The Diplomatic Times Review

February 20, 2006

Newsweek International Looks at China's 'Blogger Nation'

Newsweek International's Sarah Schafer reports in the February 27, 2006 issue that the "phenomenon" of blogging " is itself a challenge to the old order" in China. She noted:

Since the communist revolution Chinese writers have worked under the jurisdiction of writers' associations, obligated to compose for the glory of the party. Now, for the first time they are self-publishing in large numbers, and the state does not entirely control the flow of information.

Schafer said, "Many bloggers don't consider themselves activists but insist they are changing the country for the better simply by engaging in open discussion."

For more, please see "Blogger Nation:A proliferation of voices is slowly dismantling the status quo in China."

Note: This post can also be found at The blogging Journalist, my other blog.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)

January 10, 2006

Many Indonesian Muslims Have Died on Haj

"At least 120 Indonesians have died, mostly of illness, during the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the state Antara news agency said Tuesday [January 10, 2006], according to Agence France Presse. See "120 Indonesian pilgrims have died on haj."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:32 AM | Comments (0)

Korean Clone Panel's Report on Hwang Woo-suk

Aljazeera.Net has published what it calls the "full text" of the "Korean clone panel's report," that "found that scientist Hwang Woo-suk faked his claims of pioneering stem cell research."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)

January 02, 2006

Do 'Divisions, Rivalries Threaten New Cold War in East Asia'?

Kang Sang Jung, "a professor of political science and the history of political thought at the University of Tokyo," opines in a January 3, 2006 article in The Japan Times Online:

What we have feared is threatening to become a reality. The open rivalry and discord between Japan and China is becoming the most destabilizing factor to the peace and prosperity of East Asia. The United States is so concerned by the mounting tensions between the two leading nations in the region that it has called on them to settle their differences.

Kang Sang Jung argues that, "Divisions not unity. It has become clear, however, that the U.S. fear that an East Asian Community concept, centered on ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, China and South Korea), may lead East Asia to coagulate into a regional Pan-Asianism bloc has turned out to be groundless. Far from embracing Pan-Asianism, East Asia is deeply divided." For more, please read "Divisions, Rivalries Threaten New Cold War in East Asia

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)

December 12, 2005

Barry Desker: 'Why the East Asian Summit Matters

Barry Desker, "currently the Director of the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies" in Singapore, according to Asia Times Online (ATO), contends in a December 13, 2005 article in ATO that:

The first East Asian summit of regional leaders in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday {December 14, 2005] is a historic event whose future impact is likely to be as significant as the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit held in Bali in February 1976.

His analysis is headlined "Why the East Asian summit matters."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)

December 09, 2005

IPS: 'U.S. Losing Clout in South-east Asia to China '

Tim Shorrock at the Inter Press Service News Agency reported December 9, 2005 that, "The United States is rapidly losing its influence in the South-east Asia region to China, thanks to an overly narrow focus on terrorism and a propensity to place bilateral ties above multilateral relationships, according to U.S. and Chinese analysts." Here's Shorrock's analysis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:59 AM | Comments (0)

Asian Foreign Ministers Meet in Malaysia Ahead of ASEAN Summit

"Foreign ministers from Asian nations gathered Friday [December 9, 2005] in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur to discuss issues affecting the region, including the spread of the deadly avian influenza virus and the situation in Myanmar (Burma)," The Jakarta Post reported December 9, 2005.

For more, please see "Asian foreign ministers meet ahead of ASEAN summit."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:49 AM | Comments (0)

Australia to sign ASEAN Treaty

Despite Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer's "serious "reservations" about signing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) of the Association of South-East Asian Nations," Australia "will put pride aside and sign South-East Asia's non-aggression pact as the entry price to a first-ever summit that could lead to a free-trade bloc stretching from China to New Zealand and India," according to The Age newspaper of Australia.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

December 06, 2005

Is Sri Lanka Heading for More War?

The Asian Tribune reported today that, "Sri Lanka is edging closer to war with LTTE further "intensifying" its violence in Jaffna and in the east. In Jaffna the LTTE launched its second attack today on a Sri Lankan Army (SLA) tractor in Irupalai killing seven soldiers and one seriously injured," the publication said. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)

November 23, 2005

Young Political Leaders in Asia and Europe Meet in Beijing

China Youth Connection reported today that, "About 100 young delegates from 34 countries and other regional organizations gathered together in Beijing Monday [November 21, 2005] for an inaugural conference for young political leaders in Asia and Europe, discussing methods to intensify the youth's role in the partnership between Asia and Europe."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:28 AM | Comments (0)

November 02, 2005

For Ivory Coast and France, Making Up is Hard to Do

According to The Associated Press, "The tenuous relationship between Paris and its former colony [Ivory Coast] suffered another blow Wednesday [November 2, 2005]when the French Defense Ministry confirmed that troops in Ivory Coast suffocated an Ivorian prisoner in an armored vehicle in May, and commanders knew of the killing but did not notify their superiors." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)

Thailand's National Reconciliation Commission

Marwaan Macan-Markar, writing in the November 2, 2005 edition of Asia Times Online, said "Prospects for peace in Thailand's troubled south have dimmed due to escalating incidents of violence by shadowy, Muslim-Malay insurgent groups on the one hand and calls for tougher measures by Buddhist monks on the other."

He said, " Caught between the spiraling violence by the insurgent groups and the angry monks is the one hope for a peaceful resolution of the two-year-old ethnic conflict - the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC)."

For more, please see "Fighting for peace in Thailand."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)

Asians Told Transparency Needed to Combat Bird Flu

According to The Associated Press(AP) on November 2, 2005 , Ong Keng Yong, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, told the business community in Hong Kong that, "The important thing in combatting the Asian bird flu "is transparency, and this is where some of our member countries are still learning." He added:

They are always very concerned about creating panic in their society, so sometimes the information about an episode or a bird flu outbreak would take some time to reach other parts of the country."

We have to insist on quick information and as much details as possible, so that we can actually identify the kind of problems that cause such an outbreak.According to the AP "Southeast Asian countries agreed in September to start a three-year plan next year to combat bird flu, which has ravaged poultry populations in the region since 2003 and killed dozens of people, mostly in Vietnam and Thailand." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:25 PM | Comments (0)

October 19, 2005

Asia-Pacific Corruption Index Remains High

Transparency International's "Corruption Perceptions Index 2005" show that "Public sector corruption in the Asia-Pacific region continues to be high but some countries are improving their record," Japan Today reported October 19, 2005. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:23 AM | Comments (0)

Transparency International: Central Asia's Corruption Outlook Dismal

Ben Elers, Transparency International's (TI) program manager for Europe and Central Asia, said on October 18, 2005 that Central Asia was an area "of real concern to us" in terms of government corruption," according to the United Nation's Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN).

"Turkmenistan has done the worst," he added, speaking from the organization's Berlin headquarters, according to IRIN, "But basically, all of the Central Asian republics have scored less than three out of 10, which really does indicate there is a strong perception of endemic corruption throughout the region."

"There is not really much change [in the region]. There is [only] a slight improvement in Kazakhstan," Mr. Elers added, according to IRIN. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:14 AM | Comments (0)

Fake Yahoo News Site Falsely Reports That China Invaded Okinawa

The Mainichi Daily News told its readers that "a Website pretending to be the Yahoo news site has carried a fake Kyodo News article saying Chinese troops have invaded Okinawa, it was learned Wednesday," October 18, 2005. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:04 AM | Comments (0)

Tensions Worsen Between Japan and its Asian Neighbors

"Tensions worsened between Japan and its Asian neighbors on Wednesday [October 18, 2005] when South Korea's foreign minister scuttled plans for talks in Tokyo because of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to a controversial war shrine," according to Mainichi Daily News.

The publication said, "The move comes a day after China canceled a visit to Beijing by Japan's foreign minister and amid a newly released public opinion poll that shows Japanese evenly split in support of Koizumi's pilgrimage despite the international outcry." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:58 AM | Comments (0)

Korea 's Foreign Minister Postpones Visit to Japan: Why?

The Korea Times reported today that Ban Ki-moon, South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told journalist October 18, 2005 that that a visit by him to Japan is not appropriate ``at the moment".

"Ban had been expected to visit Japan later this month," The Times said.
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The publication said "his remarks came as South Korea strongly criticizes [Japanese] Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for his recent visit to a controversial shrine in Tokyo, which includes memorials to convicted war criminals."

``Even though the two sides had discussed my visit to Japan, the schedule had not been decided, Ban told reporters at a weekly press briefing, according to The Times. ``I think the mood is not good to seek a visit at the moment."

Ban "also said that President Roh Moo-hyun's plans to visit Japan in December have not been decided either." the paper added. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:45 AM | Comments (0)

October 18, 2005

China Hopes Rumsfeld's Beijing Vist Increase Mutual Trust

"China hopes US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's visit will help increase mutual understanding and trust, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Tuesday [October 18, 2005]," People's Daily Online reported today.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:43 PM | Comments (0)

The Australian: 'Racism Begins at Home in Asia: Peters'

The Australian newspaper says Winston Peters, New Zealand's "new Foreign Minister in Prime Minister Helen Clark's third Labour-led" administration," "thinks he will get on fabulously with Asian leaders because, like him, they think it is an outrageous mistake to let too many immigrants alter a country's ethnic make-up." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)

China, Japan Still Feuding Over East China Sea Gas

"Japan and China appear headed for a showdown over natural gas exploration and drilling in the East China Sea," reports J. Sean Curtin in an October 18, 2005 Asia Times Online article.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)

Latin America, China Boosting Ties

Jane Bussey of Knight Ridder Newspapers contends that, "the ties that bind Latin economies to the rest of the world no longer run just north-south."

"China's burgeoning appetite for raw materials and quest for export markets has sparked a boom in south-south trade, as the world's fastest-growing developing country courts its Latin American counterparts, engendering both anticipation and alarm," she wrote in an October 16, 2005 report.

For more, please see "China courts Latin nations in quest for raw materials."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:39 PM | Comments (0)

October 11, 2005

Is China's Economic Clout Causing Taiwan to be Ignored?

Chin-Hao Huang, "executive director of the Georgetown International Relations Association, Inc, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC," said in an October 8, 2005 "Speaking Freely" column at Asia Times Online that:

Following hard on the heels of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to New York last month to attend the United Nations summit, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has been on a whirlwind tour, visiting eight countries across three continents in less than two weeks.

"He claimed that it was a diplomatic breakthrough, but in light of the highly anticipated Bush-Hu meeting in New York, few in Washington even took note of Chen's visit," Mr. Chin noted. "However, rather than engaging in highly critical rhetoric against Beijing during a Miami stopover, Chen adopted a more subtle and pragmatic diplomatic approach to mend fences with Washington."

You do the pragmatic thing when you've been eclipsed. Here's the entire article.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:22 PM | Comments (0)

Koizumi's Postal Reform Legislation Passes House

The Asahi Shimbun of Japan reported October 11, 2005 that, "Bills to privatize the nation's postal services passed the Lower House on Tuesday, paving the way for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to pursue his reform agenda."

"The six bills passed by a wide margin because of the ruling coalition's absolute majority in the lower chamber following the September 11 [2005] election," the publication said. "Votes for the bills totaled 338 with 138 against." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:25 AM | Comments (0)

October 05, 2005

Secretary Rice to Visit Central Asia Next Week

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to visit Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan next week "for discussions on economic development, security matters and democracy building," according to the State Department. Here's more on the proposed visit.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:02 AM | Comments (0)

October 04, 2005

Taliban Spokesman Latif Hakimi Reportedly Arrested

Dawn, an authoritative Pakistani newspaper reported October 4, 2005 that, "The law-enforcement agencies [in Pakistan] have arrested Latif Hakimi, the chief spokesman of Taliban Movement with five other Taliban suspects from Balochistan."

"Latif Hakimi has been arrested and was under interrogation," Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, the Federal Interior Minister confirmed to media men, on Tuesday [October 4, 2005, according to Dawn. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:54 PM | Comments (0)

September 20, 2005

Sri Lanka Elections Set for November 17, 2005

The Asian Tribune reported September 20, 2005 that, "Sri Lanka will elect a new executive president on November 17," 2005.

"This was announced by the commissioner of elections this afternoon," the publication said, noting that, "Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the poll must be held this year - ending months of controversy over when President Chandrika Kumaratunga's second term ends." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:29 AM | Comments (0)

Asian Oil Refining Margins Reportedly Up Thanks to Katrina

"Asian oil refining margins have surged since Hurricane Katrina disrupted refinery operations and created fuel shortages in the United States, drawing shipments from Asia and Europe," according to a Bloomberg News article in the International Herald Tribune. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:15 AM | Comments (0)

September 11, 2005

Why Sri Lankan President Criticized Her Prime Minister

Reuters reports that "Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga criticized her prime minister on Saturday [September 10, 2005] for forging a pact with hardline Marxists, exposing a rift analysts said could cost him votes in upcoming presidential election."

"In an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper," the wire service said, "Kumaratunga slammed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa - her ruling party's presidential candidate - for violating party policy. She also accused him of keeping her in the dark about negotiations with the Marxist Peoples Liberation Front (JVP), saying Rajapaksa only informed her about the deal an hour before it was signed. "

"That is not the way to inform the president of the country about the pact," the newspaper quoted her as saying in a telephone interview, according to Reuters.

Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

August 22, 2005

Philip Gourevitch Describes Security That Surrounded Kadirgamar

Journalist Philip Gourevitch, writing in the August 29, 2005 issue of The New Yorker, describes the elaborate security he found surrounding the late Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, when he visited with him in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, earlier this year. He wrote:

Colombo 7, with its wide boulevards and winding, leafy lanes, is dense with government ministries and foreign embassies, and, clustered between them, the private homes of the political and business élite-- villas ranging in scale from ample to opulent. Colombo 7, therefore, is also a zone of elaborate security arrangements: blockaded streets picketed with military guards, men crouched in the shade cradling assault rifles, walled compounds and, in some of them, private militias.

The home of the Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, for instance, was hidden from view by a high perimeter wall, when I visited him earlier this year, and behind that wall rose another one, for good measure. At a fortified guard booth, my cell phone was taken into custody for the duration of my visit, and when I was ushered to a rattan chair on the house's deep veranda to await my audience, I found myself flanked by a pile of machine guns. "Yet, despite such precautions," Mr. Gourevitch noted, "Mr. Kadirgamar was shot dead at his home on the evening of Friday, August 12th, hit four times by snipers firing from a neighbor's house."

For more, see "Killing Kadirgamar."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:21 AM | Comments (0)

Sr. Lanka's Douglas Devananda Has Survived 10 Hit Attempts

As Sri Lanka's "Minister of Agricultural Marketing and Development and Hindu Affairs," Douglas Devananda "is now the only surviving Tamil minister in the ruling alliance," The Electric New Paper (TENP) of Singapore said in an August 22, 2005 article.

TENP said Mr. Devananda "has the proverbial, nine lives. Make it 10," the publication added, "for that is the number of attempts made on his life." Here's more.

Also see "Defiance from a Sri Lankan bunker," the BBC article the TENP article was partly based on.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:54 AM | Comments (0)

What is the Meaning of Russia and China's War Games?

"Even though Russia and China have announced that joint military exercises [currently underway in the Russian Pacific near Vladivostok and in the Chinese coastal province of Shandong] aren't aimed at any third country and they are just flexing muscles in the face of terrorism, extremism, and separatism, they are also indirectly sending serious messages to Washington," contends Tehran Times columnist M.A. Saki in an article published August 21, 2005 at Tehrantimes.com.

"Common security and economic interests have brought the two giant neighbors closer to each other," the analyst said, adding:

The need for closer economic and military cooperation has become more evident as the United States sees itself as the only superpower in the world and has adopted the policy of preemptive war under the pretext of combating terrorism, taking unilateral measures and defying the United Nations.

For more, see "New twists in new Great Game."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:00 AM | Comments (0)

August 18, 2005

Russia, India to Hold Joint Maneuvers in September 2005

In September 2005, Russian and Indian troops will hold their first joint maneuvers against potential threats by militants on land and sea in Rajasthan in northwestern India and in the Indian Ocean," says a paragraph in an article in the Taipei Times headlined "Chinese-Russian war games reflect a shaky alliance of sorts."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:23 AM | Comments (0)

A Taipei Times Take on Chinese-Russian War Games

The Taipei Times has a thought-provoking article on the current military exercises that got underway August 18, 2005 in Vladivostok between China and Russia. The publication reported today that, "Moscow and Beijing deny that the exercises involving 8,000-10,000 forces and some 140 ships are a rehearsal for seizing Taiwan."

"They are rather geared to raise the ability of the armed forces to "jointly combat international terrorism, extremism and separatism," the Chinese government said in a recent statement, Taipei Times said, adding: "The war games come amid efforts to establish a Chinese-Russian counterweight to US hegemony in world affairs." This is worth reading.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:19 AM | Comments (0)

Russia-China Wargames Underway in Vladivostok

"Russia and China launched their first joint wargames involving 10,000 troops in a show of military might they insisted was not aimed at any third country after the U.S. voiced concern, agencies reported Thursday," August 18, 2005, noted Mosnews.com.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:09 AM | Comments (0)

Is West Unwittingly Pushing Russia and China toward Rapprochement?

"A wave of criticism from the West has intensified Russia's and China's sense of strategic isolation, which is pushing them toward rapprochement, a Canadian military expert on East Asia told a popular Russian daily Thursday," August 18, 2005, the Russian News and Information Agency (RIA Novosti) reported today.

According to the agency, Yihong Zhang, the expert, spoke to Vremya Novostei about Peace Mission-2005, the Russian-Chinese war games [currently underway] in the Far East." He "said the exercise showed that Russia and China trusted each other more now than they did in the past." Ria Novosti added, Here's more on this important issue.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:33 AM | Comments (0)

August 17, 2005

Series of Bombings Hit Bangladesh

The Deccan Herald of Dhaka, Bangladesh, reported August 17, 2005, that "A series of blasts rocked government offices and courts across Bangladesh today, but no casualty was immediately reported. The authorities issued red alert across the country and tightened security at all vital installations." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:24 AM | Comments (0)

60 Years After War, Japan Still Split Over War Responsibility

"Sixty years after the end of World War II, the Japanese still have not come to a general consensus as to who was responsible for that dark chapter in their nation's history," reports Kwan Weng Kin of the The Straits Times in an article reprinted in China Daily. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:02 AM | Comments (0)

Japan's Image in Asia 60 years after World War II

In an August 17, 2005 editorial headlined "60 years after the war," Asahi.com of Japan asked:

Is nationalism of one country forever irreconcilable with that of another? Why must Japan be criticized so scathingly by China and South Korea? Anti-Japanese demonstrations in China in spring this year were so violent that it aroused resentment in the minds of the Japanese

Asahi.com predicts that, "Japan will never become a big military power and invade other countries again. Japan has had enough of being blamed for its past acts," the publication added. "This sentiment, which is mixed with anger, causes people in Japan to view China and South Korea in a critical light or harbor feelings of discontent against them."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:52 AM | Comments (0)

Will Accord Really Bring Peace to Aceh?

"With the signing of an accord on Monday [August 15, 2005] that paves the way for an end to nearly three decades of conflict in Aceh, the government [of Indonesia], rebels, foreign monitors and residents of the tsunami-devastated province face what could be the most difficult step in achieving peace: implementation," contends Eric Unmacht in an August 17, 2005 news analysis in the Bangkok Post.

For more, see "Accord signed, but peace far from a done deal."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:40 AM | Comments (0)

Sri Lanka Embarks on World-wide Isolation Campaign Against LTTE

Sugeeswara Senadhira, bureau chief in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the Asian Tribune, reported August 17, 2005 that, "Sri Lanka has initiated a major campaign to mobilize international support against acts of terrorism perpetrated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)." Here are the details.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:22 AM | Comments (0)

August 16, 2005

Why Has Russia Hardened its Position on Japan?

"As Russia has failed to secure any significant economic commitments from Tokyo, notably on a Japan-bound Pacific oil pipeline, the Kremlin has lost all interest in resolving its long-standing territorial dispute with Tokyo any time soon," journalist Sergei Blagov writes in the August 17, 2005 edition of Asia Times Online,a publication he has contributed to since 1996.

Mr. Blagov, who "covers Russia and post-Soviet states, with special attention to Asia-related issues," according Asia Times, said, "Indeed, "Russia has removed Japan from its Asian diplomacy priority list."

For more, see "Moscow hardens towards Tokyo."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:13 AM | Comments (0)

Japan Times Interviews a Scholar Troubled by Japan's Direction

Nobuko Hara, "Tokyo correspondent for The Times educational supplement in London," has an article in the August 15, 2005 Japan Times Online in which he declares:

Few intellectuals in Japan today are as deeply committed to peace and democracy as Rokuro Hidaka is. The 88-year-old sociologist is a witness to Japan's aggression in China and, during the war, even went as far as proposing that Japan withdraw its troops from China, return its colonies and lay down foundations for democracy at home. In the subsequent 60 years, he has continued to strive for peace, justice and democracy as an academic.

"Today, " Correspondent Hara wrote, "Hidaka, who lives in Paris but recently paid a rare visit to Japan, raises alarm bells about what is happening in Japanese society and politics, and questions where the country is heading. "It reminds me of what it was like before the Manchurian crisis: It's almost as if we've gone back to where we were 60 years ago," says Hidaka. "Freedom of the individual is in danger."

"He speaks energetically and with a clarity of mind that belies his years," Hara noted. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:36 AM | Comments (0)

August 15, 2005

IntelliBriefs: The LTTE Emulates The Jackal

IntelliBriefs has a thought-provoking analysis of the August 13, 2005 assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. It's headlined "The LTTE Emulates The Jackal."

The Jackal was the code-name of the fictional professional assassin in Frederick Forsyth's novel The Day of The Jackal." He was hired by the OAS or Secret Army Organization to kill Charles de Gaulle, the President of France. The OAS was established in 1961 to resist Mr. de Gaulle's decision to grant independence to Algeria, after more than 130 years of French colonial rule.

The group tried several times to assassinate him.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:37 AM | Comments (0)

August 14, 2005

SAARC Meetings Postponed Out of Respect for Sri Lankan Minister

The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Standing Committee and the 26th session of the SAARC Programming Committee were scheduled to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, August 16 to18, 2005. But according to the Daily Times of Pakistan, they have now been "canceled out of respect " for the late Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was assassinated on August 13, 2005.

The meetings have not been rescheduled. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:50 PM | Comments (0)

'They Will Get Me. How Can I Go On Hiding myself?'

DEW Gunasekera, Sri Lanka's Constitutional affairs minister, told the BBC Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was assassinated August 13, 2005, had a premonition of death.

"They will get me. How can I go on hiding myself?" Mr Kadirgamar asked Mr Gunasekera recently, according to the BBC. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:31 PM | Comments (0)

India and Pakistan's Two-nation Arms Race

The Pak Tribune of Pakistan has an interesting article headlined "India rejects Pak proposal for early warning of cruise missile tests." The two country arms race itself is quite interesting. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)

"Foolproof Security' Planned for SAARC Conference

The Press Trust Of India (PTI) reported August 15, 2005 from Dhaka, Bangladesh, that, "Foolproof security would be in place for the upcoming, "twice-postponed," South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit, now scheduled for November 12-13, 2005.

According to PTI, the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers will get "special attention". Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)

IHT: 'Rising India Remains Torn Between East and West

In an August 15, 2005 article headlined "Rising India remains torn between East and West," Anand Giridharadas, the International Herald Tribune's (IHT) South Asian business correspondent headquartered in Mumbai, India, raises this important question:

Should India's rising fortunes be hitched to Asian solidarity or to a partnership with Western countries that would pit Asians against Asians?

He said "India's dilemma now concerns not Japan, (as it did during World War II) but China. And the Western power is no longer Britain, but the United States," he added. "Yet the questions this time echo an earlier choice over whether to look east or west: Will India and China partner in ways that crowd out U.S. influence in Asia? Or will India take part in an American strategy to contain China's rise by helping India advance as a world power?"

China (manufacturing) and India (software and service) would be an awesome economic combination if they could see the value of working together to make Asia a more powerful player in international commerce and politics. Not only that, their militaries could easily protect their and Asia's interests should they encounter belligerence from the West.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)

Two Sources of News on Tamil Affairs and Sri Lanka

TamilNet is a good source of "reporting to the world on Tamil Affairs" and Sri Lanka. For a more traditional source of news, see the BBC's Sinhala.Com.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)

Sri Lana Police Question Owners of Assassin's Lair

TamilNet, which reports to "the world on Tamil Affairs, has an informative article on the "Tamil couple, Mr. Lakshman Thalaiyasingam, 58, and Mrs. Vipiyan Selvalogini Thalaiyasingam, the owners of the house located at 42, Bullers Lane [Colombo, Sri Lanka] where the sniper had taken position to strike at Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar," on August 13, 2005.

The couple said they were not aware that anyone was using the upstairs part of the house, which they rarely visited. They reportedly are under house detention

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)

August 13, 2005

Times Online: 'Tsunami Aid Trapped Out of Reach'

"Almost eight months after the Asian tsunami wreaked devastation in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, millions of pounds of British aid remains stranded in foreign ports," according to Times Online correspondents Thair Shaikh and Sam Forsdike. Here's why.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)

Sri Lanka to Probe Security Failure in Kadirgamar Assassination

Agence France Presse (AFP) reported August 13, 2005 that, assassinated Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar "had over 100 bodyguards assigned from the military as well as the elite Ministerial Security Division."

"They were backed up by intelligence units of the police and the army," AFP said. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)

BBC Sinhala.com is a Good Source of Sri Lankan News

The August 13, 2005 assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar will keep the spotlight on Sri Lanka until news editors around the world are compelled by current events to relegate it to small paragraphs and then no coverage at all.

If you want to follow the investigation and political fallout from the assassination, see the English language BBC Sinhala.com. It's a good source of current events in Sri Lanka.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)

August 08, 2005

Pakistan's Prime Minister On Six-Day Visit to Japan, Hong Kong

The South Asian News Agency reported today that, Pakistani "Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz left Islamabad on a six-day official visit to Japan and Hong Kong on Monday," August 9, 2005.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)

Trade Talks Between India, Pakistan Set For August 10, 2005

"Two-day trade talks between Indian and Pakistani secretaries of Commerce will begin" August 10, 2005, in New Delhi., India, according to the Daily Times of Pakistan.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)

Boeing Signs Multi-billion Dollar Contracts With Four Chinese Airlines

On August 9, 2005, "Four Chinese airline companies signed a purchasing contract for 42 Boeing aircraft worth of 5.04 billion US dollars," according to Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency.

According the agency, "Air China will buy 15, China Eastern 15, Shanghai Airlines 9, and Xiamen Airlines 3." They will buy the Boeing 787, also called the Dreamliner. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:41 PM | Comments (0)

New Elections in Japan Set For September 11, 2005

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi "dissolved the House of Representatives on Monday [August 9, 2005] and called a general election for September 11, 2005, a few hours after the House of Councilors voted down the government-sponsored postal privatization bills," according to Tetsushi Kajimoto, staff writer of The Japan Times. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)

Postal Reform Defeat Leaves Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Divided

Reiji Yoshida, staff writer for The Japan Times, reported August 9, 2005 that today's rejection by Japan's "House of Councilors of the postal privatization bills has left the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party sharply divided as it faces a general election in the coming weeks and a possible fall from power." Here's his analysis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)

Is Indonesia a "Perfect Example of Pluralism'?

The Jakarta Post noted in its August 8, 2005 issued that, "Dozens of cultures and beliefs made Indonesia a nation long before it declared Independence on August 17, 1945. The recent edicts issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) that, among other things, bans pluralism and joint prayers, and has challenged the nation's "Unity in Diversity" philosophy," The Post said.

The publication recently "asked a few residents their thoughts on this issue."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:44 AM | Comments (0)

Malaysia Plans to Call Meeting of ASEAN Defense Ministers

"Malaysia plans to call for a special meeting of Southeast Asian defence ministers next year to discuss regional security, news reports said today," according to the Bahrain News Agency.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:39 AM | Comments (0)

Vietnam to Contribute More to ASEAN

"Vietnam will make more contributions to the success of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai affirmed," Thanh Nien Daily reported August 8, 2005. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:32 AM | Comments (0)

Vietnam's 'Textile Exports are Losing Steam'

Vietnam's Thanh Nien.Com reported August 7, 2005 that, "After two years of dizzy growth, Vietnam's textile exports are losing steam and appear set to fall way short of the target this year." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:25 AM | Comments (0)

Critics Chide World Bank For Giving Loans to China

"Critics of the World Bank are training their fire on the institution's loans to China, a capital-rich country on a buying spree for U.S. bonds and companies, saying the money should go to needy nations," reports Bloomberg News. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:05 AM | Comments (0)

Russia, China to Hold Joint Naval Exercises

"The first-ever joint naval exercises conducted by Russia and China will be held on August 18-25, 2005 and its first phase is scheduled for August 18-19 on territory of the Far Eastern military district," China View reported August 8, 2005.

Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, citing Russia's Itar-Tass news agency, said, "The warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet which will take part in the joint exercises with China left Vladivostok for China on Sunday," August 7, 2005.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:01 AM | Comments (0)

'China Releasing Movies to Remind Japan of its Defeat in 1945'

NewsFrom Russia.Com reported August 8, 2005 that, "China is releasing a series of war historic movies to mark the 60th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:54 AM | Comments (0)

Lee Teng-hui Says "China Dare Not Attack Taiwan

The Taipei Times reported August 8, 2005 that, "Former President Lee Teng-hui said yesterday [August 7, 2005] that China would not dare to attack Taiwan, because the US has deployed eight nuclear submarines in the Pacific Ocean carrying about 2,000 nuclear warheads targeted at China, preventing Beijing from taking military action against its democratic neighbor."

Is that really a deterrent?

For more, see "Lee says China dare not attack."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:47 AM | Comments (0)

The Japanese Yen Takes a Slide Against the Euro: Why?

The Japanese yen "slid to a three-month low against the euro, Japanese government bonds fell, and Tokyo stocks hit a one-month trough as a key vote on postal reform approached in Japan amid signs the government might lose it," the Reuters news service reported August 8, 2005. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:40 AM | Comments (0)

Japan's Koizumi May Call Snap Lower House Election

"Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Saturday [August 6, 2005] flatly rejected a plea from his predecessor Yoshiro Mori to avert a snap election even if his postal privatization bills are voted down in the House of Councilors," according to the August 7, 2005 edition of the The Japan Times.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:34 AM | Comments (0)

Thousands Marked 60th Anniversay of the Hiroshima A-bomb

The Japan Times says "Hiroshima marked the 60th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombings Saturday [August 6, 2005] with calls for more international grassroots activism to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and harsh criticism of the nuclear powers for blocking such efforts." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)

August 03, 2005

N. Korea Keeps Negotiators Waiting on 9th Day of Talks

Chosunilbo of South Korea reported August 3, 2005 that, "Initial high hopes gave way to frustration on the ninth day of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program on Wednesday [August 3, 2005], as the Stalinist country's delegation head failed to show for discussion of yet another draft statement of principles submitted by China overnight."

"The six chief negotiators were scheduled to meet at China's request at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for talks to decide on the statement, but North Korea failed to show," the publication said. "After waiting over two hours, the negotiators withdrew from the meeting venue, and as of 6:00 p.m. the parties had not reconvened." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:18 AM | Comments (0)

July 30, 2005

DEA Seizes Huge Drug Stash in Afghanistan

U.S. News.Com reports that, "For nearly two months, U.S. officials have kept mum about a massive new opium seizure in Afghanistan. In early June," the publication said,

"counternarcotics agents raided the offices of the governor of Helmand province, Sher Muhammad Akhundzada, and found a whopping 9 metric tons of opium--nearly 20,000 pounds, drug control officials tell U.S. News. The seizure is by far the largest since the Drug Enforcement Administration returned to Afghanistan in 2002, says a senior U.S. official, and raises troubling questions about the ability of the Afghan government to crack down.

Any close observer of Afghan affairs knows that President Hamid Karzai, our man in Kabul, can't crackdown on drug traffickers. They are better armed than he is. Wthout U.S. protection, he wouldn't last a day.

As for the U.S., it will continue to seize opium here-and-there, but it will be like using a teaspoon to empty an ocean. As long as there are millions of junkies in Europe and North America, poor opium farmers will view it as worth the risk to supply them. Here's more of the U.S. News report.

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Muslims At ASEAN Forum Complain About Profiling

"Foreign ministers at Asia's largest security dialogue spoke out on Friday [July 29, 2005] against tendencies to stereotype Muslims as possible terrorists, addressing growing concern among the groups Islamic members," according to Dawn of Pakistan.

The publication said in its Internet edition that, "Muslim nations at the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) in Vientiane, Lao, have complained that Muslims are being singled out in investigations into attacks and even at immigration checkpoints." Here's more.

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July 25, 2005

U.S., North Korean Negotiators Hold Rare One-on-one Meeting

Yu Yoshitake, staff writer at Asahi.com, reported July 26, 2005 that, "U.S. and North Korean negotiators huddled in a rare one-on-one meeting Monday [July 25, 2005] on the eve of six-party talks here [in Beijing] to end the standoff over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions." Here's more.

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Russia, Pakistan Want To Take Part In East Asia Summit In December

"Russia and Pakistan have expressed interest in taking part in the inaugural East Asia Summit being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December" 2005, according to Daily Times of Pakistan. Read more here.

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Opposition Falls Short In First Bid To Put Arroyo On Trial

Romie A. Evangelista and Christine F. Herrera of Manila Standard Today reported July 26, 2005 that, "Opposition lawmakers filed an impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday [July 25, 2005], accusing her of election fraud and corruption, but failed to garner the 79 votes needed to immediately send the case to the Senate for trial." Here's more.

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Inside PCIJ: Arroyo Offers Few Surpises In Address To The Nation

Sheila Coronel at Inside PCIJ: Stories behind our stories, "The institutional blog of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, provides a colorful and informative analysis of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's July 25, 2005 address to the nation against the backdrop of the process to impeach her, which got underway July 25, 2005.

"Looking triumphant after seven weeks of a crippling political crisis, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told Congress today [July 25, 2005] that the political system had become a hindrance to economic growth and that it needed to be changed," Ms. Coronel wrote, adding: "She proposed that Congress be convened as a constituent assembly to change the constitution and proposed a shift to a parliamentary and federal form of government. But she did not address the impeachment complaint filed in Congress today nor the allegations of wrongdoing that have plunged her government in crisis."

See "Much applause, few surprises" for more of Ms. Coronel's analysis.

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Can Philippines President Arroyo Survive Impeachment Process?

"The process to impeach" Gloria Macapagal Arroyo , the 14th President of The Philippines "began Monday [July 25, 2005] when the three complaints were formally presented to the House of Representatives," Max DeLeon and Maricel V. Cruz, reporters for The Manila Times, reported July 25, 2005.

The reporters said "Referred to the Committee on Justice at the opening of the second regular session of the 13th Congress were the original complaint filed by Oliver Lozano, the second complaint filed by Jose Lopez and the amendment to the Lozano complaint filed by the opposition, private lawyers and private groups."

"The majority leader, Prospero Nograles, made the motion to refer the complaints to the justice committee after Speaker Jose de Venecia, as promised, included them in the Houses order of business for the day."

See "Impeachment process gets off the ground" for more.

Also see "We Face Grave And Urgent Decisions," Jose de Venecia's opening statement to the House of Representatives.

Here is Philippines Senate President Franklin Drilon's commentary on the impeachment process.

Finally, here is a Reuters chronology of Key events in rule of Philippines' Arroyo

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July 17, 2005

Can China, Japan Settle Their Dispute Over Test Oil Drilling?

The Japan Times reported July 16, 2005 that, Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, Shoichi Nakagawa, said July 15, 2005 that "Japan and China should resolve a bilateral row over gas projects in the East China Sea through dialogue."

"His remarks followed protests by Beijing over Tokyo's decision to grant test-drilling rights in a disputed area to a Japanese oil company," the publication said, noting that Mr . Nakagawa told a news conference: "China recognized that it is in a dispute (with Japan) over the sea area. I want the country to sincerely discuss the matter."

For more, see "Minister eyes China talks as gas dispute boils over."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)

China Warns Japan Over Drilling In East China Sea

"Japan is muddying the waters of the East China Sea," contends China Daily in a July 16, 2005 opinion piece. "It is stamping on China's maritime rights by granting Japanese firm Teikoku Oil Co. the right to test drill for gas and oil in a part of the East China Sea disputed by the two countries."

China Daily said, "Japan's move could lead to confrontation with China." See "Japan's dangerous move in E.China Sea" for more on China's claim.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

July 11, 2005

Aquino Asks Arroyo To Step Down As Phillipines President

Philstar.Com reported in its July 12, 2005 edition that, "Former Philippines President Corazon Aquino reiterated yesterday her call for the current President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, "to resign, a day after the embattled leader got a reprieve from the influential Roman Catholic Church, which refused to join calls for her to step down."

"Aquino said Mrs. Arroyo should "make the supreme sacrifice" for the sake of the country and that all the alternatives would hurt the country," Philstar.com said. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)

July 09, 2005

Arroyo Backers Accuse Former Cabinet Officials Of Conspiracy

Former "Cabinet officials [in the Philippines] who asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down are part of a "conspiracy" to bring down her administration, two of their former colleagues said Saturday [July 9, 2005," reports Lira Dalangin-Fernandez of the Philippines' INQ7.net.

INQ7.net said "Arroyo's political spokesman Michael Defensor said he got information that these officials, led by former finance secretary Cesar Purisima, had talked to Vice President Noli de Castro in Hong Kong and told him of plans to ask Arroyo to resign and force De Castro to succeed her." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)

July 08, 2005

Can President Arroyo Survive Politically?

"A third of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Cabinet quit en masse Friday [July 8, 2005] and urged the Philippine leader to step down, saying she has been crippled by an election scandal and has lost the ability to lead," according to an Associated Press (AP) report in Mainichi Daily News of Japan.

Other publications around the world have similar reports.

The AP said, "It was the latest blow to Arroyo, who looked increasingly isolated amid accusations that she talked to an election official about ensuring a million-vote victory in last year's presidential vote." Here's more. Also see "Timeline of Arroyo presidential crisis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)

July 07, 2005

Ramos Calls For Constitutional Change In Phillipines

On July 7, 2005, former Philippines President Fidel Ramos "urged a swift revision of the Philippines' Constitution to pave the way for a parliamentary form of government and new elections as a way out of a crisis threatening Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration," according to the Phillipine's Sun.Star Network Online.

"It is a graceful exit option" for Ms. Arroyo, Mr. Ramos said, according to the publication. He told the Rotary Club of Manila:

My humble proposal is not for the president to resign, not for a snap election, not for a junta ... not for a military coup, not for an authoritative democracy, not for martial law, not for a communist takeover. Whether legal or illegal, constitutional or unconstitutional, none of these will serve us in the long run because they are bound to fail sooner or later.

Sun.Star Network Online noted that Ms. Arroyo "is facing growing calls for her resignation following her admission that she talked to an election official about ensuring a million-vote victory margin during the May 2004 ballot. She apologized for a "lapse in judgment," but denied influencing the outcome of the vote and dismissed opposition calls to step down," the publication said.

Ms. Arroyo has asked for the resignation of her entire cabinet.

See "Ex-president calls for swift constitutional change" for more.Also see "Catholic professors, Protestant group call for Arroyo's resignation."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:45 PM | Comments (0)

Next Three Weeks Crucial For Philppines President

"The next three weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether embattled President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo [of the Philippines] will stay in power longer or begin to lose her grip on the presidency," contends Bobby Tuazon in an article published at ABS-CBN Interactive, a news site in The Philippines.

He reported on July 7, 2005, that, "On July 25, the President will deliver her traditional state-of-the-nation address before Congress amid mounting calls for her to step down due to election fraud and alleged jueteng (numbers racket) connections during her vice presidency."

"Whatever happens," Mr. Tuazon added, "the fact remains that many Filipinos already foresee a post-Arroyo scenario and the only thing that is preventing that from happening is who or what - will replace her."

See "From political crisis to a revolutionary situation" for more analysis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)

June 08, 2005

The Hindu: 'Advani Read Up On Jinnah Before His Trip to Pakistan'

"When L.K. Advani endorsed Mohammad Ali Jinnah's secular credentials during his recent trip to Pakistan, was the Leader of the Opposition making an unrehearsed, off-the-cuff remark?" asks Anjali Dhal Samanta in the June 8, 2005 edition of The Hindu. "Or was he echoing the views of an Australian academic whose book on the founding father of Pakistan had been purchased by his office a few days before his visit?" See "Advani read up on Jinnah before his trip" for more.

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June 05, 2005

India, Pakistan And The All Parties Hurriyat Conference

The Daily Times of Pakistan reported in a June 5, 2005 editorial that, "The leaders of the moderate faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) currently visiting Pakistan have rejected claims by India and Pakistan that the ongoing normalization process is irreversible."

"They have contended that the process will become meaningful only if it takes into consideration the aspirations of the Kashmiris and only when a solution is not imposed on the Kashmiris, the major party to the dispute," the publication said. "In terms of the mechanism of such a dialogue, the APHC leaders insist, at the minimum, on triangular talks, if not a trilateral framework. (Incidentally, they refuse to consider the current process as a dialogue.) What should we make of this? See "APHC visit and the normalization process" for the Daily Times' answer.

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Pakistan Wants ‘Trilateral’ Talks On Kashmir

Seema Mustafa of The Asian Age notes that on June 4, 2005, Pakistan "made a strong pitch to involve the Kashmiris in a "trilateral" dialogue with India." She added:

Pakistan foreign minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri told this newspaper from Islamabad that the visit of the Kashmiri leaders was an extremely important step, and that it was imperative for them to be involved in the talks for a just and acceptable solution to the Kashmir issue.

He said, "We want both governments to agree to a trilateral dialogue, but as India is hesitant and still not prepared for that, as an interim measure let the Kashmiris talk to both Islamabad and New Delhi in turn The correspondent reported that, "Mr Kasuri said that the last was not the ideal option as his government's first preference was for a trilateral dialogue, but it was necessary to ensure that the Kashmiris were now included in the peace process so that "they can start discussing their future and help find a solution acceptable to all". Here's more.

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May 24, 2005

Japan, China Squabbling Over Cancelled Meeting

Japan Today reports in its May 25, 2005 issue that "Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday [May 24, 2005] brushed aside China's claim that the Japanese government's stance over war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo led to the sudden cancellation of a meeting between the premier and Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi.

"Both sides should have their say on this, not just China," Mr. Koizumi "told reporters at his office, referring to remarks by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing that the Yasukuni issue prompted Mr. Wu to cancel the May 23, 2005 meeting," according to Japan Today. Here's more.

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May 23, 2005

Is Pakistan Courting Southeast Asia?

Raakhee Suryaprakash, a "research intern, Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter," contends in a May 24, 2004 Asia Times Online article that,

The recent tour of Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to four Southeast Asian countries was a highly strategic move on the part of his government. Pakistan's ex-Wall Street banker premier has been working overtime, both as finance minister and prime minister, to resolve the nation's debt problems in the quest to stabilize its economy.

The writer said, "while Pakistan has very good, rich friends in the two global powers of today, the U.S. and China, other windows of opportunity are also being explored by the Pakistani administration." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Nambaryn Enkhbayar is Mongolia's President-Elect

Nambaryn Enkhbayar won the May 22, 2005 presidential elections in Mongolia, according to AsiaNews.It. The publication said Mr. Enkhbayar "polled 53,4% of the more 900,000 votes cast. He is competing against three other candidates. His main rival, Mendsaikhan Enkhsaikhan from the Democratic Party, polled 20%."

AsiaNews.It said, "Mr Enkhbayar, who was Mongolia's prime minister between 1990 and 1994, said on Monday [May 23, 2005] that Mr. Enkhsaikhan had called to congratulate him on his victory. "He suggested that we work together. I replied that I am really looking forward to working together with all the contenders," Mr Enkhbayar said. Here's more.

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May 20, 2005

Japan and the U.N. Security Council

Asahi.Com opined on May 20, 2005 that, of the G-4 nations-- Japan, Germany, India and Brazil--that "made public their draft framework resolution calling for the expansion of the U.N. Security Council," Japan appears "most eager to win a permanent seat. Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura summoned about 120 Japanese ambassadors from around the world to Tokyo and delivered a pep talk to urge them to secure votes," the paper said, adding:

The proper thing for Japan is to seek permanent membership with the backing of international society, particularly Asian countries. Actually, however, it is engineering to gather as many votes as possible while its relations with China and South Korea are strained. This shows Japan's poor diplomacy.

Asahi.Com acknowledged that, "Many hurdles remain for permanent membership." China, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, will have plenty to say about Japan obtaining a permanent seat on the Security Council. Here's more.

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May 15, 2005

Ex-Diplomat Warns of the 'Talibanization' of Central Asia

M. K. Bhadrakumar, described by Asia Times Online as "a former Indian career diplomat who has served in Islamabad, Kabul, Tashkent and Moscow, contends that:

Three successive waves of political Islam have swept over Central Asia during the 15-year period since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. They might seem dissimilar. But they have common elements - the most important being that they all had extra-regional profiles, even as they sought a habitation and name in the region. To the naked eye, they appear as interpolators on a civilization that was historically eclectic.

"They are the monstrous progenies of "foreign devils on the Silk Road" - of Central Asia's globalization," he wrote. Read more here.

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May 12, 2005

Reuters: Students in Kabul Chant 'Death to America'

Reuters reported May 12, 2005, that, "Several hundred students in the Afghan capital [Kabul] held a protest on Thursday May 12, 2005] to denounce the United States over a report that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay had desecrated the Qur'an."

"The students, chanting "Death to America", gathered in front of the Kabul University and marched towards the city center, a day after a similar protest in an eastern city degenerated into rioting and four people were killed and dozens wounded," the wire service said, adding: "Police watched the protest from a distance but made no attempt to block the students as they set off on their march, a witness said." Here's more.

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Karzai Puts a Spin on Protest in Afghanistan

President Hamid Karzai, the Bush Administration's caretaker in Afghanistan, was at North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on a three-day visit when protests in Jalalabad erupted on May 11, 2005.

The Daily Times of Pakistan reported May 12, 2005 that: "At least four people were killed and dozens injured in the eastern city in a protest involving clashes with police sparked by a report that U.S. soldiers were desecrating the Qur'an at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The U.S. State Department said late on Tuesday [May 9, 2005] that the Pentagon was investigating a report in the U.S.-based Newsweek magazine that interrogators in Guantanamo kept copies of the Qur'an in toilets to annoy prisoners."

The paper quotes Mr. Karzai as saying, "It also shows that Afghanistan's institutions, the police, the army, are not ready to handle protests and demos." The paper said Mr. Karzai said the fact that people were demonstrating in the streets indicated that Afghan society had evolved considerably since the Taliban was removed by a U.S.-led military coalition at the end of 2001.

"The event this morning showed two things: one, that Afghanistan is a democratic state and two, that Afghanistan as a democratic state is not yet ready with institutions to handle it," Mr. Karzai said.

Mr. Karzai frequently begs Western nations to make long-term economic and military commitments in Afghanistan. That's why he was in Brussels. Without the West propping him up, he most likely wouldn't last long since the private militia leaders in Afghanistan have a bigger military than he does. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 09, 2005

Will Hamid Harzai Go the Way of His Predecessors?

Reports out of Afghanistan say that President Hamid Karzai, the U.S.' man in Afghanistan, persuaded more than one-thousand elders and officials from across Afghanistan to meet with him and endorse a "strategic partnership" with the U.S., which includes allowing the U.S. to establish military bases on Afghan soil. As Xinhua says, "The pact could cement a long-term American military presence in Central Asia."

Bahlol Lohdi of Afghanistan, in a commentary in the PakTribune, notes that Mr. Karzai's predecessors, "Nur Mohammed Taraki, Hafizullah Amin, Babrak Karmal, Najibullah, Mullah Rabbani all called for the gathering of Afghan Notables, attended by the usual rent a crowd, as stratagems to achieve dubious objectives. They all failed.The fact that Karzai and his clique have resorted to the same chicanery clearly demonstrates the desperation permeating their ranks, as they face an uncertain future. It is to be noted that, apart from Mullah Rabbani (so far at least!), all the occupants of the Damned Palace in Kabul have met inglorious fates," the writer said. "One can only wonder whether the witless Karzai can survive the apparent curse."

Mr. Karzai favors ties with the U.S. because he does not trust his own people to protect his administration.Here's more.

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Can Turkey Become a Major Power Again?

Haruhiko Kuroda, the Chairman of the Asian Development Bank, said on May 8, 2005 that,"Turkey has a big potential in the Central Asia, thanks to its historical and cultural ties. If Turkey realizes this potential, it will become a big power," he said, according to Turks.U.S. Here's more.

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India Will Be Invited to Inaugural East Asia Summit

The Associated Press reported May 9, 2005 that, "India will definitely be invited to attend the inaugural East Asia Summit in December, but the participation of Australia and New Zealand remains conditional." Here more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The China- Japan Spat and U.S. Diplomacy in the Far East

Lawrence J. Korb and Peter Ogden, in an article that "originally appeared in the South China Morning Post on May 6, 2005," according to the Center for American Progress, contend that:

A new security dynamic has emerged in the Far East one in which an increasingly powerful China and a strong Japan must co-exist for the foreseeable future. Because of this," the argue, "the United States cannot afford to stand silently by as relations between these two nations deteriorate.

The writers said, "although it may be tempting to join the chorus of commentators who have dismissed the massive protests in China as simply the hypocritical posturing of a repressive communist country against its virtuous democratic neighbor, to do so would be dangerous for the United States." Read why.

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Indonesia Reportedly Will End Emergency Law in Aceh

Reuters reported May 9, 2005 that, "A civilian emergency law imposed on Indonesia's Aceh (province) last year to deal with a simmering rebellion will be lifted this month," Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, head of the tsunami-hit province's reconstruction agency said May 8, 2005. "The move could signal Indonesia's willingness to intensify efforts to strike a peace deal with rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) when a fourth round of peace talks is held in Helsinki from May 26-31, [2005]" Reuters reported. Here's more.

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May 08, 2005

Looking for Al-Qaeda Supporters in Pakistan's Army

Syed Saleem Shahzad, Asia Times Online's bureau chief in Pakistan, reported in a May 7, 2005 article that, "With the capture in Pakistan of Libyan Abu Faraj al-Libbi of al-Qaeda, wanted in connection with two assassination attempts against President General Pervez Musharraf in 2003, Pakistani authorities are stepping up investigations into al-Qaeda's investment in the Pakistan army. Information gleaned from well-connected military analysts suggests that army officials connected with the Afghan cell during the Taliban period in Afghanistan (1996-2001) are likely to be in the firing line," he said, adding, "action is expected soon against several serving and retired army personnel." Here's more.

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May 04, 2005

Vo Nguyen Giap on 'The American War and its HistoricLlesson

Viet Nam News has an article by General Vo Nguyen Giap, in which he says, "Years will go by, but the great victory of our people in the war against the US for our national salvation will forever be entered into the annals of our nation as one of the most brilliant feats of arms and one of the brightest manifestations of the ultimate victory of revolutionary heroism and human wisdom in world history; a great exploit of the 20th century and an event of international importance that profoundly defines our times. The general led Viet Minh guerrilla forces against the U.S. during the Vietnam War. Here is a long excerpt from General Giap's article.

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May 03, 2005

Indian Prime Minister to Monitor Trade Diplomacy

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [of India] has set up a new Trade and Economic Relations Committee (TERC) to coordinate economic and trade relations between India and other countries," according to Hindustan.Com. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 02, 2005

Writer Suggests Power Struggle May Be Behind Anti-Japan Protests

"Anti-Japan violence, statements and other developments in China suggest the recent political situation in Beijing has been less stable than outward appearances indicate and that a hidden power struggle may have occurred during the past few weeks of unrest," Bennett Richardson, a "Tokyo-based freelance journalist with a special interest in Japanese defense policy, politics and modern history," writes in the May 3, 2005 issue of Asia Times Online. Here's more.

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April 23, 2005

Japan Times: 'Koizumi Issues Rare War Apology'

"Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on April 22, 2005 expressed "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" for Japan's wartime wrongdoings," according to The Japan Times. "The gesture, while repeating the gist of what Japan said a decade ago, was apparently aimed at mending ties with Japan's Asian neighbors," the report said. Here's more.

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Hu Jintao Says He Wants Better Relations With Japan

"Chinese President Hu Jintao said he wanted better relations with Japan but also told Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during ice-breaking talks [in Indonesia] that Tokyo needed to reflect on its wartime past," according to an April 23, 2005 report in China Daily. "Speaking after the talks in Jakarta, Hu said differences between the two Asian powerhouses needed to be resolved through dialogue," the report says. "Japan also needed to meet its commitments not to support Taiwan independence, Hu added.

"Remorse expressed for the war of aggression should be translated into action," Hu told reporters after the meeting, held at the end of an Asian and African summit in Jakarta," China Daily added. Hu was also quoted as saying: "(Japan) should never do anything again that would hurt the feelings of the Chinese people or the people of other Asian countries."We hope both sides will make efforts so that Sino-Japanese relations can be on a healthy and stable development track." Here's more.

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China, Indonesia to Sign Comprehensive Agreement

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Chinese President Hu Jintao will sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement on April 25, 2005, Mari E. Pangestu, Indonesia's minister of trade, said on April 23, 2005, according to The Jakarta Post.
"For the first time, the signing of the agreement will be comprehensive, as it will cover various disciplines, including politics, security, socio-politics and investment," Mari told the press, The Post reported.

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April 21, 2005

Japan, China Both Are Losers in Diplomatic Game

Yoichi Funabashi, an Asahi Shimbun foreign affairs columnist, says, "The Japanese and Chinese governments should both be declared losers in the diplomatic game" currently underway between the two Asian economic giants. Here's his reason for saying so.

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April 18, 2005

Why India and Pakistan Delayed Communique on Leaders' Talks

The Daily Times of Pakistan: "The joint statement by India and Pakistan following talks between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 16 and 17 [2005] has been postponed until Monday morning [April 18, 2005] owing to last minute differences on the wording of the text." Here's more.

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Looking Back at Bandung Conference and Indonesia's Role in It

Amitav Acharya, deputy director and head of the Research at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore, notes in a Jakarta Post article that, "fifty years ago, the Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung represented the largest ever conclave to date of new states entering the post-war international system. What were its major implications for international and Asian regional order?" His answer can be found in "Bandung's 1955 Asia-Africa Conference and Indonesia."

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April 17, 2005

Keizo Nabeshima: Japan and China are Wasting Time

Keizo Nabeshima, former chief editorial writer for Kyodo News, who now writes on political and international affairs, noted in an April 18, 2005 article in The Japan Times that, "In December [2005], an East Asian summit will be held in Malaysia." He added:

Sino-Japanese partnership is crucial if regional cooperation is to advance. Now is the time for Japanese and Chinese leaders to begin strategic dialogue on issues that will be of mutual concern a decade from now. Japan and China greeted the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic normalization in 2002. They should be enjoying mature relations, but instead face serious trouble.

"In addition to the disputes over historical perceptions," the writer said, "China has begun efforts to exploit natural gas resources near the border of the Japanese and Chinese exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea." The Chinese have made a similar charge against Japan. Read more of Nabeshima's "Japan, China wasting time."

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Anti-Japan protests continue in China

Japan's Asahi Shimbum noted April 18, 2005 that, "For the third weekend in a row, China was swept by a wave of anti-Japan protests." Here's the Asahi report.

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April 16, 2005

A Look at China and Japan's 'Old Conflict' Over Oil & Gas

David W. Martin at Oil Politics International, which covers "issues of international politics as they relate to energy and oil," notes that "protests in China against Japan have intensified. Now a controversy about oil and gas in the East China Sea has been thrown into the mix," he wrote, adding: "While the oil and gas dispute is not new, it may be intensifying not because anything has actually changed, but because it is in Chinas interest to ratchet up anxiety over the issue." I found his analysis educational. Here's more.

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Japan's 'Altered Image' of an Economically Emerging China

Nakanishi Hiroshi, in an April 16, 2005, article in The New Nation of Bangladesh headlined Japan-China tie: An altered image, noted that:

In December last year, the Cabinet Office published the 2004 edition of the "Opinion Poll on Diplomacy." For more than a quarter of a century, this annual survey has been investigating the level of affinity that Japanese citizens have with other countries and how they see Japan's relations with these countries. Its findings serve not only as a barometer of Japanese views on other countries at a specific time but also as an indicator of longterm trends. It probes public feelings about the United States, Russia, China, South Korea, and other countries that have close ties with Japan.

While "The Japanese public has maintained its fairly stable views on the United States and Russia over the last twenty-five years..., on the other hand," Hiroshi wrote,

feelings about China and South Korea have changed dramatically over the past twenty-five years. The top highlight in the recent survey findings is a clear decline in the proportion of those feeling close to China : 58.2 percent did not find that China is friendly to Japan and only 37.6 percent did.

Current demonstrations in China against Japan and Japan's response supports the conclusion that the opinions the two nations have of each are worsening. But why? I think it's all about gas, oil and Japanese aggression against China during World War II. It's also about Japan's attempt to obtain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, which China, as one of the five permanent members with veto power, can and probably would veto. However, Thalif Deen, in an article at Asia Times Online headlined "Tussle over UN seats is a shadow play," disagrees with this conclusion.

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April 03, 2005

What is China's Global Strategy for Energy, Security, and Diplomacy?

Drew Thompson, Assistant Director at the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, notes in an article in The Journal of Turkish Weekly that, "Next month is the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, where Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and Indonesian President [Ahmad] Sukarno set out to carve a space for Asian and African countries based on principles of mutual interest, respect for national sovereignty and non-alignment with either the United States or the Soviet Union. In 1955, an economically and politically isolated China aspired to economic self-sufficiency through a closed, planned economy that was not dependent on imported food or other raw materials." Read more of "China's Global Strategy for Energy, Security, and Diplomacy."

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Hindustan Times Tells Readers 'US Wants India to Counter China

On April 1, 2005, the Hindustan Times, citing an article in The Christian Science Monitor, informed its readers that, "The US wants to have a strategic partnership with India to counter China." Here's more.

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March 22, 2005

North Korean Premier visits China

North Korean Premier Pak Pong-ju began a visit to China on March 22, 2005 "to study the economic miracle wrought by his country's giant neighbor," according to a report in China Daily.

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March 16, 2005

Why is Pakistan Cozying Up to Israel?

Syed Saleem Shahzad, writing in the March 17, 2005 edition of Asia Times Online, said, "in the changing world, where many Arab countries, as well as the Palestinian leadership, have adopted a more flexible policy toward Israel, decision-makers in Pakistan are developing a strategy to better relations with the Jewish state, though without compromising Islamabad's standing among Islamic countries." Read more here.

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March 10, 2005

Foreign Opinion About China's 'Anti-secession' Bill

Melody Chin reported in the March 10, 2005, issue of the Taipei Times that, "following the US' opposition to Beijing's call in its "anti-secession" bill for possible non-peaceful action directed at Taiwan, responses to the law from international foreign representative offices in Taipei were mixed..." Read more here.

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March 09, 2005

Malaysia, Indonesia in Diplomatic Row Over Ambalat

Wahyu Susilo of Jakarta Post.Com says "The diplomatic tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia have been escalating over a border dispute concerning the oil in the Ambalat block. It started nearly two weeks ago when Malaysia's state oil company Petronas claimed that the oil field in the Sulawesi Sea was its exploitation area, and proceeded to sell a concession to the multinational company, Shell," the publication said. Read more here.

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February 19, 2005

The 'Deal on Wheels' and India-Pakistan Relations?

Abbas Rashid, described by the Daily Times of Pakistan as "a freelance journalist and political analyst whose career has included editorial positions in various Pakistani newspapers, noted February 19, 2005, that:

The bus is about ready to roll between Muzaffarabad [Pakistan] and Srinagar [Kashmir]. The foreign ministers of Pakistan and India, Khurshid Kasuri and Natwar Singh, met in Islamabad on February 16, [2005] a little over a year after President Musharraf [of Pakistan] and former Prime Minister Vajpayee [of India] met in the same city on the sidelines of the last SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] summit, and formally announced the historic deal on wheels. It had been expected but then the proverbial last-minute glitch is never far from Pakistan-India negotiations.

Mr. Rashid added:

The atmospherics preceding the visit to Islamabad by the Indian foreign minister Nat war Singh had been less than upbeat. Given India’s refusal to stop work on the Baglihar Dam, Pakistan had decided to take the matter to the World Bank for resolution by a neutral expert even as India continued to insist that it could be resolved bilaterally. And, India had, at least for the time being, scuttled the SAARC summit by refusing to go to Dhaka, ostensibly in the light of the security situation there and events in neighbouring Nepal.

It was a relief then to finally have the two foreign ministers announce that the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service will be operational by April 7, 2005. India agreed to drop its insistence on passengers carrying passports for intra-Kashmir travel across the Line of Control (LoC). Other issues aside, removing the conditionality of passports will certainly enable many Kashmiris who do not possess one to travel across the LOC to visit families and friends on the basis of a travel permit to be issued by local authorities after due identification.

Here's more of Mr. Rashid's analysis of efforts to use a bus routes between India and Pakistan to improve relations.

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China: Sanctions and Pressure at Every Turn Complicates Problems

"When handling international relations, we propose not to use sanction and pressure at every turn, which usually complicate the situation instead of solving the problem," Kong Quan, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a regular press conference on February 17, 2005. He added:

We also stress on many occasions that the solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula can only be found through dialogue and negotiation, which is acceptable to all parties and in the interests of all parties. Any other choice does not help to solve the issue or maintain the peace and stability on the Peninsula, but only to complicate the issue.

He said "during his telephone talks with the U.S. State Secretary, the Russian Foreign Minister, the Japanese Foreign Minister and the ROK Foreign Minister respectively on February 12, 14 and 16, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing clarified China's position that China hoped all parties [concerned about North Korea's nuclear weapons program] to make joint efforts to ensure the early start of the Six-Party Talks by keeping self-restained and calm." Here is the transcript of Kong Quan's press conference as provided by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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February 18, 2005

Why Seoul and Washington Must Tend to Their Differences

Digital Chosunilbo of South Korea noted February 18, 2005 editorial that while "discussing South Korean aid to North Korea, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Christopher Hill, who heads the U.S. delegation to the six-party talks, said Friday [February 18, 2005] that while Korea and the U.S. didn't need to take the same action, they needed to take coordinated action." The publication also said, "Hill, who is likely the State Department's next under secretary in charge of East Asian and Pacific affairs, also said that even if the success of the six-party talks on Pyongyangs nuclear program was by no means assured, they would certainly consolidate the partnership between the other five participants." Here's more of the editorial.

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North Korea's U.N. Envoy Lists Conditions for Talks With U.S.

The North Korean paper Joong Ang daily reported February 18, 2005 that "North Korea's top diplomat said in a phone interview Thursday that Pyeongyang is willing to attend talks "in any form" over its nuclear arms program if the United States promises coexistence with the North and noninterference in its internal affairs, and if Pyeongyang can expect the talks to have "substantial outcomes in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and renouncing hostile U.S. policy."

The paper said "in an exclusive interview with the Joong-Ang Ilbo on Thursday (February 17, 2005, Washington time), Han Song-ryol, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, made it clear that he was stating the official position of the North's Foreign Ministry." Here's more.

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December 31, 2004

South Asia Leaders to Hold Summit on Aid and Restructuring

Zaman Daily Online reports that Indonesia Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda has announced that the presidents and representatives from 10 members of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation will meet January 6, 2005 in Indonesia. They will discuss regional needs and restructuring following the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami that struck South Asia and Africa. They were scheduled to hold their 13th Summit in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 9-11, 2005. It was postponed because four members were hit hard by the disaster, which has taken more than 125,000 lives.

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