18 Jul 91
FE/1127 A3/6
12th Division of the 3rd Army Corps of the South Korean puppet army, rejected his shameful puppet army life and today defected to the northern half of the republic across the Military Demarcation Line on the eastern front... He said he was determined to defect to the northern half of the republic and resolutely reject the sickening puppet army life with its forced laborious duties and harsh discipline. He said he finds it difficult to contain his joy over the realization of his wishes and dream of nestling in the bosom of the socialist fatherland... (Central Broadcasting Station, Pyongyang home service 1300 gmt 16 Jul 91)
SOUTH-EAST ASIA
[13]
US bases in Philippines: repair being discussed and agreement hoped for (Text) Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus said both sides are now discussing repair, including the possibility that the USA may leave Clark. Manglapus stated there is a great hope that an agreement will be reached and stressed that it is too early to say that Washington will abandon the facility. Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary denied saying that the Philippines and the USA could reach an agreement within the next 48 hours. He also denied telling reporters that the USA must put Clark in order before it totally turns its back on the Philippines. He stated that his departure for Kuala Lumpur this week is not the deadline for reaching an agreement on the military bases. (Radyo ng Bayan, Quezon City, in Tagalog 1000 gmt 16 Jul 91)
[14]
Philippines senators find US bases offer unacceptable According to Senate President Jovito Salonga the new compensation offer by the USA on its continued use of Subic naval base is not acceptable to many senators. Salonga said that it only made the senators disagree more on the said position of the Americans, who even reduced from 360 million to 203 million US dollars the rental payment for the use of Subic. Any agreement signed by both panels must have the approval of the Senate before it can be put into effect. Salonga mentioned that the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Raul Manglapus, had assured them that he will not sign any agreement unless a copy of the proposed agreement is submitted to the Senate. (Radyo ng Bayan, Quezon City, in Tagalog 0605 gmt 17 Jul 91)
[15] Taiwan claims sovereignty over Spratlys
(Text) The Republic of China government [on] Tuesday [16th July] reiterated its territorial claim over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, saying its sovereignty over the islets was undeniable. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The Spratly Islands, like the Paracel Islands, the Macclesfield Bank and the Pratas Islands, is part of the traditional territories of the Republic of China." Its sovereignty undoubtedly belongs to the Republic of China, he said. This cannot be denied, "whether in theory and law, historically, geographically, and in reality”.
"No country or countries or civilian group or groups can claim or occupy these islands for any reason whatsoever,” the
spokesman said. The statement came as representatives from countries around the South China Sea are meeting in Bandung, Indonesia, in the "workshop on managing potential conflicts in the South China Sea". The meeting, called by Jakarta, opened [on] Monday and will end [on] Wednesday. "The South China Sea is a body of water under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China," the spokesman noted. "The Republic of China has all rights and privileges in the South China Sea. Any activities in the South China Sea must acquire the approval of the government of the Republic of China.”
He emphasized that the Republic of China's sovereignty, including rights and privileges, over the Spratly Islands cannot be altered by any resolutions or claims made by the Bandung workshop. (Central News Agency, Taipei, in English 1526 gmt 16 Jul 91)
[16]
The first Singapore ambassador to China is Cheng Tong Fatt, who presented his credentials to President Yang Shangkun on 16th July. (Xinhua News Agency, Peking, in English 1246 gmt 16 Jul 91)
[17]
Thai military leader in China Gen Xu Xin, Deputy CGS of the Chinese PLA, met Gen Suchinda Khraprayun, C- in-C of the Thai Royal Army, in Peking on 16th July. (Xinhua News Agency, Peking, in English 1459 gmt 16 Jul 91)
OTHER REPORTS
[18]
Japanese Home Minister in China: Kaifu's planned visit discussed (FE/1126 A3/5 [23] - Excerpts) Chinese Premier Li Peng said today [16th July] that although some parts of China are plagued by serious flooding at present, with the help of the rest of the nation the people in these regions are fully confident of conquering the disaster and overcoming any associated difficulties. Li made the remark during a meeting with Japanese Home Affairs Minister Akira Fukida and his party here [Peking] this afternoon. Sources from the Foreign Ministry said that Li thanked the Japanese government and people for their sympathy and donations...
The Japanese minister conveyed the greetings of Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu to Li Peng, and told Li that prior to his present China tour he had met with Kaifu, who is looking forward to his China visit scheduled for August. Li said that he, too, is looking forward to Kaifu's visit, and expressed his belief that the upcoming visit would play an important role in enhancing friendly Sino-Japanese relations and cooperation... (Xinhua News Agency, Peking, in English 1422 gmt 16 Jul 91)
China
[19]
comments on Macao basic law draft (Excerptsfrom commentator's article) The seventh plenary session of the drafting committee for the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region passed and promulgated the (Draft) Basic Law of the Macao SAR for Solicitation of Opinions to solicit views extensively from all sectors. This symbolizes that the drafting of the Basic Law of
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