Koreas
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1. Mount Kumgang Talks
The ROK proposed to the DPRK Thursday that a road across the Demilitarized Zone into Mount Kumgang be opened by the end of the year. The ROK also urged the DPRK to honor its earlier promise to designate the Mount Kumgang resort as a special tourism zone where ROK businesses could operate freely.
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US)
The ROK and the DPRK began three days of negotiations Wednesday at Mount Kumgang. The first agenda item is reactivation of the stalled Mount Kumgang tourism project, including the establishment of an overland route to the DPRK.
“ROK-DPRK Mount Kumkang Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC)
“Inter-Korean Tourism Project” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US) |
2. ROK Policy toward the DPRK
ROK President Kim Dae-jung said Friday that his government will continue its “sunshine” policy toward the DPRK. He added that inter-Korean tension would further ease if a cross-border railway is built as scheduled, but he said that unification is not the immediate goal.
“ROK Policy toward the DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US) |
3. DPRK Criticism of Regional US Anti-Terrorism Activity
The DPRK on Thursday criticized a US plan to deploy more fighter jets to the ROK to fill in for an aircraft carrier that has left the region.
“DPRK Response to US Fighter Deployments” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US) |
4. US-DPRK Relations
The DPRK’s Rodong Simnum quoted military sources on September 30 as saying that recently the US continuously conducted aerial espionage against the DPRK.
“US-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC) |
5. DPRK Defectors
Kim Hyong-deok in July became the first DPRK defector to work in the ROK National Assembly, working as secretary to a governing party legislator.
“DPRK Defectors” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US) |
6. Remains of US Soldiers from Korean War
The US Defense Department said Monday that remains believed to be those of 17 US soldiers missing in action from the Korean War would be flown to Yokota Air Base in Japan from the DPRK on Tuesday.
“Remains of US Soldiers from Korean War” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US)
ROK Counter-Terrorism |
7. US Military Presence in ROK
The ROK and the US issued a joint statement on October 2, saying that the two countries decided to strengthen the US Air Force in the ROK to make up for the deficiency in combat capability caused by the departure of a US aircraft carrier from the West Pacific for counter-terror military actions. A joint US-ROK statement released by the ROK Defense Ministry said that the US Air Force will deploy more fighters on the Korean Peninsula in order to make up for the redeployment of a US aircraft carrier from the western Pacific to an unidentified region.
“US Military Presence in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC)
“US Fighter Deployments in ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, ROK) |
8. ROK-Japan Talks
Kang Hyun-wook, chief policy-maker of the ROK’s ruling Millennium Democratic Party, said Thursday that the ROK has agreed to host a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi around October 15.
“ROK-Japan Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US) |
People’s Republic of China
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1. PRC Views of US Retaliation
A source close to the PRC’s People’s Liberation Army said on Thursday that senior military officers have alerted the Communist Party leadership to the dangers of the US gaining a foothold in Central Asia in the wake of the anti-terrorist campaign. However, the PRC leadership has asked the generals not to talk to the media about their views. The so-called Mainstream Faction among the PRC’s US observers believe that the September 11 attacks will force the administration of US President George W. Bush to abandon its “unilateralist” foreign policy.
“PRC Views of US Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US) |
2. US-PRC Summit
James Kelly, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will visit Beijing October 8-10 to discuss US President George W. Bush’s agenda for an October visit to Shanghai.
“US-PRC Summit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US) |
3. Cross-Strait Relations
Some Taiwanese academics view the September 11 attacks on the US highlight Taiwan’s vulnerability to non-conventional attacks from the PRC.
“Taiwanese Views of PRC Threat” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US)
Taiwanese Defense Ministry spokesman Huang Suey-sheng said Tuesday that Taiwan wants to buy four Kidd-class destroyers from the US.
“Taiwan Arms Purchases from US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US)
“Taiwan Military Purchases” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US) |
4. PRC on Terrorism
The PRC leadership sees an opportunity in the move against terrorism to improve overall relations with the US and other Western countries. Yan Xuetong, the director of Tsinghua University’s Institute of International Studies, said that the PRC’s support of US actions against terrorism are not surprising “because it is retaliation, not interference, and because the PRC shares concerns about terrorism.”
“PRC Counter-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US)
PRC Premier Zhu Rongji said that terrorism was a “serious global scourge” and vowed that the government would make “staunch and unremitting efforts” together with other countries to ensure peace. State television reported that Jiang made a similar pledge in a phone conversation with Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf, but stressed that any action against those behind the attacks on the US must be based on sufficient evidence, have a specific target and adhere to principles outlined by the UN.
“PRC National Day” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US)
“PRC-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC)
PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mahmoud Moussa affirmed their anti-terrorism stance in a phone call on October 2. Tang reiterated the PRC’s basic position on anti-terrorism and pointed out that international cooperation should be strengthened in combating terrorism.
“PRC Stance on Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC) |
5. PRC Detention of US Citizen
The PRC released Wu Jianmin, a Chinese-born US citizen who wrote often about PRC politics.
“PRC Detention of US Citizen” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US) |
6. PRC-Afghanistan Relations
The PRC Foreign Ministry said on October 1 that the PRC government will provide 1 million yuan (US$120,000) worth of aid to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for the proper settlement of Afghan refugees. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said that the report on the PRC’s acquisition from the Taliban of Afghanistan cruise missiles left by the US during its attacks on the Taliban is groundless and concocted out of ulterior motives.
“PRC-Afghanistan Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC) |
7. PRC-Japanese Relations
Twenty-one Chinese survivors of World War II Japanese labor camps have received compensation from a foundation in Beijing.
“PRC-Japanese Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC) |
8. PRC-Russian Relations
PRC Assistant Foreign minister Liu Guchang held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov in Moscow on September 28, discussing the international situation, especially developments in Afghanistan and its neighboring states. Both sides agreed that terrorism, regardless of its form, poses a serious threat and challenge to global peace and security, and that the international community should take firm and decisive measures to fight against this evil.
“PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, PRC) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Participation in US Retaliation
An unnamed Japanese foreign ministry official said that Japan’s cabinet will pass a series of resolutions and draft bills to allow Japan’s Self Defence Force (SDF) to provide medical and logistic support to US forces in a possible strike on terrorists in Afghanistan.
“Japanese Participation in US Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US)
Japanese Support for US Retaliation
Japanese opposition leaders warned Monday that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s plans to authorize support for a US- led campaign against terrorism could violate the constitution.
“Japanese Support for US Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US)
US defense officials said that the USS Kitty Hawk was dispatched from its homeport in Japan Monday toward the Arabian Sea without its full fleet of planes. The officials said that the Kitty Hawk would be available for use by US special operations forces or by Navy aircraft other than its own.
“US Naval Deployments” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, US)
“Japan’s Involvement in Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, Russia)
“US Naval Movements from Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, Japan)
Defense-related panels within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) approved two draft bills Wednesday that would allow Japan to provide noncombat support for any US retaliation over the September 11 attacks and protect US bases in Japan. The ruling coalition has appeased New Komeito by agreeing to limit the effective period of the legislation which allows Self Defense Force (SDF) provide logistical support for US to two years.
“Japanese Logistical Support for US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, Japan)
Japan plans to join the fight against terrorism by sharing intelligence with the US and cutting off funds to terrorist organizations. Japan has reportedly used its Middle East and Central Asia connections to get information that might help the US effort.
“Japanese Intelligence Sharing with US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
2. Japanese Public Opinion on Retaliation
In a nationwide survey by the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper of some 1,800 voters, 82.8 percent supported Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s cabinet. Sixty-six percent of the respondents said that they would support possible US military retaliation against the recent attacks. Nearly fifty percent said that they would not object to changing the interpretation, if necessary, of the constitution so that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces could fully back US-led forces fighting a war on terrorism.
“Japanese Public Opinion on Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US)
“Japanese Public Opinion on Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
3. Japanese Aid to Afghanistan
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday that the US is looking toward Japan for financial assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan following the ouster of the ruling Taliban.
“Japanese Aid to Afghanistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US)
“Japanese Role in Humanitarian Aid” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, Japan) |
4. Asian Views of Japanese Role in US Military Action
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper, in a commentary carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), on Tuesday criticized Japanese proposals to allow its military to provide logistical support for the US. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday denied that a plan to dispatch Japanese troops to participate US retaliation would destabilize Asia.
“Japanese Participation in US Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US)
The latest Japanese proposal to extend the role of the Self-Defense Forces has hardly generated any criticism at all in the PRC, the ROK, and Taiwan, and even the DPRK toned down its rhetoric. Some observers said that Japan’s efforts to explain that the plan does not violate its constitution have placated its neighbors.
“Asian Views of Japanese Role” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan)
Many analysts in Taiwan consider Japan a natural ally in any confrontation with the PRC, and any easing of Japan’s restrictions on its military would raise hopes that Japan might in the future be ready to defend its interests in Taiwan.
“Taiwanese View of Japanese Role” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan)
Security experts in Pakistan were encouraged by Japan’s push for a larger role in the Afghanistan crisis, but they cautioned that the specific issue of counter-terrorism should be integrated into wider regional security concerns. Japanese Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani on Tuesday denied that Marine Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) vessels would join the USS Kitty Hawk battle group in the Indian Ocean for expected US-led military retaliation.
“Pakistani View of Japanese Role” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
5. Japanese Anti-Terrorism Measures
A spokesman for Koken Limited said on Wednesday that it would start selling gas masks capable of protecting people from chemical or biological weapons. Experts said that Japanese cities remain as vulnerable to terrorist attacks as they were at the time of the gassing of the Tokyo subway in 1995.
“Japanese Anti-Terrorism Measures” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US) |
6. Japanese Policy toward Saudi Arabia and Iran
Former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura on Sunday left for Saudi Arabia and Iran as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s special envoy to call for international cooperation against terrorism.
“Japanese Policy toward Saudi Arabia and Iran” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, Japan) |
7. Japanese Role in Pakistan
The Kyodo news agency said that a government advance team arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to lay the groundwork for the dispatch of SDF aircraft to transport relief supplies to refugees entering the country from Afghanistan.
“Japanese Role in Pakistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, Japan) |
8. Japanese role in Middle East and Afghanistan
Japan will send two senior envoys to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt next week in an attempt to use its influence in the Middle East to help bring key countries into the US-led coalition against terrorism. Japan hopes to persuade Iran not to impede the coalition’s efforts in Afghanistan
“Japanese role in Middle East and Afghanistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
9. Japanese Nuclear Security
Japanese Coast Guard spokesman Yoichi Toda said Tuesday that the Japanese coast guard has started 24-hour patrols of nuclear reactors to prevent terrorist attacks.
“Japanese Nuclear Security” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US) |
10. US-Japan Talks
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will meet US President George W. Bush on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Shanghai on October 20 and 21.
“US-Japan Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US)
The White House announced Tuesday that US President George W. Bush has postponed his visit to Japan, originally planned for October 16-18.
“George W. Bush’s Japan Visit” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
11. Japanese Chemical Weapons in PRC
According to an analysis of declassified US Army documents and other contemporary US Occupation Forces documents, Japan has yet to clean up the chemical weapons left by the former Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, although Japan signed the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
“Japanese Chemical Weapons in PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
12. Japanese Policy toward PRC and ROK
Officials said that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will speak with his PRC and ROK counterparts in their respective countries next week regarding his visit to Yasukuni- shurine.
“Japanese Policy toward PRC and ROK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, Japan) |
13. Japanese Textbooks
ROK officials said Wednesday that the ROK and Japan have agreed to launch a joint committee involving senior government officials of the two countries in order to address concerns about Japan’s authorization of middle school history textbooks. Japanese officials said Wednesday that the same group of scholars who wrote a controversial junior high school textbook now plan to write books for elementary and high school students.
“Japanese Textbook Issue” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, ROK)
“Japanese Textbooks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US) |
14. Salvage of Ehime Maru
The US Navy will begin raising Ehime Maru as early as October 12, navy officials said Saturday. The search for those lost in collision will take place during or after the middle of October.
“Salvage of Ehime Maru” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 1, Japan) |
Regional Security Issues
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1. US Military Policy in Asia
The US Defense Department sent to Congress the Quadrennial Defense Review on Monday, which called for increased “homeland defense” and an expansion of US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Without being specific, the report stressed that “additional access” would be sought for US military forces in Asia at the same time that the US “will maintain its critical bases in Western Europe and Northeast Asia.”
“US Military Policy in Asia” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, US) |
2. Philippine Participation in US Retaliation
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday offered the US intelligence, logistical help and the use of Philippine air space to the US retaliation for the September 11 attacks.
“Philippine Participation in US Retaliation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 4, US) |
Russian Federation
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1. RF-PRC Military Cooperation
Experts of “Almaz” [“Diamond”] Scientific- Industrial Society Ltd. carried out a deep modernization of S-300 air-defense missile complexes and fire control systems. PRC military experts got interested in that and made a proposal to RF experts to increase the combat capabilities of the previously bought S-300PMU1 complexes and their 83M6E command sites.
“RF-PRC Military Cooperation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, Russia) |
2. RF-PRC Relations
An article by Aleksandr Sharavin, Director, Institute of Political and Strategic Analysis, disputes some previously published articles by other authors. He argued that all of them foresee only two possible types of war that the RF might face in the future, namely a Chechnya-type of conflict and a NATO aggression similar to the action against Yugoslavia in 1999. While both cannot be totally ruled out, Sharavin claimed, analysts ignore “a real prospect” of a conflict with the PRC and such a war will be more frightening than the one in 1941.
“RF-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, Russia) |
3. Moslems in PRC, Japan and RF
The Nezavisimaya Gazeta published a full-page article of systematized information on Moslems and their organizations and activities in non- Islamic countries including the US, Germany, France and some other European countries, as well as the RF, the PRC and Japan.
“Moslems in PRC, Japan and RF” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 3, Russia)
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