Extracts. EP Urged to Stop Interfering in China's Internal Affairs. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi urged the European Parliament (EP) to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and damaging Sino-European relations. Sun made the statement Thursday at a routine press conference in response to a question. Sun stated that the Dalai Lama delivered a speech on October 24 at the EP distorting Tibet's history and the true condition of the area, and maliciously attacking the Chinese government with a separatist's perspective in an attempt to internationalize the Tibet issue. "We are firmly opposed to it," Sun pointed out. Sun noted that in the 50 years since Tibet was peacefully liberated, especially after the inauguration of democratic reform and the abolishment of the serf system in Tibet in 1959, drastic changes have taken place in Tibet, and Tibetans have fully enjoyed all political and economy rights and religious freedom guaranteed by China's constitution. Tibet also enjoys extensive autonomous rights in such fields as legislation, use of Tibetan language, personnel management and natural resources management, Sun added. He went on to say that up to now, 92 percent of the autonomous region's 2.6 million population is Tibetan, and nearly 80 percent of local officials are Tibetan or other ethnic minorities. With the assistance of China's central government and other provinces and municipalities nationwide, Sun noted, Tibet's economy has helped to greatly improve local people's lives -- a reality that is beyond comparison with the old Tibet under the Dalai's rule. He stressed that Tibetan people are fully enjoying the freedom to conduct normal religious activities under the protection of China's constitution and laws. He said there are over 1,400 places for religious activities, including temples, which can meet the religious needs of local people. Tibetan culture has also been put under protection in a campaign involving over 50 specialized research institutions and a staff of over 2,000 nationwide who are responsible for finding, collecting, and keeping records of Tibetan folk art, with a huge amount of documents and files already saved and published, and valuable relics being protected, according to Sun. Meanwhile, education in Tibet has flourished with the number of various schools reaching 956 and an enrollment rate of 85.6 percent among school-age children, noted the spokesman. Added to that, Tibetan and Chinese languages are taught in all primary and secondary schools in Tibet, he added. He pointed out that the great achievements made in various fields in Tibet cannot be denied by any objective observer, and the Dalai's attempt to deceive the world will ultimately be futile. Pointing to the fact that China's central government has had a number of talks with the Dalai's representatives, Sun stressed that facts have proved the Dalai is inconsistent, and his activities in the EP fully demonstrate once again that he does not truly want to negotiate with the central government. On one hand, the Dalai vowed to hold talks with the central government, and on the other hand he created obstacles to prevent this from happening, noted Sun, saying that the Dalai should bear all responsibility for the suspension of dialog. Sun emphasized that the Chinese government firmly opposes any country or organization to indulge and support the Dalai in his separatist activities. China is deeply dissatisfied with the EP, which has, in disregard of China's repeated representations, insisted on inviting the Dalai and providing him with a venue to conduct separatist activities, pointed out the spokesman. He went on that recently, the EP trampled on the Chinese people 's feelings several times in succession, which runs counter to the sound development momentum of Sino-European relations. China wants the EP to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and doing anything to damage Sino-European relations, so that the sound development of the Sino-European overall partnership can continue. **** Restoration of China's UN Seat: Major Historic Event That Changes World Pattern 30th Anniversary of China's UN Seat Celebrated in Beijing Following are the main points of the interview conducted between People's Daily <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/GB/paper464/> correspondents Guo Yongyi and Wu Yi <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/wuyi.shtml> ngchun and Mme Zhang Hanzhi on the occasion marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations. Popular Feeling: Restoration of China's Lawful Seat in the UN One early autumn morning, we went to have an interview with Mme Zhang Hanzhi (who was the then deputy representative of the Chinese Delegation to the UN General Assembly) according to an appointment. We began our conversation directly with the phase of history in which the Chinese stood up and felt proud. Her voice was clear and resonant, filled with a sense of pride, saying: "Ousting the Taiwan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/taiwan.html> Kuomintang representative and restoring China's legal seat in the United Nations is an event that changes the world pattern." China is one of the founding members of the United Nations. In 1949, the Chinese people overthrew the Chiang Kai-shek clique's reactionary rule and founded the People's Republic of China, the lawful seat in the United Nations should logically be held by the People's Republic of China, the only legal representative of China. However, due to the obstruction by the United States <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/usa.html> and other Western forces, over the previous 20 years and more, China's legal right had all along been unreasonably deprived of. In 1971, the situation underwent major changes, in July US National Security Affairs Assistant Henry Kissinger paid a secret visit to China, after which he declared that US President Richard Nixon would visit China; in October, Kissinger paid a second visit to China. Under such circumstances, the anti-China camp within the United Nations began to split and crumble. The motion tabled by 23 countries including Albania <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/albania.html> and Algeria <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/algeria.html> concerning the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations was passed by an overwhelming majority. At that time, this result was unexpected to the Americans," Zhang Hanzhi described what an awkward position the Americans were in. She said when Kissinger held talks with the Chinese side during his China visit in October 1971, he brought up the issue about China's seat in the UN. At that time he revealed to Premier Zhou Enlai, saying that after President Nixon's China visit in the early spring of 1972, he would give the green light to China's entry into the United Nations, in autumn that year, China was expected to have its legitimate seat restored in the United Nations.. What was ironical was on the day when Kissinger was about to leave China after the conclusion of his China tour, the UN General Assembly passed the resolution, Premier Zhou told Kissinger about the matter when he saw Kissinger off at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, at that time Kissinger felt very embarrassed. After the Chinese Delegation's arrival in New York, lots of interesting news were heard. In order to obstruct the passing of this motion, US Ambassador Bush and other US officials to the UN were said to have held talks more than 200 times with representatives from over 100 countries, resorting to the practice of intimidation and bribery by promising the granting or cessation of aid. Some countries voiced their dissatisfaction, saying: "you Americans get in touch with China while asking us to oppose China, what kind of logic is this? The Americans said that if this really couldn't be done, you could abstain from voting rather than casting affirmative votes. In fact, representatives from various countries did not even want to cast votes of abstentions, some representatives were absent at the time of voting. Despite some abstentions, the motion was passed with an overwhelming majority at the time of voting. At the time, long-time warm applause and cheers resounded through the big hall. The Americans were greatly angry, but felt helpless. Chiang Kai-shek's "foreign minister" went away in dejection with his entourage. Making First Appearance: Chinese Delegation to the UN On October 26, 1971, the then UN Secretary-general U Thant sent a cable to Chinese Acting Foreign Minister Ji Pengfei, officially informed him of the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on restoring China's all rights in the United Nations and immediately ousting Chiang Kai-shek's representative. On October 29, Ji Pengfei sent a message to U Thant, telling him that China would soon send a delegation to attend the UN General Assembly session. Members of the Delegation were decided on by Chairman Mao himself, he designated Qiao Guanhua (vice-foreign minister) as head of the Delegation. Premier Zhou concretely led the work of organizing the Delegation. Zhang Hanzhi said that before the departure of the Delegation, Chairman Mao repeatedly received and instructed the Delegation. When the chairman met with them the last time, he gave very important words, "Nothing venture, nothing gain." The chairman meant to say that we went to the United Nations was to occupy this position. On November 9, 1971 when the Chinese Delegation left Beijing <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> for New York, more than 4,000 people, including Party and State leaders Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying and all members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee , the masses of the capital and officers and men of the Chinese People's Liberation Army as well as envoys of many countries saw them off at the airport. Commentaries from foreign news agencies said that the seeing-off ceremony was as grand as that of welcoming foreign heads of State, indicating top Chinese leaders' high attention and expectations of the Chinese Delegation who made their first appearance in the UN General Assembly. The first appearance of the Chinese Delegation in the United Nations was also regarded as a major event by the US side. Reporters of various major media also came for news covering and waited at the New York Kennedy Airport for their arrival. Heart-stirring: Chinese Delegation Warmly Welcomed in UN The Chinese Delegation scheduled to attend the 26th UN General Assembly arrived in New York on November 11, then head and members of the Delegation began a series of courtesy -calling activities: calling on U Thant, and president of the 26th UN General Assembly session, as well as resident representatives of some countries to the UN. On November 14, Qiao Guanhua handed in the credentials of the Chinese Delegation to U Thant who was then receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The next day, the Chinese Delegation attended the UN General Assembly session for the first time. When mentioning the situation about this, Zhang Hanzhi was very excited, saying that when "we came to the assembly hall of the UN, the UN Protocol Department head greeted Qian Guanhua and his party at the gate which was thronged with reporters who were rushing to take a "historic" snapshot. While talking about this, Zhang Hanzhi took out from her study an album consisting of dozens of black-and-white photos which she had kept for 30 years, one of which shows the laughing Qiao Guanhua as he stepped into the assembly hall. His laugh indicated the pride and self-confidence of the Chinese people. An acute foreign photographer took a timely snapshot of this historic news photo which was later awarded a world news prize in Switzerland <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/switzerland.html> . Chinese Delegation's presence at the session was a matter of great sensation. Representatives of many friendly countries came forward to express their congratulations and welcome. President of the General Assembly session first delivered his welcoming speech, then representatives of many countries mounted the platform one after another to take the floor, welcoming the Chinese Delegation. Altogether there were 57 representatives, including US and Soviet delegates, also spoke at the General Assembly session. Zhang Hanzhi said that evening, delegation head Qiao delivered an important speech, which was also a grand, unprecedented occasion. Instances of the Chinese Delegation accorded with warm welcome in the UN were too many to enumerate. The Chinese Delegation's first arrival at the United Nations created a great stir among the UN working personnel. Most of the personnel with the UN Chinese Language Section came from Taiwan, totaling several hundred, one of them was Gu Juzhen, eldest daughter of renowned modern Chinese diplomat Gu Weijun. After the Chinese Delegation came to the United Nations, some of them gave up their job as employees of the UN Chinese Language Section, but the overwhelming majority of them remained, these people adopted a wait-and-see attitude toward the Chinese Delegation. What they saw was that the Chinese Delegation used the Chinese language when they spoke on official occasions, they also saw that the Chinese people did not acknowledge the superiority of the United States and the Soviet Union, and they truly represented the interests of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They had never seen such expressions of behavior in the United Nations before. The original "Taiwan group" always tailed after the Americans. When they saw that China had the style of its own, they felt proud as being Chinese. Zhang Hanzhi clearly remembered the words Gu Juzhen told her at that time: "Do you know what is my feeling at the moment? I feel China is in its heyday just like that after the rejuvenation of the Tang Dynasty and is enjoying rising national strength." Gu's attitude was illustrative, those working personnel from Taiwan had also gradually changed their attitude, willingly serving the Chinese Delegation. **** 30th Anniversary of China's UN Seat Celebrated in Beijing The 30th anniversary of the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations (UN) was celebrated here Wednesday, with recollections of China's contributions to world peace and development since 1971 offered by Vice Premier Qian Qichen. At a reception hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Qian said: "as a founding member of the UN and its permanent member, China has over the past 30 years strictly abided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and worked tirelessly for an enhanced UN role." China's foreign policy calls for maintaining world peace and promoting common development, he said. "China stands for upholding and safeguarding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the universally recognized norms governing international relations," he said. Commenting on the fight against terrorism, Qian said that terrorism has become a global scourge for the international community. "Combating terrorism requires international cooperation as well as the participation of the UN and its Security Council." Through the earnest implementation of the UN Millennium Declaration, countries should step up economic and technical exchanges and cooperation, and gradually put an end to the unfair and irrational international economic order, Qian said, adding that economic globalization will lead to peaceful coexistence, which means everybody wins. "China stands for long-term coexistence of civilizations and social systems in the world, which features dialogue, like-mindedness and common development," he said. Qian noted that China will take an even more active part in the affairs of the United Nations, and will participate in and push for global cooperation with an even more open approach. "We will work more vigorously, together with all the peace-loving countries and peoples everywhere, to turn our world into one of lasting peace and prosperity for all," he said. Cameroon Ambassador to China Eleih Elle Etian and Resident Co-ordinator of UN System's Operational Activities for Development Kerstin Leitner also addressed the reception. Etian, also chief of the diplomatic delegation to China, spoke highly of the cooperative relations between China and UN, as well as China's efforts toward world peace and development. Etian said that the restoration of China's lawful rights in the United Nations, marked by the passage of UN Resolution 2758 in 1971, corrected a serious error in history. Chavez Wants to Cut OPEC Output OPEC must cut oil output by 1 million barrels a day to stop crude prices from collapsing as demand dwindles, but cartel members need the cooperation of key non-OPEC producers such as Mexico and Russia, Venezuela's president Chavez said Tuesday. OPEC representatives are meeting on Nov. 14 to assess market conditions and consider a possible cut in output. The group has reduced its official production three times this year already, most recently by 1 million barrels a day Sept. 1. Iraq is the only cartel member to join Venezuela in calling publicly for another production cut next month. Chavez spoke to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair at the British leader's offices. Blair, he said, shared his concern about instability in world energy markets following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. OPEC's official output target is 23.2 million barrels a day. The group supplies almost 40 percent of the world's oil, though Chavez said its members currently pump about 1.5 million barrels above their quotas. Venezuela, traditionally one of OPEC's biggest quota busters, has transformed under Chavez's leadership into one of its most responsible members. Chavez arrived in Britain on Monday from Russia as part of a 21-day tour aimed at gathering support for a production cut from key non-OPEC countries. He met also with the leaders of OPEC nations Saudi Arabia, Iran, Libya and Algeria, and he said his counterparts there ``fully agree'' with his proposal to curtail output. Chavez and other OPEC leaders fear that a sharp decline in air travel and overall economic activity could cause the price for a barrel of oil to tumble below $10. Prices are already well below OPEC's target price of $25 a barrel. December contracts of Europe's benchmark crude, North Sea Brent, were down 11 cents to close at $20.94 a barrel on the International Petroleum Exchange in London. Light, sweet crude was down 41 cents to close at $21.85 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Although the United States and other major oil importers are grateful for cheaper crude, Chavez argued that more expensive oil was not an element in the current global slowdown. Prices are out of equilibrium now, and a new ``balancing'' of oil prices wouldn't impede an economic recovery, he argued. OPEC representatives hope to meet on Oct. 29 with delegates from non-OPEC countries in an effort to forge a common production strategy. Angola, Oman, Russia, Mexico and Kazakstan are among the non-OPEC producers invited to attend the meeting at OPEC headquarters in Vienna, Austria. **** Top UN Official Urges Israel to Refrain from Future Incursions. The chairman of a UN Palestinian rights committee urged Israel to immediately withdraw its forces from all areas under Palestinian control and to refrain from future incursions, according to a document released Thursday at U.N. headquarters in New York. Papa Louis Fall, chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, said in a letter to the secretary-general that the Israel Defence Forces have conducted a series of incursions into a number of Palestinian- controlled areas which contribute significantly to the escalation of tension. "As a result of shelling and gunfire from the Israel Defence Forces, more than 20 innocent Palestinian civilians, including children, lost their lives throughout the Palestinian Territory," he said. "By occupying areas under the full control of the Palestinian Authority, creating facts on the ground, carrying out extrajudicial assassinations and destroying Palestinian houses and other property, Israel is inflicting great suffering on the Palestinian people and is doing irreparable damage to the principles and foundations of the peace process," the letter said. Given the potential for the conflict to widen, the chairman said the Security Council should "act decisively in order to prevent further bloodshed and destruction." _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
