Korea
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1. Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks
Inter-Korean minister talks opened Friday with the two countries showing a sharp divide over the ROK anti-terror security measures. The DPRK opened talks blaming the ROK for the stalemate. According to ROK media reports, ROK Unification Minister Hong Soon-young, head of a five-member delegation to the inter-Korean talks in Mount Kumgang, urged the DPRK on Friday to revive stalled exchanges, including programs to help reunite separated families. Reports said Hong also proposed resuming suspended economic and tourism talks.
“Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, US)
“Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, ROK)
“ROK Arrives for Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US)
“Inter-Korean Talks Resume” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, US) |
2. DPRK Missile Sales
An unnamed Bush administration official said the DPRK is trying to sell missiles to three or four countries in Asia and the Middle East. The official refused to identify the countries but said that they are concentrated in an area west of the PRC to the Mediterranean Sea. There was no confirmation, but the DPRK and Egypt were said to have reached final agreement on a missile sale.
“DPRK Missile Sales” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, US) |
3. DPRK Commitment Against Terrorism
US ambassador to ROK Thomas Hubbard, on November 8, welcomed DPRK’s recent decision to join a UN treaty to block the financing of terrorist organizations and urged the DPRK to do more to contribute to global efforts against terrorism. However, the US State Department did not say if this would help remove the DPRK from the US black-list of states sponsoring terrorism.
“US Welcomes DPRK’s Commitment Against Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, ROK)
“US Reaction to DPRK Support of Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US)
“DPRK Will Sign Anti-Terror Convention” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, US)
“DPRK and Anti-Terrorist Campaign” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, RF) |
4. US Policy on DPRK
Charles L. Pritchard said during his confirmation hearing as US special envoy to the DPRK before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on November 6 that Bush had directed his national security team to undertake serious discussions with the DPRK on a broad agenda which include: improved implementation of the Agreed Framework relating to the DPRK’s nuclear activities; verifiable constraints on the DPRK missile programs and a ban on its missile exports; and a less threatening conventional military posture.
“US Policy on DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, US) |
5. DPRK on Japan’s SDF Changes
The DPRK on November 4 criticized Japan’s legislation of a new law that allows its troops to be sent overseas, calling it a dangerous step forward for overseas aggression.
“DPRK on Japan’s SDF Changes” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, US) |
6. DPRK Food Aid
David Morton, representative of the UN World Food Program in the DPRK, warned on November 3 that the DPRK will run short of food by January. He also said that the agency will ask foreign donors for 610,000 tons of grain to get the country through the winter.
“DPRK Famine” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, US)
The Mainichi Shimbun, a Japanese daily, reported on November 7 that the Japanese government decided to delay its humanitarian aid shipment of rice to the DPRK this year.
“Japan’s Aid to DPRK Put Off” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, ROK) |
7. DPRK Leader Middle East Trip Cancellation
DPRK’s number two leader, Kim Yong Nam, canceled a planned visit to countries in the Middle East in October, apparently due to the uncertain situation after the US-led military retaliation against Afghanistan.
“DPRK Leader Cancels Trip to Middle East” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, US)
“DPRK Official’s Trip to Middle East Canceled” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, ROK) |
8. DPRK Economic Policy
The Josun Sinbo, a monthly newspaper issued by a pro-DPRK group in Japan, said DPRK leader Kim Jong-il who has repeatedly highlighted the importance of ‘profit-oriented’ economic management since last year wrapped up the so-called era of the Arduous March.
“DPRK Economic Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, ROK) |
9. No Linkage with Terror Ring
ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Dong-shin said on November 6 that he has received no evidence linking the DPRK and Osama Bin Laden.
“No Linkage Found with Terror Rink” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, ROK) |
10. DPRK Shake-up
DPRK leader Kim Jong-il is showing an overall change in his ruling style. One of the vibrant activities Kim conducted since early this year was his field inspection that covered not only various military bases but to factories, farm sites and many other economy-related sectors nationwide.
“DPRK Shake-up” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, ROK) |
11. Red Cross Meeting
The Red Cross Representatives of the DPRK and the ROK are expected to join once again in the 13th International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) meeting slated for November 7 in Switzerland.
“Red Cross Meeting” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, ROK) |
12. ROK President Head of Party Resignation
ROK President Kim Dae-jung stepped down as head of his political party Thursday, trying to mend relations inside the ruling camp following an election defeat. Kim said he will remain as an ordinary party member but would rather focus on state affairs such as the economy and reconciliation with the DPRK.
“ROK President Resigns as Head of Party” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US) |
13. ROK-US Joint Military Exercises
The ROK-US Combined Forces Command said on November 6 that ROK and US militaries have decided to put off their joint military exercise, code-named “Foal Eagle,” to next spring. It was supposed to start late last month. ROK officials on November 7 denied that the cancellation of a massive ROK-US joint military exercise scheduled for this month was a gesture to avoid provoking the DPRK ahead of key bilateral talks.
“ROK-US Joint Military Exercises” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US)
“Joint ROK-US Military Exercises Delayed” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, US)
“ROK-US Military Exercises” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, US) |
14. ROK-US Terrorism Talks
The ROK on Wednesday underscored ROK support for US efforts to eradicate terrorism. The two countries also promised to boost anti-terrorism policy co-ordination and work together at engaging the DPRK.
“ROK-US Terrorism Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, US) |
15. US Likely to Request ROK for Troops
A high-ranking source said on November 6 that USFK officials had indirectly mentioned the possibility of the ROK sending a Special Warfare Unit to join US, UK, Australian and Turkish special forces in Afghanistan. The source said that no official request had been made, but that given the US government’s restraint in requesting countries for combat troops, indirect comments could be interpreted to mean it wants the offer to be made, so the ROK is looking into the matter.
“US Likely to Request ROK for Troops” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, ROK) |
16. ROK-PRC Talks
ROK President Kim Dae-jung while attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei held talks with PRC Premier Zhu Rongji on Tuesday. They discussed bilateral ties and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
“ROK-PRC Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, ROK) |
17. ROK-ASEAN Leaders Talks
Leaders of Southeast Asian nations reaffirmed their support on November 6 for ROK efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through reconciliation and cooperation with the DPRK.
“ROK-ASEAN Leaders Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, ROK) |
People’s Republic of China
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1. PRC View on Korean Peace
Jin Xide, a researcher with the Institute of Japanese Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wrote that following the historic summit meeting between DPRK President Kim Jong-il and ROK President Kim Dae-jung last June, more talks are expected to gradually replace the hostile confrontations between the two countries. On the other hand, Jin pointed out that the US is unwilling to see its prominence in Asia vanish and is striving to regain its dominant role in the area by laying obstacles to the reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula.
“PRC Scholar’s View on Korean Peace” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, PRC) |
2. PRC Missile Test
The Russian news agency Itar-Tass said on November 5 that the PRC has notified Russia that it will test-launch a new inter-continental ballistic missile in the first half of this month.
“PRC Missile Test” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, US) |
3. PRC Position on Anti-terrorism
The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress has ratified the PRC accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, and the State Council of China has also decided to sign the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism.
“PRC Position on Anti-terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, PRC)
“PRC Ratifies Anti-Terror Treaties” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US) |
4. Cross-Strait Relations
Taiwan eased limits on investing in the PRC on Wednesday, a historic move applauded by Taiwanese companies. However, the PRC will adopt a wait-and-see attitude towards Taiwan’s relaxation of restrictions on trade with the PRC, signaling a hint of suspicion over the true aim of the policy shift.
“Cross-Strait Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, PRC)
“Cross-Strait Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, US)
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelly, said the announcements by the US Defense Department over the past week of weapons sales to Taiwan totaling nearly US$340 million had no particular political importance to the US position on cross-strait relations
“US on Cross-Strait Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, US) |
5. PRC Destroyer in Hong Kong
The PRC guided-missile destroyer Shenzhen will dock in Victoria Harbour on November 10. It is believed to be the first major People’s Liberation Army (PLA) warship to visit Hong Kong and is expected to herald a major change in Hong Kong’s attitude towards the PLA.
“PRC Destroyer Visit to Hong Kong” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US) |
6. German Arms Sales to Taiwan
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, on a trip to boost business ties with the PRC, promised on November 2 not to sell military submarines to Taiwan. He said Germany has turned down such requests in the past.
“German Denies Arms Sales to Taiwan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, US) |
7. PRC Views on Changes to Japanese SDF Law
Approved legislation that has led to the authorization of Japan’s military giving support to the US-led war on terrorism is causing discomfort in the PRC. Feng Zhaokui, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that despite the pledge to contribute to anti-terrorism, the motivations “behind the scene” for passing the bill should not be neglected.
“DPRK, PRC Views on Japan’s New Law on Troop Deployment” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 9, PRC) |
8. PRC-Ukraine Defense Industrial Cooperation
The PRC defense industry mastered production of medium-range ship-based anti-aircraft missile complex armed with R-27 modernized air-to-air missile. Ukrainian specialists helped to provide the missile with start accelerator making its vertical launching possible.
“PRC-Ukraine Defense Industrial Cooperation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, RF) |
9. RF Media on PRC Everyday Life
A page-long special report on everyday social and cultural life in PRC concluded that it would be wrong to believe the PRC went down the strict path of either capitalism or socialism. The PRC’s path of development is socialism transformed under the influence of modern civilization combined with a traditional Oriental world-view.
“RF Media on PRC Everyday Life” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, RF) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Military Deployment
Tsutomu Himeno, deputy spokesman for Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, said Japan’s Cabinet voted November 8 to dispatch three warships from the southern port of Sasebo to provide non-combat support in the US-led war on terrorism.
“Japanese Military Deployment” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US)
“Japan’s participation in the Anti-Terrorist Campaign” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, RF) |
2. Japanese Logistical Support for US
US ambassador to Japan Howard Baker said on November 5 that he sees an active support role for the Maritime Self-Defense Forces in the US-led attacks on Afghanistan, but that constitutional constraints will limit the Ground Self-Defense Forces to more of a peacekeeping role.
“Japanese Logistical Support for US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, Japan)
Japanese government sources said on October 30 that officials are considering including the rescue of US personnel operating in the Arabian Sea in the basic action plan for supporting the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan.
Japanese government sources said on November 1 that the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) ships and aircraft will operate from the Arabian Sea and Hawaii in support of the US-led fight against terrorism. The basic plan will be completed in mid-November after further consultations with US.
“Japanese Logistic Support for US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, Japan) |
3. Opinion on the Logistic Support for US
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro criticized current Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for failing to clearly explain the legal grounds on which Japan should exercise its right to collective defense.
Japanese Communist Party chairman Tetuszo Fuwa said what is needed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US is not military action, but UN-centered action to bring the perpetrators to justice based on international law.
“Opinion on the Logistic Support for US” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, Japan) |
4. Japan’s Role in Peacekeeping Operations
The Japanese government and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on November 5 effectively gave up revising the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Law to ease the five principles for Japan’s participation in such efforts during the current Diet session.
“Revision of Peacekeeping Operations Law” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, Japan)
Japanese Defense Agency director-general Gen Nakatani told the head of Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces on November 6 to send some 700 service members to East Timor in March to assist with UN peacekeeping operations.
“Japanese Participation in Peacekeeping Operations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 7, Japan) |
5. Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction after Taliban Regime
Japanese Foreign Ministry officials are sounding out G-8 nations and other countries close to under-attack Afghanistan about a planned Tokyo conference aimed at establishing a post-Taliban administration. The Japanese government intends to officially announce conference details after the Taliban collapses.
“Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction after Taliban Regime” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, Japan) |
6. The Role of Japan in Pakistan
Japanese officials said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on November 3 praised the planned dispatch of the Self Defense Forces (SDF) to provide logistic support to the US-led military campaign against the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan.
“The Role of Japan in Pakistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 6, Japan) |
7. Japan-DPRK Relations
Japan’s foreign ministry wants to sanction fresh food aid to the DPRK but faces the obstacle of DPRK’s reluctance to talk about the suspected abduction of Japanese nationals. Japanese food aids to the DPRK had continued, however, some LDP politicians are dissatisfied with the DPRK’s uncooperative stance on investigation of Japanese nationals believed abducted by DPRK agents.
“Japan-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, Japan) |
8. Afghan Refugees in Japan
Japan has fueled protests from refugee support groups by sharply reducing the number of Afghans allowed into the country since the fall of 2000. The numbers of Afghan refugees has been on the rise since the launch of US-led attacks on Afghanistan early this month.
“Afghan Refugees in Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 5, Japan) |
9. Japan-PRC Trade Dispute
Shoji Yamano, a Japanese agriculture ministry official who attended the talks, said the PRC and Japan Thursday failed to resolve a trade dispute at the end of two days of talks in Tokyo.
“Japan-PRC Trade Dispute” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, US) |
10. Japan’s View on FTA Agreement
The PRC and ASEAN have agreed to negotiate a free-trade agreement that, if created, will be the largest such accord in terms of population and area covered. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi denied an agreement reached by the PRC and the ASEAN threatened Japanese position in the region.
“Japan’s View to FTA Agreement” (NAPSNet Daily Report, November 8, Japan) |
Nuclear Issues
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1. Pakistan: Nuclear Safety
The US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and General Richard Myers, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed different views on the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Chief military spokesman Major-General Rashid Qureshi refuted reports that Pakistan has shifted its nuclear weapons to the PRC.
Writing in the Asia Times, Mushahid Hussian, a Pakistani journalist, concurs with a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency that termed the possibility of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons as “the most unlikely scenario”.
“Pakistan: Nuclear Safety” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
2. Russia and India
Russia has agreed to help India build two nuclear power reactors. US President George W. Bush has accused Al-Qaeda of “seeking chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.”
“Related News” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
Afghanistan: War and Implications
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1. Afghanistan: Current Situation
The U.S. Air Force has intensified its bombing campaign against Taliban frontline positions in Northern Afghanistan. Afghan Islamic Press and Pakistani newspapers have reported Taliban and civilian causalities. A Pakistani reporter in Kandahar has noted that the city “remains quite normal here with no emergency situation in effect.” Reports from Kandahar have suggested that Arab fighters are controlling parts of the country and fighting major battles on the frontlines. On October 24th, the Taliban captured, and later executed, Commander Abdul Haq, a respected anti-Taliban Pashtun leader. According to a report in The Friday Times, Abdul Haq’s execution “has sent a shockwave and frightened everyone.”
“Afghanistan: Current Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
2. Afghanistan: Future Prospects
Afghanistan’s ousted president Burhanuddin Rabbani is scheduled to meet Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in Tajikistan. The two are expected to discuss the formation of a 120-member Supreme Council of National Unity of Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan: Future Prospects” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
3. Humanitarian Crisis
A survey conducted in Pakistan estimated that over 3 million Afghan refugees are now in Pakistan. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has estimated that some 65,000 displaced Afghans have entered the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan since September 11th. Nigel Fisher, Regional Director of UNICEF, has warned that as many as “100,000 children will die this winter inside Afghanistan if aid does not reach them in sufficient quantity in the next few weeks”.
“Humanitarian Crisis” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
4. Pakistan
Pakistan’s Chief military spokesman Major-General Rashid Qureshi stated that “there is no difference of opinion between the United States and Pakistan on the operation in Afghanistan.” The Pakistani press has reported that volunteers are crossing into Afghanistan to join the Taliban. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has denied reports that the government is secretly supplying arms to the Taliban militia in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
5. India
During his visit to Russia, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee discussed India’s role in post-Taliban Afghanistan with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“India” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
6. Regional Developments
Saudi Arabia has called for a halt in air strikes against Afghanistan during the month of Ramadan. A report in the Asia Times suggested that the Saudi pressure has “torn” Islamabad over whether or not to join in the call.
“Regional Developments” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
7. General Assessments
Palestinian intellectual Edward Said writes that it would be a mistake to treat the Palestinian question as “tangential to the altogether more urgent events in Central Asia”. Pepe Escobar argues that the US has fully stretched its global power and “when you reach Absolute Power, the only way is down.”
In an exclusive interview with Far Eastern Economic Review, the US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, noted that the Bush administration’s war on terrorism and missile defense plans are shaping a new security environment in Asia.
Writing in Asia Times, Francesco Sisci notes that “every expert on Islam and every analyst on what is happening in the Muslim world agrees that Osama bin Laden has gained the initial advantage in the propaganda struggle by arguing that this is a war against Islam.”
“General Assessments” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
Pakistan
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1. Pakistan Domestic Situation
Newspapers in Pakistan have reported continued protests against the government’s decision to align itself with the US. Several hundred thousand followers of the “Tableeghi Jamaat” (Group of Preachers) begged God’s forgiveness on Friday while keeping themselves strictly aloof from the bombings in Afghanistan or the protests on the streets of Pakistan.
“Pakistan Domestic Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
2. India-Pakistan Relations
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has denied Indian allegations about Pakistan’s military build-up along its border with India.
“India-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
3. US – Pakistan Relations
According to Pakistan’s defense spokesman, Pakistan and the U.S. have reached a “broad agreement” on defense purchases and exchanges. The spokesman, however, denied reports that Pakistan has given the U.S. a “defense shopping list”.
“US – Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
India
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1. India Foreign Policy
Writer C.K. Lal argues that it would be in India’s long-term interests to follow an independent foreign policy based on the Ghandian principles of “truth and non-violence”.
“India Foreign Policy” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45) |
Kashmir
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1. Internal Situation
Indian and Pakistani newspapers reported more violence in Kashmir.
“Internal Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #45)
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