US-PRC Spy Plane Incident
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1. International Responses: Russia, ROK
Russian daily Segodnya’s Aleksandr Chudodeyev, reporting on Russian perspectives during the standoff, stated that the US and the PRC reached a compromise over the spy plane incident, but with the advantage being on the side of PRC, which was satisfied enough with the US wording to return the crew, but not enough to return the plane.
“PRC-USA Controversy over US Plane” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, RF)
Russian daily’s Zavtra’s Vladislav Shurygin recalled the incident in 1972 when a Russian pilot defected to Japan with the newest Soviet MiG-25 fighter. As a result, the US obtained Soviet friend-or-foe identification codes and equipment, forcing the USSR to rapidly change the system at a cost of 2 billion Soviet rubles.
“RF Media on PRC-USA Aircraft Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, RF)
ROK Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo said that the ROK played a behind-the-scenes role in the spy plane row between the US and the PRC. Han stated, “I’m not in a position to say what we have done. But I can tell you both governments were very appreciative.”
“ROK Role in US-PRC Spy Plane Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US) |
2. US-PRC Talks
The first round of US-PRC talks aimed at resolving the spy plane crisis failed to produce any results. In contrast, when talks ended Thursday, the US side calling them “very productive.” US negotiators had threatened to pull out of the talks in the face of PRC unwillingness to discuss proposals for return of the EP-3 surveillance plane. Acting US Defense Undersecretary for Policy Peter Verga, the chief US negotiator, said that the PRC had finally allowed discussion of the US demand for the return of its US surveillance plane. Verga later said that no date had been set for further talks. Verga said that the two sides made no progress on the question of the return of the US plane, but argued, “We didn’t have negotiations, we had a meeting and we’ve got some work to do.”
“US-PRC Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, US)
“US-PRC Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US)
“US-PRC Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, US)
“US-PRC Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
During the talks on Thursday, PRC officials offered video clips that they said offered “very convincing” proof that the US plane was at fault for the mid-air collision.
“US-PRC Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
According to Israeli analysts who examined video footage released by the US Defense Department, the PRC fighter that collided with a US surveillance plane was equipped to carry Israeli-made air-to-air missiles. The Israeli analysts said that the video clearly shows the plane carrying two Israeli Python 3 missiles.
“Israeli Arms Sales to PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US)
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger expressed recently that the US should not confront the PRC concerning the issue of the US spy plane’s collision with a PRC fighter jet. The PRC’s Jiefang Daily reported that after the release of 24 US crewmembers by the PRC from humanitarian considerations, US government officials suddenly changed their attitudes and rhetoric and became different from the “cooperative” attitude of days before.
“US on PRC-US Mid-air Collision” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, PRC) |
3. Resumption of US Surveillance
According to US and European intelligence experts, the PRC knows that the US has no intention of halting surveillance flights. Experts point out that the PRC uses the same eavesdropping tactics to track the US military in Asia, with older technology but growing intrusiveness. “PRC Reconnaissance” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, US)US Navy officials said that a US aircraft carrier may be into position in the South China Sea, where it could launch fighter jets to protect US reconnaissance flights off the PRC coast when those flights resume. A senior US Defense Department official said that the US Defense Department has prepared detailed plans for fighter jet escorts for military reconnaissance aircraft. The official said that the plans have been sent to the White House, but US President George W. Bush has yet to decide whether to implement them.
“US Reconnaissance Flights in South China Sea” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US)
“US Reconnaissance Flights” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, US)
“US Surveillance Flights” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, US) |
4. PRC Pilot
Wang Wei, the pilot who went missing following a mid-air collision between a US reconnaissance plane and a Chinese fighter jet on April 1, was declared a martyr by the Navy Committee of the Communist Party of China and awarded the title of “guardian of territorial air-space and waters” by the PRC Central Military Committee (CMC).
“PRC Awards Missing Pilot” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, PRC) |
5. Delayed US-PRC Consultations
US officials said that the US and the PRC delayed the scheduled meeting of the working group of the US-PRC Military Maritime Advisory Commission (MMAC) for next week while the PRC considers US proposals for the return of a downed spy plane.
“Return of US Spy Plane” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, US) |
China
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1. PRC Military Hardware
The PRC intends to purchase H-35 anti-ship missiles from the RF, presumably to arm Su-30MMK fighters.
“RF-PRC Arms Trade” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, RF)
Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu on Monday called on the PRC to remove what she said were 300 ballistic missiles deployed on the PRC coast directly across from the island.
“Taiwanese View of PRC Missile Threat” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US) |
2. US Arms Sales to Taiwan
Senior national security aides to US President George W. Bush have recommended that he defer the sale to Taiwan of advanced destroyers but have advised him to provide a range of less advanced weapons to counter the growing PRC military capacity. The aides concluded that Taiwan did not yet have the technical skill or the command capacity to handle the Aegis system and they recommended selling less sophisticated Kidd-class destroyers. Michael R. Gordon wrote in the New York Times that even without the Aegis-equipped destroyers, US support for Taiwan is likely to increase and risk angering the PRC. Several US Senate Democrats and Republicans said that the US should not let the spy plane showdown with the PRC influence decisions on trade with the PRC or selling arms to Taiwan.
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US)
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, US)
“US-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US)
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US)
Sources said that a former Taiwanese defense minister has opposed the purchase, saying that the US$3.2 billion cost for four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers would constitute a “money pit” that Taiwan cannot afford. Lieutenant General Sun Tao-yu, the vice minister of defense, complained that “the U.S. and China seem to be complicating the simple matter of arms sales to Taiwan.”
“US Weapons Sales to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US) |
3. Lee Teng-hui’s Travel
PRC Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhang Qiyue, when asked at a press conference on April 16 about the PRC’s position on Lee Teng-hui’s planned Japan visit, responded that the PRC firmly opposes Lee’s visit under any name and wishes Japan to take a clear stand to prevent it. Following a meeting between Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Japan on Friday issued a visa to former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui to visit Japan for medical checkups.
“Lee Teng-hui’s planned Japan Visit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, PRC)
“Lee Teng-hui’s Japan Visit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
“Lee Teng Hui’s Visa” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, Japan)
US State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said on Friday that the US had issued a visa to former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui to travel on April 30 to May 6 to visit Cornell University. He added, “We consider (Lee) to be a private individual. Travel by private persons between Taiwan and the United States is a normal part of our unofficial relationship.”
“US Visits by Taiwan Officials” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US) |
4. PRC-US Relations
The US State Department on Thursday issued a warning for US citizens traveling to the PRC. The State Department said that it “cautions Americans, especially Americans originally from China, that there may be a risk of being detained upon returning to China, if they have at any time engaged in activities or published writings critical of Chinese government policies.”
“Detentions of Chinese-Americans in PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
An editorial in the Chicago Tribune said that the confrontation between the US and the PRC over the US surveillance plane was a “jarring” introduction to Sino-US relations for the US President George W. Bush administration. The editorial wrote that the spy plane episode could be seen as a scaled-down version of the central issue of Taiwan. Newsweek reported that US officials fear that hard-liners have taken over in the PRC, while PRC officials believe that the US military hawks are now running policy.
“US Policy toward Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, US)
“PRC View of US Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US)
An opinion article by Thomas L. Friedman said that as much as the US likes to assume that a democratic PRC would be pro-US, this could be a huge illusion. Friedman wrote, “A more democratic China is likely to be a more nationalistic China.”
“US-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, US) |
5. US Ambassador to the PRC
A US official said that US President George Bush has chosen Clark Randt Junior, a Yale classmate of Bush and an expert on PRC business, to succeed Joseph Prueher as US ambassador to the PRC.
“US Ambassador to PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US) |
6. PRC Human RightsThe PRC defeated 23-17 with support from African countries a US attempt to hold it accountable before the United Nations Human Rights Commission for human rights abuses.
“PRC Human Rights” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US) |
7. World Trade Organization
The German daily Handelsblatt said that the US and the PRC have reached agreement on PRC admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), but did not announce the accord because of the EP-3 spy plane standoff.
“PRC in WTO” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, US) |
Korea
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1. DPRK Weapons Programs
Deputy US Central Intelligence Agency Director John McLaughlin said in a speech released on Wednesday that the DPRK probably has one or two nuclear bombs and may also have biological weapons in addition to chemical weapons.
“DPRK Nuclear Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
Jerry Humble, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces in Korea, said that the DPRK has increased its stock of long-range missiles by 25 percent to 600 over the past two years. He said it would take 14 minutes to launch these missiles and they would hit Seoul within 110 seconds after launching.
“DPRK Missile Development” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, ROK)
According to US Defense Department officials, the DPRK is beginning to upgrade its tanks for the first time in nearly 10 years. The report said that the DPRK is extending the range of its USSR-made T-62 guns and enabling the tanks to cross the river
“DPRK Weapons Development” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, Japan)
The Washington Times has learned that the DPRK sent a shipment of missile components and technology, including 12 rocket motors made for DPRK’s 600-mile-range Nodong medium-range missiles, to Iran two weeks ago aboard a transport aircraft.
“DPRK Missile Sales to Iran” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US) |
2. DPRK Security Policy
DPRK National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il has increased his number of military inspections. An ROK government source commented that the administration believes that such a move is thought to be the DPRK’s attempt to demonstrate its military power to the US administration.
“DPRK Military Inspections” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, ROK)
Rodong Shinmun, the DPRK’s state-run newspaper, reported that the DPRK announced on Monday April 16 that reducing armaments is impossible unless US troops stationed in Korean Peninsula move out.
“DPRK on USFK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, ROK) |
3. Inter-Korean Relations
After six months of turbulence, ROK-DPRK maritime trade is set for smoother sailing as the ROK Unification Ministry granted a regular shipping license to a second company, the Kook Yang Shipping Co. Ltd.
“Inter-Korean Maritime Trade” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, ROK)
A delegation from the ruling ROK Millennium Democratic Party will visit the DPRK in May over the Trans-Siberian railroad, as a part of the programs to commemorate the first anniversary of a the inter-Korean summit
“ROK Legislators to Visit DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, ROK)
Red Cross chiefs from the ROK and the DPRK will meet in Spain next month, where they are scheduled to receive an award from the Spanish Red Cross for the organization of reunions of separated families, officials said here Tuesday.
“Red Cross Chiefs to Meet in Spain” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, ROK) |
4. US-ROK Security Cooperation
The DPRK Foreign Ministry warned the ROK not to join the US in a military exercise this month, saying that such an act would betray their historic agreement to pursue peace and eventual reunification. However, it also said that it was as ready for dialogue as for war. The US Forces Korea said in a statement last week that the “Reception, Onward Movement and Integration” exercise, set to run from April 20 to 26, is used by US and ROK forces to train and evaluate command capabilities to receive US forces from bases outside the country.
“US-ROK Military Exercises” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, US)
“US-ROK Military Exercises” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
New ROK Defense Minister Kim Dong-shin and his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday exchanged opinions on security cooperation over the phone. US Secretary of State Colin Powell may visit the ROK and Japan in May, a diplomatic source said Saturday. ROK Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo on Thursday urged the US to resume talks soon with the DPRK, saying that ROK-DPRK ties were suffering from the “uncertainties” of the US policy review.
“New US Envoy on Korean Affairs” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, ROK)
“Powell Visit to ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, ROK)
“US Policy toward DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US) |
5. US Policy on DPRK
The US paid the DPRK US$2.25 million last week for this year’s joint search for remains of US servicemen killed during the Korean War. A US Forces spokesman said that the amount, half the US$4.5 million that the US promised in December, was paid by the UN Command at Panmunjom on April 11.
“Remains of US Soldiers from Korean War” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, US)
ROK President Kim Dae-jung said that relations between the DPRK and the US rate as a key factor in the certainty of DPRK leader Kim Jong-il’s plan to visit the ROK. A senior ROK government official said Monday that the US administration, led by President George W. Bush, is in the final stage of forming its policy toward the DPRK. The official said, “We believe, therefore, that Secretary Powell’s visit could mean that the conclusion of the review on North Korea policy will be faster than expected.”
“ROK View on DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, ROK)
“US Policy towards DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, ROK)
The DPRK state media said that growing numbers of DPRK people go to visit the USS Pueblo, which was attacked and captured by the DPRK on January 23 1968 to express their anger at the new hard-line being taken by the US administration of President George W. Bush.
“DPRK View of US Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, US) |
6. DPRK Conference in US
Former US president George Bush, ex-defense secretary William Perry and the current ROK ambassador to the US will attend a major DPRK conference, titled “North Korea: Engagement or Confrontation,” which opened in the Monday at Texas A&M University.
“DPRK To Hold Conference in US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, ROK) |
7. RF-DPRK Relations
Segodnya reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il’s visit to the RF, planned for May 17-18, was probably postponed, according to diplomatic sources in Moscow.
“RF-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, RF) |
8. Aid to DPRK
ROK Unification Minister Lim Dong-won said that the ROK plans to provide the DPRK with about 200,000 tons of chemical fertilizer next month to help boost food production in the DPRK.
“Aid to DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, ROK)
David Morton, the World Food Program (WFP)’s representative in the DPRK, reported that the DPRK has reaped its worst harvests in four years, falling short of one-third of its targeted food source.
“DPRK Food Shortage” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, ROK) |
Japan
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1. ROK-Japan Military Relations
ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced its regret over the statement by Shizuka Kamei, Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Policy Research head and one of the four LDP presidential candidates, that Japan should use force (to support US-ROK forces) if they are attacked.
“Japanese-ROK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, Japan)
ROK officials said that a joint naval drill scheduled to be conducted off the island of Cheju in June with Japan and visits to the ROK by top Japanese defense officials in July could be postponed because of a dispute over school history books.
“ROK-Japan Military Exchanges” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, US) |
2. Japanese History Textbook
ROK President Kim Dae-jung said that the Japanese textbook distorts history and needs to be amended because it fails to honor a joint communiqué signed in 1998 to improve bilateral relations.
“ROK-Japanese Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, PRC)
The Washington Post reported that there are strong reactions to the new history textbook from the media in the ROK, the DPRK, and the PRC.
“Japanese History Textbook” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US) |
3. Korean A-Bomb Victim’s Memorial
Two groups of Korean residents have agreed with the Hiroshima City Government to jointly build a memorial for all the Koreans killed in the August 6, 1945, atomic bombing of the city. The new memorial is expected to be built inside the city’s Peace Memorial Park, near the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the Atomic Bomb.
“Korean A-Bomb Victims” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 20, Japan) |
Russia
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1. Naval Budget
Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, called for the building of new ships and the funds for maintenance and repair of the existing ones. In his opinion, the RF needed 12-15 modern strategic submarines and 50 multi-purpose nuclear submarines.
“RF Navy C-in-C Called for Increased Naval Budget” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, RF) |
2. RF-Japan Military Contacts
Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, was to arrive in Japan to meet with Tositsugu Saito, Chief of the Defense Agency of Japan, and Tory Ishikawa, Chief of Staff of the Japanese Navy, for the first RF-Japanese naval official visit.
“RF-Japan Military Contacts” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 19, RF) |
3. DPRK-Russia Nuclear Waste Deal
Russia is reportedly seeking to make contracts on the reprocessing of nuclear waste with the DPRK and other countries to finance its long-term plan for the construction of nuclear reactors.
“DPRK-Russia Nuclear Waste Deal” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 17, ROK) |
South Asia
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1. India Nuclear Policy
Gurmeet Kanwal, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, writes that the isolation of India’s nuclear weapons program from the military has undermined its credibility. Commander Vijay Sakhuja, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, argues for Indian development of a strategic nuclear submarine force to provide for a second-strike capability.
“India Nuclear Policy” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
2. Pakistan Nuclear Policy
B. Muralidhar Reddy writes in Frontline Magazine that while Pakistan continues to favor deployment of a credible minimum nuclear deterrent force, Pakistan is also realizing the steps sought by the international community on the nuclear front.
“Pakistan Nuclear Policy” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
3. India-Iran Relations
India and Iran are to sign as many as five agreements during Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s visit to Iran. As Iran and India agreed to extend to each other Most Favored Nation status for trade, India offered Iran a $200 million credit for its economic development plan. They also agreed to increase cooperation to confront growing extremism and terrorism in the region. C. Raja Mohan writes that Vajpayee’s visit to Iran represents an ongoing effort to engage Islamic states.
“India-Iran Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
4. India-Pakistan Relations
While flying over Pakistan on his way to Iran, Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee sent a message to Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf expressing his “best wishes” for the peace process and the “well-being of the people of Pakistan.”
“India-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16)
The Pakistan Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, Abbas Sarfaraj Khan, described as a “major breakthrough” the possibility that India’s and Pakistan’s foreign ministers may meet on the sidelines of the upcoming SAARC meeting in Kathmandu in May.
“Pakistan-India Dialogue” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
5. India-US Relations
The Hindu reported that External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh’s recently concluded meetings with officials in the US has been described in the Indian media as a positive indicator to the future of the India-US relationship. Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh stated that India-US relations should not be dependent upon other relations the two have, and that their bilateral relationship would not be affected by the US-PRC relationship. K.K. Katyal states that in the past the US has sought to develop India as a counterbalance to the PRC, and that this is particularly salient with the US-PRC row over US intelligence gathering off the PRC’s coast.
“India-US Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
6. Pakistan Politics
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said that she was willing to consider a proposal to allow Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf to become president of Pakistan, insofar as Musharraf restored democracy.
“Military Government” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
7. Pakistan-PRC Relations
M. Muralidhar Reddy argues that while Pakistan sees the PRC as an “all-weather friend,” it is not prepared to harm relations with the US by openly supporting the PRC’s position on this issue. In an op-ed in The Dawn, Professor Khalid Mahmud argues that opinion leaders must recognize that Pakistan should not impose unrealistic conditions upon the relationship should the PRC choose to pursue better relations with India.
“Pakistan-PRC Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
8. India-Kashmiri Dialogue
Former Defense Minister and president of the National Congress Party Sharad Pawar spent several days camping in Srinagar in Kashmir and meeting with separatist leaders to break the stalemate. K.C. Pant began discussions on Kashmir with former and current officials in the Kashmir State government and with leaders of political parties represented in the state assembly. Pant ruled out participation by Pakistan-based militant groups, but implied that Kashmir-based militant groups could participate.
“India-Kashmiri Dialogue” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16)
The Hindu is reporting that with elections due in two months in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, there has emerged a debate between the People’s Party and the opposition Muslim Conference over how to respond to recent Indian peace initiatives.
“Pakistan-Administered Kashmir” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16)
All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Abdul Gani Bhat met in New Delhi with the Pakistan High Commission for several hours in what was described as a routine meeting, but at which they were believed to have discussed the Indian government’s offer of talks with Kashmiri groups. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference stated that only tripartite talks with India, Pakistan and the APHC will find a solution to Kashmir, and not “talking to a crowd.”
“Militant Groups” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
9. Sri Lanka Peace Talks
The Sri Lankan government continues to discuss internally the demand by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that the government rescind a ban on the LTTE before it will participate in peace talks. The government announced it would release ten LTTE fighters and observe a several-day ceasefire in honor of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
“Peace Talks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16)
“Government Ceasefire” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16) |
Nuclear Weapons
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1. Theory
Shaukat Qadir writes in an essay for the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in New Delhi that deterrence is based upon the belief that one’s opponent believes you will use nuclear weapons, and that the “no first use” policy is antithetical to deterrence.
“‘No First Use’ Policy” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #16)
Scientists at Rutgers University in New Jersey reported findings that could lead to safer handling and storage of nuclear weapons.
“Scientific Report” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15) |
2. US Nuclear Policy
Robert Kerrey and William D. Hartung write in the current issue of Arms Control Today that while ordering a full review of the US nuclear weapons posture is a step in the right direction, the Bush administration needs to challenge Cold War-era assumptions in order to effect significant nuclear cuts.
“US Nuclear Posture Review” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15)
US President George W. Bush’s proposed 2002 budget turns away from sustainable energy research. The press release also states that the budget contains an increase of over $1.5 billion for the design and development of new nuclear weapons.
“US Budget: Nuclear Increases” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15) |
3. Kursk Nuclear Weapons
The Bellona Foundation and the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at MIIS released separate statements which stated that there is no reason to believe rumors that the Russian submarine Kursk carried nuclear weapons when it sank in the Barents Sea last August.
“Kursk Nuclear Weapons” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15) |
Missile Defense
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1. US Proposed MD System
Wade Boese writes in the current issue of Arms Control Today that US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz, appeared to be making the case for a layered defense consisting of multiple types of anti-ballistic missile systems, including sea-based systems. The Center for Defense Information released updates to their missile defense reports on April 5, 2001, reporting that the total costs for all US ballistic missile defense programs will exceed $115 billion and that the US Navy proposed deploying a near-term boost-phase missile defense system in Asia based on Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyers.
“US Proposed MD System” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15) |
2. International Perspectives on US MD
In separate speeches before the UN Disarmament Commission, Russia, the PRC and the DPRK warned that the US missile defense system would threaten international security, undermine the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and trigger a new arms race.
“International Comments on US MD” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15)
Five hundred people from British civilian organizations like “Nuclear Disarmament Movement”(NDM) assembled on April 14 in front of the British Prime Minister’s Mansion, calling for the British Government to refuse to cooperate with the US over the National Missile Defense (NMD) issue.
“UK on NMD Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, PRC)
The Stanley Foundation and the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies announced the release of a joint report Ballistic Missile Defense and Northeast Asian Security: Views From Washington, Beijing and Tokyo.
“Full Text”
“Missile Defense Report” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, US)
ROK officials and analysts said on Sunday that the US National Missile Defense (NMD) project is likely to become an issue of contention during an Asian regional security meeting in Malaysia this week.
“ASEAN Regional Forum” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 16, ROK) |
3. Russian Reactions to US Proposed MD
Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded to the US missile defense proposals by calling for a limited, Europe-wide missile defense program, which the US ought to welcome. Russian plans for a European anti-missile system could include an international rapid-reaction force and a center to watch for rocket attacks.
“Russian MD Proposal” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15)
Experts from the Russian Military Academy said that US deployment of an NMD system and research on new types of nuclear weapons are forcing Russia to improve its Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
“Russia’s Countermeasures to US NMD Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, April 18, PRC) |
4. Commentary on MD
Spurgeon M. Keeny argues that the decision by the Bush administration to not pursue the Clinton administration’s deal to curb the DPRK missile threat is so irrationally contrary to US security interests that it is perceived internationally as designed to preserve the DPRK ballistic missile threat as the rationale for early deployment of a national missile defense. US Senator Joseph Biden said that the international security costs of NMD deployment are high and he argued against using NMD as a substitute for arms control and diplomacy.
“Commentary on US MD” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15) |
Nonproliferation
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1. Russian Chemical Weapons Stockpile
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Russia needs international help to cover the $8-$10 billion cost of meeting the deadline for destroying its chemical weapons stockpile.
“Russian Chemical Weapons Stockpile” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15) |
2. US Nonproliferation Budget
Michael McFaul writes in the New York Times that the Bush administration has promised a full review of US policy towards Russia, based more on a realist perspective of Russia’s international behavior than its domestic reforms. Under US President Bush’s proposed budget for fiscal 2002, the Energy Department’s spending for nonproliferation programs, including those aimed at helping Russia stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, will drop by $100 million from $874 million in the current year.
“US Budget: Nonproliferation Cuts” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #15)
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