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ASIAN ISSUES--HONG KONG'S TRANSITION, KOREAN SUBMARINE
(Foreign Media Reaction Daily Digest)
PYONGYANG'S 'REGRET' OVER SUBMARINE INCIDENT
The media in South Korea were seized with North Korea's formal apology to its neighbor for sending an armed submarine into South Korean waters in September of this year. Noting that the apology was "especially significant because it met (South Korea's) demands," Seoul's moderate Hankook Ilbo indicated that it was time to develop "long- range plans for food aid and economic relations with North Korea." An editorial in anti-establishment Hankyoreh Shinmun credited U.S. mediation for making the resolution possible, but lamented what it perceived as South Korea's "inability to move North-South relations even one step forward without U.S. assistance."
This report is based on 37 reports from 15 countries, November 21 - December 30.
EDITOR: Kathleen J. Brahney
... ... ... ...
SOUTH KOREA: "North Korea Keeps Its People In The Dark About Apology"
The semi-official Yonhap news agency ran this English- language report (12/30): "North Korea apparently did not let its people know that it made a formal apology to South Korea Sunday over the submarine incident of September and instead issued sharp criticisms about South Korea's recent passage of anti-espionage and labor law reform bills, officials here said Monday. No media coverage was done for the statement of apology except that the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and Radio Pyongyang released it, a National Unification Ministry official said. 'Both the KCNA and Radio Pyongyang are propaganda channels used for South Korea and overseas,' the official said. 'The North Korean people probably do not even know about Pyongyang's apology for the submarine incident.' Instead, North Korea used its state newspaper Nodong Sinmun, Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and other strategic channels to criticize South Korea's newly passed bills. 'The amendments to the Agency for National Security Planning and Labor laws are anti-unification and anti- public laws that are the most evil of the evil,' a statement by North Korea said. People of all classes must rise and fight even more strongly."
"The Real Question: What Happens After The Apology?"
Under the headline above, moderate Hankook Ilbo (12/30) said in an editorial, "This important development is especially significant because it met our demand. By naming the North Korean authorities as the source, the apology reflects a changing attitude in the DPRK. However, we need to remember that our relations with the North are now exactly where they were before the submarine incident . It's time for the ROK government to develop long-range plans for food aid and economic relations with the North. We should not be giving aid just because the North agrees to the four-party talks."
"Too Dependent On U.S. Assistance"
An editorial in anti-establishment Hankyoreh Shinmun (12/30) pointed out, "Washington's active mediation made the resolution possible. As the whole case is coming to an end, we are perplexed with the inability to move South- North relations even one step forward without U.S. assistance. Both sides should be held responsible for this. Both have been too dependent on the United States."
"Is South Korea Also Responsible?"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo said in an editorial (12/23): "The apology from the North for the submarine incident and discussion of (the apology's) content should be carried out directly with South Korea. The United States believes that an apology from the North solves the overall problem with North Korea. North Korea now insists that the wording, 'South Korea is also responsible' be included. Why is the United States allowing this situation to continue?
"Do they think that they can proceed with the light water reactor project and humanitarian assistance to the North if a hollow apology is delivered? If so, it is necessary to ask what kind of significance this has for North-South relations on the peninsula. We know from past experience that a hollow and indirect apology via a third party does not prevent future aggressive acts. The United States should understand that the provision of light water reactors to the North is not a guarantee that the issue of nuclear arms development by North Korea is solved."
SOUTH ASIA
INDIA: "The Fist Of Beijing"
Right-of-center Indian Express (12/24): "The Chinaization of Hong Kong has started with a full blast of non- democracy. If the coronation of Tung...as the territory's first Chinese chief executive was a Beijing-choreographed show which made a mockery of what normal human beings call election, the appointment of the Provisional Legislature...is an iron-fist slap in Britain's face. So now it should be clear...that the mainland means business: Tung is not Hong Kong's choice; he is China's choice.... China's defiant negation of Governor Chris Patten's democratic reforms assumes an ominous proportion. For Hong Kong, it seems, life after July 1, 1997 will be one of caged prosperity.... It may not be the end of the economic miracle. China cannot afford to undo it because the mainland Chinese business in Hong Kong is so big.... What is at stake is the spirit of Hong Kong: a multicultural celebration of wealth and opportunities. Tung, the rubber stamp of Beijing, ensures that Hong Kong after July 1 will be a rich footnote to the mainland.... The footnote will be governed with the least regard for the wishes of the people who have made Hong Kong what it is today."
"Uncle Sam's Delusion--China, Asia And Human Rights"
An editorial in Hyderabad's right-of-center Newstime said (12/16): "America's capacity for self-delusion is seemingly inexhaustible. While it tries to bully small countries like Myanmar on the human rights issue, it believes that it can engage in a constructive dialogue with China, a country where democracy is taboo....
"Nothing illustrates this hypocrisy better than the present visit of Chinese defense minister General Chi Haotian, to the United States. Known for his handling of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations six years ago, Chi had the effrontery to address an audience of American military officers on international Human Rights Day and declare that 'not a single person lost his life in Tiananmen Square.'...
"Even though in diplomatic terms Chi's visit was a high profile affair, the state department had carefully timed it for the Congressional recess, so that American politicians would not ask too many embarrassing questions. The U.S. motives are obvious, and cynical. China is the biggest power in Asia, and America wants to do business with it, both in economic and political terms.... The U.S. delusion lies in its belief that it an get smaller counties of Asia to toe its line while at the same time keeping China at arm's length."
"U.S. Perception Of China"
Analysis by pundit K. Subrahmanyam in the pro-economic reforms Economic Times stated (12/12): "The U.S. attitude toward China puzzles a lot of Asians both in East and South Asia. Even as most of the Asian countries express their fears about the future Chinese hegemonistic role, the U.S. leaders go out of their way to talk of China as a partner, engaging that country constructively and offering nuclear de-targeting. In various ways they tell the world the United States is willing to accept China as a junior partner in a bipolar hegemonic order over Asia.... Once again the U.S. perception vis-a-vis China appears to be predominantly focussed on military balance between the two countries.... China is not likely to engage in an international war to exercise its hegemony.... The Chinese hegemony will arise from its ability to defy international norms, the United States' inability to do anything about (China's defiance), and United States continuing to supply sophisticated technology to China.... In the future, (China) will be in a position to bargain with the United States on arms supplies to Taiwan as a quid pro quo for (China's) arms supplies to Pakistan, Iran and Syria."
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