Korean Peninsula
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1. Inter-Korean Talks
The DPRK and the ROK announced the reopening of liaison offices at Panmunjom on August 15, cooperation in visits of displaced family members, and the imminent launching of negotiations on the reopening of severed railway links. The second round of inter-Korean ministerial talks will start on August 29.
“Inter-Korean Talks” (Daily Report, July 31, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, August 2, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Talks” (Daily Report, August 1, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, July 31, US)
“Inter-Korean Talks” (Daily Report, August 4, ROK)
“DPRK-ROK Relations” (Daily Report, August 4, PRC) |
2. Inter-Korean Railway
ROK President Kim Dae-jung plans to propose an international project to link the ROK, the DPRK and Russia by restoring the Kyongwon line, which will speed up economic cooperation between the three countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to support the railroad project.
“Inter-Korean Railway” (Daily Report, August 3, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Railway” (Daily Report, August 4, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Railway” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan) |
3. DPRK Missile Program
US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright said she had no new information about the DPRK’s offer to stop building ballistic missiles in exchange for foreign help in launching scientific satellites. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, speaking at the ASEAN Regional Forum, said that if the DPRK was sincere in its offer to terminate its missile program in exchange for assistance with its space program, Australia would lend its support. Kim Jong-il confirmed the offer in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“US-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, July 31, US)
“DPRK Missile Program” (Daily Report, August 4, US)
“DPRK Missile Program” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26) |
4. US-DPRK Talks
DPRK foreign minister Paek Nam-sun met US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright on July 28 in the highest diplomatic contact ever between the two countries. Albright expressed approval for the DPRK’s admission into the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Resource and Development (IBRD). She had earlier said that it was “too premature” for DPRK membership in international bodies.
“US-Japan Talks” (Daily Report, July 31, US)
“US-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, July 31, US)
“US View of DPRK Diplomacy” (Daily Report, August 1, ROK)
“DPRK-US Relations” (Daily Report, August 4, PRC)
Commentary in the DPRK’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Thursday said that the pledge in the Republican Party platform to push ahead with the missile shields showed that the US wanted to dominate the rest of the world and ignore the current peace process on the Korean peninsula.
“DPRK View of Missile Defense” (Daily Report, August 3, US) |
5. DPRK Famine
David Morton, UN humanitarian coordinator in the DPRK, said on Tuesday that the DPRK’s food supplies have improved over the past year but in some areas people are desperately short of food.
“DPRK Famine” (Daily Report, August 1, US) |
6. US-ROK SOFA Talks
US-ROK talks on revising the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) broke up Thursday in Seoul and both sides reported progress. A joint statement said that the US had agreed in principle with ROK demands that it be brought in line with similar agreements for US troops in Germany and Japan. Despite the improving relations with the DPRK, ROK President Kim reconfirmed that the ROK needed the US military presence for its security as well as regional stability.
“US-ROK SOFA Talks” (Daily Report, August 3, US)
“US-ROK SOFA Talks” (Daily Report, August 2, US)
“US Troops in ROK” (Daily Report, August 1, US) |
China
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1. PRC-US Relations
The PRC warned US politicians to keep Sino-US relations out of the US presidential election campaign. The Republican Party’s platform criticizes the PRC for political oppression at home, stealing US nuclear secrets, threatening Taiwan with forceful reunification, stifling freedom and proliferating weapons of mass destruction. A PRC Defense Ministry spokesperson said that the US Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville will visit the port city of Qingdao in Shandong Province from August 2-5.
“PRC View of US Presidential Campaign” (Daily Report, August 3, US)
“PRC-US Relations” (Daily Report, August 4, PRC)
“US Port Visits in PRC” (Daily Report, August 2, US) |
3. Cross-Straits Relations
Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian appealed on July 31 to the PRC to reopen negotiations, asking the PRC to embrace “the spirit of 1992.” Chi Haotian, PRC Defense Minister and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, reiterated the call for Taiwan to embrace the one-China principle and take the “bright path” of peaceful reunification.
“PRC-Taiwan Talks” (Daily Report, August 1, US)
“PRC’s attitude to Taiwan” (Daily Report, August 4, PRC)
“Cross-Straits Relations” (Daily Report, August 2, US) |
4. Taiwan Arms Purchases
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said that Taiwan should consider new fighter purchases, warning that the PRC’s military buildup could threaten Taiwan’s air superiority in the Taiwan Straits.
“Taiwan Arms Purchases” (Daily Report, August 4, US) |
5. Taiwan President’s US Visit
The PRC objected to a US decision to issue a transit visa to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, who is on his way to visit countries with which Taiwan has diplomatic relations. Chen will be greeted by Richard Bush, head of the American Institute in Taiwan, during his trip.
“Taiwan President’s US Visit” (Daily Report, August 4, US) |
6. Taiwan Membership in UN
Taiwan Vice Foreign Minister Wu Tzu-dan said that Taiwan is making a new push to join the UN, and called on the world body to help solve disputes between Taiwan and the PRC.
“Taiwan Membership in UN” (Daily Report, August 4, US) |
Japan
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1. DPRK Policy Coordination
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright confirmed that Japan, the US, and the ROK should closely cooperate in dealing with the DPRK. Mori also spoke with ROK President Kim Dae-jung by telephone and confirmed their agreement to strengthen Japanese-ROK policy coordination.
“Japanese-US Talks on DPRK” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“Japanese-ROK Talks” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“US-Japan Talks” (Daily Report, July 31, US) |
2. Japanese-Korean Exchanges
A group of Japanese visitors will likely visit Mount Kumgang in late August at the invitation of DPRK leader Kim Jong-il aims to explore the possibility of tourism-related investment in the DPRK. A group of pro-DPRK Korean residents of Japan plans to send a delegation of elderly Korean-Japanese to visit the ROK.
“Japanese-DPRK Relations” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“Pro-DPRK Residents’ Visit to ROK” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“Pro-DPRK Groups in Japan” (Daily Report, August 2, ROK) |
3. Japan-PRC Relations
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono will visit the PRC in late August to help prepare for PRC Premier Zhu Rongji’s planned visit to Japan in the fall. Kono met with his PRC counterpart Tang Jiaxuan and urged the PRC to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date. The two also discussed alleged incursions of PRC spy ships into Japanese waters.
“Japanese-PRC Relations” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“Japanese-PRC Talks on CTBT” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“PRC Naval Activities” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan)
“PRC-Japanese Relations” (Daily Report, August 4, PRC) |
4. Japan-Russia Relations
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori reaffirmed Japanese policy to conclude a peace treaty with Russia after solving the territorial issue at the upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.
“Japanese-Russian Territorial Issue” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan) |
5. Japanese View of Missile Defense
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori expressed his understanding of the US argument for national missile defense.
“Japanese Stance on US Missile Defense” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan) |
6. Japanese Nuclear Policy
Newly declassified US official documents show that then Defense Agency Director General Yasuhiro Nakasone made a statement during his visit to the US in September, 1970, supporting US carriage of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory during times of contingencies.
“US Nuclear Carriage into Japan” (Daily Report, August 4, Japan) |
7. Japanese Security Policy
Arms Control Today carried an essay by Michael J. Green and Katsuhisa Furukawa in which they argue that Japan seeks to play a larger international role in political and security affairs.
“Japanese Security Policy” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26)
“Why Tokyo Will Be A Larger Player In Asia” (Special Report, July 31) |
Russia
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1. Russian Security Policy
Recent conflict within the Russian military between conventional forces and the strategic nuclear forces highlight conflict over the future direction of Russian security policy. Russian President Vladimir Putin may wish to replace his defense minister with a civilian closer to him.
“Russian Security Policy” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26) |
2. Russian Nuclear Arsenal
The Center for Policy Studies in Russia argued that reform of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces should be based only on comprehensive analysis of the current role of nuclear weapons, on trends, on specific and potential security threats, and on the ability to employ nuclear weapons to solve the national security problems. This report should be considered within the context of the ongoing conflict inside the Russian military.
“Russian Nuclear Forces” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26) |
South Asia
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1. Pakistani Admission to ARF
Pakistan was denied membership in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) because there was no consensus on the proposal. A senior official in the Indian Foreign Office said that India is not in favor of Pakistan joining ARF.
“ASEAN Regional Forum” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1 #29: Aug 3) |
2. Kashmir
The pro-Pakistan militant Hizbul Mujahideen announced a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir but said offensive operations against India would continue if India did not respond positively within a few days or if India insisted on holding talks only within the context of the constitution. India expressed cautious welcome at the ceasefire, stating it would watch the situation.
“Hizbul Mujahideen Ceasefire Offer” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1 #29: Aug 3)
“Responses to Ceasefire Offer” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1 #29: Aug 3)
“Commentary on the Ceasefire Offer” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1 #29: Aug 3) |
Missile Issues
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1. US Missile Defense
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer said that the Australian government would support the use of the joint Pine Gap electronic spy base in US tests of its proposed NMD system. US Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said that for NMD to protect all 50 states, it must rely on radar stations abroad, which means it cannot succeed unless the US persuades its allies in NATO and elsewhere to drop their opposition.
“Australian Participation in Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26)
“NATO Participation in Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26) |
2. PRC View of Missile Defense
PRC Foreign Minster Tang Jiaxuan said that US missile defense “will inevitably support a new round of arms race and will compromise international peace and stability.” Republican congressional aide Peter Brookes said that the US was disingenuous in insisting that “rogue” states posed the primary threat to the US, and that the US should admit the link between PRC military modernization and the need for NMD. The PRC Foreign Ministry published the text of the joint statement signed by the PRC and Russia criticizing the US NMD program.
“US Missile Defense” (Daily Report, July 31, US)
“PRC View of US Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26)
“Russian View of US Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V.2 #26)
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