Koreas
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1. Inter-Korean Talks
The DPRK notified the ROK that it would suspend the meeting until the ROK accepts the DPRK’s request to hold the sixth inter-Korean meeting in its resort mountain of Kumgang. The ROK made a compromise proposal to the DPRK saying the two sides could hold ministerial talks, scheduled for October 28-31, at Mount Myohyang, but was rebuffed by the DPRK who said the ROK had “no reason to object” to its plan for Mount Kumgang.
” Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, ROK)
” Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)
” ROK-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, PRC)
” Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, ROK)
” Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
” Inter-Korean Talk” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, ROK)
” DPRK Blames ROK for the Stalled Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK) |
2. DPRK-US Talks
The DPRK flatly rejected US President George W. Bush ‘s call for renewed talks and told him on Friday he would “pay dearly” for remarks he made about the country and its leader Kim Jong-il. It also said that the US government must soften its stance and resume a stance similar to that of the Clinton administration before talks between the two nations can resume.
” DPRK-US Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, US)
” DPRK-US Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US)
” DPRK Refutes Bush’s Remark” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, ROK) |
3. US-DPRK Relations
US ambassador to the ROK Thomas Hubbard said on October 23 that the US is ready to welcome the DPRK if it contributes to the international coalition against terrorism.
” US-DPRK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, ROK) |
4. DPRK Military Expansion
The DPRK said on October 21 that it needs to bolster its military to counter a US plan to deploy more fighter jets to the ROK.
” DPRK Military Expansion” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
“UN Aid to DPRK Debated” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK) |
5. DPRK Food Shortage
An ROK official said on October 20 that DPRK’s grain harvest for 2001 is expected to be around average, but the DPRK will again face a 1 million ton food shortage next year.
” DPRK Food Shortage” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK) |
6. Support for ROK Policy toward DPRK
ROK President Kim Dae-jung obtained support on October 19 from the leaders of the US, the PRC and Russia for his engagement policy toward the DPRK.
” ROK Gets Major Powers’ Support for its Policy toward DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK) |
7. DPRK-EU Talk
An ROK Foreign Ministry official said on October 22 that officials from the DPRK and the European Union will hold talks on security, human rights and other bilateral issues in Pyongyang from October 27-30.
” DPRK-EU Talk” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, ROK) |
8. APEC and DPRK
PRC President Jiang Zemin said on October 21 that the DPRK would be welcome to take part in some of the work of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum if it wanted to.
” APEC and DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US) |
People’s Republic of China
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1. Sino-US Relations
Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with US President George W. Bush in Shanghai on October 19. The two presidents had an in- depth exchange of views on Sino-US relations, anti-terrorism, maintenance of world peace and stability and other major issues. The talks were constructive and fruitful.
” PRC-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, PRC) |
2. US-PRC Spy Plane Incident
The PRC said on Thursday its dispute with the US over compensation for an April collision between a US spy plane and a PRC fighter jet was not over. A US official had said on October 23 he thought the spy plane incident appeared to have ended because the issue had not been brought up for the past three months.
” US-PRC Spy Plane Incident” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)
” US-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US) |
3. Commentary on PRC Foreign Policy
South China Morning Post published an opinion article by Zhang Tianguang, a senior engineer who studied American Studies which said that “most Chinese people” think the PRC decision to side with the US and its partners in the fight against international terrorism is the PRC’s wisest decision in a decade.
” Commentary on PRC Foreign Policy” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US) |
4. PRC Missile Purchases
The PRC denied on Tuesday its citizens had bought unexploded US cruise missiles from the Taliban after the US fired them into Afghanistan in 1998. The article quoted from Italian police recordings of a conversation between two men suspected of being veterans of the Afghan camps who said they were paid to study and remove unexploded missiles launched in retaliation for truck bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
” PRC Missile Purchases” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US) |
5. “One-China” Interpretations
Taiwan Premier Chang Chun-hsiung on October 23 reiterated Taiwan’s opposition to the PRC demand that it accept the “one China” principle, saying such a move would de-legitimize Taiwan’s status as the last bastion of the Republic of China.
” One-China” Interpretations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 24, US) |
6. Cross-Strait Relations
The PRC expressed its regret on October 19 over the decision by Taiwan not to send its representative to the APEC Leaders Meetings in Shanghai.
” Across-Taiwan Straits Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, PRC) |
7. Taiwan on Sino-US Relations
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said in an interview Friday that the PRC might use the US-led war on terrorism to advance long- standing plans to take over Taiwan, but the US has pledged to help protect the democratic island’s interests.
” Taiwan on Sino-US Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, US) |
8. No Anthrax Cases in PRC
Anthrax infection, which has stirred up public fears in the US, has thus far not been a problem in the PRC.
” No Anthrax Cases in PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, PRC) |
9. Sino-Russian Relations
PRC Vice-President Hu Jintao will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on October 27 at the start of a two-day visit. On October 22, Hu held talks in Beijing with Russian armed forces chief General Anatoly Kvashnin aimed at reinforcing Sino-Russian co-operation against terrorism.
” Sino-Russian Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, US)
PRC President Jiang Zemin and Russian President Vladimir Putin had an in-depth exchange of views and reached consensus on a wide range of important issues including further development of Sino- Russian relations in the new century, anti-terrorism, maintenance of world and regional peace and stability on October 20.
” PRC-Russian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 25, PRC) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Participation in the Peace Keeping Operations
Sources said that the Japanese government would dispatch Self- Defense Forces (SDF) to take part in the UN peacekeeping operations in East Timor.
” Japanese Participation in the Peace Keeping Operations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan)
“Japanese Participation in the Peace Keeping Operation” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan) |
2. Self-Defense Forces’ Weapons Use
According to the Japanese Defense Agency director-general Gen Nakatani, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) members sent abroad to support the US-led fight against terrorism will be permitted to use shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons.
” Self-Defense Forces’ Weapons Use” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan) |
3. Revision of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law
Defense research projects including war simulations will fall under the category of national secrets, according to a bill aimed at imprisoning those who leak such information.
” Revision of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan) |
4. Measures against Terrorism
There will be a bill submitted to the Diet later this month making it a crime to use any type of nuclear fuel substance or nuclear waste in a way that endangers people. The government is also hoping to mandate life imprisonment as the maximum penalty for the use of biological weapons under its proposed legislation to ratify the UN convention on terrorist attacks.
” Measure against Nuclear-terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan)
“Measure against Bio-terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan) |
5. Japan-ROK Relations
The ROK government on October 23 decided to lift countermeasures taken against Japanese history textbooks and the Japanese prime minister’s controversial visit to Yasukuni Shrine. The ROK also intends to resume consultations for the World Cup Soccer 2002 between the ministries in charge.
” Japan-ROK Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan)
” ROK-Japan Talk” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, ROK) |
6. Japan-PRC Disputes on History Textbook
PRC President Jiang Zemin did not directly address the issue of history and how it is viewed by the two nations in the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on October 21.
“Japan-PRC Disputes on History Textbook” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan) |
7. US-Japanese Talks
Following bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on October 20 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, US President George W. Bush said the US “has no stronger friend in the fight against terror than the Prime Minister of Japan.”
” US-Japanese Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US) |
7. Fishery disputes around the Northern Territories
ROK President Kim Dae Jung demanded that Russia President Vladimir Putin maintain ROK fishermen’s vested benefits. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in the meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that their nations should work to resolve their long-running territorial dispute over four Russian-held islands north of Japan through two separate talks.
“Fishery disputes around the Northern Territories” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan)
“Northern Territories Dispute” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan) |
8. Japanese Sanctions Against India and Pakistan
Japan lifted economic sanctions against India and Pakistan on Friday. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said the government hopes the change will help ensure that Pakistan is not engulfed by domestic problems as it supports US-led action in Afghanistan.
” Japanese Sanctions Against India and Pakistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, US)
” Japanese Sanctions Against Pakistan and India” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 23, US)
“Japan’s view to Sanctions on Pakistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, Japan) |
9. Detained Japanese Man in the Afghanistan
Military sources in Pakistan made clear on October 22 that the Taliban regime is detaining a Japanese photographer suspected of illegally entering Afghanistan. There was no independent confirmation of the report.
“Detained Japanese Man in the Afghanistan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan) |
Regional Issues
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1. APEC on Terrorism
Pacific Rim leaders concluded the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) on October 21 with a statement “unequivocally” condemning the September 11 attacks against the US as “murderous deeds” and denouncing terrorism “in all forms and manifestations.” However, their discussions yielded no concrete proposals.
” APEC on Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, US)
” APEC Forum” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 22, ROK) |
2. ASEAN Reaction to Anti-Terrorism
The coming ASEAN meeting to be held next month will announce anti-terrorism measures to strengthen the co-operations against terrorism in Southeast Asia.
“ASEAN Reaction to Anti-Terrorism” (NAPSNet Daily Report, October 26, Japan) |
Nuclear Issues
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1. Pakistan Nuclear Safety
General Musharraf reiterated that Pakistan will not let any country pressure it to change its nuclear weapons policy.
“Pakistan Nuclear Safety” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
2. India Nuclear Safety
India strongly rejected a Washington Post report that India might – under certain conditions – launch a preemptive strike against Pakistan’s nuclear sites. Meanwhile, the Indian Minister for State, Omar Abdullah, raised concerns about Pakistan’s first use of nuclear weapons against India.
“India Nuclear Safety” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
3. China and Pakistan
The PRC reportedly has refused a US request for a list of missile parts and missile-making technology that Beijing would stop exporting to Pakistan.
“China and Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
Afghanistan War and Implications
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1. Afghanistan: Current Situation
Reports in Pakistani newspapers suggest that the Taliban has shown greater cohesion and resistance than some observers expected.
“Afghanistan: Current Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
2. Afghanistan: Future Prospect
The Pakistani government once again supported the idea that any future government in Kabul should be broad based.
“Afghanistan: Future Prospect” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
3. Pakistan
President Pervez Musharraf wants the US to end its war before the start of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, which begins by mid-November. The influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan continues despite the closure of the border between the two countries.
“Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
4. India
India says that a friendly, stable government in Kabul is critical to its security.
“India” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
5. Regional Issues
Military contingents from Turkey and Bangladesh could be leading a future international peace-keeping force, according to “informed sources” in India. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the present Taliban regime can have no role to play in a post-Taliban government.
“Regional Issues” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
6. U.S. Role
US Secretary of State Colin Powell played down the notion of a massive reconstruction program on the order of the Marshall Plan for Afghanistan. Northern Alliance leaders suggested that they will keep their troops outside Kabul only if the United States ensures that “other groups” do the same
“U.S. Role” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
7. General Assessments
Ayaz Amir considers the ramifications if the U.S.-led war fails to dislodge Taliban from Kabul. Debate in the Islamic world between modernism and revivalism has become distorted in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Defense experts reportedly suggested that the US war against global terrorism threatens to trigger a new arms race in the Middle East and Asia.
“General Assessments” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
Pakistan
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1. Pakistan Domestic Situation
Numerous reports note the increasing tension between religious political parties and President Pervez Musharraf’s government.
“Pakistan Domestic Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
2. Pakistan-India Relations
India and Pakistan have exchanged hostile comments.
“Pakistan-India Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
3. Pakistan-US Relations
Various reports describe the U.S. economic support package for Pakistan.
“Pakistan-US Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
India
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1. India Domestic Situation
George Fernandes, after being forced to resign as a result of a corruption scandal, has returned as India’s Defense Secretary. The Union Cabinet approved the promulgation of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, 2001.
“India Domestic Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
2. India-Pakistan Relations
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told a news conference that he “feels as if there is no point in talking to Pakistan”. He also described Pakistan as an “untrustworthy neighbor” at a gathering of Sikh community.
“India-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
3. India-US Relations
An Indian foreign ministry spokesperson ruled out the need for assistance from the United States in solving the Kashmir issue.
“India-US Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
4. India-Russia Relations
India and Russia have discussed a deal for India to lease four supersonic reconnaissance aircraft under a contract that may be signed next month.
“India-Russia Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
Kashmir
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1. Internal Situation
Reports on continuing violence in Jummu and Kashmir.
“Internal Situation” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41) |
2. India and Pakistan
Pakistan does not want the U.S. to equate the violence in Kashmir with terrorism. Indian Home Minister LK Advani and Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes issued tough statements on Kashmir.
“India and Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #41)
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