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Chinese Primer's Visit to Dhaka Welcomed by Bangladesh Leftist Party. Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (communist party) (M-L) Thursday gave its warm welcome to the forthcoming visit of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, saying that the visit will be helpful to the peace and stability of the region as well as the whole world. Barua appraised China's foreign policy General Secretary of the party Dilip Barua said in a statement that at a time when a tense situation is existing between India and Pakistan, the Chinese premier's three-day official visit from January 11 to 13 will certainly be helpful to maintaining peace and stability in the sub-continent and will make contribution to the establishment of mutual understandings among the South Asian countries. Barua highly appraised China's foreign policy which, he said, "is designed to maintain world peace and create a peaceful international environment for the nations drive to modernization." He noted strengthening solidarity and cooperation with the developing countries of the Third World and expanding friendly relations with neighboring countries is the cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy. The practice of China's foreign policy fully demonstrates that " China is a positive factor and a strong force in the maintenance of regional and world peace," he said. Bangladesh hopes good relation with China As the beginning of a new century is looming, greater opportunities and challenges lie ahead, "we hope that the Chinese people are willing to continue to strive for world peace and development together with the Bangladesh people, strengthen cooperation for Bangladesh-China friendship and jointly create splendid future for the two countries and bilateral relations," the communist party chief noted. **** Chairman of Presidium of CCVFF Urges to Promote Vietnam-China Cooperation. The friendly exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and China should be further promoted, said Chairman of Presidium of Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (CCVFF) Pham The Duyet Friday in Hanoi. The friendly exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and China should be further promoted, said Chairman of Presidium of Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (CCVFF) Pham The Duyet Friday in Hanoi. Duyet made the remarks while meeting a delegation of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) led by Zheng Wantong, general secretary of the National Committee of the CPPCC. Vietnam and China have a traditional friendship, Duyet said, adding that the cooperative relationship between the two countries is in conformity with the basic interests and aspirations of the two parties, the two countries and the two peoples. He also urged the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the National Committee of the CPPCC to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in order to contribute to the development of the neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries in the new century. Duyet said that in a visit to China, he has witnessed great achievements of China, which have made a deep impression to him. During the meeting, Zheng Wantong said through the Vietnam visit of the National Committee of the CPPCC, the two sides will discuss concrete measures to further strengthen the cooperation and exchanges between the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the National Committee of the CPPCC. The delegation of the National Committee of the CPPCC arrived here Thursday evening at the invitation of CCVFF. **** Japan's New Defence Plans Alarming: Analysis. Japan has frequently and dramatically restructured its security and defence strategies in the first year of the new millennium, sending a strong signal that it intends to be a military superpower. Japan has frequently and dramatically restructured its security and defence strategies in the first year of the new millennium, sending a strong signal that it intends to be a military superpower. The height of the restructuring occurred in late October of 2001 when the Upper House of Japan's Parliament approved anti-terrorism legislation authorizing its military to support the US-led war on terrorism. By ignoring many provisions in its former security and defence policies Japan paved the way to dispatch troops overseas. In line with the new legislation, Japan's Self-Defence Forces (SDF) can provide military support, such as escorts, guards, intelligence and logistics, but not direct combat services in the anti-terrorism war. Restraints on SDF's carrying and use of weapons were also significantly relaxed. Furthermore, Japan's anti-terrorism law sheds a previous measure requiring the government to seek approval from the Parliament before dispatching troops. Instead, it must seek post-deployment approval within 20 days after the beginning of the operation. The anti-terrorism law also expands the geographical area in which Japanese troops can be sent to, in theory, anywhere in the world. Japan's legislation on emergencies covers "areas surrounding Japan" and confines emergency activities to the west Pacific Ocean. After the outbreak of the war in Afghanistan, Japan deployed sophisticated warships to escort US aircraft carriers to the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. Today, six Japanese warships remain in those waters. Japan is also amending its defence outline, which lays down basic principles regarding the scope of its defence needs. The original outline was drawn up in 1976. After the end of the Cold War, the Japanese Government, in 1995, made significant changes, placing more emphasis on the diverse roles of the SDF. With changes in international circumstances and the Asia-Pacific security environment in the past few years, Japan quickened the pace on its path to becoming a political and military giant. It moved up its previous 2005 target date for establishing a new defence outline to 2003. A special group led by Japan's Defence Agency has been established to prepare for that action. The new defence outline is expected to reflect the following trends in Japan's security and defence strategy. Japan will redeploy its military force and divert its focus to the southwest areas of the nation, keeping China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea alert. Japan's year 2000 white paper on defence claimed that the Chinese mainland's medium-range ballistic missile is capable of hitting Taiwan Province and Japan. The 2001 white paper devoted more space to China's military development and exaggerated the size of China's military capability. It also compared the military capability of the Chinese mainland with that of the Taiwan island. This indicates that Japan views China as a major strategic target of defence, and it is ready to interfere militarily in the Taiwan Straits region. Japanese military authorities have decided to transport some of its troops stationed in the north to the south of Japan. The south enjoys the privilege of possessing advanced weapons. And the number of aircraft and warships in the southwest of the nation has been boosted. Japan's current defence strategy emphasizes the SDF's ability to cope with emergencies. New institutions charged with the responsibility for handling military emergencies have been set up. In line with new regulations passed by the Parliament in December, in emergencies, including attacks by armed guerrillas or attacks using nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, Japan's prime minister can independently, before the cabinet makes any decision, order that an attack be launched. Japan's local governments and police force will be under the direct command of the prime minister, thus greatly expanding his power. The year 2001 also witnessed Japan's support for the US National Missile Defence (NMD) system as well as the Theater Missile Defence (TMD) system. Japan reached agreement with the United States in 1998 to jointly develop the TMD system. In 1999, efforts at joint technological research began, which will continue for five to six years and cost 20-30 billion yen (US$153-230 million). From 2006, the deployment of the system will begin. In addition to active participation in the US-led TMD programme, Japan, for the first time, declared last August that it planned to develop its own national missile defence system. Japan has formed its own intelligence collection network, and the nation's involvement in TMD research will advance its ability to develop its own missile defence system. If Japan succeeds in developing its own missile defence system, significant impacts on the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region can be expected. Japan's defence budget hit a record high in 2001 of 4.9 trillion yen (US$45 billion), a 0.4 per cent growth rate over 2000. In December 2000, Japan's cabinet approved a 25 trillion yen (US$227 billion) medium-range defence buildup programme, which aimed to add advanced equipment to its maritime and air forces. The five-year defence plan was established in fiscal 2001. Under the programme, the Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) will build 13,500-ton class helicopter-carrying destroyers and the new vessels are likely to more than double the size of previous destroyers. MSDF officials do not rule out the possibility of remodeling the ships to serve as conventional aircraft carriers. Four aerial refueling tankers will be introduced, which will extend the flight range of SDF aircraft. The programme also includes the purchase of two additional Aegis-equipped destroyers, as well as domestic development of successors to the P-3C patrol aircraft. In the past few years, Japan's SDF has launched several large-scale military exercises in the southwest Pacific Ocean. In November 2001, Japan conducted its largest-ever joint exercise with the United States. **** Chinese Foreign Minister Starts Visit to Ethiopia. Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan arrived in Addis Ababa on Thursday, kicking off his three-day visit to Ethiopia. Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan arrived in Addis Ababa on Thursday, kicking off his three-day visit to Ethiopia. In a written statement upon his arrival, Tang said Ethiopia is an ancient civilization and a country of great influence in Africa. In recent years, Ethiopia has scored gratifying achievements in the nation-building efforts under the leadership of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and is playing an important role in African affairs. He noted that the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in political, economic and trade, cultural, educational and other fields. The Chinese government and people treasure their friendship with Ethiopia and are ready to work together with the Ethiopian government and people to push the existing friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a new high, he stressed. Tang and his delegation were warmly welcomed by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and other governmental officials at Bole International Airport. During his visit, the Chinese foreign minister will hold talks with Seyoum and exchange views with state leaders of Ethiopia on bilateral relations and on issues of mutual interest. This is the second leg of Tang's four-nation tour which will take him to South Africa, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Before his arrival here, he visited Eritrea. **** Arab League Concerned Over Continued Conflicts in Somalia, Sudan. The Arab League on Thursday expressed deep concern over the continued conflict and troubles in Somalia and southern Sudan. Addressing the opening session of the ninth summit of the East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development in Khartoum, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said that the league was ready to work with all concerned parties for peaceful solutions to the problems in the two countries. The Arab League on Thursday expressed deep concern over the continued conflict and troubles in Somalia and southern Sudan. Addressing the opening session of the ninth summit of the East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development in Khartoum, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said that the league was ready to work with all concerned parties for peaceful solutions to the problems in the two countries. The 22-member pan-Arab forum calls for a new wider and deeper Arab-African cooperation, Moussa said, adding that cooperation should be based on socio-economic and cultural development and deal with all common problems in order to serve the common interests. The proposal offered by Sudanese President Hassan Ahmed el- Bashir on regional peace necessitates integration in the region in a bid to achieve peace in the framework of socio-economic development, Moussa added. The Arab League does not feel independent from the action of Africa and African blocs, he noted, saying that the league's participation in this summit means that "we head for a new phase in terms of cooperation and integration" with a view of solving the problems and serving the common interests. The Arab world is part, and extension, of the African world, which means that the problems as well as the interests are the same, Moussa added. **** Tens of Thousands Take to Streets Against Argentina's Anti-Crisis Measure. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Argentine capital during the night to denounce anti-crisis measures in a noisy protest that converged early Friday on the presidential palace. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Argentine capital during the night to denounce anti-crisis measures in a noisy protest that converged early Friday on the presidential palace. In the wee hours, a long line of protesters from across Buenos Aires was still making its way to the already packed square facing the palace. They banged on pots and pans, as well as boxes and bottles, to protest the government's failure to solve a deep economic crisis. The South American country is mired in almost four years of recession, is unable to pay its massive debts and faces rising poverty levels. Last month, 30 people died when protests turned violent. The government of Argentine President Eduardo Duhalde has put in place a sweeping emergency plan to ease the deep and potentially explosive economic crisis, including the flotation of the Argentine peso and limitations on bank withdrawals. But business leaders warned Thursday that failure to adopt a viable economic plan could lead to renewed unrest. _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
