CONTENTS
1. US Military Support for ROK
2. PRC Anti-Terror Efforts
3. PRC View of Afghan Government
II. Republic of Korea 1. Inter-Korean Relations
2. DPRK Foreign Policy
III. Japan 1. Chogin Tokyo Credit Union and Chongryun
IV. People’s Republic of China 1. PRC-DPRK Relations
2. PRC-US Relations
3. PRC’s Entry into WTO
4. PRC on Anti-terrorism and Afghanistan Issue
5. US-Russian Summit
I. United States
1. US Military Support for ROK
The Korea Times (Sohn Suk-joo, “US VOWS MILITARY SUPPORT FOR SPORTS EVENTS IN KOREA,” 11/15/01) reported that the US has pledged to provide the ROK with military support aimed at deterring terrorist attacks during the World Cup finals and the Pusan Asian Games in May and September 2002. The ROK Defense Ministry said the support will be of the same level that the US provided during the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988. In the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, the US adopted a new military strategy of giving priority to the defense of its homeland, prompting fears that it would downgrade the importance of security in northeast Asia. However, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff US General Richard B. Myers and ROK General Lee Nam-shin confirmed during the Military Committee Meeting in Washington that the two allies would maintain strong cooperative ties to build military trust between ROK and the DPRK. [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for November 15, 2001.]
2. PRC Anti-Terror Efforts
The Associated Press (Ted Anthony, “CHINA INCREASES ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS,” Beijing, 11/15/01) reported that at the UN General Assembly this week, PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said, “Opposing ‘East Turkestan is an important aspect of the international anti-terrorist struggle.” PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao justified the PRC’s campaign against the “splittist” movement of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang by saying “These people have been trained by the international terrorists. So the fight against separatists in Xinjiang is part of the fight by the world against terrorism. They have become a part of the international terrorist mechanism.” Dilxat Raxit, a Sweden-based spokesman for the East Turkestan Information Center, an exiled Uighur group, reported 22 arrests and two executions of Uighurs charged with “splitting the state” and “endangering security.” No independent verification was available.
3. PRC View of Afghan Government
Reuters (“BEIJING NON-COMMITTAL ON TALIBAN ROLE IN AFGHAN GOVERNMENT,” Beijing, 11/15/01) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said, “The new government in Afghanistan should be broadly based and include representatives from every ethnic group and also represent the interests of every ethnic group.” Asked if that meant the Taliban should also be included, she repeated that statement. Zhang went on to state that the PRC was not in contact with Northern Alliance forces. She also declined to say whether the PRC would take part in the international security force approved by the UN Security Council on Wednesday to guard major Afghan cities.
II. Republic of Korea
1. Inter-Korean Relations
The Korea Herald (Kim Ji-ho, “SUNSHINE POLICY FADING AFTER TALKS BREAK DOWN, 11/15/01) and The Korea Herald (Shin Yong-bae, “OPPOSITION CALLS FOR CHANGE OF POLICY ON NORTH KOREA,” Seoul, 11/15/01) reported that negotiators tackled issues until the early morning, but failed to reach a compromise. ROK Unification Minister Hong Soon-young said, “Both sides considerably narrowed the gap in their positions on the South’s counterterrorism measures, but there still remain some differences.” Opposition lawmakers attributed the failure of the negotiations to the Seoul government’s “sunshine policy,” under which they claimed the ROK is only being swayed by the DPRK, despite the provision of “costly economic and food aid.” A spokesman for the Grand National Party said, “The government should completely review its North Korea policy, which hurts people’s pride and national interests.” DPRK media blamed the ROK for the breakdown of the Mount Kumgang talks. There was tentative agreement on holding the next round of ministerial talks in Seoul. ROK officials said it requested that the ministerial talks reopen later this month, or next month at the latest, but the DPRK declined to set a date. Government-level economic talks were scheduled for next month, but the two sides could not agree on the venue. ROK officials and analysts said that the breakdown of ministerial talks between the ROK and the DPRK is expected to further delay the reconciliation process.
2. DPRK Foreign Policy
Joongang Ilbo (Kim Hee-sung, “N.K. PROPOSES CONDITIONS FOR DIALOGUE WITH U.S.,” Seoul, 11/14/01) reported that in his keynote speech at UN General Assembly on November 13, DPRK ambassador to the UN Ri Hyong-chol, restated that the DPRK would only resume dialogue with the US when the incumbent US administration returns to the level which is at least similar to that of the previous administration. Ri said, “It is totally irrational to say that the United States deploys huge armed forces around the Korean Peninsula and conducts large-scale military exercises against us to advance peace, whereas it is a ‘threat to peace’ that we take self defense measures to cope with the US military threat.” Japan was also condemned for its dispatch of self-defense forces, its “rightist movement” which encouraged the continuing ignorance of atrocities committed during World War II, and the distortion of Japan’s history textbooks. Ri noted that it was for that reason that the DPRK stood against Japan’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN Council. He gave further emphasis on the DPRK’s consistent and principled stance that opposes all forms of terror-supporting acts referring to the DPRK’s recent signing of two international anti-terror pacts.
III. Japan
1. Chogin Tokyo Credit Union and Chongryun
Asahi Shinbun (“PRO-PYONGYANG MEMBER GOT 2.6 BILLION YEN IN SHADY LOANS,” 11/10/01) reported that inside sources said on November 11 that the Chogin Tokyo Credit Union, which collapsed in May 1999, extended 2.6 billion yen in shady loans to a senior member of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun). The loans were extended over a 20-year period to Kang Yong Gwan, a member of Chongryun’s Central Standing Committee and former financial chief of the organization. In an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, Kang explained the loans were de facto borrowed by Chongryun and used for the purposes of the pro-Pyongyang organization. Kang said the loans were sent to him personally because Chongryun was not qualified as a corporate body to receive the money.
IV. People’s Republic of China
1. PRC-DPRK Relations
People’s Liberation Army Daily (Han Jie, “CHINESE DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS DPRK GUESTS,” Beijing, 11/13/01) reported that PRC Defense Minister Chi Haotian met in Beijing on November 12 with a delegation from the Korean People’s Army of the DPRK that was led by deputy army commander of the Korean People’s ArmyKim Song-un. Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that the traditional friendship between the two countries has withstood the test of time and shown a strong vitality amid the drastic changes in the international situation over the past few decades. He added that the friendship has been furthered in the first year of the new century, citing DPRK leader Kim Jong-il’s two visits to the PRC in May 2000 and January 2001 and PRC President Jiang Zemin’s visit to the DPRK in September 2001. Chi added that the two leaders agreed to make joint efforts to raise the friendship and cooperation to a new high. Chi also briefed the visitors on PRC’s views of the international situation and the Korean Peninsula issue, and said that strengthening bilateral cooperation is conducive to regional development and world stability. Kim agreed with Chi and said that in the new century the DPRK people and armed forces will continue to strengthen cooperation with the PRC to further develop the bilateral relations.
2. PRC-US Relations
People’s Daily (“JIANG, BUSH EXCHANGE VIEWS OVER PHONE,” Beijing, 11/13/01) reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush had a phone conversation on November 12. Jiang reviewed the good meeting between him and Bush prior to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting held in Shanghai in October. Jiang told Bush, “I agree with you that China and the United States should commit to the development of Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations. China is ready to make concerted efforts with the US to make this happen”. Bush responded by saying that the US will work closely with the PRC to push forward the US-PRC relations, and that maintaining communication is not only important for the US and the PRC but also for the whole world. Jiang also said with the entry of the PRC into the WTO, the PRC anticipates close cooperation with the US and wants to work for the growth of Sino-US economic and trade cooperation. Jiang and Bush also exchanged views on anti- terrorism. Jiang said that even though anti-terrorism is a long- term struggle, the early restoration of peace in the relevant region is conducive to the overall anti-terrorism campaign. Jiang noted that the UN should play an active role in combating terrorism and safeguarding world peace. Bush reiterated the US stance on anti-terrorism and thanked Jiang for the PRC’s support.
3. PRC’s Entry into WTO
China Daily (Shao Zongwei, “WTO ENTRY TO BENEFIT ‘DIRECT THREE LINKS’,” 11/14/01) reported that on November 13 PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said that the PRC and Taiwan’s entry into the WTO creates an opportunity to achieve the “three links” (direct transportation, post and trade) across the Taiwan Straits. Zhu said, “As members of the WTO, both sides should strictly abide by the WTO’s rules. According to the principles of non-discrimination and trade facilitation, Taiwan authorities should open the ‘direct three links’ and lift all unreasonable restrictions on trade across the Taiwan Straits.” He added that the PRC has been promoting the “direct three links across the Taiwan Straits all along, but the idea has met resistance from Taiwan authorities, who instead opened three mini-links on January 1 between the outlying Taiwan controlled islands of Jinmen and Mazu and the port cities of Xiamen and Fuzhou, in East China’s Fujian Province. Zhu said, “The principles of our promotion of the ‘three links’ are one China, direct two-way links and reciprocity. This will not change.”
4. PRC on Anti-terrorism and Afghanistan Issue
People’s Daily (Gu Zhenqiu, “TANG JIAXUAN PUTS FORTH FIVE PRINCIPLES OF THE SOLUTION OF THE AFGHANISTAN ISSUE,” United Nations, 11/14/01) reported that PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan called for a political solution to the Afghan issue on November 12 at the UN. Tang, who attended a high-ranking international meeting on Afghanistan, said that the PRC, as a neighboring country of Afghanistan, has always been concerned with the situation in the country. He maintained that efforts should be made to resolve the Afghan problem through negotiation and dialogue. Tang said that under the current situation, the following principles should be honored in efforts toward properly solving the Afghan problem: First, efforts should be made to safeguard the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. Second, the Afghan people should be able to independently decide on the solution to their problem. Third, the future Afghan government should be broad-based, represent the interests of all ethnic groups in the country and develop good relations with Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. Fourth, Tang said, efforts should be made to maintain the peace and stability in the region. Last, he noted, the UN should play a more constructive role in solving the Afghan problem.
People’s Daily (Yu Zheng and Qian Chunxian, “FM SPOKESMAN MAKES COMMENTS ON AFGHANISTAN AND ANTI-TERRORISM ISSUE,” Beijing, 11/14/01) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said at a press conference on November 13, “We have noticed recently that the American media has claimed that the Chinese media has blamed the terror attacks on the hegemony of the United States.” Zhu added that these false reports have left an indelible impression on the US public and overseas Chinese. Zhu said, “It is known widely that the Chinese government opposes any form of terrorism, and this stance has been made clear many times by Chinese leaders and the Foreign Ministry.” Zhu noted that the PRC is willing to promote dialogue and cooperation with the US and the international community, to jointly crack down on all terrorist violence. He added that some non-governmental publications (books, magazines and CD-ROMs) related to the attacks did come out in the PRC after the September 11 incident – – but all containing strong objections to terrorists.
5. US-Russian Summit
People’s Daily (Ren Yujun, “BUSH HOLDS TALKS WITH PUTIN,” Washington D.C., 11/15/01) reported that US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 13 that their countries will respectively cut their nuclear arsenal. Bush said during a joint press conference with Putin, “I have informed President Putin that the United States will reduce our operationally deployed, strategic nuclear warheads to a level between 1,700 to 2,200 within the next decade, a level fully consistent with American security.” Bush said he and Putin retain differing viewpoints on the US plans to develop a missile defense shield, and “we will continue dialogue and discussion” on the subject. He said he and Putin also agreed to support a UN call for a “broadly based and multiethnic” government in Afghanistan to replace the Taliban. Meanwhile, Putin said that his country will try to respond in kind after Bush said he will cut the US nuclear arsenal. Putin said that he wanted a “reliable and verifiable agreement,” appearing to differ with US views that a complex strategic arms treaty was unnecessary. He also said Russia had not modified its position on the US missile defense program, which Russia opposes, but that talks would continue.
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