Extracts. SCO Defense Ministers Stress Military Cooperation Defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members, namely, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, issued a joint communique Thursday on strengthening military cooperation. The military cooperation is meant to ensure coordinated efforts mof the armed forces of the member nations to crack down on terrorism, separatism and extremism and to oppose the plan of a few countries to deploy the theater missile defense system in the Asian-Pacific region, says the communique. The ministers believe that the new type of cooperation between defense ministries of the six countries will help maintain long- term regional peace, stability and security, the communique says. The ministers agree that the fruitful military cooperation based on that of the "Shanghai Five" has set an example for regional military cooperation after the Cold War, which is not only conducive to promoting the long-term healthy development of the friendly cooperation among the SCO members, but is also of great significance to maintaining regional and world peace and stability, says the communique. The ministers hold that when the world enters the 21st century, the international situation is developing toward relaxation on the whole, but peace and development are still being threatened. Local conflicts triggered by such factors as nationalities, religions and natural resources have taken place from time to time. Global problems such as the environment, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and refugees are becoming prominent. Terrorism, separatism, extremism and certain other ulterior factors have posed a serious threat to the tranquillity and stability of Central Asia. The ministers advocate that the SCO member nations should continue to strengthen military cooperation to guarantee that military forces of their respective countries can coordinate in fighting against terrorism, separatism and extremism. They suggest a study into joint exercises for this purpose be carried out. They hold the effort of Asian countries for the convening of a meeting on the measures for coordination and trust in Asia is a positive process. The ministers reiterated that the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty reached in 1972 remains the foundation for global strategic stability and a precondition for disarmament, the communique says. Any violation against the treaty will greatly damage the long- term cooperation among the international community on arms control and disarmament and finally destroy stability and security in both the region and the world, they noted. The ministers are opposed to the plan of a few countries to deploy the theater missile defense system in the Asian-Pacific region. The ministers once again voiced their support to the proposal by Central Asian countries to declare the region a nuclear-free zone, the communique says. They reiterated that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Taiwan issue is China's internal affairs and no external forces are allowed to interfere in the resolution of this issue. They stressed once again they support China's opposition to the attempt of any country to bring Taiwan under the cover of the theater missile defense system in any form. Expressing concern over the issue of Afghanistan that have remained unresolved for long, the ministers held that military means can not help settle the conflict. They firmly support the efforts made by the United Nations and relevant Central Asian countries in resolving the issue and call on all parties concerned in Afghanistan to seek a political solution through peaceful negotiations, the communique says. The ministers voiced support the efforts made by heads of state of the SCO countries and the consensus they have reached for promoting world mutli-polarization and establishing a new international political and economic order that is just, rational and democratic. To this end, the ministers pledge to make their due contribution in the military field. **** Shanghai Cooperation Organization Aims to Create New World Order China and its five northern neighbors announced Friday morning in Shanghai to set up a regional cooperation organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to ensure regional security in central Asia as well as create a new political and economic order in the world. Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov and Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed the declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The declaration said that the organization will try all out to safeguard the regional security and cooperate with each other in fighting against terrorism, separatism and extremism. The SCO member states also announced to initiate an anti- terrorism center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. While encouraging member states to cooperating in economy and trade, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transportation and environmental protection, the SCO aims to create a new international political and economic order featuring democracy, justness and rationality. The signing parties of the declaration also promoted the " Shanghai Spirit", which embodies mutual trust and benefit, equality, consultation, mutual respect to different civilizations and common prosperity. Meanwhile, the organization pledged to allow other countries, which must meet its requirements, to join in. **** President Jiang Meets Uzbek President Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with Uzbek President Islam Karimov Friday afternoon, saying that China and Uzbekistan are good friends and good partners. Jiang said Uzbekistan is an important country in Central Asia. Its entry into the "Shanghai Five" mechanism, which has grown into the SCO, contribute to regional peace and stability, as well as regional economic cooperation. The active cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the SCO will further enhance bilateral ties, Jiang said. Karimov said that Uzbekistan will abide by all official documents signed during the SCO summit in Shanghai, and strengthen its cooperation with the Chinese side in all fields. Jiang said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will give fresh impetus to Sino-Uzbek relations. The two presidents also exchanged views on enhancing Chinese- Uzbek cooperation and maintaining regional security. **** Jiang Meets Kazakh President Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Friday in Shanghai that China and Kazakhstan have developed a solid and healthy relationship of bright future. Jiang made the remarks when meeting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who came here to participate in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Nazarbayev said the SCO's establishment is a significant historic event and the achievements of the SCO summit have satisfied all presidents of the member states. He expressed his congratulation to Jiang for the success of the SCO Shanghai summit. On the basis of past good relationship, Kazakhstan and China could further their friendship in coming years, Nazarbayev said. Jiang said since the founding of the "Shanghai Five" mechanism five years ago, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have played active roles in enhancing their solidarity and cooperation, safeguarding regional security and stability. After the "Shanghai Five" has been transformed into the SCO, the six member countries unveiled a new chapter of their relationship and cooperation, Jiang said. He said that China and Kazakhstan have witnessed smooth development of bilateral relations. Various governmental organs of the two countries have established mutual trust. The trade volume between the two countries reached a record high of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2000 and one billion U.S. dollars in 1999. The two presidents also exchanged views on issues of common concern. **** Castro Leads Pro-Palestinian Rally in Cuba President Fidel Castro led thousands of Cubans in a political rally late on Thursday to express support for Palestinians and condemn alleged Israeli "genocide" in the Middle East conflict. Culminating a week of official acts of solidarity with Palestinians, Castro and other senior communist leaders sat at the front of the demonstration at the "anti-imperialist" square opposite the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana. "We want to demand the end of the genocide against our brother Arab nation," one student orator, Dayron Roque Lazo, told the 10,000-strong crowd. "Long live the heroic Palestinian people! Long live the Arab peoples who fight against imperialism! Socialism or Death!" Cuba broke relations with Israel in the early 1970s and has been a staunch supporter of the Palestine Liberation Organization's fight for an independent state. At Thursday's rally, speakers alternated with singers, poets and pantomime artists acting out scenes of violence in the Middle East. Most of the speakers also condemned Cuba's political archfoe, the United States, for its backing of Israel. The state-organized demonstration followed a week of pro- Palestinian activities in Cuba, including a two-day U.N.- organized regional forum on the Middle East question, and a round-table discussion on state television also attended by Castro. **** Japan Not to Ratify Kyoto Pact Without US: Foreign Minister Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka said Friday that Japan will not ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming if the United States stays out of the framework that imposes binding limits on emissions of greenhouse gases, Kyodo News reported. "Japan cannot go ahead with European countries while leaving behind the U.S. We will make constructive efforts to the last to ratify the pact jointly with the U.S.," Tanaka told a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. The Japanese foreign minister said she will urge U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during their talks scheduled for next Monday to have the country revert to the framework of the Kyoto accord. U.S. President George W. Bush has repeatedly indicated the country's intention to ditch the treaty, saying it would hurt the U.S. economy while exempting developing countries from duties to reduce greenhouse gases. The U.S. is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, one of six greenhouse gases whose reductions are stipulated under the Kyoto treaty. Tanaka was responding to a question by Naoto Kan, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, who insisted Japan independently ratify the treaty, which was adopted in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto in 1997. Meanwhile, Japanese Environment Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi reiterated Friday that Japan will not give up "to the very last moment" in its efforts to persuade the U.S. to participate in the process of the Kyoto pact. She made the comment at a press conference after being asked about the failure to reach agreement on the Kyoto treaty issues between the U.S. and the European Union in the summit talks held Thursday at Gothenburg, Sweden. Kawaguchi said without U.S. participation, developing countries may not take part in the global efforts to curb global warming. If large emitters do not join, the pact "will not be a process of which we can be proud for future generations," the Japanese minister added. **** Yugoslav President Urges Halt to Disputes Over "Freezer Truck Case" Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica on Thursday urged leaders of the Yugoslav armed forces and the Serbian Interior Ministry to stop the disputes between them over the so-called "freezer truck case." According to local press reports, Serbian police are probing the case of a refrigerator truck dumped in the Danube River in April 1999 that allegedly contained the bodies of 86 presumed Kosovo Albanians. Army Chief of Staff General Nebojsa Pavkovic on Tuesday and Thursday accused "certain leaders" from Serbia's Interior Ministry of "immoral practice" by spreading rumors and attempting to implicate the Yugoslav military in the "freezer truck case." Early this month, the information bureau of the general staff of the Yugoslav armed forces had also issued a statement strongly denying any linkage with the case. The military knew nothing about what the Interior Ministry had done during NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, to say nothing of the alleged "freezer truck case," as the police were not under the army's authority during the war, the statement said, urging the Serbian Interior Ministry to release evidence about the military involvement in the case. At a press conference on Thursday, President Kostunica urged leaders of the military and the Serbian Interior Ministry to stop the "pointless" arguments and disputes over the case, saying there were many more problems the country is faced with that call for urgent solutions. What is needed is a thorough investigation into the case by the country's judicial authorities, rather than making public statements by the top leaders trying to blame and discredit each other, he said. The Serbian Interior Ministry has recently released alleged war crime evidence that former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic ordered the remains of presumed ethnic Albanians, loaded in a refrigerator truck, to be dumped into the Danube River in 1999. Chairman of the Serbian Radical Party Vojislav Seselj told the Serbian parliament on May 30 that in order to have Milosevic extradited to the Hague-based International Tribunal, the Serbian Interior Ministry did not hesitate to concoct the tale of the alleged "freezer truck case." In response, Serbian Interior Minister Dusan Mihajlovic said it was an undeniable fact that 86 bodies were found in a freezer truck dumped in the Danube River. He said the ministry would soon release details of the case to the public. **** Jiang Meets SCO Defense Ministers Chinese President Jiang Zemin <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/jiangzemin.shtml> said Friday in Shanghai <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/Shanghai.html> that the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be conducive to enhancing peace and development of the region and the world at large. Jiang made the remarks when meeting Russia <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/russia.html> n Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, Kazakh Defense Minister S. Tokpakbayev, Kyrgyz Defense Minister Esen Topoyev, Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairullaev and Uzbek Defense Minister Kodir Gulomov. China upholds that various countries in the world should establish a kind of state-to-state relationship featuring mutual trust and benefit, equality and cooperation, Jiang said. All the countries should make contribution to promoting multi- polarization and building a just and rational international political and economic order, he said. The defense ministers said that the SCO establishment is of significance to safeguarding peace and stability in Central Asia and even the whole continent. They said that they are satisfied with the current military cooperation between China and their countries. Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/chihaotian.shtml> , who is vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and PLA Nanjing Military Area Commander Liang Guanglie also attended the meeting. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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