Extracts.
Some American media extremely irresponsible Some American media, including the Washington Times, after the September 11 terror attacks in the U.S., have reported that Chinese official media -- via large numbers of books, magazines and websites -- highly praised the terrorist attacks as rightful actions against arrogant countries. When asked to comment on the reports at Tuesday's press conference, Zhu Bangzao, spokesman for Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "We have noticed that at times recently, these American media claimed that Chinese media blamed the terror attacks on the hegemony of the United States," adding that these false reports have left an indelible impression on the American public and those overseas Chinese. * Chinese government opposes any form of terrorism "It is known widely that the Chinese government opposes any form of terrorism, and this stance has been made clear many times by Chinese leaders and the Foreign Ministry," according to Zhu. * China willing to promote Sino-US dialogues and cooperation Zhu noted that China is willing to promote dialogues and cooperation with the U.S. and the international community, to jointly crack down on any terrorist violence. * About the disc "Attacks on the U.S." Some non-governmental publications (books, magazines and CD-ROMs) related to the attacks did come out in China after the 9.11 incident,-- but all containing strong objections to terrorists, Zhu emphasized. As regards the e-publication named "Attacks on the U.S." which was mentioned by some American media including the Washington Times, Zhu said he had seen it. The disc contents are all about condemning terrorism, saying that "terrorists have only themselves to blame for their actions," and that "it's useless for terrorists to attack in such bloody ways." Such information directly contradicts the reports by some U.S. media, Zhu said. In the evolution of Chinese-US relations and people-to-people exchanges, news media plays an extremely important part and its guiding role cannot be belittled. Presently, the Chinese people's understanding of the United States can be regarded as quite comprehensive and objective, this is attributed to the large amount of comprehensive and all-directional reports on the United States provided by Chinese media. Whereas the American people's impression of China is rather dim, twisted and even completely wrong, because US media reports on China are often based on a narrow field of vision and on preconceived notions. Due to ideology, a mindset of pride and other factors, some US journalists often look upon China through colored glasses. As a result, it is unavoidable that China in the eyes of the American people, is often changed not only in color, but also in form. With regard to such a result, certain US journalists cannot shirk their responsibility. It is hoped that American journalists and media can take off colored spectacles, seek truth from facts and tell the American people about China as it stands. **** The ongoing 4th WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha is another dash WTO made toward starting a new round of multilateral trade talks. The failure of the Seattle Conference two years ago is still fresh in people's memory, the information from the WTO Secretariat indicates that fairly big divergence over a variety of questions existed among various members at the current Doha Conference, it is not easy to reach a consensus before the conclusion of the meeting. However, whatever result of the conference may be, the participation of China, as a new WTO member, in the new round of negotiation is unavoidable. The new round of multilateral trade talks aims mainly to discus the formulation of new game rules, its contents involve the various aspects of the world economy and trade, the agreements reached will have a binding force on various WTO members, it will affect China's major interests, so China must actively cope with and participate in it. Maintaining an open multilateral trading system conforms to China's long-term strategy. Although China has joined the WTO, as a developing country whose overall national strength is not strong enough, it is very hard for China to fully guarantee its interests in dealing single-handedly with developed members, and it will easily be subject to unfair treatment particularly when disputes occur. The WTO is a rules-based organization, its members' promise to open the market and the result achieved in the solution of disputes have legal effects. Relying on a multilateral mechanism is China's best choice, which will enable China, within the framework of the WTO, to promote the formulation of international economic and trade rules to its own advantages, eliminate the discriminatory practices adopted by some members against China and demand that related members abolish the practice contrary to the WTO rules, further open their product and service markets to China, boost the expansion of exports, develop domestic industries of comparative advantage, so that China can better participate in economic globalization. Besides, participation in a new round of negotiation by China as the largest developing country, will enhance the developing countries' collective negotiating capability, making it possible to change, to a certain extent, the balance of force between "North and South" and expedite the solutions of problems such as the unbalanced multilateral trading system, and the ineffective implementation of the Uruguay Round accords. Meanwhile, when China raises its voice in the new round of negotiation, promises to abide by international rules and relaxes market access will make it easy to get the approval and support of other WTO members, this is conducive to establishing China's international image as an open and responsible country, and constructing a good external environment. Participating in a new round of negotiation is also an excellent opportunity for China to understand and grasp the WTO rules and operational mechanisms, it will help us to grasp the latest WTO movements and development trends, make more flexible and free use of WTO provisions and mechanisms and bring up in practice a batch of professionals familiar with WTO rules and well versed in international trading policies, so that we can perform obligations in a better way and promote what is beneficial and abolish what is detrimental. Of course, participating in a new round of multilateral trade talks will confront us with some unfavorable factors, for instance, conflict of interest between China and the developed members will become more intense, opening of the market will bring new pressure, some new topics for discussion in the negotiations will be disadvantageous to us, etc. This requires that we adopt effective tactics and play our active, constructive role in launching a new round of negotiation, so as to achieve maximum Chinese interests. The stance of the Chinese side is already clear-cut; in the new round of negotiation, we should give full consideration to the developmental level of the related industries of the developing countries and give it special treatment in the aspects of opening degree and speed; we should adopt practical and effective measures to guarantee implementation of Uruguay Round accords and to guarantee the comprehensive and effective participation of the developing members, the determination of topics for negotiation must be based on consultations on an equal footing. Negotiation of a package form will ensure that the result of negotiation embodies the overall balance of the interests of various parties. Although at the current Doha Conference, WTO Director-General Mike Moore and many members cherish high expectations of China in the new round of negotiation, judged from the current situation, however, the role China has to first play is to serve as a bridge between the developed and the developing members, that will be a new subject after China's entry into the WTO. **** Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan called for a political solution to the Afghan issue Monday at the United Nations. Tang, who attended a high-ranking international meeting on Afghanistan, said that China, as a neighboring country of Afghanistan, has always very much concerned over the situation in the country. He maintained that efforts should be made to achieve the political solution to the Afghan problem through negotiation and dialogue. Tang, who is at the U.N. headquarters in New York to attend the general debate of the 56th General Assembly session, made the statement at a meeting here, which attracted senior representatives of six neighboring countries of Afghanistan, as well as the United States and the Russian Federation. The meeting is known as "the Six Plus Two" meeting on Afghanistan. The six countries are China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan -- all countries bordering Afghanistan. The two countries are the United States and Russia. The Chinese foreign minister said that under the current situation, the following principles should be honored when efforts are made to properly solve the Afghan problem: First, efforts should be made to safeguard the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. It is the basic principles of the U.N. Charter and international law that stipulate the respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of a country, he said. Secondly, the Afghan people should be able to decide on the solution to their problem independently, he said. Thirdly, the future Afghan government should be broad-based, represent the interests of all ethnic groups in the country and develop good relations with Afghanistan's neighboring countries, he said. Fourthly, efforts should be made to maintain the peace and stability in the region, he said. Whether the stability can be restored in Afghanistan is associated with the immediate interests of all its neighboring countries, and will affect peace and stability in the region, he added. Last, the United Nations should play a more constructive role in solving the Afghan problem. The United Nations and its Security Council have long played a very important role in promoting the peace process in Afghanistan, he said. The process of solving the Afghan problem is very complicated, so the positive role played by the United Nations will be very helpful for most countries and all factions in Afghanistan to reach consensus on relevant issues. **** Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Monday reiterated his recalcitrance toward the U.S. military pressure, vowing to bring down more U.S. planes enforcing two no-fly zones, the state-run Iraq TV reported. During a meeting with a pro-Baghdad Kurdish Democratic Party delegation, Saddam condemned the U.S. and Britain for monitoring the no-fly zones in the north and south almost every day. "They (the U.S.) say Iraq shoots down their planes, we say:'Yes, we shoot down your planes...because you are aggressors on our nation and our airspace," he said, adding that the airspace over the northern Kurdish area is also Iraq's airspace. As to the issue of the Kurdish area in the north, Saddam said that he preferred to "wisdom rather than force," but "we still never hesitate to regain a lost right." The northern no-fly zone, covering provinces of Dohuk, Neineva and Erbil, was set up by the U.S.-led Western allies after the 1991 Gulf War with the claimed aim of protecting the Kurdish population there from the persecution of Saddam's forces. The U.S. and Britain have been in de facto control of the three northern provinces as the Western planes have monitored the no-fly zone since the Gulf War. A similar exclusive air zone was also established by the Western allies over southern Iraq with the claimed aim of protecting Shiite Muslims in the south from possible attacks by Iraqi troops. Iraq has never recognized the two zones and has regularly fired at the Western planes enforcing them. **** A special Arab women's summit on Monday slammed any attempts to link terrorism and Islam after the September 11 terror attacks in the US, stressing that Islam is a tolerant religion. The participants, including several Arab first ladies and representatives of the 22-member Arab League, expressed concerns over attempts to equate Islam with terrorism, in a final communique issued at the end of the two-day gathering in Cairo. They warned that the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories has reached a "dangerous turning point" due to Israel's continued aggressions against the Palestinians. "Arab women reaffirm their full support for the Palestinian women who are defending their territories and fighting for an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," the communique said. The summit, chaired by Susan Mubarak, wife of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and chief of Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW), also reviewed a report on progress that has been made in Arab women's cause since the first Arab women's summit was held a year ago. The first Arab women's summit decided to hold a summit every two years, and agreed to convene a special conference in 2001 to mark the Year of Arab Women. The special summit was organized by the NCW, the Arab League and the Lebanese Hariri Foundation. **** Russian President Vladimir Putin left Moscow Monday for a four-day official visit to the US. During his first visit to the US, Putin will hold several rounds of talks with his US counterpart W.George Bush both at the White House and at Bush's ranch in the Texas State. Itar-tass quoted Kremlin sources as saying that some five or seven joint statements were expected to be signed during Putin's visit, which will cover the fields of strategic stability, fight against international terrorism, efforts against drug trafficking, regional problems as well as bilateral economic cooperation. Besides, Putin will meet with leading U.S. congressmen, public and political activists as well as business elite. The Russian president will also visit the site of the September 11 tragedy in New York and pay tribute to the victims. Presidential press secretary Alexei Gromov said before Putin's departure that the Monday crash of an A-300 passenger jet in New York did not change Putin's visit to the U.S. The White House also released the same information, but said President Bush's interview with the press originally scheduled for Monday morning had been postponed. Deputy chief of staff Sergei Prikhodko said Sunday night that Putin's U.S. trip would consolidate the fundamentals of Russian-U.S. relations, and most importantly, would speed up cooperation on key issues of international politics and bilateral relations. Active dialogue of the two presidents and regular contacts of foreign and defense chiefs, economic policy makers and experts have created favorable conditions for solid and long-term partnership between the two countries, he said. The most acute issues of the world politics will dominate the meetings, Prikhodko said. The discussions will focus on search for adequate responses to new threats to world security and stability, better coordination of the world community's efforts in fighting terrorism, in particular in the U.N. and G-8 frameworks, and closer Russian - U.S. cooperation in fighting terrorism, he added. The two sides will also discuss strategic offensive and defensive weapons, the Kremlin staff chief said, adding that contacts on these issues "have shown noticeable convergence of the positions of the two countries on deep cuts of strategic offensive weapons." Stressing the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty "is playing a key role in the system of security and disarmament agreements," Prikhodko noted the two sides might have widely diverging views on the issue. Key international and regional issues such as the Middle East situation will also come up for discussion, above all in terms of coordinating efforts aimed at ending violence and normalizing the situation in the region, Prikhodko said. The Balkan situation and the outlook for the Russian - NATO relations will also be discussed, he added. As to economic cooperation, Prikhodko said special attention would be given to Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, the granting of the status of a market economy to Russia and intensification of the business dialogue. **** The strategic airport outside the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, powerbase of the fundamentalist Taliban, fell to opposition forces on Monday, tribal leaders said. "It's confirmed from tribal leaders," Mohammad Yusaf Pashtun, spokesman for former mujahideen governor of Kandahar, Gul Agha, told Reuters in this southwestern Pakistani city just across the border from Afghanistan. "They don't know who took it," he said. "Kandahar airport has fallen in the hands of the Northern Alliance," Qatar's al-Jazeera television said in an unsourced report and without further details. The report came moments after the satellite television station's correspondent in Kandahar, Youssef al-Shouli, said in a live interview that he could hear small arms fire close to the city. _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
