Extracts. FM Spokeswoman on US Arms Sale to Taiwan The Chinese side will continue to lodge representations to the US side on the reported arms sales to Taiwan, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said in Beijing Tuesday. The Chinese side strongly demands that the US side abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and relevant commitments by the US side and exercise prudence on the arms sales issue so as not to do new harm to bilateral relations, she said. When asked to comment on the reported arms sales at the regular press conference, Zhang said the Chinese side has expressed its " serious concern" over the issue. The spokeswoman said that the Chinese government has always been opposed to the US arms sales to Taiwan and is strongly against sales of such sophisticated arms as Kidd-class destroyers, diesel-powered submarines, and the P-3C anti-submarine aircraft. The Chinese side has lodged solemn representations to the US side on many occasions, she said. Zhang noted that if the US government, in disregard of the opposition from the Chinese side, insists on selling such weapons to Taiwan, it will seriously violate the three joint communiques, especially the one signed on August 17, 1982. It will also seriously undermine China's sovereignty, interfere in China's internal affairs, give rise to tension across the Taiwan straits and undermine peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, she said. **** China, Belarus to Expand Cooperation in Hi-Tech Area Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/zhurongji.shtml> and Belarus <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/belarus.html> sian President Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko said Tuesday the cooperation in high technologies between the two countries should be strengthened. In a meeting with Lukashenko, Zhu said the two sides should take their respective advantages into full play and priority should be given to high and new technologies in bilateral cooperation. He said he agrees with Lukashenko on the point that the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides should play a bigger role. The Belarussian President noted that there is great potential in bilateral cooperation in the area of science and technology and Belarus will do its best to strengthen its cooperation with China in this regard. Zhu said China attaches great importance to relations with Belarus and views Belarus as a trusting friend and partner. China is willing to strengthen its highly trusting and all-round friendly cooperation with Belarus on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence and other norms governing international relations. He noted that the two countries have maintained frequent high- level visits and bilateral understanding and cooperation have been further enhanced in recent years. Zhu mentioned that the joint statement signed by the two heads of state Monday serves as a guideline for bilateral ties in the new century. Zhu said that the bilateral cooperation in various areas has been progressing well, urging the business people of the two countries to enhance mutual understanding and to explore new ways of cooperation. China is confident about the development of bilateral economic and trade relations, Zhu said. Lukashenko noted that Belarus highly values the achievements made during his current visit, saying that the two sides have reached broad consensus in various areas. He said the economic and trade relations with China are important to the economy of his country, adding that he hopes the two sides will further their cooperation in this regard. The two leaders also exchanged views on some cooperation programs. **** Bush Makes Decisions on U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan President George W. Bush put off a possible sale of the Aegis naval air defense system to Taiwan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/taiwan.html> on Monday. Bush will offer Taiwan four modern Kidd class naval destroyers, rather than the more-advanced Arleigh Burke class destroyers Taiwan had requested. The United States <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/usa.html> will also sell Taiwan 12 P-3 "Orion" anti-submarine aircraft and help it to buy eight diesel submarines, administration and congressional sources said. The total package also includes items such as a technical briefing on the PAC-3 missile defense system which Taiwan may seek in the future, decoys, helicopter survival equipment, and self-propelled artillery. A Taiwanese delegation will be notified of Bush's decision on Tuesday during a visit to the Pentagon, and it will be up to Taiwan to decide how much of the offered weapons the island will purchase. Former President Bill Clinton had previously turned down an Aegis sale to Taiwan. The White House official said Bush's decision had followed the recommendation of his national security team. China has said any advanced weapons sales to Taiwan would have a "devastating impact" on U.S.-China relations. Washington recognizes Beijing <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> as the sole legitimate government of China. Chinese Embassy spokesman Zhang Yuanyuan said last week U.S.-China relations would be damaged if Washington decided to sell any advanced weapons to Taiwan. This did not just apply to the Arleigh Burkes, but to other less sophisticated weaponry. **** Powell: Russia Not to Have Veto on NATO Expansion US Secretary of State Colin Powell told Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Monday that Russia <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/russia.html> would not have veto power over NATO expansion. "I told her that Russia would never be given a veto over who is or who is not part of NATO and we will examine each country in accordance with the conditions and standards put forth," Powell told reporters after meeting Freiberga here. Latvia, a former Soviet republic, is eager to join NATO despite the strong objections of Russia. Heads of NATO member states will meet in Prague next year to consider further enlargement after Poland <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/poland.html> , the Czech <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/czech.html> Republic and Hungary <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/hungary.html> joined NATO in 1999. "We very much would like to be under the security umbrella of NATO," Freiberga said. She added that Latvia <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/latvia.html> would also press ahead with membership in the European Union. **** Costa Rican Newspaper Slams "Arrogance" of US Diplomacy A leading newspaper in Costa Rica Tuesday took a swipe at the diplomatic "arrogance" of the new US government under President George W. Bush. In a commentary published in The Nation newspaper, commentator Julio Corvetti analyzed the foreign policy moves made in the first weeks of the Bush Administration, citing the bombing of Baghdad, the expulsion of 50 Russian diplomats and the unprincipled backing of Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in recent clashes with the Palestinians. He also singled out Washington's arrogant attitude in handling the spy plane incident, describing Washington's demand for the immediate return of the crew and aircraft as "the typical arrogant image of a big power." "What would have happened if the American spy plane case were turned the other way round?" Corvetti asked. "Would Washington have immediately given back the crew and craft without any regrets from Beijing? " The commentator also criticized Washington's opposition to dialogue and rapprochement between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, its withdrawal from the Kyoto accords on greenhouse gas control and its attempt to open the Arctic wildlife refuge to oil drilling, which will cause serious damage to the environment. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
