Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC

CHINA: "U.S. Policies Contradictory"

Jie Jie judged in official, English-language China Daily (6/6): "The annual review of China's MFN status by the United States is not conducive to long-term, stable and normal development of economic relations and trade between the two sides.... Although there are ups and downs in the bilateral relationship, economic ties between the two countries, generally speaking, are on the right track.... The U.S. government announced that it will sell advanced navigation systems and spare parts for the F-16 fighters to Taiwan. Such an action violates the Sino-U.S. August 17 Joint Communique, and China's sovereignty and security, and is detrimental to the smooth development of China-U.S. relations. The United States has gone too far by supplying jet fighters such as the F-16 and...advanced navigation systems to Taiwan, which is an inalienable part of China.... Such arms sales by the U.S. government have already caused, and still may trigger local arms races.... The United States should examine its mistaken policy on arms sales and make a deeper commitment to world peace."

"MFA On MFN For China"

Official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) had this Xinhua item (6/5): "MFA spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Clinton's informing the U.S. Congress that he will extend China's Most Favored Nation status is a wise decision."

"China Stands Firmly Opposed To U.S. Weapon Sales To Taiwan"

Xinhua news agency wrote in official Communist Party People's Daily Overseas Edition (Renmin Ribao Haiwaiban) (6/5): "MFA spokesman Zhu Bangzao said China stands firmly opposed to U.S. sales of advanced military equipment and technology to Taiwan."

"Sino-U.S. Military Ties Progressing Well"

Sun Shangwu commented in official, English-language China Daily (6/2): "'The Chinese and U.S. militaries have achieved important progress in strengthening their relations since President Jiang Zemin's historic visit to the United States,' said Major General Zhan Maohai, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of National Defense.... He said 'the consultation mechanism (initiated last December by the two countries' defense establishments) offers the two sides a new avenue to exchange views on international and regional security issues and bilateral ties.'"

"Clinton's Visit May Help Nuclear Sector"

Liu Weiling opined in the official, English-language China Daily (6/2): "U.S. President Bill Clinton's scheduled visit to China this month is expected to become a major stimulus to boost Sino-U.S. nuclear power cooperation. Although China has not yet announced new nuclear power projects, experts with major U.S. nuclear power companies said there are good possibilities for big deals to be clinched during Clinton's visit."

"Common Interests Boost Ties"

Xinhua news agency commented in official English-language China Daily (6/1): "De Keijzer, an American expert on China, said the United States should conduct a patient, sincere and true dialogue with China, and take full advantage of the opportunities looming from China's development in the areas of economy and trade, culture, education technology, environment and energy. The two countries should also improve their cooperation both in international and regional organizations."

"Clinton's Visit To Boost Sino-U.S. Ties"

Zhang Yan commented in official English-language China Daily (5/31): "Economic issues will be important concerns of U.S. President Bill Clinton in his expected late-June visit to China, an expert on Sino-U.S. relations said. Zhou Shijian, vice-chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters, said that the trade imbalance issue, the most favored nation status, and China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be high on Clinton's agenda during his visit to China."

"The Taiwan Issue"

Official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) carried this Xinhua item (5/30): "Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Chinese and U.S. leaders will certainly discuss the Taiwan issue during Clinton's visit to China. The Taiwan issue is the most sensitive and core issue in Sino-U.S. relations. The principles for correct handling of the issue have been defined in the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques."

HONG KONG: "Mutual Interests Dictate Closer Sino-U.S. Relations"

The independent, English-language Hong Kong Standard had this commentary (6/9) by Cary Huang: "Beijing and Washington have recently demonstrated their sincerity in cooperation in many international events, especially in security issues, as both share a vested interest in maintaining regional and global stability and ensuring that war is not waged elsewhere in the world.... Washington, after almost a decade of ambiguity towards China, has come to realize that it should engage rather than confront China to serve its global interests.... Beijing has also learned that only by reconciliation with the only remaining superpower, can it move closer to the center of the international stage and restore the imbalance left by the breakup of the Soviet Union."

"Peace Power In Close Encounters"

The independent, English-language Hong Kong Standard had this editorial (6/8): "This was a reference to the dramatic improvement in the relationship between the [United States and China] since the frightening military face-off involving Beijing and Washington in the Straits of Taiwan in March, 1996. The turnaround since then has been highlighted by the news that the Chinese and U.S. navies will hold their first joint military exercise some time next year.... This is a good sign and a welcome development in Sino-U.S. ties. It may also be a sign that the recent nuclear saber-rattling between India and Pakistan has alerted the Clinton administration to the importance of good working relations with Asian governments, particularly (with) Beijing.... It is clear that Beijing and Washington must opt for engagement rather than confrontation. They are the most important players in the region and the world in military, security and other fields. They must try to reduce suspicions and increase understanding through cooperation and exchange of information."

"Vital Visit"

Independent, English-language South China Morning Post had this editorial (6/6): "It is hard to exaggerate the impact President Bill Clinton's forthcoming trip to China could have on Asia. In Beijing, national leaders are pinning high expectations on their hopes of a new era in bilateral relations, with progress on all manner of crucial issues--from the United States and Taiwan to China's entry into the World Trade Organization.... Washington has not shown real involvement in Asia of late. Its relatively weak response to India's nuclear tests was one reason why Pakistan felt compelled to follow suit. Many Asian leaders also felt insulted by Washington's initially passive response to the financial crises. Too often, policy towards the region is so rudderless that it can be easily blown off course by side issues.

"But, given Washington's world role, Asia has a right to expect far more from the summit than the United States currently appears ready to put on offer."

"Raising The Stakes In The Sino-U.S. Summit"

The independent, English-language Hong Kong Standard (6/6) had this commentary by Wu Zhong: "Two new issues expected to be included in the Sino-U.S. summit later this month may bring Beijing and Washington closer to their long-term goal of a 'constructive strategic partnership'.... The two issues are the tense situation in South Asia after Pakistan and India exploded nuclear devices and the rapid devaluation of the yen, which threatens a worsening of the regional financial crisis by putting even more pressure on the mainland economy and the renminbi.... The tense situation in South Asia and the regional financial crisis present two issues ideal for Beijing and Washington to demonstrate their cooperation. Any agreement reached by Mr. Jiang and Mr. Clinton on these issues would in turn serve to justify the policy of 'engagement' by the White House with China."

"Recognition Of Special Administrative Region Relies On Two Systems"

Center-left Tin Tin Daily News had this editorial (6/6): "For now, the United States recognizes Hong Kong's situation since its reversion and is quite optimistic about Hong Kong's future.... President Clinton will only stay in Hong Kong for some 20 hours.... Thus, his visit will have a symbolic meaning rather than a substantial one, showing that the White House recognizes the direction of Hong Kong since its reversion."

"Test Of U.S.-China Co-operation"

Independent, English-language Hong Kong Standard (6/5) had this comment by Charles Snyder: "The monstrous march of the Indian subcontinent to the brink of the nuclear annihilation age, and the fearful prospects that flow from that have one bright spot: It is providing a new test of Beijing's and Washington's ability to work constructively together.... While China and the United States are no longer enemies...they still have a long way to go to achieve the trust, cooperation and unity of purpose needed to become true friends, if that is ever possible.... If Beijing and Washington can work to assure that things get no worse in the subcontinent, new Sino-U.S. relations will have surmounted a major hurdle."

"Motivate A Healthy Development Of Sino-U.S. Relations"

The pro-PRC Hong Kong Commercial Daily had this editorial (6/5): "The Clinton administration can do better. For example, people from U.S. business and political circles have urged the U.S. government many times to grant China permanent MFN status. However, President Clinton has not accepted their suggestion. It obviously shows that the United States still considers the issue as a marker.... Whether the China visit can add splendor to Clinton's presidency or not will largely depend on his farsightedness with regard to Sino-U.S. relations."

"Balancing Act"

English-language South China Morning Post had this editorial (6/1): "The hot line between Zhongnanhai and the White House, which kept Presidents Jiang Zemin and Bill Clinton in touch during the nuclear testing race on the Indian subcontinent, may become as crucial as the link with the Kremlin. The two may be able to bring both protagonists to heel, now that honor is satisfied and each owns weapons neither can use without inviting destruction on their own houses.... Despite this, relations with the United States continue to be stormy. Conservatives in Congress blame Beijing for Pakistan's nuclear program, and officials are revising the agenda for Mr. Clinton's visit. Plans to allow China to launch U.S. satellites are outlawed, and old shibboleths--MFN status and human rights--are high on the agenda....

"But Beijing, having dropped ideology from foreign relations, continues with soft replies to India, and firm remonstrance to its old ally, Pakistan. If nuclear stability is to be restored, it may be more productive to encourage Beijing's evolving virtues, than to castigate its faults."

"Sino-U.S. Cooperation Can Stabilize South Asia"

Independent Ming Pao Daily News had this editorial (5/31): "China was the sole nuclear power in Asia before India and Pakistan launched their nuclear tests. It is also a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and it has a close relationship with Pakistan. In the present situation, the United States, considering its own interests, will hope for China to play a stabilizing role in Asia. Hence, it is believed that the Sino-U.S. strategic partnership will become more substantive. If the United States and China work together, that will be conducive to the stability of South Asia."

AUSTRALIA: "Subcontinent's Loose Cannon"

Foreign editor Greg Sheridan commented in conservative Australian (6/5): "Led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich, numerous senior Republicans have criticized the Clinton administration for overreacting to India when it has allowed China, not only to develop a full nuclear arsenal, but to assist Pakistan to develop its nuclear capacity.... What is motivating the Republicans is the realization that India, despite its unjustified tests, is a basically stable democracy of long standing, which China certainly isn't.... Probably more than China or India, Pakistan's intermittent support for international terrorism and its extraterritorial involvement in numerous Muslim insurgency groups are cause for profound worry."

INDONESIA: "Shadow Of The Cold War"

The government-oriented English-language Indonesian Observer opined (6/1): "The absence of nations from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, particularly in South Asia, is likely to propel a new Cold War atmosphere into existence in the region. It is only a matter of time for China to bring in Russia, which is waiting in the wings, and who may be ready to come in and recreate the conflicts of the Cold War in a different context."

PHILIPPINES: "The China Connection"

Blas Ople, chair of the Philippine Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, wrote in the conservative, top-circulation Manila Bulletin (6/2): "India believes that Pakistan's nuclear program owes a lot to China.... China has long possesses both nuclear and thermonuclear weapons and the means to deliver them.... Thus the detonations in India and Pakistan are not unrelated to the Chinese nuclear presence in Southeast Asia.... The most important protagonist could well be Japan, whose military establishment is frankly scared of a North Korean nuclear missile capability.... Japan, like Germany, can switch its dual-use high technologies from peaceful to military applications literally overnight.... A nuclear-armed Japan will in turn drive China to a frenzy of expanding its own nuclear as well as conventional arsenals."

SINGAPORE: "Unilateralism On Capitol Hill"

In the view of the pro-government Business Times' editorial (6/9): "Contrary to some predictions made in the aftermath of the Cold War, the United States has not turned isolationist. As the only remaining world superpower, it continues to project its military power in the Pacific and the Atlantic.... But a dangerous specter is haunting Washington these days--that of unilateralism. In a number of areas, there is a rising tendency among lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pursue American goals without playing by multilateralist rules, and an attempt to impose narrow U.S. interests on other nations....

"Republicans in Congress are refusing to ratify the CTBT, one of the major multilateral regimes that prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. They are also urging President Clinton not to travel to China, a nuclear nation with strong ties to Pakistan that could work with the United States to resolve the South Asian nuclear crisis. Cancelling Mr. Clinton's visit to Beijing and implementing Congressional threats to punish China, including the refusal to renew China's MFN trading status, could also make it more difficult for Washington to cooperate with Beijing in resolving the East Asian economic turmoil.... This would further set back core U.S. diplomatic and economic interests in Asia and Europe, not to mention the damage it would do to economies of both regions."

"Enough Agreement To Make Summit Worthwhile"

Joseph Cheng, Director of the Contemporary China Research Center of the City University of Hong Kong contributed this editorial to the pro-government Straits Times (6/8): "The 1995-96 crises in the Taiwan Strait taught Beijing and Washington a lesson. Brinkmanship has to be avoided, and their cordial relations are essential to stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.... The financial crises in the region in the past year further remind them of their common responsibilities as major powers of the region and the need for coordination.... Economic interdependence probably remains the most important incentives for Sino-American cooperation.... In the coming summit, there will be no new joint communique on the Taiwan question. A breakthrough in China's admission into the WTO is unlikely. But there will be enough agreements to make the summit worthwhile. While Chinese leaders often claim that trust leads to cooperation...officials argue that concrete cooperation is the foundation of trust, a sufficient compromise is there to build towards a 'constructive strategic partnership.'"

"Time To Stop Playing The MFN Game"

The pro-government Straits Times (6/5) editorial page carried this commentary by its U.S. correspondent Lee Siew Hua: "Instead of brandishing the MFN threat, the United States could focus harder on facilitating Chinese membership in the World Trade Organization on terms acceptable to its major trading partners. This would lock China into an array of multilateral rules and into meaningful market-opening commitments within time frames. This prospective WTO membership would be consistent with an overarching drive to accommodate the emerging power peaceably within the community of nations.... Segments of Congress also realized that a revocation of China's MFN status would hurt Hong Kong, Taiwan and other Asian countries. Now is surely not the time to upset the fragile economic conditions in Asia anew."

SOUTH KOREA: "Nuclear Proliferation On The Way"

Independent Dong-A Ilbo (6/3) commented: "It is clear that the nuclear issue is quickly becoming very complicated, compelling the international community to start discussions on nuclear nonproliferation at various levels.... What makes it particularly difficult for the international community is that common ground between China, India and Pakistan is hard to find. India wants to maintain the status quo with Pakistan while demanding the kind of international status China enjoys. Meanwhile, Pakistan wants to put the Kashmir issue on the table.... China may decide to take advantage of the situation to resume tests.... India, which is not responding to international pressure, and China, which continues to transfer nuclear technology to Islamic nations and wants to resume testing, will be the two most significant factors in future discussions on the nuclear issue."

"Nuclear Domino Feared"

Conservative Segye Ilbo (6/3) commented: "Now that China is saying it might carry out nuclear tests, a genuine nuclear threat is growing and spreading.

"If the confrontation between India and Pakistan heats up, China says it may have to leave the CTBT and conduct nuclear tests. China's main point is that it cannot continue to fully comply with the treaty when testing is going in other countries.... Whether China will carry out its threat will have to be seen. Doing so, however, will mean the complete collapse of the world nuclear order."

"U.S. Dilemma"

In the view of conservative Segye Ilbo (6/1): "With the (nuclear) tests proving that the United States has no leverage over Pakistan, China has as a result emerged larger. It looks like Washington will have to rely on China to curb Pakistan... Skepticism has already poured in about the U.S. role, with some saying that the era of 'pax Americana' is over.... Some question whether the United States is even a world leader despite its acting like the world's only superpower. It would not surprise us if the United States fundamentally modifies its global plans."

THAILAND: "Three-Way Conflict; ASEAN Should Not Remain Idle"

Pichian Kurathong commented in elite Matichon (6/5), "The India-Pakistan nuclear conflict has the potential to eventually involve China.... In case a nuclear accident occurs, whether or not China is drawn in, Thailand and the whole of ASEAN will be affected, not least environmentally, by nuclear dust.... Therefore, ASEAN should not remain idle."

SOUTH ASIA

INDIA: "China's Hi-Tech War Machine"

The right-of-center Indian Express had this editorial (6/8): "India is a factor in Chinese strategy only marginally: A country that must be kept down so that it won't ever become a challenge to China. If at any time India does raise its head defiantly, Beijing will come crushing down on it. The powers China considers necessary to upstage in order to establish its world hegemony are the United States in the West and Japan in the East.... America is naive today as it consults its former enemy against an open society like India. It too will realize sooner rather than later that China has only one interest: China's supremacy."

"Understanding China: Sun Tzu And Shakti"

Pundit K. Subrahmanyam opined in the centrist Times of India (6/5): "China's unwillingness to consider India as a global player, as Russia does, and its equating of India with Pakistan, a nation with which it is in an active proliferation relationship, are indicative of China's long term attitude towards this country. The only way India could hope to change this attitude was by becoming a declared nuclear weapons power."

"Shadow Of Pak Bomb Spreads To Middle East"

In the "Global Watch" column of the pro-economic reforms Economic Times (6/4), pundit K. Subrahmanyam observed: "Many ask the questions why should China proliferate to Pakistan.... That in turn will give a valuable United States hostage and make (the Middle East) turbulent and preoccupy the United States, leaving South And Southeast Asia to be dominated by China's growing power.... Pakistan is attempting to use the implicit threat to Israel as a leverage to blackmail the United States and compel it to intervene in the Kashmir dispute.... If the United States wants to ensure that the situation in (the Middle East) is not aggravated by the impact of the Pakistani bomb and the Chinese proliferation activity, it should look at the Indian nuclear arsenal as a countervailer to China and Pakistan, and as a stabilizing factor."

"China Takes The Hard Line"

Strategic affairs editor C. Raja Mohan penned this analysis for the centrist Hindu (6/4): "A number of factors suggest that China's response to the nuclear tests in the subcontinent has gone well beyond the early pique at India's formal justification for its nuclear tests and indicate a more fundamental shift in China's thinking about the regional balance and global nuclear politics. These factors include the muted Chinese reaction to the nuclear tests of Pakistan, its insistence on blaming India for the nuclearization of the subcontinent, its accusation that New Delhi is seeking regional hegemony, and its demand that New Delhi sign the nuclear NPT....

"China may now have built up considerable leverage in the overall relationship with the United States on the eve of the U.S. president, Mr. Bill Clinton's visit to China this month. Equally important, it has given China some influence in the shaping the great power diplomacy on South Asia.... China's search for a role in the resolution of Indo-Pak disputes is entirely unacceptable to India.... How can a state actively involved in the disputes of the subcontinent, sit in judgment over them, observers here want to know."

EUROPE

BRITAIN: "White House Set To Fight Congress Over China Trade"

The conservative Times had this from Washington (6/4): "In a clear sign of concern over the issue in advance of his visit to Beijing, both Mr. Clinton and Secretary Albright opened the administration's annual clash with the Republicans (over MFN status for China.)... The Republicans have already seized on Mr. Clinton's visit to Beijing, scheduled to include a tour of Tiananmen Square, and the annual renewal of China's trade status as a means of attacking the White House."

"No Plans For New N-Test, Says Jiang"

The independent Financial Times carried this from Beijing (6/4): "China has been forced to walk a diplomatic tightrope in its reaction to the South Asian tests. It has sought to condemn India, but not to the extent of goading it into developing missiles capable of striking inland China.... Beijing rejects utterly the notion that underlying tensions between China and India played a part in convincing New Delhi to test."

"Republicans Scent Blood Over Beijing Cash Links Claim"

The liberal Guardian had this from Washington (6/3): "Although Congress is expected to renew China's MFN status, there is no mistaking the anti-China mood on Capitol Hill of the past few weeks, especially in the wake of the revelation that the White House gave the Loral space technology company a satellite export license as the Justice Department was investigating Loral for unauthorized transfers of missile technology.... Anti-China and anti-Clinton Republicans have seized on the controversy with enthusiasm, believing that it provides them with a more effective weapon against the Democrats in a mid-term election year than allegations about Mr. Clinton's sex life or his arcane bank dealings long ago in Arkansas."

FRANCE: "India's Insecurity: China"

Jean-Francois Revel told listeners of privately run RTL radio (6/5): "For India, its biggest fear is China.... And what India can see is that Tiananmen has been forgiven...that Europe, the United States and Russia have made China their main economic, technological and diplomatic partner in Asia. Hence in its feeling of isolation, frustration and insecurity...India is wondering why Western democracies prefer a totalitarian China to a democratic India....

"If the European Union and the United States want to put a stop to nuclear proliferation in Asia, they need to balance their diplomacy on the continent with a diplomacy worthy of its name and of a great nation, India."

"The Washington-Beijing Axis"

Jean-Jacques Mevel pointed out in right-of-center Le Figaro (6/4): "Paradoxically, the crisis triggered by India and Pakistan could give the Clinton-Jiang Zemin summit the substance and legitimacy it was lacking until now. China has made it clear that the United States and China were jointly responsible for calling the emergency Geneva conference (of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.) Clinton immediately responded in kind with the announcement that he would ask for renewal of the most favored nation status for China...(which would serve as) confirmation that the world's peace and security lie in a 'strategic partnership' between Washington and Beijing."

GERMANY: "Clinton's Opponents Are Wrong"

Kai Strittmatter argued in an editorial in centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (6/5): "Bill Clinton is doing the right thing by traveling to Beijing. His state visit to China comes at the right time, and the nuclear tests of India and Pakistan show this. The planned 'strategic partnership' which the U.S. and Chinese presidents agreed to during the Washington summit in 1997 is urgently needed. The key for stability in the region lies in China.... However, we must admit that the sudden change of China from a trouble spot to a potential factor of stability can quickly change again. China is by no means stable. This is why it is all the more necessary to integrate Beijing."

"Unilateral Move"

Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger had this to say in an editorial in right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine (6/5): "It may be acceptable that President Clinton extended the MFN status for China a few weeks before his trip to China. However, the fact that he thought to do this on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the crushing of the Chinese democracy movement will be very pleasing for the Chinese rulers, since it resembles an absolution.... Beijing's balance sheet is not as flawless as the White House wants us make believe. For Bill Clinton, there are the embarrassing party donations at home, technology transfer, and the far more precarious role which China played in the rearming of Pakistan. If Clinton is revealing his welcome gift now, he should not return home with only some nice postcards."

"Asian Equations"

Guenter Nonnenmacher opined in right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine (6/4): "The effects (of India and Pakistan's nuclear tests) on the Asian security system will...last much longer. India in particular made clear that it demands international recognition as an independent power in addition to China. The calculation that there will be the 'coming economic power' China in Asia, in addition to the already existing economic power, Japan, and that the region, for its balance, is dependent on the foreign 'balancer' United States has proven to be too simple. The strategists in the White House know that the call for sanctions is a helpless call and will fade again. They must adapt to a situation in which their calculations on Asia have become more difficult."

ITALY: "Tiananmen Square"

Andrea di Robilant wrote from Washington in centrist, influential La Stampa (6/6): "Notwithstanding the House approval by a large majority of a resolution urging President Clinton not to visit Tiananmen Square...the White House is not giving any indication that it intends to change its plan. After all, the Chinese would not accept it.

"And the administration justifies the ceremony on Tiananmen Square by claiming that it will be a major opportunity to give a speech on the defense of human rights. There is a good dose of political partisanship at the center of this story. The electoral campaign in view of the November elections has begun. And it appears increasingly evident that the 'China issue'...will be at the center of the confrontation."

"Atomic Humiliation"

Andrea di Robilant wrote from Washington in centrist, influential La Stampa (6/2): "For (Defense Secretary) Cohen the (nuclear) crisis is 'extremely serious' and President Clinton's trip to China at the end of the month is even more important, since Beijing has a very important role to play. However, Clinton's trip to China was already a controversial issue between the White House and the Republicans even before the crisis on the Indian subcontinent.... Among others, National Security Counselor Sandy Berger arrived in China yesterday to reorganize the talks agenda between Clinton and Jiang Zemin and give priority to the nuclear crisis."

RUSSIA: "China May Play Key Role"

Dmitry Gornostayev suggested on page one of centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta (6/5): "China may play a key part, for it could act as the main guarantor of nuclear security in South Asia by offering both sides, primarily India, the necessary safeguards."

"America Loses Influence"

Centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta (5/30) front-paged this comment by Dmitry Kosyrev and Aleksandr Reutov: "Pakistan's action is evidence of the United States losing influence in South Asia. By contrast, China is gaining more leverage. The Pakistanis consider it a friend, their only one in today's world."

BELGIUM: "China's Role"

Pierre Lefevre argued in independent Le Soir (6/5): "The greatest danger of proliferation is still between India and Pakistan.... The present tendency, however, is toward restraint. With Washington, Beijing has taken the lead in containment and conciliation efforts. (This) is an indication that (China) wants at any cost to avoid being carried away in an escalation that would be contrary to its present major interests--which first require its integration in the world's economy. The new Sino-American cooperation and Bill Clinton's upcoming visit to China are particularly timely. Both powers have found in those tests the substance of this constructive strategic partnership which they want to establish across the Pacific."

"Asian Mine Fields"

Asian affairs writer Freddy De Pauw commented in independent Catholic De Standaard (6/4): "Since last month, the entire world has become aware how dangerous some of the simmering conflicts (in Asia) are.... Of the seven confirmed nuclear powers, four are situated in Asia now--China, Russia, India and Pakistan--while the fifth, i.e., the United States, is also an active player. In other words, there is a concentration of conventional and nuclear weapons in this part of the continent and, at the same time, a series of possible conflicts between current and potential nuclear powers exists: Kashmir between India and Pakistan; a disputed area in the Himalaya between China and India; Taiwan between China and the United States. In the next century, the rivalry between some of those nuclear powers is likely to grow: Both India and China entertain major competitive regional ambitions and both will want to tap as many new energy and water sources as possible. In that rivalry, Pakistan will remain a major pawn for Beijing against India. China's ambitions, on the other hand, are of concern to Japan and its partner, the United States.

"Most rivalries are likely to be fought with economic weapons, but ignoring the rapid militarization of this area full of mine fields would be like burying one's head in the sand."

"Return Of Terror"

Robert Falony wrote in leftist Le Matin (6/4): "What has happened on the Indian subcontinent is nothing but the galloping return of nuclear military danger.... The domestic situation in India, Pakistan, and China is definitely more unstable..... The cocktail of Muslim fanaticism in Pakistan, of Hindu fundamentalism and of Chinese big power will is definitely more explosive than the previous situation.... Only unconditional support for the CTBT can dispel the nightmare of nuclear war."

"Revelations Keep Coming"

Robert Falony wrote in leftist Le Matin (5/30): "Investigations on the hidden financing of the 1996 campaign are old, but revelations keep coming.... The burning question no longer concerns the money--the Democratic Party having already been forced to reimburse 'generous donors'--it is to find out whether the Clinton administration did the Chinese favors by transferring sensitive technology in the field of satellites and of missiles.... Of course, Beijing denies it, but such denials convince no one.... By trying to conclude business with China, one risks making slips such as the one currently being investigated. Big capitalists have no sense of patriotism!"

CANADA: "India On Collision Course With China?"

Foreign affairs columnist Eric Margolis wrote in the conservative Ottawa Sun (5/31): "Pakistan's nuclear reply to India's tests was an unfortunate consequence of the West's failure to punish atomic adventurism; the region's military build-up should put the whole world on alert.... By igniting a nuclear arms race, India has sharply escalated tensions across Asia. This, in turn, will surely reopen old disputes that have quieted down in recent years. In short, India's foolish nuclear swaggering has placed it, and South Asia, in peril.... Delhi claims it wants only peace and good relations in West Asia. But it's clear an aggressive, muscular India is prepared to challenge the Asian status quo. Doing so will put India on a collision course with both the United States and China, raising the threat of a major Indian-Chinese war early in the 21st century."

HUNGARY: "P-5 Wracks Its Brains"

Senior columnist and author Tibor Varkonyi told readers of influential Magyar Hirlap (6/5): "What the five are doing now is just symbolic; the biggest responsibility lies with them for this current tension. It is their fault.... India probably would not posses a nuclear bomb if Moscow had not provided assistance. Beijing's interest in Pakistan is an old-time one, and the United States is primarily concerned over the issue because, as the only superpower, its presence is needed in every region."

POLAND: "The Price Of Peace"

Maria Wagrowska observed in centrist Rzeczpospolita (6/4): "The Indian subcontinent can be regarded as a 'political laboratory' in which the United States, Russia and China will be able to 'test' their new relations. In the old era, India was close to Moscow whereas Pakistan was close to Washington and London.... The subcontinent thus reflected the bipolar division of the world into zones of influence, which in some ways has been preserved until now. The crucial question is to what extent the past [bipolar] division can be obliterated."

SPAIN: "Remembering Tiananmen"

Barcelona's centrist La Vanguardia had this (6/6): "There is no indication of change in China: Economically, it has opened itself to the outside while, politically, it remains as locked down as ever.... American President Bill Clinton's visit at the end of this month will provide a good window on today's China. One hardly expects the Chinese to adopt Western ways and attitudes without objection, but China should also realize that the present situation, in which the U. S. House of Representatives has seen fit to pass a Resolution against Clinton's appearing in Tiananmen Square, is untenable. If China is to become a superpower, there can be no repetition of what occurred there. What is worrying is that so long as democratization is delayed, such a possibility will continue to exist."

LATIN AMERICA

ARGENTINA: "Why Is Bill Clinton Going To Tiananmen?"

Claudio Uriarte, left-of-center Pagina 12's international analyst, pointed out (6/5): "Question: Why is a basically decent, reasonably progressive, and undoubtedly deeply democratic man like Bill Clinton ignoring the 'demands of conscience' from legislators of both parties and from the two houses of Congress and yielding to Chinese protocol, which demands that he appear in Tiananmen Square, where nine years ago the Chinese army massacred students who requested democracy?... Why does the president of one of the largest democracies in the world agree to appear, legitimizing the actions of a nauseating and barbaric regime? On the one hand, there is the economy..... But there is a deeper reason, which is the fear of a Chinese revolution that could lead to political disintegration in one of the most populous countries on earth, which is also one of the 'legitimate' members of the select nuclear club."

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

EGYPT: "Israel Created This Horrible Phantom"

Hassan Ragab contributed this comment to pro-government Al Akhbar (6/2): "Pakistan's weak economy cannot allow it to produce nuclear missiles as big nuclear countries do. Then why the horror? Israel created this horrible phantom of an Islamic threat. The United States was not angry at India's tests, because it is in its interest to have a strong enemy to China. But the United States' anger emerges from the fact that the Indian tests motivated Pakistan's Islamic bomb. The NPT was a big lie aimed at consecrating the nuclear monopoly.... I hope more Islamic countries possess nuclear bombs."