Extracts. FM Spokeswoman: China Concerned over US Planned Withdrawal from ABM. China is opposed to the buildup of a national missile defense system by the United States,and is concerned over its plan to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. China is opposed to the buildup of a national missile defense system by the United States ,and is concerned over its plan to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue made the remarks at a press conference here Thursday. She said it is a matter of great importance to maintain the international system of arms control and disarmament and the world's strategic balance and stability. China hoped that the U.S. will listen to the advice from the international community, and take careful steps on the issue of the ABM treaty, she said. Zhang said that the United Nations General Assembly has adopteda resolution calling for joint efforts to strengthen and preserve the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty for consecutive three years. On November 29, the United Nations General Assembly once again passed the resolution, which fully demonstrated that the world hoped to keep the resolution and its function of maintaining worldpeace and stability, said Zhang. She pointed out that China and the United States are important countries in the world, sharing same responsibilities and interests in maintaining the global peace. She added, China is always ready to join hands with the international community for the issue concerned, and hopes that the countries concerned could find solutions through constructive dialogue. **** Chinese Diplomats to Meet Afghan Interim Government Officials. A group of Chinese diplomats will be sent to inspect the Chinese embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, and meet officials of the Afghan interim government officials there. A group of Chinese diplomats will be sent to inspect the Chinese embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, and meet officials of the Afghan interim government officials there. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told the press Friday at the routine press conference. According to sources, the team, led by Zhang Min, a senior official with years of working experience in Afghanistan, is scheduled to leave Beijing for Afghanistan Friday. China closed its embassy in Kabul in 1993 for security reasons. It is reported that a power-transfer ceremony is to be held in Kabul on December 22, during which Northern Alliance chief Burhanuddin Rabbani will hand over the power to the head of the interim government Hamid Karzai. On such development, Zhang commented that the establishment of the Afghan interim government in the war-torn country is "an important step towards peace." She also said that China will actively participate in the post-war reconstruction in Afghanistan. More Aid to Afghan Refugees China will continue to provide assistance to the Afghan refugees now in Pakistan and Iran within its capacity, the spokeswoman said. The Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China have already provided aid to the Afghan refugees. She said that for humanitarian concern, China has provided assistance to Afghanistan "through different channels, including the International Federation of Red Cross" since 1980. China to Actively Participate in Afghan Reconstruction China will take an active part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan as well as continue to provide humanitarian aid to that country, Zhang said Thursday. Through joint efforts by different Afghan parties, an interim government will soon be established in Afghanistan, which is an important step for peace in that country. China has always cherished friendship with the Afghan people, and has provided assistance to them within its capacity, she said. The ten projects including the irrigation system in Parwan and a hospital in Kandahar, built by China for Afghan people, have made satisfactory profits, and are praised by local people, Zhang said. Since the September 11 terrorist attack in the U.S., the Chinese government has started temporary aid programs and has provided goods for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran, Zhang said. Chinese representatives also attended meetings on the reconstruction of Afghanistan held in Washington and Islamabad, she said. **** China-Myanmar Friendship Highlighted in Yangon. China will make concerted efforts with Myanmar to comprehensively implement the joint statement on bilateral cooperation so as to enable the two peoples to be good neighbors and partners forever and make their friendship last from generation to generation, said visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin December 12. Chinese President Visits Myanmar Chinese President Jiang Zemin made the remarks Wednesday afternoon in his talks with Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar . Jiang Brings "Pawkphaw" Friendship to Myanmar Than Shwe welcomed Jiang, saying Jiang has brought the Chinese people's friendship to Myanmar and helped deepen the "pawkphaw" ( fraternal) friendship between the two peoples, and this visit will be recorded in the history of bilateral friendly contacts. Jiang said that China and Myanmar are two friendly neighbors with a deep "pawkphaw" friendship, and Myanmar was among one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the new China. Leaders of the older generations cultivated bilateral friendship and jointly sponsored the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, noted Jiang, adding that the two countries took the lead in solving border issues left over by the history through consultations. He said that leaders of the younger generation of the two countries have continued to keep close contacts with increasing mutual trust and friendship. Bilateral Relations Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have had steady development and withstood the test of changes of the international situations, said Jiang. He attributed it to the two countries' adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, good-neighborly friendship, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect and equal treatment, saying this has laid a firm foundation for the continuous progress of bilateral relations. Citing the two countries' similar historical experience, Jiang pointed to the consolidation of bilateral relations during their struggles for independence and liberation, safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and building their countries. He stressed that bilateral friendship is in the aspiration and fundamental interest of the two peoples, which has gained support from the two peoples, thus pushing forward the progress of bilateral ties. Good-neighborly Friendship Important Jiang noted that the development of China-Myanmar good- neighborly friendship is an important component of China's foreign policy, and this principle will not change. Echoing Jiang, Than Shwe said Myanmar is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties, hoping that bilateral "pawkphaw" friendship will be carried forward from generation to generation. He noted that the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence have become an important norm guiding international relations. Myanmar to Continue to Follow "One China" Policy He reiterated that Myanmar will continue to follow the "One China" policy and will never develop any official contacts with Taiwan. Than Shwe also spoke highly of China's rapid development, saying that Beijing's successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games and China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) indicate that China will make new and important contributions to world peace and development in the new century. He said he hoped China, under the current international situations, will play a bigger role in safeguarding the just rights and interests of developing countries. Jiang suggested that the two sides continue high-level contacts, enhance understandings and friendship, further cooperation in various fields and people-to-people contacts, promote the overall development of bilateral ties, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Jiang said that under the new situation, both sides can strengthen their coordination in the United Nations, the WTO, east Asian cooperation and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) regional forum so as to contribute to international and regional stability and development. On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said China will continue to encourage Chinese business people to invest in Myanmar and will continue to offer possible assistance. Further Cooperation China will work with Myanmar to explore bilateral cooperation, said Jiang, suggesting that the two sides take agriculture, development of human and natural resources and infrastructural construction as their cooperative priority in the future. Than Shwe agreed with Jiang, saying that Myanmar attaches importance to the development of friendly cooperation with China and thanks for China's support and assistance. He briefed Jiang on bilateral cooperative prospects and welcomed Chinese businesses to Myanmar. He also told Jiang about Myanmar's domestic situation, saying that his country is enjoying social stability and economic development, and the Myanmar government is making efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous country. Jiang expressed his pleasure with Myanmar government's achievements in recent years, and said that China holds that the world is colorful, and every country is entitled to choosing a development path suited to its own conditions. China Will Always Support Myanmar Government China will, as always, continue to support Myanmar government' s efforts for safeguarding social stability and promoting economic progress, added Jiang. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest. Jiang invited Than Shwe to visit China again and the latter accepted the invitation. After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents which cover frontier defense; economic and technological cooperation; encouragement, promotion and protection of investment; plant quarantine; animal quarantine and hygiene; fishery; and petroleum. On Wednesday evening, Than Shwe hosted a dinner in honor of Jiang. They watched a performance given by local artists after the dinner. Jiang arrived in Yangon at noon Wednesday for a four-day state visit to Myanmar as guest of Than Shwe. **** Falun Gong Fanatic Murders Uncle. A Falun Gong practitioner in south China's Hainan Province was arrested by the local police Tuesday for killing his uncle with a kitchen knife. The murderer told the police that he had planned to commit suicide, so that, together with his uncle, he could attain Nirvana, the sole aim of practicing Falungong. Falun Gong practitioner killed uncle A Falun Gong practitioner in south China's Hainan Province was arrested by the local police Tuesday for killing his uncle with a kitchen knife. Aimed to attain Nirvana Qiu Defeng, 29, of Yutang Village, Chengmai County, set the house of his uncle Qiu Junxian, 68, on fire after murdering him. He was collecting wood to burn the corpse when the police apprehended him. Qiu told the police that he had planned to commit suicide, so that, together with his uncle, he could attain Nirvana, the sole aim of practicing Falungong. Became to practice Falungong ever since 1994 The police investigation found that Qiu became a Falungong follower in 1994, after hearing a lecture by cult leader Li Hongzhi at the Hefei Polytechnical University, where he was a major in accounting from 1993 to 1995. Ever since, Qiu had never ceased practicing Falungong, as indicated by the books, pictures and compact discs on Falun Gong found in his house by the police. Murder course The investigation also disclosed that shortly before the murder, Qiu's newly-married wife had tried to persuade him to abandon Falun Gong. But Qiu beat her, and forced her to seek refuge in her parents' home. A few days before the murder, Qiu went to see his aunt, who gave him sugar cane to eat. But after eating it, Qiu said that it had been poisoned.His aunt then gave him an apple, which Qiu accepted, and when he had eaten it said it had removed the poison. Early on Tuesday morning, Qiu's uncle came to see Qiu, who accused his uncle of trying to kill him with magic. Qiu then attacked his uncle, and knifed him to death. **** Iran Slams Western Double Standard on Palestine Issue. Iran on Wednesday slammed the West for its double standard on Palestinian crisis, saying that double standard and discrimination against the Palestinians will further exacerbate the situation in the Middle East. Iran on Wednesday slammed the West for its double standard on Palestinian crisis, saying that double standard and discrimination against the Palestinians will further exacerbate the situation in the Middle East. "The big mistake the Westerners have made is that they do not differentiate between the occupier and those under occupation, and the oppressors and the oppressed," Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said during a meeting with German Deputy Foreign Minister Jurgen Chrobog. He expressed "concern about the Zionist (Israel ) regime's aggressions and crimes against Palestinians," saying that putting pressure on the Palestinian resistance groups and labeling them as "terrorist organizations" are "unacceptable and unjustified." On Monday, European Union (EU) foreign ministers issued a communique labeling the Palestinian resistance groups as "terrorist networks" and called on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to dismantle them. "If certain states see themselves indebted to the Zionist regime, why should the Palestinians pay the price?" Kharazi questioned. "They should not urge the Palestinians to give up the legitimate rights on their behalf," he stressed. Iran, which does not recognize Israel, firmly supports Palestinians' struggles to restore their legitimate national rights. **** Report: Hunger, Homelessness Rise in U.S. Requests for emergency food and shelter assistance are on the rise in American cities this year as the nation slipped into recession, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Requests for emergency food and shelter assistance are on the rise in American cities this year as the nation slipped into recession, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Twenty-five out of 27 large cities surveyed reported an increase in request for emergency food assistance. Those requests climbed an average 23 percent in the last year, the survey found. The survey also found that 19 cities reported increases in requests for emergency shelter compared to last year. Those requests rose an average of 13 percent in the last year. "This survey underscores the real impact of the economic slowdown on real people," New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, the conference's president said at a news conference in Washington. Two thirds of the cities said they were unable to provide an adequate amount of food for those in need and 85 percent said they had cut either the size of the meals they provided or the number of times people could come to get food. In Santa Monica, California, food requests are up 50 percent, the mayors said. Other cities reporting large increases in hunger include Phoenix, Arizona, 44 percent; Charlotte, North Carolina, 42 percent, Salt Lake city, Utah, 35 percent, and Portland, Oregon, 34 percent. The report cited the economic effects of the September 11 attacks and the recession as reasons for the surge in hunger and homelessness. All cities surveyed said they expected the trend to continue into next year. **** China Urges Durable Solutions to Refugee Issues. Vice FM Wang Guangya has urged the Ministerial Meeting of States Parties Wednesday in Geneva to address the existing refugee issues and seek durable solutions in a bid to safeguard world peace and promote common development. Wang called on the international community to work together to handle international affairs on the basis of equality, resolve international disputes through peaceful means, promote common prosperity and development of all countries and prevent at the root the reasons for the emergence of refugees. Wang Guangya made the remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of States Parties on the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees, which started in Geneva Wednesday. International Joint Efforts Expected He pointed out that while coping with the refugee crisis, the international community should work together to handle international affairs on the basis of equality, resolve international disputes through peaceful means, promote common prosperity and development of all countries and prevent at the root the reasons for the emergence of refugees. "Countries should actively seek new and effective measures consistent with the principles and spirit of the Convention in order to address new issues and problems in the international field," said Wang. He pointed out that the refugee problem is a global issue, and closer international cooperation is an effective way for its resolution. Clear Line Should Be Drawn Between Other Issues The Vice Foreign Minister stressed "it is of great importance to draw a clear line between the refugee issue and others, preventing the abuse of the protection regime and asylum policies as prescribed by the Convention." He said: "Unrestrained expansion of the asylum procedures of the Convention would result in a negative impact on the international protection regime, conniving at illegal immigration and allowing criminals to go unpunished, thus doing harm to peace and stability of states and regions." Efforts Made by Chinese Government At the meeting, Wang Guangya also revealed what the Chinese government has done for the refugee issue. He said that following its accession to the Convention and its Protocol in 1982, China has, as always, conscientiously fulfilled its international obligations and earnestly engaged in domestic legislation on refugee affairs. "The Chinese government has received and extended effective protection to more than 280,000 Indo-Chinese refugees in spite of its own difficulties." About the Conference Around 80 ministers are attending the two-day conference which is co-hosted by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Swiss government. The aim of the conference is to basically recognize the importance of the 1951 Convention as central to the international protection of refugees. _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
