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Asia-Pacific Daily ReportAugust 29, 2003

Afghanistan

Afghanistan seeks US help to renegotiate its border with PakistanAfghanistan has reportedly sought US help in renegotiating its border withneighboring Pakistan. The dispute revolves around the present day borderbetween Pakistan and Afghanistan demarcated in 1893 as a result of the DurandLine Treaty reached between Afghan King Amir Abdur Rehman and the BritishEmpire. The treaty carries the name of the British colonial official Sir HenryMortimer Durand. The Afghan government says that the Durand Line Treaty wasgood only for 100 years and that the agreement expired in 1993. Afghan officialshave reportedly asked the United States to use its influence to help renegotiateits border with Pakistan. Pakistan has already rejected this demand saying thatthe Durand Line is a settled issue and that it did not have any desire to re-open it.The issue has already caused several skirmishes between the two countries thatled to the formation of a tripartite commission to resolve the issue. However, thetripartite commission comprised of officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan and theUnited States failed to come up with a unanimous decision to resolve the borderrow that led to a request by Afghan officials to the US government seeking itsassistance. According to reports in the Pakistan-based English language daily,The Dawn, Washington has already made it clear to both Pakistan andAfghanistan that it has no desire to get involved in re-negotiating a deal mademore than 100 years ago. Pakistani officials are believed to have informallycomplained to the United States that neighboring India is using its influence onAfghanistan’s Northern Alliance which dominates the current Afghan governmentto stoke tensions on an old issue. The situation warrants close monitoring as anyclash between the countries would be detrimental to the US-led war againstterrorism in Afghanistan, and will have serious security implications for thecountries in the region.http://www.dawn.com/2003/08/29/top6.htm

Bangladesh

80 people injured inBangladesh strike; Secondday of strike shuts downsouthern Khulna cityAccording to The Independentnewspaper today, at least 80people were injured in a seriesof clashes during a nationwidestrike called by the mainopposition Awami League (AL)to protest the assassinationsof two of its senior leadersearlier this week. Clashesbroke out between the policeand AL supporters in thecapital Dhaka during a 12-hour strike called there.Yesterday, 5,000 police andparamilitary personnel weredeployed in Dhaka to maintainlaw and order after AL seniormember Sharif MozammelHaq was killed in Dhaka.Another prominent AL leader,Manzurul Imam, was killed inthe southwestern city ofKhulna on Monday (August25). Although the AL hasblamed the ruling BangladeshNationalist Party (BNP) for theincidents, the banned Maoistgroup, Purbo BanglarCommunist Party, claimedresponsibility for Imam’skilling. Leftist and militant

groups are currently becoming increasingly active in the country’s southern andsouthwestern areas in recent months, prompting the government to launch aspecial security drive against them last month. Several senior militant leadershave allegedly been arrested. Meanwhile, a 48-hour strike also continued inKhulna, shutting businesses and schools, but no clashes were reported.http://indpendent-bangladesh.com/news/aug/29/29082003ts.htm#A1http://indpendent-bangladesh.com/news/aug/29/29082003pl.htm#A1

India

India rules out talks with Pakistan until “terrorism” ends; Increasedviolence continues in Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK)

Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee today joined in political rhetoric againstPakistan and ruled out talks with Pakistan until violence in Indian-controlledKashmir (IcK) ends. “People are dying in terrorist violence. How can you havemeaningful talks now?,” asked Vajpayee. The two countries had been enjoying aslight thaw in relations in recent weeks, including the restoration of diplomaticand bus links. However, the Mumbai bombings earlier this week that killed 52people has heightened tensions between the two countries as hardliner IndianDeputy Prime Minister LK Advani leveled blame on Pakistan-based militants.Yesterday, talks to restore aviation links between the two countries ended infailure. In addition, separatist violence increased sharply in IcK during a two-dayvisit by Vajpayee and a high-level meeting of India’s state Chief Ministers in therestive region meant to demonstrate that normalcy had returned. Pakistan hasrejected Indian accusations and replied by saying India could restore normalcyby ending “repression and human rights violations” in IcK. Meanwhile, violenceagainst civilians continued in southern IcK as 7 were reportedly killed in separateincidents in Poonch and Doda districts, while an 8th civilian was killed in thecrossfire when militants attacked a military convoy. Meanwhile, 2 soldiers werekilled in a bomb blast last night in Baramulla district, and 4 militants were killed inseparate Udhampur and Poonch districts last night.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/south_asia/3190583.stmhttp://www.ptinews.com/createframes.asp?main=Indian&val=1&ID=http://www.kmsnews.org/Kashmir%20News/News290803-10.htmhttp://www.kmsnews.org/Kashmir%20News/News290803-08.htm

Indonesia

US State Department issues new travel warning for Americans in IndonesiaThe US State Department warned yesterday that terrorists may be plotting newattacks against US citizens and interests in Indonesia. The updated travelwarning supersedes a travel warning issued on August 8. The State Departmentsays that the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror group still considered Americans astargets following alleged attacks on the Marriot hotel in Jakarta earlier this monthand the attacks in Bali last October. The department also warned that thePhilippines-based Abu Sayyaf group could also target Americans in Indonesia forkidnappings. “The US Government believes extremist elements may be planningadditional attacks targeting US interests in Indonesia, particularly USGovernment officials and facilities,” the warning says. The warning mentionedthat terrorists may find so-called “soft targets” such as nightclubs, shoppingcenters, and other areas where Westerners may congregate as more attractivebecause US installations were better guarded.http://travel.state.gov/indonesia_warning.htmlhttp://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20030830.@01&irec=0

Myanmar

New US sanctions come into effect in MyanmarTough new sanctions against Myanmar officially came into effect yesterday,putting thousands of factory workers out of work since they were announced amonth ago. The sanctions close the US market to Myanmar imports and wereannounced after the May detainment of pro-democracy leader Aung San SuuKyi. According to businessmen in the capital Yangon, 100 of Myanmar’s 300textile and garment factories have closed in anticipation of the move, resulting inthe layoff of tens of thousands of workers, mostly young women. Last year, theUS bought US$356 million worth of goods from Myanmar, about 10 percent of itsexports. The Myanmar textile industry reportedly employs about 350,000 people,largely with South Korea, Taiwanese and Hong Kong investment. The EU hasalso banned visas for Myanmar officials and froze their assets, while Japan, amajor aid donor, has suspended further aid to the country. China, another keyally, has so far shown little interest in resolving Suu Kyi’s detainment, but saidearlier this week that the country should avoid sanctions in order to improve itseconomy and build trade relations. So far, the military junta has remainedpublicly unmoved by the sanctions and engaged in a major cabinet shuffle earlierthis week. Diplomats say the junta’s inability to resolve the country’s economicproblems has fueled Suu Kyi's popularity.http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters08-28-021340.asp?reg=PACRIM

Nepal

Thousands rally for peace in Nepal while attacks against officials increaseDays after Maoist rebels called an end to a ceasefire and to peace talks, tens ofthousands of people marched in the capital Kathmandu to encourage thegovernment and rebels to resume the peace process. Reports say that it wasone of the largest peace rallies in Nepal and the rally size was estimated at60,000. The BBC reports that some 200 social groups joined together toorganize the event. Rally organizers say that the demonstration was aimed atpressuring both sides to return to negotiations and end some 7 years of violencethat has resulted in the deaths of over 7,200 people. “Both sides must hold talksand not push the country to the brink of a civil war,” says Umesh Shrestha, headof the Private Boarding Schools’ Organization Nepal, one of the sponsors of therally. Meanwhile, there has been a surge of violent incidents reported since theMaoists called off the truce. Kantipur Online (KOL) reports that former AssistantMinister for Home Devendra Raj Kandel was shot by suspected Maoist rebelstoday. KOL reports that he is “out of danger” and that further details are notavailable. Last week former Prime Minister Deuba was attacked, but he survivedthe assassination attempt. Kandel was part of Deuba’s cabinet and someanalysts say that rebels may be targeting those who were in the Cabinet whenthe government imposed a state of emergency to combat the Maoist insurgency. Additionally, police say that rebels bombed and torched the country residence ofFinance Minister Prakash Chandra Lohani, today although the house wasreportedly unoccupied. Yesterday, an army colonel was killed and anothercolonel was attacked by suspected rebels. The government yesterday alsodeclared the Maoists “terrorists,” which will grant security forces sweeping search

and detention powers. Despite the violence, both sides have said that they havenot ruled out continuing peace talks. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3191915.stmhttp://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20030829_51.htmlhttp://www.kantipuronline.com/kol_news.html#Devendra%20Raj%20Kandel%20shot,%20out%20of%20danger

North Korea

6-way talks on North Korean nuclear crises ends with agreement to meetagainThree-day talks on North Korea’s controversial nuclear program ended todaywith the sides agreeing to meet again although no time or venue has been set.The BBC reports that there was no joint statement released, but all sides agreedthat the Korean peninsula should be nuclear-free and that the current situationshould not be escalated while negotiations are ongoing. Beijing had hosted thesix-way talks attended by the US, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Russia, andChina. This week’s talks were the first formal talks since April. “The talks sawprogress and also differences, but all parties thought the talks were beneficial,”Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a closing ceremony. Pyongyanghad been pushing for bilateral talks with the US, but finally agreed earlier thismonth to hold multilateral talks which the US wanted. The nuclear standoff beganlast October when Washington said that Pyongyang had admitted that it had asecret nuclear weapons program. The situation worsened when the North pulledout of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, restarted a nuclear reactor andexpelled UN nuclear inspectors from the country.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3190287.stmhttp://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20030829_464.html

Philippines

Philippine Defense Secretary resigns amid coup rumoursPhilippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes today resigned from his post,warning that a well-funded coup plot was currently underway to destabilize thecountry just a month after the government successfully put down a coup attemptby junior officers and soldiers in the capital Manila. Reyes said that he hoped hisdecision would give President Gloria Arroyo a “free hand” in dealing withcontinued threats to her government. Presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunyesaid today that Arroyo would be taking up the defense portfolio. Observers sayhis resignation is unlikely to damage President Gloria Arroyos’ relations with theUS, but is likely to add to political tensions in the run-up to next May’s nationalelections. In addition, Reyes’ resignation would also increase concerns inManila’s reliability in handling Muslim separatists in the southern region. Formalpeace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and thegovernment have yet to resume in Malaysia. Last month’s mutineers haddemanded the resignation of Arroyo, Military Intelligence Chief Victor Corpus,and Reyes, alleging widespread military corruption. Reyes denied theaccusations in his resignation speech. “Unless a drastic remedy is found, theseelements – I am convinced – are going to be the nation’s undoing,” he said.Some observers say his resignation may be aimed at appeasing any potentialcoup plotters, while others say it could further weaken Arroyo’s presidential

position.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/asia-pacific/3190721.stmhttp://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20030829_141.html

Tropical storm overnorthern Luzon expected todevelop into typhoonAccording to the US Navy’sJoint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC), a tropical stormcurrently 869 miles (1,400 km)east of the northern Luzonregion is expected to developinto a typhoon soon. Thetyphoon is expected to movenorthwest, between northernLuzon and Taiwan. The stormcurrently has maximumsustained winds of 70 mph(111 kph) and is forecast toincrease to 185 mph (185 kph)in the next 24 hours. Windsreaching 132 mph (213 kph)are forecast in 72 hours.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical And Astronomical ServicesAdministration (PAGASA), thunderstorms are expected to affect the northernLuzon and central Visayas region today. However, no storm alerts have beenreported in the local media.http://metoc.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc.htmlhttp://www.inq7.net/wea/2003/aug/30/weather.htm

South Asia

Nearly 1,000 Bangladeshisdisplaced in tidal surge;Heavy floods continue toaffect northeastern Indianstates of Orissa,ChhattisgarhAccording to the HindustanTimes today, nearly 1,000people in Maheshkhali, anisland near Cox’s Bazar inBangladesh, were displacedby a tidal surge today due to astorm depression in the Bay ofBengal. The surge alsodamaged a 10-km (6.2 mile)embankment protecting theisland from the Bay of Bengal.Several other coastal islandswere also engulfed by thesurge, forcing many residentsto seek refuge in cycloneshelters. The surge alsoreportedly destroyed fish andshrimp farms, a major sourceof livelihood in the area.Meanwhile, heavy rains havehit the northeastern Indianstate of Chhattisgarh, causingrivers to rise and flood 37villages near the state capital

Raipur. In the neighboring state of Orissa, nearly 50,000 people were affected byfloods earlier this week. According to a report by the UN Development Program(UNDP), more water is expected to be released from the Naraj water reservoir toease pressure, further aggravating the flood situation in Orissa. At least 10districts in the state have been partially affected. The Indian army has been puton alert in the state for possible major flooding in the Mahanadi river system,especially in coastal and river delta areas.http://www.ptinews.com/createframes.asp?main=Indian&val=1&ID=http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/d6f0118e9d033e34c1256d91004d37ec?OpenDocumenthttp://www.sunnt.com/news/national/national.asp?id=14071http://hindustantimes.com

Other World News

Liberia

United Nations seeking some 15,000 peacekeepers for LiberiaThe United Nations special representative for Liberia, Jacques Klein, saidyesterday that as many as 15,000 peacekeepers would be needed to restorepeace and stability in the war-ravaged country. Speaking to the media fromneighboring Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, Klein said some 800 civilian policeand 200 military observers would be needed to complement the peacekeepingtroops. Klein said a UN team was carrying out an assessment of demilitarization,health care and education in the country to outline the resources that would beneeded in the event he gets a mandate from the UN Security Council. Klein saidhe expected a UN Security Council mandate by October and deployment of theUN peacekeepers by early next year. Liberia currently has a 3,200-strong WestAfrican peacekeeping force from neighboring countries. A UN-led peacekeepingforce for Liberia is expected to have a strong West African component. The latestuprising sent then President Charles Taylor into exile ending nearly 14 years ofcivil war and also displaced some 450,000 people who are facing severe food,water and medicine shortages during a two-month long rebel siege.http://hindustantimes.com/news/181_354250,00050006.htm