere in the PRC’s internal affairs, Zhang said. The US should promote the improvement of Sino-US relations with action, instead of doing anything detrimental to bilateral relations, she added.

5. PRC View of Taiwan Relations Act

China Daily (Liu Wenzong, “TRA CREATES OBSTACLES IN CHINA-US TIES,” 10/12/99, A4) carried an article written by Liu Wenzong, a professor at the Foreign Affairs College in Beijing, saying that the US adoption of the so- called Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) artificially created obstacles to the development of the relationship between the PRC and the US. The article said that in the US there is a fallacy that the TRA is a law, while the three communiques – the PRC-US Shanghai Communique, the joint communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic relations between the US and the People’s Republic of China, and the PRC-US Joint Communique on US Arms Sale to Taiwan – are just policies, not treaties, so that the US has no obligation to abide by them. Such understanding is unacceptable, the author said. According to him, the TRA adopted by the US Congress is an act that attempts to revise or cancel obligations under international law. The TRA is in contradiction with the principle of the priority of international law over domestic law, he said. More recently, the US is prepared to further strengthen its links with Taiwan, according to the article. It said that Sino-US relations are now at a critical moment.

6. Across Taiwan Straits Relations

People’s Daily (“JIANG ZEMIN MEETS TAIWAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS,” Beijing, 10/13/99, A1) reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin on October 12 met with a delegation of women entrepreneurs from Taiwan in Beijing. Jiang, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, expressed his deeply felt sympathy for the earthquake victim compatriots in Taiwan. Jiang expressed the hope that the people of Taiwan will overcome these difficulties and rebuild their homes as quickly as possible. Jiang noted that the Taiwan compatriots have a glorious tradition of patriotism and have made valuable contributions to the development of cross-Straits relations and the reunification of the motherland. More and more people in Taiwan have realized that the “one China” principle represents the basis for the steady growth of cross-Straits relations and the peaceful reunification of the motherland. It is also in accordance with the Taiwan compatriots’ general wishes for peace, stability and development, the PRC leader said. The essence of the “two states statement” is to separate the island of Taiwan from the motherland. This has strained cross-Straits relations, undermined Taiwan’s social stability, and is doomed to be unpopular, he said. “We are determined to safeguard China’s territorial and sovereign integrity,” Jiang stressed. However, he also noted that whatever changes come in cross-Straits relations, the policies of encouraging and welcoming Taiwan investments and of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan businesspeople will not be altered. The delegation arrived on October 10 at the invitation of the All-China Women’s Federation to attend a symposium on women’s cross-Straits economic cooperation and trade.

7. PRC Entry into WTO

China Daily (“EU TO BACK CHINA’S ENTRY WITH TERMS,” Brussels, 10/11/99, A1) reported that the European Union (EU) said on October 8 that it supports the PRC’s efforts to enter into the World Trade Organization (WTO), but under certain conditions. “We have said on many occasions that we welcome early accession of China to the WTO, but clearly that has to be on the right terms. We will not be sacrificing content for time,” European Commission’s trade spokesman Anthony Gooch told a daily news briefing in Brussels. PRC Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng is expected to meet EU Commissioner Pascal Lamy when attending the annual Asia-Europe Meeting in Berlin over weekend, the report said.

8. PRC Nuclear Safety

China Daily (Liu Weiling, “NUCLEAR SAFETY MANAGEMENT STRESSED,” 10/11/99, A1) reported that after Japan’s recent nuclear accident, the PRC is reinforcing safety inspection of its nuclear power and fuel plants. Senior PRC officials disclosed that the PRC’s three nuclear monitoring centers in Beijing, Qinshan of Zhejiang Province and Taiyuan of Shanxi Province showed that Japan’s nuclear leakage had no negative effects on the PRC’s environment. Although the officials ruled out the possibility of similar accidents occurring in the PRC, they said that the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) asked all nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel factories to perform complete inspections of equipment, operational procedures and employees. Cong Huiling, director of the CNNC’s department of safety, protection and health, said that the inspection is expected to be completed by November 10. “Improving management techniques is the key lesson China should learn from the Japan accident since the leak happened not because of nuclear technology, but because of poor management and human error,” she said. Reports said that poor handling techniques of the plant operator, JCO Company, caused the leak. “Such practices are totally forbidden in China,” Cong said. “All nuclear power operators in China are required to have licenses and be well-trained.” Sun Guangdi, chief engineer of CNNC’s department of nuclear power, added that workers in the PRC’s nuclear power plants must be college-educated and undergo two to three years of training before they begin work. The PRC also has strict regulations and codes governing design, construction and operation of nuclear power plant, he said. He hoped that the accident would not affect the PRC’s development plans for nuclear power, but admitted that the incident could have a certain unavoidable psychological impact on the Chinese public.

9. PRC Stand on CTBT

People’s Daily (Liu Yunfeng, “CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE REAFFIRMS STANCE ON CTBT,” Vienna, 10/8/99, A6) reported that Sha Zukang, head of the PRC delegation to the first Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), said on October 6 that the PRC will abide by the CTBT, and will actively support and participate in the preparatory work of the treaty organization. Sha said that the PRC Government’s basic position on the treaty remains unchanged. Facing a series of negative events in the world recently, Sha said that China will still try its best to speed up the ratification process of the treaty based on a full review of the treaty and the international security environment, and work to promote its entry into force. However, he pointed out at the same time that those negative events would hinder the entry into force and the universality of CTBT.

China Daily (Shao Zongwei, “US URGED TO RATIFY NUKE TREATY,” 10/13/99, A1) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said on October 12 that the PRC Government hopes the US will ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as soon as possible. During a routine press briefing, Zhang said that US ratification is of great significance to the future of the treaty, and will push other countries to follow suit.

III. Announcements

1. New York DPRK Forum

The National Association of Korean Americans (NAKA)-NY Chapter, the Korea Society, and the Institute for Strategic Reconciliation, Inc. (ISR) will hold a “New York North Korea Forum” on the topic “Medicines for Reconciliation between DPRK and USA: A Transparent Medical Aid to DPRK – Slide Presentation.” The speaker will be Asaph Young Chun, President of The Institute for Strategic Reconciliation, Inc. The talk will take place Saturday, October 16, 5 p.m., in English and Korean at the Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY, 10022. For directions call 212-759-7525. A Korean-only version of the talk will take place on Sunday, October 17, at 4 p.m. at Grace Korean Presbyterian Church, 216-50 28th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11360. For directions call 718-428-9191. Chun will be presenting the key results from the mission of the ISR’s 5-member “Ambassadors of Reconciliation for Medicines” to the DPRK September 18-21. He will be focusing on both the transparent delivery and distribution of medicines to vulnerable groups, and a long-term agreement between DPRK and ISR to deliver medicines and medical supplies. RSVP is required to John Kim, Director of NAKA, by fax at 212-481-9569, or e-mail at ISR_NY@yahoo.com. Admission is free but a donation for medical supplies for the DPRK is suggested.

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Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development in partnership with:
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Timothy L. Savage: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

Kim Hee-sun: khs688@hotmail.com
Seoul, Republic of Korea

Hiroyasu Akutsu: akutsu@glocomnet.or.jp
Tokyo, Japan

Peter Razvin: icipu@glas.apc.org
Moscow, Russian Federation

Chunsi Wu: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Leanne Paton: anjlcake@webtime.com.au
Clayton, Australia

 


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