CONTENTS
1. US Nuclear Policy
2. Bush PRC Visit
3. DPRK-US Diplomatic Relations
4. US-ROK-DPRK Diplomatic Relations
5. US-Philippines Anti-terror War
6. ROK Olympic Boycott
II. People’s Republic of China 1. US-DPRK Relations
2. Bush’s Japan Visit
3. Bush’s PRC Visit
4. PRC-US Relations
5. PRC-Japanese Relations
6. US-Russian Negotiation on Arms Control
III. Japan 1. Bush Japan Visit
2. Japan’s View of “Axis of Evil”
3. Japan Immigration Violations
I. United States
1. US Nuclear Policy
The Washington Times (Nicholas Kralev, “U.S. DROPS PLEDGE ON NUKES,” Washington, 02/22/02) reported that the Bush administration is no longer standing by a 24-year-old US pledge not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, a senior administration official said yesterday. The US is “not looking for occasions to use” its nuclear arsenal, John Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, said in an interview. But “we would do whatever is necessary to defend America’s innocent civilian population,” he said. In case of an attack on the United States, “we would have to do what is appropriate under the circumstances, and the classic formulation of that is, we are not ruling anything in and we are not ruling anything out,” Bolton said. “We are just not into theoretical assertions that other administrations have made,” he said in reference to a 1978 commitment by the Carter administration not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states unless they attack the US in alliance with nuclear-armed countries. However, Bolton stated that such promises reflect “an unrealistic view of the international situation.” “The idea that fine theories of deterrence work against everybody, which is implicit in the negative security assurances, has just been disproven by September 11,” he said. “What we are attempting to do is create a situation where nobody uses weapons of mass destruction of any kind.” [This article also appeared in the US State Department’s Early Bird Report for February 22, 2002.]
2. Bush PRC Visit
The Washington Post (Mike Allen and Philip P. Pan, “BUSH TOUTS U.S. VALUES TO CHINESE,” Beijing, 02/22/02) and Agence France-Presse (“BUSH HOLDS UP US AS MODEL FOR CHINA,” 02/23/02) reported that in a speech at Beijing’s Qinghua University, US President George W. Bush urged the PRC to draw upon the “American ideals” of liberty, faith and family as it continues its historic economic transformation. Bush declared, “Life in America shows that liberty, paired with law, is not to be feared. In a free society, diversity is not disorder. Debate is not strife. And dissent is not revolution. A free society trusts its citizens to seek greatness in themselves and their country.” After the speech, Bush took questions from students. The toughest questions were about the sensitive issue of Taiwan. The students demanded to know why he never uses the phrase “peaceful reunification.” Bush replied that the missile system had not been developed yet and reiterated US support for a “one- China” policy, drawing applause from the audience. [This article also appeared in the US State Department’s Early Bird Report for February 22, 2002.]
The Associated Press (Sandra Sobieraj, “TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR BUSH IN CHINA,” Beijing, 02/22/02) and Reuters, (John Ruwitch, “CHINA STUDENTS CHEER BUSH BUT JEER OVER TAIWAN,” Beijing, 02/22/02) reported that after US President Bush’s speech at Qinghua University, dozens of hands shot up and students asked Bush tough questions. One student, broadcasting undergraduate Huang Rui, had to repeat an earlier question on the wording of US policy toward Taiwan after Bush tried to brush it aside. “This seems to be a topic on people’s minds, obviously,” Bush responded. “I am anxious that there be a peaceful resolution. … I hope it happens in my lifetime. And I hope it happens in yours. It’ll be an important milestone.” Bush was also questioned about his plans to develop a missile defense system for the US. He avoided the issue of whether the shield would extend to Taiwan, but said he honors the Taiwan Relations Act,” which says we will help Taiwan defend herself if provoked.” After the speech, Huang expressed that she appreciated Bush’s speech but was not satisfied with his answers to the questions. “If he came here with the single task of propagating American values in China, then his performance was very substantive,” she said. “It’s just that he answered the questions poorly.”
Agence France-Presse (“CHINA’S FUTURE LEADER HU STEPS OUT OF SHADOWS FOR BUSH VISIT,” 02/22/02) reported that PRC Vice President Hu Jintao met US President George W. Bush Friday morning at Beijing’s Qinghua University. Hu later introduced Bush before a gathering of students, to whom the US leader delivered a speech. Political scientist Joseph Cheng of Hong Kong’s City University commented, “This was definitely part of a plan to groom Hu to give him proper exposure before the international media before he takes over as secretary general of the Communist Party sometime this autumn.”
3. DPRK-US Diplomatic Relations
The Associate Press (“BUSH’S ‘AXIS OF EVIL’ TALK GOT NORTH KOREA’S ATTENTION, POWELL SAYS,” Washington, 02/22/02), The Associated Press (“POWELL: USE U.N. FOR NKOREA DIALOGUE,” 02/22/02) reported that US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday explained that that while US President George W. Bush has softened his “axis of evil” rhetoric in Asia, it was his strong words that got the DPRK’s attention. Former US President Jimmy Carter also criticized Bush’s language. “I think it will take years before we can repair the damage done by that statement,” Carter said. He called the statement “overly simplistic and counterproductive.” Powell said Bush’s remark had had the desired effect. “I’m sure their (the DPRK’s) mind is a little more focused than it was a few weeks ago,” Powell said. Powell also stated that the US would work through channels in the UN to renew its offer for dialogue.
The Associated Press (Choe Sang-hun, “NKOREA REJECTS BUSH’S OFFER OF TALKS,” Seoul, 02/22/02) and Reuters (Paul Eckert, “NORTH KOREA REJECTS U.S. TALKS, HAMMERS BUSH,” Seoul, 02/22/02) reported that the DPRK rejected US President George W. Bush’s call for dialogue, dismissing him on Friday as a “politically backward child.” In the DPRK’s first reaction to Bush’s 40-hour visit to the ROK this week, a Foreign Ministry statement said that the US president had insulted DPRK leader Kim Jong-il by criticizing its political system and economic failings. The statement, carried by the DPRK’s official Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) read, “Bush’s outbursts against the DPRK system are an insult to the national feelings of the Korean people. The DPRK can never pardon anyone who dares pull up its supreme headquarters and slander its political system though he is a man bereft of an elementary reason or a politically backward child. We are not willing to have contact with his clan, which is trying to change by force of arms the system chosen by the Korean people.”
4. US-ROK-DPRK Diplomatic Relations
Agence France-Presse (“SOUTH KOREAN LEADER CALLS FOR PATIENCE WITH NORTH,” 02/22/02) reported that ROK President Kim Dae-Jung called for patience and determination in the campaign to force the DPRK to start talking with the outside world again. In a video-taped address to a Seoul conference, Kim appealed, “We need to be patient and persistent in pushing ahead with the ‘Sunshine Policy.’ I will make strenuous efforts to get inter-Korean talks resumed and help open North Korea-US talks.” At a joint press conference with PRC President Jiang Zemin in Beijing on Thursday, Bush asked Jiang to make contact with the DPRK’s supreme leader Kim Jong-Il. Jiang appeared receptive but stopped short of saying he would use his influence with the DPRK.
5. US-Philippines Anti-terror War
Agence France-Presse (“CRASH ILLUSTRATES US RISKS IN PHILIPPINES ANTI- TERROR EFFORT,” 02/23/02) and Agence France-Presse (“THREE SOLDIERS DEAD, FOUR MISSING AS US HELICOPTER CRASHES IN PHILIPPINES,” 02/22/02) reported that a fiery helicopter crash inflicted the first American casualties in a joint anti-terror operation in the Philippines. Three US soldiers were killed after a MH-47 Special Forces helicopter involved in anti-terrorism exercises went down at sea following a fiery midflight explosion off the central island of Negros on Friday. Three other American servicemen were rescued after the aircraft carrying 10 US soldiers plunged into central Philippine waters. “This is confirmed,” Major Noel Detoyato, spokesman for military forces in the south, said of the casualties and rescued soldiers. He would not say where the survivors were or where the bodies had been taken. Search and rescue boats found parts of the MH-47 Chinook helicopter near the crash site off central Negros island. . The cause of the crash is still under investigation, the Philippine and US authorities said.
6. ROK Olympic Boycott
The Associate Press (Paul Newberry, “SOUTH KOREA THREATENS BOYCOTT,” Salt Lake City, 02/22/02), The Associated Press (Larry Siddons, “RUSSIA, S. KOREA PROTEST AT OLYMPICS,” Salt Lake City, 02/22/02) and Agence France-Presse (“SOUTH KOREA THREATENS BOYCOTT OVER “ROBBED” OLYMPIC GOLD,” 02/22/02) reported that the ROK has threatened to boycott the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics closing ceremony, over the disqualification of ROK short-track speedskating champion Kim Dong-sung. The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) has stated it will take legal action if appeals for short-track skater Kim Dong-Sung to get a gold medal are rejected. Public anger has been focused on Australian race referee James Hewish who has been accused of bias for the disqualification of Kim Dong-Sung after he won the 1,500 metre short track final on Wednesday. Kim was accused of blocking 19-year-old US competitor Apolo Anton Ohno’s path half a lap from the finish. Ohno, a Japanese-American who finished second, was awarded the gold medal. “We want Kim’s honour back otherwise our delegates will not attend the Olympics closing ceremony,” a senior KOC official stated on the condition of anonymity. “We are preparing to file a lawsuit with a Utah state court against the referee’s worst ever decision which resulted in an unprecedented disaster,” KOC secretary general Kim Chul-Ju said in Seoul. He said formal complaints will be lodged over the “biased” ruling — one with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sports arbitration court and the other with the International Skating Union. A case in US state court would be virtually unprecedented. ROK newspaper the Kyunghyang Shinmun said Kim “was robbed of a gold medal” by a biased decision and Daily Sports calling it “terror on ice.” The ROK’s internet lobby has sent more than 16,000 to the US Olympic Committee and the IOC. The IOC web site and the USOC computer were swamped causing the server to go down for several hours. “I don’t remember anything like it,” USOC spokesman Mike Moran said in reference to the e-mails which he said were “offensive and obscene.” The ROK aired its complaints at a news conference immediately following a briefing in which Russia threatened to pull out of the games and said it might not go to the 2004 Athens Olympics. Park would not dismiss the possibility of pulling out of the remaining events in Salt Lake City or boycotting Athens.
II. People’s Republic of China
1. US-DPRK Relations
China Daily (“BUSH WILLING TO TALK WITH DPRK,” Seoul, 02/21/02, P11) reported that at a joint press conference after a summit with ROK President Kim Dae-jung, US President George W. Bush reiterated on February 20 that the US is willing to resume dialogue with the DPRK. Bush added his country will supply food assistance to the DPRK no matter whether or not US-DPRK relations are restored. Bush expressed his support for ROK’s sunshine policy to the DPRK, reiterating the US commitment to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. At the news conference, President Kim said the two sides agreed to further strengthen their security alliance, to resolve issues related to the DPRK through dialogue, and to cooperate in the US-led campaign against terrorism.
2. Bush’s Japan Visit
People’s Daily (Guan Kejiang, “US, JAPANESE LEADERS HOLD SUMMIT,” Tokyo, 02/19/02, P3) reported that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and US President George W. Bush began talks on February 18 on the economy, bilateral alliance, as well as antiterrorism issues. During the talks, Bush and Koizumi reaffirmed the importance of US-Japan alliance and the coalition to combat terrorism. Bush also expressed his support for Koizumi’s structural reforms. On the issue of Korean Peninsula, the report said, the two sides affirmed that the US, Japan and ROK will enhance their coordination. The US and Japanese leaders welcome the PRC’s further involvement into the international society.
3. Bush’s PRC Visit
People’s Daily (Wu Yimin, “JIANG ZEMIN AND BUSH HOLD TALKS,” Beijing, 02/22/02, P1) reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush held positive, constructive and fruitful talks on February 21 at the Great Hall of the People and exchanged views on PRC- US relations and major international and regional issues, reaching broad and important consensus. During the talks, Jiang said, the lessons and experience of the development of the China-US relationship in the past 30 years indicate that the two sides should bear in mind the larger picture, take a long-term perspective and enhance mutual understanding and trust in developing the bilateral ties. Both sides should recognize and respect each other’s differences, and seek to expand their common ground, Jiang stated. Agreeing with Jiang, Bush said that the US Government expects to expand and strengthen cooperation with the PRC in various fields, which will not only benefit the two countries but also be of significance to safeguarding world peace and promoting cooperation.
China Daily (Meng Yan and Hu Qihua, “US STICKS TO ONE-CHINA POLICY,” 02/22/02, P1) reported that US President George W. Bush said on February 21 that the position of his government on the Taiwan question has not changed over years. He made the remark when meeting the press with PRC President Jiang Zemin. “We believe in the peaceful settlement of this issue,” Bush said. Turning to the issue of the Korea Peninsula, Bush said that the US is willing to engage in dialogue with the DPRK. Bush appealed to Jiang to convey this message to DPRK leader Kim Jong-il. Jiang responded, “We have all along pursued such a position that we want the Korean Peninsula to have peace and stability. We hope the problems between the DPRK and the ROK can be resolved through dialogue, and we also sincerely hope the contacts between the US and the DPRK will be resumed,” Jiang responded.
China Daily (“FOUR-POINT PLAN TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS,” 02/22/02, P1) reported that in his talks with visiting US President, PRC President Jiang Zemin made a four-point proposition for the PRC and the US to safeguard and develop the positive momentum in bilateral relations. The proposition is: 1) Both sides should further strengthen high-level strategic dialogues and contacts between departments at various levels, and enhance understanding and trust. 2) Both sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields to benefit the two peoples. 3) Both sides should properly deal with their difference, especially on the Taiwan question, on the basis of mutual respect and seeking common ground. 4) Both sides should adopt a worldwide perspective when considering PRC-US relations, and keep exchanges and strengthen cooperation in jointly safeguarding world peace and enhancing the progress of human civilization.
4. PRC-US Relations
People’s Daily (“FM SPOKESMAN ON US SENATOR’S ATTACK AGAINST CHINA,” Beijing, 02/21/02, P4) reported that when asked for comments on US Senator Jesse Helms’ latest article in the Washington Times, which used the excuses of human rights, religion and Taiwan issues to attack the PRC, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan responded that there will always be a small number of people in the US who stick to cold war thinking and make accusations against the PRC for no reason. Kong said that the people in the US, in an attempt to undermine the improvement and development of PRC-US relations, confused right and wrong. Their political attempts, which are both against the interest of the peoples of the two nations and the historical tide, will not prevail, Kong said.
5. PRC-Japanese Relations
People’s Daily (Zhang Huanli, “ORGANIZATION TO COMMEMORATE NORMALIZATION OF CHINA-JAPAN TIES ESTABLISHED,” Tokyo, 02/20/02, P3) reported that an organization composed of Japan’s ruling party lawmakers to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the PRC and Japan was established in Tokyo on February 19. According to the report, Japan’s former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto was named as head of the organization. Former LDP Secretary General Makoto Koga was chosen as head of the organization’s secretariat with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, New Komeito party leader Takenori Kanzaki and NCP leader Takeshi Noda serving as supreme advisers, said the report. At the conference to celebrate the founding of the organization, Hashimoto stated, “It is our responsibility to further promote the relationship (between China and Japan) so that our 30 years of efforts in the past will not be wasted.” It said the organization will actively support the activities of culture and sightseeing exchanges between Japan and the PRC.
6. US-Russian Negotiation on Arms Control
China Daily (“ARMS DEAL EXPECTED BETWEEN RUSSIA, US,” Moscow, 02/20/02, P12) reported that Russia’s top arms negotiator said on February 19 that he expected to strike a deal with his US counterpart at the start of talks in Moscow. The aim is to draft an agreement for signature at a May presidential summit, the report said. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov said that he was looking for “substantial and tangible results” from his meeting with the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, John Bolton. The two met on February 19 in central Moscow. Mamedov said that the two sides were negotiating the wording of an agreement “on radical reductions in strategic offensive weapons and a document on a new framework of strategic stability relations between Russia and the US.” At the same time Kremlin officials urged other nuclear powers to join the disarmament process now under way.
III. Japan
1. Bush Japan Visit
The Asahi Shimbun (“ROYAL TALKS WRAP UP BUSH VISIT,” Tokyo, 02/20/02) reported that US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, talked about terrorism and Afghanistan in a meeting on February 19 with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The emperor reiterated his condolences for victims of the September 11 terrorist attack in New York and Washington. Bush responded by thanking the emperor for his concern and expressed regret for the Japanese-American victims of the attacks. Bush also said that he was delighted to see peace return to Afghanistan, while the emperor said he was pleased to see smiles on the Afghan people in Kabul.
2. Japan’s View of “Axis of Evil”
The Asahi Shimbun (“NAKATANI CAUTIOUS ON IRAQ SCENARIO,” Tokyo, 02/20/02) reported that Japanese Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani expressed caution Tuesday about applying the anti-terrorism law in the event of a US military attack on Iraq. If the US attacks Iraq, Nakatani said, “Japan will have to consider legal possibilities with regard to the purpose and the aim of the law and will have to review the situation, the moves of each country and the opinion of the UN in determining Japanese policy on the issue.”
3. Japan Immigration Violations
Japan Times (“IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS UP IN 2001,” Tokyo, 02/22/02) reported that police reported 7,244 alleged violations of immigration laws in 2001, up 1,058 cases from the previous year, registering the first rise since peaking in 1997, the National Police Agency said Thursday. Although smuggling groups by ship are declining, increasing numbers of people illegally enter via air with fake passports. The number of alleged violators increased by 879 to 6,177 during the year. By nationality, Chinese accounted for 38 percent, the largest group, followed by ROK citizens, Filipinos and Thais. Of the total, 2,887 were alleged to have overstayed their visas, followed by 1,386 who reportedly could not produce passports when asked. Those who allegedly used fake passports to enter Japan increased by 79 percent to 646. Of this group, Chinese accounted for 343, followed by 57 Filipinos, 51 Iranians and 46 Thais.
The NAPSNet Daily Report aims to serve as a forum for dialogue and exchange among peace and security specialists. Conventions for readers and a list of acronyms and abbreviations are available to all recipients. For descriptions of the world wide web sites used to gather information for this report, or for more information on web sites with related information, see the collection of other NAPSNet resources.
We invite you to reply to today’s report, and we welcome commentary or papers for distribution to the network.
Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development in partnership with:
BK21 The Education and Research Corps for East Asian Studies
Department of Political Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Center for American Studies,
Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
International Peace Research Institute (PRIME),
Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan
Monash Asia Institute,
Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Brandon Yu: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States
Timothy L. Savage: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States
Kim Young-soo: yskim328@hotmail.com
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Hibiki Yamaguchi: hibikiy84@hotmail.com
Tokyo, Japan
Saiko Iwata: saiko@akira.ne.jp
Tokyo, Japan
Hiroya Takagi: hiroya_takagi@hotmail.com
Tokyo, Japan
Peter Razvin: icipu@glas.apc.org
Moscow, Russian Federation
Wu Chunsi: cswu@fudan.ac.cn
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
John McKay: John.McKay@adm.monash.edu.au
Clayton, Australia