NAPSNet Daily Report Tuesday, July 03, 2007
- 1. DPRK-IAEA Cooperation
2. US on Early DPRK Oil Delivery
3. DPRK-PRC Talks
4. Japan Defense Chief Resigns
5. US-PRC Trade Relations
6. PRC Labor Unrest
7. PRC Environment
I. NAPSNet
1. DPRK-IAEA Cooperation
Associated Press (“NORTH KOREA TO WORK WITH IAEA”, 2007-07-03) reported that the DPRK is prepared to cooperate with the IAEA in its mission to shut down the country’s nuclear facilities. According to a report made available Tuesday to the Associated Press, the DPRK has agreed to provide International Atomic Energy Agency experts with needed technical information, access and other help needed to shut down the plutonium-producing Yongbyon nuclear facility.
2. US on Early DPRK Oil Delivery
Voice of America (“OFFICIALS: US DOES NOT OPPOSE EARLY NORTH KOREA OIL AID”, 2007-07-03) reported that the United States said it does not oppose the early shipment of energy aid to the DPRK before it shuts down its nuclear reactor complex at Yongbyon. Under the six-party agreement reached in February, the DPRK was to get the first installment of fuel oil after it shuts down the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. But officials here say that the United States will not stand in the way of early deliveries, provided that the DPRK acts in good faith to keep their part of the bargain.
3. DPRK-PRC Talks
Voice of America (“CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH N. KOREA’S KIM JONG IL”, 2007-07-03) reported that the PRC’s foreign minister Yang Jiechi has met with Kim Jong Il during a visit to Pyongyang to try to revive stalled nuclear negotiations. The PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters in Beijing the two sides would discuss bi-lateral relations and reviving six-nation negotiations.
4. Japan Defense Chief Resigns
The Associated Press (“JAPAN DEFENSE CHIEF QUITS OVER GAFFE “, 2007-07-03) reported that Japan’s defense minister resigned under an avalanche of criticism for suggesting that the US was justified in dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because the attacks saved Japan from a Soviet invasion. The departure of Fumio Kyuma further weakens the unpopular government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ahead of parliamentary elections. The resignation took effect immediately.
5. US-PRC Trade Relations
The New York Times (“A SLIPPERY, WRITHING TRADE DISPUTE”, 2007-07-03) reported that the PRC now dominates the world’s seafood trade, and supplies 80 percent of America’s imported eel and 70 percent of its tilapia. But the Food and Drug Administration says PRC companies will be restricted from selling certain types of seafood in the US because regulators keep finding PRC imports contaminated with carcinogens and excessive antibiotic residues.
6. PRC Labor Unrest
BBC News (“CHINA STRIKERS ‘BEATEN BY THUGS'”, 2007-07-03) reported that a group of armed men attacked as many as 300 migrant construction workers who were striking over unpaid wages, PRC media reports. At least one person is reported to be fighting for his life and six others were injured in the clashes in Heyuan city, in Guangdong province. The PRC’s construction minister has ordered an immediate investigation, Xinhua news agency reports.
7. PRC Environment
The Associated Press (“REPORT: CHINA HAD POLLUTION DEATHS NIXED”, 2007-07-03) reported that Beijing persuaded the World Bank to cut from a report findings that pollution has caused about 750,000 premature deaths in the PRC each year, the Financial Times reported. The World Bank said Tuesday that the paper referred to a report that had not been finalized. Produced with the cooperation of PRC government ministries over several years, the report found the deaths took place mainly from air pollution in large cities, the Financial Times reported.