12 Feb 88
FE/0073 A3/6
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a telephone message to the South Korean Red Cross President, Kim Sang- hyop, on 9th February. The message reads:
On 14th January, I, on authorisation, requested you to correctly hand over to those concerned the 13th January letter of the joint meeting of the DPRK Central People's Committee, Administration Council, political parties and social organisations addressed to the authority, political parties, social organisations and personages of all standings of your side. Over 20 days have passed since then. However, we have received no reply from the persons concerned of your side. Asked to confirm the receipt of the 13th January letter, I would like to request you to promptly inform us of it. (KCNA in English 0419 gmt 9 Feb 88)
No Tae-u meets Nakasone in Seoul Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone met South Korean President-elect No Tae-u on 11th February in Seoul and pledged his full support for a terrorism-free Seoul Olympics this year. The two governments are to inaugurate a working- level liaison council to discuss the prevention of terrorist acts this month after the Nakasone-No meeting. The council is being set up in the wake of North Korea's alleged bombing of a KAL plane last November.
No told Nakasone that his administration would continue dialogue with North Korea in spite of the alleged North Korean destruction of the KAL plane.
Nakasone said he offered his service to No in improving relations between South Korea and China. (Kyodo in English 0457 gmt 11 Feb 88)
Rallies in North Korea to condemn Team Spirit Mass rallies to denounce the Team Spirit-88 joint military exercise of the US imperialists and the South Korean puppet clique and their nuclear war manoeuvres were held on 4th February in Chongjin and Sinuiju. Cho Se-ung, alternate member of the KWP Political Bureau, Responsible Secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial KWP Committee, and Chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee, and (?Kim Song-tuk), Secretary of the North Pyongan Provincial KWP Committee, were among the provincial leaders present in Chongjin and Sinuiju, respectively. (Pyongyang home service 2300 gmt 4 Feb 88)
China-North Korea meeting on border navigation The 27th meeting of the Sino-DPRK co- operative committee for boundary river navigation opened in Shenyang on 26th January. The Korean side is led by Yi Nam- chong. ('Liaoning Ribao' 27 Jan 88)
North Korean youth leader in China On 9th February in Peking, Huang Hua, Vice-Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, met a delegation from the League of Socialist Working Youth of Korea led by Kim Ching-pom, vice-chairman of the League's central committee. (Xinhua in English 1048 gmt 9 Feb 88)
SOUTH ASIA
SWB
Chinese
China rejects Indian "occupation of territory" (Text) China will never recognize the illegal "McMahon line" and the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" and will never accept the occupation of Chinese territory by India. The Chinese government has solemnly stated this on many occasions, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman at a news briefing here this afternoon [Peking, 10th February].
When asked to comment on the case that not long ago an Indian leader went to "Arunachal state" and called it the easternmost frontier territory and strategic frontier state of India, the spokeswoman said that "the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' has been established bascially on the Chinese territory illegally occupied by India in the eastern sector of the Sino-Indian boundary.” “Calling Chinese territory India's 'frontier territory' contradicts the historical facts and is deterimental to a settlement of the Sino-Indian boundary issue," she said.
When asked to comment on a public speech in which the director of the Indian Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis claimed that China constituted the “major threat" to India, the spokeswoman said, “China has always pursued an independent foreign policy of peace and we sincerely hope to live in harmony and friendship with neighbouring countries." "The allegation about the so-called threat posed by China to India is totally groundless and is detrimental to the improvement of relations between the two countries,” she said. (Xinhua in English 0921 gmt 10 Feb 88)
India rules out compromise on Siachen glacier (Excerpt) The Prime Minister has ruled out any compromise on India's stand on the Siachen glacier area of Ladakh. Mr Rajiv Gandhi made it clear that the area is part of our country. India's position on the issue is absolutely clear. He also said that pressures are mounting on our northern borders but our forces are strong enough to meet any challenge. The Prime Minister was speaking to newsmen [as received] today [9th February] after dedicating to the nation the Salal hydro- electric project on the river Chenab ... (New Delhi home service in English 1530 gmt 9 Feb 88)
India reiterates stand on Sri Lanka; refugees returning (Excerpt) The Prime Minister has made it clear that the Peace-Keeping Force will continue to disarm the LTTE until it lays downs arms and agrees to support the India- Sri Lankan agreement. Mr Rajiv Gandhi was addressing the parliamentary consultative committee of the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi yesterday [10th February]. The Minister of State, Mr. Natwar Singh, told the members that the doors for talks with the LTTE are open but the discussions can only take place within the framework of the India-Sri Lankan agreement. About the provincial council elections, he expressed the confidence that there would be a conducive atmosphere for holding the polls. Mr Natwar Singh said 7,700 refugees have already left India for home. Another batch is leaving today... (New Delhi home service in English 0240 gmt 11 Feb 88)
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