Extracts. Russia-DPRK Moscow Declaration Signed Russian President Vladimir Putin and the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ( DPRK), Kim Jong Il, signed a historic joint declaration after a nearly three-hour meeting in the Kremlin on Saturday. In the new century, the two countries will promote the formation of a new fair world order "based on the priority of law, principles of equal rights, mutual respect, mutually profitable cooperation in the interests of preserving global stability, and ensuring the security of each member of the world community," the declaration said. Russia and the DPRK have confirmed "the right of each state to have an equal degree of security," according to the document. The sides stressed the importance of the efforts made by the international community "to oppose the threat of spread of international terrorism and militant separatism," it said. Both states favor "a stronger role of the United Nations and world affairs and the necessity of preventing any attempts of contradicting the U.N., and other principles and norms of international law," it added. "The disputes that currently exist in the world should be resolved by peaceful, political means, through negotiation based on non-confrontation," the declaration said. In the declaration, the DPRK said that its missile program has a peaceful nature and poses no threat to any country that respects the DPRK's sovereignty, and Russia "welcomes this position of the DPRK." Both sides stressed that "the 1972 ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) treaty is the cornerstone of strategic stability and the foundation of further reduction of strategic offensive arms." The sides also expressed their intention to continue promoting international security in the new century. According to the declaration, Russia, confirming its respect for all the agreements reached between Pyongyang and Seoul, encourages the inter-Korean dialogue. The leaders of the two countries agreed that supporting the efforts of the Korean people to "find an independent peaceful solution to the problem of re-uniting the country by means of the Korean nation itself" promotes the solution of the Korea problem. The declaration reaffirmed that any external interference into this process is unacceptable. Moscow assured Pyongyang that it is ready to continue "playing a constructive and responsible role in the positive process on the Korean Peninsula." The DPRK regards the withdrawal of the US troops from South Korea as a pressing problem, which needs to be solved to ensure " peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia." Russia expressed its understanding of this position, stressing the necessity of ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula by using non-military means. Kim invited Putin to visit the DPRK again "at any time convenient to him," and the Russian president thanked Kim for the invitation and accepted it, according to the declaration. Kim arrived here late Friday for a two-day official visit. **** China Will Ultimately Be Reunified, Says Taipei Mayor As long as continued efforts are made to constantly strengthen virtuous cross-Strait exchange, China will ultimately be reunified at the ripe time by relying on the wisdom and intelligence of the Chinese people, said Ma Ying-jeou, mayor of Taipei City, Monday in Taiwan. Personages clamoring for "Taiwan independence" lack the common sense of history, they are all the more cherishing evil intent, noted Ma. Reports say that at the symposium "Face to Face Talk With Mayor Ma" sponsored by a Malaysian Chinese organization, some audiences also noted that most people of Taiwan's younger generation are currently influenced by the strong localization, especially the idea about "Taiwan independence". They themselves have set up a provincial fence, stressing that they themselves are "nationals of the Taiwan State". This action, without doubt, is playing with fire and distressing members of overseas Chinese organizations. Ma Ying-jeou added that in a history of more than 3,000 years, China did have experienced many incidents of separation and reunion, with the period of separation accounting for 35 percent and the phase of reunion for 65 percent. both separation and reunion were brought about by force. However, since the beginning of the 21st Century, both sides of the Taiwan Straits have witnessed a high level of economic growth, more importantly, globalization and the concept of democratic freedom have taken root in the hearts of the people across the Straits. Both governmental and non-governmental contacts between the two sides over the past 20 years are unprecedented for half a century, said Mayor Ma. Although open three-links have not been realized, the records of letters and telephones exchanged across the Straits have been doubled or tripled each year. There are more than 60 flights leaving Taiwan for Hong Kong every day. The number will certainly continue to increase in the future. In the past, Taiwan people traveled to Europe and the United States, Ma pointed out, but now, they are busy handling cross-Strait business. The rate of cross-Straits intermarriages has surged year after year. Bilateral trade volume has reached US$30 billion, of which. Taiwan holds a surplus of US$15 billion. Such increasing interactive activities and expanding exchanges have deepened understanding and broadened demand among the people. When the disparity in social life styles is narrowed, people no more want to see any terrifying waves. Once the time is ripe, the two sides of the Straits will naturally be re-unified. Monday's gathering, which was originally planned for 700 people, was finally moved to Golden Horses Kuala Lumpur Royal Hotel. With nearly 2,000 attendees, the meeting was filled with a very lively atmosphere. **** Development of Sino-Indian Ties Suits Interests of Both: Li Peng Li Peng, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said Monday that the maintenance and development of the good- neighborly and friendly relations between China and India can meet the fundamental interests of the two peoples. Li made the remark in a meeting with Deve Gowda, former Indian prime minister, at this summer resort. Li spoke highly of the role played by Gowda in consolidating and developing Sino-Indian ties during and after his tenure as Indian prime minister. He also recalled his own Indian tour last January, saying his talks and meetings with Indian leaders then were "fruitful". China cherishes its traditional friendship with the Indian people, and has always advocated the improvement and development of bilateral ties on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, he said. Despite of twists and turns in the five decades after the two countries forged diplomatic ties, Li said, friendship and cooperation remain the mainstream of bilateral ties. As the world's two largest developing countries, Li said, China and India face similar issues in national construction and share similar or identical views in major international and regional issues. Li hoped that people from all walks of life in the two countries enhance friendly exchanges to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and further advance bilateral relations. Gowda agreed with Li's views on bilateral ties and appraised highly the visits to India by Chinese President Jiang Zemin in 1996 and Li Peng earlier this year. He said that the agreements signed by Jiang and himself during Jiang's Indian tour are still important for pushing forward Indian- Chinese relations. Besides the development of official ties, he said, he hoped the two countries would strengthen people-to-people contacts for enhancing understanding, trust and friendship. Gowda is here as a guest of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. Besides Beijing, he is also scheduled to visit Xi 'an and Shanghai. **** Philippine MILF Rebels OK Cease-Fire Details Philippine government negotiators and Muslim separatist rebels said Tuesday they had agreed on details of a cease-fire in the southern Philippines. The agreement marks a major step toward ending decades of fighting in the southern Philippines. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF) and government negotiating teams confirmed to the press that they had agreed on crucial cease-fire details. The pact came shortly after the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is in Malaysia on her first visit abroad as the Philippine head of state. Arroyo's government still has another Muslim separatist foe �� the extremist Abu Sayyaf, widely known for its kidnappings. The group is holding dozens of hostages, including three Americans. She has refused to negotiate with them. An official in Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Mahathir and Arroyo would witness the formal signing of the pact Tuesday. Murad Eibrahim, chief negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said the deal covered guidelines on implementing the cease-fire, mechanics on normalizing relations in war-ravaged Muslim regions, and security and immunity issues. Jesus Dureza, the chief Philippine government negotiator, confirmed that the accord had been reached and said: ``We are happy. The talks have been sincere and fruitful.'' Muslims in the southern Philippines have been fighting for independence from the largely Roman Catholic country for decades. An estimated 120,000 people have been killed in the long rebellion, and tens of thousands displaced. The Moro National Liberation Front �� the largest separatist group �� made peace with the government in 1996 in exchange for a degree of autonomy in Muslim regions. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which broke from the MNLF in 1978, continued to fight. Arroyo revived peace negotiations after taking office earlier this year and a general framework was agreed to in Libya in June. The talks in Malaysia have worked out the details of that accord. **** Russian Troops of CIS Security Force Hold Drill in Dushanbe The Russia <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/russia.html> n battalion from the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) collective rapid reaction force began Monday a 10-day exercise near the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Tuesday morning, said Interfax news agency. The purpose of the exercise held at the Lyaur training ground, 40 kilometers southwest of Dushanbe is to rehearse coordination and interaction in autonomous combat missions in mountains and deserts, military sources in Tajikistan <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/tajikistan.html> were cited as saying. They said that the Russian battalion is the first to be formed on a voluntary basis specifically for service in Central Asia. Given its special purpose, the anti-terrorist formation is reinforced with tanks, artillery, air-defense equipment and other special capabilities. Commander of Russia's 201st infantry division stationed in Tajikistan, Maj. Gen. Valentin Orlov, is in overall command of the ongoing war game, said the sources. **** Breakthroughs Planned for Nation's Western Development China is planning to make major breakthroughs in infrastructure construction and environmental protection in its vast western areas in the next five to ten years. According to a plan made public by the State Development Planning Commission Wednesday, China will also greatly accelerate the development of science, technology, education, agriculture and industry in its western areas. The plan pledges more effort to develop western parts of the country and lists key projects. These projects include building the Qinghai-Tibet railway; transmitting electricity and natural gas from western areas to the east; protecting natural forests, grasslands and rivers; promoting elementary, occupational and higher education; fostering specialized farming; setting up mining bases; building tourist facilities with local characteristics; improving infrastructure in large cities; and expanding the wide-band digital transmission network. Efforts will also be made to develop a number of economic zones, including economic belts along artery railways and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and economic development zones around the capital cities of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces. The plan also emphasizes the implementation of all policies and measures for the development of China's western areas covering more capital input, favorable taxation and land use, personnel management and improvement of the legal framework. China to Build 12 Big Projects in West China will start to build 12 big projects in its western regions this year, with a total investment of 300 billion yuan. "The funding for the western regions will surpass that of the previous year," said Li Zibin, vice minister of State Development Planning Commission, Wednesday during a press conference in Beijing. Li, also deputy director of the office of the Leading Group under the State Council for Development of Western Regions, said that the group of key projects include Qinghai-Tibet railway, West- East power transmission line, West-East Gas pipeline, water conservancy hubs along the upper streams of both the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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