Korea
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1. DPRK Weapons Programs
The Korean Central News Agency, the DPRK’s official foreign news outlet, carried a report by the DPRK Foreign Ministry that claimed that the US administration under President George Bush has maintained excessively tough stances to demand concessions. The DPRK threatened to discard its promise to suspend missile testing and freeze nuclear programs. Analysts said that the ROK governments suggestion that it actively participate in settling the issue of the DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is largely seen as an attempt to prevent a possible conflict between the ROK and the Bush administration over their DPRK policies. ROK officials and analysts said the new US administration’s policy is adding an increased burden on ROK policymakers.
“DPRK Nuclear Program” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8)
“DPRK-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC)
“DPRK Reaction to US Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
“US Policy toward DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
“DPRK Missile Issue” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
“ROK Reaction to US Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
ROK analysts believe that the ROK government is looking to Russia for assistance in maintaining the inter-Korean peace initiative and in averting a crisis over the DPRK’s missile program, in exchange for offering Russia support against the US missile defense proposal. An ROK government source stated, “The government’s formal position on the NMD issue will be formulated before a visit by President Kim to Washington for summit talks.” ROK President Kim Dae-jung will visit the US next week to meet with US President George W. Bush. Kim will reportedly push Bush to reaffirm the 1994 Agreed Framework and he wants the Bush administration to complete a proposed deal that would halt the DPRK’s missile program.
“DPRK Missile Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, US)
“ROK Stance on Missile Defense” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, ROK)
“US Policy on DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, US)
“US-ROK Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
DPRK has deployed more than 100 Rodong-1 missiles with 1,300km range since 1998, according to a high-ranking government official Thursday. So far, the DPRK was learned to have deployed nine Rodong-1 at Shinori, Pyongbuk province.
“DPRK Missile Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, ROK) |
2. Light-Water Reactor Project
US officials and independent experts are questioning the supply of light- water reactors to the DPRK under the 1994 Agreed Framework. Douglas Paal, president of the Asia-Pacific Policy Center in Washington who is under consideration for US ambassador to the ROK, said that the reactor project “is increasingly problematic. The big question is how long this will this take.” ROK and US delegates to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) on Wednesday dismissed a possible change in its nuclear reactor provision program for the DPRK and reaffirmed the continuity of the project.
“Light-Water Reactor Project” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US)
“Light-Water Reactor Project” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
The ROK Ministry of Science and Technology is considering establishing a Nuclear Export Review Committee as an advisory group as the government expects to face a greatly increased workload for processing export licenses due to the coming transfer of two light-water reactors to the DPRK under the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization’s project.
“Light-Water Reactor Project” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US) |
3. ROK-Russia Summit
RF President Putin, on an official visit to the ROK, had meetings with ROK President Kim Dae-jung and other top ROK leaders. In a joint statement, the two leaders said that the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty was a cornerstone of strategic stability, but the emphasis of Putin’s visit was on big economic projects as a prerequisite for the Korean settlement. Andrey Osmakov, a spokesman at the Russian embassy in Seoul, stated, “There is no hidden agenda. We don’t need any war on our border. We are interested in a stable situation on the Korean Peninsula.”
“RF President in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“ROK-Russian Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, US)
“ROK-Russia Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, ROK)
“ROK-Russian Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US)
“ROK-Russia Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, ROK)
“Russia-ROK Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US)
“ROK-Russia Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK) |
4. Russia Debt to ROK
Izvestia’s Viktoria Sokolova wrote that just before RF President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the ROK the Korean Development Bank refused to postpone the payment by the RF of US$100 million interest from the RF’s US$1.8 billion debt to the ROK. A session of RF-ROK intergovernmental commission before the visit an agreement was reached to RF to partly pay its debt to ROK by deliveries of some unspecified RF- made arms and equipment. The ROK is now negotiating to purchase US$500 million worth of Russian weapons as part of its efforts to retrieve some of its outstanding loan to Russia.
“RF President in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“Russian Arms Sales to ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“Russian Arms Sales to ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, ROK)
“Russian Arms Sales to ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, ROK)
Putin said that the RF was prepared to invest several hundred million US dollars in renovation of the railway in the DPRK. They discussed a project to create an industrial technology park to cover several hundred hectares in “Nakhodka” free economic area with ROK participation.
“Inter-Korean Railway” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“RF-ROK Economic Cooperation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF) |
5. ROK-US Military Relations
ROK Defense Ministry official stated that the US has notified it that if the ROK buys Boeing’s F-15 fighter jets for its next-generation fighter project, the US would sell US$1.5 billion worth of guided missiles and avionics systems.
“ROK-US Military Trade” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, ROK)
“US Missile Sales to ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, ROK) |
6. Upcoming ROK-US Summit
US Department of State Spokesman Richard Boucher announced in Washington on Wednesday that in- depth talks will be held on March 7 during the summit meeting between US President George W. Bush and ROK President Kim Dae-jung concerning security issues and the controversy over the ROK’s apparent support for Russia’s stance on the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. For more information on the ROK stance on the 1972 ABM Treaty, see Missile Defense, below.
“ROK-US Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, ROK) |
7. Inter-Korean Relations
Shouting and shoving broke out between about a dozen ROK and DPRK officials during family reunions in Seoul after one DPRK visitor showed a photograph of Kim Il-sung to his mother.
“Reunion of Separated Families” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US)
“Reunion of Separated Families” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US)
“Reunion of Separated Families” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK)
The ROK on Tuesday proposed that the ROK and the DPRK hold the fifth round of high-level talks in Seoul March 13-15. ROK Unification Minister Park Jae-kyu said Monday that the scheduled second summit meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas would focus on ending the Cold War environment on the peninsula.
“Inter-Korean High-level Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US)
“Inter-Korean Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, ROK)
In a telegraph sent to Kim Un-yong, chairman of the ROK Korea Taekwondo Association, Kim’s DPRK counterpart, Hwang Bong-yong stated that the DPRK insisted that the proposed inter-Korean working talks on cooperation in the martial sports of Taekwondo be held at its Mt. Kumgang.
“Inter-Korean Working Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, ROK)
The ROK’s National Intelligence Service said that it had arrested Korean-American Song Hak-sam on charges of spying for the DPRK and of trying to publish in Seoul a book supporting the DPRK and its leader, Kim Jong-il.
“Alleged DPRK Spy in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, US) |
8. DPRK-Russia Relations
Russian official Alexandre Tsurko revealed on February 22 that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il would pay an official visit to Moscow in April via the Siberian Railway.
“Kim Jong-il’s Russian Visit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, Japan) |
9. DPRK Situation
The US State Department’s annual human rights report, released this week on the State Department’s web site (www.state.gov), said that one million DPRK citizens have died of starvation and related diseases since 1995.
“DPRK Situation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US) |
China
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1. PRC Alleged Assistance to Iraq
The Washington Post reported that diplomatic sources identified the Huawei Technologies Co., based in Shenzhen province, as being culpable for aiding Iraq’s air defenses. The PRC Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was ready to investigate US complaints that a PRC company and its technicians may have assisted Iraq in rebuilding its air defenses. Earlier, PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao had said, “The accusation is an attempt to mislead public opinion and divert public attention.”
“Alleged PRC Aid to Iraq” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, US)
“PRC Alleged Assistance to Iraq” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“Alleged PRC-Iraq Defense Cooperation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, US)
“PRC-US Disputes Over Iraq” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC)
“US Policy toward PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US) |
2. Alleged PRC Missile Sales
The US Central Intelligence Agency’s semiannual report to the US Congress on arms proliferation said that the PRC continued to send “substantial” assistance to Pakistan’s missile program during the first half of 2000.
“Alleged PRC Missile Sales” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US) |
3. PRC Aircraft Carrier
PRC military officers have made repeated visit to study the ostensibly privately owned Minsk aircraft carrier anchored in Shenzen, PRC, in what analysts are describing as planning by the PRC to build its own carrier.
“PRC Aircraft Carrier” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, US) |
4. PRC-US Relations
US Secretary of State Colin Powell met with new PRC ambassador to the US Yang Jiechi on February 21, reaching consensus on the overall bilateral relations.
“PRC-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC) |
5. Cross-Straits Relations
Zhou Mingei, Beijing’s senior specialist on Taiwan affairs, said that growing business ties between US companies and the PRC had raised the stakes in the debate over US arms sales to Taiwan, and warned that sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan could lead to “explosive” relations between the US and PRC. Zhou Mingwei also stated that the one-China principle and “one state, two systems” are favorable to Taiwan, as the former can avoid war and the latter allows Taiwan to keep the status quo.
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, US)
“Cross-Straits Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, US)
“Taiwan Question” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC) |
6. PRC-Russian Relations
Zhang Wannian, Deputy of the PRC Central Military Council, after a meeting with RF Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, said, “Our positions on the issues of strategic missile defense and plans for further expansion of NATO to the East are similar.” Wannian also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and exchanged views on international issues of common concern.
“RF-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC) |
7. PRC Human Rights
The PRC National People’s Congress ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a key UN human rights treaty, two weeks before the its human rights record was expected to be scrutinized at an upcoming international conference.
“PRC Human Rights” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, US)
The PRC Cabinet’s information office issued a report criticizing democracy and human rights in the US. The report said, “the 2000 presidential election debacle further exposed the inherent flaws in the American electoral system.” It added that 13 million US children live in poverty, and 5,000 are killed every year by guns.
“PRC Report on US Human Rights” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US) |
Japan
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1. US Submarine Accident
The US Navy’s second-ranking officer, Admiral William J. Fallon, delivered a letter of apology from President Bush and moved the US closer to a commitment to trying to raise the Ehime Maru, sunk by the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville on February 9. US Commander Scott D. Waddle delivered to the Japanese Consulate in Hawaii a stack of sealed envelopes containing letters of apology for delivery to the families of those killed.
“US-Japan Submarine Accident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 28, US)
“Japan-US Submarine Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US)
“US Submarine Accident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, US) |
2. US Troops in Japan
Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine, not usually an outspoken critic of US bases on the southern Japanese island, said on Thursday for the first time that he wanted to reduce the number of US forces stationed there. Inamine told Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono that the people of Okinawa Prefecture “can no longer bear” the burden of hosting such a large segment of the US military forces in Japan. The Daily Yomiuri stated that for a revision of the Japan-US Status of-Forces Agreement have recently been voiced within the Japanese government as a result of the submarine accident.
“US Troops in Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC)
“US Bases in Okinawa” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US)
“US Troops on Okinawa” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, Japan)
“US Base Issue” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, Japan) |
3. Japanese Politics
While Japanese Premier Yoshiro Mori’s retirement is considered to be inevitable next month, there is much less clarity who were to succeed him. The approval rating of Mori’s Cabinet dropped sharply to 8.6 percent from the previous month’s 19.2 percent.
“Japanese Politics” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“Japanese Politics” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, Japan)
“Prime Minister’s Disapproval Rate” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, Japan)
“Japanese Politics” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, Japan) |
4. DPRK-Japan Relations
That Japanese government sources said Sunday that the next round of diplomatic normalization talks between Japan and the DPRK will likely not be held until this summer at the earliest.
“DPRK-Japan Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, US)
The families of the Japanese civilians allegedly kidnapped by DPRK agents visited US Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Hubbard on February 26 to ask for help in solving the abduction issue between Japan and the DPRK.
“Japanese-DPRK Abduction Issue” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, Japan)
The DPRK’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday cited a newspaper commentary criticizing Japan for denying its wartime aggression. KCNA said, “Japan’s redress for its past crimes is the only way out for it to save itself from moral destruction.”
“Japanese Atrocities During World War II” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US)
“DPRK Protest to Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, ROK) |
Russia
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1. Japanese-Russian Territorial Issue
Japanese Premier Yoshiro Mori denied Japanese media allegations that RF President Vladimir Putin had, in a phone conversation, called the Soviet takeover of the Kuril Islands a mistake.
“RF-Japanese Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF)
“Japanese-Russian Territorial Issue” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, Japan) |
2. RF Navy in Indian Ocean
Vladimir Kuroyedov, Commander-in-Chief of the RF Navy, ruled out the permanent presence of RF naval ships in the Indian Ocean.
“RF Navy in Indian Ocean” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, RF) |
South Asia
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1. Russian Nuclear Fuel
Alexander Alekseyev, a Russian Foreign Ministry department director, stated that Russia would continue to supply nuclear fuel to India’s Tarapur power reactors despite US protests. He stated that Russia has “not violated any of our obligations” under the Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Riaz Khan stated Pakistan’s opposition to Russia’s supplying nuclear fuel to Indian power plants.
“Russian Nuclear Fuel” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
2. India Ceasefire Extension
At a meeting last Wednesday of the Indian government’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), it was decided to extend the unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir until the end of May. Spokesmen for several militant groups rejected the ceasefire extension, stating that there has been no ceasefire on the ground in Kashmir, and they called for continued violence against Indian forces.
“Ceasefire Extension” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9)
“Security Forces Perspective on Ceasefire” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9)
“Ceasefire Extension” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
3. India-Pakistan Relations
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Amanullah Khan and 87 other leaders from Pakistan-administered Kashmir are seeking clearance visas from the Indian government to attend a Jammu conference, entitled “J&K: In search of peace and solution.”
“India-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9)
The Dawn reported that Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee proposed that his government meet with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other groups to discuss Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider stated that it was the policy of the Pakistani government that it supports jehad in Kashmir and has never called for its end. Haider stated that jehad was an indigenous movement.
“Government Talks with Kashmiri Groups” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9)
“Militant Groups” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
4. Regional Institutions
An editorial in the Times of India argued that the current maritime challenge in the Indian Ocean are not superpower rivalries, but that of keeping the sea-lanes open from piracy and illegal arms traffic.
“Regional Institutions” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9)
India agreed to a meeting of the standing committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
“Regional Institutions” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
Nuclear Weapons
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1. Russia Missile Tests
Russia conducted test-launches of three nuclear-capable strategic missiles and two tactical nuclear weapons. Statements by Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, the Defense Ministry’s foreign relations chief, made it clear that they took place in response to recent US statements which describe Russia as a threat as part of US justifications for its missile defense system.
“Russia Missile Tests” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8) |
2. Russian Nuclear Weapons
Polish and Danish inspectors completed a visit to Russian military bases in the Kaliningrad enclave in January last month and concluded that no nuclear weapons were present.
“Russian Kaliningrad Base” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8) |
3. US Nuclear Program
Kenneth Bergeron writes in the current issue of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that since the last tritium-producing nuclear reactor in the US was shut down in 1988, then-Energy Secretary Bill Richardson decided that nuclear reactors used by the Tennessee Valley Authority would be modified to produce Tritium. Bergeron argues that this will lower the barriers to obtaining tritium, either through theft or duplication of the new technology for tritium production in conventional reactors.
“US Nuclear Program” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8)
The National Institute for Public Policy released this report which examines the process needed to fully assess US nuclear force requirements and arms control positions. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published an analysis of the prospects for reductions in US nuclear forces under President George W. Bush.
“US Nuclear Force Posture Review” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8) |
4. India-Pakistan Nuclear Talks
The Dawn reported that the Pakistan Foreign Office director stated that Pakistan was ready to sign reciprocal agreements to not deploy ballistic missiles, to not weaponize nuclear missile systems, and to not develop anti-missile systems. These and other nuclear risk-reduction confidence building (CBMs) measures were discussed at a conference on non-military CBMs held last week.
“India-Pakistan Nuclear Talks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
5. Pakistan Nuclear Submarine
Pakistan Navy public spokesman Roshan Khayal confirmed an earlier statement by Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Afzal Tahir, in which Tahir said that Pakistan would equip its submarines with nuclear missiles.
“Pakistan Nuclear Submarine” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
6. India Missile Program
The Times of India reported that Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes stated that the Agni II missile has begun limited production and will be inducted into the Indian Army during the next year.
“India Missile Program” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #9) |
Missile Defense
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1. Russian Missile Defense Proposal
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson in Russia to relay his proposal that NATO and Russia cooperatively build a missile defense system. Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev briefed Robertson on Russia’s plan, which first calls for Russian and NATO experts to evaluate ballistic missile threats before deciding whether to design and deploy missile defense systems to cover specific areas in Europe that are most likely to be targeted in such attacks. Analysts state that Russian officials have indicated that it is beginning to accept the idea that missile defenses may be needed. US President Bush said on February 22 that he is “satisfied” with the proposals raised recently by Russia over missile defense issues, claiming that he will deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a frank way.
“Russian Missile Defense Proposal” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8)
“US-Russian NMD Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC)
The DPRK’s Rodong Sinmun said Thursday that Russia and the PRC have already agreed to build anti- missile defense networks to cope with the US national missile defense system (NMD).
“PRC-Russia Missile Defense Cooperation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, US) |
2. US Anti-Russia Missile Defense Diplomacy
The English-daily Russia Journal published an editorial that, citing recent US statements by CIA Director George Tenet and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, argues that the US is attempting to portray Russia negatively in order to justify its missile defense plan.
“US Anti-Russia Missile Defense Diplomacy” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8) |
3. Foreign Statements on NMD: UK, Australia
BASIC issued two statements arguing that as the first European head of state to meet US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair should broker an agreement on the proposed US missile defense system between Europe and the US. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer stated that instead of focusing the missile defense debate upon the US, the debate should look at those countries responsible for proliferation missile technology, such as the PRC and Russia.
“Statements on NMD” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8) |
4. Foreign Statements on NMD: ROK, PRC, Japan
The ROK government is retreating from a joint statement with Russia in which both countries stated their support for the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, and which many interpreted as a statement of opposition to the US missile defense program. The ROK has yet to fix its stance on the US project, which ROK analysts worry could disrupt its rapprochement with the DPRK, but has stated its intention to reveal its official position on the NMD issue before or during the summit talks between the ROK and the US next week.
“ROK Statement on Missile Defense” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 1, US)
“ROK Position on US Missile Defense” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, US)
“US Policy toward Korean Peninsula” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, US)
“ROK Position on NMD” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, ROK)
Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Department of the PRC Foreign Ministry, Sha Zhukang, stated that the PRC is opposed to US National Missile Defense (NMD) development and deployment, and wishes that the US would give up its NMD plan and return to the framework of collective security.
“PRC and NMD” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 27, PRC)
The Japanese Defense Agency’s (JDA) research institute, the National Institute for Defense Studies, released “East Asian Strategic Review 2001,” which calls for consultations between the US and the PRC over the proposed deployment of a US national missile defense (NMD) system, warning that NMD may prompt the PRC to increase its intercontinental ballistic missile capability.
“Japanese View of NMD” (NAPSNet Daily Report, March 2, Japan) |
5. US Domestic Opinion on NMD
US-based ABC News conducted a poll which showed that while 80 percent of Americans backed the construction of missile defense system, support fell to 37 percent when people were asked if a defense system should be deployed even if it would “break an existing arms control treaty with Russia.”
“US Domestic Opinion on NMD” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #8) |
6. US-Japan TMD Research
Japanese and US officials said that a joint study being conducted by Japan and the US to develop a theater missile defense (TMD) system would be extended for more than three years due to delays in US military tests of a ship-based missile defense system.
“Theater Missile Defense” (NAPSNet Daily Report, February 26, Japan)
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