Sunday, 28 November 2010
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Bangkok Post regarding Korea
N.Korea stages artillery drill, warns of war
Published: 26/11/2010 at 04:00 PM
Online news: World
North Korea staged an artillery firing drill on Friday near the South Korean border and warned that planned US-South Korean naval exercises at the weekend would bring the peninsula closer to war.
A South Korean Marine displays rocket casings left after shells were fired by North Korea at a S.Korean island on November 23. North Korea staged an artillery firing drill on Friday near the South Korean border and warned that planned US-South Korean naval exercises at the weekend would bring the peninsula closer to war.
The shelling sent residents of Yeonpyeong island, targeted in a deadly North Korean bombardment on Tuesday, scrambling for air raid shelters, but Seoul said it appeared to be an exercise and that no shells landed on its territory.
The latest incident came as Seoul grappled with the domestic political fallout of Tuesday's attack after the defence minister resigned over criticism that the South's response to the bombardment had been too weak.
A defence ministry spokesman told AFP explosions were heard several times between noon and 3 pm (0300-0600 GMT) and appeared to have come from the North.
"We assume North Korea carried out firing exercises," he said.
A military source quoted by YTN television said there were about 20 shells which apparently landed on the North's side.
A YTN correspondent on Yeonpyeong island, which was hit by the bombardment Tuesday, said those residents who have not already fled for the mainland were rushing to air raid shelters.
Tuesday's shelling killed four people, injured 18 and set some 20 buildings and forests ablaze.
A US aircraft carrier battle group was heading for the Yellow Sea for the four-day drill starting Sunday, a show of force designed to deter the North after Tuesday's strike rang alarm bells worldwide.
The North, unrepentant over its earlier barrage, criticised "the US imperialists and south Korean puppet war-like forces" for what it called an exercise in "sabre-rattling".
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those trigger-happy elements to stage again the war exercises targeted against the (North)," its official news agency said.
Pyongyang has used such language frequently in the past. It was unclear whether it would take any measures to try to disrupt the drill -- which has also been criticised by the North's sole major ally China.
The US military says the exercise is defensive and planned well before the North's "unprovoked artillery attack" but it demonstrates the US "commitment to regional stability through deterrence".
The North has said its firing Tuesday was retaliation, after South Korea had fired shells into its waters during an exercise. But South Korea expressed outrage at the first bombardment of its civilian areas since the 1950-53 war.
However its response to the attack was widely criticised as too soft and Defence Minister Kim Tae-Young resigned Thursday. The presidency said it was still screening candidates to replace Kim.
The South fired 80 shells at the North's coastal artillery positions Tuesday in response to the barrage, but says it did not call in air strikes to avoid escalating the situation.
Seoul military officials said that their firing had started fires and caved in trenches in the North. "We suspect the North also sustained considerable damage," one official said.
The South plans to send more troops and guns to five frontline islands and also said it would change the rules of engagement to let its military hit back harder in case of future attacks.
The North, in another statement Friday, vowed to stage such attacks if there is any further "provocation" by the South.
Accusing the South of confrontational tactics, it said the North is "getting fully ready to give a shower of dreadful fire and blow up the bulwark of the enemies if they dare to encroach again upon the (North's) dignity and sovereignty even in the least".
South Korea, the United States, Australia and other nations have pressed China -- the North's economic lifeline -- to rein in its unruly neighbour.
China has criticised plans for the US-South Korean war games but has failed to join international condemnation of the North's bombardment.
Parts of Yeonpyeong island resembled a war zone Friday, an AFP correspondent reported. Stray dogs in the streets begged for food after their owners joined an exodus of hundreds of villagers to the mainland.
Charred ruined buildings could be seen along streets littered with glass and household items and draped with loose power lines. A liquor store displayed hundreds of shattered bottles.
Some residents fled the island for fear of more shelling from the North when the joint naval exercise starts, said policeman Kang Sang-Beom.
"My mission is to prevent possible looting as the village is virtually deserted," Kang said. "We are also looking for any more dead."
World powers are struggling to draw up a response to the latest actions by a regime that has in recent years staged two nuclear tests and fired long-range missiles.
It is also accused of sinking a South Korean warship in March with the loss of 46 lives, a charge it denies.
Many observers believe the attack was meant to highlight the military credentials of heir apparent Kim Jong-Un, youngest son of leader Kim Jong-Il.
Published: 26/11/2010 at 04:00 PM
Online news: World
North Korea staged an artillery firing drill on Friday near the South Korean border and warned that planned US-South Korean naval exercises at the weekend would bring the peninsula closer to war.
A South Korean Marine displays rocket casings left after shells were fired by North Korea at a S.Korean island on November 23. North Korea staged an artillery firing drill on Friday near the South Korean border and warned that planned US-South Korean naval exercises at the weekend would bring the peninsula closer to war.
The shelling sent residents of Yeonpyeong island, targeted in a deadly North Korean bombardment on Tuesday, scrambling for air raid shelters, but Seoul said it appeared to be an exercise and that no shells landed on its territory.
The latest incident came as Seoul grappled with the domestic political fallout of Tuesday's attack after the defence minister resigned over criticism that the South's response to the bombardment had been too weak.
A defence ministry spokesman told AFP explosions were heard several times between noon and 3 pm (0300-0600 GMT) and appeared to have come from the North.
"We assume North Korea carried out firing exercises," he said.
A military source quoted by YTN television said there were about 20 shells which apparently landed on the North's side.
A YTN correspondent on Yeonpyeong island, which was hit by the bombardment Tuesday, said those residents who have not already fled for the mainland were rushing to air raid shelters.
Tuesday's shelling killed four people, injured 18 and set some 20 buildings and forests ablaze.
A US aircraft carrier battle group was heading for the Yellow Sea for the four-day drill starting Sunday, a show of force designed to deter the North after Tuesday's strike rang alarm bells worldwide.
The North, unrepentant over its earlier barrage, criticised "the US imperialists and south Korean puppet war-like forces" for what it called an exercise in "sabre-rattling".
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those trigger-happy elements to stage again the war exercises targeted against the (North)," its official news agency said.
Pyongyang has used such language frequently in the past. It was unclear whether it would take any measures to try to disrupt the drill -- which has also been criticised by the North's sole major ally China.
The US military says the exercise is defensive and planned well before the North's "unprovoked artillery attack" but it demonstrates the US "commitment to regional stability through deterrence".
The North has said its firing Tuesday was retaliation, after South Korea had fired shells into its waters during an exercise. But South Korea expressed outrage at the first bombardment of its civilian areas since the 1950-53 war.
However its response to the attack was widely criticised as too soft and Defence Minister Kim Tae-Young resigned Thursday. The presidency said it was still screening candidates to replace Kim.
The South fired 80 shells at the North's coastal artillery positions Tuesday in response to the barrage, but says it did not call in air strikes to avoid escalating the situation.
Seoul military officials said that their firing had started fires and caved in trenches in the North. "We suspect the North also sustained considerable damage," one official said.
The South plans to send more troops and guns to five frontline islands and also said it would change the rules of engagement to let its military hit back harder in case of future attacks.
The North, in another statement Friday, vowed to stage such attacks if there is any further "provocation" by the South.
Accusing the South of confrontational tactics, it said the North is "getting fully ready to give a shower of dreadful fire and blow up the bulwark of the enemies if they dare to encroach again upon the (North's) dignity and sovereignty even in the least".
South Korea, the United States, Australia and other nations have pressed China -- the North's economic lifeline -- to rein in its unruly neighbour.
China has criticised plans for the US-South Korean war games but has failed to join international condemnation of the North's bombardment.
Parts of Yeonpyeong island resembled a war zone Friday, an AFP correspondent reported. Stray dogs in the streets begged for food after their owners joined an exodus of hundreds of villagers to the mainland.
Charred ruined buildings could be seen along streets littered with glass and household items and draped with loose power lines. A liquor store displayed hundreds of shattered bottles.
Some residents fled the island for fear of more shelling from the North when the joint naval exercise starts, said policeman Kang Sang-Beom.
"My mission is to prevent possible looting as the village is virtually deserted," Kang said. "We are also looking for any more dead."
World powers are struggling to draw up a response to the latest actions by a regime that has in recent years staged two nuclear tests and fired long-range missiles.
It is also accused of sinking a South Korean warship in March with the loss of 46 lives, a charge it denies.
Many observers believe the attack was meant to highlight the military credentials of heir apparent Kim Jong-Un, youngest son of leader Kim Jong-Il.
Chinese FM talks with DPRK, ROK, U.S. diplomats on Korean Peninsular situation
English.news.cn 2010-11-26 22:00:26 FeedbackPrintRSS
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Chi Jae Ryong, Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to China, and held phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and ROK Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan on Friday.
They exchanged views on issues including the situation of the Korean Peninsula, according to a statement released Friday night by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Yang said China gives utmost attention to the exchange of fire between the DPRK and the ROK which happened days ago, and is very concerned about the development of the situation.
The DPRK and the ROK should exercise calm and restraint, engage in contacts as soon as possible, and solve problems through negotiations and dialogue, Yang said.
"The pressing task now is to put the situation under control and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents," he said.
Parties related should actively work for peace and facilitate talks, jointly safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula while adopting responsible attitudes, Yang said.
Parties involved should work together for an early restart of the six-party talks, and push forward denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula, Yang said.
The DPRK, the ROK and the U.S. sides elaborated on their views on the current situation, and expressed the importance they attached to China's stance and their willingness to maintain contacts with the Chinese side.
The ROK and the DPRK exchanged artillery fire Tuesday in waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, leaving four people dead.
China on Friday also voiced its opposition to any military acts in its exclusive economic zone without permission, days before a joint military exercise between United States and ROK on the Yellow Sea.
"We hold a consistent and clear-cut stance on the issue. We oppose any party to take any military acts in our exclusive economic zone without permission," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement Friday.
Editor: Deng Shasha
BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Chi Jae Ryong, Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to China, and held phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and ROK Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan on Friday.
They exchanged views on issues including the situation of the Korean Peninsula, according to a statement released Friday night by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Yang said China gives utmost attention to the exchange of fire between the DPRK and the ROK which happened days ago, and is very concerned about the development of the situation.
The DPRK and the ROK should exercise calm and restraint, engage in contacts as soon as possible, and solve problems through negotiations and dialogue, Yang said.
"The pressing task now is to put the situation under control and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents," he said.
Parties related should actively work for peace and facilitate talks, jointly safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula while adopting responsible attitudes, Yang said.
Parties involved should work together for an early restart of the six-party talks, and push forward denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula, Yang said.
The DPRK, the ROK and the U.S. sides elaborated on their views on the current situation, and expressed the importance they attached to China's stance and their willingness to maintain contacts with the Chinese side.
The ROK and the DPRK exchanged artillery fire Tuesday in waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, leaving four people dead.
China on Friday also voiced its opposition to any military acts in its exclusive economic zone without permission, days before a joint military exercise between United States and ROK on the Yellow Sea.
"We hold a consistent and clear-cut stance on the issue. We oppose any party to take any military acts in our exclusive economic zone without permission," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement Friday.
Editor: Deng Shasha
Friday, 26 November 2010
The problem with Myanmar and the problem with Aung Saan Suu Kyi
For many years economic sanctions have been applied to Myanmar due to the presence of the Military Junta...which is not a government per se, just some individuals who make a lot of profit, don't manage or govern etc except through military threat and the usual methodologies.
Whilst UN sanctions have been appplied, Myanmar still exports huge stocks of oil and gas, timber and rubies every day to neighbouring countries. The oil and gas is bought 'under the counter' at very very low prices...the world oil-gas price 25 years ago. Very cheap energy on a massive scale. This oil and gas totally fuels quite a few SE Asian countries...their road transport, taxis, buses, etc and their mechanised farming, distribution etc as well as highly mechanised motor vehicle production plants, ship building concerns, high-rise development, school building, fuel for huge fishing fleets etc.
One of these countries is the world's largest rice exporter. What the sanctions, in effect, do is to provide a few countries with very very cheap oil and gas which keeps the production, distribution and export cost of rice, vegetables, fish, meat etc at a low price. These countries also produce cars for the world market: Toyotas and Hondas and most other brands.If the world rice price goes up, millions suffer...malnutrition and starvation, and the unit cost price of cars across the world goes up.
If Aung Saan Sui Kyi came to power leading a democratic government and all sanctions were removed, Myanmar could sell its products at world-parity prices and the world rice price would skyrocket and many millions would suffer. The SE Asian economies, many of them leading-light democracies, would dive as would the world economy, per se. Who on earth will pay quite a few highly-peopled nations massive ongoing compensation to enable Myanmar to be free? 50 million Myanmar folk benefit at the cost of 65 million Thais? How many Laotians? Cambodians? Chinese? Vietnamese? Malaysians? Pakistanis?
The probably well-intentioned sanctions make it in the neighbours' best interests that the military Junta continues in power in Myanmar. It also provides ongoing opportunity for neighbour states to bully the Junta to get the best prices possible.This is why the Junta can easily afford to free Aung Saan Sui Kyi now without any worry at all. She has been made powerless, in fact, by the very sanctions put in place to pressure the Junta to empower her. She doesn't matter anymore. It's business as usual. Business is business and South East Asia, as well as we in the West, depend upon this staus quo.
Whilst UN sanctions have been appplied, Myanmar still exports huge stocks of oil and gas, timber and rubies every day to neighbouring countries. The oil and gas is bought 'under the counter' at very very low prices...the world oil-gas price 25 years ago. Very cheap energy on a massive scale. This oil and gas totally fuels quite a few SE Asian countries...their road transport, taxis, buses, etc and their mechanised farming, distribution etc as well as highly mechanised motor vehicle production plants, ship building concerns, high-rise development, school building, fuel for huge fishing fleets etc.
One of these countries is the world's largest rice exporter. What the sanctions, in effect, do is to provide a few countries with very very cheap oil and gas which keeps the production, distribution and export cost of rice, vegetables, fish, meat etc at a low price. These countries also produce cars for the world market: Toyotas and Hondas and most other brands.If the world rice price goes up, millions suffer...malnutrition and starvation, and the unit cost price of cars across the world goes up.
If Aung Saan Sui Kyi came to power leading a democratic government and all sanctions were removed, Myanmar could sell its products at world-parity prices and the world rice price would skyrocket and many millions would suffer. The SE Asian economies, many of them leading-light democracies, would dive as would the world economy, per se. Who on earth will pay quite a few highly-peopled nations massive ongoing compensation to enable Myanmar to be free? 50 million Myanmar folk benefit at the cost of 65 million Thais? How many Laotians? Cambodians? Chinese? Vietnamese? Malaysians? Pakistanis?
The probably well-intentioned sanctions make it in the neighbours' best interests that the military Junta continues in power in Myanmar. It also provides ongoing opportunity for neighbour states to bully the Junta to get the best prices possible.This is why the Junta can easily afford to free Aung Saan Sui Kyi now without any worry at all. She has been made powerless, in fact, by the very sanctions put in place to pressure the Junta to empower her. She doesn't matter anymore. It's business as usual. Business is business and South East Asia, as well as we in the West, depend upon this staus quo.
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