SWB
FE/1068 i
3. THE FAR EAST
Ms
@
10 May 91
Philippines Foreign Minister says further talks on US bases possible (FE/1066 i [1]) Raul Manglapus said on 9th May that the Philippines had rejected a US government proposal for a new military bases agreement which would allow the two sides to extend the lease by mutual consent after seven years, AFP reported. "The Philippine position is a possible extension of access which will have to be a unilateral action and not a bilateral decision,” he said.
According to Kyodo News Agency on the same day, Manglapus said there is no reason for the Philippines to break off the bases talks with the USA, adding that a new round of negotiations is still possible. "The talks are still going on," Manglapus said, adding that delays in the meetings and exchanges of harsh words were “not unusual developments in negotiations". He also said that, even if no treaty is concluded, US troops could stay in the country past the expiry of the current lease on 16th September "as long as there is a friendly withdrawal arrangement", the agency said. [1]
Taiwan lifts martial law but reimposes curfew on islands (FE/1061 i [2]) Taiwan's Executive Yuan on 7th May abolished the "experimental provisions on combat-zone political affairs”, for Kinmen and Matsu, thus lifting the temporary martial law there; however, a curfew was reimposed on the islands, Central Broadcasting System, Taipei, reported. The radio also reported that a major programme of expansion and refurbishment of airfields on the islands was to be started.
[2]
The Chinese
China and India to hold border talks and Indian governments have agreed that the third round of Sino-Indian border talks will begin in Peking on 12th May at vice-ministerial level, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on 9th May, according to Xinhua News Agency. [3]
China hopes for early agreement with Britain on Hong Kong airport China hopes to reach an early agreement with Britain on a new Hong Kong airport to enable the airport to be built as soon as possible, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said at the press conference on the 9th, according to Xinhua News Agency. [4]
Asa Sarasin will
Thai Foreign Minister to visit China visit China from 13th to 15th May, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman also announced at the press conference on the 9th, Xinhua News Agency reported. [5]
Italian Foreign Minister to visit China Gianni de Michelis will pay an official visit to China from 19th to 22nd May, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman also announced at the press conference, Xinhua News Agency reported. [6]
Senior Chinese trade official to visit South Korea Zheng Hongye, chairman of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, will visit Seoul on 22nd May to enhance trade and other forms of economic cooperation between the two countries, sources at the Korea Trade Promotion Corp said on 9th May, Xinhua News Agency
reported. Zheng will be the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit South Korea. [7]
Bulgarian Foreign Minister to visit South Korea Viktor Vulkov is to visit Seoul on 16th May for three days, Yonhap News Agency reported on 9th May. [8]
Thousands reported homeless as cyclone hits Papua New Guinea Rossel Island in eastern Papua New Guinea was cut off from Port Moresby as thousands were reported homeless when a cyclone struck the islands on 9th May, Radio Australia reported. [9]
INDEX
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14 MAY 1991