NAPSNET Week in Review 11 January, 2002

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"NAPSNET Week in Review 11 January, 2002", NAPSNet Weekly Report, January 11, 2002, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/napsnet-week-in-review-11-january-2002/

United States


1. US Nuclear Policy

US President George W. Bush remains committed to upholding the moratorium on underground nuclear weapons testing, he says that the country should reduce the time it will take to resume such tests should they be needed. Bush has not ruled out conducting nuclear testing to make sure the stockpile, particularly as it is reduced, is reliable and safe.
“US Nuclear Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 9, US)


2. US-Russia Missile Defense Policy

Russia expressed unease on Thursday at US plans to store, rather than destroy, warheads to be removed from nuclear missiles. Russia has shown no intention of matching the US plan to build a nationwide missile defense system. A senior US State Department official said Thursday that the Bush administration would welcome Russia’s development of its own anti-missile technology for protection against regional threats. He added that the US would be willing to cooperate with Russia in an anti-missile venture. There was no official Russian reaction to the statement Friday
“US-Russia Missile Defense Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, US)
“US-Russia Nuclear Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 10, US)
“US Nuclear Test Ban” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)


3. CIA Foreign Missile Developments Report

According to a newly released CIA report, “Foreign Missile Developments and the Ballistic Missile Threat Through 2015,” the PRC sees a larger, mobile force as necessary to maintain its nuclear deterrent against the US and is expected to have as many as 100 long-range nuclear missiles aimed at the United States by 2015, many of them on hard-to-find mobile launchers.
“CIA Foreign Missile Developments Report” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 10, US)


4. Russia-US Nuclear Safeguards

The US will boost efforts to help Russia and other former Soviet republics guard nuclear material, dismantle arms and redirect the talents of weapons scientists.
“Russia-US Nuclear Safeguards” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)


5. US Missile Defense Overhaul

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s approval last week of a major restructuring of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) that includes a name change and creates a leaner process for developing and fielding the Defense Department’s missile defense programs. The organization’s new name is the Missile Defense Agency.
“US Missile Defense Overhaul” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)


Korean Peninsula


1. ROK Domestic Politics

The ROK’s ruling New Millennium Party on Monday decided to select its presidential candidate through a system similar to that used in the US. The New Millennium Party unveiled plans to hold its national convention on April 20 to nominate its presidential candidate through US-style primaries starting in early March. ROK presidential elections are scheduled for December.
“ROK Domestic Politics” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, US)


2. ROK Seeks Inter-Korean Dialogue Help

ROK Foreign Minister Han Seung-Soo plans to meet US Secretary of State Colin Powell this month for talks on how to draw the DPRK back into dialogue.
“ROK Seeks Inter-Korean Dialogue Help” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, US)
“ROK-US Talks Scheduled” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, ROK)


3. ROK Missile Purchase

The ROK Ministry of National Defense announced that the government will buy 111 Army Tactical Ballistic Missile System Block IA missiles with a range of 300 kilometers from the Lockheed Martin corporation. The price, which includes 29 launch platforms, will be USD$307 million. The system is an upgrade of an existing missile capability with a range of 165 kilometers. An ROK Defense Ministry spokesperson said that the missiles would be deployed by 2004.
“ROK Military Developments” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, ROK)
“ROK Missile Purchase” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, ROK)


4. DPRK-US Relations

Reuters (Paul Eckert, “NORTH KOREA WANTS U.S. EXIT FROM SOUTH AHEAD OF TALKS,” Seoul, 01/09/02) reported that the DPRK demanded on Wednesday that US troops “quit South Korea forthwith” before talks could resume between the US and the DPRK. The US has offered talks without conditions since June of last year, but the DPRK has not taken up the offer.
“DPRK-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 9, US)


5. IAEA Visit to DPRK

A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will begin a week-long visit to the DPRK on Saturday to discuss the DPRK’s implementation of its nuclear safeguard responsibilities.
“IAEA Visit to DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, ROK)


6. ROK-Japan Relations

People’s Daily (Gao Haorong, “ROK, JAPANESE LEADERS CONSULT ON COOPERATION ISSUES,” Seoul, 01/08/02, P3) reported that ROK President Kim Dae Jung had a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on January 7. The two leaders agreed in their conversation that this year is very important in developing bilateral relations.
“ROK-Japan Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, ROK)


7. DPRK Drug Smuggling Suspicions

A high-ranking Japanese intelligence source states that the DPRK, having lost sources of hard currency funding, has stepped up drug smuggling activities. The anonymous source said that he believed that the suspected DPRK spy ship which sank after exchanging gunfire with Japanese coast guard vessels last month had been carrying a huge haul of stimulants.
“DPRK Drug Smuggling Suspicions” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 10, US)


8. DPRK-Russia Relations

DPRK leader Kim Jong-il visited the Russian embassy in Pyongyang on January 6. Chairman Kim and his entourage showed up for dinner party at which Kim expressed gratitude to Russian ambassador Andrei Karolv’s for inviting him.
“DPRK-Russia Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, ROK)
“DPRK-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, US)


9. Kim Jong-il Public Appearances

DPRK leader Kim Jong-il made a total of 83 public appearances in 2001 which is an increase of 10 compared to his visits in 2000.
“Kim Jong-il Public Appearances” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, ROK)


People’s Republic of China


1. PRC Domestic Politics

Agence France-Presse (“CHINA’S NEW LEADERS ALREADY LINED UP,” 01/10/02) and Deutsche Presse-Agentur (“WEN JIABAO TO SUCCEED PREMIER ZHU RONGJI IN RESHUFFLE,” Beijing, 01/10/02) reported that the next generation of PRC statespeople set to replace the current aging leadership has already been decided months before the autumn meeting of the Communist Party Congress. Informed sources disclosed that Vice Premier Wen Jiabao will become the PRC’s next head of government when Premier Zhu Rongji steps down in March 2003. Meanwhile, President Jiang Zemin plans to install his closest protege, Zeng Qinghong, as vice president while making way for his successor Vice President Hu Jintao.
“PRC Domestic Politics” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 10, US)


2. PRC-India Relations

PRC Premier Zhu Rongji arrived in Bangladesh on January 11, at the start of a South Asia tour to promote economic ties amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan. The PRC has repeatedly called for India and Pakistan to resolve their dispute at the negotiating table.
“PRC-India Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, US)
“PRC-India Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 9, US)
“PRC-India Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)


3. Cross-Straits Relations

Taiwan’s Vice-President Annette Lu said that she hopes the PRC might adopt a new approach towards cross-strait relations. Lu suggested that the PRC change their basic concept regarding cross-strait relations to “one Chinese.” A former senior PRC negotiator with Taiwan on January 8 urged Taiwan to further ease its stringent mainland-trade policy in a bid to strengthen cross-Straits economic ties following Taiwan’s entry into to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“Cross-Straits Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, ROK)
“Cross-Straits Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 9, US)
“WTO-Cross-Straits Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, US)


4. PRC-Russian Relations

PRC President Jiang Zemin met Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on January 7 in Beijing. During the meeting, Jiang declared that in the new year he would maintain close contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the implementation of the bilateral treaty on good-neighborliness and friendship, increase political mutual trust, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, and enhance bilateral strategic coordination in the international arena for global stability and world peace.
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, ROK)


5. Shanghai Cooperation Organization Meeting

The foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) agreed on January 7 to set up a regional counter-terrorism agency and a “mechanism for emergency response.”
“Shanghai Cooperation Organization Meeting” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, ROK)
“PRC-Russia Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)
“PRC-Russian Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, US)


6. US-PRC Relations

US President George W. Bush ordered US diplomats in Beijing and Washington to protest the PRC’s arrest of a Hong Kong businessman for delivering Bibles to an underground Christian congregation inside the PRC.
“US-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)


Japan


1. Japan-DPRK Mystery Ship Incident

A carton of DPRK cigarettes that only high-ranking DPRK officials could afford to buy was one of several items recovered from the seas where the Japan Coast Guard sank a mystery ship last December, authorities said January 10. Coast Guard officials believe the filtered cigarettes were produced at a factory in Pyongyang as its carton has the name of the DPRK capital printed on it in Hangul.
“Japan-DPRK Mystery Ship Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, US)
“Japanese Mystery Ship Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, US)


2. Japan-ASEAN Relations

Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has begun a week-long trip through Southeast Asia with a pledge that Japan wants to be a “friend indeed” to its regional partners. Koizumi’s plane landed at Manila airport early Wednesday on the first leg of his trip to five key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
“Japan-ASEAN Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, US)
“Japan-ASEAN Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 9, US)
“Japan-ASEAN Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 7, US)


3. US-Japan-ROK Diplomacy

Japan and the ROK announced that US President George W. Bush may make his first visits to Japan and the ROK next month.
“US-Japan-ROK Diplomacy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 11, US)


4. Japanese Militarism

While on his tour of Southeast Asia, Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s vowed on January 100 that Japan will never return to the militarist rule that led it to ruin in World War II. Koizumi told Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, “Japan will never again walk the path of a military power.”
“Japanese Militarism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 10, US)


5. Japanese Defense Budget

The Japan Times (“DEFENSE BUDGET COVERS PURCHASES OF FIRST REFUELING PLANE,” Tokyo, 12/21/01) reported that the Japanese Finance Ministry proposed allotting 4.9 trillion yen for defense spending for fiscal year 2002. The draft defense budget, endorsed at a Cabinet meeting on December 20 as part of the fiscal 2002 draft budget, is little changed from the current fiscal year’s initial budget of approximately 4.9 trillion yen
“Japanese Defense Budget” (NAPSNet Daily Report, January 8, Japan)


Nuclear Issues


1. Pakistan-India Nuclear Safety

Pakistan and India exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities. Under a bilateral agreement the two countries are required to exchange updated lists of nuclear their facilities on January 1st of every year.
“Pakistan-India Nuclear Safety” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)


Afghanistan War and Implications


1. Afghanistan: Current Situation

US air strikes killed more than 100 civilians in Eastern Afghanistan. The chairman of Afghanistan’s interim government, Hamid Karzai, expressed his support of the continuing US air strikes. At the same time, however, he also voiced his concerns about civilian casualties. An advance party of senior officials from 17 countries contributing to a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan has arrived in Kabul. Former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani believes that there is no further need for US forces to remain in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan War and Implications” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)


2. Humanitarian Crisis

According to UNHCR Spokesperson Fatoumata Kaba, 4,000 to 5,000 Afghans are stranded in no-man’s land at the Pakistan-Afghan border. The number of refugees trying to cross into Pakistan has increased recently.
“Humanitarian Crisis” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)


Pakistan


1. Pakistan: Domestic Situation

Pakistan authorities have arrested about 100 officials and activists of two Kashmiri militant groups accused of involvement in last month’s attack on the Indian parliament. In a related development, Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf has ordered the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to cut off backing for Islamic militant groups fighting in the disputed territory of Kashmir.
“Pakistan: Domestic Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)


India-Pakistan Tensions


1. News and Analysis

In the aftermath of December 13th attack on the Indian Parliament, Pakistan and India have moved their armed forces to the frontlines. Pakistan has, reportedly, also shifted some of its troop from its Afghan border to the eastern front with India. All travel links between the two countries has also been suspended.
“News” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)

The Far Eastern Economic Review interviewed Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes about the current crisis in South Asia. Writing for the Asia Times, Sultan Shahin suggests that “there is a growing feeling among ruling Hindu fundamentalist circles that an opportunity such as the present one to strike against Pakistan may not come again.”
“Analysis” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)


Kashmir


1. Internal Situation

A policeman was killed when militants set off grenade explosions in the vicinity of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly building. Many more people died as violence continued in the Valley.
“Internal Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.3 #2)

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