United States
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1. US Withdrawal from ABM Treaty
US President George W. Bush gave formal notice on Thursday that the US will withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. Bush said that the September 11 attacks proved the need to develop ways “to protect our people from future terrorists or rogue state missile attacks.” US Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Democrat-South Dakota, said that he feared the withdrawal “could rupture relations with key countries and governments around the world.”
“US Withdrawal from ABM Treaty” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US)
“Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, PRC)
“US ABM Treaty Withdrawal” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, US) |
Korea
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1. DPRK-US Relations
The DPRK state-run Korea Central Broadcast (KCB) reported Monday that it would take retaliatory action against any US anti-terror attack against the DPRK. The KCB criticized the US for framing the DPRK as a terror-sponsoring nation without any direct evidence and said that it is scheming to turn the Korean Peninsula into a “second Afghanistan.”
“DPRK-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, ROK)
“DPRK-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 10, US) |
2. ROK View of DPRK Weapons Program
The ROK Foreign Ministry contacted the US State Department to learn whether recent remarks by US Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton on the DPRK’s biological weapons program had been prompted by any new intelligence. The official stated, “We were told there was no such evidence.” He added, “We don’t have hard evidence that North Korea has stockpiled chemical and biological weapons.” Suh Jae-jean of the government-funded Korea Research Institute for National Unification argued, “North Korea utilizes its weapons, including missiles and biological agents, for purposes of negotiation rather than real use.”
“ROK View of DPRK Weapons Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
3. ROK-DPRK Red Cross Talks
The ROK Red Cross informed its DPRK counterpart by phone on December 11 that it suggests to hold the fourth reunion for Korean separated families with this year. The ROK suggested that the mutual visit be realized within this year and that the Red Cross organizations of the ROK and the DPRK contact each other on December 14 to discuss the details.
“Inter-Korean Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, PRC)
“DPRK-ROK Family Reunions” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, US)
“Red Cross Talks Proposed” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, ROK) |
4. DPRK’s Role in Anti-Terrorism
The DPRK indicated that it will sign five international antiterrorism conventions. The initiative was reported in the ROK newspaper The Korean Herald, which said that the DPRK had informed visiting European Union officials of its intentions to sign the United Nations conventions in addition to the two antiterrorism pacts it signed last month.
“DPRK’s Role in Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, US)
“DPRK on Anti-terror Pacts” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, ROK) |
5. ASEAN Security Forum
It was reported that ROK and DPRK officials will attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) meeting to be held in New Delhi December 18-21. The DPRK is expected to send diplomats from its embassy in India to the working-level meeting. The ROK will send officials from its foreign and defense ministries.
“ASEAN Security Forum” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, ROK) |
6. DPRK-EU Relations
The European Union has sent two high-powered delegations to the DPRK since May. Anthony Stokes, political secretary at the British embassy in Seoul, said “When there is no dialogue between the US and North Korea it underlines the value of Europe playing a positive role. We’re not trying to take over from the US in Korea, we’re just trying to help.”
“DPRK-EU Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 10, US) |
7. DPRK-Russia Military Talks
The DPRK and Russia had another round of joint military committee talks from December 1-8 in Pyongyang. Choi Young-ha, a former military officer at the ROK defense ministry, stated, “The two sides may have discussed the details of North Korea’s production of MIG-29 fighter jets along with other weaponry purchase.”
“DPRK-Russia Military Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, ROK) |
8. DPRK-RF Contacts
DPRK leader Kim Jong-il held a first-time official dinner on December 11 with RF Ambassador to the DPRK Andrey Karlov and seven or eight other invited RF diplomats. According to “a mutual gentlemanly agreement,” the details of the several-hours talks and toasts at the dinner are being kept secret.
“RF-DPRK Contacts” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, RF) |
9. DPRK Food Shortage
A senior ROK official said December 11 that the DPRK’s grain harvest increased by 400,000 tons this year, but due to chronic food shortages, the DPRK is struggling to raise funds in foreign countries for “gift food” on the two biggest national holidays in 2002.
“DPRK Food Shortage” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, ROK) |
10. US Troops in ROK
The ROK Defense Ministry on Thursday supported a US military plan to build 1,000 new apartments at Yongsan Military Reservation in downtown Seoul. The plan has drawn protests from activists who want the base moved elsewhere.
“US Troops in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US)
“US Troops in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, ROK) |
11. ROK Envoy on Terrorism
ROK officials said December 10 that its government has named Yu Myung-hwan, special aide to the foreign affairs and trade minister, to serve concurrently as ambassador dealing with terrorism-related affairs. Yu will lead a Foreign Ministry task force on terrorism and will also represent the ROK in international terrorism conferences and coordinate with foreign governments on the US-led attack on Afghanistan and other anti-terrorism measures.
“ROK Envoy on Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, ROK) |
12. ROK Biochemical Defense
ROK officials said Monday that the ROK will create a new military command center early next year to protect itself in the event of biological or chemical warfare or terrorist attacks. The Defense Ministry will reorganize and reinforce the existing Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense Command and place it under the direct control of the ministry.
“ROK Biochemical Defense” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, ROK) |
13. ROK-US Missile Talks
The ROK has postponed negotiations with US defense contractor Raytheon regarding the procurement of 48 SAM- X missiles until next year. An unnamed Raytheon spokesperson did not give a date for when negotiations would resume.
“ROK-US Missile Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, US)
“ROK-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 10, US) |
14. ROK-Japan Talks
Japanese and ROK officials agreed to hold senior-level bilateral security talks in Tokyo around early February next year. The security dialogue was last held in Seoul in December last year. According to Japanese officials, the two sides also agreed to make the utmost efforts to set up a structure for joint history studies at an early stage, to agree on a bilateral investment accord by the end of this year, and to reach a settlement on easing visa restrictions for ROK citizens to enter Japan.
“ROK-Japan Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
15. ROK-Japan Relations
Reuters (“JAPANESE AND KOREANS SUE KOIZUMI OVER SHRINE VISIT,” 12/07/01) reported that a group of Japanese and ROK citizens on Friday filed a lawsuit against Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his government over his visit to the Yakusuni Shrine, saying it violated the Japanese constitution. The latest lawsuit was filed by 243 plaintiffs including four citizens of the ROK and the Society for the Bereaved Families of the Pacific War, an ROK organization. The other 238 plaintiffs are Japanese.
“ROK-Japan Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 10, US) |
16. ROK-EU Summit
The ROK and the European Union (EU) agreed December 11 to hold summit talks on a regular basis. The first meeting will be held during the fourth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Denmark in September 2002. Chung Tae-ik, ROK President Kim Dae-jung’s top foreign policy adviser, said that the presidents of ROK, the European Commission and the EU would attend the future summits.
“ROK-EU Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, ROK) |
17. Korean-American Participation in Family Reunions
US Senators Dianne Feinstein (Democrat of California), Barbara Boxer (Democrat of California) and Charles Hagel (Republican of Nebraska) submitted a resolution calling on the US Congress and the President to “support efforts to reunite people of the United States of Korean ancestry with their families in North Korea.”
“Korean-American Participation in Family Reunions” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
18. Kim Dae-jung’s view on Korean Unificaiton
In an interview with Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung ROK President Kim Dae-jung forecasted, “The peaceful reunification between the North and South Korea would be realized within 20 years.” Kim also pointed out that the continued support and cooperation from the international society is a must for the ROK to continue improving its ties with the DPRK.
“Kim Dae-jung’s view on Korean Unification” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 10, ROK) |
People’s Republic of China
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1. PRC Formal WTO Entrance
After 15 years of negotiations, the PRC gained formal membership into the World Trade Organization on Tuesday. The PRC Foreign Trade Ministry said that no special ceremonies were planned and state media stressed how much hard work lay ahead.
“PRC Formal WTO Entrance” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, US) |
2. PRC View of US Withdrawal
PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said on Thursday that the US intention to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty was cause for concern. Zhang stated, “China is not in favor of missile defense systems. China worries about the negative impact.” She argued, “We think the relevant sides should seek through constructive dialogue a solution that safeguards the global strategic balance and doesn’t harm international efforts at arms control and disarmament
“PRC View of US Withdrawal ” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
3. US-PRC Arms Control Talks
US President George W. Bush called PRC President Jiang Zemin and offered to hold “high-level strategic talks” with the PRC on the US withdrawal from the Antiballistic Missile (ABM) treaty. Jiang agreed to begin the talks soon. They added that the offer of talks was intended to make sure that the PRC did not feel that it was being frozen out as the US builds a “strategic framework” with Russia.
“US-PRC Arms Control Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
4. PRC’s Role in Afghanistan Reconstruction
The PRC is planning to send a team to Afghanistan’s capital city Kabul this week to prepare for the possible reopening of its embassy there for the first time since 1993. PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue announced, “The Chinese Foreign Ministry is actively considering resuming work at the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan at the appropriate time.” Zhang also stated that the PRC had no plans to offer troops for United Nations peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.
“PRC’s Role in Afghanistan Reconstruction” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, US) |
5. Chinese Taliban Fighters
The PRC government said that there are some Chinese among the captured Taliban fighters and requested they be returned to the PRC to face charges of terrorism.
“Chinese Taliban Fighters” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 12, US) |
6. PRC-US Relations
General Francis X. Taylor, coordinator for anti-terrorism for the US State Department, held anti- terrorism consultations with Li Zhaoxing and Wang Yi, both vice ministers of foreign affairs, and Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The two sides exchanged views on the international and regional anti-terrorism situation, the Afghanistan situation, and bilateral anti-terrorism cooperation, and reached a broad-ranging consensus.
“PRC-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, PRC) |
7. PRC-Japanese Relations
A group of Chinese severely injured by chemical weapons left by Japanese troops during World War II have been given a chance to have their statements heard in court. The Tokyo District Court has decided to hear the statements from the 18 victims of Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province suing the Japanese Government. The victims, involved in seven poisonings and explosions since the 1980s in the province, filed the accusations in 1996 and 1997.
“PRC-Japanese Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, PRC) |
8. PRC-Russian Relations
PRC President Jiang Zemin met with Gennady Seleznev, speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in Beijing on December 11. During the meeting, President Jiang said that efforts made by the PRC and Russia to strengthen their mutually beneficial relations are conducive to establishing a new international order.
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, PRC) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Role in Afghan Rehabilitation
The Tokyo Conference for Afghan Rehabilitation, attended by Afghan, Japanese and European non-government organizations (NGOs), opened on December 11. Apart from NGOs, persons from the Japanese government and international organizations also participated in this conference. Japan Platform, which organized the conference, said that this is the first government-private network in Japan, and that it must make urgent humanitarian aid more efficiently and promptly.
“Japanese Role in Afghan Rehabilitation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan)
“Japan’s Role in Afghanistan Reconstruction” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 10, US) |
2. Japanese Counter-Terrorism
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said that it set up the new International Counter-terrorism Cooperation Division to deal with the aftermath of the September 11 terrorism in the US and to center on cooperating with the international community in the fight against terrorism.
“Japanese Counter-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan) |
3. US Warships in Japan
The frigate USS Vandegrift returned to Japan on Thursday, the first of four Navy vessels to enter homeport in Japan after supporting the war in Afghanistan.
“US Warships in Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
4. Afghan Refugees in Japan
Four Afghan men, whose applications for refugee status were rejected by the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau in November, filed a case against the decision with the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday. The men asked the court to repeal the decision and suspend a Justice Ministry deportation order. They were arrested October 3 along with five other Afghan men for illegal entry.
“Afghan Refugees in Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan) |
5. Japanese Logistical Support for US
A Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) ship arrived on the morning December 12 in the Pakistani port of Karachi on a mission to deliver relief supplies for Afghan refugees.
“Japanese Logistical Support for US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan) |
6. Japanese Military Laws
Japanese Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani expressed hope that emergency contingency legislation that would restrict private citizens’ rights in the event of a foreign attack on Japan will be enacted during the next Diet session convening in January. The intended legislation would include amendments to the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law to allow the SDF to pass through private land, destroy buildings and expropriate real estate and other assets, as well as revise laws under the jurisdiction of government departments other than the Defense Agency, including the Road Traffic Law, Nakatani said.
“Japanese Military Laws” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan) |
7. Japanese Military Purchases
The process of choosing an air-to-air refueling plane for the Air Self-Defense Forces (ASDF), postponed over criticism about the increased range that the system would give fighter jets, is back on track. The government’s Security Council will kick off the selection process at a meeting in the middle of this month, following the Cabinet approval late last year of the midterm defense procurement program for fiscal 2001-05. The plan included for the first time the introduction of four tanker aircraft to provide in-flight refueling for the ASDF’s F- 15 fighter jets, and an airborne warning and control system (AWACS).
“Japanese Military Purchases” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan)
“Japanese Military Purchases” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
8. Japan-India Relations
In a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, India and Japan agreed to strengthen dialogue on security issues such as disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and anti-terrorism measures. They also agreed to create a new framework to discuss security issues, and to hold annual exchanges between their defense officials.
“Japan-India Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, US)
“Japan-India Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, Japan) |
9. Japan-EU Relations
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a meeting with European Commission President Romano Prodi, EU foreign policy head Javier Solana, and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, agreed on an action plan to strengthen their cooperation in international diplomacy and security, and to match their existing economic ties.
“Japan-EU Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 11, Japan) |
10. Atomic Bomb Survivors
The Japanese government will create a 500 million yen fund to improve support for overseas survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The plan by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will streamline procedures for overseas A-bomb survivors. Currently, they are certified as eligible when they visit Japan for treatment. However, this certification is lost when they leave the country and they must go through time- consuming paperwork to make another visit for treatment
“Atomic Bomb Survivors” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, Japan) |
Russian Federation
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1. Russian Reaction to US Withdrawal
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin described the US government’s decision to pull out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty as a mistake. Putin said the US and Russia should each reduce their numbers of nuclear warheads to between 1,500 and 2,200, but some Russian politicians predicted Thursday that Russia will begin mounting multiple warheads on existing single-warhead missiles.
“Russian Reaction to US Withdrawal” (NAPSNet Daily Report, December 14, US) |
Nuclear Issues
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1. India Nuclear Safety
India tested a 250 km version of its Prithvi surface-to-surface missile. Prithvi is believed to be nuclear capable. M.V. Ramana’s essay in the Frontline, an Indian magazine, argues that the reported move by India to deploy nuclear weapons increases the risk of nuclear accidents and opens up the possibility of accidental or unauthorized use of the weapons.
“India Nuclear Safety” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
2. Related News and Analysis
The three-week 5th Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention ended in Geneva without an agreement on a final declaration. US President George Bush announced his intentions to withdraw from the Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty that was signed by the Soviet Union and the US in 1972. A recent report in the Washington Times claimed that the interrogation of John Walker – a US national fighting with the Taliban and captured by the Northern Alliance- has revealed Al-Qaeda’s plans to attack US with biological weapons.
“Related News and Analysis” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
Afghanistan War and Implications
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1. Afghanistan: Current Situation
A number of Taliban who surrendered to the Northern Alliance died while being transported to a prison in sealed shipping containers. Reports in Pakistan press indicate that tribal militias in and around Kandahar have killed over 400 non-Afghan Taliban fighters. A report carried by the News, a Pakistani daily, suggests that the Taliban, unlike Al-Qaeda, have successfully avoided any significant loss of their fighters. According to a report by Rahimullah Yusufzai the US warplanes have in recent days bombed vehicles carrying civilians and flattened villages that have nothing to do with the Taliban or Al-Qaeda.
“Afghanistan: Current Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
2. Afghanistan: Future Prospects
Spokesperson for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan Ahmad Fawzi acknowledged that the Bonn Agreement is not fully representative of all Afghan political factions and ethnic groups. Afghanistan’s nominal president Burhanuddin Rabbani told a news conference that “when we sent the delegation to the Bonn conference, we did not send them to sign an agreement, we just sent them to discuss and negotiate.”
“Afghanistan: Future Prospects” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
3. Humanitarian Crisis
Red Cross workers have been removing bodies of Taliban fighters from the area around Kandahar airport. A spokesperson for The World Food Program (WFP) has described the condition of about 22,000 people in Kunduz as “extremely difficult and rough”. The Amnesty International has stressed the need for arrangements to protect the Taliban prisoner of war.
“Humanitarian Crisis” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
4. Pakistan
Pakistan has voiced its support for an investigation into the killing of the Taliban prisoners at Qila-I-Jangi. The Pakistani government has also reinforced security measures along its border with Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban and al-Qaeda fighter from entering into the country. Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf and the special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi met in Islamabad to discuss the Afghan situation and the setting up a multinational force inside Afghanistan.
“Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
5. India
Writing for the Asia Times, Sultan Shahin examines the effects of Indian-Pakistan rivalry in Afghanistan on India’s relationship with the US.
“India” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
6. United States’ Role
Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s interim leader has asked the US not to repeat its past mistakes and to stay engaged with Afghanistan.
“United States’ Role” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
7. General Assessments
Writing for the daily Hindu, Daulat Singh explores the possibility that “Pashtun irredentism could rear its head again.” Author and writer Ahmed Rashid argues that Afghanistan now has a stark choice: it can “either take a determined crack at nation-building with international help, or return to tribalism and warlordism.”
“General Assessments” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
Pakistan
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1. Pakistan: Domestic Situation
According to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Education Zobaida Jalil, the government is “taking concrete steps to bring the Madaris in to mainstream education.” In her essay for the daily Dawn, Ayesha Agha argues that “specific programmes operated by the bureaucratic machinery sitting in Islamabad” would not succeed in transforming madressahs into more modern schools. As a part of its attempt to address the issues of religious extremism, the Pakistani government might be considering the inclusion of religious scholars in provincial government set-up. Pakistan’s total external debt has reached over $43 billion while the total public debt stands at about $46 billion.
“Pakistan: Domestic Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
2. Iran-Pakistan Relations
Writing for the Asia Times, Nadeem Iqbal examines the possible benefits of friendly bilateral relations between Pakistan-Iran.
“Iran-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
3. US – Pakistan Relations
Muralidhar Reddy’s essay in the Frontline magazine looks at emerging differences between Pakistan and the U.S. on the operations in Afghanistan.
“US-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
India
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1. India: Domestic Situation
Armed militants, allegedly members of a Kashmiri separatist group, stormed India’s parliament. Twelve people, including all the militants, were killed in the attack. The Indian parliamentary opposition has stalled the introduction of the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO). The “Kargil coffins scam” has led to demands for the resignation of George Fernandas, India Defense Minister. Purinama Tripathi’s report in the Frontline magazine examines how George Fernandes’ reinduction into the Union Cabinet has turned out to be a major embarrassment for the government. A report in the Frontline magazine argues that the censorship of history textbooks by India’s National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) represents an attack on the ideas of pluralism and tolerance by Hindu religious right.
“India: Domestic Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
2. US-India Relations
India and the US are scheduled to conduct joint naval exercises in the Arabian Sea. Writing for the Frontline magazine, John Cherian takes a critical look at India’s attempts to forge closer military ties with the US.
“US-India Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
Kashmir
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1. Internal Situation
Yasin Malik, the leader of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), believes that the current global political environment might force India and Pakistan to resolve their dispute over Kashmir. Analyst Praveen Swami suggests that the split within Hizbul Mujahideen – a militant Kashmiri separatist group – might improve the chances for peace in the valley. Indian political scientist Amitabh Matto argues that the historical notion of a composite, syncretic identity – Kashmiriyat – has not completely lost its power despite polarized relations between different religious and ethnic groups in Jammu and Kashmir. The violence in the valley, however, continued.
“Internal Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52) |
2. India and Pakistan
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is debating whether or not to cooperate with the new three-man team established by the Indian government to set up peace talks. Salman Haider’s opinion essay in the daily Hindu argues that international attention to the Kashmir issue could help in the resumption of bi-lateral talks between Pakistan and India.
“India and Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #52)
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