Extracts. CPPCC Foreign Committee Condemns Koizumi's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said in a speech Tuesday that the CPPCC has expressed its strong indignation and severe condemnation for Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. On August 13, Koizumi, disregarding the strong protests from China and other neighboring Asian nations, neglecting the outcry from upright and peace-loving citizens at home, ignoring advice from insiders of the ruling parties and most cabinet members, insisted on paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, the speech noted. His action is an open provocation to the Asian people, including the Chinese, who were tormented by Japan's invasion during World War II, and has severely undermined the hard-won Sino- Japanese friendly ties, the speech said. The Yasukuni Shrine, which houses the memorial tablets of 14 class-A war criminals, is a symbol of Japan's militarism in modern history, said the official. Whether to worship it or not is a measuring stick for determining the attitude of leading Japanese politicians towards the history of aggression, and shows if they have genuine respect for the feelings of Asian people. The new Japanese cabinet has repeatedly expressed its willingness to adhere to the stance of admitting and closely examining Japan's aggressive past for the development of relations with neighboring nations, the official said. However, Koizumi deviated from the solemn commitments made by previous administrations, and in doing so would not only lose the trust of the Asian people but also damage Japan's international image, the official said. Japan's wartime military aggression brought unprecedented sufferings to the Asian people as well as to the Japanese people themselves, and the atrocities are undeniable, the official said. The Japanese government and its leaders are strongly urged to seriously reflect on that part of history and show respect to the feelings of China and other Asian neighbors, treat seriously the Sino-Japanese relations, and lead the Japanese people onto a road of peace and development, the official said. Only by doing this can Japan gain trust from Asian nations and the international community, and this is also in Japan's best interests, said the official, warning that if Japan does otherwise, the situation will not end well. **** Japanese PM's Shrine Visit: A Move Challenges Justice Japan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/japan.html> ese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, on the afternoon of August 13, paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine enshrined with the memorial tablets of class-A war criminals of World War II. This move has met with the vehement condemnation from Japan's internal far-sighted personages and the people of its Asian neighboring countries, as well as the stern criticisms from some European and American media and celebrities. People cannot but ask: Why can't Japan make genuine introspection of the aggressive wars it launched in history, and give a clear account for the Asian victims? For a period of time, due to the resolute opposition by Asian neighboring countries, particularly the Chinese government and people, Koizumi avoided visiting the Shrine on August 15 and tried to defend himself, but this cannot change the nature of the problem. This move will inevitably exert serious influence on Japan's relations with its Asian neighboring countries and add to the already affected China-Japan relations that have experienced twists and turns due to the history textbook issue. Koizumi's Shrine visit greatly hurts the feelings of the Chinese people. Anyone with a slight knowledge of the historical background of the Yasukuni Shrine will understand why the Chinese people oppose Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Shrine. It is well known that Yasukuni Shrine is a tool for deceiving the Japanese nationals and gaining their support and inciting militarist sentiments, it has become the spiritual prop for external aggression and expansion in modern Japanese history. It was the aggressive wars launched by Japan against China and other Asian countries that had caused unheard-of calamities. The Chinese people were the biggest victims of that aggressive war, according to incomplete statistics, as many as 35 million Chinese were killed and wounded under the butcher's knife of the Japanese aggressor troops. Japanese aggressors incurred US$100 billion worth of direct losses and US$500 billion worth of indirect losses to China. The Japanese Prime Minister's brazen visit to the Shrine that symbolizes aggressive war implies a challenge to the generally acknowledged truth and justice and a contempt for the people of war victimized countries, it has aroused the painful memory of the people of victimized countries, the Chinese people express their strong indignation and resolute opposition, isn't this right and natural? What attitude is taken toward the Yasukuni Shrine that enshrines the memorial tablets of class-A war criminals has always been a touchstone testing whether the Japanese government can correctly approach its history of aggression. How to approach the aggressive war launched by Japanese militarists involves the political foundation for developing China-Japan relations. Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to the Shrine seriously affects the healthy development of China-Japan relations. People remember that at the time of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the Japanese government expressed deep introspection of the aggressive war launched by Japan and indicated that it would follow the peaceful road. In the Joint Declaration jointly published by China and Japan in 1998, the Japanese side also keenly felt its responsibilities for the serious disasters and losses brought to the Chinese people by the war Japan launched against China. Both China and Japan confirmed that facing up to the past and correctly approaching history is an important foundation for developing China-Japanese relations. On August 15, 1985, when Nakasome Yashuhiro, in the capacity of Japanese Prime Minister, paid his first homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, it aroused the strong indignation and condemnation from the people of the Asian countries. The then Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, in his speech delivered in the following year, said, "It is necessary to pay attention to international relations and earnestly consider the national feelings of neighboring countries". He promised that the Prime Minister would from then on not visit the Shrine. This time, the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Shrine not only goes back on the promise the Japanese government has made to the Chinese people regarding the question of history, breaks faith with the Asian countries and people, but also causes serious negative influence on the future development of China-Japan relations. In Japan, the political forces that deny the crime of aggression are still deeply rooted. Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Shrine and other problems concerning history and reality indicate that for a considerably long period of time to come, the question of history will still be an important factor affecting the steady development of China-Japan relation. "Taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" is still a motto relating to the development of China-Japan relations in the new century. Around the time of Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Shrine this time, it has aroused the extensive attention of international public opinion, and there has been unceasing comments by the media and far-sighted personages. It is the view of former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt that since 1945 the Japanese have seldom made efforts to make neighboring countries reduce their grudge against them, the Japanese lack the sense of admitting their guilt. Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of the Singapore <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/singapore.html> an Cabinet has pointed out that if Japan adopts an ambiguous attitude toward its history of aggressive wars, other Asian countries would continue to worry that Japan could possibly once again embark on the road of militarism. French President Jacques Chirac also shows concern for Japan's increasing isolation in Asia. The incisive views of the above-mentioned personages deserve the deep thought of Japan's leading government officials. Fifty-six years have passed since the conclusion of World War II, and history has stepped into the first August of the 21st century, the move of Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine has again drawn the world people's attention to this question: Where will Japan go? Koizukumi indicated in his speech that he would improve relations with Asian neighboring countries. Listening to his words and watching his deeds. People will wait and see. **** Former Japanese PM Angered by Koizumi's Shrine Statement Tomiichi Murayama, the first Japanese prime minister to formally admit Japan's responsibility in World War II, expressed outrage that words from his 1995 statement of apology were used to justify Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, a leading Japanese newspaper reported Wednesday. "I don't know why Koizumi had to go and visit Yasukuni, and I am baffled by the extent to which he quoted parts of my statement, " Murayama told the mass-circulated Asahi Shimbun on Monday at his home in Oita, southwestern Japan. Koizumi, just before visiting Yasukuni Shrine on Monday afternoon, issued a statement that included "following a mistaken national policy during a certain period in the past, Japan imposed, through its colonial rule and aggression, immeasurable ravages and suffering, particularly on the people of the neighboring countries in Asia." Murayama, former leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), served as Japanese prime minister in a coalition government when Japan marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. The statement Murayama issued on August 15, 1995, read: "Japan, following a mistaken national policy... and through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations." Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines 14 Class A war criminals along with 2.47 million Japanese war dead and is considered a symbol of Japan's military aggression, drew strong criticism both at home and abroad. "Koizumi is contradicting himself. My statement has become a mere composition and this is shameful," Murayama was quoted as saying. The former Japanese prime minister said he was also disturbed by Koizumi's omission of the "heartfelt apology" to people of other Asian countries, which Murayama had insisted on including in his 1995 statement. Murayama's expression of "remorse" for "Japan's colonial rule and aggression" has since become the Japanese government's official stance concerning the country's military past. **** US, China to Hold Talks on EP-3 Recovery Payment The United States said on Monday it wanted to hold talks with China after a new Sino-US row blew up when Washington offered only US$34,000 for costs incurred by a downed US spy plane. China expressed its "utmost dissatisfaction" on Saturday at the "erroneous" US decision over fees related to the landing and repatriation of the EP-3 aircraft after a collision with a Chinese jet in April. A Pentagon spokesman said Thursday the US offer was non-negotiable. State Department spokesman Philip Reeker announced on Monday that US officials had been in contact with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue. "We'll try to arrange a meeting in Beijing at which time we can provide our official response and the rationale for our calculation of those costs," he said. Reeker said the United States was only prepared to pay "tangible, reasonable costs" related to the recovery of the aircraft and some charges linked to housing 24 crew members stayed in China for 11 days after the landing on April 1. But he avoided publicly backing the words of Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral Craig Quigley Thursday who said the payment was "non negotiable. That's the end of it." Reeker said that the United States had not yet formally informed China of its division. The crippled EP-3 made an emergency landing at Lingshui airfield on Hainan island after colliding with a Chinese fighter jet. The pilot of the Chinese plane was killed. China finally allowed the return of the aircraft on July 5. The spy plane was dismantled first and flown out of the country aboard a Russian cargo plane. The incident caused new strains in already tense US-China relations. Secretary of State Colin Powell said after visiting Beijing late last month that he believed the spy plane crisis was over -- but the row over the bill seems far from settled. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue was quoted as saying that "the so-called 'decision' is unacceptable to China both in its content and form." "We urge the US side to correct its erroneous decision, and take into consideration the reasonable request of the Chinese side for an appropriate settlement of the payment issue," she added. Sino-US relations have been tense since US President George W. Bush came to power earlier this year after disputes over US weapons sales to Taiwan. But both sides have recently shown signs that they would like to ease tensions ahead of Bush's planned visit to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in October in Shanghai and onward travel to Beijing. **** US Lacks Sincerity, Air Collision Not Settled A so-called decision, totally unacceptable, has lately been made known by the US side on its payment to China's losses brought about by its spy plane earlier this year with which China has expressed the utmost dissatisfaction and the country has resolutely rebuffed it. "The so-called 'decision' is unacceptable to China both in its contents and form," said Zhang Qiyue, spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry, when responding to news report on the US decision." "We urge the US side to correct its erroneous decision and take into consideration the reasonable request of the Chinese side for an appropriate settlement of the payment issue," she said. With the return of the US plane crew and shipping back of disassembled EP-3 surveillance aircraft, the issue might have been brought to an end. But Pentagon is sending China about US$34,000 for plane-collision cost, which China will by no means accept. On July 8 VOA breathed that after the US plane was moved home the Chinese side soon sent the US a bill of US$1m which, as told by US officials, covers all relevant costs in two months, including money spent on searching for the missing pilot. While reaction from the US side appears negative, and officials say the bill is quite "exaggerated" and they refuse to pay. While a spokesman of the US State Department says the US is ready to pay a "reasonable" amount of money, and the Defense Department will carefully study the paying items. US state secretary Powell said on July 10 that Pentagon was talking with China on the payment issue and studying the costs of its crew members who had stayed 11 days in China. The Congress also intervened by passing a bill refusing to pay China US$1m, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry opposed as an action further damaging Sino-US relations. On August 8 news from CNN says the "reasonable compensation" is about US$34000 according to the Defense Department. The US damaged China's plane and caused life loss to the Chinese side, now they flew with their spy plane back home. China didn't claim compensation other than relevant costs. As for the single-sided calculation, we don't want to say the US is mean but surely its sincerity is doubtable. Pentagon Offers China US$34,000 for Plane-collision Cost: Report The United States is sending China about US$34,000 to pay for support of a crippled US Navy surveillance aircraft that collided with a Chinese fighter jet in April, US officials said on Thursday. The officials, who asked not to be identified, told reporters there was no word yet on whether China would accept the payment, which was en route to the US Embassy in Beijing for transmission to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. **** Israeli Troops Withdraw from Jenin Israeli troops withdrew from Jenin after entering the Palestinian town in the West Bank and attacked positions of Palestinian security force there early Tuesday morning, said Tayeb Abdul-Rahim, secretary general of the Palestinian presidency. The Israeli troops, covered by tanks and helicopter gunships, stormed into the center of the city late Monday night and took over some buildings belonging to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Israeli bulldozers destroyed two Palestinian police stations and the troops entered PNA's security headquarters in Jenin. Fierce exchange of fire broke out between the Israeli troops and armed Palestinians, including Jenin-based Islamic Jihad (Holy War) members. Palestinian witnesses said that they saw two bodies lying on a street after being hit by Israeli gunfire. Tensions were high overnight around Jenin as Israeli army concentrated a large force near what Israeli security officials termed as the "city of suicide bombers." Palestinians said earlier that around 40 tanks and armored vehicles, 400 soldiers and ambulances had been moved to new positions near Jenin, which was handed over to Palestinian rule in 1995 under interim peace deals. The Israeli attack was seen as a retaliation for Sunday's suicide bombing attack by a Jihad member near Israel's northern coastal city of Haifa, which left 21 Israelis injured. **** China Opposes Israel's Occupation of Palestinian Office in East Jerusalem China strongly urges Israel to withdraw unconditionally from Orient House, the Palestinian representative office in east Jerusalem, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday. She stressed that China opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian office in east Jerusalem, and pointed out that the action goes against agreements between Israel and Palestine, and has escalated the tension in the Middle East. "We strongly urge Israel to keep its promise and withdraw from the building, to avoid further deterioration of the situation, so as to pave the way for easing tension and resuming negotiations," Zhang said. _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
