NAPSNET Week in Review 21 April, 2000

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"NAPSNET Week in Review 21 April, 2000", NAPSNet Weekly Report, April 21, 2000, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/napsnet-week-in-review-21-april-2000/

Korean Peninsula


1. ROK-DPRK Summit

The DPRK agreed to an ROK proposal to hold preliminary talks among working level officials at Panmunjom on April 22 to discuss preparations for the June summit meeting.
“DPRK-ROK Summit” (Daily Report, April 21, ROK)
“DPRK-ROK Summit” (Daily Report, April 20, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, April 20, PRC)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, April 19, US)
“DPRK-ROK Summit” (Daily Report, April 19, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Summit Meeting” (Daily Report, April 18, US)
“ROK Preparation on Inter-Korean Summit” (Daily Report, April 18, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“DPRK-ROK Summit” (Daily Report, April 17, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, April 17, Australia)


2. ROK-DPRK Economic Cooperation

ROK Foreign Minister Lee Joung-binn attributed the DPRK’s willingness to take part in June’s summit meeting to its need for economic aid to rebuild its economy. Samsung and LG Electronics announced that they would soon begin selling televisions manufactured in the DPRK. The American Chamber of Commerce in the ROK announced plans to form a joint venture group to help ROK and foreign companies invest in the DPRK.
“DPRK Economy” (Daily Report, April 18, US)
“DPRK-ROK Economic Cooperation” (Daily Report, April 18, ROK)
“Investment in DPRK” (Daily Report, April 21, ROK)


3. US Troops in ROK

ROK Foreign Minister Lee Joung-binn said that the issue of US troops in the ROK will not be discussed during the June summit with the DPRK.
“US Troops in ROK” (Daily Report, April 18, US)


4. US Sanctions on DPRK

The US announced that it was imposing sanctions on the DPRK’s Chang-gwang Credit Company for allegedly exporting missile parts and technology to Iran and Syria.
“US Sanctions on DPRK” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“US Sanctions on DPRK” (Daily Report, April 17, ROK)


5. ROK-PRC Relations

ROK Foreign Minister Lee Joung-binn will make a three-day visit to Beijing beginning April 27 for discussions that are expected to focus mainly on the upcoming ROK-DPRK summit
“ROK Foreign Minister to Visit PRC” (Daily Report, April 18, ROK)
“ROK-PRC Talks” (Daily Report, April 17, US)


6. PRC View of Korean Peninsula

Duan Hong of the China Institute for International Studies discussed the possibilities for settling the disputes over the Korean Peninsula, and the effect of these disputes on regional security.
“Korea and Regional Security in Northeast Asia” (NPP Special Report)


7. Australian-DPRK Relations

Australian media reported that Australia will restore full diplomatic relations with the DPRK next month when Prime Minister John Howard visits the ROK.
“Australia-DPRK Relations” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“Australia-DPRK Relations” (Daily Report, April 17, Australia)


8. DPRK-Japan Talks

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the next round of Japan-DPRK talks would be held May 22-25 in Tokyo.
“Japanese-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, April 21, Japan)


9. DPRK Participation in ARF

Japan welcomed the DPRK being admitted to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). ASEAN is expected to approve DPRK participation before the ARF convenes on July 27.
“DPRK Participation in ARF” (Daily Report, April 21, US)


Taiwan Straits


10. US Arms Sales to Taiwan

The US decided to sell long-range radar to Taiwan, but not Aegis destroyers. US critics claimed that the Clinton administration was leaving Taiwan unable to defend itself, while the PRC said that any arms sales to Taiwan were provocative.
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (Daily Report, April 20, US)
“PRC-US Relations” (Daily Report, April 20, PRC)
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (Daily Report, April 19, US)
“Taiwanese View of Weapons Sales” (Daily Report, April 19, US)
“PRC View of Weapons Sales” (Daily Report, April 19, US)
“US Weapons Sales to Taiwan” (Daily Report, April 18, US)
“US Arms Sales to Taiwan” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“PRC View of US-Taiwan Relations” (Daily Report, April 20, US)


11. Chen Shui-bian’s PRC Policy

Taiwan President-elect Chen Shui-bian said that he is open for discussions on forming a confederation with the PRC. A group of former US officials will visit Taiwan next week to understand Taiwan’s position on relations with the PRC following Chen’s election. Richard Bush, head of the American Institute in Taiwan, discusses the implications of Chen’s election on cross-Straits relations.
“PRC-Taiwan Talks” (Daily Report, April 21, US)
“Cross-Straits Tensions” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“Electoral Change on Taiwan, Building Peace in the Taiwan Strait” (Special Report)


12. Cross-Straits Tensions

A poll of Hong Kong residents found that a majority believe that the PRC’s threat to Taiwan is real. Some analysts expressed doubt about Taiwan’s ability to defend itself against a PRC attack.
“PRC Threat to Taiwan” (Daily Report, April 21, US)
“Taiwan Military” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“PRC Missile Threat to Taiwan” (Daily Report, April 17, US)


13. Dalai Lama’s Taiwan Visit

The PRC objected to a proposed visit to Taiwan by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. The PRC claimed that the purpose of the trip is political.
“India-China Relations” (South Asia Nuclear Dialogue)


People’s Republic of China


14. PRC Ascension to WTO

The European Union announced that it would soon resume discussions with the PRC on the latter’s entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
“PRC’s Access to WTO” (Daily Report, April 21, PRC)


15. PRC View of Missile Defense

Ambassador Sha Zukang, director-general of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament at the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that US pursuit of National Missile Defense might force the PRC to review its stance on a number of arms control issues.
“PRC View on Arms Control” (Daily Report, April 20, PRC)


Japan


16. Japanese Nonproliferation Policy

Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said that Japan would push for faster implementation of existing arms control agreements and moving forward on new treaties during the upcoming review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Japanese Study Group of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and Non-Proliferation Policy stated that the maintenance of an efficient global nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as ensuring safety are major premises for the smooth, peaceful use of nuclear energy.
“Japanese Nonproliferation Policy” (Daily Report, April 21, Japan)
“Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy” (NPP Flash, V. 2 N. 14)


17. Japanese Constitution

A majority of Japanese of all ages said in a recent survey that they would favor revisions to Japan’s constitution.
“Japanese Constitutional Revision” (Daily Report, April 21, Japan)


Russia


18. Ratification of START II

The Russian Duma ratified the START II nuclear arms reduction treaty. Most other governments welcomed the move, and called on the US and Russia to move forward with negotiations on a START III treaty.
“Russian Ratification of START II” (Daily Report, April 20, PRC)
“Russian Ratification of START II” (Daily Report, April 17, US)
“Russian Ratification of START II” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 14)
“Implementation of START II” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 14)
“Negotiation of START III” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 14)
“US Nuclear Arsenal” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 14)

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