Koreas
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1. Inter-Korean Relations
DPRK ruling party’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland attributed the breakdown of the ministerial talks to ROK Unification Minister Hong Soon-young’s “imprudent anti-North attitude.”
“Inter-Korean Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 28, US)
“ROK-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
2. DMZ Military Incident
The DPRK accused the ROK on November 22 of deploying a howitzer inside its portion of the DMZ.
“Inter-Korean Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, US)
“DMZ Military Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, US)
“ROK Demands Apology”(NAPSNet Daily Report, November 28, US) |
3. DPRK Weapons Program
US President George W. Bush warned Iraq and the DPRK that if countries “develop weapons of mass destruction that will be used to terrorize nations, they will be held accountable.”
“DPRK Weapons Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, US) |
4. ROK Position on US Policy
ROK Minister of Unification Hong Seung-yong told a cabinet meeting Tuesday, that US President George W. Bush’s comments on DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction were nothing new. However, ROK government sources said that it was paying keen attention to how the situation develops, as the Bush administration is now linking weapons of mass destruction to terrorist acts.
“ROK Position On Us Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 28, ROK) |
5. DPRK Arms Inspections
The DPRK Foreign Ministry rejected recent US calls for inspections of suspected DPRK weapons of mass destruction. The DPRK also dismissed as “quite nonsensical” the US statements urging the country to do more to cooperate against terrorism. “DPRK Arms Inspections” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US)
“DPRK On US Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
6. DPRK Signs Anti-Terror Treaties
ROK officials said on November 29 that the DPRK signed two UN treaties designed to stem terrorism. The DPRK stated earlier this month that it would sign the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the 1979 treaty against hostage-taking.
“DPRK Signs Anti-Terror Treaties” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US)
“DPRK Signs Anti-Terrorism Convention” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
7. DPRK-Egypt Weapons Sale
ROK newspaper Joongang Ilbo cited an anonymous military analyst who said that the DPRK concluded the selling of 24 Rodong missiles secretly to Egypt earlier this year.
“DPRK-Egypt Weapons Sale” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, ROK)
“DPRK Missile Sales” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 28, US)
“DPRK-Egypt Arms Sale” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
8. ROK Missile Development
ROK officials said that the ROK has developed a portable surface-to-air missile with a maximum range of 5 km. The missile has two propulsion units and can travel at Mach 2.4 with an accurate object targeting system.
“ROK Missile Development” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
9. ROK Missile Test
The ROK Ministry of National Defense confirmed on November 22 that its Agency for Defense Development test-fired a 100 kilometer-range missile over the West Sea.
“ROK Missile Test” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, ROK)
“Japan-ROK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, Japan)
“ROK Missile Misfiring” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, Japan) |
10. ROK Defense Policy
The ROK Defense Ministry announced on November 22 that it would begin releasing Defense White Papers every two years, starting 2002. The statement led many observers to speculate that the Defense Ministry, by not releasing a White Paper this year, is avoiding further debate on deleting the term “main enemy” relating to the DPRK.
“ROK Defense Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, ROK) |
11. Trilateral Talks on DPRK
Senior officials from the ROK, the US and Japan were to open a two-day tripartite meeting in San Francisco on November 26 to coordinate their policies on the DPRK.
“Trilateral Talks On DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, ROK) |
12. ROK Military Purchase
The defense ministry dismissed reports that announcements for the winning bidder of the US$4 billion contract for fighter jets would be delayed until late June.
“ROK Military Purchase” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 30, US) |
13. DPRK Food Aid
ROK Unification Ministry official Kim Hoon-ah on November 23 said that the ROK has no immediate plan to contribute to an expected UN appeal for emergency food aid to the DPRK.
“DPRK Food Aid” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, US) |
14. Inter-Korean Trade
The ROK Unification Ministry said on November 22 that inter-Korean trade during the first 10 months of this year is down 9.9 percent from the last year’s number.
“Inter-Korean Trade” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, ROK) |
15. DPRK-PRC Relations
Deputy president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK emphasized that the DPRK and the PRC should strengthen their traditional friendship in the new century. He made the remarks when he met the visiting PRC Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on November 26.
“DPRK-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
16. DPRK-Japan Relations
The DPRK and Japan reportedly resumed working-level contacts aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“DPRK-Japan Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, ROK) |
17. DPRK-Australia Relations
A high-ranking ROK government official said on November 26 that the DPRK has asked Australia to quit the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) that formally supervises the Korean truce.
“DPRK-AUSTRALIA RELATIONS” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, ROK)
“DPRK Efforts to Dismantle Armistice” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 28, ROK) |
18. ROK Medical Support
The ROK Defense Ministry announced on November 26 that the ROK will send a 150-member mobile army surgical hospital unit to the US-led war against terrorism in Afghanistan as early as December 10.
“ROK Medical Support In Afghanistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, ROK) |
China
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1. Taiwan Elections
Vice chairman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, Lin Chong-pin warned the PRC not to interfere with the island’s legislative election on November 31.
“Taiwan Elections” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 30, US) |
2. PRC View of Taiwan Elections
Top PRC scholars said that the PRC is confident that the outcome of Taiwan’s parliamentary elections will be more of the legislative gridlock that has stymied Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian.
“PRC View Of Taiwan Elections” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, US) |
3. US-PRC Missile Talks
The US is hoping that the September 11 attacks on the US will encourage the PRC to abide by a deal not to transfer missile technology to nations the US calls “rogue states.”
“US-PRC Missile Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, US) |
4. US-PRC Nonproliferation Talks
US Undersecretary of State John Bolton and PRC Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya are expected to hold the most extensive senior-level nonproliferation talks between their countries on Friday since US President George W. Bush took office.
“US-PRC Nonproliferation Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 30, US) |
5. US-PRC Military Relations
The PRC has given approval for a US aircraft carrier to make a port call in Hong Kong on its way to the Arabian Sea. Defense analysts and diplomats view the PRC’s approval of the visit as the strongest sign yet of PRC support for the Afghanistan war.
(“US-PRC Military Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, US) |
6. PRC-Russian Relations
Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PRC’s People’s Liberation Army, and his Russian counterpart held the fifth round of strategic talks between the two countries’ Headquarters of General Staffs on November 23 to 27. The two sides agreed that there is a deep change in the current international situation.
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
7. PRC-US Relations
PRC Premier Zhu Rongji met with chairman of the Christian Coalition of the United States Pat Robertsonin Beijing on November 26. They discussed ways to improve Sino-US relations and promote understanding between the two people.
“PRC-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 29, US) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Military Support
Two ships from the Maritime Self-Defence Force set sail from Yokosuka naval base just south of Tokyo and Kure, in southwestern Japan. The ships are heading into the Indian Ocean on a mission to provide logistical support for the US-led war in Afghanistan.
(“Japanese Military Support In Afghanistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, US) |
2. Afghan Reconstruction
Japan and the European Union confirmed their cooperation in the Afghan rehabilitation issue in a meeting held in Tokyo on November 22. Japan and the EU agreed to make the Afghan rehabilitation issue a main agenda in the coming Japan-EU Summit in December.
“Japan’s Role In Afghan Reconstruction” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, Japan) |
3. Japanese Logistical Support
The Japanese government submitted to the Diet for approval its outline for the Self-Defense Forces mission to support the US-led anti-terrorism campaign and help Afghan refugees.
“Japanese Logistical Support For Us” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, Japan) |
4. Tanaka’s Visit to Pakistan
Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka on November 25 visited a refugee camp for Afghans near Peshawar in northwest Pakistan to see the conditions people are living in and to better direct further economic assistance from Japan.
“Tanaka’s Visit To Pakistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 27, Japan) |
5. Japan-DPRK Relations
Japanese police on November 28 arrested the senior executive of a Japanese civic group, Chongryon, which supported the DPRK in a financial scandal.
“DPRK-Japanese Relations”(NAPSNet Daily Report, November 30, Japan) |
6. Japan-PRC View on Terrorism
Japan and the PRC agreed that international terrorist groups are the primary factor which threaten the current international security in the consultation between Japan-PRC diplomacy authorities.
“Japan-Prc View On Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 30, Japan) |
7. The Role of Japan in Afghan Issues
In a meeting with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on November 26, Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka agreed to Japanese cooperation in the Afghan peace process and rehabilitation. Japanese Prime Minister Jinichiro Koizumi, will offer educational support, including money to build schools and experts to advise on the education of women, as part of the Japanese package to help rebuild Afghanistan.
“The Role Of Japan In Afghan Issues” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 30, Japan) |
Nuclear Issues
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1. International News
At a meeting in New Delhi, India, European and Indian strategic analysts expressed concern about increased risks of nuclear terrorism.
“International News” |
2. PRC Position on Nuclear Reduction
PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said on November 15 that the PRC is calling on the US and Russia to make their pledge to reduce nuclear weapons legally binding. Zhang said, “The United States and Russia, the largest nuclear arsenals in the world, have a special responsibility to help maintain global peace and stability.”
“PRC Position On Nuclear Reduction” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 26, PRC) |
3. Pakistan Nuclear Safety
Mansoor Ijaz and James Woolsey have argued that the Bush administration should allow Pakistan to have technical devices that can enhance the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons
“Pakistan Nuclear Safety” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #50) |
4. Al-Qaeda and Nuclear Weapons
Experts in terrorism believe that the possibility that Osama bin Laden might have access to a nuclear weapon or a nuclear device should be taken seriously.
“Al-Qaeda and Nuclear Weapons” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #50) |
Afghanistan War
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1. Afghanistan: Current Situation
Hundreds of Taliban captives were killed at a prison fort near Mazar-e- Sharif after an alleged rebellion. The killing of the prisoners at Mazar-e-Sharif has raised concerns about the safety of Taliban fighters captured by the Northern Alliance. Hundreds of foreign fighters captured in the siege of Kunduz were killed in a prison riot. According to an unconfirmed report, the Taliban have lost about six thousand fighters in the war so far.
“Afghanistan: Current Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #50)
“Northern Alliance told to prevent human disaster” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49) |
2. Afghanistan: Future Prospects
The United Nation sponsored talks in Bonn have moved to a point where the delegates from different Afghanfactions have agreed on the principle of forming a broad-based transitional government. It is, not clear if the Afghan delegates would agree to the presence of multinational forces in Afghanistan. The level and nature of Pushtun participation in the interim setup also remains unclear. The Bush administration believes that the Northern Alliance leader Burhanuddin Rabbani is not a “viable” candidate to head a government in Kabul. There is no outstanding Pashtun figure attending or being represented in the United Nation-sponsored conference to discuss the future political arrangements in Kabul. Burhanuddin Rabbani, still officially the president of Afghanistan, has said that he would relinquish power if the talks in Germany are successful in naming a transitional leader.
“Afghanistan: Future Prospects” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #50) |
3. Pakistan
Pakistan government has ordered the closure of the Taliban embassy in Islamabad. There have been reports that many Pakistani Jihadis who had joined the Taliban militia have been killed in Afghanistan. The retreating Taliban fighters may have moved into Pakistan’s tribal areas in the North West Frontier Province. The Pakistani government has reiterated that it would not support the U.S. Marines or other ground troops that have landed at an Afghan airbase near Kandahar. Pakistan has also been moving towards establishing direct communications with the Northern Alliance.
“Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #50)
“Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #50)
“Pakistan Closes Taliban Embassy” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49) |
4. India
Writing for the Indian magazine Frontline, John Cherain notes that “India is pleased” with the developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s “consequent discomfiture” at the successful of the Northern Alliance.
“India” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49) |
Pakistan
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1. India-Pakistan Relations
President Pervez Musharraf stated that “Pakistan is ready to discuss every issue with India” but the “focus should be on Kashmir.” Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto is on personal visit to India where she has met with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other Indian leaders. India and Pakistan blamed each other for initiating artillery exchange along the line of control.
“India-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49) |
2. US-Pakistan Relations
There is a growing sense among Pakistani officials that the United States has “failed to keep its side of the deal.”
“US-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49) |
Kashmir
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1. Internal Situation
There is continuing violence in Jammu and Kashmir. Javed Mir, vice president of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) called upon India and Pakistan to “end hostilities and start a meaningful dialogue.”
“Internal Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49)
“Internal Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49) |
2. India and Pakistan
Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar suggests that the use of non-official negotiators by India and Pakistan would help in arriving at a bilateral settlement of the Kashmir problem. During his visit to Pakistan, the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw reaffirmed the willingness of the international community to assist in finding a bilateral solution to the Kashmir problem.
“India and Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #49)
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