13 Apr 89
FE/0433 A3/4
conference held a few hours after his arrival here [Tokyo], M riticised the government of President No Tae-u for characterising his trip that way, and called for broad participation and co-operation by the government, the National Assembly and the public to promote a dialogue between the two Koreas. The 70-year-old clergyman said he believed all three parties could speak for each other if a negotiation by one side should fail. For this reason, he said, he thinks he has paved a way for public talks. Mun said he was very surprised to see extensive news coverage of his visit. He said he considered promotion of active public discussion of reunification to be one of the achievements of his Pyongyang visit...
Mun said there are vast differences between the two Koreas regarding the Pyongyang-proposed concept of a Koryo confederated state as a possible system for reunification. Mun proposed a state comprising many autonomous bodies based on provinces throughout the Korean peninsula, because to have a variety of governing bodies was the most basic factor of democracy, he said. Kim Il-sung was calling for the formation of a confederated state based on two regional autonomous bodies, meaning one in the North and the other in the South. Mun believed Kim understands that the North needs to modify its policies to ensure freedom while the South must strive to realise equality for everyone. Mun said he did not directly tell Kim about the necessity of readjustment in the North... (Kyodo in English 1436 gmt 5 Apr 89)
North Korea and China sign development co- The DPRK and China signed an operation agreement agreement in Pyongyang on 5th April on setting up a co- operation committee to promote economic, trade, scientific and technological development between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Kim Tal-hyon, chairman of the External Economic Committee of the DPRK and Qi Yuanjing, Minister of Metallurgical Industry of the PRC and head of the visiting Chinese delegation. (Xinhua in English 1218 gmt 5 Apr 89)
The Chinese government delgation headed by Qi Yuanjing has concluded its eight-day Korean visit. The delegation visited Mangyongdae and inspected Chongchun Street, the construction sites of Kwangbok Street and the Nungnado stadium, the tower of the Chuche idea, the West Sea barrage and the Hwanghae iron and steel complex (KCNA in English 1552 gmt 7 Apr 89)
South Korean and Chinese universities conclude academic exchange agreement Kwangun University in Seoul and Liaoning University in Shenyang have reached agreement on co-operation for academic and cultural exchanges. The areas of co-operation will cover joint cultural research work and specific programmes agreed by mutual consent. Seven faculty members from Kwangun will visit Liaoning University in August and the student exchange programme will go into full swing from next year. (Yonhap in English 1239 gmt 10 Apr 89)
SWB
THAI DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IN BURMA
OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN ELECTIONS
(a) Abstract of reports
A Thai delegation led by Mr Praphat Limpaphan, Deputy Minister of the Thai Foreign Ministry, arrived in Rangoon on 11th April on a three-day visit to Burma. He had meetings with Rear Adm Maung Khin, Minister of Energy and Mines, and Maj-Gen Chit Swe, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Livestock Breeding and Fisheries (Rangoon home service 1330 gmt 11 Apr 89). They discussed co-operation in fishing, logging and energy, and also held talks on a future plan to develop the basins of three border rivers in the south and north (Bangkon, ‘The Nation' in English 12 Apr 89).
(b) Rangoon home service 1330 gmt 11 Apr 89
Excerpts from report
A Thai delegation headed by Mr Praphat Limpaphan, Thai Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and accompanied by Mr Thongchan Chotikasathian, Thai ambassador and dean of the diplomatic corps in Burma, visited the office of the Commission for Holding Multi-party Democratic General Elections at No 94, Natmauk Road, Bahan township, Rangoon, at 1600 [local time] on 11th April, and held talks with U Ba Htay, Commission Chairman, and members U Saw Kyar Doe, U San Maung, Saya Chai and U Kyaw Nyunt. Also present at the meeting were U Aaye Maung, Secretary of the Commission, and U Nyunt Swe, Burmese ambassador to Thailand.
The Thai Deputy Minister said that Thailand, being a close friend of Burma, is prepared to provide assistance, if needed, for the elections in Burma. The offer for assistance, however, is not an exercise to interfere in the internal affairs of Burma, he said. The Commission Chairman and members expressed their gratitude and happiness for the assistance offered on behalf of the Thai government by the Thai Deputy Foreign Minister. The offer of assistance can be referred to our government, they said... Later, the commission chairman and members exchanged views with the Thai Deputy Foreign Minister in a frank and friendly manner.
[Note: The Bangkok paper The Nation' (in English 12 Apr 89) reported that Thailand is to send copies of its electoral and political party laws to Burma for the Elections Commission to study, and has offered to send a senior official of the Interior Ministry to Rangoon to advise on organising the elections.]
Taiwan
OTHER REPORTS
and PRC standardisation team industry on both sides of the Taiwan Straits have agreed to organise a "work team for standardising Chinese information." The team is to look into the development of information processing in Chinese characters and the standardisation of technology within international standards. The team will set up a contact point in Hongkong to facilitate its work. The mainland and Taiwan experts conducted extensive and
set
up joint computer People engaged in the computer