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FBIS3-47860_0 | Sirivut Comments on Diplomacy, Business | Language: Cambodian Article Type:BFN [Text] Prince Norodom Sirivut, deputy prime minister, has said that relations with Malaysia and Indonesia are vitally important since Cambodia never has any problems with those countries. Meeting with reporters, the prince said that the kingdom has received the credentials of ambassadors from 55 countries. Some are not residing in the country yet and have carried out their duties from various other cities, such as Bangkok and Beijing. Somehow, the diplomatic ties between our Cambodia and those countries have been reinforced and expanded. The prince added: Our country is considering the possibility of establishing an embassy in Malaysia, since the good relations between the two countries have continued to improve. As for the ties with Thailand, they have progressed, but recently we have had some problems with the Thais. We still have border demarcation problems with Thailand and Vietnam. Among our neighbors, Laos is our best friend. For this reason, we have permitted the Lao to use the port in Sihanoukville while they have allowed us to use their airport in Vientiane. What we have done is in the interests of both countries. The prince also said that the creation of a border committee proposed by Thailand represents the position of the Royal Government of Cambodia [RGC]. The only way to solve the border problems is to adopt the Cambodian map of the 1960s, which indicates that Cambodia has an area of (191,055) square kilometers. International observers should use the map to establish the borders and to draw up a report concerning the matter for their headquarters in New York. Answering a question about the problem of illegal immigrants, the prince said the government has never persecuted immigrants, especially the Vietnamese. Rebutting a Vietnamese human rights group charge that the RGC has committed human rights violations, the prince said: Instead we have ensured security for them (?for humanitarian reasons). He added that illegal immigrants do not consist of only Vietnamese but also Thais, Chinese, and other people coming from various regions, and that this issue will be completely settled after the National Assembly adopts an immigration law in the near future. Commenting on the concerns of foreign investors, the prince said the RGC has no intention of revising contracts concluded previously. The RGC, however, will review those transactions. The prince also said: The issues concerning (?business deals) and a floating hotel have already been settled once |
FBIS3-47866_3 | Reportage on Economic Framework Talks With U.S. `Deadlock' Explained | U.S. pressure, ending up with a price to pay in the future." With the collapse of the cold war structure and the successful conclusion of GATT's new round of multilateral trade talks (Uruguay Round), Japan has taken the opportunity to try to shift its trade policy from a completely U.S.-oriented approach to that focusing on GATT. A senior official of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry [MITI] has said agitatedly: "The European Union (EU) and Asian nations are paying much attention to how Japan handles the trade issues with the United States. We must not make inadvertent concessions here." Mutual distrust between Japanese and the U.S. Government officials in charge of the trade talks has been another factor causing the negotiations to be stalled. Joan E. Spero, U.S. under secretary of state for economic, business, and agricultural affairs, who visited Japan last week apart from Under Secretary of Commerce Garten, complained: "Japanese bureaucrats specialize on defense, judo style. They are trying to keep dragging on the talks." The United States has begun to suspect that Japanese Government ministries and agencies are trying to put off negotiations on market access itself by taking advantage of the dispute over numerical targets. In response, Japan has irately retorted: "U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor and other U.S. officials have started to refer to Japanese automakers' voluntary target goals of purchasing $19 billion worth of U.S. auto parts as a `Japanese pledge.' There can be no negotiations if they intend to push through with such an inconsiderate interpretation." Narrowing of Competitiveness Has Impact Concerning automobiles and auto parts, the narrowing of competitiveness between Japanese and U.S. makers has also cast a shadow on the trade talks. So far, the Japan-U.S. automobile friction has been settled under a formula where "the strong Japanese industry has given due consideration to the ailing U.S. industry." The voluntary export restraint regarding passenger vehicles that has been continued since 1981 is a classic example. Osamu Watanabe, chief of MITI's Machinery and Information Industries Bureau, reflects that the action program under which Japan vowed to purchase $19 billion worth of auto parts was "a product of affluence." Now, however, the Japanese automobile industry cannot afford to carry out such plans. Sluggish domestic demand and steady yen appreciation have caused automakers' profits to decline considerably. Since U.S. automakers have successfully improved the quality of their products, the gap in competitiveness between |
FBIS3-47870_0 | Reportage on Economic Framework Talks With U.S. Trade Group Reacts | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Text] As of 18 January, the Communications Industry Association of Japan [CIAJ] (with Tadashi Sekizawa, president of Fujitsu Ltd., as chairman) submitted to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications written statements concerning the Japan-U.S. framework trade talks. In the statements, the CIAJ -- which is made up of communications equipment manufacturers and other related businesses -- requested the Japanese Government reject U.S. demands for setting numerical targets. The industry trade group also strongly requested that Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation be exempt from trade agreements. The statements were submitted together with supplementary data which included actual import-export figures between Japan and the United States for telecommunications equipment as well as the current situation regarding procurement of communications equipment by the governments of both nations. Among requests listed in the statements were: 1) that Japan and the United States conduct trade talks on a two-way basis; 2) that objective criteria which could become numerical targets should be eliminated in the talks; 3) that trade agreements should be made in the spirit of the GATT accords on government procurement; and 4) that NTT be exempt from trade agreements. |
FBIS3-47872_2 | Paper Reports on FBIS Translation of Ozawa Book | pages of English text. The English translation is marked "For Official Use Only," indicating this is only to be used as internal reference material by the U.S. Government, apparently a move to avoid any copyright violations. The Japan That Can Say No was also translated in full in 1989. In the book Ishihara discussed "the export of high-technology products which can be converted to military use in the USSR." This drew the Department of Defense's attention, which commissioned a private specialist organization to do the English translation. However, this time a CIA-affiliated organization is directly involved in the translation. On 29 November a U.S. Government source explained the reason for this unusual procedure. He stated: "This shows that the U.S. Government believes that knowing the role played by Ozawa, and being acquainted with his thinking, is most important to projecting on Japanese politics, which presently are in a crucial phase of transition." Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa has published three books in Japanese. So far the United States has not reacted in a similar manner. Another U.S. Government source who has been involved in the Japan policy of a number of U.S. administrations said: "From the time Ozawa was deputy secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, his personal ability and positive attitude toward relations with the United States, plus his connections with Kanemaru and Takeshita, led to a tendency on the part of the United States to count on him for alleviating Japan-U.S. friction. Such expectations remain unchanged." It is true that people inside the U.S. Government have a highly favorable opinion of Ozawa for successfully concluding the very difficult negotiations with then U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills during the 1989 Japan-U.S. telecommunication talks. Those who actually participated in the negotiations say that "his thinking and logic is sharp, and he has great implementation ability." They add that "he holds a vision which designates maintaining strong relations with the United States as the cornerstone of Japanese foreign policy." U.S. public opinion of Ozawa remains favorable. However, some people express concern that Ozawa "plans to introduce an independent line for Japan's long-term security; he will eventually oppose the U.S. line." They feel that "one needs to be careful about his role as a power broker, his involvement in money politics, and his nationalistic aspect." This is also regarded by some as one reason for undertaking a full translation of his book. |
FBIS3-47874_0 | MITI To Review Alleged Export Violation | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Text] Regarding the alleged Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls (Cocom) violation by Yokohama Kikai Boeki [Yokohama Machinery Trading Co.] and other companies who have reportedly exported spectrum analyzers to North Korea, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry [MITI] is increasingly concerned about the case, saying, "largely due to the fact that the Japan-U.S. economic framework talks are facing rough going, this case may increase criticism of Japan by the United States" (according to a senior official). Following the end of the East-West cold war, banning of arms exports to the Communist bloc is losing its meaning, and Cocom is scheduled to be abolished in March. However, the Cocom member nations are considering creating a new export control system to control export to "strife-potential" countries and regions. For that reason, MITI thinks "this illegal export case has occurred at a bad time." Together with Iraq and Libya, North Korea is included on the list of countries to which exports are controlled. Furthermore, the U.S. Government has been criticized by the Congress and other observers for being weak-kneed in its ongoing negotiations with North Korea about nuclear facilities inspection. In addition, within the United States there is growing dissatisfaction with Japan about Japan's position on whether objective criteria should be established in the framework of the Japan-U.S. economic talks, which are entering the final stage. Since the case has occurred amid such a situation, MITI is concerned it will invite criticism of Japan such as in the Toshiba case in 1987, wherein Toshiba Machine Co. Ltd. violated Cocom, resulting in Japan-bashing by the United States. At that time, for example, a member of the Congress smashed Toshiba-made products, reflecting growing criticism of Japan. Because of that bitter experience, MITI is now wary of the situation and says: "There is the possibility that the Congress or other sources will apply more pressure at the Japan-U.S. economic framework talks." MITI is scheduled to examine the case involving the trading house with emphasis on "whether the manufacturer was involved in the case." According to a senior MITI official, "The U.S. Government itself probably does not want to make a fuss about the case because its talks with North Korea are facing an important turning point." However, it seems that what MITI really hopes is that the case will end up "as just a case of a trading firm acting |
FBIS3-47887_2 | EPA Official Urges End to Price Differential | Areas--As of November 1992 With Tokyo Commodity Price Levels Expressed as 100. New York London Paris Berlin Foodstuffs, 74 60 60 59 including liquor Durable goods 85 134 120 129 Clothing and 65 77 98 83 footwear Commodities 78 84 82 81 Land and related 54 90 88 83 services General services 81 97 104 90 Other 77 88 82 76 Overall 76 89 88 83 Purchasing power $1 = 167 1 pound = 1 franc = 1 mark = parity yen 250 yen 27.3 yen 97.7 yen Foreign exchange $1 = 127 1 pound = 1 franc = 1 mark = rate yen 224 yen 23.9 yen 81.1 yen Footnotes: (1) Values shown for New York, London, and Paris are extrapolations based on survey data as of November 1988, November 1990, and November 1991, respectively.(2) Number of items surveyed covered 330 to 400 items. Brands were not specified, but the survey covered items which traded in higher volumes. Whenever quality and standards did not match strictly, strict comparisons of individual items was difficult and attention should be focused on the fact that data on foodstuffs reflect differences in dietary habits. (3) Data on foreign urban areas were obtained from surveys conducted by the Price Bureau of EPA and the Japan External Trade Organization. Data on Tokyo were obtained from the Management and Coordination Agency's "Survey of Retail Commodity Statistics" and survey by the Price Bureau. Prices reflect retail prices which include taxes. (4) Foreign currency exchange rates reflect averages for 1992 as a whole. The question is, how was this domestic-foreign price differential created? The following three factors are conceivable, if we exclude temporary factors such as delays in making adjustments for changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The first factor concerns the issue of foreign trade goods which are exposed to international competition through export and import actions. Prices of foreign trade goods should stabilize at international price levels, unless they are exposed to special situations. However, in Japan such goods are isolated from international price competition because of import quotas and price support systems and despite efforts to lower prices through productivity improvements, the major rise in the value of the yen has caused a very sizable differential in domestic and foreign prices of such items as agricultural commodities. High tariff rates for such commodities as raw sugar ranging at fixed rates of thousands of yen per |
FBIS3-47918_3 | "Talk" Urges Self-Reliance, `Fortitude' | "Let us vigorously accelerate the socialist general march with the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and arduous struggle" -- this is a militant slogan that our people should uphold. Only when we uphold this slogan, can we thoroughly implement our party's revolutionary economic strategy and further glorify our-style socialism. In his New Year address, the great leader Comrade Kim Il-song put forward as a strategic task the implementation of agriculture-first, light industry-first, and trade-first policy during the three-year adjustment period by giving priority to the coal industry, the electricity industry, and railway transport -- the precedence domains in the national economy -- and continuous development of the metal industry. We will thoroughly implement our party's revolutionary economic strategy during the adjustment period of socialist economic construction, and thus will firmly consolidate the foundation of the nation's self-supporting economy. We will more satisfactorily ensure the people's living standard in compliance with the demand of socialism and will hold a new offensive position to occupy the greater height of socialism. Displaying the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and arduous struggle by our people is an important demand for implementing the party's revolutionary economic strategy. This year we should continuously adhere to the agriculture-first, light industry-first, and trade-first policy. This year, which marks the 30th anniversary of publication of the rural thesis, we should vigorously carry out the struggle to accomplish the historic task of the rural thesis and should effect a new turn in the development of rural economy. Thus, we should attain without fail the lofty target of grain production put forward by the party. At the same time, by vigorously accelerating the light industry revolution, we should effect great innovations in the production of consumer goods and should develop external trade in compliance with changing circumstances. For us to develop agriculture and light industry and to vigorously accelerate the nation's overall economic construction, we should direct our strength to the coal, electricity, and metal industry, and should more satisfactorily establish railway transport. The tasks for implementing the party's revolutionary economic strategy are indeed gigantic. The road for successfully carrying out these grave tasks is to more highly display the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and arduous struggle. Only when we wage the struggle to carry out our party's revolutionary economic strategy based on the revolutionary position to rely on our own strength, technology, and natural resources, can we successfully accelerate socialist construction. This |
FBIS3-47924_0 | Multilateral Approach Urged in Spratly Dispute | Language: English Article Type:BFN [By Butch Franco] [Text] Multilateral cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) claiming the Spratly Islands is needed in solving the dispute over the oil-rich islands as part of confidence-building measures in Asia, an association of nongovernment organizations within ASEAN said yesterday. In a press conference, the ASEAN-Institute of Strategic and International Studies [ASEAN-ISIS], noted the importance of the role of China, a non-ASEAN member which, together with Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines, is claiming wholly or in part the Spratlys in the South China Sea. The claimant-countries agreed in July 1992 to restrain from the use of arms in the disputed territories. The ASEAN-ISIS said it will recommend this to the ASEAN regional forum in Bangkok this July. The forum may also be participated in by the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union. Jusuf Wanandi, chairman of Indonesia's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the ASEAN-ISIS had in the past advised countries concerned against arms buildup in order not to create misunderstanding and misgivings among themselves. "For that reason we now propose that our security cooperation should be increased among ASEAN," Wanandi said noting that confidence-building must stem from existing bilateral and multilateral agreements. Wanandi said ASEAN must not be alarmed over China's reported arms buildup, and instead get it to engage more in tension-reducing and confidence-building measures. He said in the overlapping claims on Spratlys, China's role is very important. "We have to get her more engaged in other types of approaches to find the solution because she is central to the issue, as you all know." Kusuma Snitwongse, director of Thailand's Institute of Security and International Studies, also said Southeast Asia must engage China in a "cooperative manner" since it is no match to China. The ASEAN-ISIS, on its second day of a four-day conference at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel said ASEAN forums should encourage China to have a stake in the continued prosperity of the area following reports that China is no longer interested in a peaceful settlement of Spratlys disputes. Carolina Hernandez, president of the Institute for Strategic and Development Studies at the University of the Philippines, said China must not be directly confronted regarding the Spratlys issue. "China is very interested in the stability of the region and is willing to undertake tension-reducing and confidence-building measures," |
FBIS3-47925_0 | Ople Urges ASEAN Defense Cooperation | Language: English Article Type:BFN [By Olaf S. Giron] [Text] Sen. Blas Ople, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday to anticipate potential vacuums in the region and forge a new solidarity in defense cooperation. Ople discussed the major strategic challenges in both foreign policy and security fields that ASEAN has to face at the threshold of a new century when he keynoted a two-day symposium of the region's leading centers of strategic and international studies, the ASEAN Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) at the Shangri-La EDSA Hotel in Mandaluyong. Dean Carolina Hernandez, director of the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), led the meeting, which brought together an intellectual powerhouse from ASEAN countries, including Lau Teik Soon, director of the Singapore Institute for International Affairs; Yusuf Wanandi and Dr. Hadi Soesastro of the CSIS in Jakarta; Dr. Kusuma Snitwongse, of the Thailand Institute of Security and International Studies; and, Dato Dr. Noordin Sopiee, of the ISIS in Kuala Lumpur. At the close of the meeting, the chairmanship of the ASEAN-ISIS passed on from the Philippines' Hernandez to Dr. Lau of Singapore. Ople said that while ASEAN welcomes the appearance of a new tranquility brought about by the end of the Cold War in Asia and the Pacific, there is no room for complacency because dangerous new vacuums can immediately arise without prior notice and confront the ASEAN with major threats to its security. "Our six nations ought to be able to envision new conceptual frameworks and a common strategic vision for our collective security," Ople said. "The formation of the ASEAN Regional Forum is an important first step taken by the leaders of ASEAN in that direction." Ople said Japan and China, although they have opened their own bilateral security dialogues, will contest any vacuum that arises in the region or exploit any change or shift in the regional and global balance of power. He said that in spite of the assurances by the United States that its commitment to the security of Asia and the Pacific remained undiminished, "there is a sense in which the defense retrenchments of the United States, involving a reduction of its military spending from six percent down to three and a half percent of gross national product in the next five years, can no longer be reversed." He said while the Pentagon |
FBIS3-47934_0 | Industry Leader Views Call To Settle Auto Talks | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, Jan. 20 KYODO -- A top Japanese automobile industry leader expressed reservations Thursday [20 January] over calls to settle stalled Japan-U.S. talks on auto parts purchases before the bilateral summit in Washington next month. Yutaka Kume, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, also told reporters there should be no misunderstanding on any agreement at the summit between Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and President Bill Clinton. Kume recalled that the Japanese industry set a voluntary target for its auto parts imports during then President George Bush's Tokyo visit in 1992 but that the United States later characterized it as a "public pledge," which became a source of dispute. He said such a situation must be avoided. The U.S. is demanding in the talks that Japan set numerical targets for its auto parts imports. |
FBIS3-47945_0 | Political Reform Bills Approach Diet Vote SDPJ Members Urged Not To Defect | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, Jan. 20 KYODO -- Social Democratic Party [of Japan] Chairman Tomiichi Murayama said Thursday [20 January] he might resign if a possible rebellion by several SDP [SDPJ] legislators led to the breakdown of a political reform package in Friday's vote at a full House of Councillors session. "If the political reform package failed to clear the upper chamber as the result of SDP legislators' opposition, I will take the responsibility as the SDP chairman, as our party would not be able to disclaim resultant political responsibility," he said. Murayama made the remark at a meeting of 73 legislators of the upper chamber, called one day before Friday's crucial vote that is regarded as make or break for the five-month-old administration of Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa. The upper house will hold a plenary session at 3 p.m. Friday to vote on the government-proposed package, upon which Hosokawa has repeatedly pledged to stake his political future. The wording "take the responsibility" was immediately taken as expressing Murayama's readiness to give up his chairmanship of the largest party in the ruling coalition in such an eventuality. Murayama pleaded with the legislators not to defect to the opposition side in voting on the package. On Wednesday, three SDP legislators vowed to vote against the package, saying its loopholes undermines the package's ability to scare legislators away from taking bribes, while asserting the proposed 274 single-seat constituencies would deal a heavy blow to the SDP in a next election. Five more SDP legislators have publicly voiced their opposition to the package, citing similar concerns about its possible adverse fallouts. At least three other SDP legislators have abstained from vowing to comply with the SDP leadership's instructions to vote with the coalition in Friday's vote. The coalition has only a slim majority in the 252 upper chamber. The majority is 126 votes, as its chairman Bunbei Hara is not qualified to vote. The opposition camp brandishes 117 seats. This means that defections of only nine SDP rebels to the opposition side could scuttle the package, unless similar defections on the LDP side broke up the LDP's unity. Murayama said, "I want you to hand down your final judgments on the package with an eye to the issue of what would happen to the relationship between the cabinet and our party and how our party would be pressed to account for |
FBIS3-47971_3 | Reportage on Midterm Conference Do Muoi Delivers Political Report, Part One | 67 percent in 1991 to 17.5 percent in 1992, and then to 5.2 percent in 1993. The GDP shows an average annual increase of 7.2 percent, compared with the 1991-95 target of 5.5 to 6 percent. Agricultural production has developed in a relatively comprehensive manner. The food grain issue has been resolved satisfactorily. The output of food grain in 1993 amounted to nearly 25 million tons, thus exceeding the target for 1995. Industrial production is growing at an average annual rate of 13 percent, higher than the 8 to 10 percent target set in the five-year plan for 1991-95. The productivity of a number of important sectors and products -- such as electricity, crude oil, steel, and cement -- has increased. The communications and liaison system has expanded rapidly through the use of new equipment and technology. Many sectors -- such as building, transport, trade, travel, and other services -- have developed. The economy is undergoing structural changes. A number of production and business sectors have emerged. Foreign economic relations have expanded, becoming more diversified and multilateral. We have overcome the results of the unexpected drop in trade with our traditional market, broadened our trade exchanges with newer trading partners, and increased our annual export volume by nearly 20 percent. By the end of 1993, some 836 foreign investment projects had been licensed, with a registered capital of $7.5 billion. We have begun to attract more development aid and preferential capital loans from various governments, and have normalized relations with international financial and monetary institutions. The economy has achieved some initial capital accumulation. Although this is still small, a broad section of the population has seen their lives improve. A multisector economic system is taking shape. State firms are beginning to be rearranged and re-registered. State firms with long histories of operational losses have been reduced in large numbers, while the number of state firms with effective operations has increased. Generally speaking, the state-run economic sector is continuing to develop. It controls key fields of activity and is playing an essential role in the national economy. The state-run economic sector's share of the GDP increased from 34 percent in 1990 to 39.9 percent in 1992. Agricultural cooperatives have developed much clearer orientations for renovation since the party Central Committee's fifth plenum. The autonomous role of peasant households has been affirmed. A number of new formats for economic cooperation have emerged. |
FBIS3-47976_0 | Gold Miners Said To Wound 42 Troops | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Hanoi, Jan 20 (AFP) -- Hundreds of Vietnamese gold miners armed with knives, sickles and sticks badly wounded 42 soldiers when they attacked 80 troops guarding a gold mine near Hoa Hai village, according to reports Thursday. The Saigon Newsreader quoted an official newspaper as saying the miners attacked the soldiers when they came to a river bank to receive a boat shipment of rice for a border patrol post on January 11. Sixteen of the beaten soldiers were rushed to hospital, it said. The day before, armed miners attacked a truck carrying rice for soldiers. The area in the Huong Khe district in the centre of Vietnam has been inundated with hundreds of people illegally seeking gold, it said, adding that authorities had been unable to restore order despite troop reinforcements. |
FBIS3-48007_0 | Minister Han Briefs President on Foreign Policy | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, Jan. 19 (YONHAP) -- Gathering information on high-tech industries and new products in advanced countries for Korean industry to better compete in the world market is a foreign policy goal for 1994, Foreign Minister Han Sung-chu said in his briefing on the new year's foreign policy for President Kim Yong-sam on Wednesday. Foreign policy also focuses on creation of an international environment conducive to national reunification and peace on the Korean peninsula, increased cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations and expansion of economic diplomacy to help industries cope with the globalization trend of world trade. To achieve these goals, the ministry will be reorganized, with stress on diplomacy in trade and environment affairs. Han said the expansion of economic diplomacy would include increased trade diplomacy to prepare the country for the new world trade order to be established by the projected world trade organization. In addition, preparations for admission to the OECD (Organization of Economic Construction and Development) will be stepped up, along with efforts to increase cooperation with the group of seven advanced economies. For increased cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations, summit diplomacy will be promoted, including summit meetings with Southeast Asian nations, in addition to the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation summit slated for November in Indonesia, Han said. A multilateral security forum in Northeast Asia will be promoted, and the government will participate in the foreign ministers conference and security forum of the associations of Southeast Asian nations. Increased cooperation with the international community, especially with the United States, will be sought to solve the North Korean nuclear issue in such a manner as to guarantee North Korea's nuclear transparency and promote inter-Korean coexistence and cooperation. |
FBIS3-48009_4 | Top 30 Business Groups Select Prime Companies | |Non-Metal |Ssangyong Oil Refinery, | | | |Buma Oil | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Mining Goods, | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Energy | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Steel | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kia |Automobiles, |Kia Motors, Asia Motors, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Machinery, |Kia Precision Works, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Steel |Kia Speciality Steel | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hanhwa |Energy, |Kyungin Energy, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Petrochemicals, |Hanyang Petrochemical, H-| | | |anhwa, Hanyang | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Distribution |Stores, Golden Bell | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Lotte |Distribution, |Lotte Shopping, Lotte De-| | | |velopment, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Food & Beverages |Lotte Confectionery ,Chi-| | | |lsung Beverage, Lotte Ha-| | | |m, Lotte Milk, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Petrochemicals |Honam Petrochemicals | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kumho |Transportation, |Asiana Airlines, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Petrochemicals |two others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Daelim |Construction, |Daelim Industrial, two o-| | | |thers | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Non-Metal Mining | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Goods | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Doosan |Food & Beverages, |Oriental Brewery, four o-| | | |thers | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Construction | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dong-Ah |Construction, |Dong-Ah Construction, on-| | | |e other | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Transportation | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hanil |Textiles, |Hanil Synthetic Fiber, t-| | | |wo others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Construction | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hyosung |Petrochemicals, |Hyosung Heavy Industries,| | | | three others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Electronics | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dongkuk Steel |Steel, Distribution |Dongkuk Steel, four othe-| | | |rs | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Sammi |Steel, Distribution |Sammi, one other | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Halla |Machinery, Automobiles |Mando Machinery, two oth-| | | |ers | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Tongyang |Electronics, Distribution|Tongyang Mart, one other | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kolon |Petrochemicals, Distribu-|Kolon, two others | | |tion | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Jinro |Food & Beverages, Di-|Jinro, three others | | |stribution | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Dongbu |Distribution |Dongbu Steel, two others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Steel | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kohap |Petrochemicals, |Koryo Synthetic, three o-| | | |thers | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Distribution | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Kukdong |Construction, |Kukdong Construction, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Non-Metal |two others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Mining Goods | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Woosung |Construction, |Woosung Construction, | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Distribution |one other | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Haitai |Food & Beverages, |Haitai Beverage, two oth-| | | |ers | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Distribution | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Byucksan |Construction, |Byucksan, two others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Non-Metal | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Mining Goods | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Miwon |Food & Beverages, |Miwon, one other | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Petrochemicals | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Samyang |Food & Beverages, |Samyang, two others | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Petrochemicals | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
FBIS3-48013_0 | Commerce Minister Supports EAEC | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Commerce Minister Uthai Phimchaichon insisted yesterday that Thailand supports the Malaysian-promoted East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) because the organisation will improve cooperation in the region. Mr Uthai earlier met Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister, Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz. He said Dato' Rafidah wanted him to make clear the Thai Government's view on the EAEC. He told her he supported the move because it was a good concept. However, it was merely an initiative with no action taken yet. At the weekend, officials who asked not to be identified said that Thailand was still not enthusiastic about the EAEC. Mr Uthai said he stressed with Dato' Rafidah that the most important aspect was to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to increase the group's bargaining power in international forums such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group. Under current understandings, the EAEC would comprise East Asian members of APEC and not the United States, Canada, Mexico or Chile. In November, senior ASEAN secretariat officials said their initial exploratory talks with potential members received a warm response. Mr Uthai said Dato' Rafidah asked him whether Thailand would participate in the first meeting of APEC in Hawaii on March 18 and 19 because she believed the United States would force smaller countries to open up their financial markets further. Mr Uthai said he told Dato' Rafidah that he could not speak on behalf of the Thai finance minister but he thought that Thailand would have a clearer position after Tharin Nimmanhemin met the US Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen. Dato' Rafidah said the ASEAN secretary-general had visited countries which would be founders of the EAEC, such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Results would soon be reported to ASEAN economic ministers. She said the private sector would benefit from the loose consultative forum. The arrangement would benefit the private sector in finance, industry and even by linking the stock markets. Dato' Rafidah said the private sector should realise the marketing possibilities as the EAEC would include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Indochina and all of ASEAN. |
FBIS3-48034_0 | Palm Oil Sale Credit Signed With Burma | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Malaysia and Myanmar [Burma] have signed a memorandum of understanding [MOU] on the utilization of an export credit for the sale of Malaysian palm oil to Myanmar. Primary Industries Minister Datuk Lim Keng Yaik said under the MOU, Malaysia is to provide a U.S. $25 million credit to cover the purchase of Malaysian palm oil. Myanmar will need to buy at least 50,000 tons of palm oil per year. Myanmar was represented by the minister of trade Lieutenant General Tun Kyi. Speaking to reporters after the signing of the memorandum, Datuk Sri Dr. Lim said the event marked another milestone in the efforts to expand its palm oil market as well as to foster and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. |
FBIS3-48035_0 | Singapore Minister: Need for More Malaysia Contacts | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Kuala Lumpur -- Foreign Minister Professor S. Jayakumar yesterday said that both Singapore and Malaysia should find ways of expanding contacts at all levels. Speaking to THE SUNDAY TIMES before flying home after a two-day visit, he said that such a move was necessary because of the changed circumstances. In the past, he said that many Malaysians and Singaporeans studied together at Raffles College and the University of Malaya in Singapore. As this was no longer happening, he said that it was important for the two countries to make concerted attempts to build new links. Prof. Jayakumar said that his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom he met on Friday also agreed on the need to step up contacts. Both felt that bilateral ties were very good and that outstanding issues between the two countries could be resolved. As an example, he said that they noted that discussions between both countries were being conducted on two issues on the same day as their meeting. They were the disputes over the ownership of Pedra Branca, on which stands the Horsburgh Lighthouse and which Singapore has administered for the past 150 years, and the delineation of the Straits of Johor. "We were both optimistic that such issues could be resolved," he said. Datuk Abdullah, who was present to bid farewell to Prof. Jayakumar, interjected that the current approach was the best. "Leave it to the present mechanism," he added. Prof. Jayakumar took the opportunity of stressing to his Malaysian counterpart the value he attached to the Singapore-Malaysia relationship. "With good relations, it will be easier to view in perspective the occasional hiccup that may erupt from time to time," he added. Prof. Jayakumar, who is also law minister, was on his first overseas trip since he took over the portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. He said that his visit was in line with the tradition for a newly appointed minister to call on his ASEAN counterpart and to establish personal rapport. Prof. Jayakumar, who first met his Malaysian counterpart about 10 years ago, said that he attached great importance to personal ties as they formed a vital ingredient in establishing a good working relationship. Datuk Abdullah has accepted an invitation from his Singapore counterpart to visit the republic later this year. Other Malaysian leaders whom Prof. Jayakumar met were Law Minister Datuk Syed |
FBIS3-48044_0 | Palm Oil Sale Credit Signed With Burma | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Malaysia and Myanmar [Burma] have signed a memorandum of understanding [MOU] on the utilization of an export credit for the sale of Malaysian palm oil to Myanmar. Primary Industries Minister Datuk Lim Keng Yaik said under the MOU, Malaysia is to provide a U.S. $25 million credit to cover the purchase of Malaysian palm oil. Myanmar will need to buy at least 50,000 tons of palm oil per year. Myanmar was represented by the minister of trade Lieutenant General Tun Kyi. Speaking to reporters after the signing of the memorandum, Datuk Sri Dr. Lim said the event marked another milestone in the efforts to expand its palm oil market as well as to foster and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. |
FBIS3-48045_0 | Singapore Minister: Need for More Malaysia Contacts | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Kuala Lumpur -- Foreign Minister Professor S. Jayakumar yesterday said that both Singapore and Malaysia should find ways of expanding contacts at all levels. Speaking to THE SUNDAY TIMES before flying home after a two-day visit, he said that such a move was necessary because of the changed circumstances. In the past, he said that many Malaysians and Singaporeans studied together at Raffles College and the University of Malaya in Singapore. As this was no longer happening, he said that it was important for the two countries to make concerted attempts to build new links. Prof. Jayakumar said that his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom he met on Friday also agreed on the need to step up contacts. Both felt that bilateral ties were very good and that outstanding issues between the two countries could be resolved. As an example, he said that they noted that discussions between both countries were being conducted on two issues on the same day as their meeting. They were the disputes over the ownership of Pedra Branca, on which stands the Horsburgh Lighthouse and which Singapore has administered for the past 150 years, and the delineation of the Straits of Johor. "We were both optimistic that such issues could be resolved," he said. Datuk Abdullah, who was present to bid farewell to Prof. Jayakumar, interjected that the current approach was the best. "Leave it to the present mechanism," he added. Prof. Jayakumar took the opportunity of stressing to his Malaysian counterpart the value he attached to the Singapore-Malaysia relationship. "With good relations, it will be easier to view in perspective the occasional hiccup that may erupt from time to time," he added. Prof. Jayakumar, who is also law minister, was on his first overseas trip since he took over the portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. He said that his visit was in line with the tradition for a newly appointed minister to call on his ASEAN counterpart and to establish personal rapport. Prof. Jayakumar, who first met his Malaysian counterpart about 10 years ago, said that he attached great importance to personal ties as they formed a vital ingredient in establishing a good working relationship. Datuk Abdullah has accepted an invitation from his Singapore counterpart to visit the republic later this year. Other Malaysian leaders whom Prof. Jayakumar met were Law Minister Datuk Syed |
FBIS3-48058_0 | Comments on Wish for Foreign Aid | Language: Thai Article Type:BFN [Excerpt] Khun Sa, president of the Shan State Restoration Council, spoke in an exclusive interview with PHUCHATKAN. He said that he sent letters to U.S. President Bill Clinton and Thai Prime Minister Chuan Likphai in October and asked for cooperation from the United States, the United Nations, and the Thai Government for his efforts to stop opium growing and heroin production in the Shan State. Khun Sa, or Chang Si-fu in Chinese, during the interview from his stronghold in the central town of the Shan state which is opposite Thailand's Mae Hong Son Province, said that as far as he knew, President Clinton had forwarded the matter to the Thai prime minister and asked the latter to study ways to assist the Thai Yai ethnic people in Shan State to stop growing poppies. Khun Sa said of his bid to lobby for financial funding that he did not have much hope that there would be any assistance from international organizations because most organizations only have tried to paint a negative picture of him as an international outlaw. Khun Sa, however, did not entirely dismiss a chance for success for his crop replacement plan for the Shan State. He said the campaign to reduce poppy growing and finally root out opium cultivation in Shan State will materialize within five years if there is money for him to implement the crops replacement plan and vocational training projects. Most importantly, he said, the Burmese military government must also stop supporting poppy growing and heroin production. He said: "If opium growing is eliminated in Shan State while Burma continues to allow it, the Thai Yai people in Shan State will be forced to run away and join with Burmese troops so that they can continue to make a living by growing poppies." [passage omitted on Khun Sa's political goals] |
FBIS3-48066_0 | Threat of Fines Causes Big Turnout at Rallies | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Excerpt] CITIZENS faced a fine for non-attendance at mass rallies held across Burma during the past week, and schoolchildren risked automatic failure in their exams, said a western embassy source in Rangoon. The rallies, organised by the military government's new Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) were designed to obtain the people's approval for six motions aimed at "the emergence of a peaceful, prosperous and modern nation". They took place at Rangoon, Mandalay, Meikthila, Taunggyi and in other cities. On Thursday at Pegu, 80 kilometres northeast of Rangoon, 120,000 people were reported to have assembled at the district sports stadium for what was the first major political gathering in the city since the demonstrations against military rule in 1988. People congregated at 5.30 a.m., before marching behind banners along four different routes from different quarters of the city. Some 25,000 came from the west of Pegu alone and passed the site of a massacre in August 1988, where seven students were shot dead when they confronted the military in the popular democracy uprising that claimed the lives of thousands of Burmese citizens. The four groups met around the towering Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which overlooks the district stadium. Only a fraction of those who arrived could fit inside the stadium where USDA officials, including the Central Executive Committee Member, U Pan Aung, addressed the rally. People started dispersing from around the Pagoda soon after the meeting had started. State media reported that six motions were "unanimously approved" by over 120,000 at the rally. On the previous day, USDA representatives toured the city in vehicles with loudspeakers announcing that at least three members of each family should attend. A railway worker said that he could not afford to be absent from the meeting or he would be fined 200 kyat (equivalent to US$1.70 on the black market). "For 200 kyat," the man said, "I can feed my wife and three children for two days." The procession to the stadium was marked in part by a carnival atmosphere, with musicians and marching bands. The military presence was low other than at the entrance near the stage, where the USDA officials addressed the rally. A private tutor in the stadium remarked that most Burmese easily forgot the sufferings of the past, but remained sceptical of USDA rhetoric. "They are happy just to exist," he said. He thought they would not have |
FBIS3-48069_1 | Sihanouk Message on Health, Other Issues | illnesses, such as my veins and arteries which have hardened due to [words indistinct] and my heart disease. Using drugs that are too strong in this kind of medical treatment might affect my heart and so forth. A number of the most prominent PRC doctors, the very kind brothers, recently met and discussed new methods to more effectively eliminate the cancer in my spinal cord. My cancer is a very serious illness. This is why I need many more months to complete the treatment, despite the effective and very thorough care given my these most prominent doctors. Although I am not yet cured 100 percent, I will certainly return to our motherland in April 1994 to meet and join all beloved and respected compatriots in celebrating our traditional new year. 2. I would like to zealously appeal to my Khmer Rouge [KR] children from the Party of Democratic Kampuchea to please stop planting mines in our country and to stop destroying our nation's roads and bridges. The grenades and mines planted inside our territory have caused and are causing miserable harm to our compatriots, civilian, old and young, and male and female alike. Every month, victims, male and female alike, die or become cripples for the rest of their lives. Our country is known to have more disabled persons, amputees due to grenades and mines, than any country in the world. This is the [words indistinct]. I would like once again to appeal to the children who plant mines to completely stop all these crimes against our people. All roads and bridges are vitally important to our innocent people and our motherland. Those roads and bridges do not serve Vietnam. They serve only the interests of our society and the economy of our Cambodian people and motherland. At present, our Cambodian motherland has been classified as one of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world. This is a great shame to our motherland, our nation, and every Cambodian. Those children who have planted mines, destroyed houses, villages, and the property of our people as well as ruined our nation' roads and bridges -- if you really are patriots, you should completely and permanently stop from now on all acts to destroy the people and your own country. 3. I would like to insistently appeal to all children who have chosen the wrong way of living by becoming robbers; |
FBIS3-48110_0 | Electric Power Complexes Increase Production | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- The electric power producers in Korea are boosting the output to carry out the task put forward by the great leader President Kim Il-song in his New Year address. According to data available at the State Commission of the Electric Power Industry, the electric power outfit in the first ten days of this month was 11.8 percent above that in the same period of last month -- a gain of 18 percent at the thermal power plants and 80,000 kwh at the hydraulic power stations. The Pukchang thermal power complex has lifted its electric power output 74,000 kwh on a daily average in the new year above that in the same period of last month by tightening the links between processes and operating every generator at full capacity. The Pyongyang thermal power complex and the Sunchon thermal power plant raised the output of steam and power in the latest ten days more than 20 percent above the same period of last month by improving the technical management of the equipment. The Kanggye Youth, Changjingang, Hochongang and other hydraulic power stations keep a high and steady rate in production through better adjustment of the generating equipment and increase of the efficiency of the turbines. |
FBIS3-48154_0 | Officials Confirm DPRK Approach | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] North Korea's hardline communist regime is attempting to break the diplomatic ice with Australia, making an approach for the reestablishment of diplomatic links severed nearly 20 years ago. Australia is encouraged by the approach, but it is insisting there be firm progress on the nuclear issue before ties could be resumed. Linda Mottram reports from Canberra: [Begin Mottram recording] Australian officials have confirmed a report in the national newspaper THE AUSTRALIAN about the approach made in recent weeks by a senior North Korean diplomat to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok. An Australian Government spokesperson says Australian diplomats have returned the sounding-out. The spokesperson said the approach is being seen as encouraging, but says Pyongyang has been told any further development depends on North Korea allowing full international inspection of its nuclear facilities where nuclear weapons development is feared, and on progress in talks between North and South Korea and North Korea and the United States. The spokesperson described the situation as talks about talks and very, very preliminary. Australia has informed South Korea of the approach which appeared to have been made to Australia only. [end recording] |
FBIS3-48156_0 | Government Provides Emergency Aid to Kenya | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Australia is providing A$1 million for emergency relief in Kenya. The aid is to help counter the effects of conflict and drought which have left an estimated one and a half million people in urgent need of assistance. Kenya also has around 400,000 refugees forced to flee from conflict and instability in Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Australia's Development Cooperation Minister Gordon Bilney says the aid will go towards a supplementary feeding program aimed at reducing malnutrition in women and children. Funds will also be spent on blood testing kits to screen for the AIDS virus, HIV, while further assistance will go to drought rehabilitation, specially, in Kenya's northwest. |
FBIS3-48161_6 | Reports on National Party Conference Continue Continuation of Part Two | and service and should be continued. Cooperatives can function on a larger scale, performing various branches of business and are not restricted within any administrative boundaries. Besides the capital contributed by members and the assets of the cooperatives, capital and labor from outsiders should be motivated. Members of cooperatives receive incomes which are subjected to contributed labor and shares. Cooperatives can exercise any of the various levels of collectivity of production supplies in accordance with business necessity, aspirations, and benefit of the members. The individual and small business economic sector, which comprises mostly family business establishments, is speedily growing and possesses tremendous potential to become an important element of the economy. We must have a policy to help this sector in terms of capital, technology, market information, and so forth in order to help their businesses become effective, thus creating more employment and more opportunities for individuals to contribute to the national construction. We must also guide and encourage individual business establishments to gradually join cooperative economic establishments on a voluntary basis. The private capital economic sector, both overseas and domestic, is growing fast and contributing positively to the national construction. The state continues to encourage private capital economic activities in sectors and areas allowed by law. The state also protects legal rights and benefits of private businessmen, joins development and investment funds with these businessmen on the basis of consensus, and encourages them to sell prioritized shares to their workers. The state helps and guides them to overcome difficulties and do business in accordance with state laws and regulations. Concrete regulations will be promulgated to stipulate the state management role towards business establishments with capital invested directly by outsiders. In combination with inspection and control functions of the state, we need to develop the grassroots organizations of the party, trade unions, and politico-social mass organizations within the private business enterprises and joint business enterprises either domestically or with overseas partners. These grassroots organizations will contribute to productivity, protect legal benefits of workers, and prevent illegal deeds. We should create conditions and a legal environment for lawful competition activities and for developing collective businesses on a voluntary and mutually beneficial basis, regardless of the disparity between these businesses in a sector or locality. Using the major state enterprises as the bases, we will form business corporations with a significant ability to compete in the domestic as well as international markets. |
FBIS3-48229_2 | Business Council Submits Proposals | sectors of the IMT-GT to examine these existing conditions. The meeting hoped that the ministerial meeting would endorse the formation of this task force and that the relevant government agencies of the respective countries would extend the necessary cooperation and assistance to the task force, and ultimately give weight and consideration to the task force recommendations. Agriculture -- Currently, the Malaysian Government requires the use of only Malaysian-made plastic crates for transporting marine products. It was proposed to allow the utilisation of plastic crates made by other countries. It was also proposed that Malaysia should reduce the service charge of five cents to one cent per kg to help trade in marine products. -- The meeting proposed greater liberalisation of rubber trade within the region by eliminating current artificial restrictions. Infrastructure -- The meeting proposed the immediate reduction of international telephone charges within the IMT-GT region to promote investment, trade and tourism, as well as foster closer relationships between the three countries. Proposed Projects To Be Implemented under the IMT-GT Project For immediate action: -- Request for assistance from the governments of each of the three countries to organise joint tourism promotion. -- The use of Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand Tourism Association (MITTA) as a channel for complaints and help tourists and tourism information in the region. -- Developing and marketing of industrial estates and southern Thailand to promote collaboration between the private sectors of Malaysia and Thailand. -- Promotion of manufacturing of wooden furniture, especially from rubber wood and rattan, by the three countries. -- Looking at the possibility of establishing an IMT skills development centre. -- Develop joint fishing in the three countries. -- Looking for the possibility of establishing fruit and vegetable common market in border areas. -- Liberalise rubber trading within the region. -- The development of a regional television broadcasting station, a land bridge interconnecting system, linking the west coast and east coast of the region and power generation facilities, requires from the government approval in principle and feasibility studies. These projects are to be private-sector-driven. -- Bandar Aceh-Penang-Thailand natural gas pipeline towards the development of energy resources within the IMT-GT region. -- Ban Gabang (Yala)-Sik (Kedah) road to improve land transport between the two areas. The distance could be reduced from 141 km to 60 km. -- Ban Bhuketa (Waeng, Narathiwat) Malay-Thai border bridge to improve land transport between Narathiwat and the three Malaysian states of Kedah, |
FBIS3-48236_0 | Khmer Rouge Radio: `Over 20' Killed in Attack | Language: Cambodian Article Type:BFN [Text] The puppets of the Vietnamese communists and the two-headed government have ordered their forces to move from the west and east of Route 68. The forces are comprised of military trucks, artillery pieces, and infantry troops in an attempt to drive toward the liberated zones of Democratic Kampuchea. On 17 January, the National Army of Democratic Kampuchea and the people attacked and destroyed these attacking forces at Pongro and Ta Pen along Route 68 below Samraong. Over 20 soldiers were killed and a number of others wounded. The remaining troops fled the battlefield and returned to their villages because the majority of the puppet soldiers were forcibly drafted from villages where people were harvesting crops. |
FBIS3-48247_6 | Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ishihara Interviewed Part One of Interview It Is Difficult To Comment on the "Controversial Personnel Affair" in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry | the ministries are feeling serious anxiety over the possibility that the most important portion of the administrative work, which, in Japan, is being performed by the bureaucrats as lifetime work, might be transferred to politicians. It Is Difficult To Comment on the "Controversial Personnel Affair" in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry [Asahina] Is it not considered democratic for politicians elected by the people to have more power than officials? [Ishihara] In the prewar days when party politics were flourishing with Minseito and Seiyukai competing with one another for political power, it was said that even the chief of a police station was transferred when a political regime changed. After the war, as it is impossible for government workers to devote themselves without anxiety, to their duties under such a system, the existing public service system was established. In both a good and bad sense, a proper order in the respective ministries and agencies has been established. Persons who are capable of performing their duties efficiently, and who are good at managing their followers, are expected to become leading officials in due course. Certain officials are afraid that the most important portion of the existing system as I have just explained might be changed if politicians are assigned to the respective bureaus giving a strong influence of the political power to the personnel affairs. [Asahina] Is it that they are afraid the minister of international trade and industry may press a bureau director to resign? [Ishihara] Well, I think the incident that took place at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is a problem of a different nature. I find it quite difficult to comment on the problem. To me, it is a personnel administration problem within the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and it does not seem proper to discuss the matter, as a whole, as a cabinet problem.... [ellipses as printed]. [Asahina] Should promoting an officer who is to run for an election be strictly criticized? [Ishihara] It is quite hard for me to comment as I am not familiar with the facts. Yet, I do not think the treatment of personnel at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry was very unfair. Although I think the ministry must have followed a reasonable procedure, I do not have any concrete knowledge of the situation. I can not comment as a member of the prime minister's |
FBIS3-48248_0 | Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ishihara Interviewed Part Two of Interview | Language: Japanese Article Type:BFN [Second installment of an interview with Nobuo Ishihara, deputy chief cabinet secretary, by local correspondent Yutaka Asahina; place and date not given; first paragraph is MAINICHI SHIMBUN introduction] [Text] Yutaka Asahina asked Nobuo Ishihara, who stands at the top of the bureaucracy and who has been observing politics and Kasumigaseki from the prime minister's office, further questions about the problems involved in the bureaucracy. [Asahina] In your opinion, what are the merits and demerits of postwar bureaucracy? [Ishihara] No doubt, there are more merits than demerits. The status of government officials has become stable under the postwar public service law, thus creating the administration's stability. The cabinet system has its own merits as each ministry takes its own part in carrying out important policies with responsibility and competing with one another. However, if the competition becomes excessive, it causes jurisdictional disputes among the ministries creating various harmful effects on the bureaucracy. Working for the prime minister's office, I have had many opportunities to observe such undesirable aspects. Frankly speaking, importance tends to be placed on the profit of a particular ministry rather than on national profit. [Asahina] How do you attempt to lead them? [Ishihara] My most important duty, after all, is to persuade the ministries to avoid competing for power, to avoid jurisdictional issues, and to make them carry out policies even if the policies are not necessarily welcomed by them. I think the Structural Impediments Initiative [SII] that took place at the time of the Kaifu cabinet was a good example. Although there was serious resistance by the ministries as the tasks required by SII were all disagreeable to them, we were finally able obtain their cooperation. I make it a rule to remind a newly appointed administrative vice minister that, while he represents a particular ministry, he is also representing the country as a whole. In that sense, I highly appreciate the behavior of the vice ministers and councilors of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in dealing with the recent rice issue. I really think they, as high-ranking officials, acted in a most desirable way. [Asahina] They gave priority to national profit. Is that what you mean? [Ishihara] They are most familiar with the rice growers' present conditions. And they were in agony as they also had the best knowledge as to what was happening in Geneva where the Uruguay Round |
FBIS3-48255_6 | Automobile Sales Practices Restrict Foreign Cars The Market for Maintenance and Repair Parts Is Also Exclusionary | the dealer in his territory. Also, some manufacturers use the number of cars sold to customers from the dealer's territory, rather than the total number of cars sold, as the basis for rebates. In such cases, the dealer does not get a rebate on cars sold to customers from outside his territory, and so ends up losing incentive to sell to such customers. The Market for Maintenance and Repair Parts Is Also Exclusionary It has been pointed out that the market for maintenance and repair parts, like that for passenger cars, is exclusionary. There are two kinds of maintenance and repair parts: genuine, brand-name parts supplied by auto makers; and non-genuine parts supplied directly to the market by parts manufacturers. Before auto makers can supply assembly parts, that they purchase from parts manufacturers, directly to the maintenance and repair market, they must obtain the consent of the parts manufacturers. This done, they can purchase as repair and maintenance parts the same parts that they use as assembly parts, and then supply them directly to the market through their sales channels. In their contracts with auto makers, dealers used to be obliged "to use genuine parts" for maintenance and repair. Then, in 1991, when these contracts were revised, this clause was eliminated. However, there are certain sales channels that provide a rebate that promotes the handling of genuine parts and so has the effect of restricting the handling of non-genuine parts. Moreover, when the auto maker demands the parts manufacturer's advance consent in order to supply the market with parts independently developed by the parts manufacturer without any contribution of know-how by the auto maker, the parts manufacturer, if he grants his consent, ends up with the freedom of his business activities restricted, which is a problem. As mentioned before, the number of dealers handling foreign cars has increased. However, these dealers have not always been acting voluntarily. In order to open up the market for cars and parts, the Fair Trade Commission has pointed out to auto makers both the problems revealed by the latest survey results and the Commission's views about them, and has encouraged auto makers to voluntarily grapple with solving those problems. In the future, the Fair Trade Commission will work to understand the kinds of measures [that automakers] take in response to the problems that were pointed out to them; and will watch, from the standpoint |
FBIS3-48257_3 | Challenges Facing Auto Industry Detailed The Competitiveness Gap Between Japan and U.S. Suddenly Narrows | that the sales price of the standard type equipped with both driver and passenger side airbags is thought to almost certainly be about $9,000, so it is less than the expensive $10,000 level. Unfortunately, exhibition of the Neon was delayed, but even so the topic of discussion was concentrated on U.S. cars. The amount of attention given to the all-important Japanese cars was lower than expected. The thing about the U.S. side that is attracting this much attention from mass media-related people is more than anything the recovery of competitiveness by U.S. cars. Actually, in the past two years, the power relationship between Japan and the U.S. has changed completely. "The idea of U.S. cars being prone to breakdowns has fallen by the wayside long ago. GM, Ford and Chrysler, through joint venture projects with Toyota, Mazda and Mitsubishi, respectively, have steadily improved productivity and quality. On the other had, Japanese cars have too much quality so that U.S. cars are superior in terms of price performance ratio," says an industry source. Particularly remarkable is the drop in price competitiveness [of Japanese cars] in the U.S. market. On the Japanese side, models in the same class are from $2,000 to $2,500 more expensive than their U.S. counterparts--a result of raising prices to deal with the strong yen. In the lower price car market of under $10,000 where the Japanese side was once unrivaled , U.S. cars like GM's Cavalier and Ford's Escort are holding top place. For that reason, the market share (consisting of the total which are produced locally in the U.S. as well as export cars) in the U.S. passenger car market in 1991 and 1992 in excess of 30 percent declined to 1.247 million units in the period from January to June, a 5 percent decrease over the same term of the previous year, and their share has also declined to 29.0 percent. In July to September the share recovered somewhat, but, says our industry source, "that was transitory because beginning in October there was a sale to clear out inventories prior to the introduction of 1994 models," so the probability is high that "it will drop again after October." The Sudden Improvement in Business Results on the U.S. Side Of course, "This doesn't mean that the Japanese makers have lost," says Honda Motor Company President Nobuhiko Kawamoto. "Japanese makers have stepped onto the same playing field |
FBIS3-48289_1 | Economists Discuss Economic Prospects Implementation of an Income Tax Cut and a Consumption Tax Hike The Method of Introducing Public Funds for the Writing Off of Bad Assets Held by Financial Institutions | Cut and a Consumption Tax Hike [Kato] A recent sharp drop in personal consumption has a lot to do with the negative assets effect -- a decrease in family assets due to the bubble economy's collapse. Worried about a decrease in their assets, people have hurriedly decreased their consumption and have increased their savings. I think that a higher savings rate among the aged in particular might have been caused by such a phenomenon. The fruits of the income tax cut cannot be expected and the income tax cut cannot become an economic stimulus measure unless we can stop the negative assets effect. Recently, however, the negative assets effect has finally disappeared and conditions which can produce a positive assets effect have been created. If land prices decrease another 15 percent in the case of residential areas and another 25 percent in the case of commercial areas, the rate of variation of land prices and the rate of increase of nominal gross national product will approximately match, where the land prices become stable in general. If that happens, a positive assets effect will come about, which in turn will further ensure the income tax cut's fruit. [Yoshitomi] What is important in discussing the income tax cut is to determine the extent of expansion of consumption in proportion to the scale of the tax cut. In theory, it is possible for the consumers to save all the taxes reduced in anticipation of a future tax hike. Will 3 trillion yen or none be consumed out of the 5-trillion-yen tax cut? Only the actual proof can answer such a question. One actual proof study shows that nearly 3 trillion yen will be consumed. [Kato] In any case, I do not think that the income tax cut alone will be enough to stimulate consumption. Unless we provide an opportunity to consume the income increased through the tax cut, motivation to spend will not come about. For that purpose, we should decide in advance that the consumption tax will be raised after one year or 15 months. If we do that, we can expect the last-minute expansion of consumption during that period. There are people who say that since this is only a last-minute demand, consumption will decline after a temporary increase in demand. However, if the economic environment improves even through such a temporary expansion of consumption, that will trigger a continuous expansion, |
FBIS3-48289_10 | Economists Discuss Economic Prospects Implementation of an Income Tax Cut and a Consumption Tax Hike The Method of Introducing Public Funds for the Writing Off of Bad Assets Held by Financial Institutions | how to implement "the outflow" of postal savings, since it is impossible to hold back "the inflow" of postal savings. At present, however, it is difficult to discuss the outflow of postal savings. For, when private loans by financial institutions do not increase because of their holding bad assets, or when small and midsize firms, in particular, are unable to obtain loans, other countries cannot take direct action against these; but, for the purpose of fiscal investment and loans, Japan has governmental financial agencies intended to help small and midsize firms; and to our amazement, the agencies' loans are still increasing at the rate of 7 percent a year. Therefore, even when financial institutions find it difficult to extend loans, small and midsize firms are relatively free from troubles. Things are going rather well on a short-term basis, and that may be the reason long-term reforms are difficult to implement at present. The Economy Is on the Track to Gradual Recovery in 1994 [Kato] Now, concerning the economy in 1994, first of all, I think that adverse assets effect will change into positive assets effect. In addition, if a deregulation series is implemented, local beer will be made in various places and medicine will be sold at convenience stores, thus increasing business opportunities. [Yoshitomi] Recently, there have been people who say that "a depression is coming," but I am absolutely sure that there will be no depression. For example, if Japan's unemployment rate rises to 25 percent like the Great Depression in the United States, we may call it a depression. At present, Japan's unemployment rate is 2.7 percent, which may rise to nearly 3.5, but that is anything but a depression. In addition, the former Great Depression was a worldwide phenomenon and each nation resorted to extreme protectionism. At present, however, there exists GATT, and trade rules are in good order. Moreover, at that time, there were no thriving countries like Asia today. [Kato] If general contractor scandals subside and public works begin to be undertaken, then an income tax cut should be implemented. The consumption tax should be raised in the future; but, for the time being, the present 4.5 percent consumption tax on passenger cars, for example, should be lowered to 3.0 percent. We can expect the last-minute stimulus effects. [Yoshitomi] People say it is terrible to have their overtime work shortened and their bonuses reduced. Conversely, |
FBIS3-48315_0 | More Reaction to Reform Bills Rejection Noted `Political Turmoil' Affects Economy | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, Jan. 22 KYODO -- A rough ride is expected for the dollar next week as the political turmoil unleashed Friday [21 January] hurts the yen but boosts political pressure for a weak dollar. Dealers expect stocks and market interest rates to tumble, at least initially, in the wake of Friday's crushing defeat for Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa's political reform package. Fundamentally, that spells trouble for the yen, but with hopes receding for the preoccupied government to craft speedy economic stimulus measures, fundamentals may take a back seat to international politics, dealers said. That thinking drove the dollar lower in Europe after the reform vote in the House of Councillors, which followed the Tokyo close. It dipped briefly to a one-month low below 110 yen in London, but was bought back afterward on perceptions that it had been oversold and closed at 111.10-20 yen. It later finished in New York at 111.55-65 yen. In Tokyo, the U.S. currency declined 0.45 yen for the week to 111.30 yen, wavering in a range of less than 1 yen as the market awaited the reform vote. The U.S. Government has been withholding high-yen pressure to give the young Hosokawa coalition a chance to cut Japan's trade deficit by expanding domestic demand and thus boosting imports, Tokyo dealers say. With such fiscal hopes on the rocks, they believe, America may pull the monetary lever, talking the yen up to make Japanese imports cheaper in yen terms and putting the heat on Japan's exporters by forcing export prices up in other currency terms. "We have to pay more attention to the politics from now on," said Takao Sako, head of yen trading at the Union Bank of Switzerland. But the result for the currency market will be "very unpredictable," he said. With U.S. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen holding hastily arranged meetings Sunday in Tokyo with Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii and Hosokawa, players wondered if Washington would play the "high-yen card" before February's bilateral summit. Adding to the pressure were Friday's report of a record 120 billion dollar 1993 Japanese trade surplus, stalled bilateral trade talks and President Bill Clinton calling Japan one of "our biggest problems" on trade. Washington "won't allow a weaker yen," said Junichi Kodama, a Chemical Bank vice president and head of corporate foreign exchange sales. He predicted a test of chart-based technical support in the 109 |
FBIS3-48332_1 | 1993 Vehicle Output `Sharpest Fall' in 19 Years | three straight years since the end of World War II. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said output totaled 11,227,545 vehicles, down 10.2 percent from the previous year, the second steepest fall in the postwar period following the 24.1 percent decline posted in 1947. Production of passenger cars fell for the third straight year, dropping 9.4 percent to 8,497,094. Production of trucks plunged 12.6 percent to 2,682,377, the fifth straight yearly drop, and that of buses fell 7.6 percent to 48,074. Domestic sales of cars, trucks and buses fell 7.1 percent from the year before to 6,467,278 vehicles, reflecting flagging personal consumption due to the economic slump. It said 4,199,450 passenger cars were sold, down 5.7 percent from the year before and the third straight year-on-year decline. Sales of trucks dipped 9.4 percent to 2,248,803, the fifth straight yearly fall, and sales of buses plummeted 11.8 percent to 19,025. Exports fell for the eighth straight year, plunging about 11.0 percent from the year before to an estimated 5.02 million. In December, production of cars, trucks and buses vehicles totaled 789,180, down 18.3 percent from the year before and the sharpest fall since June 1974, when production fell 19.3 percent. It was the 15th straight month in which production had fallen from the year-before levels, the association said. The figure was lowest for the month since December 1978, when production totaled 753,377 vehicles. It said 467,457 passenger cars were produced, down 17.3 percent from the year before and the ninth straight year-on-year decline. Production of trucks fell 21.4 percent to 182,760, extending the yearly fall to the 29th month, while that of buses was down 28.9 percent at 2,780. The association said domestic sales of cars, trucks and buses in December were down 8.4 percent at 467,457 vehicles, with 312,558 cars being sold, down 5.7 percent. Sales of trucks slumped 13.3 percent to 153,989, the 15th straight year-on-year fall, and those of buses were down 12.3 percent at 910. Japan produced 3,023,154 motorcycles in 1993, down 5.4 percent from the year before, the first yearly drop in four years. Exports posted the fourth straight year-on-year rise, climbing about 3.0 percent to an estimated 1.72 million. Production in December plunged 16.1 percent to 221,652, the ninth straight yearly fall. Domestic sales of motorcycles in December totaled 89,140, down 2.3 percent, and exports fell for the fourth straight yearly fall, dropping about 12.0 percent. |
FBIS3-48335_0 | Hitachi, Mitsubishi Agree To Develop Chips | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tokyo, Jan. 19 KYODO -- Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said Wednesday [19 January] they have agreed to join forces to develop flash memory chips, tipped as one of the boom semiconductor products of the 1990s. The two Japanese electronics concerns said they will jointly develop a 16-megabit flash memory chip based on Mitsubishi's own technology and a 64-megabit flash memory chip based on Hitachi's own technology. Hitachi and Mitsubishi said SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, the Franco-Italian concern and Europe's second-largest chip producer, is considering joining the Hitachi-Mitsubishi alliance. Mitsubishi now has a business alliance with SGS-Thomson for development of flash memory chips. Unlike many other memory chips, flash memory chips can retain data even when power is shut off and can be erased and reprogrammed in a "flash" with electric charges. Flash memory chips are seen as the key to realizing a new generation of portable products ranging from small computers to digital cameras and faxes. Hitachi and Mitsubishi said their agreement also calls for consolidating their flash memory product lines with a view to taking the lead in setting industry standards as required by users. Company officials said the deal is aimed at sharing the risks and costs involved in the development of a new chip. "The scale of investment needed to match the growth of the semiconductor business and the rapid pace of innovation has become too large for any one company to bear in view of the risks and costs involved," said Shoji Hirabayashi, managing director at Mitsubishi Electric. "This partnership between Hitachi and Mitsubishi in the field of flash memories involves a sharing of resources in the areas of research and development as well as production, and as such is an undertaking of great significance to the future progress and development of each company," said Tsugio Makimoto, executive managing director at Hitachi. The semiconductor industry so far has provided the market with flash memory chips that use two types of cell structure -- nor and nand. Nor-based chips are now the market mainstream and used both by Hitachi and Mitsubishi for their products. The latest agreement covers new types of flash memory technologies -- dinor-type chips developed by Mitsubishi and nand-type ones developed by Hitachi. The dinor flash memory chip is an advanced version of the existing nor-type chip, providing higher integration and single power-source operation at lower voltage as week |
FBIS3-48403_0 | Seoul Plans To Provide Financial Aid to PLO | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] The government plans to provide financial aid to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) when a legitimate recipient body is set up, officials said yesterday. An official who refused to be identified said that the PLO is expected to set up an interim committee soon to receive financial aid from the world for the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank city of Jericho. Seoul expressed its will to support rehabilitation of the autonomous region at multilateral talks in Washington Oct. 2-3 last year. Foreign Minister Han Sung-chu attended the talks co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev. The talks were the first international ones held to handle the aid program since Israel and the PLO signed a peace accord in Washington early last September. "We are unable to discuss the aid program as no recipient body has yet been set up by the PLO," the official said. But inter-ministerial consultations are under way on the methods of financial aid to the PLO following the establishment of a recipient body, he said. He said he is quite sure that the aid program will be discussed bilaterally with the PLO, not international bodies or Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres telephoned his Korean counterpart Han to support the rehabilitation of the autonomous region of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Jericho, shortly after the signing of the peace accord. It is expected that the government will extend soft loans from the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund (EDCF). The EDCF is a government-managed fund for developing nations. But other officials did not rule out that nonrefundable aid would also be delivered although in small amounts. The United States has projected collecting contributions through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank. At present, no country has extended aid to PLO for the same reason as Korea and also because of the uncertainty of the Middle East peace. PLO chief Yasir 'Arafat also expressed hope for assistance from South Korea in a recent interview with KBS [Korea Broadcasting System]. 'Arafat is familiar with North Korean leaders, having visited Pyongyang several times. South Korea has no formal diplomatic ties with the PLO but has already recognized its identity. |
FBIS3-48409_0 | Mahathir Reportedly To Attend Nov APEC Session | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Jakarta, Jan 21 (OANA-ANTARA) -- Malaysian International Industry and Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz has ensured the presence of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed at the next meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Indonesia in November this year. After a meeting with Indonesian Trade Minister S.B. Judono here Friday, Minister Rafidah Aziz said Prime Minister Mahathir will surely attend the next informal meeting of the leaders of the APEC member countries. Like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), both APEC and the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) are expected to boost cooperation among nations, including those in the ASEAN region, she said. Economic ministers of the ASEAN member countries will also hold a meeting in Kuala Lumpur in April 1995 to discuss a long term program of the organization which groups Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, she said. The Kuala Lumpur meeting, according to Minister Rafidah Aziz, is expected to also discuss the Uruguay Round of GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs). ASEAN has a common interest in the results of the agreement, she said. The Malaysian minister said that during the meeting with her counterpart, Trade Minister S.B. Judono, both sides agreed to sign an agreement on investment guarantee on Saturday (January 22) and to amend the previous trade accord between the two countries. Trade relations between the two countries have been running smoothly so far, she said. Meanwhile, Minister Judono said there is always a possibility of accelerating the implementation of the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) from 15 years to 10 years as Malaysia has suggested. However, he said "We should first implement what was agreed upon by the ASEAN member countries last year and see how the progress is." Indonesia's exports to the neighbouring country include tobacco, paper, vegetable oil, coal and textiles, while its imports among other things are steel, chemical substance and machinery. The total value of the bilateral trade in 1992 reached about one billion dollars, with a deficit of 37 million US dollars for Indonesia. During the first semester of last year, Indonesia recorded a trade surplus from its exports worth 326.3 million dollars to Malaysia, while its imports worth only 198.8 million dollars. |
FBIS3-48483_34 | * SANKEI Publishes Series on Defense Issues Present to the General Public Options for Defense Capabilities Over 30 Percent of Facilities Have Existed Since the Old Japanese Military Days | as education and training; 4) 10 percent for base countermeasures expenses such as support for U.S. Forces in Japan; 5) 4 percent for maintenance of facilities; and 6) 3 percent for research and development. The estimated budget for the next fiscal year will be 4.7311 trillion yen, reflecting a cut of 17.9 billion yen to 900 billion yen for frontline equipment such as combat tanks and a 45.8 billion yen increase to 1.8290 trillion yen for rear-area equipment. Proposals by 200 Individuals To Change Japan A Japan-U.S. Framework for Security Is Indispensable Comments by Mr. Ryohei Oga, Former Chief of Staff, MSDF Trends in Southeast Asia are of foremost concern in greeting the post-cold war period. Nations such as China and India can now easily obtain military equipment and are in the process of reinforcing their navies and air units. However, Japan must coexist with the Southern nations in an amicable manner. How Japan does this is a matter of politics. Ten years ago, a civilian symposium was held and an Indonesian researcher listed "threats from Southeast Asia." He mentioned domestic communism as the number-one concern; next was China which lurked in the background of domestic communism; third was the then-USSR; and fourth was rearmament by Japan. When I asked, "What do you mean by rearmament?" he replied, "A case in which Japan abandons the Japan-U.S. security arrangement and enters into rearmament after revising the Constitution." In response, a scholar from Thailand retorted, "We are now conducting a debate premised on the Japan-U.S. security arrangement. You are completely off track relative to your comments." At that moment I became keenly aware of the fact that the Japan-U.S. security system served as a basic framework for actions by Japan. When one considers security for Southeast Asia, it is important that Japan continue to act within the framework of the Japan-U.S. system and that Japan confine itself to that framework. What I wish to appeal here is that we give consideration to the very founding of our nation. The question arises, can we do without defense capabilities? No nation in the world can survive without such capabilities. All nations have a mobilization capability. If one were to question the mobilization capabilities of Japanese reserve SDF personnel, the matter would be problematic. Our nation has never given serious thought to this question. Ever since the Yoshida cabinet days, the nation has given birth |
FBIS3-48486_1 | Article Views Defense Program Guidelines | mideighties, it gained confidence that it could repel foreign aggression in cooperation with the United States. At that time, no one paid attention to the idea demonstrated in the guidelines that Japan should repel an aggression on its own at the initial stage, and wait for U.S. help. Instead, an operational plan was formulated on the assumption that Japan and the United States jointly defend the nation against an attack by the Soviet Union. A clause in the guidelines says that Japan should maintain basic defense power in peacetime and should expand it when necessary. In actuality, however, nobody expects that the defense power will be expanded in accordance with this clause. Working-level officials all know that the thinking that there should be enough time to compile a new defense budget even when a crisis is imminent is far from realistic. They know that because this is the time all the world is seeking peace, it is impossible for Japan to expand its military power based on the defense program guidelines even if a crisis is imminent. In fact, the guidelines do not explain when the expansion is possible and what the procedures are. Also, both Japanese and U.S. Government defense officials are thinking only of defending Japan with the existing military strength. In this context, ideas demonstrated in the defense program guidelines are merely words. However, this has not caused actual harm. The only harm is the rule saying that the Cabinet should decide defense matters. This rule prevents the development of strategic ideas. Because there are not many strategists in Japan, this nation has to depend on working-level Defense Agency officials for defense ideas. However, the adoption of their ideas is limited because of the aforementioned rule, and this has caused incalculable harm. Although we Japanese waged the Pacific war, we did not learn strategies from it. We also failed to learn strategic ideas from the Cold War, although we fought it throughout. From now on, the government should try to avoid deciding on situation assessment and strategic ideas at the cabinet level. It is desirable that it allow changes in defense ideas and show the changes in annual defense white papers as other industrialized nations do. If the government needs to continue deciding on defense matters at the cabinet level, it should adopt realistic defense policies (as other countries do) in line with the Japanese-U.S. alliance, or |
FBIS3-48517_1 | Editorial Praises USDA Rallies | we are to prepare both the young and the old alike for their future tasks once the democratic system starts functioning full swing, we will have to prepare them for it. With that in mind, the leadership launched this social organization with the noble aims of working for the non- disintegration of the union, non-disintegration of national unity, perpetuation of sovereignty, promotion and vitalization of national pride, and emergence of a prosperous, peaceful, and modern union. These lofty aims are worthy of being upheld and transformed into reality for they concern our wellbeing and our future. The youth in any nation are gregarious, sociable, and outgoing. To nurture them, to harness their positive traits, they must be given the benefit of some form of guidance. From young, they get parental guidance and also at school. However, they must be able to join organizations with extra-curricular activities, taught trades useful to themselves and to others. In the aftermath of the chaos and anarchy of the late '80s, the social organizations could not absorb the bulk of youths enthusiastic to join. Hence the need for one that would cater to their desires. That the authorities had devised a way for them to identify themselves with a distinctive organization came as a boon and at an opportune moment. The State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC], which has been making preparations for retransfer of power to the rightful people, took the necessary measure to see to the emergence of the kind of organization they very much need. Members who are 10 and above, regardless of sex, class, creed or faith, will be able to get together for a common cause -- that of protecting and serving the motherland. Both minors designated as junior members and adults designated as senior members, will be involved in nation-building tasks. All members are to swear their allegiance to the nation under the Four Oaths, observe an 11-point Code of Conduct, and live up to 14 Duties and Responsibilities, which means they will be able to prove themselves worthy of identity with the union. The mammoth rally that was held at Aung San Stadium yesterday was one of a kind, for it brought together a merry mix of students, teachers, and people from other walks of life. More rallies are coming up. They will endorse the USDA and help strengthen the nation's chances of seeing peace and progress. |
FBIS3-48538_0 | Government Troops Accused of Poisoning Water | Language: Cambodian Article Type:BFN [Excerpt] People who have deserted their villages to take refuge in the mountains and forests in order to avoid the suppressive operations -- burning down villages, killing, and bullying -- by the Vietnamese communist puppets, have said that the two-headed government's troops in the Siem Reap and Samraong-Oddar Meanchey zones -- under the command of Vietnamese communist puppet military commanders; namely, Ke Kimyan, Pol Saroeun, Long Sopheap, Prum Samen, and (Oy Sopheap) -- have poisoned water sources, creeks, and ponds. People who used water from these sources -- particularly children and old people -- became intoxicated, vomited, and had convulsions. Some of them died. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-48545_0 | Students Arrested During Protest at DPR Building | Language: Indonesian Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] Jakarta, 5 Jan -- Authorities from the Jakarta Police Headquaters have arrested 19 students while marching to the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Senayan, Jakarta on 4 January. The students, who called themselves the Action Front of Indonesian Youths (FAPI), intended to see Wahono, House Speaker, to protest the arrest of 21 students, and to demand the release of their friends who were detained last month. Those students had been charged with insulting President Suharto during a demonstration in front of the House on 14 December. The new wave of protest by about 40 students criticized the harsh "security approach" being used by the government in its development efforts. During the protest demonstration, banners reading "Security approach is antidemocratic," and "Free our friends," were unfurled. Security troops managed to grab some of the demonstrating students while others succeeded in getting away. The demonstration was eventually dispersed by the mobile brigade of the Jakarta Police Headquarters. It was said that Beathor Suryadi, 35, spokesman for FAPI, managed to speak to the DPR's public relations officer about the matter because Wahono was absent from the House. However, while he was trying to do so, his friends who were waiting outside the House were arrested. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Latif Rabar, the students were arrested for violating Section 510 of the Criminal Code of Law -- for staging demonstration and holding street processions without the police permit. He said that at this moment, the arrested students are under intensive police investigation. [passage omitted] News of the arrest reached Luhut Pangaribuan, director of Jakarta's Legal Aid Bureau. He said that there was no reason to arrest the students because they had not broken any law. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-48575_0 | U.S. `Debunking' of Russian Documents Hailed | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] A retired Vietnamese general at the center of American suspicion over prisoners of war on Tuesday welcomed the U.S. report debunking two controversial Soviet documents on the issue. General Tran Van Quang, alleged author of remarks reported in one of the documents, said the study by U.S. Intellegency Agency [as heard] released in Washington on Monday backed the Vietnam's stand that the documents were fabrications. He said the verdict by the U.S. agency would help speed up normal relations and benefit both Vietnam and America. |
FBIS3-48606_1 | Further Reportage on Visit by Bosnian President ANTARA on Suharto-Izetbegovic Talks | called for an international conference to replace the Geneva talks which has so far failed to settle the crisis in Bosnia. According to Murdiono, Suharto welcomed Izetbegovic's effort to try to lift the UN arms embargo on Bosnia who is less equipped than the more militarily powerful Serbia and Croatia. "The president as NAM chairman will urge the world to treat Bosnia fairly in its fight against much stronger enemies," said Murdiono, adding that Suharto had expressed his support for the lifting of the embargo. Over 200,000 Bosnian Muslims have been killed and millions more expelled since Serb and Croatian aggressors occupied Bosnia. About 70 percent of Bosnia is now in the hands of its enemies. Izetbegovic said the ending of the embargo was necessary to balance the military strengths of all warring parties. A military balance is expected to help lead to peace. He also suggested an air strike on Serbia in a bid to pressure them into considering peace. "A combination of force and negotiations is necessary to stop the war," he said, adding that all forms of talks so far had focussed on Bosnia relinquishing parts of its territory. "But we cannot accept unjust division of our country," the Bosnian president argued. The UN Security Council mainly dominated by the United States, France, Britain, Russia, and China has issued 30 resolutions on the Bosnian war. However, none of them have been implemented accept the arms embargo. Commenting on the planned withdrawal of UN forces from Bosnia, Izetbegovic said it would create more difficulty in keeping peace. "If Europe wants to pull out some of its troops, then the United Nations should allow other non-European countries to replace them," he added. European officials recently reviewed the UN presence in Bosnia and UN sources in Sarajevo confirmed that plans to withdraw the peacekeepers and aid workers are underway. Turkey and Iran have offered to send troops to help Bosnia Muslims but the United Nations refused the proposal without providing an explanation. Before leaving Jakarta, the Bosnian delegation received U.S.$70,000 worth of humanitarian aid from the Indonesian Solidarity Committee for Bosnian Muslims. Also included in the package were 450 grams of gold and watches, and a cheque worth U.S. $24,600 from the Irsyad al-Islamiyyah religious association. Chairman of the Solidarity Committee Geys M. Amar explained that the gifts were spontaneous donations collected at mosques from Muslims all over the country. |
FBIS3-48614_0 | U.S. Senators Urge Lifting of Trade Embargo | Language: Vietnamese Article Type:BFN [Text] On 25 January, a day before the debate at the U.S. Senate on the lifting of the trade embargo against Vietnam, former U.S. war veterans, who are now Senate members, called for the support of a resolution demanding the lifting of the trade embargo to help solve the fate of more than 2,000 American missing in Southeast Asia. Democratic Senator Kerry of Massachusetts, Republic Senator McCain of Arizona, and Democratic Senator Pressler of South Dakota stressed that the Vietnamese Government is cooperating to the best of its ability with the United States in locating American remains in rural areas, examining archives, and creating favorable conditions for the U.S. side to interview Vietnamese war veterans on what happened to American soldiers missing in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. They said the United States is in danger of losing this great cooperation unless it lifts the trade embargo against Vietnam. Senator Kerry said we have reached an agreement with Vietnam. If they help us with their documents, contacts, and excavations, then we must reciprocate. In another interview on 25 January, he also stressed that it is about time to totally lift the trade embargo. Meanwhile, according to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, U.S. Government officials on 26 January said that based on the progress reached, high-level advisers of President Clinton have suggested that the trade embargo be lifted. |
FBIS3-48619_0 | Cease-Fire Guidelines Signed | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front] Chairman Nur Misuari finally signs the proposed guidelines and ground rules for the implementation of the cease-fire agreement. The government chief negotiator Manuel Yan describes the signing of the document as an encouraging development for the peace process. Under the guidelines of the cease-fire accord, the government and the MNLF must identify the location and unit commanders of the respective forces. It has been agreed that the forces of both sides shall remain in their respective places and refrain from any provocative action. The cease-fire document will be sent to Jakarta for the signature of the OIC [ICO -- Islamic Conference Organization] chairman, Ministerial Committee of Six. It will then go to Jeddah, where the OIC secretary general will sign the document. Despite the cease-fire, however, government forces still have to cope with the presence of so-called MNLF "Lost Command" rebels. The other day, five police troopers were wounded in a series of clashes with renegade MNLF rebels in Basilan. The encounter occurred as DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government] Secretary Rafael Alunan III stressed that the operations in Basilan are purely police movements and not military offensives. The [word indistinct] military and police forces, Alunan says, are going after criminal elements engaged in piracy, murder, and kidnapping. The secretary also says the operations should not be viewed as a violation of the cease-fire agreement. |
FBIS3-48659_1 | South's Agricultural Tax Plans Denounced | itself with the U.S. masters. In addition, the South Korean people have long urged the puppet authorities to come up with a policy to prevent river pollution. The rascals received considerable amounts of money from intermediary waste disposal companies to overlook the discharge of poisonous industrial wastes into the Naktong River, and allowed these companies to build waste disposal plants in areas designated as tap water protection sites. As a result, ten million residents in the Naktong River area alone are suffering from a lack of tap water, which is of utmost importance to daily living. South Korea has become the worst traffic hell in the world, many residents are suffering from the polluted tap water from the seriously polluted environment, and agricultural and fishery villages are doomed to ruin because of market opening. This is entirely attributed to the policy of Kim Yong-sam's flunkeyist, traitorous regime against the nation. Therefore, the Kim Yong-sam puppet regime should totally assume responsibility for this. Nonetheless, the Kim Yong-sam ring's new taxes and their attempt to strengthen exploitation of the people is like the saying of the guilty person venting his anger upon others for no reason. A South Korean radio reported that if the special tax for rural and fishing villages and the environment are added to the existing education tax and traffic tax, the people will be forced to pay an additional four different taxes this year. The radio denounced the authorities' maneuvers to establish new taxes, saying that if taxes are created every time issues like this come up, no matter how many purposeful taxes are created, it will never be enough. The South Korean people have been burdened with various kinds of heavy taxes. According to the materials released by the puppet Finance Ministry, taxes that will be imposed upon the South Korean rural and fishery households this year will amount to an average of almost 1,350,000 won. Like the gangster-like theory that taxes can be squeezed out of people once levied, the puppet clique has constantly created new taxes and tried to exploit the South Korean people by squeezing every last drop of their blood. The puppets' babble about generating so-called financial resources is a brazen-faced maneuver. To maintain their own conveniences and power, the traitorous groups opened the rice markets on which the lives of hundreds of farmers depend, and have polluted the tap water of the |
FBIS3-48688_1 | `Deadlock' in Bilateral Framework Talks Viewed `Flexibility Needed' | to numerical aims with penalties attached. In a business world operating under a market economy, it is unlikely that government authorities would conclude such a suicidal agreement. Should that ever happen, it would lead to managed trade. Regarding this point, many noted scholars in the United States have expressed opposition to setting numerical targets. Both Japan and the United States worked very hard to bring GATT's new round of multilateral trade talks (the Uruguay Round) to a successful conclusion just recently. Managed trade would run counter to this new framework. Meanwhile, there is no reason to reject "goals" if both nations can strive together to aim at them. They should try to work out a compromise using "benchmarks" with which results can be measured objectively. From this viewpoint, it is apparent that the United States is going to extremes to lay down demands on Japan. It has insisted that "market share as in other major industrialized nations" -- a figure it has specified regarding access to the telecommunications market -- and an increase in "the number of dealers to sell foreign automobiles" be specifically written down in trade agreements to be concluded. It then plans to impose penalties should Japan fail to meet such targets. Another important point is that in the past year, the economic environments of both nations have radically changed. It has become increasingly clear that the United States has gained marked advantage over Japan in competitiveness in the fields of electronics and communications. The positions have also been reversed in the automobile industry; the United States clearly has an advantage over Japan. Remarks that "Japan is of little significance" have increasingly been noted in U.S. industrial circles. The Japanese Government has a responsibility to increase domestic demand in order to reduce the nation's huge trade surplus. However, it is not to the advantage of the United States for the U.S. Government to act like a bully and try to have its way in an area where the nation has already strengthened its competitiveness. In any field of business in both nations, there already exists a vast network of tie-ups and cooperation linking together various firms of both nations as partners. There is a limit to the governments' roles in this area. Japanese automakers do not call on the Ministry of International Trade and Industry [MITI] for counseling when they plan to change their trade strategies. What |
FBIS3-48689_1 | `Deadlock' in Bilateral Framework Talks Viewed Relations `Becoming Tense' | attending the talks as Japanese delegates, while lawyers, scholars, economists, and former bankers in Wall Street are attending the talks as the U.S. delegates. It is said that the U.S. delegates are acting based on their consensus of placing importance on trade results and speaking in unison at the talks. The unity of American bureaucrats is more cohesive than that of their Japanese counterparts. The U.S. side has repeatedly insisted on setting numerical targets for the sectors of automobile-auto parts, insurance, and government procurement. In response, the Japanese side has continued to refuse to comply with the U.S. insistence, saying, "Setting such numerical targets will lead to managed trade." The Japan-U.S. economic framework talks have run into rough sailing from the start and a way out is not in sight at all. In Japanese-U.S. relations during the Cold War era, the coordinating capabilities of the two countries worked on their own when their negotiations were deadlocked because they were Western allies who were committed to defending the principle of free trade. A Japanese negotiator has said that during the Cold War era, the State Department and the Treasury Department placated the hard-line U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department whenever individual trade frictions occurred between the two countries and the Defense Department came out to defuse the bilateral trade frictions when they got worse. Meanwhile, an American negotiator has pointed out that during the Cold War era, pro-international trade bureaucrats in the Finance Ministry and MITI worked to persuade hard-liners in Japan. The leaders of the two countries should display their political leadership transcending the bilateral working-level talks and the argument between the two countries over free trade and managed trade. This is the only way to break the impasse in the Japanese-U.S. economic framework talks. The Hosokawa government has been preoccupied with political reform and this cannot be an excuse for the government to leave the Japanese-U.S. relations worsened. Rather than continuing to argue against setting the numerical targets, the Japanese side should present the U.S. side with concrete steps to open the Japanese market in the individual sector. It goes without saying that the Hosokawa government needs to speedily take stimulus measures centering on the income tax reduction to pull Japan out of a prolonged recession. Those measures also will result in reducing Japan's huge current account surplus. We hope that Prime Minister Hosokawa will display his leadership |
FBIS3-48691_0 | Expert Advises on U.S. Patent Disputes | Language: Japanese Article Type:CSO [Article by Hiroyuki Kamano, lawyer: "Ways To Survive Japan-U.S. Patent Disputes"] [Text] Armed with "patents," U.S. public and private sectors have begun their assault. How can Japanese corporations protect themselves from having to pay huge damage claims? Under the Clinton administration, the U.S. Congress approved the 1993 National Joint Production Act on 27 May, making it possible for rival U.S. companies to enter into joint production arrangements, something which they had been severely restricted in doing before. Relaxing antitrust policies to boost the competitive strength of U.S. companies, legislators seem ready to let companies do whatever they can do to improve their competitiveness. Now that the cold war has ended, national rivalry has become economic rivalry, and under the Clinton administration, the newly created National Economic Council was quickly added to the already existing National Security Council. One the central themes of the new council is protecting and nurturing the growth of U.S. high-tech industry, which forms the basis of U.S. economic strength. Toward that end, it seems the administration is promoting a pro-patent policy, which aims at providing greater safeguards for U.S. intellectual property. U.S. history shows two competing attitudes toward patents, and the United States has gone through an antipatent period, when new technology and discoveries were considered the common property of society, as well a pro-patent period, which gives precedence to the rights of the inventor. During the 1950's and 1960's, the heyday of American power, the winds were blowing strongly in the direction of a free economy and an antitrust, antipatent mood prevailed. In the 1970's, however, key industries like automobiles, steel, and home appliances and electronics began showing signs of decline and the call went out to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness. In October 1976, then President Carter announced his "industrial technological reform policy." Clearly, he was indicating a pro-patent policy as part of U.S. national strategy. The secretary of commerce and others who were advocating such a policy continued to advise the White House on the importance of protecting intellectual property rights even after their departure following President Reagan's election. The Reagan administration continued Carter's pro-patent policy, further boosting its importance by making it part of the administration's national strategy. What sent shock waves through the nation was a report by the President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness concerning the competitive capabilities of U.S. industry. In that report, which was released in |
FBIS3-48691_9 | Expert Advises on U.S. Patent Disputes | high value that intellectual property demands is found in the system of triple damages awards. In fact, in Sega's case, the company faced the threat of having to pay three times the amount of actual damages incurred. This system of triple damages awards is uniquely American and has a punitive aspect to it. In U.S. patent law, when the court finds a deliberate infringement has taken place, the injured party (that is, the patent holder) can demand as much as three times the amount of actual damages. Whether triple actual damages is in fact awarded is left to the discretion of the presiding judge. In Sega's case, the jury recognized the infringement as being "deliberate," so there was a possibility that this threefold rule might be applied. Sega ended up settling out of court before the judge ruled on the final amount, but with this triple indemnity hanging over its head, Sega would seem to have been handicapped while negotiating an "amicable" settlement. Third, even when, as in Minolta's case, the infringement involved only one part of the camera, the autofocus mechanism, the basis for computing the licensing fee is the sales price of the entire camera. In other words, when the courts recognize an infringement for a part, damages are calculated on the basis of the entire finished product. Naturally, with this method, when the sales price of the finished product is high, the amount of the damage award is high. There is one additional reason for the high price of intellectual property in the United States--the U.S. jury system. No matter what, juries tend to decide in favor of the small inventor over the large corporation and in favor of U.S. enterprises over foreign enterprises. This tends to put Japanese companies at a disadvantage. Not used to the jury system, Japanese companies, in many cases, have also not adequately prepared their defense strategy. Moreover, in determining damage awards, juries have broad discretionary powers and are said to have a tendency to grant large awards. Learn From Japan's Successful Court Cases There are cases where a Japanese litigant, having been accused of patent infringement, goes to court and wins, and such cases should serve as useful references. In the case of Refac Technology Development Co. versus Hitachi Ltd., Refac claimed to hold three patents for liquid crystal display (LCD) technology and sued 108 companies, including licensees, for patent infringements. |
FBIS3-48691_15 | Expert Advises on U.S. Patent Disputes | through such means, as a nation, we must prepare to develop alternate means. And to that end, there will have to be substantial increases in the budgets of our universities and national research institutes. We should remind ourselves of the 1980's, when official development assistance (ODA) was steadily increased even though Japan's fiscal budget at the time was following a strict "no growth" line. In compliance with constitutional restrictions on Japan's contributing militarily to international situations, the government instead increased ODA funding. In much the same way, as long as there are restrictions on the development of military technology, Japan must substantially increase the budgets for universities and institutions carrying out advanced research. It is in such a way that the development of advanced, basic technology capable of surpassing developments in Europe and the United States becomes a possibility. The development of this kind of technology, moveover, will not only contribute to Japan's technological development but also to the transfer of technology to developing nations. The kind of technological containment surrounding the United States freezes existing differences in technology between such countries and developing nations. Contributing to such differences is not the path that Japan should take given its national policy toward assisting developing nations. The U.S. National Institutes of Health gathers leading researchers from all over the world, including some 300 from Japan, and has become a mecca for biochemical research. Japan, too, should establish a science and technology center that is open to researchers in every field of advanced technology, inviting those not only from the United States and Europe but from the developing nations as well. Promoting projects that can contribute to the world in this way can be thought of as creating a link in the global partnership espoused by Japan and the United States. Such projects will be useful on a road that leads--not to confrontations between Japan and the United States in what is expected to be intensified trade conflicts between the two countries over leading edge technology--but to harmony and cooperation. Concrete projects of this sort, based on discussions with the Clinton administration, should probably be encouraged as joint enterprises between our two countries. Hiroyuki Kamano. Attorney-at-Law. Born in 1945. A graduate of the Department of Law, Kyoto University, the author undertook graduate studies at Tokyo University and earned his master's degree from the Harvard University School of Law. Formerly an assistant section |
FBIS3-48703_2 | MONTSAME Reviews Press for 26 Jan | and lines of monetary policy for 1994 having been approved by the parliament. D. Molomjamts stresses that in the current year as the Mongolbank as the commercial banks are to assign the most of credits being allotted to the support of the production. According to him, certain challenges are evoked by the mutual indebtedness of the banks, enterprises and companies. In conformity with the recommendations of the president of the country the Mongolbank is intending to allocate sources for financing the governmental "gold" programme. The newspaper carries a list of organizations with state running property and entities relating to private sector to which there have been transferred former military settlements and other premises where had dislocated the Russian troops. Those objects were turned over to the Mongolian side in accordance with the agreement between the two sides. The central organ of the Mongolian National Democratic Party newspaper ERH CHOLOO (FREEDOM) publishes an interview of its correspondent with Chairman of the Dzabhan Aimak's Committee N. Battsereg. He told about the beginning in 1990 of the democratic movement in the country. N. Battsereg considers that the beginning of the democratic process which sometimes is called "revolution" was connected not only with the youth and the capital of the country. According to him, those who were not satisfied with the former social system were not only in the cities but also in the countryside. The social basis for democratic changes he said was among the herdsmen of the country as well. The newspaper publishes an article by chairman of the Mongolian Social Democratic Party B. Batbayar under the heading "The Democracy Is the Only One Way for Defending Mongolia's Independence". The article underlines that a new state system formed for the last four years has attained great achievements despite all the faults and blunders committed. According to the author, the pursuing by Mongolia an open policy is forming preconditions of securing its independence taking into account the current situation in the world and the geographic location of the country between the two great powers. Member of the National Democratic Party B. Terguun in his article published by the newspaper believes that in Mongolia there are those supporting Taiwan including the composition of the leadership of the state and government. B. Terguun considers that it is necessary to adhere to pursue a policy of China which is personified by the People's Republic of China. |
FBIS3-48728_6 | Newspapers Comment on Deployment | by noting, "It is, therefore, effective for combat purposes to deploy the much-improved second stage Patriot missiles. The deployment of the type which was used during the Gulf war could give an impression that the United States is disposing of old stock. The deployment of the Patriot should not be viewed only from the perspective of creating tension between the North and the South." KYONGHYANG SINMUN on page 4 carries a 900-word article by New York-based correspondent Pak Su-man and reporter Song Yong-sung entitled "What Was the Background for the Deployment of the Patriot in the ROK?--Pros And Cons in the ROK and the United States." The article notes, "The U.S. Government plan to deploy Patriot missiles to the ROK implies that the United States is preparing for the potential circumstances where not only economic but also military sanctions will have to be taken in case of a failure to bring about the settlement of the North Korean nuclear issue." The article notes the view of U.S. intelligence agencies that the Patriot will be capable of protecting the targets of a preemptive North Korean missile attack on the ROK. The article notes some ROK Government officials show an unwelcome reaction to the U.S. plan but refrain from explicitly commenting on it under the weight of the cause of building up the combat capability of the ROK-U.S. combined forces. The article also notes, "Some are of the opinion that if the nuclear inspection negotiation fails and the situation aggravates leading to sanctions on the North, North Korea may well be angered by it, and that it will then be necessary for the U.S. Forces in the ROK to be equipped with an augmented combat capability to cope with such a situation." The article then notes insufficient performance of the Patriot and some ROK Government officials' view that the deployment of the Patriot is ill-timed for the North Korea-U.S. negotiation on the nuclear issue. KYONGHYANG SINMUN on page 4 also carries an 800-word article by reporter Choe Chung-ung on the performance of the Patriot missile which notes that the Patriot intercepted and shot down 50 to 60 percent of the Scud missiles during the Gulf war and the "shortcomings" of the Patriot, namely, "its enormous price, namely $120 million per unit; the extensive fallout of its fragments which can cause heavy human casualties and material loss; and the helpless situation in case |
FBIS3-48750_9 | Vu Oanh Writes on Mass Motivation, Part 1 | the people to subsist on. Now it is concerned about the question of how to clear up the surplus foodgrain and how to produce high quality rice for export. The pace of house construction and of neighborhood and urban renovation among the people has been very fast, far beyond the imagination of many people. The administration must work out substantive policies and systems for various areas of work in a correct and flexible way capable of keeping the people's activities under control. The party and various mass organizations must also participate in the supervision of this issue. The state must spread explanatory propaganda on the laws so the people can clearly understand and comply with them. Satisfactorily resolving various issues -- such as the issue of "doing away with hunger and easing poverty;" the issue of maintaining public order and security; the issue of education, public health, and culture; the issue of caring for those with meritorious deeds, for the families of disabled soldiers and fallen heroes, and for retired cadres; and the issue of caring for and providing assistance to people in dire straits -- by the administration at all levels is also part of our mass motivation work. Attention must be paid to various organizations at the village, ward, and hamlet levels such as urban household groups which are the lowest organizations in close contact with the people. Such a self- governing popular organization, which controls not more than 15 families, is an appropriate and effective format which is designed to control each family and each group of families while caring for the life of people and resolving problems relating to the people in compliance with the resolutions and policies of the party Central Committee and the government. The administration must use the mass media sysem to carry out its mass motivation work. The mass media is a highly sensitive and effective tool of the party and the state for carrying out mass motivation work. We must expand our radio and television transmission signals, especially radio transmission signals, to many localities in order to bring messages of the central authority to households. The party must direct mass organizations to join with the government in satisfactorily stepping up the activities of the mass media in the right direction. Schools must be places where people are educated and trained to become educated persons with good ethical qualities. Teachers of both |
FBIS3-48753_1 | Ambassador to Burma on Impact of Dam Projects | of the feasibility study an environmental impact assessment. Even now, there exists no agreement between the two countries on the implementation of a feasibility study of this project. 3. If and when there is a mutual agreement between Thailand and Myanmar regarding the Salwin hydroelectric project, the aforementioned environmental impact assessment will definitely take into consideration any impacts on the peoples living along that river, be they Karens, Shans, Paos, Was and many other ethnic groups. The dams, should they be built, may not even be located in the areas where some of the Karens are living along the Thai-Myanmar borders since there are several possible sites along this long river. 4. The present Government of the Union of Myanmar is just as environ mentally conscious as the Thai Government. The decision of the Government of the Union of Myanmar to terminate timber concessions along the Thai-Myanmar border is based on its concern to conserve the forests along the border which happen also to be watersheds for several of Thailand's own rivers. Although this decision has caused pain to many Thai logging companies, the Government of Myanmar also sacrifice revenues of more than two hundred million dollars per year in order to conserve these forests. We should respect their decision and should realize that a government that is willing to sacrifice such large revenues given its relatively small foreign exchange reserves for the sake of preserving its environment is unlikely to agree to any hydroelectric projects without undertaking prior environmental impact assessment and securing environmental safeguards. 5. As for the Karens living along the Thai-Myanmar borders, their fate is not limited to being, as THE NATION puts it, "forced into making a terrible choice between living in Slorc [State Law and Order Restoration Council] concentration camps or Thai refugee camps." First of all, there are more Karens living in other parts of Myanmar such as the Ayeyarwaddy Division than along the Thai-Myanmar border and they are living not in "concentration camps" but in towns and villages similar to other 135 ethnic groups that comprise the people of Myanmar. Second, they can enter into negotiations with the Government of the Union of Myanmar as other ethnic groups such as the Kachins, the Was and the Kokangs have done so successfully in securing their autonomous areas and their ways of life. I sincerely hope that they will choose this option of negotiations |
FBIS3-48754_0 | Adviser Proposes South China Sea Growth Area | Language: English Article Type:BFN [By Manny Mogato] [Text] National Security Adviser Jose Almonte has proposed the creation of an economic growth area in the South China Sea as a confidence-building measure towards resolving territorial disputes over the oil-rich Spratly Islands. Almonte's proposal came in the wake of Hanoi's move to reassert its claim over the disputed islands on the grounds that it was the first to discover them in the 17th century. Speaking at a recent security conference among ASEAN think tanks, Almonte said "a multinational agreement to develop and exploit together the oil deposits in the Spratlys transcends the conflicting claims there." The Spratlys is being contested by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and by the three members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. "My own government believes there is no substitute for consultations that produce a consensus among the claimant countries," he said, warning that a conflict in the area "could be injurious to the entire Asia-Pacific community." Almonte's proposal was similar to the "economic growth triangles" being established by ASEAN-member countries in the various sub-regions, like the East ASEAN growth among East Indonesia, East Malaysia, Brunei and Mindanao in the Philippines. Almonte, who is also a retired army general, believed that such economic arrangements can help bridge political differences among neighboring countries as well as "make their bilateral problems irrelevant." As an example, he cited efforts by Manila and Kuala Lumpur to use the East ASEAN growth area to foster closer bilateral political and economic relations despite their differences over Sabah and overlapping fishing grounds in the South China Sea. |
FBIS3-48788_3 | Article on Issue of Nuclear Weapons in DPRK | American and European journalists and the world. Since the report is an official document that the Russian military, which continued to help North Korea's nuclear development, compiled on the basis of interviews with Russian engineers who returned home from North Korea, it is 100 percent reliable. In an interview with me, a senior officer with the Military Strategy Research Center under the General Staff of the Armed Forces, which compiled the report, gave details of North Korea's nuclear development. In the interview, he revealed not only the existence of nuclear arms in North Korea, but fearful facts. The following are questions and answers: [Unidentified officer] "In my view, nuclear inspections are a ridiculous story. North Korea has already completed the development of Hiroshima-type atomic bomb and it is widely known among us that North Korea has at least one atomic bomb. The North Koreans are using Russian scientists to promote the manufacturing of a few atomic bombs according to the `Nuclear Development Project' which they have worked out on their own. Perhaps they have already completed manufacturing them." "According to an analysis by Soviet nuclear physicists in 1992, it was said that North Korea was promoting a plan designed to produce at least three atomic bombs, similar to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, by the end of 1994. Therefore, it is highly possible that they have already finished building a bomb or two." [Kato] What makes you so positive? [Unidentified officer] "It is a matter of common knowledge that the former Soviet government supplied low level radioactive materials to the north. However, North Koreans are enriching these materials and producing high-grade uranium and plutonium by using centrifugal separators, which the former Soviet Union gave to North Korea, at an underground nuclear reprocessing plant in Yongbyun. Moreover, it was confirmed that there are several rich uranium veins in the north. In the past, the Soviet Union provided North Korea with uranium mining knowhow and technicians as well. The Soviet Union did all that for smooth promotion of nuclear development in North Korea. Because of the help from the Soviet Union, the north now has 20 kilograms of plutonium. Roughly speaking, it is possible to make one nuclear warhead if you have eight kilograms of plutonium. Judging from the quantity of plutonium they have, I do not think my view is far from the truth. However, we know the details and |
FBIS3-48797_9 | * Gotoda Discusses Political Restructuring | with so many gubernatorial and mayoral elections, you naturally begin to wonder whether it wouldn't be better to impose restrictions. That way, voters would be able to focus their attention again on national politics. [Matsuda] In planning its comeback, does the LDP have any strategies with regard to national policy? [Gotoda] There's the issue of the tax system. I wonder if voters are going to go along with the idea of simply lowering the income tax while raising the consumption tax. It will mean higher taxes for the less affluent voter who is living on a tight budget. Voters who have fatter wallets are the ones who are going to benefit from an income tax cut. In a situation like that, if you ask whether you can raise the consumption tax rate, I would say, no, probably not. Then, you're going to have to consider the consumption tax in regard to specific items. Some items--like food, for example--are necessities whether you're rich or poor, and you're going to have to consider how such items are going to be handled. Or, to give another example, how much of the consumption tax is going to be shifted to the social security system? At what percentage will the ratio be held between the tax burden and the social security burden. Questions like this must be clarified. Sitting at roundtable discussions these days, I'm always asked the same question: "Sensei [teacher], people like me are now contributing to the pension system, but when we retire, will we be getting the same kind of benefits that others are getting now?" Everyone is worried. We have to give very clear answers to those kinds of questions and then say, "We can't do everything at once. This year we'll do this, next year we'll do that." We want voters to have an image of us of the sort where they're going to say, "The LDP is seriously studying the issues. It's a party we can depend on." Then, when that happens, we'll win in the elections. There is no reason at all, I think, for the party to lose confidence. How much confidence does an opposition party with a collection of 50 or 60 members have? There's no way a major party with 227 members in the lower house alone will lose confidence. [Matsuda] What do you see happening in terms of the political situation in the |
FBIS3-48798_9 | * Ozawa Tactics With Mass Media Analyzed Ozawa Has Obscured His Actions to the Degree That He Has Distanced Himself From Reporters Why Were Reporters Unable To Uncover Personnel Decisions Made Behind Closed Doors? How Will Reporters Assigned To Cover the Political Situation Perform News-Gathering Tasks? | by an unspecified large number of reporters. Moreover, because informal press conferences are composed of reporters belonging to an inner circle, there is little chance that off-the-record pledges will be violated, and if a pledge is broken and an article of attribution is published, an off-limit order is issued and the reporter loses temporary access to the politician. Even in those cases where politicians do not detect violations of the off-the-record rule, fellow reporters occasionally "inform" the politician of such violations. The practice is such that it can be called a mutual reporters' "surveillance system" and a system which enables politicians to cause reporters to write only those articles which are advantageous to the former. Nevertheless, the content of informal press conferences is often published in weekly magazines. In July, a segment of an informal press conference was published in a weekly magazine, which sharply angered Mr. Ozawa and became one reason for discontinuing informal press conferences. It is also true that Mr. Ozawa took measures such as off-limit actions in the past and that for reporters, he was a very difficult politician to cover for news-gathering purposes. Former LDP Vice President Kanemaru made maximum use of informal press conferences as a way of manipulating the political situation and flow of information on policy decisions without clarifying the source of the information. If such information was released anonymously, he would be able to escape any responsibility. Put another way, he released information anonymously, because he did not wish to shoulder responsibility. Further, politicians deliberately make statements at informal press conferences knowing that they will be conveyed to rival politicians. In effect, that comprises a situation in which reporters play the role of intelligence brokers. Even though reporters sensed the risks inherent in the informal press conference format, it was impossible for them to totally disregard the words of influential leaders, and they had no choice but to recognize that informal press conferences were a rich source of information on the frank sentiments of politicians. The high appraisal given to Mr. Ozawa's discontinuance of informal press conferences represents one side of the coin, the reverse of which reflects criticism of information released at irresponsible "backstage" sessions. The strong view persists that formal press conferences cover news in principle and that informal press conferences and exclusive news-gathering sessions reveal the true sentiments, and such views have led to the situation in which |
FBIS3-48824_2 | Daily Views Significance of Goh's India Visit | not be untrue, but it is not the whole truth. The confluence of stars (to borrow Mr. Goh's phrase) demands certain objective conditions that were not present earlier. It has taken time and effort to develop the large industrial base, a huge pool of scientists and engineers, and a 200-million-strong middle class that have made India attractive to investors. Similarly, Singapore has built up gradually the reserves that are now available for investment, and taken the strategic decision to sprout a second wing. What is just as important is the fact that these are complementary attributes in a potentially strategic situation. The agreements signed during the last few days would seem to bear this out. Seldom does an official visit produce so much in so short a time. But this is only a beginning. Important though they are, the agreements alone will not generate wealth. They will only help to create the right conditions for resourceful Singaporeans and Indians to give a boost to trade or set up joint ventures. The information-sharing arrangement between the Trade Development Board and six Indian organisations is a case in point. It will be exactly as rewarding as the use to which the information is put is productive. Ultimately, the relationship will be what the private sectors in the two countries make of it. Singapore brings special expertise to the partnership. Not just capital or access to technology, but an international outlook, and well-honed skills in labour relations, property development and banking. Singapore's unique achievement in attracting twice as many tourists as there are citizens should be of interest to a country that has some of the world's most spectacular natural sights and human artefacts, but not the infrastructure for enough visitors to enjoy them. India might also find it worthwhile to decentralise authority further so that project clearance is not held up, and to open up new areas, such as real estate, to foreign investment. Reforms in both fields would have a tremendous impact on domestic enterprise as well, and help to eradicate corruption rooted in too many complex restrictions. New Delhi might tackle some of these issues in next month's budget. Meanwhile, both countries would benefit from a better flow of information. India is not "Little India" writ large. Neither is Singapore only the shopping in Orchard Road. The sooner these tired stereotypes dissolve, the better it will be for pragmatic interaction. |
FBIS3-48861_1 | Tokyo Accused of `Narrow-Minded' Trade Stance | in view, officials in some quarters of the Foreign Ministry, including the Japanese Embassy in the United States, who watch Japanese-U.S. relations closely, have reportedly deepened their "concern about the growing feeling of distrust between Japanese and U.S. negotiators." In the framework trade talks, the United States has argued that the microeconomic (individual) sectors of government procurement, insurance services, and automobiles and auto parts in Japan "are less open than the U.S. and European markets, and the concept of horizontal international specialization (in which nations mutually import and export industrial products to supplement each other) is still underdeveloped there; therefore, it is necessary to resolve the problem by increasing imports in services as well as products to correct the imbalance in bilateral current account payments." The Japanese Foreign Ministry officials noted above feel this argument is essentially correct. Meanwhile, the Japanese Government officials directly in charge of trade negotiations have been at odds with U.S. negotiators. They have presented the following three principles to the Americans: 1) market access should proceed on a two-way basis; 2) the setting of numerical targets should be rejected; and 3) the scope of government responsibility must be clarified. The critical Foreign Ministry officials noted above complain that "although it is undeniable that the issue of Japanese market access has been taken lightly by Japanese negotiators, it seems they have devoted themselves to refuting U.S. arguments on the `particulars' of the three principles and rejected the `general idea' itself." Japanese negotiators have also demanded the United States abolish government control of insurance services and government procurement on the basis of a "two-way traffic" principle. The Foreign Ministry dissenters say: "Japan should actively deal with the government procurement system and insurance business market access as problems in themselves. Taking up U.S. problems could make the Americans think Japan is trying to avoid the real issues." The officials also say: "If demands on the United States are not kept to a minimum, the whole purpose of the framework trade talks will be lost." Such criticism has also been presented to Foreign Minister Tsutomu Hata in the form of a statement of opinion. It has resulted in the unusual situation of bureaucratic domination of the trade talks being condemned by bureaucrats. The dissenters have also urged Japan to make more concessions on automobiles and auto parts, saying: "Although it is true there has been a lack of effort |
FBIS3-48863_1 | U.S. Presents New Demands at Auto Sector Talks | to certain demands, it is now faced with another problem in addition to the issue of setting "numerical targets." Regarding the 14-point demand that President Bush made during his visit to Japan, consultations have continued at the talks between Japanese and American experts specializing in auto standards and authorization systems. So far, an accord has been reached on accepting the U.S. system of testing brakes. However, other problems such as the acceptance of U.S. standards on exhaust emissions remain to be settled. Therefore, in addition to these problems, the United States has brought up other demands at the framework talks. Concerning simplification of import procedures, the United States demands that the PHP [expansion unknown] system which gives special treatment to imported cars -- whereby import of a small number of cars requires only documentary inspection -- be further simplified. It was also demanded that the government's inspection of each imported car be eliminated and, moreover, that the number of facilities designated for car inspection be increased. This is because the United States believes that once the number of such facilities is increased, the market for U.S.-made auto parts will be expanded. In concrete terms, the United States demands that when applying for designation as a car-inspection facility, each center should be required to have at least one, but not necessarily two, qualified mechanics. In addition, the United States demands that for the purpose of recalls (of defective cars for free repair), information on car registrations (individual registration data) under the control of the Ministry of Transport [MOT] should be made available; and that the MOT should take measures to publicize use of U.S.-made parts among various garages. With regard to these demands, Japan is rather puzzled because "many of these demands were brought up because of misunderstanding on the part of the United States" (as stated by an MOT source). For example, an inspection is, in principle, required for every new car whether it is domestically manufactured or imported. Moreover, when "the system of model designation," based on which the MOT approves the system of quality control for certain models, is adopted, manufacturers can apply for inspection procedures on behalf of users. With the issue of making individual registration data available, the Japanese side maintains that "since the data are made available to manufacturers for the purposes of analyzing statistics or for recalls, there is no discrimination against foreign manufacturers." |
FBIS3-48888_1 | * Kenichi Omae Views Political Change | ease in the information society of today. But putting the result in order and causing a safe landing is very difficult. Even with the Berlin wall, destroying was easy. But causing East Germany to have as soft a landing as West Germany was too difficult, so even Chancellor Kohl fell from the zenith of his popularity to its nadir in a mere two years. In the United States, with the word "change," Clinton defeated the Republican Party administration that had continued for 12 years. But, now, Americans are reacting by rejecting such things as the increased taxes and decreased government spending that accompany the change that Clinton is trying to carry out. The American people were fascinated by the word "change," but they are saying "no" to its content. Then, what about the case of Japan? When it comes to whether the coalition government can cause the public to make a soft landing in a good direction, it is very doubtful. Because this government is not something that the public chose, something that received the mandate of the people; politically, too, it is the product of a common-law marriage. Before the election, the Japanese people did not even know how the three new parties differed. They faced the election without even having been told such things as how Shinseito [Japan Renewal Party] and Sakigake [Harbinger] differ from the Liberal Democratic Party [LDP], and whether or not the Japan New Party and Shinseito would join together after the election. The result, as might be expected, was that the number-one party chosen by the people was the LDP, but after the election, a certain politician, who was the strongest, organized the present government with Hosokawa as a figurehead. The Japanese people went along with Hosokawa because, first of all, this too, was certainly change. The slogan, From National Sovereignty to Consumer Sovereignty, that Hosokawa is setting forth (which the Heisei Restoration Group has advocated from the outset) is nothing other than the direction which 70 percent of the Japanese people are now demanding. However, when it comes to the question of whether the current government can move politics in accordance with this slogan, it is probably impossible. The only one making a slogan of local autonomy and consumer sovereignty is Hosokawa; it is not a condition that binds the coalition government parties. The only tie is political reform, and that, too, only |
FBIS3-48891_14 | * Ministry of Foreign Affairs Officials Profiled Administrative Vice Minister, Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Chief of Protocol | fans in MOFA by his sincere courtesy without the unapproachableness that is apt to exist in foreign service officers. The councilor is Yukio Takeuchi (1966) who served as private secretary to Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa (at the time). The counselor is Akimoto Takano (1966) who served in the handling of the private secretary administrative work for Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe (at the time, now deceased). The division chiefs are Seiji Kojima (1971), chief of the Regional Policy Division; Shigeru Nakamura (1972), chief of the Northeast Asia Division; Yoshio Nomoto (1971), chief of the China Division; Tadamichi Yamamoto (1973), chief of the First Southeast Asia Division; Keiichi Hayashi (1973), chief of the Second Southeast Asia Division; and Yasuaki Tanizaki (1974), chief of the Southwest Asia Division. Among these, Nomoto was appointed from his position as chief of the General Affairs Department (Taipei) of the Exchange Association with Taiwan. In the previous MOFA personnel changes, it would not have been considered because of concern for China, and it can be called a sign that Japan's foreign policy on China has changed from "outward formality" to "inward feelings." Yamamoto's outstanding English capability and superior diplomatic abilities that were demonstrated in the series of Cambodian problems have received a high rating inside and outside MOFA. North American Affairs Bureau The bureau director is Yukio Sato (1960), the ablest man in MOFA. The prospects are that he will be promoted to director of the Secretariat at the end of 1993 or the beginning of 1994. At MOFA, the Economic Affairs Bureau stands at the front line in the economic area of U.S.-Japan relations, but Sato directed talk preparations for the opening of the first talks between the U.S. and Japanese heads of state for the Hosokawa administration in New York in the latter part of September. The councilor is Ryozo Kato (1964), and the chiefs of the major divisions are Toshiaki Ozawa (1972), chief of the First North America Division, and Shinichi Nishimiya (1975), chief of the Second North America Division. Kato is a future candidate for vice minister. Central and South American Affairs Bureau The bureau director is Kiyohiko Arafune (1961), who was called back from his position as ambassador to Nicaragua to replace Terada, who became press secretary. He has had a broad range of work and friendly relationships, being temporarily transferred to the Finance Ministry and serving as head of the Nagoya |
FBIS3-48891_19 | * Ministry of Foreign Affairs Officials Profiled Administrative Vice Minister, Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Chief of Protocol | counselor, who also can be called the director of the Secretariat for the Economic Affairs Bureau, is Yoshiki Mine (1967). The chiefs of the divisions are Kojiro Shiojiri (1972), chief of the First International Economic Affairs Division which is in charge of trade with the European Community (EC) and economic integration, and Koro Bessho (1974), chief of the Second International Economic Affairs Division in charge of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade). The other division chiefs are a galaxy of able men. Japan took the lead role at the Tokyo summit, and it was agreed to conclude successfully the Uruguay Round (new multilateral trade negotiations) within the year, but it will be a test case of the Economic Affairs Bureau whether or not this can be realized. Economic Cooperation Bureau Hiroshi Hirabayashi (1962) was appointed bureau director after serving as a minister to the United States in the August personnel changes. He immediately displayed his skill in the Cambodian postwar reconstruction problem, etc. In his days as minister to the United States, he appeared on U.S. television, etc., and as a result of his blunt speeches that were disagreeable to U.S. ears, it seems that he was kept at a distance. When he believes it to be true, he speaks out without reserve. From the standpoint of a friend, there is no person with such dependable fighting power. The councilor is Shohei Naito (1965). During the Gulf war, Japanese in Kuwait became hostages of Iraq and he worked hard without sleep or rest for their release. The counselor is Hideaki Ueda (1966). Originally, he was in Russian service, and economic cooperation has been a different field, but he has been cheerfully carrying out his work, including trips to Central Asia, ever since his appointment. For the chiefs of the major divisions, Nobuichi Kitajima (1970) is the chief of the Planning Division, which can be called the secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Bureau. He is one of the few foreign service officers in MOFA who came from Keio University, but he has melded into the ministry so well that officers in the ministry who do not know from what university he came are surprised and say, "Did he come from Keio University?" In the days of his former job as chief of the First International Organizations Division of the Economic Affairs Bureau, he worked hard on arrangements for the Uruguay |
FBIS3-48896_0 | Comments on Settlement Chances | Language: Indonesian Article Type:BFN [Text] Speaking to newsmen at the Sukarno-Hatta International Airport on his return from a three-day visit to Yemen yesterday, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas expressed his opinion that the Bosnia-Herzegovina problem could probably be settled through the Nonalignment Movement, NAM and the Islamic Organization Conference, ICO, because of the larger number of countries involved in the issue. Minister Ali Alatas was optimistic that if a conference was hosted by the Nonalignment Movement and ICO, there was a hope that peace would be restored to Bosnia when compared to the unilateral conferences held in Geneva. According to the minister, a long series of conferences had already been held and Bosnia is concerned over the responsibility and attitude of the United Nations Security Council. |
FBIS3-48907_5 | Berisha Answers Questions at News Conference | extremely important for Europe, as well as the world. Is it possible that the Zhirinovskiy phenomenon could be repeated in Eastern Europe? It could be repeated but not in a Russian context. If we were to analyze or take the moment [words indistinct] from the left to the right of a mass of people who are still preserving the totalitarian psychology, this is justifiable because the totalitarian society in Russia was the oldest in Europe; it was 70 years old. That is why the liberation from the totalitarian psychology is more slow. In this aspect, I do not think that the Zhirinovskiy phenomenon will gain any strength, not even in Russia. The gradual liberation of people from the totalitarian psychology will cause Zhirinovskiy to rely on them. This phenomenon will not develop in other European countries. It can appear, but it will not develop. [Pellumb Baci, Deutsche Welle] Pellumb Baci of DEUTSCHE WELLE. Mr. President [words indistinct] you are insisting that the embargo against Serbia is essential. On the contrary, several Western political circles have asked that the embargo be lifted, almost to the point of completely abolishing it. What are the real chances of both attitudes, and what will be the consequences if the embargo is abolished? [passage omitted] [Berisha] We are insisting that the embargo against Serbia be maintained in order to prevent the conflict from spreading to the Balkans. The truth is that the embargo is, perhaps, the only Security Council resolution to be carried out, not exactly in full but in approximately full efficiency. For all analysts, there is no doubt that this embargo plays a role in weakening Belgrade's aggressive potential. To reward Milosevic by abolishing the embargo and asking him to give back the occupied territories would, in my opinion, create the precedence of occupying other territories and setting up another chain of rewards and compromises that could be dangerous for the Balkans and Europe. The embargo was inflicted as a result of Belgrade's aggressive policy. It was not an expression of revenge by a country against Serbia or the Serbian people. It was a punishment for the aggressive policy that the Serbian leadership followed in the Balkans. What are the chances? It is difficult to determine what the chances are. However, the danger and the consequences of abolishing the embargo could be very serious. [passage omitted] [Unidentified correspondent] As BBC reported, Mr. Papandreou |
FBIS3-48910_0 | Further Reaction to Zhirinovskiy Visit Reported Paper Interviews Zhirinovskiy | Language: Bulgarian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Vladimir Zhirinovskiy, leader of Russia's Liberal Democratic Party, by Vasko Gigov; place and date not given: "The Main Thing Is To Change Bulgaria's Political Leadership"] [Text] [Gigov] What, according to you, is the state of Bulgarian-Russian relations today? [Zhirinovskiy] We think that Bulgaria must be a key country in the Balkans and that Macedonia and Thrace could be ceded to its territory. They are ancient Bulgarian lands. However, the main thing for us is the fact that the country's political leadership must be changed. Your current president, Zhelyu Zhelev, is a figure of the transitional period, which is about to end. The state leaderships of many East European countries are being replaced, and I would like to see Mr. Svetoslav Stoilov as your president. I think that this will also be beneficial for Russia. Mr. Stoilov is a well-known economist and our European consultant on all economic issues. Bulgaria needs such a president in the new year. The process of stabilizing relations throughout the entire Balkan peninsula with the participation of Russia will begin only after he comes to power. Then the violent actions and armed conflicts will end. Naturally, the help of the UN Security Council member-countries is necessary for this. The status quo in Yugoslavia will be preserved and the variant of a not very "rigid" federation on the territories of former Yugoslavia is possible. The Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes will remain in their places and refugees from various republics will no longer be mixed. Thus, every possibility of armed clashes will be eliminated. I think that this confederation among the Balkan states could be expanded by the inclusion of Romania and Hungary, but no state will have priority. Every nation has the right to live in the Balkans and discrimination based on nationality or religion is necessary. There have never been Muslims in the Balkans. Whoever claims the opposite lies. Slavonic and Christian peoples, predominantly belonging to the Eastern Orthodox Church, but also Catholics, lived here. The lie about the Muslim nation is a pure game on the part of certain centers. This all could be regulated and I think that the new Russian parliament, the Duma, will support the Liberal Democratic Party plan on peacefully and finally stopping the conflicts in the Balkan peninsula. However, for the time being, the main thing is to change Bulgaria's political leadership, and I |
FBIS3-48915_0 | Ministry Denies Report on Kurdish Terrorists | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Sofia, December 30 (BTA) -- The Ministry of the Interior tonight denied a story in the TEMPO magazine of Ankara, alleging that members of a Kurdish terrorist organization were based in Bulgaria. "The Ministries of Bulgaria and Turkey have signed a cooperation agreement and exchange information on the combating of terrorism," says a press release of the Interior Ministry received at BTA. It stresses that Bulgaria's special services have no information on the existence of such an organization in this country and have not exchanged information on the matter with Turkey. "What the magazine says about there being a link between a Kurdish terrorist organization and Iranian drug traffickers could be described only as a journalist's interpretation unsupported by facts and evidence," the press release also says. The story in TEMPO, commented in most big Bulgarian dailies today, says the Bulgarian special services have found out that PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] members have penetrated into Bulgaria after some West European countries outlawed them. The story alleges that the PKK was connected with one Iraqi and two Iranian drug runners, discovered in a recent police check in a Sofia flat, in which one policeman was killed. Indeed one police officer was killed on December 6, and another died from his wounds in hospital later on, but the Bulgarian police reported they had been shot by Iranian drug traffickers, shot dead by the police as they resisted arrest. The Interior Ministry also stated it had no information on the existence of a Bulgarian-Greek ring which, according to ELLADHA SIMERA of Greece, illegally transfers foreign currency. Allegedly, it operates through gambling casinos in Bulgaria and is connected with senior government officials. "The Interior Ministries of Bulgaria and Greece have signed an agreement which includes exchange of operative information, so far, however, there has been neither information nor inquiries about the activities of such a group," says the ministry's press release. |
FBIS3-48966_0 | Karadzic Assesses 1993, Expectations for 1994 | Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Telephone interview with Radovan Karadzic, president of the republic of Srpska, by Momir Brkic in Belgrade "shortly before" the news program -- recorded] [Text] [Brkic] Good evening, Mr. President. [Karadzic] Good evening. [Brkic] Could you summarize for the listeners of Belgrade Radio the events concerning peace negotiations on the former Bosnia-Herzegovina and express your expectations for 1994. [Karadzic] First, I want to congratulate this official, international new year to all citizens of the Serbian lands, particularly the fighters on the defense lines of the Serbian lands, although I think that there will be opportunities to congratulate them on our own traditional Serbian Orthodox New Year. I want to congratulate them and thank them on behalf of all those whom they have saved and on behalf of the sacred and great aim that they are accomplishing by risking their youth and their lives. I also want other citizens to see the centuries-old aim of the Serbian people being realized next year, namely common life in a common state. 1993 has certainly been a year of great tests for the Serbs, because the world has found itself out of balance and to some extent off track, as all things in physics and nature fall off track when they are out of balance. The interests of major powers are simply congealed and, unfortunately, the Serbian people and their state have again found themselves on the path of big powers, above all on the path of German interests in Europe. This year was marked by the brutal and unscrupulous realization of the big powers' aims, the total lack of international law, the absence of any scruples, and great dangers for the Serbian people with unprecedented threats. I think that the past year was also a year for Russia's gradual recovery. This was also a year in which many Orthodox countries realized what was going on and extended either more or less support to the Serbian people and Serbia. Certain changes and improvements for our benefit also happened in Europe, because there are conflicting interests in Europe itself. The brutal policy of Germany has opened the eyes of, above all, the British, who have realized what is going on. Unfortunately, this policy has even more firmly tied the French to Germany. This was a year in which we withstood pressure exerted on us because of the Vance-Owen plan, which we rejected, |
FBIS3-48971_1 | Pakistan's Sharif Urges Lifting of Arms Embargo | on the political and diplomatic front. "Of course, Bosnia must be given much more attention than the international community has done so far. The international community does not have a clear picture of Bosnia. I am referring to a section of the international community, which does not support the Bosnian cause in the way it should, not even as regards humanitarian aid. The international community should be much more active in supporting the Bosnian cause. "We have now seen the situation ourselves. In the past, we only heard on television or read in the newspapers that the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina is very grave. It is painful to see that the Bosnians are compelled to live in a situation such as this, while the world is still not doing anything about it." [Leko] In his introductory speech, Navaz Sharif also spoke about the double standards of the world, demanding that an end be put to it. [Sharif] "While the victims of aggression, the Bosnians, are continuing to suffer, the aggressor is neither being halted nor punished. Bosnia is not only an Islamic or European issue. This is an international humanitarian issue, because crimes are here being committed against humanity and human rights are being violated. This must be stopped. "We think that the lifting of the arms of embargo is something that should be done so that the Bosnians can defend themselves. Also, it must be made possible for humanitarian aid, food, medicine, and clothing, to arrive in Bosnian unobstructed. These are the main things that should be done with regard to Bosnia. This task should be undertaken by the United Nations and the international community." [Leko] Replying to journalists' questions on the causes of the inefficiency of the Organization of Islamic Countries, Navaz Sharif said: [Sharif] "It is a pity that not enough is being done. Actually, the international community is rather indifferent, and I think that the Organization of Islamic Countries must mobilize itself more. Pakistan will play an important role with regard to demands for the lifting of the arms embargo. It will not be enough only to lift to the embargo. A way must be found to deliver it [arms] to Bosnia. The prevention of arms deliveries to Bosnia is sheer discrimination and we will use diplomatic channels to influence those countries that are opposed to the lifting of the embargo into changing their view." [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-48986_5 | Melescanu Discusses Ties With U.S., NATO | a circumstantial problem. We have overcome the stage in which political dialogue at the summit level was a question of reservations by the other side... [Terenche] How did the Americans react to the election results in the Russian Federation? [Melescanu] I arrived there when things had begun to calm down. I said that not the result, but the percentage surprised us. Obviously, in Russia there is very broad support for tackling the reform other than in a democratic way. The conclusion I drew was that an alarm signal has been sounded and this should make the Americans pay greater attention to the support granted to Russia and the East European countries. [Terenche] What was the reaction to the death sentence pronounced in the Ilie Ilascu case? [Melescanu] The entire Romanian community in the United States rallied and energetically supported the Ilascu case. They took steps and put pressure on the U.S. Administration. [Terenche] And what was the result? [Melescanu] The result is a very serious involvement of the Administration. We have already received serious signals in this respect from Moscow. In the United States it is very important when an ethnic community rallies and demands something from the Administration. For ourselves, however, that is for relations with Russia this has, unfortunately, had a negative effect. The postponement of the visit by Defense Minister Grachev is a signal in this respect. And such signals have become increasingly numerous: For example, the postponement of the meeting on the treasury or the consultations on the treaty... I personally do not think that we are guilty of anything, because what happened in Tiraspol was shocking for the public, irrespective of political leaning. People were shocked and said so. But this created a negative moment in Romanian-Russian relations as far as economic integration is concerned. It is important for us to relaunch bilateral relations with our neighbors: With Bulgaria, Ukraine, and, of course, with the Russian Federation. Such moments affect us. They have a much more centralized system than we, where every economic element has a political effect. [Terenche] You also hold the position of minister state secretary, that is a sort of deputy prime minister. What are you doing in this capacity? [Melescanu] A sort of... is well put. We have the feeling, somehow, that we could do more to brief and ensure the access of parliamentarians and politicians to the foreign policy elements |
FBIS3-48998_2 | Finance Minister Views Economic Issues, EU | agriculture and transport. Otherwise the GDP would already be showing an increase. Special Support to Agriculture [Varga] How much loss does the UN embargo cause to Hungary? [Szabo] According to calculations, this now reaches $1.2 billion. However, it has to be added that $300 million arose in 1992 and this year's figure approaches $900 million. [Varga] What does the government do to improve the situation in agriculture, which is the main crisis sector? [Szabo] The government is trying its best, but it can only be hoped that the many-years-long drought will end. The amount of agricultural support will increase by 20 percent in the 1994 budget. I expect much from the fruition of the association agreement with the European Union. In this respect, it is positive that the GATT talks have ended, which also gives Hungary more room for maneuver. Unfortunately, in the area of transport, we cannot expect significant changes until the situation outside our border changes. If Recession Ends.... [Varga] Experts also admit that a solid growth can be expected next year, but they immediately ask how lasting the growth is going to be. They mention the deficit of the state administration as the main hindering factor. [Szabo] Undoubtedly, the level of the deficit of state administration causes liquidity problems in the economy. The reason is that the state bonds tie up the mobile capital of the banks. However, two factors have to be added to this. One is that our state administration's deficit would not be one of the worst in Western Europe. It is a different matter that, in their case, the budget deficit is in an economy that is operating better than ours. In addition to this the crisis that was caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union can be felt everywhere. Compared to the GDP, the deficit is twice as much in Sweden, and one and a half to two times as much in England and Belgium. I think that we managed to stop the increase of the budget deficit this year. It seems that we will be able to keep to the level of the deficit defined in this year's supplementary budget. I honestly hope that we will also be able to say the same next year. If we reach this point, then the many- years-long process, namely that the deficit is always bigger than planned, will be reversed. [Varga] Do you |
FBIS3-49001_1 | Iliescu Addresses Nation in New Year's Message | consolidation, a first and decisive step toward what we have to perform from now on. At the foreign level, the year 1993 marked Romania's recognition as a factor of stability in this part of the world that is still beset by anxiety, conflicts, and explosive situations with serious and incalculable consequences. This year marked the consecration of our integration into European structures and our association, on the basis of partnership, with international bodies and organizations. The merit of being in a completely different international position today and of benefiting from relations, which we have to honor with dedication and seriousness, belongs to all reasonable political and social forces in our country. Dear compatriots, I believe that all of us have reason to hope that the year to come will more evidently display the fruits of Romania's change for the better. First, I am truthfully thinking of those who have had and continue to have difficulties, families with numerous children or those who are without jobs -- young people, pensioners, and other segments, who, day in day out, have to make ends meet with their modest incomes. I want to grant them a tiny support and encouragement: They will be neither eschewed, nor forgotten. It is the duty of all of those invested with responsibilities in our society to pay attention -- along with economic recovery -- to measures for social protection in the year to come. I am addressing all those who, through great efforts, honest work, and practical initiatives -- the entrepreneurs and managers of economic units -- have reaped success. I want to congratulate them and to wish them new successes in the year to come. Their results are of great importance in the work of relaunching our economy. Their experience has to be encouraged and given general application. Not through profiteering and fiscal evasion will we build a modern economy, but through productive initiative and intensive, intelligent, and honest work. Dear compatriots, we are going through a period that is still difficult. It is a trying time for our nation but we must never forget that, during difficult and decisive times, the Romanian nation reaped success through unity, cohesion, courage, and intelligence, thus, each time, recovering through commendable proof of balance and stability. Instigation to hatred and disorder and disunity and intolerance have not been and are not favorable, but, on the contrary, they have played and |
FBIS3-49021_0 | Russian Diplomat Views Relations | Language: Macedonian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Yuriy Petrovich Trushin, representative of the Russian Federation in Macedonia, by Moscow correspondent Mirce Adamcevski in Moscow; date not given: "Macedonian Policy -- the Future in the Balkans"] [Text] Moscow, December. [date as published] The Russian Federation has recently appointed Yuriy Petrovich Trushin as its permanent representative to the Republic of Macedonia. He is a professional diplomat, involved in the Balkans for 20 years. His dissertation was on the Balkans, and he has also written a number of scientific works related to this region. He has spent more than 10 years working in the diplomatic service in Bulgaria. This year, he has been engaged in the global problems of that part of Europe. He has been professionally and scientifically linked to the Balkans for more than 20 years. [Adamcevski] Mr. Trushin, how do you view your appointment to the post of permanent representative of the Russian Federation in Macedonia? [Trushin] This appointment to Macedonia is a great honor for me. The Macedonian people are few in number, but have a deep and old culture, and if we look at the history of the Balkans, it cannot be disassociated from Macedonia. Moreover, our two peoples are closely connected through close blood, religious, and historic links. As you know, Russia was christened (it accepted Christianity) and became a Christian country through the great merit of the Ohrid Exarchate. We know that Kiev Russia had strong relations with Ohrid. There are numerous other examples in history when the two countries and peoples had active cooperation. From that aspect, it is a great honor and duty for me to be appointed to Macedonia. I say great duty because, unfortunately, the history of the Macedonian people was carried on in such a way that many in Macedonia know a lot about Russia, but only a few in Russia know about Macedonia. That will be one of my basic goals, to get to know that country better and to bring the truth about that people to the brotherly Russian people. [Adamcevski] You have now touched the next question. What other aims will be basic to your activities? [Trushin] I have already mentioned them: The intensification of the traditional friendship and cooperation between our two peoples. The second goal is to get to know the history and culture of that people, to study the present situation, and to inform my leadership, |
FBIS3-49028_1 | MKDH Leader Distances Himself From Coexistence | Slovakia, because southern Slovakia is ethnically mixed, inhabited by both Slovaks and Hungarians. What we want to prevent is a further artificial "dilution" of these areas, so that the districts of Dunajska Streda and Komarno are not "tagged" as purely Slovak districts. In this way, the higher territorial entities would be "diluted" in such a way that the Hungarian minority would everywhere constitute fewer than 20 percent of the population. [Toth] There is no doubt that within the Hungarian minority there exists a minority that would welcome ethnic borders. Is the Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement [MKDH] prepared to eliminate this factor? [Bugar] If such people exist at all, they are only individuals. It is not a minority or a group, but only individuals who could imagine a different territorial and administrative division and, perhaps, also a completely different government and, maybe, also a different state. There will always be such individuals. What counts, however, is the political will of parliamentary parties. What count are the intentions of representatives of the Hungarian minority, be they politicians or representatives of Csemadok [Hungarian minority's cultural organization] or the Union of Hungarian Pedagogues in Slovakia. So far, I have not encountered anywhere the intention to secede from Slovakia or to create a purely Hungarian region. [Toth] Coexistence Chairman Miklos Duray has said on several occasions, between the lines [medzi recou], that his aim was territorial autonomy for the Hungarian minority. He is an individual, but a leader of your coalition partner.... [Bugar] If Mr. Duray understands as "territorial autonomy" the rights that, according to the new territorial and administrative division, will fall due to the other regions, regardless of whether these regions are Slovak or mixed, everything is okay. These are self-administered areas with certain powers. But if he understands by this term territorial autonomy such as exists in South Tyrol, it is a waste of time to speak about it because we know that the political will for this is lacking, both on the Slovak side and on the part of various European institutions (such as, for example, the Council of Europe). The draft principles of the law on the position of ethnic minorities, as signed by both the MKDH and Coexistence deputies, speaks about transferring jurisdiction over education and culture to the regions. If someone speaks about something else, it is only his personal view, even if it is Mr. Duray himself. |
FBIS3-49035_21 | Tudjman Interviewed on Balkan Conflicts | really only a formal description, we should be saying the United States to be completely clear. But there are still joint efforts to bring an end to the war that are not only posing a threat to peace and preventing international order from being established but also creating a danger of conflicts between different civilizations in the area. With regard to the involvement of the Islamic mojahedin volunteers on the Muslim side and the volunteers from the former Soviet Union and today's Russia from the old Bolshevik or radical Orthodox ranks, if the war is not halted there is a threat of a civilizational conflict. For this reason, the international community has shown increasing appreciation of Croatia's constructive policy which, while not abandoning the real, essential interests of the Croatian people and state, is still making a contribution to the international community's efforts to achieve peace and create preconditions for establishing international order in this part of Europe, on the territory where the former Yugoslavia disintegrated. It is clear that those forces in international politics which have a decisive influence over the creation of international order believe that the future international order in this area can be built with Croatia and with Serbia, and of course with the other states that have been created. But nobody really counts on the survival of Bosnia-Herzegovina any more. And this situation was not created by Croatian policy. As I have said, we supported the preservation of Bosnia-Herzegovina as one state but it was clear to us that Bosnia-Herzegovina could not be preserved as a single, unitary state. Proposals for a confederal organization have not, to this very date, been accepted by the Muslims. This reveals to Europe and to the world their simplistic approaches to the crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina. All in all, from this very complicated situation and horrible war in Bosnia-Herzegovina we have finally reached a stage in which there are no unknown factors. Consequently, the international community will have to take steps without any illusion that it should, for example, please the Muslims, as some have advocated at all costs -- not just because of the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina but because of the influence of the Islamic states in the world. At the same time, while discovering the present Muslim position, the international community has not disregarded the fact -- and neither have we ever -- that Serbia was the one |
FBIS3-49035_34 | Tudjman Interviewed on Balkan Conflicts | of the UN understated or is this protection of peace being carried out incorrectly? [Tudjman] You see, we must be realistic in this respect. The crisis on former Yugoslav soil, especially in Bosnia-Herzegovina, is one of the most overt, exacerbated, and convoluted ones, but it is not the only one. There are such crises elsewhere in the world: if not 20 there are at least 10 of them. Therefore, the United Nations is frustrated in many ways: first, there is no effective international instrument which could be used to impose UN Security Council [UNSC] resolutions. There is no effective international instrument that could be used to impose UNSC Resolution decisions. Our people are rightly embittered about UNPROFOR -- rightly so and for the most part -- because UNPROFOR failed to accomplish its mission. However, the agreement on the involvement of UNPROFOR was based on the sides in conflict, i.e. both Croatia and Serbia, accepting a political solution and disarming the Serbian paramilitary units, while Croatia was to ensure political rights for the Serbian ethnic community in Croatia. The Serbs rejected this and UNPROFOR, with the mandate it received from the UNSC and the forces and equipment it had at its disposal, was not set a task of imposing the Vance-Owen plan by force. Consequently, the demand [for UNPROFOR] to go home is justified. However, one tends to forget the fact that the Serbs, i.e. Belgrade, were responsible for UNPROFOR's failure to carry out its duties, as Belgrade put up a resistance to UNPA being integrated into the constitutional and legal system of Croatia and is still maintaining the idea that these areas could one day be included in some kind of a federation of Serbian states, i.e. a greater Serbia. [Correspondent] The UN on its own cannot impose peace, but there is another organization which can do that -- NATO. Its function is to protect safety in Europe. What is the role of NATO generally if its activity boils down to verbal duels and warnings that peace is necessary for the stable development of Europe? [Tudjman] Our people are rightly embittered about UNPROFOR. Rightly so for the most part because UNPROFOR failed to accomplish its mission. However, the agreement on the involvement of UNPROFOR was based on the sides in conflict, both Croatia and Serbia, accepting a political solution and disarming the Serbian paramilitary units, while Croatia was to ensure |
FBIS3-49035_68 | Tudjman Interviewed on Balkan Conflicts | right to fear? Are you afraid sometimes? [Tudjman] No. [long pause] I am a man who steeps himself in living history, who takes part in history, and in creating this history, if I can say so. From my early youth, as a ten-year-old boy I took part in carrying messages during the 6 January dictatorship [dictatorship imposed on 6 January 1929 by Yugoslav King Aleksandar Karadjordjevic] when people were imprisoned and even killed for it. My father introduced me to that. However, by analyzing history I have come to the conclusion that if someone is a head of state he has to be ready to do what is in the interest of the people. I will give you an example: On 24 January 1991 a session of the then Yugoslav presidency in Belgrade was convened. We were in the [Croatian] Assembly. A vast majority of my closest associates and deputies to the assembly told me not to go, that I would be assassinated. I went, being aware that it was necessary for me to go, regardless of what happened to me. If I had not gone to Belgrade then, the army machinery of the Yugoslav People's Army would have been moved to carry out an all-out attack on Croatia. The Croatian Government would have been toppled. Hence, we would not have had democratic Croatia. So, I was ready and aware what could happen to me, what happened to Radic [Stjepan Radic, a Croatian deputy, was shot dead in the Yugoslav Assembly in 1928]. However, courage is to do what has to be done in the interest of the people when you are at the head of a people's movement or a state. [Correspondent] At that time many were against your decision to travel to Belgrade. Now when these talks end, certain documents are signed and certain decisions are made. Many people say you should not have done it that way, you could have done it this way, you could have done it in a better way, and so on. To what extent are you personally affected by criticism? [Tudjman] Well, you know, human stupidity has never been dear to me [laughs]. Nevertheless, I have confidence both in my own judgement and in the fact that people are following not only my programme but -- I can cite a thousand examples of how people from all strata, from ordinary women and |
FBIS3-49049_2 | Secret Service `Expert' on Intelligence Issues | positions, but the clear-out was not as big as at the National Security Office. [Schmidt] Have the directions of intelligence work changed? [Expert] Essentially, they have. The former enemy turned into a friend and the former friend has turned into a suspicious country that is to be observed. Therefore, everything has to be done the same way as before, only in different directions. [Schmidt] Do the friends spy on each other? [Expert] Friendship and the hunger for information are two different things. Although we and many other countries have rather good relations with the United States, the CIA, as a global intelligence service, is active in all parts of the world, including Hungary. [Schmidt] Are all military attaches intelligence agents at the same time? [Expert] At any rate, it is the task of all military attaches to learn as much as possible about the army and the military secrets of the receiving country. For this reason, out of politeness, the receiving countries invite them to military exercises where they can learn about the armament, equipment, and certain secrets of the army. This is done on a reciprocal basis. The goal of this can be disinformation. [Schmidt] What does "dark" information gathering mean? [Expert] When for example an intelligence agent "disguised" as a diplomat gets to know some important person in the receiving country and acquires information from him in the course of a conversation, without the person knowing that he is giving information to a spy. [Schmidt] Does the intelligence service recruit its agents through pressure? [Expert] Yes and no. It is best if, for some reason, the chosen candidate voluntarily accepts to cooperate. [Schmidt] How much money is normally given to an agent? [Expert] This depends on the agent. It mainly depends on the financial and work position of the person. If someone earns $100,000 then he cannot be given $5,000. The amount has to be proportionate to the value of the information and the level of risk. [Schmidt] After the change of the regime, did the CIA receive the list of our agents working abroad? [Expert] Naturally, it did not. A single ill-considered step like this could mean the end of the intelligence service. The United States understood this and only asked for the material that we had given to the KGB. We did not fulfill this request, either, because they could have derived the names of the |
FBIS3-49058_6 | Editorial Views Country's Image, Status | 1989 revolution. That is the image of a neocommunist president who is leading a country immobilized by its obsolete structures. To alter this image is a very difficult thing. For this to happen, the international press would have to assume numerous risks, including that of contradicting its readers. Consequently, foreign reporters come to Romania with an image they formed in 1990. Here, however, they find a much more pronounced reality. It is difficult and practically impossible for them to reflect these nuances in their reporting. This is why they seek elements in Romania's reality today that will confirm their preconceived image. Hence the contradiction between the reportages devoted to Romania of late and the reality of our sociopolitical situation, including the president's conduct. It is useless to talk about how harmful this perception of our country in the world is. As I have said before, the former communist countries are involved in a fierce competition in order to attract foreign capital and to occupy a place in the forefront in the world today. This period following the collapse of communism is decisive for the place of a former communist country in the world hierarchy. The big European and worldwide games are taking place now. This is tellingly proven by the question regarding the East European countries' entry into NATO. All East and Central European countries want guarantees on the part of the most powerful military treaty in the present-day world regarding possible expansionist attempts by Moscow. Obtaining such guarantees is, for each country that used to belong to the communist camp, a matter of national interest. The position of the West toward this desire of the East European countries is being established, however, on the basis of the image each of these states, which were formerly under Soviet occupation, enjoy in the world. Thus it is clear that Romania's image in the international press plays a decisive role in the place and role attributed to our country by the great powers in the Balkan area and in Europe. Naturally, there are numerous situations in which the great powers specifically bear in mind their geopolitical interests. No government of any Western country can take the liberty, however, of ignoring public opinion. No matter how important Romania would be from a geopolitical point of view, the leaders of the major powers also have to bear in mind what the public thinks about |
FBIS3-49059_2 | Committee Hears Granic Report on Policy Goals | Areas] in Croatia. For the sanctions against Serbia to be suspended, the modus vivendi for Croatia should first be established, which implies a cease-fire, the opening of communications, and the reintegration of the Croatian areas under UN control. Regarding the negotiations on Bosnia-Herzegovina, the foreign minister stated that there was a consensus that the Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina should be given 33.3 percent of the territory, but that there were different opinions on where this territory should spread. Granic remarked that there were strong pressures on the Croats to concede territories, but it was accepted that the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina must have 17.5 percent of the territory. Assessing the Muslim positions, Granic established that their orientation is to create a strong republic based on the assessment that they can conquer central Bosnia. The Croatian orientation is to stop this conflict through negotiations and to resolve it through political agreements. Croatia is still offering the Muslims access to the sea, the use of the port of Celjevo on the Neretva River, the construction of the Stolac-Neum highway, and the tourist community of Klek, which would be under joint ownership, said Granic, adding that what the Muslims are demanding is not an access to the sea but rather an exit. Granic mentioned one of the possible variants: giving Prevlaka to the Muslims but getting the hinterland of Dubrovnik in return and keeping Neum under Croatian control, because, as Granic said, we will persist in demanding that there be no cutting of the Croatian territory at Neum. The foreign minister remarked that strict observance of international humanitarian and war law will help in seeking a common ground with the European Union, reminding that the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina released 5,600 people from prisons, and in the last 32 days they provided passage for 284 humanitarian convoys. Granic said that this orientation will be persisted upon in the future, remarking that despite the Muslim offensive at the Croatian areas in central Bosnia, Croatia keeps insisting on negotiations. He announced that he was going to meet with [Bosnia-Herzegovina Foreign Minister] Haris Silajdzic sometime during the day. The Committee for Legislation and the Committee for Work, Family, Youth, and Social Policy supported the bills regulating provisions for retirement and health funds and for children's allowance. The above-mentioned bills will become effective on 1 January 1994, and the provision rates will remain at the same level as in 1993. |
FBIS3-49064_2 | Seselj Proposes Division of Macedonia | end to the war? [Seselj] I do not believe so, unfortunately. The Muslims are continually spurred on by the West and their appetites are growing. [Chobanova] But surely they have no forces to oppose and resist? [Seselj] They have obtained a lot of weapons. They delivered many weapons to them by air drops and they will try to mount a big offensive. [Chobanova] Perhaps they are counting on foreign military intervention. What do you think about this? [Seselj] They have lost on this point too, there will be no military intervention. Who wants to die for the Muslims in Bosnia. Furthermore, it is very difficult to intervene militarily in Bosnia. [Chobanova] Did the Serbian Radical Party have any soldiers fighting in Bosnia? [Seselj] Yes, but they were all part of the Serbian troops. We did not have any separate units. [Chobanova] What do you think about the West's policy toward the Balkans as a whole, apart from Bosnia? [Seselj] The West's policy is wrong. First, the Americans are settling some of their own accounts in the Balkans. It is in their interest to halt the unification of Europe. They want to hinder the consolidation of the EC. If there were no conflicts in the Balkans, they would dream one up, to justify their intervention and presence here. Second, Germany wanted to draw Slovenia and Croatia within its orbit. This is the reason Yugoslavia split. Germany has not yet stopped completely at this point. The Americans also have their interests regarding Turkey, and protect it. [Chobanova] They also have interests in connection with Macedonia. [Seselj] Macedonia is also connected with this, because the Americans clearly realize that the EC will never accept Turkey as a member. For this reason, Turkey is a convenient ally for them to drive a wedge into the heart of Europe. Turkey also has appetites regarding Bulgaria and Greece and wants to establish a convenient link with Macedonia, Albania, Sandjak, and Bosnia. [Chobanova] Today, when Macedonia is an independent state, it cannot remain an apple of discord and will not burden the relations between Serbia and Bulgaria. [Seselj] It should not make these relations difficult, but I fear there will be a big war in Macedonia, because 40 percent of its population are Albanians. [Chobanova] After Zhirinovskiy's victory in Russia you said that "our man has won in Moscow." Your words received great publicity in Bulgaria. Moreover, |
FBIS3-49075_3 | Ganic Discusses Fighting, Peace Talks | medical aid. The Muslims are torn between the shelling and the freezing winter on the one hand and the shortage of supplies as a result of the repeated Serbian and Croatian attacks on the other hand. So what can we do in these conditions that are too tough for anybody to endure? The time has come for the Islamic countries to coordinate and cooperate among themselves to come to our rescue. All the Islamic states are responsible before God for their shortcomings toward us. Thus, I appeal to Islamic states to employ their financial and human resources as well as their diplomatic relations to put an end to the shedding of Muslim blood in Europe before we are all annihilated. This is because in such a case, Islam would never rise again in Europe and would be lost the way Islamic Spain was lost before. Faced with the current situation, there is nothing we could do other than hold on to God's words: "No soul but God can lay it bare" and "Verily God will defend from ill those who believe." [Salim] What about your visit to Egypt? [Ganic] I came to Egypt because it represents a great source of momentum in defense of our cause, in view of its good relations with the major states that have the power to adopt international resolutions. Egypt has a major role to play as a torchbearer of Islam, the home country of al-Azhar, and the country where every Muslim who suffers from injustice and oppression takes refuge. We hope that in the near future Egypt's good relations with the major states will bear fruit and the conspiracy against the Bosnian Muslims will cease. [Salim] The media has reported divisions among the Muslims of Bosnia. How true is this? [Ganic] These were just some differences in views, but they are over, thank God. All Muslims are now united in the face of aggression, because the deluge will not spare any Muslim. Thus, we are now united, thank God, under a single leadership and there are no divisions as the Western media have reported. These media have exaggerated the matter as if it were an inter-Muslim war. I warn Muslims all over the world that the conspiracy against Bosnia is not the end of the conspiracy against Islam in Europe, but rather the first one that will be followed by others in the future. |
FBIS3-49077_1 | Article Criticizes Proposals Made in Geneva | of Europe" The European Union, which, it seems, is pretending to hold the key to the decision this time, presented secret demands for "all three sides." The Serbs are required to give 3 to 4 percent of the territory within the framework of the agreement made on the carrier "Invincible," to guarantee full freedom of movement around Sarajevo and the enclaves, to accept the modus vivendi, and to end the siege right away. European ministers said that the inflexible attitude of the Serbs is the main obstacle to peace. The Serbs were also warned that continued bombing of safe areas under UN protection would no longer be tolerated. The Croats were told to grant access to the sea at Prevlaka and Ploce, and to allow using the port on the Neretva River. They were also advised to prepare an alternative in the area of the municipality of Neum that, at Klek, will give access to the sea, so that, in case of the divorce of the Bosnian republics, it will be an access to the sea for the Bosnian republic. Croatia was told that its international recognition would be at stake if it did not comply with this demand. It was also told that economic and trade relations with the European Union would be strained even further if it did not meet the requirements for the implementation of the final agreement. The Bosnian leadership was asked to stop military activities by the Bosnia-Herzegovina Army in central Bosnia and provocations on the demarcation lines in Sarajevo. The negotiations were exceptionally unorganized this time. They were supposed to begin at 1200, instead of at 1100, but they actually began at 1430. As a matter of fact, our delegation was given the role of an observer. Throughout the day, the cochairmen of the peace process informed it of the progress of negotiations with the other two sides. And at 1800, it was announced that a new Serb-Croat proposal was completed, so Izetbegovic and Silajdzic met with Milosevic, Karadzic, and Krajisnik, in the presence of Owen and Stoltenberg. Then they presented the plan that gives 33.3 percent of the territory. It all sounded like the right road to peace, until they put the map on the table. No one in our delegation expected to see something like that. We expected the one-third of the territory to be tied to those areas of the Republic |
FBIS3-49082_0 | Sarajevo Shelling Leaves 39 Dead, 200 Wounded | Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Text] According to the information of the republican Health Care Headquarters, 141,605 people have been killed and 160,000 wounded in Bosnia-Herzegovina since the beginning of the war. In Sarajevo alone, 9,662 have been killed, while over 56,000 were wounded. During the Christmas cease-fire, 106 people were killed and 470 wounded. Thirty-nine people were killed and 200 wounded in Sarajevo. This is stated in the statement of the republican Health Care Headquarters. Death from starvation is threatening displaced persons and the rest of the population in Tesanj, Maglaj, Olovo, Gorazde, Mostar, Tuzla, and other cities. Therefore, it is necessary to secure powdered milk and other dairy products for these areas, as well as fresh, dried, and canned fruits, powdered eggs, meat products, and fresh and canned vegetables. |
FBIS3-49104_0 | Commission Supports Ratification of Concordat | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Warsaw, Jan. 5 -- The joint commission of the Polish Government and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland said after its debate on Wednesday that the government should urgently forward to the Sejm a draft law on the ratification of the concordat between Poland and the Holy See, according to a communique issued by the government press office. Apart from the questions related to the concordat the commission also debated on the scope of tasks and competences of the commission functioning on the basis of the law on relations between the state and the Roman Catholic Church of May 17, 1989. |
FBIS3-49147_0 | Commission Supports Ratification of Concordat | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Warsaw, Jan. 5 -- The joint commission of the Polish Government and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland said after its debate on Wednesday that the government should urgently forward to the Sejm a draft law on the ratification of the concordat between Poland and the Holy See, according to a communique issued by the government press office. Apart from the questions related to the concordat the commission also debated on the scope of tasks and competences of the commission functioning on the basis of the law on relations between the state and the Roman Catholic Church of May 17, 1989. |
FBIS3-49168_0 | Bosnia-Croatia Talks Conclude in Vienna Joint Statement Described | Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Text] A joint statement was issued and a meeting between President Tudjman and President Izetbegovic was announced in Vienna at the talks between the Croatian and Bosnia-Herzegovina delegations headed by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic. Jozo Curic reports from Vienna. [Curic] Minister Granic and Prime Minister Silajdzic are holding talks with cochairmen Owen and Stoltenberg. At around 1300 the two delegations ended this round of talks, which was held in preparation for the Geneva conference scheduled for 18 January. Both sides accepted a peaceful political resolution of the crisis. The talks were constructive despite a difficult situation on the ground. Both sides acknowledged the situation and the danger of a wider escalation of the conflict. Croatia firmly insists on Neum and is against [granting the Muslims] access to the sea near Prevlaka, which the cochairmen proposed. A joint statement was coordinated and issued. Both sides confirmed that an urgent cease-fire, a permanent cessation of hostilities, and a permanent normalization of relations between the Croat and Bosniak peoples in Bosnia-Herzegovina, including territorial, political, humanitarian, and other aspects of a permanent resolution, were in the long-term and strategic interest of both peoples and the two states. In light of this, it was agreed that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and President of Bosnia-Herzegovina Alija Izetbegovic should meet in Bonn on 8 January 1994. Special attention at the talks was devoted to the need to fully and consistently respect previous cease-fire agreements, particularly because of the situation in central Bosnia. The two sides confirmed that in preparing for the summit, efforts would be made to prepare a comprehensive plan for implementing the cease-fire along the entire front line and ending all combat operations to create conditions for a permanent cessation of hostilities, the protection of the population, and the implementation of confidence-building measures, the joint statement says. Both sides confirmed that the disputes on territorial demarcation should be resolved only by peaceful, political means without the use of force and in accordance with the Sarajevo declaration dated 12 November 1993. As far as humanitarian issues are concerned, it was agreed that a commission for humanitarian issues should meet on 7 January to reach an agreement on free movement of humanitarian convoys, including discussion on establishing new routes as well as securing the evacuation of the wounded and providing permanent supplies for hospitals. It was |
FBIS3-49174_0 | Deputy Prime Minister on Territorial Division | Language: Czech Article Type:BFN [Interview with Deputy Prime Minister Jan Kalvoda by Roman Krasnicky; place and date not given: "I Am Afraid of People's Apathy"] [Text] Jan Kalvoda, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Civic Democratic Alliance [ODA], is a politician who, unlike the prime minister, unequivocally favors the reforms of the self-administration system. However, Kalvoda is ruling out the possibility that the coalition could disintegrate because of those reforms. [Krasnicky] According to Deputy V. Dobal, the ODA has reached the conclusion that the government is unreliable in that respect. This is why they are going to draft a law on nonprofit organizations. How do you feel as a member of the government and, at the same time, a member of the party that is criticizing the government? [Kalvoda] This reflects tensions between the government and parliament. This anomaly ensues from the coalition mechanisms. Yes, I am a member of a party that is stressing the need for a general adjustment to the nonprofit sector and has a strong idea about the fact that a law should be drafted that would create room for civic activity. All government members play this double role inasmuch as they are dependent on their party and their sector. The situation, however, has not exceeded tenable limits. [Krasnicky] The prime minister yesterday signed a schedule for reforming the public administration. Did you not feel quite lonely when fighting for this reform? Did other ODA ministers support you? It might seem that this is a Kalvoda-Klaus personal dispute.... [Kalvoda] I do not want to divulge any details from government meetings, but I can say that two ODA ministers, apart from myself, were of the same opinion. This dispute is not a dispute between two individuals. If you just look at the ODA election program, you can see that the self-administration issue plays a key role. We know that we have to implement this reform now. Time is important in this case. The thing is that citizens have to be given, apart from assurances that they have powers, a new role in that self-administration. If this does not happen right now, I am afraid that the apathy we observe today will increase even more. [Krasnicky] Vaclav Klaus is pointing to the risks ensuing from territorial and administrative reform. He is afraid, for example, that the principle of civic solidarity could be endangered if the new system |
FBIS3-49219_1 | Ministry Spokesman Views NATO Integration | media and international public opinion. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged with particular interest the statements made by the U.S. representative at the United Nations, Mrs. Madeleine Albright, whereby she emphasizes that the United States rejects the idea of creating demarcation lines in Central and Eastern Europe, and that, as far as the U.S. Administration is concerned, all countries in this area have the same political and strategic interest, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated at the same weekly news conference. He added that Mrs. Albright will pay a visit to Bucharest on 15 January as President Bill Clinton's special envoy. The main purpose of the visit is to brief the authorities in Bucharest on the results of the NATO summit, and specifically on tangible aspects of the partnership-for-peace alternative. During a meeting with Romania's president, with the Romanian foreign minister, and other figures, the sides will also discuss Romanian-U.S. bilateral relations, the Yugoslav crisis and the effects on the Romanian economy of the sanctions imposed against the Yugoslav Federation, as well as cooperation with the United Nations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman also emphasized that the letters addressed to the U.S. President by Romania's president also present our country's concerns about security. They clearly emphasize Romania's desire for NATO integration, a subject that enjoys the consensus among Romanian political forces. At the same news conference by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, journalists were informed that the letter from President Ion Iliescu on 24 December 1993 to the heads of state and government of the NATO member countries and the NATO secretary general regarding Romania's desire for integration in the alliance as a member with full rights was positively received by the member states and viewed by the majority of the representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs or of the offices of the heads of state and government as being particularly opportune. The move by the Romanian president was assessed as being direct, firm, and clear. On receipt of the letter, the representatives of several countries emphasized that they will support Romania in its effort toward integration into NATO and the other Euro-Atlantic structures. As our reporter, Doina Saiciuc, informs us, this letter from Romania's president was unanimously assessed as an important sign of the absolute priority Romania gives to intensifying its political, economic, and security relations with the Western countries. |
FBIS3-49220_0 | Zhirinovskiy Aide on Plans To Rule Balkans | Language: Bulgarian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Stanislav Stoilov, "economic expert" of the Russian Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Vladimir Zhirinovskiy, by Valeriya Veleva at Sofia Airport; date not given: "I Shall Be President of the Balkans, and We Will Throw the Parties Into the Sea"] [Text] A few minutes before taking off for Vienna, accompanied by the second man in command of Zhirinovskiy's party, Stanislav Stoilov, the businessman from the town of Sandanski, explained his plans for the near future related to his political activities in the Balkan peninsula. We are publishing the following interview without any editorial intervention. [Veleva] Mr. Stoilov, while vacationing at the "Sandanski" Hotel, Vladimir Zhirinovskiy managed to pay a brief visit to Salonika. What kind of business took you to the shores of the Aegean Sea? [Stoilov] We visited Salonika without a visa and without passports. There were approximately 10 of us, including the bodyguards, and they let us cross the border. We went there for negotiations with the government of certain people with whom we had arranged meetings in advance. [sentence as published] The Salonika police accompanied us at all times with their lights on, while, here in this country, we were met by Turkish bandits who were demonstrating against us. [Veleva] Do you really intend to become Bulgarian president, as Mr. Zhirinovskiy designated you? [Stoilov] Me, Bulgarian president?! This would be an insult for me. I shall become president of the Balkans (the Balkan peninsula -- TRUD editorial note). This will be followed by a great upheaval in Bulgaria. We shall throw all the parties that exist in the country today into the Black Sea. The plan is ready. There will be an upheaval of all parties that were guilty for Bulgaria's disintegration from 1944 until their capitulation. All those who have committed murders, who have sent people to concentration camps, who have interned them (mispronounces the word -- TRUD editorial note), who have altered streets and cities, who are guilty of laundering [waschen -- in German] -- all those people should be put on trial! All of them! [Veleva] How do you plan to become president of all the Balkan states? [Stoilov] Yes, I shall become president of all Balkans! You will hear about it. The plan is ready. [Veleva] Who is going to help you? [Stoilov] I shall do it all by myself! We do not need anyone's assistance. We have |
FBIS3-49253_2 | `Expected Secessionist Crisis' Viewed | a part in controlling the sea and the traffic in the wider Otranto area, especially when the lifting of the sanctions or a laxer regime of navigation and traffic is expected, as is constantly being announced in Belgrade. A more acceptable explanation has been put forward in the Montenegrin public -- that all this is a question of defense measures. Viewed more passively, this represents the redeployment of the fleet from Boka, where the ships are within the range of Croatian weapons. Moreover, it would be difficult for the many different ships and submarines to sail out on time, fast, and in an orderly manner. Valdinos Cove offers much better opportunities for active defense measures, at least insofar as it is further from Croatia and as it is easier to sail out of. However, all the other conditions are less favorable than those at Boka. This cove is only a mile long, the water 5 to 15 meters deep, and it is surrounded by hills that are, on average, two to three times lower than those at Boka, and open to strong winter winds. When one sails out of the cove, as is the case with Boka, the ships are in the open, at the mercy of a superior opponent from the air, the sea, or under the sea. Particular drawbacks are the fact that all the work has to be done from scratch (where will this kind of money come from?), that it will take a long time, and then there is also the hinterland with which Valdinos has very weak traffic and other connections. After all, is the best indication not Belgrade silently overlooking the fact that Valdinos is not the best choice? There are several coves more appropriate for the purpose, but the "trouble" is that there is no Albanian or Croatian population there. While talking to several senior Croatian Navy officials, we agreed that Montenegro (when it truly is Montenegro) will have the legitimate right to establish its own navy, in accordance with its defense needs, and also to take all passive and active security measures. However, they stated that the warships at Boka are neither Montenegrin property (but Serbian, while they are waiting for the division to be legally resolved), nor a factor of legitimate defense. Moreover, it is not such a bad thing that the Serbian fleet has been moving further away from our |
FBIS3-49259_1 | Walesa Laments West's `Caution' on NATO | Bloodless revolutions brought freedom to the peoples of central Europe. The Berlin Wall fell. The Warsaw Pact ceased to exist. The imperial Soviet Union fell apart, while on the ruins of the totalitarian system the previously enslaved peoples could rebuild their sovereignty. In the East new, independent states came into existence and democratization processes began. No more is there a confrontational system of opposing politico-military blocs which divided the continent and decided the shape of global politics. "These are all victories of freedom and democracy. But they have not been utilized or cultivated. There has been no development or widening of security structures in Europe nor of economic structures. NATO and the European Community persist in the old shape and old habits, as if nothing significant has happened in east-central Europe, as if the collapse of communism changed nothing in the international configuration, as if the idea of the integration of the continent flagged as soon as it became possible to go over from words to deeds. "Poland and other Visegrad Group states are applying for NATO and European Community membership -- not merely in their own interests -- because at stake is the prosperity of the whole of Europe, the gradual expansion of a stability and security zone on our continent. Our efforts are answered, for the time being, with vague promises. The West, however, should understand that by postponing the integration it is creating barriers for its own development and weakening its own security. He who stands still, moves backward. Meanwhile, the future is full of political, economic, migratory, and ecological challenges. You have to meet them half-way, broaden the scope for action, expand the possibilities. "The view that the acceptance of new members to Western structures will weaken those structures is erroneous because it is shortsighted. It will be just the opposite: The final effect will be to strengthen these structures, and at the same a new stage in European integration will be opened. Legal standards, systemic norms, political culture, technological achievements must proceed across Europe from West to East, so that the zone of stability and prosperity can expand. This is the only recipe for a united and secure Europe. Other recipes, and especially egoistic idleness of the West, are leading to the East beginning to force its own solutions, which the West will not necessarily like. "Life abhorrs a vacuum. It feels it spontaneously and |
FBIS3-49260_0 | Discusses `Partnership,' EC Integration | Language: Polish Article Type:BFN [Text] Warsaw, 5 Jan -- President Lech Walesa told a PAP journalist on 5 January that in his opinion only the combining of the U.S. plan for a "Partnership for Peace" with his proposals to "extend" Europe, meaning a fast integration of former communist countries with the European Community, including NATO, would guarantee "security and allow to see the sense of our victories." Asked whether at the meeting in Prague he would be demanding from Clinton guarantees for Poland, the president replied: "Generally speaking, there is no threat here. A threat may appear and today such guarantees are not necessary, but tomorrow, unless we take steps which I have proposed, such guarantees will be ineffective." The president emphasized that, unless some things happen "guarantees, even if granted to us, will not be possible to implement." When asked whether he thought that exerting pressure on the West with regard to NATO membership by the entire Visegrad Group, rather than doing this as separate members, would not be more effective, the president replied: "We are saying more or less the same thing. The problem is that for the time being we cannot say this with one voice. It is a bit odd, but perhaps it is a postcommunist illness...." |
FBIS3-49262_1 | Comments on Yeltsin, NATO | insecure. But the West hesitates. NATO membership is not within easy reach. On the eve of the NATO summit, Warsaw is being very clear. [Walesa] By not letting us join NATO, the West is betraying and hurting itself. After the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union broke up, we thought that the West wanted a unified Europe, and real security. But all this is now being jeopardized by the West's position. This is why many people in our country feel much worse now than they used to. In the past, we hoped that there would be a unified Europe and equal rules. In reality, nothing has happened. There is even a chance that the old forces could regain their strength. What have we achieved? [Kuehnrich] Poland's NATO membership aspirations have been the number one topic in the country for weeks. Poland wants to be part of the West, part of Europe. The polemics in the media are getting sharper. The critical point being discussed is that the West makes allowances for Yeltsin. But Russia is a country that is not trusted in Poland. Experiences from the past have not been forgotten: Others determined the country's future. Poland once again feels like a buffer zone, and what is more, it feels that it is not being granted equal rights. [Walesa] We are looking at things that the West can see as well, but is trying to overlook. But we will not allow Russia to make conditions for us to meet. Russia is setting conditions for NATO and the West. I get the impression that we no longer have to ask NATO or Clinton, but we should go and ask Yeltsin because he controls the West and NATO. [Kuehnrich] How do you see Germany's position regarding Poland's wish to join NATO? Is it a clear position? [Walesa] The Germans are in a difficult position. One has to understand this; and I understand the Germans. They still have the Russian Army on their territory. They also face problems related to unification and various other difficulties. Germany is watched by everybody, and one, therefore, should not be surprised about the hesitant attitude taken by the Germans. [end recording] Reproaches are being directed toward the West, and worried looks go across the border into Russia. The fact is that the majority of Poles are in favor of a quick alliance with Western Europe and NATO. |
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