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FBIS3-4716_0 | Article Analyzes Serbian Fighter Shootdown | Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Article by Yi Chin-ung] [Text] The Bosnian situation has entered a new phase because on 28 February Serbian and Croatian fighters attacked Muslin strongholds and U.S. Air Force planes under NATO command shot down Serbian fighters. The Serbian and Croatian bombings are considered to be a "sort of challenge" to the United Nations, which has declared the skies over Bosnia a no-fly zone. The bombings may result in the international community's intervention and the escalation of the civil war. Everything depends on how NATO and the United Nations, which have recently warned that they would bomb Serbian areas, will respond to the bombings. The skies over Bosnia has been declared a no-fly zone since last April: On 31 March, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution No. 816 declaring that no aircraft of the Serbian, Croatian, and Muslim groups, except for approved aircraft, can fly into the Bosnian airspace in an effort to prevent the civil war from spreading. According to this resolution, NATO daily conducted reconnaissance in the no-fly zone. There have been approximately 7,000 flights so far, approximately 20 flights a day. UN Security Council Resolution No. 816 says: "All Necessary measures can be taken against any aircraft illegally flying in the no-fly zone." This virtually means it is possible to shoot down such aircraft. The center of this reconnaissance mission code-named "Deny Flight" is the Vicenza U.S. Air Force base in northern Italy. Ten NATO member countries, including the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, have participated in the reconnaissance mission. Fighters and reconnaissance planes based in the Vicenza base and other U.S. military bases and aircraft carriers have reportedly been flown for this mission, and a total of 4,000 personnel, including pilots and technicians, are participating in this mission. There have been approximately 250 violations of the no-fly zone. Serbs violated the zone most of the time, and this was the first time fighters violated the zone. The downing of the Serbian fighters developed into a fierce exchange of fire between the Serbian army and the Muslim army of Bosnia, which took place a few hours later. This diminishes the prospects of a peaceful resolution of the Bosnian situation. |
FBIS3-4717_0 | Government To Join Convention on Waste Control | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, March 1 (YONHAP) -- The South Korean Government sent an application to United Nations Secretary-General Butrus Butrus-Ghali Monday to join the Basel Convention, which controls trans-boundary movements and disposal of hazardous waste. South Korea will be regulated by the Convention from May 29, 90 days after it sent the application, the Foreign Ministry said. Under the Convention, signatories cannot trade waste matters with nonparticipants. If they want to export waste, they should receive written approval first from the country which imports the waste. The Basel Convention specifies the kinds of waste matters to be controlled, and sets procedure of trans-boundary movements of the waste and ways to make a final disposal of the wastes in order to protect human health and environment. As of now, 52 countries joined the Convention. |
FBIS3-4719_0 | Riot Police Search University Campuses in Kwangju | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Kwangju -- Thousands of riot police stormed into two university campuses here early Sunday morning and arrested 39 students, suspected of having instigated violent anti-government protests. It was the first search of university campuses since the inauguration of President Kim Yong-sam's "civilian" government a year ago. In the two-hour raids that began at 4:30 a.m., police failed to arrest leaders of "Namchongnyon," an organization of students in Cholla-namdo and Kwangju regions, but seized four-tons of leaflets, iron pipes, clubs, fire bombs and other demonstration items. The student leaders are suspected of masterminding the raid on the U.S. Cultural Center in Kwangju last November and other protests. Some 5,000 police troops were mobilized in the pre-dawn operation during which no violence broke out. "The search was inevitable to uproot violent protests and to arrest students who led dozens of demonstrations even since the inauguration of the civilian government," a police spokesman said. "We will put riot police into any campuses from the dimension of safeguarding law and order, if radical and violent protests are to take place in the days to come," he stressed. Campus protests had almost died out last year under the influence of Kim's strong reform drive, but the government's decision to allow rice imports rekindled the students action against the agreement of the Uruguay Round talks. Student leaders last month declared they would embark on a nationwide struggle this spring to support farmers in blocking rice imports. |
FBIS3-4724_17 | * Article Examines Future of Democratic Party | as at present, with declining public support and who, too concerned over the shape of things in the party, abandon their own districts. We must no longer put out ridiculous candidates in some districts, because of factional interests, who then loose, as in the recent special election. For the overall development of the party, we need fundamental reform and a reshuffling of personnel," says Rep. Yi Chol. One co-president even confessed, "A full-scale reshuffling of the chairmen of district chapters is needed for the reform of the DP. But because if this were elucidated, it would mean the end of vote management in the party national convention, it's difficult to openly talk about it." It is safe to say that the next local-government elections, general election, and presidential election are all one political agenda. This is because the results of each election are predicted to have a large, in some cases decisive influence on the next election. Rep. Chong Tae-chol gives this prescription. "Beginning now, we need to select candidates in preparation for the election of local-government leaders [tanchejang songo] and through competition to highlight the public images of at least the candidates for leader of large-area local governments [kwangyok chachidanchejang]. The painful experience of the last election, for which we had no good candidates, must not be repeated. Together with the Honam region, we must win at least in Seoul, Kyonggi Province and Inchon, be evenly matched in Chungchong Province and Taejon, and publicize in Kangwon Province, North Kyongsang Province and Taegu, if we are going win in the general and presidential elections." The runners to take part in the relay race, the grand finale to take place in 1997 are now catching their breath. It is still uncertain who will run the base line as a representative contestant for the DP. Only in the first heat, the next party national convention will his profile slowly begin to appear. After the close of the regular session of the National Assembly, each team will be looking to those around them and will enter on an all-out quest for candidate competitors to participate in the preliminaries, a competition surpassing that of the college entrance exams. One thing is clear, however. The circumstances have now changed. Just as the conglomerates are shouting management reform in order to survive, the DP must be successful in its reform of opposition political culture in order |
FBIS3-4724_27 | * Article Examines Future of Democratic Party | those out of office. If this is done on the premise of mutual concession, substantial compromise is possible. I know that there is opposition to this composition within the party, but it will be difficult to take office in the next presidential election if we cannot overcome the confusion in setting up an opposition candidate. I also meet personally with Pak Chan-chong, Kim Tong-kil, Yi Chong-chan and others. Although some won't tell their position on this, basically, they want to join the DP. [Interviewer] Some insist that it would be best to quickly select a candidate to run in the presidential election. [Chong] There is a greater probability that making our candidate visible now will have adverse effects. It's desirable that he come to the fore on his own through the competitive process after the party national convention. [Interviewer] Are you thinking of running in the next election? [Chong] There as been no change in my intention to take a shot at the presidential election. But for this, you have to be chosen by the people and by heaven, and there has to be a possibility of winning. To be honest, who comes out of the DLP is also important. [Interviewer] How do you view the idea of separating the party presidency and presidential candidacy? [Chong] As a general rule, the party presidency and presidential candidacy must go together for their strength to be amplified. This is a natural phenomenon, but, there's nothing wrong with dividing roles if it is warranted by conditions at that time. Kim Wong-ki Interview Little Possibility of Reform in Political Sector [Interviewer] What do you think of the "Three-Way Role-Division Debate"? [Kim] It seems to begin in the critical mindset that there has to be new leadership. With only one (of either established politicians or those out of office), we are unlikely to gain public support. To go in a reformist direction, but pursue stability in keeping with the current of the times, we have to acquire the support of those with whom we are friendly. I am mentioned along with CPs No Mu-hyon and Yi Pu-yong because, while an established politician, due to my duties I have often played the role of mediator in my contact and cooperation with politicians not in office and been involved in a lot of dialog. What is important here, however, is not who is being discussed, but our |
FBIS3-4725_0 | Tharin Seeks Double-Tax Talks With Bentsen | Language: Thai Article Type:BFN [Text] Commenting on the Thai-U.S. talks on a double taxation protocol, Director General of the Revenue Department M.R. Chatumongkhon Sonakun said the department is summing up the results of the talks, held in early February, for Finance Minister Tharin Nimmanhemin. Mr. Tharin will discuss several unresolved issues with U.S. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen during the APEC meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 19-20 March. The director general said he hoped that a conclusion could be reached and that no more official negotiations would be necessary. Anyway, he realized that it is difficult because there are several sensitive and complicated issues left to be tackled. M.R. Chatumonkhon said these partly came from the failure of Thai officials negotiating with the U.S. side, which demanded more than the Thai could grant. Another problem deals with rigid regulations the U.S. side wanted to put into the protocol, whereas the Thai side wanted something more flexible. A source at the Revenue Department said that there are several points left for negotiations concerning the protocol. He said the United States wants advantages over Thailand, whereas the matter itself is very complicated. A still unresolved important issue is about taxation on benefits. The United States has a special service set up for financing housing loans. The United States defended this as helping people to own homes. Thailand, meanwhile, wanted its BIBF [Bangkok International Bangking Facilities] covered by the double taxation protocol, but the United States disagreed. According to the source, there are unsettled issues concerning copyrights, such as import tax rates of U.S. copyrighted movies for distribution in Thailand. Thailand requested a rate reduction; there was no agreement on this. Anyway, there is no problem about purchasing real estate. The U.S. Government attached importance to U.S.-Thai negotiations on double taxation. The matter was taken up for discussion during U.S. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen's visit, and there was an agreement to hold official negotiations as soon as possible. As a result, there were talks in mid- February, but it yielded no clear-cut solution. Finance Minister Tharin Nimmanhemin is expected to discuss the problem with Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen during the meeting of APEC finance ministers pending further official talks in early 1994. |
FBIS3-4730_0 | Police Arrest 16 Burmese `Activists' 24 Feb | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Special Branch and immigration police arrested 16 Burmese activists at various places in Bangkok on Thursday [24 February]. The activists, who were detained at the Immigration Detention Centre, are alleged to be working against the Rangoon government. |
FBIS3-4737_1 | Reports of Country's `Economic Crisis' Refuted | reported by the afore-said communique, we made a new great progress in all sectors of the socialist economic construction during the Third Seven-year Plan in spite of the collapse of socialism in the former Soviet Union and other European countries, the disappearance of the world socialist market and a chain of other international events and changes in the complicated external environments. In this period, the industrial output jumped 1.5 times and its average annual growth rate reached 5.6 percent in our country. The power, coal and non-ferrous metal ore output increased respectively 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 times, with the result that the nation's material and fuel bases have been expanded and strengthened. The steel output increased 1.3 times and all the sectors of the machine-building industry rapidly developed to achieve a great progress in the mechanization, automation, robotization and computerization of the production processes. The output of chemical fertilizers went up 1.5 times, their qualitative composition was further improved and solid foundations for the completion of the chemicalization of agriculture have been laid. A great progress was also made in light industry to bring about a new turn in the production of consumer goods. Garment, food and daily necessities industries rapidly developed, locally-controlled industrial factories were updated and dependable local raw material bases built, with the result that the local industrial output jumped 1.7 times. In agricultural domain, 10,400 kilometres long waterways were excavated and more than 12,400 pumping stations and 192 reservoirs were built. The amount of chemical fertilizers applied to agriculture was raised 1.4 times and their qualitative composition improved. In our country where the objective of ten million tons of grain was attained already in the '80s, irrigation, electrification, mechanization and extensive use of chemicals have been realised and farming has been placed on a scientific and technical basis as required by the chuche method of farming to reap a rich harvest every year. In fisheries, more than 1,100 fishing boats including stern trawlers of 3,750 tons and above were built and fishing boats and fish processing facilities briskly modernized to further consolidate the material and technical foundations of fisheries. In the period, Kwangbok and Thongil Streets took shape and more than 100,000 modern flats were built in Pyongyang, which means that residential houses for more than one million families were built in towns and rural communities of the country. Our people are leading a happy material |
FBIS3-4737_2 | Reports of Country's `Economic Crisis' Refuted | up 1.5 times, their qualitative composition was further improved and solid foundations for the completion of the chemicalization of agriculture have been laid. A great progress was also made in light industry to bring about a new turn in the production of consumer goods. Garment, food and daily necessities industries rapidly developed, locally-controlled industrial factories were updated and dependable local raw material bases built, with the result that the local industrial output jumped 1.7 times. In agricultural domain, 10,400 kilometres long waterways were excavated and more than 12,400 pumping stations and 192 reservoirs were built. The amount of chemical fertilizers applied to agriculture was raised 1.4 times and their qualitative composition improved. In our country where the objective of ten million tons of grain was attained already in the '80s, irrigation, electrification, mechanization and extensive use of chemicals have been realised and farming has been placed on a scientific and technical basis as required by the chuche method of farming to reap a rich harvest every year. In fisheries, more than 1,100 fishing boats including stern trawlers of 3,750 tons and above were built and fishing boats and fish processing facilities briskly modernized to further consolidate the material and technical foundations of fisheries. In the period, Kwangbok and Thongil Streets took shape and more than 100,000 modern flats were built in Pyongyang, which means that residential houses for more than one million families were built in towns and rural communities of the country. Our people are leading a happy material and cultural life, enjoying free medical care, free education and other socialist benefits, without worries about food, clothing and housing. The consolidation of our socialist economic and material foundations and the considerable improvement of the people's living clearly prove the invincible vitality of our independent national economy, which is developing on the basis of the chuche idea, unaffected by the imperialists' economic blockade and the worldwide fluctuation. Nevertheless, the media serving the imperialists are zealously spreading rumors about our "economic crisis," motivated by a foolish attempt to undermine the external authority and prestige of our Republic, tar the image of Korean-style socialism centred on the popular masses and crush the hope and confidence of the world progressive people in socialism. They must look squarely at the unshakable will and faith of our people, give up the foolish dream of stifling our Republic and promptly stop the anti-DPRK false political propaganda. |
FBIS3-4742_0 | Document on `Comfort Women' Distributed at UN | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Pyongyang, February 27 (KCNA) -- A document of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) concerning the "comfort women" issue was distributed as an official document of the 50th meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The document recalls that at the UN sub-commission on prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities held in August, 1993, Japan admitted to the war-time enslavement of "comfort women" by the Japanese Army and Government. The facts admitted by Japan belong to such paragraphs as expulsion, enslavement, inhumanity and political and racial oppression, crimes against humanity, it says, adding that prescription does not apply to the acts of the Japanese Army and they must be punished by international law. It says Japan should therefore take necessary measures for the punishment of those responsible for the above-mentioned crimes. Recalling that in 1932 Japan signed the convention on forced and compulsory labor which was adopted by the International Labor Organisation in 1930, the document notes that the present government should still be obligated for punishment under the convention. The criminal acts against "comfort women" should have been punished by the then Japanese "law", too, the document says. It stresses there cannot be any prescription with Japan's obligation under the international law. It calls attention to the fact that Japan has not yet punished the criminals who had inflicted sufferings upon the more than 200,000 "comfort women for the army". Noting that Japan still refuses to admit that the acts committed against Asian "comfort women", mostly Koreans, recrimes, the document says such an approach is a disgraceful insult and discrimination against the Asian women. The document points to some matters, urging the Japanese Government to take all measures including legislature, investigation, trial and punishment and make adequate compensations to all the "comfort women for the army" so as to fulfil its obligations under the international law regarding the punishment of those responsible for the criminal acts committed against the victimized "comfort women". |
FBIS3-4744_0 | Kim Il-song Receives Reply Message From Iran | Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Text] The great leader Comrade Kim Il-song received a reply message from Islamic Republic of Iranian President 'Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani for sending him a congratulatory message on the 15th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran. The reply message is as follows: Pyongyang. To Your Excellency, DPRK President Kim Il-song: I express deep gratitude to Your Excellency for sending a magnificent congratulatory message on the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran. Currently, under the leadership of His Excellency Imam Khamene'i, our people are welcoming the 16th year of a new political life which was achieved through their arduous efforts and firm faith. Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran achieved very precious victories and brilliant results through endless efforts by the energetic Iranian people. They are looking forward to their glorious future. We are turning attention to economic and cultural developments in international relations without fail, and are enhancing our active role from a regional and world wide scope. Thus, we are filled with determination to further strengthen solidarity among all nations. I hope you, Your Excellency, good health and success in your work. [Signed] President of the Islamic Republic of Iran 'Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani [Dated] 21 February 1994, Tehran |
FBIS3-4752_0 | Foreign Officials Support Ministry Statement | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- World political and public circles continue expressing support for the statement released by a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea concerning a solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. Chairman of the British-Korean Friendship Parliamentary Group Robert Parry said in a statement on February 6 expressed deep concern over the fact that at a time when a prospect of a solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula was being opened through the DPRK-U.S. talks, the U.S. hardline conservative forces were overruling the DPRK-U.S. joint statement and the agreement reached late last year and bringing the situation to a hopeless phase. He urged the British Government not to join in the anti-DPRK campaign launched according to the script written by the United States, taking into account the possible unfavorable effect on world peace and security of the catastrophic situation created by the reckless moves of the U.S. hardline conservative forces. The Asian Regional Committee for Supporting Korean Reunification released a statement on February 7 denouncing the United States for reinforcing its Armed Forces in South Korea and its neighbouring countries in a bid to stifle the socialist system established in Korea. It called on the world people to condemn the U.S. moves against the DPRK. Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Association of Tanzania S.J. Mabulla, in an interview with the KCNA correspondent in Dar-es-Salaam on February 2, demanded that the United States promptly stop forcing a comprehensive inspection on the DPRK and presenting a military threat to it, solve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula through negotiations, withdraw its nuclear weapons and troops from South Korea and discontinue large-scale nuclear war exercises for good and all. He called on the international community to strive hard to check the [word indistinct] on big [words indistinct] peace and reunification of the country. The Belgium-Korea Solidarity Committee in a statement on February 9 said that to finally solve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and create a favorable climate for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea depended entirely on the U.S. attitude. |
FBIS3-4761_1 | Achievements in `Rural Construction' Highlighted | nature, among them the building of the West Sea barrage and of waterways extending 800 kilometres in the western areas have successfully been carried out to complete the irrigation of agriculture at a high level. 28.7 percent of paddy and non-paddy fields had been irrigated before the publication of the theses. But all the cultivated lands in plain, intermediary and mountainous areas have been irrigated today. Electrification of agriculture has also been completed on a high level. In a few years after the publication of the theses electricity found its way into all the rural villages and cooperative farms of the country and to all the farm houses as lighting, power and heating energies. The annual consumption of electricity in the countryside today increased 8.6 times the 1963 figure. The task to mechanize agriculture has been fulfilled. Over the past thirty years the number of the tractors and lorries serving agriculture has increased 6 and 5 times respectively. Now all the farm work from ploughing to sowing, rice-transplanting, weeding, harvesting, threshing and transport are done with the help of machines. The task of extensive application of chemicals to agriculture has been carried out. The amount of the chemical fertilizers supplied to each hectare was 300 kilogrammes in 1963 and it has shown a rise of more than two tons at present. The output of grain has leaped 1.9 times the figure of the time when the theses was published, of which rice 1.8 times and maize 2.2 times. With tens of thousands of public service establishments built in the rural villages, the farmers live without any worry. Regular agricultural universities and colleges and farm colleges and study-while-you-work training centres of various forms for training technicians have been set up in provinces. The number of the technicians and experts who serve for socialist rural construction has increased more than ten times the figure before the publication of the theses. Ideal communist villages has made their appearance in Chongsan- ri, Kangso District, in Yongrim-ri, Mundok County, in Changdong-ri, Sukchon County, in Oguk-ri, Anak County, in Wangjaesan-ri, Onsong County, and other places of the country. Houses built at the state expense have been distributed to the farmers free of charge, leaving not a person homeless. Korea's countryside has turned into a modern socialist community and the standard of the farmers' living has reached the level of well-to-do middle peasants in the past days. |
FBIS3-4776_3 | * Article Advocates Better Enterprise Management | Many new problems are being posed in the payment of taxes. Nearly all units have paid commercial income, agricultural, and export-import taxes to local tax offices. Many units want to pay taxes to a single place: the Ministry of National Defense. Because of Circular 08, some problems have arisen, so the payment of income taxes, land taxes, etc., is not uniform. With regard to paying profits directly to the upper echelon, many units think there is an inequality with the other state enterprises. With regard to depreciation and the payment of capital depreciation taxes, many units think that the present depreciation rate is rigid and, in general, is still too low. In the production-commercial units of the National Defense Industry and Economy General Department, the collection of depreciation taxes is not calculated accurately and fully. If calculated correctly, five to seven percent of the original value of fixed assets should be paid, but now only 1.45 percent is paid. Some units recommended that they be allowed to select a depreciation rate appropriate for the fixed assets borrowed by the unit, or use internal capital to purchase them. The form of fixed assets supplied from the budget should be readjusted or the depreciation rate should be based appropriately on each sector. In assigning capital, difficulties are still being experienced in settlement and processing. Many difficulties are also encountered in determining how much capital to assign because assets are not uniform and come from many different sources. New problems have arisen in implementing the system of reporting accounting statistics and applying the system of national accounts. Many units have not grasped the contents and the necessary knowledge to apply that system. In 1993 the state issued a decision to apply the system of national accounts nationwide. More than a year has passed but there has been no specific guidance on implementing it. One problem receiving much attention is that there are still many problems in establishing and implementing the mechanism of the party leading, the directors managing, and the workers and staff serving as the masters in the military enterprises. Some party committees and chapters have been slow in renovating the activity contents and guidelines, and have not yet tied in party work with specialized work, and are still confused about the new mechanism. Much progress has been made in the army's economic construction organization and management. But a new requirement that |
FBIS3-4780_1 | Trade Friction, Controversy With U.S. Viewed | against the dollar, disrupting the foreign exchange market. This year the United States will hold an off-year election, and the U.S. Congress is deluged with bills for retaliation against Japan. President Clinton, who prefers reality to ideology, is about to lean toward a policy favored by Congress. Claiming the Japanese mobile phone market is closed, U.S. Trade Representative Kantor has already made clear the United States will impose high tariffs on Japanese manufactured goods. Excessive Reaction Prohibited Looking back, there was a time considered to be a watershed in Japanese history. Japan, which said "no" to U.S. demands for opening the Japanese market through numerical targets, now stands at another watershed. Japan, which said "no" to demands by Europe and the United States to open China's northeast region (Manchuria), began following a path of isolation after withdrawing from the League of Nations. Foreign Minister Matsuoka and the Japanese delegation which defiantly walked out of the conference room of the League of Nations received thunderous applause in nationalism-ridden Japan. There is no need to take seriously the current trouble between Japan and the United States because it is within the framework of security arrangements. But there are fears that the trouble, though small in stature, will repeat the pattern of excessive reaction. The fear cannot be ruled out that the economic friction between the two countries will develop into political distrust, thus hollowing our alliance. Japan follows the path of self-reform based on its own yardstick. At a meeting with President Clinton, Prime Minister Hosokawa viewed numerical targets as managed trade and rejected them. He made a correct decision at the meeting. If Japan accepts numerical targets, it is tantamount to acknowledging Japan is a special nation where the bureaucracy reigns. However, the question concerns the course which led up to the breakdown of Japan-U.S. framework talks. First, we believe policymakers and ordinary people were too insensitive to the existence of $130 billion in Japanese surplus. The surplus is a transfer of purchasing power. If one is indifferent to the continuation of the surplus for many years, he is not believed to have a normal nerve. Ministry of Finance and other Japanese Government officials who stick to the "logic of finance" have missed a chance to expand Japan's domestic demand. Their attitude reminds us of the behavior of the Japanese Army which stuck to the "defense of Manchuria to the last." |
FBIS3-4785_0 | Government Accepts Contact for Special Envoys | Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Text] Pak Yong-su, head of our side's delegation to the contact of working-level delegates for the exchange of special envoys of the North and South, today sent the following telephone message to Song Yong-tae, the South side's senior delegate: Four months have passed since the contact of working-level delegates for exchange of top-level special envoys [choegowigubui tuksa] of the North and South, which had taken place amid attention at home and abroad, was suspended. As is well known, our side proposed an exchange of top-level special envoys of the two sides last May out of an earnest desire to reach a new turning point in North-South relations and the resolution of the reunification issue, and made every effort to implement this proposal at the earliest possible date. And, finally, the two sides had three working-level contacts. However, contrary to what we did, your side constantly pursued nuclear war exercises and an international cooperation system, which negate dialogue. Moreover, at a time the fourth contact was imminent, your side made the violent remarks [pogon] that it would be ready to take military countermeasures [kunsajok taeungdo pulsahal] against the dialogue partner. In this way, your side committed an unreasonable [ondangchimothan] act that discontinued [tujol] the working-level talks. Our side duly sounded an alarm [ungdanghan kyongjongul ulligo] concerning this act by your side and repeatedly called on your side to assume an attitude befitting dialogue [taehwaui ipchang]. However, your side continued the Hwarang, Foal Eagle-93, and other adventurous nuclear war exercises and built an artificial barrier to our working-level contact. If your side had sincerely dealt with [songuirul kajigo taehada] the exchange of special envoys, our working-level contact would have already been concluded [kyolsok] long ago, special envoys would have visited Pyongyang and Seoul, and pending issues acutely raised between the North and South would have been resolved. I think it is very regrettable that our working-level contact has so far not been on the right track [orun kwedoeso] and has not been able to duly contribute to developing North-South relations. A North-South exchange of special envoys is an urgent task [cholpakhan kwaje] that cannot be delayed even for a moment. Therefore, I think it is fortunate that your side has proposed resuming the working-level contact for the exchange of special envoys. Our side consents to [tongui] your side's proposal to resume the working-level contact, acknowledging [injonghamyonso] that your |
FBIS3-4790_1 | * Habibie: Nuclear Energy Program To Continue | Electric Generator will continue to be built even though the government has given nuclear energy the lowest priority in national energy planning. Based on studies carried out since the 1970s the Minister of Research and Technology/Chairman of the BPPT [Research and Technology Development Agency] B. J. Habibie stated that it will be difficult for Indonesia to overcome its electricity crisis without incorporating nuclear power. "Whether we want to or not, it will be difficult for Indonesia to overcome its energy problems without nuclear power. Up to now we haven't known how to do it. But we must be aware that nuclear power has the lowest priority. If there is no other way, we will take that path," he said here yesterday after giving a speech during the program of Choosing National Figures 1993 in the FORUM KEADILAN magazine version. Habibie said this in response to various policy statements made by a number of national figures about the development of the Muria I Nuclear-Powered Electric Generator. Habibie said that even though nuclear power has been given the lowest priority, construction will continue on the Muria I Nuclear-Powered Electric Generator project. This will be done, he continued, to get ready to face an electric energy crisis. Preliminary feasibility studies carried out by Newjec Inc (Japan) were completed in December 1993; they concluded that constructing the PLTN in Muria is quite feasible. Further feasibility studies will not be completed until 1997. However, projections are that it will be opened to construction tenders in 1995. The Muria I Nuclear-Powered Electric Generator will be the first nuclear-based electric generator built in Indonesia; it will have a capacity of 2,600 MW. The results of site studies show that Ujung Lemahabang is in first place, followed by Ujung Grengengan and then by Ujung Watu. These three sites are located on the north shore of the Muria peninsula in Central Java. Is it necessary to hold a referendum to obtain the agreement of the populace? Habibie said that he is only helping the MPR's [Parliament] mandate by gathering scientific and technological information. His strategic goal is to create job opportunities. "The GBHN [Broad Outlines of the Nation's Direction] demands these job opportunities. But job opportunities need factories and factories need electricity. Some people say no, just build up the tourist industry, build hotels. But hotels also need electricity, you know. So we can't build without electricity," he said. |
FBIS3-4801_0 | Tokyo Comments on Downing of Planes Over Bosnia | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, March 1 KYODO -- Japan considers the shooting down of four warplanes over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday is in line with a U.N. resolution imposing a no-fly zone over the country, top government spokesman Masayoshi Takemura said Tuesday. "Japan understands that it was done based on Resolution 816," which was passed in October 1992, Takemura said of the shooting down by U.S. F-16 fighters of four military aircraft in central Bosnia. The chief cabinet secretary reiterated Japan's hope for the former Yugoslavia to achieve peace. The F-16s under the command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) shot down the planes that allegedly violated the U.N. no-fly zone over Bosnia. It was the first time that NATO warplanes have fired on alleged violators since the no-fly zone was declared. |
FBIS3-4833_0 | Vo Van Kiet Rejects Compromise With Vatican | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Hanoi, March 2 (AFP) -- Vietnamese Premier Vo Van Kiet has ruled out a compromise with the Vatican in a dispute on the appointments of priests, saying that his government must be consulted in the selection of clergy, according to an interview seen here Wednesday. Kiet told the weekly newspaper Cong Giao va Dan Toc (Catholicism and the Nation) that the issue was one of "national sovereignty," as Vietnam had not signed any agreements with the Vatican allowing them to make unfettered decisions in their appointments. Each country had the right to ensure stability and order through its own rules, Kiet said, but adding that he believed the Vatican "would not create a tense situation and push the local church to violations of national laws." After a brief thaw, when Vietnam relaxed some religious restrictions, relations between Hanoi and the Vatican worsened in September when authorities in Ho Chi Minh City rejected the appointment of Bishop Huynh Van Nghi as a "supervisor" of the church instead of deputy archbishop. City officials denounced the move as a "Vatican plot" to install an exiled nephew of former South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem as successor to the current archbishop, who is more than 80 years old and ailing. Vietnamese officials said they had agreed that Nghi would be named deputy to replace Archbishop Nguyen Van Binh and accused the Vatican of manoeuvring to position Diem's nephew Nguyen Van Thuan in the job. Thuan was appointed deputy archbishop in 1975, but the communists took power in the then Saigon soon afterwards and refused to let him take up his post. He left Vietnam for Rome in 1992 and has not been allowed to return. Kiet praised Archbishop Binh in the interview, saying he had not failed in his duties to the nation, although "unfortunately, not all Vietnam's bishops have adopted this positive line." Some seven million people, or around 10 percent of Vietnam's population, are Catholic, making it the second largest church community in Asia after the Philippines. But the problems between Hanoi and the Vatican have left the country without a cardinal, as no successor has yet been named to replace Trinh Van Canh, the archbishop of Hanoi who died in 1990. Hanoi has also been irritated by a Vatican ruling that priests should not join any political organisations in Vietnam, including the Solidarity Committee of Patriotic |
FBIS3-4846_0 | U.S., Britain Support Permanent UNSC Seats | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] New York, March 1 KYODO -- The United States and Britain expressed support for making Germany and Japan permanent members of the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] as talks resumed Tuesday [1 March] on reform of the world body, diplomatic sources said. The support came at a meeting of a U.N. working group deliberating the reforms, including the question of expansion of Security Council permanent membership. It is believed to be the first time that Britain has cited Germany and Japan by name in supporting an expansion of permanent members beyond the current five -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S. The sources said France also indicated support for Germany and Japan by saying permanent membership should be offered to countries that have considerable influence globally and a will to maintain international security. Aside from the five permanent members, representatives of some 10 other countries made statements on the question of restructuring the Security Council. The working group, which held its first meeting last month, is scheduled to submit an interim report on its deliberations to the General Assembly's regular session beginning in the third week of September. |
FBIS3-4894_0 | Sony To Use Country as Cassette Production Base | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Sony Magnetic Products (Thailand) will use Thailand as a production base for Southeast Asia for its video and audio compact cassettes. Hiroshi Takauchi, president, said the company's plant currently has an annual production capacity of 49 million audio and 13.4 million video cassettes. The plant occupies 52,000 square metres of land at Ladkrabang industrial estate. Its registered capital is Bt272 million and it employs 540 staff. He said the company has invested [yen] Y400 million to increase capacity to 107 million audio and 20 million video cassettes. The firm is in the process of installing machines and expects to begin production in October this year. He said the company currently exports 98 per cent of output to Europe, Japan, the US and Southeast Asia. Europe is the biggest market for exports, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the total volume, followed by Southeast Asia with 30 per cent, Japan with 10 per cent and the US, 10 per cent. The company plans to increase domestic sales to 20 per cent of total sales. Audio cassettes will be the major products, which should account for 70 per cent of the domestic sales. He said the domestic market is affected by "dumped" products from Korea and Taiwan. For Sony, several components and raw materials have to be imported from Japan resulting in higher costs. For fiscal 1993 which will end next month, the company expected exports of Bt1 billion. It hopes to increase sales 150 per cent by the end of 1994. He said the company also suffered from the strengthening of the yen which raised costs by 5 per cent. The company plans to invest Y50 million to shift production of small parts of audio and video cassettes to Thailand. Three or four items will be produced here this year. Local production will reduce costs by 3 per cent. Some components such as punching dies and mold dies cannot be produced domestically. The company is looking for supporting industries to supply these components to the plant. Thailand will be a production base for Sony in Southeast Asia. He said Thai staff can meet Sony's standards but a shortage of infrastructure such as roads and communications is still a problem. |
FBIS3-4931_3 | Reportage on National Agricultural Meeting WPK CC Congratulates Meeting | a result, the task to build irrigation systems in the rural areas has been completed on a high level and the task to use electric equipment in farming has been realized brilliantly. Great progress has been made in mechanizing farm work and using chemical fertilizers in farming, and, as a result, our peasants who had to transplant rice seedlings and weed rice paddies by hand and do toilsome work are now doing farm work easily and efficiently. Because the chuche-oriented farming method was implemented, agricultural production has rapidly developed based on modern science and technology. Because a cultural revolution was carried out in the rural areas, agricultural workers' level of general knowledge and their technological and cultural levels have improved significantly, the ranks of agricultural technicians and experts have increased, a great change has taken place in conditions for cultural lives in the rural areas, and the rural areas in our country have turned into civilized and abundant socialist cultural rural areas. Based on the new agricultural guidance system, guidance and management on the rural economy has been improved and strengthened endlessly; the leading role of all-people ownership in relation to cooperative ownership has been enhanced; and, as a result, major progress has been made in overcoming the differences between the urban and rural areas in terms of types of management and ownership. Counties across the country have been built strongly and are excellently carrying out their mission and role in carrying out the three revolutions. They are also excellently carrying out their mission and role as bases that link cities to rural areas. The socialist rural theses gave our people and agricultural workers the great honor and pride of having pioneered the only correct road in solving rural problems and gave firm belief in the victory of socialism to progressive mankind and vigorously inspired them to the struggle. In the past 30 years, our agricultural working people have contributed greatly to the prosperity and development of the country and to providing better happiness to the people by blossoming new socialist living on the fatherland with a firm belief in socialism and through devoted struggle and creative labor. The victory of socialism of our own style is being reliably guaranteed because we have the most advanced socialist rural economic system and large contingents of heroic agricultural working people, which are being strengthened and developed every day, upholding the leadership of |
FBIS3-4961_0 | U.S. Automakers To Be Briefed on Certification | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, March 3 KYODO -- The Transport Ministry will send a senior official early next week to Detroit to tell U.S. automakers what to do to facilitate the flow of U.S. autos into the Japanese market, officials said Thursday [3 March]. The United States has criticized Japan's automotive standards and certification system as an import barrier, and called for an immediate removal of the barrier. The officials said there are two methods of certification for foreign cars -- one method being a one-by-one certification of imported autos and the other a blanket certification of imported autos of the same type. If a foreign automaker is to ensure blanket certification, it will have to file with the ministry for designation of autos of the same type, the officials said. If a foreign automaker wins type designation for a certain type of auto, the cost of bringing such autos into Japan is lower and the formalities involved are much simpler, they said. Thus, most of the autos imported from Europe are covered by the type designation system, while most of the U.S. automakers have not utilized the system. The ministry is sending Hideaki Mukaiyama, vice minister for international affairs, to Detroit next Tuesday to encourage U.S. automakers to utilize the system. The ministry is due to station a consul at the Japanese Consulate General in Detroit from April to help U.S. automakers win type designation for their autos. |
FBIS3-4990_1 | * Threat of DPRK Nuclear Development Examined | switch from barter trade to hard-currency settlements due to a change in its trade relations with the Soviet Union and China, the DPRK's economic situation has daily grown worse. The state of its economy is so serious that it has recorded continued negative growth for the past several years. DPRK food shortages are an already well-known fact. The present DPRK GNP, at a little above $20 billion, is one-fifteenth of South Korea's [ROK]. At about $1,000, its per capita income is about one-seventh of ROK's (See "North Korean Abstract" [Pukhan Kaeyo], 1993: North and South Korean Social and Cultural Indicators [Nambukhan Sahoe Munhwa Chipyo], Unification Board, 1992). Weapons possessed by the DPRK are out of date and it also lags behind in technology. Although superior in numbers, when consideration is given to quality, its military capability cannot be said to surpass that of ROK, it is argued. Furthermore, its traditional allies, including the Soviet Union, having disappeared with the collapse of the communist bloc, there is now no longer any nation to actively support the DPRK. Because of this, the argument goes, it is unthinkable that the DPRK would start a conflict as it did the Korea war (quoted from O Kwan-chi, Korea Forum [Hanguk Nondan], December 1993). It is a fact that the DPRK is in an economic slump, that much of its weaponry and equipment is outdated, and that it is diplomatically isolated. With such a reasonable foundation, some aspects of our society's indifference and optimism concerning DPRK war-fighting capability and nuclear development appear convincing, Where can we find the source of this attitude, which ranges from indifference to optimism? Influential views on DPRK nuclear development are divided largely into two categories. The first is the position that the DPRK's nuclear development is ultimately to enhance war-fighting capability by developing nuclear weapons. The second is the opinion that the DPRK is using the nuclear issue as a political and diplomatic lever, for political negotiations whose objective is normalized relations with the United States and Japan, discontinuance of Team Spirit exercises, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the ROK, removal of the U.S. nuclear umbrella over the ROK, and elimination of nuclear threats to the DPRK. Of the two views on DPRK nuclear development, optimists seem to particularly accept the latter. Also reinforcing the optimistic position is the undeniable fact that several statesmen in the past have frequently used |
FBIS3-4994_0 | * DPRK Election System Seen as Anti-Democratic | Language: Korean Article Type:CSO [Text] As the 21 November election of provincial (and directly administered city) delegates approaches, North Korea is gearing up its public agitation campaign in order to project the election as an extension of the theories of socialist superiority and systemic reinforcement applying such propaganda as that North Korea's election system is `the most democratic and people-oriented.' North Korea, which now elects four-year term delegates in accordance with the statute [section 134] prescribed in its constitution following the election of provincial (and directly administered city) people's assembly delegates in November of 1989, published lists of voters in every election district for the (district election committee) all over the nation on 6 November and has carried out its agitation campaign for "100 percent participation, 100 percent `yes' vote," mobilizing the government operated broadcast media, every level of organization cadre and students/agitators. On 5 November, a Pyongyang broadcast pointed out that this election was taking place "in a strained situation in which there were constant schemes to destroy the our-style socialistic sytem," and emplasized, "We must demonstrate that our unfailing unified force around the Party and the President will never be broken by any scheme of any enemy," relating the election to the international pressure on North Korea for its nuclear inspection issue. Meanwhile, KCNA (8 November) was intensifying its drumbeat calling for the reception of the election "with combativeness to bring about the shining achievement of increased coal production" and was urging to commence the battle to accelerate the all-out march for the our-style socialist system. North Korea has presented a detailed description of its regime's election rules such as "general," "equal," "direct," and "secret," stated in its constitution (article 6) through Pyongyang radio in a news commentary titled "Most People-Oriented Election System Implemented in Northern Half of Peoples Republic" immediately after the announcement of delegate election. The First Rule of Election Is "Generality" North Korea maintains that all citizens, 17 years of age or older, have the rights to vote and to run as a candidate for an election regardless of their gender, national origin, occupation, length of residency, levels of income and education, political party affiliation, political opinions and religion (Article 66 of the constitution), and the working mass do participate in an election on unlimited basis. As the result, it further maintains, yesteryear's farmhands, odd laborers and women, who make up one-half of the entire |
FBIS3-5006_13 | * Article Urges Recovery of Nuclear Autonomy | a deep understanding of the reality of the nuclear world, which moves according to the principles of hegemony and the zero-sum rule, and of the double value of nuclear power. For us to pursue an autonomous nuclear policy, therefore, we must understand the economic value of nuclear power used peacefully as well as the reality of the nuclear world. One of the two values of nuclear power is the political and diplomatic tools, as well as the military tool, gained from possessing nuclear weapons. The other is the use of nuclear power to expand national interests economically and technologically. It has been a long time since the fierce, political battle over nuclear power as a means of bringing at once both national security and national wealth has become normal between actors on the international stage (nations and terrorist groups also). This battle gave birth to the nuclear non-proliferation system. Its character is represented by "North-South Problems," "North-North Problems" and "South-South Problems." That caused by the fierce competition and jealously between nuclear nations is the North-North Problem. The lack of a security guarantee for non-nuclear nations, the distrust among non-nuclear nations, and so on, are called South-South Problems. Looking at the North-South Problem of nuclear power in relation to the nuclear problems of the Korean peninsula, its essence is the inequality between nuclear and non-nuclear nations. For example, if we look at the pillar of the nuclear non-proliferation system, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has three nominal objectives. These are to prevent the lateral proliferation of nuclear weapons, to prevent the vertical proliferation of nuclear weapons, and to encourage the peaceful use of nuclear power. On closer inspection of the text, however, one can quickly see that it is an unequal treaty: it permits vertical proliferation, the continued development and deployment of nuclear weapons by established nuclear powers, while prohibiting lateral proliferation, the acquisition of nuclear weapons by non-nuclear powers resulting in their emergence as new, nuclear nations. Compared to the time the treaty went into effect, the United States and Russia actually have come to possess more than three times the number of nuclear warheads. They have developed multi-warhead missiles, cruise missiles, and other fearsome new weapons. Compared to this, despite the treaty's call for the encouragement of the use of peaceful nuclear power by non-nuclear nations, this article has in fact been made a dead letter by the |
FBIS3-5013_1 | Senate Ratifies Technology Treaties With India | nuclear accidents, Ople cited that this international agreement will place the Philippines within the protective umbrella of an international commitment to provide assistance in case of nuclear accidents. The first treaty with India concurred in by the Senate, involves economic and technical cooperation in research and design, delivery and installation of plants, machineries and equipment and technical assistance in the field of industrial research, nuclear energy, engineering, telecommunications, agricultural and industrial research. The other treaty with India ratified by the Senate calls for the scientific and technological cooperation which provide for the exchange of scholars, training programs and information exchange on metallurgy, silkworm culture, textile development, and low level technology which could be applied to countryside development program. Ople said that even before the two treaties were ratified by the Senate, the Philippines and India have already put them into effect when Filipino scholars and trainees went to India to participate in research programs in agriculture, nuclear energy generation, industrial chemicals and health programs. Meanwhile, Ople urged his colleagues at the Senate to also ratify with dispatch the two Conventions related to nuclear accident in the light of dangers it poses to mankind. Ople specifically pointed out the presence of nuclear reactors in neighboring countries of the Philippines within the 500 miles range. These countries, he said, include Taiwan which is 240 kilometers from Laoag, 795 kilometers from Manila with six nuclear reactors in operation and is building two more, Japan has 42 nuclear power plants, including two fueled by "highly dangerous" plutonium; China has one nuclear power plant and 10 research reactors; South Korea has five nuclear reactors, and North Korea with seven nuclear reactors and which continues to resist UN inspection on the real status of its nuclear facilities. Under the two Conventions in which the Philippines is a signatory, the government would be in a position to demand from the erring country, through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or its neighbor for technical and technological assistance to prevent the effects of radiation from nuclear accidents. "The early notification would allow us to protect our people and our land from the spreading nuclear poison," Ople pointed out. "It is imperative that we become a party to these two conventions," he stressed. Ople recalled the Chernobyl accident in Russia where radioactive emissions were wind-carried to neighboring countries and demonstrated to the world the horrors of a nuclear accident. |
FBIS3-5028_3 | Singaporean Prime Minister Visit, Talks Reported Premiers Speak at Banquet | interest is to further expand and strengthen cooperation with the countries in the region, both bilaterally and multilaterally. We stand ready to be hand in hand with the Southeast Asian peoples to proceed towards a future of peace, independence, prosperity and development. `It is my firm conviction that your visit will not only strengthen further the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries, but also contribute to peace, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Kiet went on: `We are indeed very satisfied with the results of the exchanges of views we have had today. Mutual understanding and confidence between us have been enhanced, areas of cooperation broadened and promise brilliant prospect. Your visit will therefore certainly mark a new development in the Vietnam-Singapore cooperation'. In his turn, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said `Your excellency's visit to Singapore in October 1991 opened a new chapter in our bilateral relationship. Since then, our relations have strengthened rapidly, with several exchange visits of top leaders. The Indochina Assistance Fund has been used to fund technical assistance programmes for your country. Singapore has also established the infrastructure task force to help Vietnam in its development. We are pleased to share our development experience with you and to help Vietnam plan and build its infrastructure. `Singapore is now Vietnam's largest trading partner and eighth largest investor. The Singapore private sector has demonstrated its confidence in Vietnam through its increasing investments. I hope that my visit here will pave the way for more trade and Singapore investments in Vietnam'. P.M. Goh Chok Tong continued: `Vietnam now has some experience working with foreign investors. It has already achieved good economic growth rates in the last two years. You are blessed with abundant natural resources and a hardworking, intelligent workforce. If Vietnam presses on with its `Doi Moi' and makes foreign investors feel welcome, it can be another dynamic east Asian economy. `We welcome your accession to the treaty of amity and cooperation in Southeast Asia. Your foreign minister is now a regular participant at the annual ASEAN ministerial meetings. Vietnam is also one of the charter-members of the ASEAN regional forum [ARF], which will meet again soon to discuss regional political and security cooperation issues. We hope that through both ASEAN and the ARF, our relationship will not only broaden but also deepen. Together, we can work to safeguard Southeast Asia's security'. |
FBIS3-5033_0 | Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Completes Last Turbine | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Hoa Binh, Vietnam's biggest power plant has its full strength of 1,520 megawatt with the installation of its eighth and last turbine. The installation of the 670-tonne turbine was completed at the Hoa Binh plant on the Da River southwest of Hanoi on Friday. The giant hydroelectric scheme, which has taken more than 10 years to complete and was one of the former Soviet Union's main foreign aid projects, was finished in time for the major diversion of power from the surplus north to the deficit south. Inauguration of the new 1,500-km north-south transmission line is scheduled for 5 April. |
FBIS3-5070_2 | N-S 3 Mar Working-Level Contact Reported | are aimed at bringing forth a turning point for peace and the peaceful reunification of the country. Our side stressed that the way of breaking through the difficulties most promptly and smoothly at a time when the threat of nuclear war is menacing the nation is exchanging special envoys of highest-level leaders of the North and South at the earliest date. Our side urged the South side to take immediate steps to remove obstacles lying in the way of the exchange of special envoys. Regarding this, our side insisted that the South side should stop all the large-scale nuclear war exercises against its dialogue partner, give up seeking an antinational international cooperation system, call off its attempt to bring in Patriot missiles to South Korea, and withdraw its remarks that it will not shake hands with its dialogue partner. Our side stressed that these four points are just measures necessary for successfully exchanging special envoys between the North and South under a good atmosphere and environment. Our side maintained that the two sides should wind up the discussions on procedural matters concerning the exchange of special envoys in an hour or so after the South side, at today's contact, gives a satisfactory explanation on its stance toward the four points in any form. After that, our side held, the two sides should realize the exchange of special envoys of the highest level leaders of the North and the South within the next few days. At the contact, the South side, however, declined to clear its stance on the principled demands of our side from the beginning, in a bid to justify its unreasonable stance toward dialogue, the South side rep. In connection with this, our side asked whether the South side truly has the intention to realize the exchange of special envoys and repeatedly urged it to clear its stance toward our just demands. Our side, most of all, stressed that a hostile large-scale nuclear war exercise is the biggest stumbling block lying in the way of exchanging special envoys and that the South side is assuming a stance of wait-and-see by saying empty words about suspending the Team Spirit nuclear war exercise, violating the DPRK-U.S. agreement. Our side pointed out that the South side, moreover, attempts to stage another large-scale nuclear war exercise. Our side said that the South side should give deep thought as to what grave consequence |
FBIS3-5076_0 | `Way To Defuse' Friction With U.S. Viewed | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Unattributed article: "The Way To Defuse Japan-U.S. Friction"] [Text] The government has begun to speedily explore ways to break the impasse in the Japan-U.S. framework talks that ended in a breakdown. The government held a meeting of cabinet members in charge of foreign economic issues on 25 February to confirm that the government will map out a package of measures during March to promote imports, relax bureaucratic regulations, promote government procurement and adopt a competitive policy, and also map out a set of measures to expand domestic demand. Bureaucrats still strongly resist setting specific targets for them, and it remains to be seen whether these measures would be able to soften the U.S.'s tough trade stand on Japan. Promotion of Imports The "Market-Opening Issue Headquarters," mandated to examine specific measures to open the Japanese market, held its first meeting on 25 February to confirm that nontariff barriers keeping foreign firms from gaining access to the Japanese market should be quickly reviewed. According to the Economic Planning Agency [EPA], the Secretariat of the Office of Trade and Investment Ombudsman (OTO), the OTO handled 509 cases of business complaints filed by foreign companies. EPA believes that if common barriers hampering foreign firms from gaining access to the Japanese market are identified in the course of handling the business complaints, it would be possible for the government to map out a set of internationally-praised measures on its own to help foreign firms gain access to the Japanese market. The "Market-Opening Issue Headquarters" was created on 1 February with Prime Minister Hosokawa leading the organization. EPA describes the creation of the headquarters as an "indication of Japan's eagerness to grapple seriously with the issue of increasing foreign access to the Japanese market." The old headquarters, established in 1982, has been disbanded. Given the mandate of handling business complaints lodged by foreign companies, the newly established headquarters will have to map out a set of measures during March to resolve the business complaints filed by foreign firms, but it will be difficult to do that within the month under the present situation. EPA Director General Manae Kubota says: "We have no choice but to vigorously publicize OTO for the time being. We are going to send missions abroad within the year to publicize it." Automobiles As for measures to open the Japanese market to foreign automobiles and auto parts, the government's |
FBIS3-5076_8 | `Way To Defuse' Friction With U.S. Viewed | procurement and make it transparent. The government will publicize English-language versions of bidding advertisements and databased bidding information in an attempt to smoothly supply information to foreign contractors that have so far had difficulty obtaining such information. The government plans to announce its plans earlier than ever for the procurement of goods worth more than 800,000 SDR (the special drawing rights of the IMF), improve the current system for settling bidding complaints lodged by foreign construction firms and simplify the current procurement procedure. Relaxation of Bureaucratic Regulations The relaxation of bureaucratic regulations has frequently been mentioned as an effective means to expand domestic demand and open the Japanese market since last September when the government announced a package of economic stimulus measures. The relaxation of bureaucratic regulations requires the amendment of many relevant laws. Most of the deregulation, though incorporated in the September package of economic stimulus measures, will be put into effect after this spring. Even if the government announces a set of new measures to relax regulations, it is doubtful whether this would bring about an immediate effect. In particular, the package of measures to relax bureaucratic regulations will greatly affect the established enterprises, though only temporarily. It seems that the enterprises want to put off deregulation as long as possible. The September package of economic stimulus measures included relaxing 94 regulations, including regulations on housing construction, but relaxation of only 35 regulations out of the 94 has been put into effect. The rest will be relaxed after the Diet amends relevant laws. The Hiraiwa Report proposes that "economic regulation must be confined only to exceptional cases out of principle." The report also points out the need to study the possibility of amending the Large-Scale Retail Store Law and deregulating five areas, including the first-kind telecommunications business. The "Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters" of the government, which was established in early February, has pointed out the need to reduce or deregulate 682 cases of certification and licensure. A February package of economic stimulus measures emphasizes the need to relax 54 regulations as an effective means to stimulate the economy. Some government officials are saying the "government has already taken all immediately enforceable steps to expand domestic demand and relax bureaucratic regulation." The certification and licensure of cases, currently numbering 11,402, show no signs of shrinking, and the United States will incessantly press Japan to reduce its number of regulations. |
FBIS3-5078_0 | U.S. Market Share of Semiconductors Viewed | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Article by industrial reporter Jun Ando: "Industrial World Coolly Views Government's Movement; Impact of Debt of `20 Percent Share' Over Semiconductors Felt"; second in a series entitled "Review of the Four Areas of Japan-U.S. Friction"] [Text] "That was not an `emergency' meeting." This is what the Ministry of International Trade and Industry [MITI] repeatedly explains to interested parties whenever it has a chance regarding an emergency meeting on the semiconductor issue held in January. MITI is saying this because admittance of the meeting as an emergency meeting is tantamount to accepting U.S. claims that "no progress has been made regarding the issue of improving Japanese semiconductor market access." Drop of Market Share According to U.S. Calculation The share of semiconductors in the Japanese market by foreign countries, including the United States, exceeded 20 percent in the fourth quarter of 1992, which was the goal of the United States. But the market share is shrinking, according to a calculation by the United States. However, MITI is not ready to alter its stand, saying "the amount we spent for purchasing foreign semiconductors is steadily growing." The United States is proud that the "20 percent" figure, which was incorporated in a Japan-U.S. semiconductor accord, expanded Japan's semiconductor imports. Many interested people in Japan admit this was one of the U.S. motives in demanding Japan accept numerical targets in other fields as well. It is likely the United States will stress the effectiveness of numerical targets should Japanese semiconductor users introduce "emergency measures" by accepting the U.S. demand. Because of this, it is said MITI unofficially instructed the industrial world to "keep quiet for a while." Immediately prior to the Japan-U.S. summit talks, A. Prokashini [name as published], managing director of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), warned that the "Japanese and American semiconductor industrial worlds are moving toward an era of confrontation and criticism." He explained his understanding that the "honeymoon period," which interested people in Japan began to talk about a year ago, was about to end due to the Japanese Government's clumsy handling of the situation. American Companies in Japan Show Good Business Performances However, there is no sign that Japanese users are taking this remark seriously, which can be understood as a threat. They are not paying serious attention to the remark because major American semiconductor manufacturers in Japan achieved good business results in 1993, and |
FBIS3-5080_2 | Friction With U.S. Over Phone Issue Viewed | by U.S. sanctions on Japan in connection with friction over the semiconductor issue. Japan is in the grip of U.S. suspicion. Regarding sanctions on Japan under consideration by the United States, Ryoichi Sugioka, managing director of Fujitsu Ltd, ostensibly projects a calm attitude, saying, "I cannot comment on them before the specific contents of the sanctions come to light." Since the latest Japan-U.S. friction has arisen over the mobile phone issue, there is growing apprehension that "automobiles and mobile phones are most likely to be targeted by U.S. sanctions on Japan." Overwhelming Export Surplus Japanese makers of mobile phones produce about 4.2 million sets every year, and of these, about 1.9 million sets are sold in the U.S. market. An official familiar with the telecommunications equipment industry says, "Japanese mobile phone makers produce 70 percent of the mobile phones sold on the U.S. market in the United States, and any increase in U.S. duties on them will have little impact." In 1992, Japan exported $2.407 billion in telecommunications equipment to the United States and imported $556 million, an overwhelming net export surplus in favor of Japan. Speculation is rampant that if the United States imposes sanctions on Japan, the sanctions would target "telecommunications equipment generally," not only mobile phones, and overseas procurement by the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) would be embroiled in the sanctions." A top executive of Oki Electric Industry Ltd has said, "The exports of facsimile machines would be hit the hardest by U.S. sanctions." Japan's exports of facsimile machines to the United States account for about 60 percent of its total exports of communications-terminal products to that country. If U.S. sanctions target facsimile machines, it would become a matter of life or death for Japanese producers of the machines. Japan, U.S. Feud Over NTT Procurement The NTT, too, is worried about being targeted by U.S. sanctions. The United States has demanded that the NTT's procurement be incorporated into the framework of the government procurement. In response, Japan has rebutted the U.S. demand, saying, "The NTT has already been privatized so it is impossible to meet the U.S. demand." As a result, negotiations between the two countries have yielded no agreement. The International Procurement Office of the NTT says: "We have procured many goods through joint-development arrangement. Our procurement formula is different from conventional procurement. If our procurement is incorporated into the framework of government procurement, |
FBIS3-5080_3 | Friction With U.S. Over Phone Issue Viewed | would target "telecommunications equipment generally," not only mobile phones, and overseas procurement by the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) would be embroiled in the sanctions." A top executive of Oki Electric Industry Ltd has said, "The exports of facsimile machines would be hit the hardest by U.S. sanctions." Japan's exports of facsimile machines to the United States account for about 60 percent of its total exports of communications-terminal products to that country. If U.S. sanctions target facsimile machines, it would become a matter of life or death for Japanese producers of the machines. Japan, U.S. Feud Over NTT Procurement The NTT, too, is worried about being targeted by U.S. sanctions. The United States has demanded that the NTT's procurement be incorporated into the framework of the government procurement. In response, Japan has rebutted the U.S. demand, saying, "The NTT has already been privatized so it is impossible to meet the U.S. demand." As a result, negotiations between the two countries have yielded no agreement. The International Procurement Office of the NTT says: "We have procured many goods through joint-development arrangement. Our procurement formula is different from conventional procurement. If our procurement is incorporated into the framework of government procurement, this would not be an advantage for the United States." In this way, the NTT appears to have no room to accept the U.S. demand. The trade structure between the two countries of network products such as switchboards is totally opposite the trade structure of such communications terminals as facsimile machines and telephones. Japan exports $199 million worth of network products to the United States while importing $257 million worth of network products from that country. The United States has a net surplus in the trade of these items. Most of Japan's imports of network products are due to the NTT's procurement activities abroad. The International Procurement Office of the NTT says: "The NTT has increased its amount of overseas procurement to $784 million (including the amount for the procurement of computers), an increase of 23 percent over the amount of such procurement in 1992. We have procured 95 percent of our goods from U.S. producers. There is no reason for the United States to criticize the NTT for being responsible for the current trade imbalance between the two countries." Behind the Japan-U.S. friction over the mobile phone issue is Motorola, a company which has scored great achievements by taking |
FBIS3-5103_3 | Hosokawa Delivers Policy Speech to Diet | spending and local government projects in consideration of the state of the economy, the fiscal 1994 budget proposal represents a determined effort to promote social infrastructure improvements in preparation for the advent of the aged society, including priority investment in housing, water and sewer systems, parks, environmental facilities, and other areas impacting directly to improve the quality of Japanese life. Every possible consideration has also been paid to policies to support hard-pressed farmers and small businesspeople and to stabilize employment. Given the critical state of the economy, I very much hope that this budget proposal will be enacted as soon as possible. In addition to cyclical factors and the collapse of the speculative bubble, this recession is said to have been exacerbated by structural factors in that many of those economic structures that used to work so rationally are no longer effective. Dynamic development in the private sector, the main player in the Japanese economy, is essential if we are to resolve this problem and the ensure long-term development. I am confident that the private sector will face the current difficulties unflinchingly and will be able to overcome them, and it is to encourage and support these efforts that we must promote economic reform that, clarifying the medium-term outlook, will be conducive to business restructuring and the creation and development of new industries. Looking specifically at deregulation, we intend to move toward making nonregulation the norm and regulation the exception in the economic sphere and to be constantly reviewing social regulations so as, inter alia, to expand business opportunities and broaden consumer choice and to enhance purchasing power by reducing the disparity between Japanese and overseas prices. We will take dramatic action with the priority on those areas that relate to promoting the more effective and appropriate use of land and encouraging housing construction, that stimulate the creation of new businesses in information telecommunications and other areas, that relate to reducing the disparity between Japanese and overseas prices in such areas as distribution and energy, and that affect import promotion. At the same time, we will work for the rigorous enforcement of the antimonopoly law to eliminate those anticompetitive practices that are a cause of Japan's higher prices and that inhibit the creation of new business opportunities and foreign access to Japan. Administrative reform is an urgent issue that cannot be avoided as we seek to reform Japanese socioeconomic structures |
FBIS3-5103_10 | Hosokawa Delivers Policy Speech to Diet | the earliest years through university graduation. One of the areas in which it is hoped that creative economic activity will open the way to new development in the years to come is that of information telecommunications. With the recent rapid technological advances, information is no longer limited by either space or time, and it is likely that we will be able to achieve a society early in the 21st century revolutionizing life and business as we now know them. Yet the fact is that Japanese information telecommunications has, unfortunately, not lived up to expectations. Thus it is that I want to draw up a new vision for the kind of information society that we seek from the long-term perspective as soon as possible, to make better use of information technologies in the public sector, and to develop a comprehensive package of measures including promoting the development of information telecommunications networks, fusing broadcasting and telecommunications, and promoting information education. It should be noted that I will also work steadily to support the creation of new business opportunities in the information telecommunications sector by, for example, encouraging small businesses to go into new fields, working for flexible labor markets, activating the financial and securities markets, and promoting bold restructuring. Japan has grown to be the world's second-strongest economic power, but I suspect many of the people do not yet have a sense of true affluence in their daily lives. People in the outlying areas feel they have fewer job opportunities than in the big cities and that they do not have the same convenient access to cultural and educational opportunities, and many people in the big cities feel their lives are blighted by the unaffordability of quality housing, the trauma of commuting, and other problems. Among the causes here are the overconcentration of functions in the Tokyo area and the inadequacy of social infrastructure relating to everyday life, and it is essential that we move quickly to institute effective policies in this area. I believe the important thing here is that each region take the initiative in exercising ingenuity to create attractive communities and that we improve the infrastructure for balanced development throughout Japan. For this to happen, the first point is that local governments close to the people must take the lead in solving their residents' problems, which means we must make a determined effort to promote decentralization, including enhancing local |
FBIS3-5103_16 | Hosokawa Delivers Policy Speech to Diet | systems to provide enhanced medical services responsive to the different needs of different patients. Likewise, I will actively promote measures for the handicapped, including enhancing community access for these people under the new long-term program for government measures for disabled persons. Health is a most important prerequisite to leading a rich life, and we will therefore move ahead with comprehensive policies to deal with cancer and other degenerative and intractable diseases. Along with drawing up a new 10-year strategy to defeat cancer and working to enhance the medical response to AIDs, including improving hub hospitals and advancing medical research on treatments, we will also work to contribute to the prevention and cure of AIDs on a global basis, including support for the tenth International Conference on AIDs to be held in Japan later this year. Today's lower birth rates, the greater numbers of women working outside the home, and other factors have meant major changes in the social environment as it impacts children and the home. This year is the international year of the family. For these and other reasons, I want to work to create a climate in which people can have and raise children in confidence, including enhancing the nursery provisions and creating a children's environmental fund. In addition, I want to work to enhance the home-care leave system, including the possibility of postnatal leave payments under the unemployment insurance scheme and home-care leave legislation, so that people can reconcile the needs of home and work, and I also want to promote labor policies for part-time workers. Likewise, I will promote comprehensive policies and seek to formulate systems conducive to the creation of a joint-participation society in which women are able to take an equal part with men in the total range of political, business, and social fields. It bodes well for the world economy's future that the GATT Uruguay Round was finally concluded last December after more than seven years of negotiations. In concluding these negotiations, Japan accepted the draft agreement on agriculture, thereby according rice special treatment regarding tariffication and subjecting other agricultural products to tariffication. This was a most heartrending decision made after strenuous consideration in recognition of the broader national interest in the maintenance and strengthening of the free trading system. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries serve many functions, such as ensuring the stable supply of food so vital to our lives and providing restful |
FBIS3-5105_7 | Hata Delivers Foreign Policy Speech to Diet | Japan will continue to offer positive support for the trend. While some developing nations are making incredible economic progress, most still suffer from poverty and hunger. We strongly believe the economic and social development of these nations is a necessary prerequisite for peace and prosperity in the world. To achieve this, we should consider not only economic assistance, but also comprehensive approaches which include the promotion of trade and investments. Japan's assistance to developing nations is the most important pillar of its contribution to the international community, in the sense that this is the way we can best make good use of our experience in economic development. Last June, the government hammered out the fifth midterm objective of official development assistance [ODA] programs under which Japan will offer from $70 billion to $75 billion over the five-year period starting in the fiscal year 1994. In view of Japan's desire to play a role in this field despite the current severe economic situation, the government has proposed ODA spending of 1.634 trillion yen in the fiscal 1994 budget plan. Based on the government's ODA guidelines, we would like to obtain the understanding of the Japanese public, and the appreciation of aid-receiving nations for our peace and development-minded aid policy. Throughout last fall and this winter, Japan has taken the chair of international conferences on development in Cambodia, Mongolia, Indochina, and Africa. Japan is, thus, playing a leading role in multinational frameworks to support development, democratization, and economic reform in developing nations. We would like to maintain Japan's initiative in this field. Global issues such as environment, population, AIDS, drugs, and refugee problems are serious concerns to the entire world. It is urgent for developed and developing nations to cooperate in solving these problems. In this regard, Japan intends to actively assist developing countries in solving environmental issues. Also, when the prime minister visited the United States in February, he announced Japan's plan to spend $3 billion, or about 300 billion yen, over the next seven years to assist developing nations in resolving population and AIDS problems. The International Conference on Population and Development is scheduled to hold its session in Cairo in September. Population problems are closely related to environment and development. Japan has been actively promoting efforts to contribute to the success of the meeting. For example, it sponsored a meeting of a wise men's conference on population and development |
FBIS3-5118_1 | `Statement' Decries South Dumping Nuclear Waste | the South Korean puppets dumped into the sea, will bring to the ecosystem and the frightening catastrophes it will inflict on the South Korean people, in addition to fellow countrymen and mankind in general. As is well known, if nuclear waste materials are dumped into the sea, they will contaminate or kill fish, shells, laver, brown seaweed, and other maritime resources and, thus, inflict fatal damage on the existence of the maritime ecosystem and people. Therefore, the London Convention bans the maritime dumping of high-intensity [kojunwi] nuclear waste materials. It also stipulates that dumping of low-intensity [chojunwi] nuclear waste materials in maritime areas must be over 200 miles away from continental shores [taeryuk yonan], where fish live, and over 4,000 km deep, where there are no volcanic activities and where man will not enter even in the distant future. It also stipulates that dumping in those areas is prohibited without notifying the International Atomic Energy Agency. A decision was adopted in 1993 on completely banning maritime dumping of nuclear waste materials. The South Korean puppets' random dumping of nuclear waste materials into the sea is an unforgivable grave crime of flagrantly violating international law on respecting the natural environment and protecting maritime resources. Because of the uncouth ruling bunch, which ignores the law and destroys the environment at random, the South Korean sea is turning into a sea of death where all maritime resources are on the verge of extinction and the ecosystem and the people's existence are gravely threatened. Because of the puppet clique's reckless dumping of nuclear waste materials in the South Korean sea, many sorts of fish have disappeared, fish are killed en masse, and seaweeds are dying. Moreover, in South Korea, women who ate fish contaminated by nuclear waste materials have given birth to premature or deformed babies, numerous people suffer from cancer and other incurable diseases and unidentified diseases, and fishermen's lives have become difficult because people will not buy contaminated fish. This is none other than a crime of devastating the land where our fellow countrymen live and threatening the existence of our fellow countrymen. Our country is called a 3,000-ri land of beautiful mountains and rivers because water is clear and because the scenery is beautiful, and it is all the better to live in because the land is fertile and because maritime resources are abundant for the land is surrounded by the |
FBIS3-5127_0 | Ways To Increase Agricultural Production Urged | Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Technical Revolution, Important Way of Final Solution to Rural Question"--KCNA headline] [Text] Pyongyang, March 3 (KCNA) -- The great leader President Kim Il-song in his historic letter "For the Ultimate Solution of the Rural Question Under the Banner of the Socialist Rural Theses" put forward a task to carry on the technical revolution energetically. NODONG SINMUN today in a by-lined article in this regard quotes the great leader Comrade Kim Il-song as saying: "Our task at the present stage is to follow up the success in the rural technical revolution to advance the industrialization and modernization of agriculture to a high level". The article says: The promotion of the technical revolution is one of the most important tasks in the efforts for the ultimate solution of the rural question under the banner of the rural theses. The task of the technical revolution laid down in the letter represents a just policy based on a scientific analysis of the present state of the development of agriculture in our country. This state shows that only when we consolidate and expand the achievements made in the technical revolution while accelerating the ideological and cultural revolutions in the countryside, can we steadily raise the standards of industrialisation and modernisation of agriculture and win a shining victory in the efforts to finally solve the rural question. The technical revolution makes it possible, above all, to solidify the material and technical foundations of agriculture by stepping up the technical reconstruction of agricultural production and thus make a dramatic progress in the solution to the socialist rural question. In the past period the technical revolution has made a fast progress along the road indicated by the rural theses in our country, bringing irrigation and electrification to completion in the countryside and successfully bringing into reality the mechanisation and extensive application of chemicals as well. The technical revolution also makes it possible to push ahead with the process of organical combination of cooperative property and all-people property while continually enhancing the leading role of the latter over the former. To enhance this leading role is an important demand for the ultimate solution to the rural question and it is definitely guaranteed only by solid material and technical conditions. The technical revolution is an important way of creating material and technical conditions for constantly enhancing the leading role of all-people property over cooperative property and |
FBIS3-5131_0 | Minister, U.S. Envoy Meet on Hubbard Remarks | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, March 4 (YONHAP) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Han Sung-chu expressed regret Friday over U.S. officials' recent negative comments about Seoul's national security law, regardless of their innocent intentions. Han, meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Seoul James Laney, complained that such references create the impression that South Korea has human rights problems despite its democratic progress, Foreign Ministry officials said. Laney, handing over a written statement of explanation, apologized for U.S. officials' having unintentionally hurt the feelings of South Koreans with their remarks. Laney's statement said Washington is fully aware of Seoul's great strides in democracy and human rights, and "unequivocally recognizes the fundamental shift in attitude and policy of the Kim Yong-sam administration towards human rights," as acknowledged by the 1993 human rights report. The controversy started when U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Tom Hubbard told a seminar last week that Washington wants to see Seoul repeal its national security law. The comment sparked immediate protests that it was undue interference in South Korea's internal affairs, while raising suspicions that the issue had been discussed with North Korea since Hubbard was chief U.S. working-level nuclear negotiator with Pyongyang. Indeed, Hubbard was in the middle of last-minute bargaining with North Korean officials when he made the remark last week. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Thursday that the United States hopes the "Korean Government and the Korean people might find it appropriate to no longer have that law in effect" because it is "subject to abuse and a reflection of an earlier time." Laney said the U.S. officials' comments should be seen "as remarks of close friends and democratic peers." "I have unqualified confidence in (South Korea's) human rights practices and its respect for the rule of law," said Laney in his statement. Han, while calling the remarks ill-timed, said he personally believed they came out "accidentally." "The security law is now revised but at the U.S. working-level, images of the past apparently remain and that tends to show up in high officials' speeches and press briefings," he said after meeting Laney. "We think the comments were accidental, but we still needed to drive home a strong message to prevent a repetition of similar remarks that could be made due to lack of understanding of the current security law," he said. |
FBIS3-5136_4 | Dailies Assess Working Contact With DRPK | resumed. The editorial calls on the North Korean authorities to be "keenly aware of the significance" of our government's announcement on the suspension of Team Spirit. The moderate CHUNGANG ILBO publishes on page 5 a 2,000-word article by Chon Chong, deputy editor-in-chief of CHUNGANG ILBO, under the headline, "`Experimentation' by Scholar-turned Diplomatic and Security Affairs Team." Pointing to the "negative view" of the people toward North Korea- U.S. negotiations on the North Korean nuclear issue and toward our government's countermeasures, the article points out that from the outset, people were concerned with the "scholar-turned diplomatic and security affairs team" of the civilian government and that the people are now aware that "Kim Il-song is waging a wild game with the United States using the nuclear issue as his bargaining card." The article stresses that North Korea's final goal is to establish diplomatic relations with the United States, because North Korea believes it must improve these relations if it is to avoid "international isolation" and "economic crisis," and maintain its political system. The article notes, however, that while the United States is aware of North Korea's delaying tactics, it has been unable to circumvent North Korean "stubbornness." Commenting on our government's sandwiched position between the U.S. and North Korea, the article says that high-ranking diplomats and government officials are showing increased skepticism on our "stick and carrot" foreign policy on North Korea and on Foreign Minister Han Sung-chu's "optimism" on North Korea-U.S. talks and other North-South issues. Thus, the people "undisguisedly" indicate that there are "problems" in the "strategic concept" of our scholar-turned security team, including Minister Han, in diplomatic negotiations. Referring to remarks of a high-ranking U.S. delegate leading dialogue with North Korea that, "I can never understand the North Korean intention. North Korea is, indeed, a shuddering partner," the article warns that adherence to an "appeasement policy" creates "strategic problems," and calls for "cool observation" of public opinion. The moderate MUNHWA ILBO publishes on page 2 a 1,500-word editorial under the headline, "We Should Look at the Future." Explaining the process in the past North-South working contact, the paper says that the stalemate in talks can be attributed to the South's "passive attitude" and the "insincerity" of the North Korean authorities' in evading the talks. Pointing out the significance in the resumption of contacts, the editorial urges the government to address North-South relations "in an independent, more positive manner." |
FBIS3-5150_4 | * Article Notes Changes in Student Movement | of credits required for graduation from the current 140 units to 120. It should strengthen the links between the disciplines and raise the quality of education by instituting a departmental system within each college. Son Yang-chol, elected student association president at Yonsei University, aroused interest both inside and outside of the university by insisting on a "union-like student association." Son said: "The student movement still keeps the illusion of a bureacratic system, even though the trend of the times is for the dissolution of a rigid bureaucratic system and for the direct participation of individuals and organizations. It is sufficient for the student association to have a `union' role for the sake of regulating individuals' interests." Son said: "The fact that the student association fights only social and political issues while there are still various desires on campus is a dereliction of duty." He explained, "The `movement' will be lead by leaders of the `movement,' and not by the student association." He suggested several concrete tasks to carry out, such as: Having faculty and staff use name tags, to give better service on campus; allowing only amateur athletes to participate in matches between Yonsei and Korea Universities--currently professional athletes participate; and collecting students' opinions using on-campus personal computer networks. In elections for student association president at Korea, Sokang, and Ehwa Women's Universities, radical political solgans disappeared, and pledges to "start a campaign to gaurantee a 5 percent education fund," "increase the seating capacity in library reading rooms," and "increase the number of faculty members" appeared. At Ehwa, one candidate called for the "disclosure of election expenses so that there could be student association elections that do not cost money." Two candidates revealed that they had spent 3.4 million won and 4 million won each. "Environmental" issues were a major topic at some universities, and some candidates used recycled paper for their leaflets. How will the change among the student associations alter the face of the university community next May? Will the months of April and May, previously filled with tear gas and fire bombs, recover the splendor of spring? "It depends on the situation, but I think that the time for us to resort to fire bombs has passed. We must act so that our demonstrations win people's sympathies and earn comments that what we are doing is satisfactory and good." (Kang Pyong-won, SNU) "I will guarantee the voice of |
FBIS3-5164_0 | Activist Gets Jail Term for `Defaming' Suharto | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Jakarta (JP) -- Human rights activist Nuku Soleiman was sentenced to four years in jail yesterday fo defaming President Suharto. The Central Jakarta District Court found the 30-year-old Nuku guilty of producing and distributing stickers insulting to President Suharto. The sentence was less than the maximum allowed by law and sought by government prosecutors. Nuku faced the sentencing alone since his lawyers have boycotted the trial in protest over the court's refusal ta allow them to call witnesses to testify on Nuku's behalf. For his part, Nuku remained silent throughout as he continued his silent protest which began two sessions earlier, also over the court's refusal to hear the testimony of his witnesses. Nuku, who chairs the Pijar Foundation human rights group, was arrested during a demonstration at the House of Representatives last November. Police claimed he was distributing stickers offensive to the president. "This court finds Nuku Soleiman guilty of all charges and sentences him to four years in prison," said Presiding Judge Nurhayati. The panel of judges said they could find only one mitigating factor when passing the sentence, Nuku's relative youth. They cited several factors that worked against him, including the lack of respect he showed the court during the trial, two previous convictions, and no evidence of remorse. They also deplored the harsh language employed by Nuku during the trial. The judges later asked Nuku whether or not he would appeal the sentence. The defendant, still maintaining his silence, walked up to the judges and presented a written statement which his close friends confirmed as a note claiming that he will appeal. The courtroom was packed with the defendant's supporters, mostly clad in the green jacket of the National University, Nuku's almamater. They yelled at the judges and challenged them to pass a heavier sentence. Also present in the public gallery were opposition figures, including Ali Sadikin and Chris Siner Key Timu. Adnan Buyung Nasution, chairman of the Legal Aid Foundation, which organized Nuku's defense, was also present. As Nuku was being escorted out of the courtroom, his supporters yelled encouragement and sang the patriotic song Padamu Negeri (For You the Nation). Buyung later termed the verdict a tragedy for the nation because punishment was meted out to someone who merely acted out his constitutional right. "This shows that free impartial movement is no longer guaranteed, he said. He said that |
FBIS3-5176_0 | Suphachai on Investment Shifts, ASEAN Trade | Language: Thai Article Type:BFN [Text] Deputy Prime Minister Suphachai Phanitchaphak reiterated the potential of Thailand in trade and investment competition as well as that of the Indochinese countries. He said that Thailand has made progress and enjoyed a 30 percent increase in its trade surplus. Speaking about the trend of expanded foreign investment into the Indochinese market, Suphachai said this is a mechanism of competition in trade, but the Thai market is still attractive to investors. Moreover, the deputy minister notes that Thailand still needs to improve its trade and investment system in order to be able to compete with other rivals in the future. [Begin Suphachai recording] In my opinion, among the ASEAN countries last year, Thailand had a trade surplus with ASEAN countries for the first time. It had never happened before. You cannot say we suffer disadvantages with others in ASEAN. It is impossible. Our export of goods to ASEAN countries increased by 30 percent last year. That was the first such time in history, and we also enjoyed a trade surplus. It is not the other way round, I believe. We asked a number of companies why they transferred their investment into Indochina or China. Is it because our country is not attractive or because of the appearance of new markets? Most of them said it is because they have to compete with other companies in the Chinese market, not because our market is not competitive enough. They still continue to invest in our country. Because other companies have shifted their competition to China or Indochina, they therefore have to follow suit. We have to consider these points carefully. Our expansion of exports is second to none. [end recording] |
FBIS3-5187_0 | Commentary Reviews Ties With ASEAN Countries | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Station commentary] [Text] Comprehensive development has taken place in relations between Vietnam and the ASEAN member countries. Trade and economic ties between Vietnam and ASEAN countries have rapidly increased. In 1992, two-way trade between Vietnam and the Indonesia reached $220 million. It was $158 million with Thailand, $100 million with Malaysia, $1.2 billion with Singapore, and $50 million with the Philippines. By the end of 1993, about 100 projects for ASEAN countries with invested capital of hundreds of millions of dollar were licensed in Vietnam. ASEAN investment in Vietnam has increased 10 times as against 1990, now accounting for 10 percent of the total foreign investment in Vietnam. More than 30 agreements on economic, scientific and technical, trade, payment, credit, aviation, and navigation have been signed between ASEAN countries and Vietnam. In late July last year, the State Committee for Foreign Investment of Vietnam signed an agreement of cooperation with a prime company of Brunei which will see the latter invests in major projects in Vietnam. In late 1991 and early 1992, the Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet visited all six ASEAN member countries. This helped the region to have a better understanding about the current reform in this country. In visiting Vietnam, all leaders of ASEAN member countries demonstrated sympathy with the problems and difficulties Vietnam has been confronting, and promised to share experiences with the Vietnamese in national development. Prime Minister Chuan Likphai of Thailand is committed to create favorable conditions for further multi-sided cooperation between Vietnam and his country. President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines has assured Vietnamese National Assembly chairman Nong Duc Manh that the Philippines has always been Vietnam's friend, and hoped that bilateral ties would be further developed. It is the common voice of leaders and people of ASEAN member countries. Most recently, during his visit to Vietnam, the ASEAN secretary general, Mr. Ajit Singh, informed Vietnam of the decision by ASEAN Secretariat to allow Vietnam to participate and observe in various programs in science, technology, environment, culture, information, public health, tourism, and development sources. Mr. Ajit Singh said the secretariat will send senior officials to Vietnam to exchange views on concrete issues of ASEAN's concern. These developments show how much bilateral and multi-sided cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN member countries has been increasing. At the recent foreign ministerial conference held in Singapore by ASEAN, ASEAN countries appreciated Vietnam's |
FBIS3-5194_0 | City Government Orders Bishop To Renounce Post | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] HANOI, March 4 (AFP) -- Vietnam has warned a Roman Catholic bishop to stop his "illegal activities" and step down from a senior church post in Ho Chi Minh City as his appointment was not approved by the government, a report said Friday. The Ho Chi Minh City municipal government issued a statement saying that Huynh Van Nghi's appointment as a supervising bishop was "unilateral, improper and without consultation with the Vietnamese government." Vietnam has rejected Nghi's appointment to the supervisory post, saying he should be given the more senior position of deputy and successor to the southern city's ailing archibishop in place of another priest who is a nephew of a former South Vietnamese president. City officials have denounced what they called "a Vatican plot" to have Bishop Nguyen Van Thuan, the nephew of former president Ngo Dinh Diem, become the next archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City in place of Nghi. The row has been at the centre of tensions between Hanoi and the Vatican over the appointment of priests to top posts, as the government here has insisted that it has the right to veto any selections. Despite a warning last year to stop acting as supervising bishop, Nghi had continued in the job, prompting the city's People's Committee to call in the priest "to point out to him his infringement," the statement said. "The laws cannot be continuously ignored," the statement said, according to a report in the Saigon Giai Phong newspaper. Thuan was originally appointed deputy archbishop before the communists took over the then Saigon in 1975. He was not allowed to take up the post and has been in exile in Rome since 1992. The Vatican however is insisting that Thuan should eventually take over from the octogenarian Archbishop Nguyen Van Thuan, who is in poor health. In an interview with a Catholic newspaper published this week, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet said the dispute with the Vatican centred on Vietnam's "national sovereignty" and ruled out a compromise on the choice of clergy. Kiet also defended his insistence that priests join a government umbrella organisation for social groups and religions, saying the authorities had the right to prevent religious problems arising. The Church's development here under French colonial rule and Pope John Paul II's stand against communism have fuelled government suspicions of Catholics, who number around seven million people, |
FBIS3-5194_1 | City Government Orders Bishop To Renounce Post | Nghi's appointment as a supervising bishop was "unilateral, improper and without consultation with the Vietnamese government." Vietnam has rejected Nghi's appointment to the supervisory post, saying he should be given the more senior position of deputy and successor to the southern city's ailing archibishop in place of another priest who is a nephew of a former South Vietnamese president. City officials have denounced what they called "a Vatican plot" to have Bishop Nguyen Van Thuan, the nephew of former president Ngo Dinh Diem, become the next archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City in place of Nghi. The row has been at the centre of tensions between Hanoi and the Vatican over the appointment of priests to top posts, as the government here has insisted that it has the right to veto any selections. Despite a warning last year to stop acting as supervising bishop, Nghi had continued in the job, prompting the city's People's Committee to call in the priest "to point out to him his infringement," the statement said. "The laws cannot be continuously ignored," the statement said, according to a report in the Saigon Giai Phong newspaper. Thuan was originally appointed deputy archbishop before the communists took over the then Saigon in 1975. He was not allowed to take up the post and has been in exile in Rome since 1992. The Vatican however is insisting that Thuan should eventually take over from the octogenarian Archbishop Nguyen Van Thuan, who is in poor health. In an interview with a Catholic newspaper published this week, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet said the dispute with the Vatican centred on Vietnam's "national sovereignty" and ruled out a compromise on the choice of clergy. Kiet also defended his insistence that priests join a government umbrella organisation for social groups and religions, saying the authorities had the right to prevent religious problems arising. The Church's development here under French colonial rule and Pope John Paul II's stand against communism have fuelled government suspicions of Catholics, who number around seven million people, or 10 percent of the population. Vatican officials have accused Vietnam of trying to turn Asia's second largest Catholic community after the Philippines into a state-sponsored church outside of the control of the normal church hierachy. Protests by Buddhists in several cities have added to government concerns that a relaxation of controls on religion in recent years may lead to social unrest. |
FBIS3-5209_1 | Envoy on Tokyo's Role in United Nations Work | reluctant to go to dangerous places. The problem we face with the issue of refugees is that although Japan provides aid for their assistance, our contribution is limited as far as the acceptance of refugees is concerned. On human rights there is sharp contrast in values between Asia and the West. Asia hopes Japan is well placed enough to be sympathetic to its point of view, while the West hopes that Japan, as a developed nation, will share its point of view. On the positive side, Japan can mediate between the two; on the negative side is open to criticism from both sides. On the issue of humanitarian aid, Japan provides a large amount of aid. But its philosophy is based on the idea that helping those who help themselves is good assistance. At present, however, those countries which can help themselves have mostly been helped. For those countries which are still unable to help themselves, Japan is often one step behind other nations in providing funds, even if it does so in the end. Somehow, Japan does not give the impression that it will provide aid of its own volition. Only on the issue of the environment does Japan take the lead without restraint. However, there is the problem of the weight the country carries in the United Nations. Unless a country makes a considerable contribution in the first four areas, it will find it rather difficult to take the initiative in the fifth. The first four problems are, in many cases, discussed in the Security Council when concrete, urgent countermeasures are needed. It might be thought that the Security Council discusses only security issues. Recently, however, the definition of security has become so wide that it has come to include human rights, refugees, and humanitarian aid. The original Security Council resolution on Bosnia in the former Yugoslavia, and on Somalia, was to dispatch peacekeeping forces to support the smooth implementation of humanitarian aid. In that sense, many of the important problems dealt with by the United Nations are discussed in the Security Council. Important UN elections, such as those for secretary general and judges of the International Court of Justice are also conducted in the Security Council. Therefore, the easiest way to make a contribution to the United Nations is to have a voice in the Security Council. If a country is not a member of the Security |
FBIS3-5209_6 | Envoy on Tokyo's Role in United Nations Work | about how the Security Council comes to a decision, about what kind of role the ambassador and the permanent mission on the spot play, and about the atmosphere of deliberations at the Security Council. [Hatano] It is said that the United Nations has three classes of members: the first class is the five permanent members; the second class is ten nonpermanent members (note: the permanent members are China, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States; the nonpermanent members as of the end of 1993 are Japan, Brazil, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Hungary, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Spain, and Venezuela); the third class is the other 169 members. The customary practice is that when the Security Council makes a decision, first of all only the five permanent members of the first class hold a conference, make their plan, and submit their plan to a conference of the ten nonpermanent members for deliberation. The mutual cooperation among the five members is very close. At the stage of a conference by the five members, one or two members of them may oppose vigorously. But, once an agreement is reached by the five members, it is supported by the five members in a body both at unofficial and official conferences of the Security Council. Then the ten nonpermanent members find it very difficult to oppose the agreement. These permanent members have a veto. In actuality, a veto is rarely exercised, but they exercise a right called "the pocket veto" in the sense that they can exercise their veto when the occasion demands. A proposal advanced by a nonpermanent member may be rejected, but the same kind of proposal advanced by a permanent member is accepted in compliance with its request so that the permanent member will not exercise its veto. Since these five members with special power make a plan without the participation of the ten nonpermanent members, the ten nonpermanent members can hardly oppose the plan. Japan was well consulted on the problem of Cambodia and most of its opinions were accepted in the end. However, Japan did not participate in the discussions conducted by the five permanent members, but took the form of effecting a liaison with the five members when they conduct discussions, from outside of the five members. Concerning the ten nonpermanent members, five of them are nonaligned nations, which form a "nonaligned caucus" alias "the caucus" and adjust their opinions. |
FBIS3-5210_7 | Information Gathering, Analysis Examined | in other nations, but for future diplomacy it is imperative to provide the ordinary people of other nations with correct information. From now on, democratization processes will make headway in many countries, including Russia and China. Unless backed up by popular consensus, other nations cannot be expected to pursue wholesome policies toward Japan at all times. Therefore, I think direct communication with the people of other countries is an indispensable means of future diplomacy. I firmly believe that we need to realize once more the importance of the two factors: communicating information to the Japanese people and disseminating information to the outside world. [GAIKO FORUM] We featured in our September 1993 issue the subject of "How To Strengthen External Dissemination of Information From Japan." A reader suggested that the matter of news agencies also should have been included in our review. [Kondo] Certainly that matter should be given consideration, but in my opinion as much as one half of the works of the Foreign Ministry should be directed toward domestic purposes, to put it in extreme terms. Close examination of the U.S. State Department reveals that it is engaged in active enlightenment activities in the United States. Each state has a number of organizations like the foreign affairs council, and the State Department dispatches lecturers there, sponsors symposiums to discuss diplomatic and international problems among government officials and private citizens with such organizations as the core, and engages in various other activities. In addition, there is such an interesting system as the "diplomat in residence." Under this system, the State Department loans foreign service officials to universities or think tanks and even to domestic enterprises for a certain period of time. Likewise, the U.S. State Department has a very strong recognition of the importance of information communication and enlightenment work about diplomatic problems for the benefit of the people. I was greatly impressed by the government recognition of the fact that the basis of diplomacy lies in the making of popular consensus in a democracy. After the collapse of the Cold War structure, Japan's domestic opinion is likely to waver in various phases of international problems. There is no entity other than the Foreign Ministry that can attempt to build up a consensus at the level of the people, in order for Japan to conduct diplomatic efforts in pursuance of a long-range national interest. Automatic Overseas Complaints System Recommended [GAIKO |
FBIS3-5210_8 | Information Gathering, Analysis Examined | a number of organizations like the foreign affairs council, and the State Department dispatches lecturers there, sponsors symposiums to discuss diplomatic and international problems among government officials and private citizens with such organizations as the core, and engages in various other activities. In addition, there is such an interesting system as the "diplomat in residence." Under this system, the State Department loans foreign service officials to universities or think tanks and even to domestic enterprises for a certain period of time. Likewise, the U.S. State Department has a very strong recognition of the importance of information communication and enlightenment work about diplomatic problems for the benefit of the people. I was greatly impressed by the government recognition of the fact that the basis of diplomacy lies in the making of popular consensus in a democracy. After the collapse of the Cold War structure, Japan's domestic opinion is likely to waver in various phases of international problems. There is no entity other than the Foreign Ministry that can attempt to build up a consensus at the level of the people, in order for Japan to conduct diplomatic efforts in pursuance of a long-range national interest. Automatic Overseas Complaints System Recommended [GAIKO FORUM] So far we have discussed wide-ranging subjects such as collection, analysis, communicating, and dissemination of information. Let me hear Mr. Sassa's views about them. [Sassa] First of all, I must point out that Japan has extremely few information experts. In the case of the United States, competitive relations exist between the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, and DIA [Defense Intelligence Agency] cuts in between them. In spite of some evil effects, fierce competition in the field of international intelligence is waged among at least three powerful government organizations, the State Department, CIA, and DIA, resulting in sharpening and improving abilities of information collection and in mutual criticism. For example, during the Gulf war, only CIA's analysts of reconnaissance satellites predicted the breakout of war, while the State Department was criticized for having optimistic views about the situation, exemplified by U.S. Ambassador Glaspie's taking leave. As the result, the State Department underwent improvement. Such competitive relations are not found in Japan. That is a serious problem. Now, let me cite Swiss examples. Switzerland uses the universal conscription system and every citizen is an intelligence officer. As far as I know, everyone working at a Swiss bank or firm |
FBIS3-5210_28 | Information Gathering, Analysis Examined | ROK, or Russia. It was always with the United States. So the future diplomatic keynote entirely lies in Japan-U.S. relations. In that connection, what Mr. Kondo said is perfectly correct in that the United States has never liked Japan. It only pretended to like Japan because the strong adversary, the Soviet Union, existed. And now it has returned to its original place. It is a big mistake to think that things will become better when the generation that was at war is replaced by the next one. Hatred and prejudice are reproduced. Therefore incessant efforts are needed to prevent the very vulnerable Japan-U.S. relations from breaking up. In that sense, there is a need to make refutations. Misunderstanding can be avoided by making persuasive refutation, not a sensational one. I was specifically referring to the United States when I made the suggestion of a contest system. The spreading of news by word of mouth is astoundingly fast in the United States, and most Americans know that a Japanese prime minister made discriminatory remarks about race. Bad things, however minor, spread in no time. I visit the United States frequently, and a female immigration officer surprised me by saying, "A prime minister should not say such things. It is bad to say somebody is uneducated and lazy." On another occasion a taxi driver said to me, "We are lazy, as you know." I do not know where they picked up such information, but it is certain that such destructive information spreads in no time. [Kondo] In that sense, we have to make logical refutations and at the same time make a strong point in relaying messages to the common American people that Japan and the United States share a common sense of values and common national interests when making refutations. And that message should be relayed repeatedly. [Shibuya] Another necessary point in making complaints is to take considerate care of the feelings of the other party. [GAIKO FORUM] One of our conclusions is that we do not know the United States as we are expected to and that the Japan-U.S. relations are more important than serious situations in Korea, Russia, and China. [Sassa] Through dissemination of international messages, both Japan and the United States are required to exert efforts to dispel misunderstanding. The Japanese people are less aware of the other party, contrary to what is expected of them. So, domestic |
FBIS3-5256_0 | Telecommunications Assistance Extended to Cambodia | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Jakarta, Mar. 5 (ANTARA) -- Indonesia's state-owned domestic telecommunication company, PT [Company Limited] Telkom assists the Cambodian Government in making a telecommunication scheme for leasing a Palapa B-4 satellite transponder, president the company Setyanto P. Santosa said here Friday. For this purpose, he said, a Telkom engineer is now already in Cambodia, he told the press on the occasion of the current visit of Cambodian Telecommunication Minister [title as received] So Khun to Indonesia. He said Telkom is drawing up a plan for the 120 channels on the leased transponder which would be serve as a telecommunication transmitter between the different towns in Cambodia. Telkom has also been asked to assist the operation and maintenance of various telecommunication means in that country. The lease of a Palapa B-4 transponder by Cambodia was not the first one. Previously, Cambodia leased a Palapa B-4 transponder through Telstra, the Australian Telecommunication Corporation, according to an official of the Satellite Telecommunication Region (Witelsat), who preferred to stay anonymous. But the lease through Telstra ended in December 1993, and now the project is directly handled between Cambodia and Witelsat which operates the Palapa B-4 satellite. So Khun is currently in Indonesia since Thursday for signing a lease of one-eighth of the transponder (equivalent to 120 channels) at a rate of 283,712 U.S. dollars per year. The contract was signed in Cibinong, West Java Friday with So Khun acting for Cambodia, while Indonesia was represented by head of Witelsat Bambang Setiawan. So Khun said his country is currently very busy with development, including of telecommunication. In this context, his government is enhancing the quality of Cambodia's human resources in the field of telecommuncation. With regard to cooperation between the countries in Southeast Asia, Setyanto said Indonesia also plans to establish a telecommunication cooperation with Vietnam and Myanmar [Burma] which now have good prospects. |
FBIS3-5264_0 | Economist on Potential Power Imports From Laos | Language: Thai Article Type:BFN [Text] Reporting on the survey made by international economic institutions and himself, in the capacity as economic consultant to the Lao Government, Dr. Wiraphong Ramangkun, secretary general of the Thai-Lao Friendship Association, told PRACHACHAT THURAKIT that Laos is rich in natural resources of all types that are spread throughout the country. Northern Laos is rich in lignite -- the first deposit found has a lignite reserve of the same amount found at Thailand's Mae Mo mine in Lampang Province. Yet, there are still many more lignite deposits in Laos believed to be larger than what has been found in Thailand. The assessment was made by a subsidiary of the Ngan Thawi Group in Hongsa of Laos whose lignite mine can generate power for over 60 years. Also based on the old French maps, Laos has iron ore deposits in Luang Nam Tha; zinc and copper mines in Xieng Khouang; and gems, especially a large amount of blue sapphires, in Bokeo. The central part of the country is covered with forests and water sources suitable for building hydroelectric dams. The Nam Ngum hydroelectric dam is now providing electricity for Thailand. In southern Laos, there are oil deposits and forests and water sources, good for the construction of a hydroelectric dam. There are already two dams there -- Nam Theun 1 and Nam Theun 2. There is a vast area still untapped, and it is possible that there are abundant resources in the area. Dr. Wiraphong noted that, from assessments, the potential of Laos' energy production could turn the country into one of richest in terms of economic potential since that means the 4 million inhabitants of Laos can export 20,000 megawatts of power annually, in other words, a highest per capita income. The country would become "a second Brunei." That is why Laos is focussing on investment in energy development. The program is incorporated in the fourth national economic and social development plan, which will begin on 1 January 1995. Based on the assessment, the best way to earn an income for the country and to attain an economic stability is through exports of energy. Meanwhile, Thailand would be a major customer of Laos, because Thailand can no longer expand production of energy, while demand is always increasing. Thailand therefore needs a power supply from Laos. Anyway, Dr. Wiraphong said he prefers to see Thailand buying power |
FBIS3-5279_0 | Ministry Relaxes Car Inspection Requirement | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Announcer-read report; from "NHK News 9" program] [Text] The Ministry of Transport announced on 3 March that Chrysler's Cherokee, a recreational four-wheel-drive vehicle, would no longer require "vehicle-by-vehicle" inspection when it is put on sale in Japan. This is part of efforts to increase imports of U.S. automobiles into Japan. In the Japan-U.S. economic talks, the United States condemned the Japanese system of inspecting imported cars as an invisible trade barrier. Under the system, every single imported car is inspected to make sure that it meets Japan's safety standards. |
FBIS3-5284_10 | Hata on DPRK Nuclear Issue, Ties With U.S. | about that? [Hata] What I want to say is that various sources of information allege that large amounts of money have flowed into North Korea from Japan -- some of them making reference to tens or hundreds of billions of yen. Some say the money has been carried by travelers in person or in their luggage, or has been sent via Hong Kong or China. While there has been much talk about the matter, to our regret we have not been able to accurately assess the amounts involved. [Matsuyama] Is the government doing anything to discover how much is involved? [Hata] Even though there are no diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea, we have to consider human rights and those people whose fatherland is North Korea or who were born there. [Kuroiwa] As Katsumi Sato said earlier, as long as these people cannot be stopped from reentering Japan, the money flow cannot be stemmed. [Hata] I am talking only in terms of general principle. [Kuroiwa] The problem of money transfer will remain to be tackled in the future. [Hata] North Korea is at present isolated. Being isolated means that there is no information coming out of there. Besides, the country has a very strong power structure, and the nation can be moved easily by its leaders. The country has a very strong power structure, but is dangerous. It is for this reason I have been saying it is very important that the people of North Korea join the international community or that an atmosphere can be created in which true dialogue can be held. [Kuroiwa] I never meant to pose the question out of unnecessary fear. I presented the question in the belief that issues related to security and diplomacy should be dealt with on the assumption that the worse could happen. [Maysuyama] Now, we would like to ask you about relations between Japan and the United States. But, first, we must beg your pardon for saying earlier that you came late because of your tight schedule. It was due to our failure to contact you and confirm arrangements. We are very sorry. [laughter] [Kuroiwa] We would like to have your comments on Japan-U.S. relations. When you consider the DPRK issue, you once again recognize the importance of Japan-U.S. relations. We feel the controversial Super 301 provision of the 1988 Omnibus Trade Act strongly suggests Japan is being threatened. |
FBIS3-5327_1 | Government, Papers React to Super 301 Revival Government Expresses Regret | States intends to take retaliatory action against an country using unfair trade practices. The Korea Trade Promotion Corp. [KOTRA] and the Korea Foreign Trade Association [KFTA] made similar comments that the United States is likely to use the weapon as a means to pressure all its trading partners recording trade surpluses with the United States to open their markets wider. A KOTRA official cited China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The United States is also deeply interested in the telecommunications and financial markets of Korea and protection of foreign intellectual property rights here. If the United States obtains what it wants from Japan, it is expected to use the clause against Southeast Asian nations and Korea, the KFTA and KOTRA officials said. Korea has a good relationship with the United States thanks to balanced trade unlike in the late 1980s, they said. But Washington has not decreased its pressure, calling for advancing the market opening timetable in nine fields, including telecommunications and education, at a third conference of the Dialogue for Economic Cooperation (DEC) last month. Han Yong-su, director-general at the trade cooperation bureau of the Trade-Industry-Energy Ministry said, "Now, we have no outstanding trade disputes with the United States. We have been carrying out the market opening program at a fast pace. We will wait and see how the situation develops." But Super 301 is different from existing Clause 301 by the act that the retaliation procedures are simple and negotiations are comprehensive with each nation involved, not item-by-item or field-by-field negotiations. A a result, its impact on one nation is wide, a KFTA official said. Japan, India and Brazil surrendered to the U.S. threat to use Super 301 in 1989 and India again in 1990. To escape from the naming as a nation for priority negotiation in 1989-90, Korea opened its farm markets wider and drastically eased regulations on foreign investment in advance. Since 1989, Korea has been listed as a priority watch nation for intellectual property rights and has been forced to strengthen protection of property rights under Special 301 which is only applied to that sector. Some businessmen, on the other hand, forecast that Korea will be able to benefit from U.S. pressure on Japan. They claimed that Korea could advance to Japanese markets amid the high yen in a short-term view. The United States wants Japan's automobile and semiconductor markets to open to U.S. exporters. |
FBIS3-5369_1 | Achievements of Scientists, Technicians Noted | machine, thus making a sizable contribution to the development of the national economy and the improvement of the people's standard of living. The scientists and technicians dispatched to the Sunchon District coal mining complex introduced a method of cutting coal layers downwards so that the coal output per cutting face could be raised 1.5-2 times. A coal mine under the complex produced an extra 210,000 tons of coal last year by introducing this method. Those who are active at the Pyongyang thermal power complex resolved some 40 problems of science and technology in raising the combustion rate of boilers and keeping a steady rate of electric production to increase the annual generating capacity by 200 million kwh. Those dispatched to the sector of light industry built a production process of super-plastic material, new shoe moulds and lasts so as to diversify the variety and increase productivity. The February 17 shock brigades of scientists and technicians have solved a large number of scientific and technical problems of great importance to the chuche orientation, modernization and scientization of the national economy. Among them are note-worthy successes such as development of 300 kinds of micro and hi-fi electronic elements and NC devices, completion of the method of laser heating and massproduction of precision alloy steel and micro alloy steel. They also solved many problems in such advanced science and technology as cell engineering, genetic engineering and ultracryogenics. Thanks to their activities in recent years, the remote control and computerization of production processes have reached a higher stage at many industrial establishments including the Hwanghae iron and steel complex and the Puryong alloy steel complex, and many coal and ore mines nearly doubled the production. The shock brigades, which play a big role in developing the national economy, were organised on February 17, 1978 by dear Comrade Kim Chong-il. Comrade Kim Chong-il laid down the policy of dispatching scientists and technicians to work sites in order to solve problems arising in production and actively develop new technologies in reliance on the collective strength of the producers, and took all necessary measures including the action programme, guidance system and supply conditions for the shock brigades. Last year, he dispatched such shock brigades to 19 new important units of the national economy and provided them with good conditions for scientific research. The shock brigades total more than 60 and involve some 8,000 competent scientists and technicians. |
FBIS3-5379_1 | Super 301 `Conflicts' With GATT Principle | one nation. So the problem is rather more than simply the $60-billion trade imbalance with the United States. 2) Unlike the economic background to the 1985 Plaza agreement, Germany now has a deficit trade balance and Japan is the only country producing a huge trade surplus today. 3) Following the conclusion of the Cold War, the United States is reviewing the significance of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Not only the United States, but many other countries are beginning to consider economic issues are as critical as security affairs. While economic frictions used be settled more easily under the pretext of "the need for a healthy alliance" to cope with the Cold War, this is no longer true. The Clinton Administration is the United States' first post-Cold War administration, and its Japan policy is obviously different from those of preceding U.S. Administrations. It appears Japan is too dependent on the alliance of the Cold War era. In fact, the unilateral actions of the United States raise some questions. The U.S. demand for "numerical targets," for example, does not look reasonable. However, to neglect the U.S. demand is to remain idle despite the seriousness of the situation. Japan's idle attitude toward the trade issue may result in further appreciation of the yen rate. Even if the United States imposes economic sanctions against Japan according to the Super 301 provision, they will not redress the trade imbalance between the two nations. After all, the huge trade surplus and the high level of the yen rate will remain unchanged until Japan takes action. If Japan makes antagonistic counter moves against the United States, it would be as good as declaring a "trade war." At least, that would be the reaction of the market. If the market views Japan's countermoves as the nation's "resolve to stick to idleness," it will be the market that takes over readjustment of Japan-U.S. relations. If that happens, the foreign exchange market would be driven into confusion, and Japan would be isolated on the international political scene. Neither idleness, therefore, nor countermoves should be Japan's response. It may be possible for Japan to file a complaint to GATT against the unilateral action taken by the United States. Yet, taking into account how Japan's trade surplus affects the world economy, such a complaint would never be justified by Japan's current trade policy. Fortunately, the United States has decided to prepare several months |
FBIS3-5411_0 | Daily Expresses Support for Cuba's `Struggle' | Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Cuban People Are Not Alone" -- KCNA headline] [Text] Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- NODONG SINMUN today expresses firm solidarity with the Cuban people's just struggle upon the lapse of eight years since the Korean visit of Fidel Castro, a historical event that brought Korea-Cuba friendship to a higher stage. Noting that the Cuban people united closely around Comrade Fidel Castro are steadfastly defending the sovereignty and dignity of the country under the banner of socialism, while smashing the moves of the imperialists at every turn, the paper says in a by-lined article: The righteous struggle of the Cuban people enjoys unanimous support from the world progressive people. The progressive people across the world are urging the United States to promptly lift the economic and diplomatic blockade against Cuba. The struggle for supporting the just cause of the Cuban people and frustrating the anti-Cuba moves of the imperialists are being waged in different forms in many countries. The Korean and Cuban peoples have defended the cause of socialism, supporting and cooperating with each other. Their militant friendship and solidarity have been further consolidated and developed in the course of struggling for the common cause, overcoming difficulties together. The Korean people will as ever fully support the just cause of the fraternal Cuban people. The socialist cause of the Cuban people will vigorously advance, encouraged by international support and solidarity. |
FBIS3-5440_1 | * Religion Oversight Coordination Team Formed | the job of carefully researching and evaluating developments in particular faiths to ascertain their impact on public order and security. At the central level, the team is chaired by the attorney general, with the deputy attorney general for intelligence as deputy chairman. Other members of the PAKEM Team include the director general of sociopolitical affairs of the Department of Home Affairs, the director general of culture at the Department of Education and Culture, the assistant for territorial affairs to the ABRI [Indonesian Armed Forces] chief of General Staff, the second deputy to the chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the director of intelligence and security for the Indonesian Police. As he installed the Central PAKEM Coordination Team, Attorney General Singgih said that the heterogeneity of the Indonesian people with respect to ethnic groups, religions, races, classes, cultures, and languages provides potential for the emergence of interference with national unity and integrity. "The Central PAKEM Team has been formed to oversee the activities of faiths to ensure that they will not plunge into endeavors that could threaten the order of society and state under applicable laws," he stated. According to Singgih, the PAKEM Team will also face challenges and obstacles that must be resolved collectively with regard to legal materials, coordination among involved agencies, facilities, and infrastructure. Nevertheless, the attorney general said he was confident that by looking sharply at the problems being faced and by carefully formulating efforts to deal with them--and equipped with the experience of its members--the team will be able to take integrated action to handle the various issues involved in overseeing faiths among the people. Meanwhile, Soeparman, S.H., chief of public relations for the Attorney General's Office, said that the background of the revitalization of the PAKEM Team is the flow of globalization, which makes possible the entrance of foreign or existing faiths that could influence faiths already present in Indonesia. In principle, the government will ban faiths that deviate from GBHN [Broad Outline of State Policy] provisions on the subject, namely that the promotion of faith in One God must not be oriented to the formation of new religions and that such promotion must be in accordance with the first and second principles of Pancasila [ideology of the Indonesian state]. Faiths that deviate and are banned are those that are not consistent with Indonesia's national political, economic, social, and cultural conditions, he explained. |
FBIS3-5443_0 | NAFTA Expansion Could Hamper U.S. Investment | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] American investment in Thailand may be affected if Singapore and Korea are accepted into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), says M.R. Napthong Thongyai, chief of the Thai Commercial Counsellor's Office in Washington. Singapore, an ASEAN member, and Korea have approached the NAFTA partners -- the United States, Canada and Mexico -- to become members of what is already the world's largest free-trade zone. According to M.R. Napthong, the US Trade Representative's office has informed the Thai Commerce Ministry of the two countries' overtures. Mexico once opposed to the idea of new NAFTA's members, appears to be doing an about-face and has recently suggested that other countries in South America could join the pact. A Commerce Ministry source said that if Singapore and Korea were accepted into NAFTA, US investments in other ASEAN countries including Thailand would be affected. The source noted that Singapore would be a target for criticism from members of the ASEAN Free Trade Area [AFTA] unless it offered similar preferential tariffs to members of both trade blocs. He said Singapore may offer lower tariffs on certain items traded among NAFTA members or shorter enforcement time frames than those offered to AFTA members. Singapore has long been known in favour of such an agreement, so many ASEAN members fear it would offer the US the best deals. If NAFTA covered Korea, it may erode the competitiveness of Thai exports in certain items such as textiles and electronic products in the United States, said the source. Another source in the Business Economics Department said there would be little impact on Thai exports to the United States since Thailand enjoyed lower rates on products such as computers under the Generalised System of Preferences. Singapore is the second-biggest exporter of computers to the United States with a 17.2 percent market share. Japan's share is 35.2 percent. The source said Thai exports of textiles, which account for 2.6 percent of the US market, would not suffer because a bilateral agreement ensured export quotas. |
FBIS3-5453_0 | Trade Talks Held With U.S. in Seoul 8 Mar | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, March 8 (YONHAP) -- The United States urged South Korea to strengthen its intellectual property protection to harmonize with the Uruguay Round agreement in trade talks here Tuesday. A delegation led by U.S. Deputy Assistant Trade Representative Peter Collins met with Seoul officials for negotiations focusing on intellectual property and opening the South Korean market to American cars. The talks opened just weeks before a report will be submitted to the U.S. Congress on the status of South Korea's intellectual property rights protection. A final decision on whether to drop South Korea from the priority watch list or label it as a priority foreign country is due late next month. Washington is demanding that Seoul continue to crack down on violators and upgrade its laws to match those of the trade-related intellectual properties (TRIPs) of the Uruguay Round. For instance, a movie with an acknowledged copyright in one country automatically receives the same copyright protection in all other nations under the terms of TRIPs. South Korean law, however, only recognizes a movie copyright from after 1987. Seoul explained that it conducted a special crackdown on violators in the January-October period last year, which helped improve the situation. On another front, Washington took issue with various barriers in South Korea when buying U.S. cars such as high tariffs and the acquisition tax. U.S. officials also described what they saw as psychological barriers, such as worries about a tax audit when purchasing a foreign automobile. Seoul replied that it does not erect such barriers and that its current 10 percent tariff is not high compared with common international practice. It explained the rate has already been lowered from 15 percent and thus cannot be reduced further this year. The European union also levies a 10 percent tariff on imported cars, South Korea pointed out. |
FBIS3-5457_0 | U.S. Trade `Pressure,' Super 301 Discussed | Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Article by Kim Cha-su: "U.S. Trade Pressure and Government Countermeasures"] [Text] The United States is now stepping up the trade pressure that had abated temporarily. It appears as though U.S. trade pressure will be amplified since the Super 301 provision was revived on 3 March. Accordingly, the government is taking pains to prepare countermeasures against the U.S. trade pressure. At present, the United States is interested, most of all, in opening the auto market wider and hastening the opening of the services sector. On 7 March, the United States dispatched Peter Collins, U.S. deputy assistant trade representative in charge of Asia and Pacific affairs, to the ROK to make a full-scale demand for the ROK to open its auto market. The United States believes that the 120 to 1, car imports to exports ratio is in a state of great imbalance because of tariff and non-tariff barriers in the ROK, and are strongly demanding that the ROK adjust this. First complaining of the ROK's 10 percent tariff on passenger cars compared to its 2.5 percent tariff, the United States said that because the special excise tax is imposed according to differential tariff rates, the competitive strength of large U.S. cars is diminished. Tax probes of buyers of foreign cars, and the inability of U.S. car makers to secure broadcast advertisement time were cited as additional barriers to the advance of U.S. cars in the ROK market. Apparently, U.S. Deputy Assistant Trade Representative Collins will also discuss the issue of intellectual property rights with ROK Government officials. The United States placed the ROK on its list of countries subject to priority surveillance. Although the ROK has strengthened the protection of intellectual property rights over the past several years, illegal duplication of software programs and trademark infringements by enterprises have yet to be rooted out. This is another source of U.S. complaints. In connection with this, the government will notify the United States of our policy of strongly cracking down on infringements of intellectual property rights, and at the same time will ask the United States to exclude the ROK from its list of countries subject to priority surveillance. The government feels that we do not have to unconditionally meet the U.S. demand for market opening, but that we can cope according to our own plan. In other words, because our government has already begun to open up |
FBIS3-5471_9 | Vu Oanh Article on National Unity, Part 2 | the right to use their land, workers will possess shares in their enterprises, and the public will be provided loans for their business operation so that everybody will have a fair chance to improve their life, making the poor become better, the average become rich, and the rich become richer. For the people who have rendered a meritorious service to the nation such as the families of fallen combatants and injured soldiers and the people who have been in national service for many years with outstanding performance, our party and state have given them privilege treatment and have launched public movements to help them. However, we must pay more attention to provide better assistance and conditions to them so that these people can have a living standard at least equal to that of average people in the same residential area would enjoy. We must not leave them struggling permanently in the poverty line. For the workers, we must provide them with additional technical and professional training so that they can adjust themselves in the industrialization and modernization process. We must train our contingent of workers for new technologies and accelerate our technical training in service management, tourism, languages, accounting, statistics, and so forth... according to the market demand. We must introduce the share-holding system in state enterprises and business, provide loans for the workers to set up their share-holding enterprises, and widely apply the quota contract system for our workers. We must provide enough jobs for workers and establish a cooperative relationship between employers and workers to improve the business productivity, quality, and efficiency. On the foundation of respecting the law, we must guarantee the workers' legitimate interests and fulfill our financial obligations to the state. For the peasants, the national industrialization and modernization will create great effects for rural areas, agriculture, and peasants. The infrastructure construction must concentrate in rural areas, especially the development of public roads, electricity, postal and communications, culture, health care, and education to narrow the gap between cities and rural areas. The government must continue to perfect its policy to grant the right of land use to peasants. It must also introduce policies to develop the reasonable relationship between the industry, agriculture, and service. It must increase investment for the development of barren land, empty hills, water surface, and coastal areas. It must develop processing industry, industries, and handicrafts and expand our market relation to |
FBIS3-5472_0 | * Hydroelectric, Powerline Projects Described | Language: Vietnamese Article Type:CSO [Article by Pham Hunh Nghi] [Text] "1994 is the year of Vietnamese electrical power and the year in which the south will finally have sufficient electricity," said Premier Vo Van Kiet on 16 November 1993 at the Thac Mo hydroelectric project located on the Be River. January: the three gas turbines installed at Ba Ria, with a total capacity of 100 megawatts of electricity, generate electricity. April: the 500-kv north-south landline goes into stage-1 operation. June: one of the two 75-kw Thac Mo turbines goes on line. Those will be joyous news items this coming spring. With a capacity of 150 megawatts, Thac Mo has greater capacity than Thac Ba (120 megawatts) and almost the capacity of Da Nhim (160 megawatts). But to date, this is the largest hydroelectric project for which all the geographical and geological research and for which the technical designs for almost all the main projects were done by us. The energy line and water gates, pipelines, plant, outside distribution stations, and spill heads of the pressure lines were built by the Interenergo Corporation (Ukrainian Energy Projects Institute). All of the other technical projects, including the main dam, the spillways (including intake and drainage canals and foundation holes), the Duc Hanh dam and secondary dams, the canal connecting the two reservoirs, and the plans to organize construction--pressure line, surfaces, and hydroelectricity--were the responsibility of Research and Design Corporation II. Nguyen Van Thinh, the deputy director of this corporation, said that most of the people who participated in the Thac Mo project were very young. A few people such as Doan Hai Minh and Nguyen Xuan Hoa were present at Song Da and Tri An, but at the time that they were there, there was little work and the technical requirements were not great. Work on the project got underway on 20 November 1991. But the "intellectual products" of the people at Research and Design Corporation II, that is, the economic and technical arguments of Thac Mo, had been approved 8 months prior to that, and by June 1991 all the technical designs had been examined. But it was not until 27 December 1993, when the Be River was safely dammed, that the quality of the design was affirmed. "Brain power is very cheap," joked a number of people. Thac Mo cost more than 1.5 trillion, but the technical design work of the |
FBIS3-5523_0 | ASEAN To Explore `Closer Ties' With ECO | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] ASEAN Secretary-General Ajit Singh will visit Tehran in mid-April for talks with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) secretariat on establishing economic, trade and tourism links between the two regional groupings. Ajit Singh, who is attending the three-day closed-door Special Senior Asean Officials Meeting (SOM) in Bangkok, said the ECO had expressed an interest in closer ties. It was also in line with the decision of the third Asean summit in Singapore in 1992 to develop closer relations with other regional groupings. "It will be a preliminary, exploratory visit to study the possible scope of relations between Asean and the ECO," he said. The 10-member ECO groups Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the former Soviet Muslim republics of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Ajit Singh will visit Pakistan on the return trip. Last year he led a delegation to China that concluded with Beijing opening a new chapter in science and technology cooperation with Asean. He recently made an official visit to Vietnam and Laos, who became Asean observers in 1992. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Suwit Simasakun said yesterday Burma must be brought into the mainstream of regional affairs. Asean members had agreed in principle that Burma should be invited to attend the Asean meeting in July, but there was still no agreement on what status Rangoon should have. The SOM meeting, attended by senior Asean foreign affairs, security and intelligence officials, yesterday reviewed security in the region and made preparations for the first Asean Regional Forum (ARF) on July 25. An Asean official said the regional issues touched were on Burma, the South China Sea, the Korean peninsula and Cambodia, relations with major powers like China, the US, Japan and Russia. The political cooperation issues covered included the Asean role in Zopfan -- the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality -- the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and confidence-building measures. |
FBIS3-5525_0 | South Urged To Stop Dumping Nuclear Waste | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Pyongyang, March 7 (KCNA) -- Hwang Sang-chun, chairman of the State Environmental Commission of the DPRK, strongly urged the South Korean authorities to immediately stop nuclear waste dumping in the sea and take emergency measures to prevent nuclear leakage. Speaking at a press conference here today, he told home and foreign reporters that the South Korean authorities dumped 29,513 curies of liquid waste, 84,737 curies of gas waste and 29,034 drums of solid waste in seven years from 1986 to 1992. He ascribed their dumping of a large amount of nuclear waste in the sea to their anti-popular policy, the backwardness of the technological levels of atomic energy facilities and, especially, their clandestine promotion of nuclear arms development. According to him, the authorities in South Korea have paid no heed to the health and lives of the population and environmental protection in constructing and running nuclear power stations, and failed to regularly check, repair and readjust machinery, while immersing themselves only in power production for money-making. Subsequently, there have been not infrequent leakages of radioactive substances due to breakdown, damages, etc. It is no secret that the "Taedok research complex" in South Korea, has nuclear reprocessing facilities now operated under the name of "a research reactor". The spent nuclear fuel from the reactors in South Korea is turned into plutonium through reprocessing facilities now concealed at the "Taedok research complex" and used to develop nuclear weapons. He condemned dumping of nuclear waste into the sea by the South Korean puppets as a wanton violation of international accords, barbarism and anti-national, anti-human crimes to exterminate the nation and mankind. He sternly warned that if the South Korean puppets continue dumping nuclear waste into the sea and accelerating the development of nuclear weapons, they will have to bear responsibility for the consequences arising therefrom and face strong denunciation at home and abroad. Chairman Hwang Sang-chun and Yi Hak-sun, an expert of nuclear safety and radioactive protection, answered questions put by reporters. Exposing the scheme of the South Korean puppet clique to build a nuclear power plants in Kosong, South Korean Kangwon Province, they said that if the power plant is built at the place less than 10 kilometres from the Military Demarcation Line, nuclear polution will directly affect the northern half of the country. |
FBIS3-5528_0 | * Problems in Trade With DPRK Described | Language: Korean Article Type:CSO [By reporter Kang Tae-ho] [Text] Anticipating the post-unification period, most businesses, and particularly conglomerates, view North Korea as a market they are destined to enter. This means that, although there be many obstacles and investment dangers, they are prepared to risk these for the sake of long-term investment. However, as long as government policy does not support this, there will be limits to North-South economic cooperation. Even through early 1993, businesses interested in economic cooperation with North Korea, filled with expectation following the birth of the new government, forecast that 1993 would be an epoch-making turning point in North-South economic cooperation. That forecast missed the mark, however. Set in the context of the February resolution on special inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency and North Korea's announcement that it would withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty following this, the government's policy of linking the nuclear issue with economic cooperation tied the hands of business. Actually, the results of 1993's North-South economic cooperation show that it is just marking time. Beginning on 7 October 1988 with the announcement of an economic opening toward the North, a follow-up measure to the 7 July Proclaimation, trade with North Korea is now in its sixth year. During that time, the scale of North-South trade reached $200 million annually. Besides conglomerates such as Lucky Gold Star, Samsung, and Daewoo, small- and medium-sized firms are actively getting involved, bringing the present total to over 270 companies. By what motives or opportunities are these firms getting involved in trade with North Korea? What are the actual problems in North Korea trade? What do working-level officials on site think is needed for full-scall trade with North Korea? Examples of North-South Trade [Nambuk Kyoyok Saryejip], published by the Unification Board at the end of last year, answers these questions at least partially. Examples are found in the experiences of working-level officials of companies which had constantly participated in North-South trade. These show us the present state of North-South trade. -- Commissioned Processing Trade. Using the opportunity provided by Mr. P, a middleman in trade with North Korea, when he proposed a venture in the commissioned processing of clothing while describing his visit to North Korea at their Beijing office during the summer of 1992, Lucky Gold Star pursued trade in the commissioned processing of work uniforms. First of all, it was most important to |
FBIS3-5542_2 | Poll on Public's Attitude Toward Tax Issues | consumption tax hike in exchange for a cut in income tax. As the public becomes aware of the problems of an aging society, it is beginning to take a more positive attitude toward the idea of a consumption tax increase to fund welfare programs. Among supporters of Shinseito [Japan Renewal Party], Komeito, and the Japan New Party, more than 50 percent supported a consumption tax rise, while 30 percent were against the idea. By contrast, more than 50 percent disapproved of the tax increase and about 30 percent supported the idea among supporters of the Social Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Communist Party. Opinions among supporters of Sakigake [Harbinger] and the Liberal Democratic Party were split. Asked to indicate, from five possible answers, the worst aspect of a rise in consumption tax, the largest group, amounting to 39 percent, chose "tax profits" because, they said, "it is hard to see if tax money is really going into the public purse." The figure of 73 percent said the current taxation system is "unfair." Settling public frustration with the current tax system is probably a prerequisite before any tax increases are imposed in preparing for the aging of society. On the current 3 percent consumption tax, which is about five years old, 35 percent said the tax burden was "too heavy," but 57 percent said it was "not important." In the April 1989 survey held immediately after the introduction of the consumption tax, 71 percent said the tax rate was "too heavy." It appears the public's ill feelings toward the tax have eased over the last five years. Asked for the general feelings about taxes, 48 percent said "taxes are too heavy," and 44 percent said they are at "an acceptable level." The percentage of those who think taxes are too heavy has dropped drastically from the 60 percent figure in the March 1988 survey, and is the lowest since the survey started in September 1970. Compared with results of the previous survey, those who said taxes were too heavy dropped from 70 to 53 percent among industrial workers, and from 68 to 52 percent among administrative workers. In general, the decline in complaints about the tax burden was more obvious among white-collar workers. As far as their thoughts about taxation in the future are concerned, 39 percent supported a further increase in indirect taxation, while 48 percent were opposed. |
FBIS3-5555_0 | Paper Reports on 8 Mar Trade Talks With U.S. | Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Text] At ROK-U.S. working-level trade talks held on 8 March in Seoul, concerning the issues of automobile and intellectual property rights, the U.S. side strongly urged the ROK side to further reduce tariffs on imported cars and to conduct a special crackdown on those who violate intellectual property rights, along with revising relevant laws and regulations established to protect the rights. In the talks, while highly assessing the results of the ROK side's efforts to crack down on violators of the intellectual property rights, the U.S. side not only called for the ROK side to conduct a stronger crackdown on violators, but also strongly urged it to revise its laws and regulations so as to match those of the intellectual property agreement of the Urguay Round and the level of those of advanced countries. Concerning the issue of opening the automobile market, the U.S. side, claiming that the ROK authorities have taken such an unfavorable measure as conducting a tax audit on those who purchase foreign cars, strongly urged the ROK side to stop taking such a measure and to further lower tariffs on imported cars from the current 10 percent. However, recalling the fact that the laws related to the intellectual property rights such as the copyright protection law, the computer program protection law, the tariff law, and the cabled television broadcasting law have already been revised last year through consultations with the United States, our side explained that the tariff on imported cars has been lowered from 15 percent last year to 10 percent this year and that it is difficult to further lower the tariff because the European Union also levies a 10 percent trariff on imported cars. |
FBIS3-5557_0 | Editorial Questions Stance on Rights Issue | Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Editorial: "The World Focuses on the National Security Law"] [Text] It is deplorable that political discussion on the National Security Law [NSL], which is well known as an evil law trampling upon human rights, has not shown any progress although it has, with the domestic movement to repeal the law, become a matter of international concern. Both a high-ranking U.S. Government official and the U.S. secretary of state remarked on their hopes for the repeal of the NSL and it is a main issue at the UN Human Rights Commission Conference being held in Geneva, Switzerland. Considering that the Human Rights Commission Conference adopted a resolution recommending the phased repeal of the NSL in Vienna in 1992, it is conceivable that a stronger resolution may be adopted this time. It seems that we will not be able to avoid being labeled as a "country with underdeveloped human rights." While not demanding repeal with the help of international opinion, we must reemphasize our opinion regarding the government and ruling party's insistance on disapproving the revision or repeal of the NSL, and their objection to international opinion. First, let us examine if the revision or repeal of the NSL is a domestic issue that should not be discussed by others. The foreign minister called the U.S. ambassador to the ROK to protest the remarks by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hubbard, and the Democratic Liberal Party issued a statement refuting the confirmation remarks by Secretary of State Christopher. They all asked for a halt in remarks that interfere in internal affairs. Although we would like to positively appraise the government and the ruling party's apparent change in attitude from one of swallowing its anger on unsatisfactory points in relations with the United States, we cannot but criticize their points of refutation. Without mentioning the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the human rights issue is already a matter of international concern and no one can deny that it is common practice to apply international measures. Moreover, the International Human Rights Conference held in Vienna in July 1993 declared that protection and improvement of human rights is a legal concern for the international community. We have to recognize that insistance on this as a domestic issue is limiting when considering that our country will have increasingly more occasion to comment on the human rights conditions of foreign countries. Next, |
FBIS3-5581_1 | Importance of Russian Role in Bosnia Viewed | this trend was already visible after NATO threatened to bomb the Serbs. Russia strongly opposed the threat and insisted that the settlement of the Bosnian conflict be referred to the UN Security Council. If the proposal is approved, Russia would certainly use its veto power to defend the Serbs. [passage omitted] There are several reasons why Russia, which earlier supported the West, is now defending the Serbs. First, the Serbs are a traditional ally of Russia. Although Russia is no longer the godfather [preceding word in English] of its former satellite nations, it is still obligated to defend the Serbs, who used to be part of its hegemony. Second, Russia appears to have been angry that it has totally been ignored by the West in the Bosnian conflict. The NATO ultimatum, for example, was obviously issued without taking Russia into account. Russian generals feel that Russia, a former superpower and former leader of the defunct Warsaw Pact, has been ignored by NATO. Accordingly, they have tried from the very beginning to obstruct NATO actions. Third, in the context of international politics, Russia wants to "reemerge" as a superpower by showing its opposition to the Western scenario in the Balkans. The fact that its economy has collapsed and domestic politics is in disarray is one thing, while involvement in an international conflict is another. In any case, Russia still has military strength that needs to be reckoned with. The Serbs are, of course, exploiting such a situation. They believe that the West--half-heartedly and irreversibly dragged into the conflict--will think twice before crushing them if Russia is involved on their side. Of course, Russia will not intervene hastily because it has to be cautious toward the United States and Europe, whose assistance is by all means needed to support the reforms in Russia. Regardless of this, the Serbian policy of using Russia as a "shield," may, however, complicate the situation in the Balkans. Even NATO, the United Nations, and the United States continue to have different views about the best way to settle the conflict. NATO's "unanimous" decision to give the Serbs the ultimatum was in fact not made easily because each NATO member feels that it has a better way to settle the conflict. Thus, imagine what will happen if the Russian factor is actually played in the delicate Bosnian conflict! Obviously, such a situation will benefit the Serbs the most. |
FBIS3-5582_0 | Editorial Discusses Solution to Bosnia Conflict | Language: Indonesian Article Type:BFN [Editorial: "We Should Consider and Champion the Fate of Bosnians"] [Excerpts] What was the reason behind the global community's previous assistance to Africa when it encountered famine? It was because the mass media, particularly worldwide television coverage, carried daily reports and screened footage of Africans -- infants, children, and old people -- reduced to skeletal forms and left hopeless without any future. [passage omitted] Yet another episode also has been witnessed through the mass media to a global audience over the last 22 months, particularly via television: scenes of the ethnic war in Bosnia linked to religion and which pose as a grim reminder with regard to the future of mankind. No accomplishment is derived from the ongoing trend of conflicts and tragedies. Every time one forgets such incidents, he or she is again jolted by what is aired over the television. The situation in Bosnia indicates a totally different and horrific kind of tragedy. Every time a tragic incident occurs, it proves to be more terrifying than the previous ones occuring several weeks before. [passage omitted] Take for example the latest incidents. The latest brutality occurred after the NATO alliance announced its ultimatum that it would bomb Serbian mortar positions if they did not withdraw their troops by the 20 February deadline. It comes as no surprise that there is a discrepancy. The victims of brutality have, in fact, called for effective action. On the one hand, there are brutalities that have claimed lives. On the other, we see a failure to take effective decisions. Indecision has in turn brought about views and evaluations about the existence of double standards as well as ethnic and religious discrimination. The problem is not as simple as we might think. We have constantly heard about hilly regions, the responsibility of the democratic governments, and national interests. Viewing the complexity of the problem and its considerations, we will definitely not be able to get rid of the views that the practise of double standards was employed by the Western nations in facing the war in the former Yugoslavia. At least, the Western nations do not act as effectively as when facing other issues, for example Iraq. Geographically, Bosnia is distant but psychologically nearer to several developing nations, including Indonesia. Our society has witnessed the brutality through mass media on numerous occasions. Our society is also affected by the discrepancy, |
FBIS3-5588_0 | Joint Economic Committee With Thailand Meets | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] The Philippines and Thailand yesterday concluded the first round of talks of a joint committee on bilateral cooperation which led to agreements on the establishment of business cooperation councils, countertrade arrangements, an exchange of trade and investment priority lists, and an investments guarantee accord to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. In a press conference, Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo and Thai Foreign Minister Prasong Sunsiri also agreed on a "joint approach" to trade and commodity issues in international forums such as the GATT and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), apparently to set an example for other ASEAN countries in adopting a unified stand. On political issues, Prasong told reporters that Thailand and the Philippines had agreed to support the move to include Myanmar [Burma] in the Asean Ministers Meeting in July, despite reservations by other member states due to the country's human rights record. Prasong said that as head of the ASEAN Standing Committee, his consultations with other ASEAN leaders on the issue had been "positive." He, however, refused to divulge details of his consultative meetings. During the 1 to 4 March talks of the Philippine-Thailand Joint Commission at the Manila Hotel, both countries agreed to establish business cooperation councils in their capital cities, to facilitate investments and joint ventures. |
FBIS3-5607_0 | MITI Official on `Latest' U.S. Super 301 Move | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, March 9 KYODO -- A senior trade ministry official on Wednesday [9 March] played down the latest U.S. move on invocation of the "Super 301" trade provision. "The action does not represent a significant meaning for Japan," he said. The comment came after U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor said Tuesday that the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is considering eight trade areas in which Japan may be the target of retaliation under Super 301. The official from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), who declined to be identified, said the eight areas must have been chosen from findings in an annual USTR survey on global trading practices released a year ago. Under the revived Super 301 law, the U.S. will list trade practices deemed unfair to U.S. products, using findings from the national trade estimate report set for release at the end of March. Washington would then have until September 30 to single out priority countries engaged in unfair trading. Trade categories being named in the upcoming USTR report are not automatically subject to sanctions under Super 301, the official said. The eight named are the insurance, lumber, paper products, flat glass, computers, supercomputers, telecommunications equipment and medical products markets. On four-point market-opening measures to be released by Japan at the end of March, the MITI official said the package will be divided into two areas -- one ready for immediate enforcement and the other coming under further study for implementation. The package will feature deregulation, import and investment promotion, competition policy and reforms in the government procurement process. He declined to give further details such as which areas would be given immediate enforcement. |
FBIS3-5642_15 | Kang Song-san Addresses Agriculture Meeting | conditions: pumping stations, transportation-style, and constant irrigation. Indeed, the irrigation facilities in our rural areas provided by the wise leadership of our party are perfect [word indistinct] which guarantees the endless development of our agriculture, and are brilliant creations that demonstrate the invincible great might of our party and people and the great might of popular masses-centered socialism of our own style. Our country has become a proud country in the world with developed irrigation and an exemplary country in which irrigation has been completed. [applause] With the accomplishment of the electrification task put forward by the agricultural theses, the electrification of our farms has reached a very high level. With a view to meeting the daily-increasing electricity demand on a securer basis, our party put forward the policy of simultaneously building large-scale hydroelectric and thermoelectric power stations as well as building small- and medium-size power stations in many places. Our party saw to it that the struggle to implement the policy was vigorously carried out. The construction of large-scale hydroelectric and thermoelectric power stations was actively pushed ahead during the Third Seven-year Plan period in compliance with the party's correct electrification policy, and many small- and medium-size power stations were built throughout the country. As a result, the nation's power bases have been further strengthened. Thanks to the chuche-oriented electric power and energy provided in our country, the electric power used by our farms in a year increased 8.6 times from that in 1963 and the scope of the use of electricity in the rural economy has been constantly expanded. With the rapid development of and under the vigorous support by the chuche-oriented industry, a turning point was effected in the mechanization and scientification of the rural economy. The great leader Comrade Kim Il-song put forward the work of emancipation of peasants, who suffered various hardships for a long time because of difficult and arduous labor, as a lofty historic mission assigned to the revolutionaries of our era, and wisely led the struggle for mechanization and the application of science in the rural economy. Thanks to the nation's powerful mechanical industry, the party's policy for building agricultural machine production bases has been carried to accomplishment. As a result, tractor and truck production bases have been firmly built and agricultural machine production plants have been constructed in the central and local areas. Accordingly, various efficient agricultural machines and tools suitable |
FBIS3-5645_0 | `Concern' Over U.S. Revival of Super 301 | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] Trade Assistant Secretary Edsel T. Custodio said that the Philippines should be concerned over the United States' move in reviving a provision of the U.S. law known as Super 301 which if not settled could erupt into a trade war. Custodio said the "U.S. move is a discordant note of the emphasis in the conclusion of the Uruguay Round (UR) negotiation." [passage omitted] The United States will come out with a target list of countries which it deemed to have erected trade barriers against the United States. Apparently, the Clinton administration's decision to revive the Super 301 came after its failure to settle trade disputes with Japan, where the U.S. has a $59.3-billion trade imbalance. Although the issue is bilateral in nature, Custodio said the situation may reach to a point where "every man has to fend for himself." "The point of the matter is that we are entering a stage under the Uruguay Round where most unilateral action based on national objective is subject to multilateral obligations and multilateral disciplines," Custodio stressed. He added that the conclusion of the UR signals that it is now ready to give powers to international trading which provides a forum for settling disputes. "There is no room for unilateral action in adversarial manner," Custodio stressed. If the United States pursues the trade sanction against Japan, Custodio said "we cannot prevent other countries from picking the same tool where countries have to defend themselves." But if the U.S. and Japan dispute is taken up in the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) a trade war can be prevented but if not then a trade war looms. "We are voicing our concern," Custodio said noting the Philippine concern is also a very valid concern of other developing countries. The Philippines was once subjected to the U.S. Super 301 for alleged rampant violations of intellectual property rights but we have come to successful arrangement last year," Custodio said. Aside from being a trade tool, the United States is also using Super 301 as a political tool where the United States may impose trade sanctions against countries. |
FBIS3-5661_0 | Editorial Views Post-Embargo Business Strategy | Language: Vietnamese Article Type:BFN [Editorial: "Form Large Economic Groups Which Are Strong Enough To Compete"] [Text] Soon after the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo, American-made Pepsi soft drinks have begun to be produced in Vietnam. For many years, they were imported from foreign countries to meet popular demand. Thus, the production of Pepsi did not take place in Vietnam until after the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo and a spectacular yet harsh competition has already occurred in the Vietnamese market between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The question to ponder is: Two major U.S. soft drink companies are already operating in Vietnam. What will happen to our soft drink companies? Will they survive or die? Some 20 U.S. construction companies have tendered bids for the construction of many segments of National Highway No. 1 with loans and funding from various international monetary and financial institutions. Dozens of other U.S. companies specializing in different sectors have also brought their goods, machinery, equipment, and technology to the Giang Vo Trade Fair in Hanoi. More American companies are expected to do business in Vietnam. Research results released by some American companies indicate that within the next two years, business activity in Vietnam will reach as much as 2.7 billion dollars. Needless to say, there will be harsh competition among American companies themselves, between American companies and other foreign companies, and between American companies and Vietnamese companies. Therefore, it can be said that with the lifting of the U.S. embargo, we enjoy an opportunity and also face a challenge. It is an opportunity because the lifting of the trade embargo provides us with a very good chance -- provided that we are smart and vigilant -- to have access to capital and modern technology to develop new trades and occupations, increase economic activities, and generate more jobs, thereby turning the strong points of the outside world into our own strength. Meanwhile, we face a not-too-insignificant challenge. American companies all have huge financial assets with billions of dollars at their disposal. Furthermore, they have the best technology in the world. As for our companies, it is difficult to compare them with their American counterparts in all respects. Therefore, as far as direct business transactions are concerned, it will be very easy for us to lose if we are not wise enough. As for macro-management, to be strong enough to compete in future business activities, we |
FBIS3-5667_0 | International Conference on Cambodian Aid Held Marshall Plan for Cambodia Urged | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, March 10 KYODO -- A two-day international conference on the reconstruction of Cambodia opened in Tokyo on Thursday [10 March] with an appeal from King Norodom Sihanouk for a modern-day "Marshall Plan" to help put the war-ravaged country back on its feet. Sihanouk's message, sent from Beijing, where he has been undergoing medical treatment, was conveyed to the International Committee on the Reconstruction of Cambodia (ICORC) by the monarch's son, Cambodian First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh. The meeting, chaired by Japan, is being attended by delegates from 32 countries, the European Union and 12 international organizations, including U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher. "I would say that the gift of which my country has the greatest need, having suffered from so many years of turpitude and devastation, is none other than a new unconditional Marshall Plan gauged to specific needs," the message said. He was referring to a multibillion dollar plan drawn up by then U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall in the late 1940s to rehabilitate the shattered economies of post-World War II Europe. The ailing monarch enumerated six priority areas for external assistance -- basic human needs in terms of sufficient access by the population to food and medical care, agricultural and rural development, infrastructure repair, environmental protection, education and technical training, and industrialization. He placed most importance on improving conditions in rural communities, where about 80 percent of all Cambodians eke out a living, most of them "lacking even a roof over the head, sufficient resources, work or the prospect of finding any." Ranariddh, who was accompanied to the conference by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen, said his government supports the "very just recommendations" of the king, who under the new Cambodian Constitution reigns but does not govern. "Cambodia deserves your help because it helps itself," he said, adding that the government, in the five months since its formation after last May's U.N.-supervised general election, has set tough objectives for itself and accomplished a great deal in spite of meager resources. Heeding international recommendations, he said, it has implemented administrative structural reforms, put its finances in order, stabilized the currency and worked out a satisfactory budget. The government's next step is to present a new liberal investment code in line with the goal to develop a market economy with minimal state intervention, he said, apparently hinting at the unveiling of the |
FBIS3-5669_0 | International Conference on Cambodian Aid Held Australia To Fund Mine Clearing | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Australia has told the Tokyo conference it is to provide an extra $700,000 [Australian dollars] to clear land mines in Cambodia, bringing its total allocation for demining in the financial year ending next June to about $1.4 million. The allocation was announced by Australia development cooperation minister, Gordon Bilney, who expressed concern that new mines were being laid by both goverment forces and the Khmer Rouge. He said mines were being laid without adequate recording of their locations. Mr. Bilney said land mines threaten food production because they prevented about 30 percent of farmland from being used. |
FBIS3-5683_0 | U.S. Demands at Framework Talks Detailed | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Text] Details of a statement of demands on a competition policy that the U.S. Government presented to the Japanese Government at the Japanese-U.S. economic framework talks have been disclosed. One major point is a demand for intensified enforcement of the Antimonopoly Act to prevent bid-rigging. Other demands include increases of at least 10 percent by fiscal year 1995 in the personnel and budget for the Investigation Department of the Fair Trade Commission [FTC], and the creation of a system for paying rewards to those who have provided information on cases of unfair trade practices. The intensified enforcement of the competition policy is also one major point of the measures for promoting market opening to be worked out by the government in mid-March. However, with regard to the U.S. demands, some Japanese Government officials have refuted the statement, saying that "it includes proposals such as creating a reward system which are unsuitable in the climate of Japanese society" (as stated by an FTC source). Therefore, this issue may possibly cause new friction between Japan and the United States. At the Japan-U.S. economic framework talks, this statement of demands was submitted to the working-level panel on "transparency and circulation connected with the competition policy and concerned procedures." The U.S. Government is demanding that, to strengthen enforcement of the Antimonopoly Law, the Investigation Department, which is responsible for direct investigations of and prosecutions for Antimonopoly Law violations, should be expanded. Approval has been given to the FTC in its draft budget for fiscal year 1994 to add 17 staff members to its inspection department -- a 9-percent increase compared to that of the previous year. However, the U.S. Government is demanding that a larger number of staff members be added. Aside from demanding that the structure of various industries -- such as the construction industry -- be strengthened to prevent bid-rigging, the U.S. Government has also proposed creation of a system of paying rewards to those who provide information on unfair trade practices, and for taking stronger administrative measures against those who have violated regulations. Moreover, the U.S. Government is also demanding that those companies involved in bid-rigging be prohibited from participating in bidding on public works projects or on government procurement contracts for at least 12 months, and that a system be introduced for forcing these companies to pay compensation to the government for the damage caused by |
FBIS3-5698_1 | MONTSAME Carries 9 Mar Press Review | counties the two counties and is noted that an agreement is reached on holding the negotiations on renewing the treaty in the near future. In the declaration it is noted that the two sides agreed to make active exchange of views on bilateral and international issues of common interest, develop cooperation within the framework of the UNO [United Nations Organization] and other international organizations, promote formation of favourable terms in development of trade-economic, relations, including between private sectors. The newspaper publishes the statement of the General Political Council of the United Party for Mongolian Traditions. In the statement an anxiety is expressed apropos of involvement of some high officials in corruption. The General Political Council of this party demands the lawprotecting bodies to take proper measures on holding inquiries and informing the citizens about the results of investigation. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Germany to Mongolia K. Metternich in an interview with the newspaper correspondent announces that he has an optimistic view on development of relations between the two countries and perspectives for them. The ambassador notes that Germany is paying a great attention to Mongolia's efforts on transition to the new democratic system, has been rendering and will continue to render assistance to Mongolia in overcoming by the country economic crisis. Central Mongolian newspapers are paying a great attention to the International Woman's Day 8 march, which was celebrated yesterday. The newspaper of the Mongolian capital "ULAANBAATAR" in its main article notes that in all probability Mongolia will become soon the only country, where this holiday will continue to be celebrated. That is why, considers the newspaper, 8 March can be considered as the day of Mongolian women. On the occasion of the International Woman's Day the newspaper "ARDYN ERH" publishes an interview with the well-known singer of Mongolian folk drawling songs N. Norovbanzad. The newspaper "Ulaanbaatar" publishes an article by journalist C. Munhbayar about problems of feminism. In the article it is pointed out to the fact that difference between places of women and men in the society are becoming more and more smooth. "ULAANBAATAR" publishes a letter by the employee of the staff of the U.S. Senator J. Helms. She expresses bewilderment apropos of adoption by the State Great Hural of Mongolia of the law on relations of the state with church. In her view, the law contradicts provision of the country's constitution and discriminates Christianity. |
FBIS3-5721_0 | `Worthwhile Life' of DPRK Women Featured | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- Today is the international women's day. The Korean women who had been out of society in the past are now leading a worthwhile life, sharing responsibility with men for the country. Thanks to the proclamation of the law on sex equality in 1946, the Korean women have been exercising rights on an equal footing with men in the realms of politics, the economy and culture. They take an active part in the affairs of the state with the rights to vote and to be elected. The women account for 20.1 percent of the total number of the deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly. Many women are active in important posts of the party, the state, administrative and economic bodies, working people's organisations and other units. The role of the women is great in education, culture, public health, commerce, textiles, production of daily necessities and foodstuff. Many "Kim Il-song Order" and "Kim Il-song Prize" winners have been produced among them for their devoted services to the country and the people. There are a large number of heroines of the Republic, labor heroines, people's teacher, people's scientist, people's actress and other honorary title winners and the state order bearers. The state provides the women with all conditions so that they may work without any inconvenience. As there are nurseries and kindergardens in all places where women work, they devote themselves to work. The well-furnished modern foodstuff factories, garment factories, household goods factories and public service facilities built in different parts of the country relieve them of the heavy burden of domestic affairs. The women workers with several children work six hours a day, but they are paid for 8-hour work a day. And they enjoy such benefits as 150-day maternity paid leave as well as a regular paid leave. It is regarded as an ordinary thing in Korea that a special plane flies to carry a woman in childbed and a medical team does its best for her. |
FBIS3-5724_0 | Intellectual Property Dispute With U.S. Discussed | Language: Thai Article Type:BFN [Text] An informed source in the Export Promotion Department told PRACHACHAT THURAKIT that the Thai commercial center in Los Angeles recently sent the department its report on Thai-U.S. trade issues involving intellectual property and worker rights. The report states that Thai efforts to protect U.S. intellectual property have gained a positive support from Richard Gephardt, Democratic congressman from Missouri, who is considered highly influential with the Clinton administration. The report from Los Angeles also gave furthur details on the situation following an accusation from the U.S. private sector on Thai violation of U.S. intellectual property rights applying to video and musical recordings, which caused about $120 million in damages for the U.S. entertainment industry, and on the Thai Government prohibiting state enterprise organizations to set up their labor unions. The Thai practices prompted the United States to announce that it will review all GSP privileges it had previously granted to the country. In this regard, Thailand has tried continually to solve the problems concerning the protection of intellectual property. These include issuing various rules and regulations, suppressing producers of illegal tapes and videos, and implementing international guidelines for the protection of intellectual property. Apart from these efforts, the Thai Government has also proposed a draft law on the establishment an intellectual property and international trade court to show its improvement in intellectual property protection. This court will handle both civil and criminal cases with judicial procedures to be carried out within six months. "These practices have prompted the United States to respond positively to the outcome of the Thai actions. An indication is that even Richard Gephardt, a leading figure in the majority party of the U.S. House of Representatives, has highly praised the Thai actions following his meeting with Prime Minister Chuan Likphai in January. However, the United States will continue to watch the actions of the Thai side closely because there still are several points that the Thai Government will have to correct," concluded the informed source. |
FBIS3-5726_0 | Army Involvement in Laos, Cambodia Investment | Language: Thai Article Type:BFN [Article: "The Military Readjusts To Deal With Indochina"] [Text] The opening of the door to welcome the free economy in Indochina has excited businessmen and investors who want to use the northeast as an export base for important markets of the region. In the past three months prior to the inauguration of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge the government and the private sector have worked to turn the border into a special economic area and set up industrial estates in several border provinces. Regarding security, there has been rapid reorganization as well as readjustments to border operations to suit the development trends in the northeast. The cabinet has approved the National Security Council proposal to set up the Border Policy Implementation Center under the directorship of the supreme commander. Instructions have also been given to the Army, the Army Regions, including the Second Army Region which oversees 19 northeastern provinces. The Second Army Region was instructed on 3 March to establish a management center for the border provinces under its jurisdiction. The center will operate within the framework of peaceful resolution of border disputes and the avoidance of violence, relying first on the local mechanism. It will accelerate the settlement of border disputes, while the relations with the neighboring countries are good and will protect interests of the local people. According to Lieutenant General Anuphap Songsunthon, commander of the Second Army Region, his command has issued instructions for the establishment of the Thai-Lao Border Command Centers and the Thai-Cambodian Border Command Centers. The governors of the border provinces will head the centers. The Thai-Cambodian Border Command Centers will be situated in four provinces -- Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, and Buriram. Their main objectives are to serve the Thai private sector in trade and investment in Cambodia and protect their interest. They will not support any Cambodian faction, tolerate the existence of foreign forces in Thai territory, or the violation of Thai sovereignty. They will drastically suppress activities of foreign armed bandits by setting up check points and operating rapid deployment units. It will cooperate with other units to suppress the smuggling of contraband, arms, and vehicles. The Thai-Lao Border Command Centers will be set up in Ubon Ratchathani, Loei, Nong Khai, Mukdahan, and Amnat Charoen provinces to support legitimate border activities and drastically suppress illegal trading. They will promote relations between local elements and cooperation to peacefully |
FBIS3-5737_0 | U.S. Secretary of State Continues Visit Appeals for `Tangible Results' | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, March 10 KYODO -- Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Foreign Minister Tsutomu Hata agreed Thursday [10 March] that the United States and Japan should make efforts to prevent existing tension from escalating and try to solve problems through negotiations, Foreign Ministry officials said. During a two-hour meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Hata told Christopher that there is "tension" between Japan and the U.S. over economic problems. Christopher was quoted as saying the economic row should not affect security and political relations between the two nations, the officials said. The secretary of state told Hata the U.S. wants to watch closely what the Japanese Government will hammer out as a market-opening package and then decide on what to do with the collapsed bilateral "framework" talks. The officials said Hata and Christopher did not discuss specific economic problems. They did not take up the U.S. Government's reinstatement last week of a trade law known as Super 301, which gives the administration power to impose sanctions against countries it determines guilty of unfair trade practices, they said. Japanese officials believe the action is aimed at pressing Japan into opening its markets and reducing its trade surplus. Hata told Christopher the "tension" between Tokyo and Washington is unlikely to immediately have a bad influence on the entire bilateral relationship. But the foreign minister noted that the two nations should not underestimate the tension, the officials said. He was quoted as saying it is important to keep Japan-U.S. ties in good form from a global point of view because Asia, Europe and the rest of the world are keeping their eyes on the two. The Tokyo-Washington ties took a turn for the worse last month when Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and President Bill Clinton announced the collapse of trade framework negotiations aimed at redressing Japan's huge trade surplus with the U.S. which totaled some 60 billion dollars last year according to U.S. figures. Christopher and Hata agreed Japan and the U.S. have commitments to their alliance relations based on a bilateral security pact and that both countries have joint responsibilities for maintaining peace and prosperity throughout the world, they said. Christopher expressed worries about possible deterioration of the relationship of trust between Japan and the U.S., noting voices in the U.S. that Tokyo is not sufficiently making efforts to reduce its current account surplus or to boost imports |
FBIS3-5764_0 | Papers on U.S.-ROK Trade Talks, USTR Report | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of articles from ROK vernacular papers published on 10 March on the U.S.-ROK trade meetings held on 8 and 9 March and the annual trade policy report released by the U.S. Trade Representative, USTR, on 8 March. The independent-moderate Seoul MAEIL KYONGJE SINMUN in Korean, which focuses on economic issues, publishes on page 2 a 1,000-word article by Yi Tong-chu reviewing the ROK-U.S. trade meeting. The article reports the United States had a much stronger tone than in previous meetings in its demands and that the meeting was held amid worry and concern over the effect of the Super 301 restoration on the ROK. The article says our government had been optimistic that the meeting would focus on "the development of general cooperation" but the U.S. side extinguished that optimism by "raising individual subjects, such as the protection of the intellectual property right, IPR, and further opening of the motor vehicle market." The article reports the United States demanded strengthened regulation on software reproduction and revision of our revised IPR regulations in the IPR sector; and lower tariffs, lower domestic tax, and amendment of automobile taxes in the motor vehicle sector. The article reports that in response to the U.S. demands, our side explained that we are strengthening investigation of copyright violations and asked the United States to drop the ROK from the priority surveillance list for the IPR and advocated our position that the ROK has already made substantial tariff cuts on motor vehicle imports. The article concludes that the meeting only reconfirmed the two sides' positions and predicted stronger trade pressure from the United States. The MAEIL KYONGJE SINMUN publishes on page 4 a 300-word article by Washington correspondent Kim Kyong-su on the USTR's annual trade policy report. The article reports "the USTR positively appraised ROK's contribution to a successful Uruguay Round, but urged early implementation of laws to protect patents, trademarks, and copyrights." The moderate Seoul HANGUK ILBO in Korean publishes on page 5 a 1,000-word article by Washington correspondent Chong Chin-sok on USTR's annual trade policy report. The article reports that the USTR reported the ROK has taken positive action in lowering tariffs on agricultural and manufactured goods, but stressed continued pressure on the IPR and motor vehicle sectors. The pro-government Seoul SEOUL SINMUN in Korean publishes on page 8 a 500-word article on USTR's annual trade |
FBIS3-5765_2 | Ties With U.S. After Fall of Communism Viewed | United States is the only superpower in the world and is located outside the Northeast Asian region. In what shape should we build our relations with the United States to make them most conducive to the political independence and survival of our nation in the future? On this question, we should form a forthright, clear-cut, national consensus. Otherwise, our foreign policy will become adrift without any distinct direction and economic and national security policies will be in danger of conflicting with each other. To state the conclusion first, it is essential for Korea to maintain relations with the United States, the superpower outside the region, although it might be important to keep relations with Northeast Asian countries. The Republic of Korea needs a geopolitically steady balance of power in Northeast Asia. Without U.S. participation, a stable balance is impossible in today's circumstances. There is no denying that Korea needs the United States. Second, we must seriously think about the economy. Our self-reliance does not dictate that we should reject, based on emotionalism, whatever is called for by a great power. That is not our national identity either. When foreign businesses create employment opportunities here, is that indeed a minus factor for us? If Korea should close the market only to protect domestic industries, could such a protected industry be competitive with foreign business corporations in the world market? Will it be possible for us to develop high technologies, which require enormous sums of investment capital, ourselves? The economic "space" called China is now increasingly broadening to an extent hardly imaginable. To make inroads into that economic sphere, will it not be to the advantage of our businesses to establish strategic ties with American businesses? If the answers to those questions are that we also need American businesses, we should open the door to the Korean economy on our own, without waiting for the U.S. calls. Before opening the markets, we should resolutely carry out "change and reform," without wasting time, in order to change those things that need changing first. Finally, we should explain our position to foreigners fairly, squarely, and clearly in a straightforward manner. If we decide to open the door, we should also explain if we need to make necessary preparations for market liberalization. Importance is attached to some indirect and implicative expressions in the Oriental culture. In the West, particularly in the American culture, we need |
FBIS3-5778_4 | * Former People's Party Chairman Interviewed | the influence of the nationalist-democratic movement is receding. How do you evaluate the present stage of the movement and in what direction do you think it must go to overcome this? [Chang] At present, the opposition is not much supported by the public. People commonly say that this is because it is radical and excessive, but this is not an appropriate analysis of the causes of the problem. The core of the problem is that the opposition is unable to present a good alternative. The goal which has long been presented by the opposition is the withdrawal of the military dictatorship; their ideological alternative was reflected in a socialist society in which ideological workers and farmers were the masters. The former has been achieved; the latter has already been confirmed as being unrealistic. The movement has no goal. It is unable to present alternatives for even everyday problems. If it is to present good alternatives, it must have new ideology. Some in the movement are still clinging to Chuche Thought or Marxist-Leninism. Therefore, they are unable to get public support. Only when they gain a new sense of the developmental stages of world history and develop a new ideology and policy befitting it will they will be able to gain public support. Past socialist ideology is a product of the 20th century. The conservative-progressive concept of former days has already been superseded as a standard of measure. Also, the neo-conservativism represented by Reganism and Thatcherism failed as well. A new, progressive ideology can come out of an accurate analysis of the developmental trends of modern society. The developmental trends of modern society are toward globalization, toward an information society, and toward a mass society. A recognition of the fact that knowledge is the main dynamic of production demands of us a tremendous change. Technology is important and we must have educational reform. The sovereignty of the masses demands pluralization and decentralization. There must be a change in our fundamental understanding of the developmental trends of world history. Having this sense of world history, a new, progressive ideology should be set up under the following five fundamental principles. First is the realization of a democracy based on the sovereignty of the masses, the overall dissemination of democracy, and the realization of a communal democracy. Second, an economic system and labor process must be achieved which guarantees the self-realization of labor. Third |
FBIS3-5786_0 | Openness Toward Newly Liberalized Nations Urged | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] The Philippines has asked the Association of Southeast Nations, or ASEAN, to adopt a more open attitude toward newly liberalized countries in the region. These countries are Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar [Burma], and Vietnam. The call was made by the Philippine delegation to the special meeting of the ASEAN senior officials held recently in Bangkok. Delegation head Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rodolfo Severino called on ASEAN to eventually accept these newly industrialized [as heard] countries into the association. He said the inclusion of these four countries in ASEAN could prevent future conflicts and promote political stability and economic progress. |
FBIS3-5805_2 | Further on Conference for Cambodian Reconstruction Donors Pledge Over $700 Million | 73 million dollars in new U.S. assistance to Cambodia over a two-year period. Among international financial institutions, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced it will provide Cambodia with some 129 million dollars in loan assistance for 1994-97, as well as technical assistance of some 28 million dollars for the same period. The World Bank said it is planning to offer Cambodia roughly 75 million dollars in reconstruction assistance in the coming fiscal year. The first ICORC meeting, held at a working-level in Paris last September, saw 119 million dollars in fresh commitments added to the 880 million dollars pledged at a previous ministerial conference on Cambodia held in Tokyo in June 1992. While most of those funds were for short-term financial support, the present ICORC meeting is focused on Cambodia's mid- to long-term aid requirements. At the outset of the meeting, Cambodian First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh conveyed an appeal from his father Sihanouk, who has been undergoing medical treatment in Beijing. "The gift of which my country has the greatest need, having suffered from so many years of turpitude and devastation, is none other than a new unconditional Marshall Plan gauged to specific needs," Sihanouk said in the message. Sihanouk's reference was to a multibillion-dollar plan drawn up by late U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall in the late 1940s to rehabilitate the shattered economies of post-World War II European nations. Japan was the largest donor at the conference, followed by the U.S. and france, Foreign Ministry officials said. Of the 15.77 million dollars committed to the Cambodia Mine Action Center, the U.S. was the largest contributor, followed by Japan and Australia, they said. During the meeting, Cambodia explained its economic and development policies. Cambodia's shift toward a market-oriented economy seems to be progressing steadily, the officials said. International organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) positively evaluated Cambodia's reconstruction efforts, they said. The participants of the conference also agreed to hold the third ICORC meeting next year in Paris as scheduled, but timing of the conference has not yet been set, the officials said. The Cambodian delegation also expressed its intention during the conference to join the Yokohama-based International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the officials said. The ITTO consists of 23 timber producing countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Peru, and 26 consumer countries such as Australia, Japan, Canada, China and the U.S. |
FBIS3-5831_2 | Editorial Tells U.S. Not Interfere in Caning Case | and Japan) and shepherding a controversial health-reform package at home has now been compounded by a deepening personal crisis as he and his wife, Hillary, face an investigation into a land deal they were party to in their early years. But then, incredulity might turn to approval among some that Mr. Clinton, burdened as he is had stood up for a fellow American in his belief -- that privilege he is entitled to -- that the boy had been dealt with harshly. American politicians have to answer to demanding constituents, yes. A subject for political enjoinment can be as big or as trivial as the public chooses to make it. Singaporeans who find his intervention objectionable need to understand that heroic gestures go down well with the American public. Though this case clearly qualifies as interference by the White House, they gain nothing by overreacting. Better a cool and dignified response. Singaporeans have no reason to be defensive about the stringency of the laws they live by and which foreign nationals domiciled here are subject to. This principle is accepted, it is non-negotiable. The Government's response to American pressure has been proper, firm and clinical. It has set out the facts of past prosecutions for vandalism and the equal weight of the law applied, whoever the accused was. Thirteen Singaporeans were among 15 persons aged between 18 and 21 who received jail and caning sentences in the last five years. This should end the argument. The American Chamber of Commerce here, while "shaken" by the caning order, volunteers that Singapore's aggressive enforcement of law and order (its words) is one reason this is an attractive place to live and do business in. Singapore neither seeks nor gets chuffed by such observations. It is just one of numerous societal benchmarks it chose to set for itself. Governments whose nationals have breached these standards must accept that it is improper to do anything which might influence the course of justice. An Australian arrested with eight other foreign students, including Fay, last October jumped bail. He is thought to have fled the country. Cases against a Malaysian, a Hongkonger and a second American are pending. The Malaysian and British authorities have kept clear -- decorously. The U.S. Government, having monitored the Fay case since his arrest, as is its convention of helping nationals in distress abroad, should have known when to back off. |
FBIS3-5837_0 | Proposed Gas Pipeline Said To Raise Concerns | Language: English Article Type:BFN ["NATION report" by James Fahn] [Text] The companies planning to build a pipeline to transport natural gas from an offshore field in Burma to Thailand have for the first time revealed the route the pipeline will take. Human rights and environmental groups fear that its construction will lead to extensive deforestation and the displacement of villagers and refugees in order to secure the route. Several refugee camps in the area have already been burnt down and their inhabitants ordered out, although no explanation was given by the Thai authorities. North of the route, Mon rebel leaders are coming under increasing pressure to sign a ceasefire with the Burmese government. Mon troops are at present skirmishing with Burmese soldiers. Assuming that the national oil companies of Burma and Thailand -- the Myanmar [Burma] Oil & Gas Enterprise (MOGE) and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) -- can come to an agreement on the price Thailand will pay for the gas, the pipeline will come ashore between the towns of Ye and Tavoy in Burma and follow the Tavoy and Zinba river valleys up toward the border of Thailand. It will then cross highlands of dense virgin forest to enter Thailand at Ban I-Tong (Nai Et Taung in Burma) in Kanchanaburi Province. From Ban I-Tong, the pipeline will follow a road down to Thong Pha Phum and then head south to a new power plant to be built in Ratchaburi. Total, a French state-owned oil company which has signed a production-sharing agreement with the Burmese government for the offshore field in the Gulf of Martaban, will be responsible for constructing the pipeline in Burma while PTT will build it on the Thai side. The pipeline's chosen course was revealed in a letter dated Jan 12 from Joseph Daniel, Total's director of communications, to Yvette Pierpaoli, a French refugee worker. A copy of the letter has been obtained by THE NATION. The letter claims that by following the river valleys in Burma -- where there are only "scattered shrubs" -- and the existing road in Thailand, the pipeline's environmental impact would be minimized. "Only the very last (two to three) kilometres in Burma... will require cutting some trees," it says. "No population displacement is required on the Total pipeline course which follows a region which as far as we have seen is perfectly quiet," it adds. The letter claims |
FBIS3-5847_0 | French Minister Criticizes U.S. Trade Policy | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Report on interview with French Foreign Trade Minister Gerard Longuet by NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN reporter Shota Kobayashi in Paris on 8 March] [Text] Paris, 8 Mar -- During the interview, Foreign Trade Minister Longuet criticized the United States for having reinstated the Super 301 provision of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (which identifies nations engaging in unfair trade practices and imposes sanctions against them), saying: "The nation has unilaterally brought the bilateral confrontation into the present trade system." Longuet expressed deep concern over the U.S. Government's intervention in private-sector trade. Moreover, he stated that he would urge Japan to open markets in the public works and high-technology fields during his visit to Japan. With regard to voluntary export restraints on Japanese cars to the European Union (EU), he mentioned his intention to introduce regulations on the total number of Japanese cars, including cars produced within the EU area. Regarding the U.S. Government's reinstatement of the Super 301 provision, Longuet stressed: "It is a surprise to us to learn that the United States made a one-sided decision, which targets Japan, its largest trade partner, with the signing of GATT's Uruguay Round agreement near at hand." He said: "Such a method has already gone down in history." He then pointed out that long-term multilateral negotiations through such organizations as the World Trade Organization (WTO) are important for the sake of maintaining the trade balance. Citing the White House's announcement on the sale of private U.S. airplanes to Saudi Arabia, Longuet expressed his displeasure and said: "The United States has a strong tendency to politically intervene in private-sector trade." He added: "The country is trying to promote foreign trade while disregarding market economy rules." On economic relations with Japan, Longuet touched on the fact that France's trade deficit with Japan for 1993 decreased to 24 billion francs (a franc equals about 18 yen) from 30 billion francs the previous year. He expressed dissatisfaction, saying: "The main cause of the decrease is a drop in imports due to the economic recession in France." Longuet indicated that, to correct the trade imbalance, he would continue to urge Japan to open markets in the service fields, including high-technology products such as helicopters; public works; and the agricultural products field. He also stressed: "The main point at issue lies not in individual sectors but in Japan's structural trade surplus." Longuet expressed expectations |
FBIS3-5850_1 | MITI To Adopt Exports `Blanket Permit System' | part of the permit-issuance authority will be transferred to local bureaus of industry and international trade. There are many varieties of materials and mechanical equipment which can be used for producing such weapons of mass destruction as nuclear weapons, biological and chemical weapons, and missiles; in addition to machine tools needed for producing nuclear weapons, there is equipment for producing rockets as well as carbon fiber and super alloys. Concerning the export of strategic materials, the international control system has been improved by such countries as Japan, the United States, and European nations. As a result, the number of items under control has increased, and the number of permits issued by MITI increased from less than 20,000 in 1991 to 80,000 in 1993. According to the blanket permit system, once the application is approved, individual applications for exports of materials under control will be exempted for a certain period of time. This system will be applied for a period of three years to applications for exports to Western countries which have joined international export control systems such as the Australia Group [as published] (participants in the conference on control of materials that can be used for producing chemical weapons), as well as applications for export for a period of two years to affiliated companies established in countries other than the United States and European nations with the capital of parent companies. MITI estimates that with the introduction of the blanket permit system, the number of applications for export permits will be reduced by about 60 percent. Moreover, the system of requesting preliminary examinations prior to the application will be abolished. Procedures for applications will be largely simplified and the examination period shortened. Moreover, the authority of issuing permits to applications for exports to those Western countries which are participants in the export control system will be transferred from MITI to local bureaus of industry and international trade hopefully beginning this fall. A blanket permit system will also be introduced for export of cargoes as well as for transactions in service based on the same contract. Presently in cases of applying exports of machine tools and programs for operating these tools, separate applications are requested for permits, even if exports are based on the same contract, because these permits are issued on the basis of different laws and regulations. Therefore, dissatisfaction has been voiced among those engaged in the export business. |
FBIS3-5862_2 | Article Questions Motives Behind Naval Buildup | security needs will be met collectively may find Thailand's purchase of an aircraft carrier and more frigates reassuring. But Asean today remains far from any such arrangement and indeed cannot yet agree even on the establishment of a defence pact. And though the Thai navy's current chief, Adm. Prachet Siridet, has completed a regionwide visit to reassure his counterparts that Thailand's purchases are for purely defensive purposes, the question remains: defence against whom -- and what? An article last year in THE NATION, a leading Thai daily, may provide a clue. According to the article, by the year 2010 the U.S.-Thai security relationship would no longer be significant. Indeed, the U.S. by then would be Thailand's "Friendly Enemy Number One." The article further predicted that Thailand would re-ally itself with Japan, as it did during the Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia more than a half-century ago. Most ominously, the article claimed that the Thai navy would become "the most influential policy decision-maker in 2010 -- since Thailand now has the world's third-largest fishing fleet" after Japan and Taiwan. This latter is not a comforting scenario for Thailand's neighbours. These neighbours harbour strong suspicions about Bangkok's aspirations for blue-water status, not least because Thailand over the past 300 years has had expansionist tendencies whenever it was militarily strong. Indeed, THE NATION even offered a scenario in the year 2008 in which a war is almost provoked when a Thai fishing trawler fitted with modern defence systems sinks a Malaysian patrol boat in the Malaysian fishery zone. Far-fetched? Not if you consider past incidents when Thai fishing trawlers deliberately rammed Malaysian patrol boats in an effort to escape arrest for poaching. In one incident last year, Thai fishermen abducted a Malaysian sailor to Hat Yai and released him only after official protests were made. One Malaysian sailor is still missing and believed to have been thrown overboard by the fisherman. The point is that Thailand has made a move to join the big league with its naval purchases, especially the carriers, and its neighbours need reassuring. Aircraft carriers, after all, can be regarded as offensive platforms for power projection, which is why all Southeast Asia fears China's planned acquisition of a carrier and why India's carriers provoked suspicion despite a substantive public relations effort to soothe fears. The one thing that is certain is that the Thai navy will make big waves |
FBIS3-5866_2 | `Constructive' Mekong Committee Talks Sought | 42-Article framework accord on the sustainable use of water resources at a meeting of the technical drafting working group in Vientiane. Quang said the earlier negotiations had yet to settle the contentious question of diversion of water from, the mainstream and tributaries during the dry season, and two points in the four-point Article Five dealing with the reasonable and equitable utilization of water. The National Mekong Committee's chief said Vietnam has accepted these clauses but wanted the issue of dry season diversions to be agreed upon by all the riparian states. The Vietnamese chief delegate said the Thai delegation did not agree to this at the Vientiane round of talks. "Vietnam has no intention to place any preconditions but we do not want any use of the waters causing harm to the other riparian states," he said. The secretary said Vietnam had not raised objections to water projects in Thailand, in particular the Kok-Ing-Nan project which will draw water from the Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong, and channel it via an underground canal to the Chao Phraya River. Quang said Vietnam only brought up the project during the Vientiane meeting for comment. "So far we have no official information about that project," he said. He said his country has legitimate concerns over the impact of such projects on the lower reaches of the four-million-hectare Mekong Delta, which is in danger of drying up unless controls are implemented over the quantity of water in the mainstream river. In contrast to the earlier rounds of negotiation, Quang said Vietnam has adopted a more flexible stand in regard to the diversion clause. "It means that the upstream cannot change the flow regime along the river," he said. In a separate interview at the Bangkok-based Mekong Secretariat, officials said the current mandate of the drafting working group has expired and Vietnam must call for a renewed mandate from the United Nations Development Programme which is the main financier of the Mekong Committee's projects. Under an agreement reached by the committee in Hanoi last February, the drafting working group was given until last October to conclude the drafting process. "Thailand has given considerable concessions with regards to national sovereignty. They agreed to notify the committee before using water from the tributaries during the wet season and to prior consultations during the dry season, according to one official who asked not to be named. |