Korea
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1. Effect of US Attacks on Korean Peninsula
The DPRK issued a statement that criticized the acts of terrorism on the US. According to the state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed out that the latest terror committed in World Trade Center Towers and Pentagon was a great shock to international society and stressed the unfortunate tragedy has once again reminded of the hazard of terrorism.
“DPRK on Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 13, ROK)
ROK President Kim Dae-jung proposed Thursday that his country and the DRPK adopt a joint statement opposing terrorism at upcoming high-level talks. Kim also said the upcoming talks will tackle many bilateral issues such as reunions of separated families and reconnection of a cross-border rail line.
“ROK-DPRK Joint Terrorism Statement” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 13, US)
ROK government sources said that the magnitude of the deadly attack may cause the US to fundamentally change its foreign policy. Analysts said the US approach to the DPRK, which is still classified as a terrorist sponsoring nation, will surely be affected in some way. US ambassador to the ROK Thomas C. Hubbard said that terrorist attacks in the US are unlikely to affect US willingness to negotiate with the DPRK, but hinted that the attacks could delay US policy on the Korean Peninsula. Lee Jong-sok of the Sejong Institute said the DPRK’s prompt denunciation of the US terrorist attacks “may signal that it does not want any confrontation with the United States at this moment.” Brent Choi of Joong-ang Ilbo called on the DPRK to move quickly to prevent negative consequences from the attacks on the Korean peace process.
“ROK on Inter-Korean Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 13, ROK)
“US Policy on Korean Peninsula” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 14, US)
“The Impact of the US Attacks on North Korea” (Nautilus Special Forum)
ROK Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo urged the DPRK on September 9 to resume stalled negotiations with the US as soon as possible. The Yonhap news agency reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung said on September 8 that negotiators at the ROK talks next weekend will work toward an agreement on reconnecting a cross-border railway.
“ROK Urges DPRK-US Talks”(NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, US) |
2. DPRK Military Purchases
The ROK Defense Ministry said on Monday that the DPRK has imported US$340 million of military equipment in the past decade. Half of the spending took place in the last two years, possibly reflecting a slight improvement in the DPRK’s economic situation. ROK defense officials said the DPRK was not engaged in a big arms buildup. The DPRK military obtained most of its foreign equipment from Russia and the PRC.
“DPRK Military Purchases” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, US)
“DPRK Arms Control” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, ROK) |
3. ROK-DPRK Talks
The DPRK promised on Thursday to uphold its June 2000 agreement with ROK and confirmed it would attend talks in Seoul this weekend. However, the DPRK warned the ROK that ties could “deteriorate overnight” in the event of foreign interference in inter-Korean talks.
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 13, US)
“ROK – DPRK Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, ROK)
“DPRK-ROK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, PRC) |
4. ROK-US Talks
ROK officials said Wednesday that diplomatic schedules involving the ROK and the US are likely to be affected by the crisis situation in the US administration following terrorist attacks Tuesday. The two nations were set to have a series of high-level meetings this and next month to discuss DPRK policy and other pending issues.
“ROK – US Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 13, ROK)
Senior officials of the ROK and the US met to discuss their policies on the DPRK Tuesday. Charles L. Pritchard, US special envoy for Korean peace talks, met with Vice Foreign Minister Choi Sung-hong and other senior officials. A ministry official, who attended the meetings, said Pritchard appeared optimistic of prospects for a resumption of US-DPRK negotiations in view of the two Koreas’ decision to resume government-level talks in Seoul this weekend. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee plans to hold a hearing on DPRK policy September 13 or September 20.
“ROK – US Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, ROK) |
5. DPRK Food Aid
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the DPRK has refused entry to a Japanese delegation scheduled to inspect the distribution and use of Japan’s rice aid to the country on September 11. No reason was given for the decision. The official said the mission would return to Japan and would work to reschedule the visit.
“DPRK Food Aid” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 12, US) |
6. DPRK, PRC Missile Transfer to Iran
US Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet told the US Congress on September 7 that Russian, DPRK, and PRC “entities” supplied ballistic missile-related equipment and know-how to Iran last year, moving it toward self-sufficiency in long-range missile production. PRC entities, unnamed in the report’s unclassified version, provided Pakistan with missile-related technical assistance in the second half of last year. The report said that the DPRK continued to export significant ballistic missile-related equipment, components, materials and technical know-how to counties in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa last year.
“DPRK, PRC Missile Transfer to Iran” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, US) |
7. DPRK-Japan Relations
The DPRK threatened to end a moratorium on missile test launches, saying Japan’s test of a satellite launcher was a threat to peace. A DPRK official was quoted as saying, “The DPRK’s missile program is of a peaceful nature but it will deal a merciless blow to those who dare infringe upon its dignity and sovereignty.”
“DPRK Protests Against Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 12, ROK) |
8. US-ROK Military Sales
The US said that it would not help integrate US weapons and cryptographic systems should the ROK buy non-US aircraft in its next-generation fighter program. Edward W. Ross, director for Middle East, Asia and North Africa at the DSCA, wrote that it would be necessary to address the full range of technology transfer and release issues on a weapon-by-weapon, platform-to-platform basis. Paul Wolfowitz, US deputy secretary of defense, also answered negatively on the potential integration of the US-made AIM-120 advanced medium air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) with the French Rafale for potential sale to the ROK.
“US-ROK Military Sales” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, US) |
9. ROK Cabinet Reshuffling
Former ROK Unification Minister Lim Dong-won was appointed Tuesday as special adviser for foreign affairs, security and unification. Yoo Jung-seok, a spokesman for the ROK’s presidential Blue House, said the post is newly created. The opposition Grand National Party condemned the appointment.
“ROK Cabinet Reshuffling” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, US) |
10. US-DPRK Search for Remains
US and DPRK teams will begin this week to try to recover the remains of nearly 1,000 US soldiers who died in the battle of the Chosin Reservoir. US officials said the site, 125 miles northeast of the DPRK capital, Pyongyang, is twice as deep into the nation as other missions allowed by DPRK since 1996.
“US-DPRK Search for Remains” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, US) |
11. Return of Land from US Military Bases
Representative Jang Sung-min of the ROK’s ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) said Tuesday that the ROK and US militaries are negotiating a handover of more US military bases and training facilities in 10 cities. The facilities being discussed include Camp Kim in Seoul, Camp Haileah in Pusan, Camp Market in Incheon, Camp Walker in Taegu, Camp Page in Chuncheon and Camp Jackson in Euijeongbu. The other areas under consideration for additional return or relocation are unused plots of land near Camp Humphrey in Pyeongtaek and land near U.S. air force bases in Kunsan and Osan, as well as the H-220 heliport in Dongducheon, Kyonggi Province.
“Return of Land from US Military Bases”(NAPSNet Daily Report, September 12, ROK) |
Terrorist Attacks on US
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1. NE Asian Responses
The ROK stepped up security around US diplomatic and military buildings on Wednesday and sent condolences and offers of help to the US. US military forces and installations in the ROK were put on the highest state of alert.
The PRC heightened security around US diplomatic buildings on Wednesday. The PRC Foreign Trade Ministry said the PRC had fourteen companies with offices in the World Trade Center and at least one PRC national was injured in the attacks and the fate of roughly 30 others was unknown. Zhu Feng, director of the international security program at Peking University, said the attacks should serve as a warning to the PRC to fight against terrorism and may actually bring the US and the PRC together.
Japan ordered its military to tighten security at US bases and the US Marines went on maximum alert after Tuesday’s terrorist attacks. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his condolences and offered support to the US.
“NE Asian Countries Respond to US Attack”(NAPSNet Daily Report, Sept. 12, US)
“Support of US Anti-terrorism Efforts”(NAPSNet Daily Report, September 13, US) |
2. US Military Reaction to US Attacks
Aircraft carriers and guided missile destroyers moved into the waters near New York and Washington after US President George W. Bush placed the US military on its highest alert status in response to the terrorist attacks. The North American Aerospace Defense Command also was on its highest alert status.
“US Military Reaction to US Attacks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 12, US) |
People’s Republic of China
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1. Cross-Strait Relations
PRC General Xiong Guangkai, a deputy chief of general staff, said on Tuesday that relations between the PRC and Taiwan had become “grimmer and more complex” and the PRC would not renounce the use of military force to reunify the two sides. He also pledged to preserve Taiwan’s freedoms, including an independent judiciary and currency, if it reunited with the PRC.
“Cross-Strait Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, US)
PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen said Taiwan could continue to use the New Taiwan Dollar, retain its armed forces, maintain its status as a separate customs territory and keep its government structure. He also said the PRC would not levy taxes on Taiwan and the way of life for the Taiwanese would remain unchanged. He also stressed that Taiwan must accept the “one China” principle. An official at the Taiwan cabinet’s mainland affairs council said, “The ‘new’ proposals are still unacceptable because China still sees the island as a province.”
“Cross-Strait Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, US) |
2. US Support of Taiwan Entrance into UN
US Representative Peter King of New York and Representative Gary Ackerman of New York urged support for Taiwan’s efforts to be accepted in international organizations.
“US Support of Taiwan Entrance into UN” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, US) |
3. Sino-US Relations
PRC President Jiang Zemin told US President George W. Bush that the PRC was ready to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the US and the international community in combating all manner of terrorist violence, but gave no details of what role the PRC could play. Western diplomats said they expected the PRC would be forced to stop equivocating about sales of missile and nuclear technology to Pakistan, as well as Iran and Iraq and other states accused of sponsoring terrorism. However, some US specialists, including Qiao Liang, said that Tuesday’s attacks against the US were an understandable response to US hegemony.
“Sino-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 14, US)
PRC President Jiang Zemin said on September 6 that Sino-US ties have recently improved, but concerted efforts are still needed. He expressed his belief that so long as the two sides abide by the three joint communiques and the basic norms guiding international relations, increase mutual understanding and safeguard and promote shared interests, Sino-US ties will continue to improve and expand.
“PRC-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, PRC) |
4. US Missile Sales to Taiwan
The PRC warned the US against selling Maverick missiles to Taiwan. The Pentagon on September 5 notified the US Congress of a possible sale of 40 Maverick air-to-surface guided missiles to Taiwan.
“US Missile Sale to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, PRC) |
5. PRC-Russian Relations
Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov and PRC foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan said Tuesday that they endorse further strengthening of interaction between the two countries in the international arena. Questions of strategic stability and prospects for interaction between the two countries in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization were among the international problems discussed at the meeting.
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, US)
An emerging relationship between Russian and PRC space agencies has caused increased concern for the US NASA’s own cooperation with Russia. Analysts warned that any improvements in PRC rockets mean more reliable and more threatening PRC nuclear missiles.
“PRC-Russia Space Deal” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, US) |
6. PRC-Russian Relations
PRC Premier Zhu Rongji visited Russia on September 9 to attend the 6th routine meeting with his Russian counterpart. Zhu said the key reason for the successful meeting is that the Sino-Russian Good Neighboring and Cooperation Treaty paved the way for this meeting. Zhu stressed that economic and trade cooperation is a key field in bilateral relations
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, PRC) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Investigation of US Attacks
The Japanese Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission said on Friday that it was investigating trading around the time of this week’s terror attacks in the US to see if any transactions were linked to Osama bin Laden.
“Japanese Investigation of Attacks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 14, US) |
2. Japan-ROK Relations
ROK President Kim Dae-jung expressed his willingness to restore the Japan-ROK relationship, stating that the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to Yasukuni shrine and history textbook issues should be solved by Japanese action. A request to restore the Japan-ROK relationship has come from politicians and scholars in the ROK and the US, who are anxious that the worsening dispute would have a negative influence on the cooperation system among the US, Japan, and ROK on how to cope with the DPRK. US Ambassador to Japan Christenson argued that the 1994 Agreed Framework would not work effectively in a situation of fragile cooperation among the US, Japan and the ROK.
“Japan-ROK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, Japan) |
3. Japan-PRC Relations
The PRC vice-president, in a meeting with ex-Japanese prime minister Morihiro Hosokawa, urged Japan to take any action to restore the Sino-Japanese relationship. Zhou Wonzhong, an assistant foreign minister, said that the visit to Yasukuni had shown up the insincere nature of previous Japanese statements of regret for wartime atrocities. Xiang Huaicheng, the PRC finance minister, declined a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Masajuro Shiokawa, on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, citing “time constraints.” According to Yan Xuetong, executive director of the institute of international studies at the Tsinghua University, Sino-Japanese relations would be further strained if Japan were to revoke article nine of its constitution.
“Japan-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 10, Japan)
“Japan-China Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, September 11, Japan) |
India
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1. Reaction to Attacks
Prime Minister A B Vajpayee stated that India’s willingness to cooperate with the United States to fight terrorism was “not conditional.” President K.R. Narayanan expressed “grief and great indignation.” The BJP also expressed its support. Union Home Minister Mr. L.K. Advani called the attacks an assault on humanity and democracy. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, described the terrorist attacks in the U.S. as a “crime against humanity.” The CPI(M) Politburo called the attacks a “barbaric act.” The CPI(ML), the Janata Dal (U) and other parties also condemned the attacks. The Deccan Herald carried a compilation of world reactions to the attacks.
“Reaction to Attacks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #37) |
2. Foreign Relations
Israel’s intelligence services reportedly have played down the possibility of any Palestinian group being involved in the attacks. India and Israel commenced a strategic dialogue, including discussion of the threats to their security by terrorism.
“Foreign Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #37) |
3. Analyses of Attacks
C. Raja Mohan writes that the attacks in the US will “force the international community to wake up” to the threat of international terrorism. Meenakshi Sinha and Shivajee Ashim Das, in separate analyses, discuss whether India is safe from the same types of attacks witnessed in the United States. Tushar A. Gandhi contrasts US calls for support following the recent attacks to US ambivalence to previous attacks in India. Vijay Prashad warns against an anti-Islamist backlash in the wake of the attacks. Noam Chomsky discusses how the attacks are “a gift to the hard jingoist right” in the US and may lead to increased US militarization.
“Analyses” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #37) |
Pakistan
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1. Reactions to US Attacks
Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf pledged “unstinted cooperation” with the US following the attacks. Pakistan placed on high alert regular and paramilitary troops stationed along parts of the Pakistan-Afghan border as a precaution against possible US military strikes against Taliban or Osama bin Laden-controlled military installations inside Afghanistan. Indian media reportedly is trying to implicate Pakistan in the attacks in the US.
“Reaction to Attacks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #37) |
2. Analyses
Rahimullah Yusufzai discusses whether the US will be satisfied with Pakistani and Taliban denials of involvement with the attacks. Tahir Mirza discusses implications of possible US reactions to the attacks. Martin Woollacott discusses linkages between the attacks and global inattention to issues of injustice. A.B.S. Jafri writes that the attacks expose the world as “a volcano of distress and discontent” and that the US reaction will be a test of its “wisdom.”
“Analyses” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #37) |
Afghanistan
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1. Reaction to US Attacks
Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Mulla Abdul Salam Zaeef condemned the attacks on the US, denied Osama bin Laden’s involvement in the attacks, and stated that the Taliban would not allow bin Laden to use Afghan territory for such activities. He also stated that a US attack on Afghanistan would be highly unjustified. Indian security experts reportedly are considering whether the attack on Northern Alliance Commander Ahmad Shah Massood was carried out to divert international attention away from the subsequent attacks in the US.
“Reaction to Attacks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #37)
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