Korea
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1. DPRK Missile Program
The Washington Times reported that the DPRK conducted an engine test of its long-range missile last week. US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher declined to comment directly on the report, but said that the US expects the DPRK to abide by its moratorium on flight tests.
“DPRK Missile Program” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 5, US)
“DPRK Missile Developments” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 3, US)
“DPRK Missile Test” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 5, ROK) |
2. Inter-Korean Talks
ROK President Kim Dae-jung said on July 4 that the deadlocked dialogue between the DPRK and the ROK will resume sooner or later. Kim was also quoted as saying that inter-Korean dialogue will resume as soon as the ROK and the DPRK settle a dispute over the Mount Kumgang tourism business.
“Inter-Korean Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 6, ROK) |
3. US Policy toward DPRK
The New York Times reported that although the US Bush administration has now agreed to reopen talks with the DPRK, it has set demands far broader than those pressed by former US President Bill Clinton. The two sides have yet to set a date for high-level talks and Bush administration aides have told the ROK that the chances of the DPRK agreeing to all of its demands are low. The basic position of the Bush administration, worked out after an intensive review, is that an accord that focuses on missiles is no longer sufficient, and that only a comprehensive program to limit the DPRK’s military potential can serve as a foundation for improved relations. The Bush administration does not appear to have increased the benefits it is prepared to provide the DPRK, and may even be offering less.
“US Policy toward DPRK” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 3, US)
US President George W. Bush authorized the release of US$20 million for fuel deliveries to the DPRK under the Agreed Framework.
“Implementation of Agreed Framework” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 6, US) |
4. DPRK Refugees
The DPRK accused the ROK on June 30 of granting a family from the DPRK asylum in order to derail reconciliation on the peninsula. The DPRK said that the ROK had encouraged the family to enter the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Beijing and to request asylum in the ROK. The spokesman warned that tension on the peninsula could increase and dismissed fears expressed by the UNHCR that the family would face persecution if they returned to the DPRK.
“DPRK Refugees” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 2, US) |
5. DPRK-PRC Relations
The DPRK’s official media KCNA said that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il visited the PRC Embassy in Pyongyang to attend a July 1 evening party celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Kim, accompanied by top party and military officials, extended “warmest congratulations” to PRC leaders and lauded “proud achievements made by the CPC in leading the revolution and construction for the past 80 years.” PRC President Jiang Zemin sent a reply telegram to DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-il stressing that he believes in further strengthening of ties between the two nations as well as the two communist parties in the new era.
“DPRK-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 2, US)
“DPRK-PRC Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 6, US) |
6. DPRK-Cuba Relations
DPRK Vice Marshal Kim Yong-chun, chief of the general staff of the DPRK Korean People’s Army (KPA), praised Cuba’s attempts to counter the “vicious” US, following talks with senior Cuban military leaders in Pyongyang. The head of the Cuban delegation General Alvaro Lopez Miera, vice-minister for the armed forces and chief of the Cuban general staff, said that “the imperialists’ pressure and moves for aggression against Cuba and the DPRK are further escalating as the days go,” but the friendship between the two states was growing stronger. KCNA said that during earlier talks, the two emphasized their desire to strengthen relations between their armies.
“DPRK-Cuba Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 5, US) |
China
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1. US Intelligence on PRC
The Washington Times reported that a commission of outside experts has concluded that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reporting on the PRC is biased and slanted toward a benign view of the country. The conclusions of the commission, by retired Army General. John Tilelli, a former commander of US forces in Korea, are contained in a classified report.
“US Intelligence on PRC” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 6, US) |
2. Sino-US Relations
US President George Bush and PRC President Jiang Zemin spoke 20 minutes on the telephone Thursday to discuss bilateral issues including areas “of cooperation and disagreement.” Bush told Jiang that he was looking forward to his trip to the PRC in October and asked Jiang about two US scholars of Chinese origin arrested on espionage charges.
“Bush-Jiang Talks” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 6, US)
Navy spokeswoman Lieutenant Commander Cate Mueller announced that the US Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane stranded in Hainan Island would return to the US in pieces on July 5.
“US Spy Plane” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 5, US) |
3. Cross-Strait Relations
Wang Zaixi, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the PRC State Council, said on June 27 that the security of Taiwan and the stability of cross-strait ties rest in Taiwan’s acceptance of the one-China principle rather than in its huge stockpile of advanced weapons. He warned that any pro-independence move by Taiwan is set to bring serious consequences to relations between Taiwan and the mainland.
“Cross-Straits Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 3, PRC) |
4. EU Presence in Taiwan
The EU’s executive Commission announced plans on Wednesday to open new offices in Taiwan, Malaysiaand Singapore. However, EU officials denied that the move meant a change in Europe’s policy towards the PRC.
“EU-Taiwan Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 5, US) |
5. PRC-Indian Relations
Li Peng, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said Monday that the PRC was willing to work with India to further develop bilateral relations. Li said that building such a relationship would help maintain peace and stability in Asia and the world.
“PRC-Indian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 3, US)
Jim Hoagland argued in the Washington Post that the chances of serious conflict between India and China may now outrank antagonisms between China and Taiwan as a threat to global stability. Hoagland suggested that a re-weighting of US-Asia strategy in India’s favor is long overdue and is possible under the current administrations.
“PRC-Indian Relations” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 2, US) |
Japan
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1. Japanese Textbook Controversy
Japanese government sources said Thursday that the government was considering replying to the PRC and the ROK that Japan will not comply with their requests to revise a controversial textbook, instead telling them that the demands resulted mostly from a difference in historical view and the portions in question should not be revised further. The ROK and the PRC on Tuesday dismissed as insufficient Fuso Publishing Incorporated’s announcement on July 2 that it would revise nine parts of the textbook.
“Japanese History Textbook” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 6, US)
“Japanese History Textbook” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 3, US) |
2. PRC Views of Japan
The PRC’s World Affairs published a set of speeches centering on the questions of Japan’s changing tendencies economically, politically and socially since the 1990s. In the some authors’ views, the PRC is challenging the US, while others wrote that Japan is concerned about the possibility that the PRC could become its economic competitor.
“PRC Views of Japan” (NAPSNet Daily Report, July 3, PRC) |
South Asia
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1. India-Pakistan Summit
Pakistan President and Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf said that India was facing US pressure to negotiate with Pakistan, and that Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would not have invited him for talks without pressure by the international community. An Indian external affairs ministry spokeswoman, however, denied that there was any pressure.
“US Role in Summi” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27)
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said that the upcoming summit would “address the entire gamut of issues bedevilling India-Pakistan relations, including, obviously, the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, with a new vision and a strong sense of realism.” However, Pakistan officials said that differences remain over the agenda, with Pakistan wanting the summit to focus on Kashmir, while India wants confidence-building and trust-enhancing measures to be the centerpiece.
“Summit Meeting Agenda” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27)
“Summit Preparations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27)
An Indian foreign ministry spokeswoman on Thursday reaffirmed that the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) would not be involved in the summit between Pakistan and India. Yasin Malik, an APHC leader, accused Pakistan’s president of “ditching the Kashmiris when it matters most” and said there could be no results from a summit which excluded their representatives.
“Role of Kashmiri Groups” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27)
Twenty politicians out of 24 invited by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf attended an All Parties Conference to discuss the upcoming summit. Musharraf assured them that Kashmir would be the core issue and everything else would follow that.
“Domestic Views of Summit” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27)
US sources confirmed that US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman will visit Pakistan in the beginning of July to discuss the upcoming summit. Outgoing US Ambassador to Pakistan William Milam expressed hope that the summit would lead to the settlement of outstanding issues facing the two countries.
“Pakistan-US Talks on Summit” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
2. Pakistan Nuclear Program
Retired General Mirza Aslam Beg, former head of the Pakistan armed forces, said that Pakistan had concluded by 1989 that it had an adequate nuclear deterrent and did not need to increase it. He added that he believed Pakistan now had no more than 30 nuclear weapons.
“Pakistan Nuclear Program” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
3. US Ambassador to Pakistan
US Ambassador Designate to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlain told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that US-Pakistan relations need to be redefined to promote “greater engagement.” Chamberlain faced opposition from critics who claimed she did little to defend members of the Hmong minority while she served as US Ambassador to Laos.
“US Ambassador to Pakistan” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
4. US Sanctions
Pakistan Ambassador to the US Dr. Maleeha Lodhi said that sanctions continue to cast a shadow on Pakistan-US relations. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca said that democracy sanctions against Pakistan would remain in place until the US president was in a position to certify to Congress that a democratic process had been restored in the country.
“US Sanctions” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
5. US-Indian Relations
Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee’s principal secretary Brajesh Mishra held a series of official meetings with US Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Under Secretary of State Richard Armitage, and CIA chief George Tenet on the upcoming summit. The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry Shelton, is due to visit India for three days in the middle of this month, but it was unclear whether his visit would precede or follow the Pakistan-India summit.
“US-Indian Talks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27)
India and the US decided during a two-day meeting of an official-level joint working group to intensify their cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism through a regular exchange of information and an institutional mechanism. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) told Delhi police that Osama bin Laden has asked his groups to carry out attacks at US installations in India.
“US-Indian Relations” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
6. PRC-Indian Border Talks
Officials from India and the PRC began the ninth round of Expert Group consultations on the task of clarifying the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“PRC-Indian Border Talks” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
7. Kashmiri Ceasefire
Chief of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) Maulana Fazlur Rahman demanded that the Indian army and Kashmiri mujahideen declare a ceasefire ahead of the Pakistan-India dialogue on Kashmir. However, top Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Syed Salahuddin ruled out a ceasefire
“Kashmiri Ceasefire” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
8. Indian Position on Kashmir
Dawn quoted diplomatic sources as saying, “There is a strong policy interest in Delhi which is willing to accept a solution to Kashmir short of its absorption in the Indian Union.” However, spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry ruled out any compromise on the position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Union. The spokesperson also said that India had conveyed to Pakistan its opposition to any idea of a meeting between General Pervez Musharraf and the Hurriyat leadership during next month’s summit.
“Indian Position on Kashmir” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
9. Pakistani Views on Kashmir
Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf said that rivalry over Kashmir was the only significant obstacle to friendly ties with India, adding that with sincerity from both sides, the dispute could be resolved in less than a year. However, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, President of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, said that although the alliance favored peace between India and Pakistan, it did not expect any breakthrough on Kashmir issue since both governments had failed to create a conducive atmosphere for fruitful talks.
“Pakistani Views on Kashmir” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
10. US View on Kashmir Issue
The chairman of the US House of Representatives foreign relations committee, Henry Hyde, said that he hoped that the issue of Kashmir will one day be resolved on the basis of self-determination, which is the essence of democracy.
“US View on Kashmir Issue” (SANDNet Weekly Update, Vol. 2 #27) |
Nuclear Weapons
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1. US Nuclear Forces
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced that the 2002 budget proposal that will be presented to Congress will include a request to dismantle all US nuclear MX “Peacekeeper” missiles. Rumsfeld stated that he had been forced to decide the fate of the missiles before the results of a panel ordered to revisit the US nuclear force posture. Congress must approve the decision because of a law that prevents reducing the US nuclear forces below Start I levels.
“US Nuclear Forces” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
2. US Nuclear Testing
Following a recent study that concluded that the one to three years it takes to prepare a nuclear test could allow political opponents to block any resumption of nuclear testing, the Bush administration has asked US nuclear weapons scientists to examine ways that nuclear test explosions could be accomplished more quickly in case the government decides to end a moratorium on nuclear testing.
“US Nuclear Testing” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
3. Russian Missile Test
Russia carried out a test launch this week of its RS-18 intercontinental “Stiletto” ballistic missile. Russian military officials stated that the Stiletto’s multiple warhead capacity has a greater chance of overcoming an enemy’s defense system than more modern missile systems.
“Russian Missile Test” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26)
US Secretary of State Colin Powell downplayed threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to reintroduce multiple warheads to Russian ballistic missiles, saying that Russia will not do this once it realizes the economic costs and recognizes that the US missile shield would not be oriented at Russia.
“Russian Missile Test” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
Missile Defense
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1. US Statements
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld argued in the Wall Street Journal that the pace of technological change will leave the US vulnerable in many ways, including a growing threat from ballistic missiles. Rumsfeld argues that defenses built against these missiles will not be a threat to anyone, but “will require moving beyond the ABM Treaty.” He concludes that “missile defenses are just one element of a larger new framework for 21st-century deterrence.”
“US Statements” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
2. US Budget
A senior defense official briefed the media on the 2002 budget amendment proposed by the US Defense Department, which would raise overall Defense Department spending to US$329 billion. This amendment adds US$600 million for missile defense, bringing the total to US$7.5 billion.
“US Budget” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26)
Defense officials stated that the 2002 budget will include funds to begin building a set of five interceptor missiles at near Fairbanks, Alaska. Joseph Cirincione, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, called the idea that a test facility was needed a “transparent ploy” to conceal the administration’s interest in forcing an end to the ABM treaty and predicted that the proposal “will have a hard time getting through the Senate.” Missile defense officials, however, maintained that their latest plan is just one part of a broader effort to provide more frequent and realistic testing of antimissile systems.
“US Budget” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
3. UK Statements
A group of more than 170 British Ministers of Parliament have urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to challenge US President George Bush over his missile defense plans. Iain Duncan Smith, Tory leadership candidate, said that the House of Commons motion showed a revolt in the Labor ranks over NMD.
“UK Statements” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
4. Russian Statements
Russian General Leonid Ivashov, the head of the Defense Ministry’s Department of International Cooperation, said that Russia was willing “to sit down at the negotiating table for consultations with NATO and the United States, assess the world situation, and we are ready to discuss missile threats.” However, he said, Russia will insist on sticking to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty that bans nationwide missile defense.
“Russian Statements” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
5. Japanese Perspective
Michael Swaine and Rachel Swanger of the RAND Corporation and Takashi Kawakami of the Japan National Institute for Defense Studies co-authored a RAND report examining the factor’s affecting Japan’s approach to ballistic missile defense. The report explores the benefits and potential problems of deploying a BMD system in Japan.
“Japanese Perspective” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
Proliferation
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1. US Sanctions
US State Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman said that the US has imposed sanctions against two PRC and DPRK companies for helping Iran in violation of international non-proliferation treaties. She would not specify which international pact was at issue or give details of the alleged transfer, but Congressional aides are reported to have said they believed the violations fell under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
“US Sanctions” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26) |
Security
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1. US Nuclear Force Posture
Several US Congressmen issued a press release announcing their introduction to Congress of the Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 2001. The act seeks to repeal a current law preventing the US from reducing its nuclear arsenal below START I levels, remove nuclear weapons from high-alert status, and increase funding for programs designed to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons or their expertise from Russia.
“US Nuclear Force Posture” (NPP Weekly FLASH, V.3 #26)
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