June 1, 2005

World Media Watch

by Gloria R. Lalumia

BuzzFlash Note: WMW provides BuzzFlash readers foreign views and perspectives that are not usually available from the media here in the U.S. The presentation of these articles from these international publications is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.

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WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR JUNE 1, 2005

1//The Daily Star, Lebanon--IRAN MAKES BALLISTIC MISSILE BREAKTHROUGH AMID GROWING ISRAELI CONCERNS (Iran announced yesterday it had successfully tested a new solid fuel motor for its arsenal of medium-range ballistic missiles, a technological breakthrough that sparked fresh alarm in Israel. "The test was a success," Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said on state television. "When you fill a missile with liquid fuel, you have to use it quickly. With solid fuel, a missile can be stored for years. And in addition, it makes the missile more accurate and cheaper too." A Defense Ministry statement said the new technology could be built into Iran's Shahab-3 missiles - which the Islamic Republic says already has a range of at least 2,000 kilometers. The country has recently upgraded the Shahab-3 ballistic missile, a single-stage device believed to be based on a North Korean design. Its range means that Israel and U.S. bases in the region are well within range. But up until now it has been based on liquid-fuel technology.)

2//The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea--U.S. TO SEND STEALTH BOMBERS TO KOREA EVERY YEAR (The U.S. military apparently wants to make its F-117 stealth fighter-bombers exercises in Korea a regular event. The U.S. Air Force has sent the key strategic weapons to Korea on five occasions, including this year, but had not so far made clear that this was to be an annual fixture. The F-117 will carry out exercises here for four to six months a year, a strategy that would boost the U.S. Forces in Korea’s fighting strength no less than if they were based here permanently and is therefore expected to draw protests from North Korea. USFK spokesman Kim Young-kyu said Tuesday the F-117 fighter-bombers will arrive shortly as part of a “routine rotational deployment." He said their presence was part of strengthening the USFK's deterrent capability. Asked if this was an annual mission, he said, "You may see it that way.")

Related: U.S. DEPLOYMENT TO STEALTH FIGHTERS A PRELUDE TO WAR: KCNA

3//Xinhua Online, China--CHINA MOVES TO SAFEGUARD MILLIONS OF TEXTILE JOBS (In a move to safeguard thousands of jobs, China declared it will scrap - after only 10 days - its sharply increased export duties on Chinese-made textiles. The withdrawal comes after Washington and the European Union clamped more restrictions on Chinese exports, which China said are "unfair and incorrect." Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai told a news briefing yesterday that export tariffs on 81 categories of textile products will be lifted, including the 74 for which 400 per cent increases were announced. The latest restrictions imposed by the US side will affect US$2 billion worth of Chinese exports and 160,000 jobs, while the EU action will lead to a loss of US$300 million exports and corresponding jobs. … Bo said he had noted that some domestic enterprises, under great pressure from the restrictive moves, were calling for retaliation measures, but he ruled out the possibility of a trade war. … Although Bo stressed that China still hopes to solve the textile row through consultation, he said China reserves the right to resort to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to adjudicate the dispute since controlling measures not only violate WTO principles, but are also prejudicial against China.)

4//RIA Novosti (Russian News & Information Agency), Russia--RUSSIA, CHINA, INDIA HAVE BIG COOPERATION POTENTIAL (Russia, China and India have a big technological and financial potential for economic cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "The economic factor plays an important role in the rapprochement of the three countries. Russia, India and China have rapidly developing and perspective economies," official spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told RIA Novosti prior to the trilateral meetings of the Russian, Indian and Chinese foreign ministers in Vladivostok (Russia's Far East) on June 2. … The three powers are interested in maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region which, unfortunately, has many hot spots.)

5//The Globe and Mail, Canada--SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL STALLS IN POLITICAL WRANGLE (The definition of marriage is unlikely to be changed to include same-sex couples until some time in the fall, after the Liberals backed down yesterday from an attempt to curtail committee hearings and push the controversial measure through the Commons. … The move gives opponents of the measure some breathing room because it means the bill will not come back to the House until June 16. That makes passage through the Senate and royal assent extremely unlikely before the House breaks for the summer on June 23. … The Liberals could still use a majority vote to invoke closure on debate. They could also extend the sitting hours of the House to allow for more debate time each day, or extend the session -- any of which could make the bill law before the end of the summer break. But opponents of same-sex marriage are pressing sympathetic Liberals to prevent quick passage. The Defend Marriage Trust has asked its members to call and e-mail eight Liberal MPs who oppose same-sex marriage, urging them to take the government down on a confidence motion rather than allow the bill to pass this spring.)

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1//The Daily Star, Lebanon Wednesday, June 01, 2005
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?editi...

IRAN MAKES BALLISTIC MISSILE BREAKTHROUGH AMID GROWING ISRAELI CONCERNS
By Agence France Presse (AFP)

TEHRAN: Iran announced yesterday it had successfully tested a new solid fuel motor for its arsenal of medium-range ballistic missiles, a technological breakthrough that sparked fresh alarm in Israel.

"The test was a success," Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said on state television.

"When you fill a missile with liquid fuel, you have to use it quickly. With solid fuel, a missile can be stored for years. And in addition, it makes the missile more accurate and cheaper too."

A Defense Ministry statement said the new technology could be built into Iran's Shahab-3 missiles - which the Islamic Republic says already has a range of at least 2,000 kilometers.

The country has recently upgraded the Shahab-3 ballistic missile, a single-stage device believed to be based on a North Korean design. Its range means that Israel and U.S. bases in the region are well within range.

But up until now it has been based on liquid-fuel technology.

Military experts contacted by AFP said the test, if indeed successful, would signify an important breakthrough for the Islamic Republic's missile program.

Firstly, in order to develop a missile with a range greater than 2,000 kilometers - in effect a two-stage rocket - a country needs to master the more complex solid fuel technology.

"The maximum range of a single stage missile is around 2,000 kilometers. In order to send a missile further, you need a twin stage design that separates in mid-flight," said one analyst.

"This separation is very complex, and in order to maintain the accuracy of the missile, it needs to be using solid fuel.

"In very simplistic terms, think of a liquid fuel missile as a bottle of mineral water - the liquid is sloshing around and makes the bottle unstable," he said.

"And even if the missile is only a single stage design, solid fuel makes it more accurate," he added.

Iran has, however, denied developing a missile with a reach beyond the Middle East region.
While Shamkhani did speak of a "two motor missile," a Defense Ministry official said that he was only referring to separate launch and flight thrusters of the single-stage Shahab-3.

A second advantage of solid fuel missiles of all ranges is that they are more mobile and can be deployed far more quickly than liquid fuel devices, which need to be filled up in situ before their launch.

In practice, that means the Shahab-3 missiles can now spread across the country and be stored far from any refueling facilities in preparation for immediate deployment.

In a quick reaction to the latest Iranian test, Israel warned the "free world to beware of Iran's plans."

"We are closely monitoring these worrying projects being plotted in Iran," said one senior Israeli official contacted by AFP.

(MORE)

2//The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea Updated May.31,2005 19:03 KST
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news...

U.S. TO SEND STEALTH BOMBERS TO KOREA EVERY YEAR

The U.S. military apparently wants to make its F-117 stealth fighter-bombers exercises in Korea a regular event. The U.S. Air Force has sent the key strategic weapons to Korea on five occasions, including this year, but had not so far made clear that this was to be an annual fixture.

The F-117 will carry out exercises here for four to six months a year, a strategy that would boost the U.S. Forces in Korea’s fighting strength no less than if they were based here permanently and is therefore expected to draw protests from North Korea.

USFK spokesman Kim Young-kyu said Tuesday the F-117 fighter-bombers will arrive shortly as part of a “routine rotational deployment." He said their presence was part of strengthening the USFK's deterrent capability. Asked if this was an annual mission, he said, "You may see it that way."

Kim said besides normal training, pilots would also familiarize themselves with the terrain of the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. Air Force rotates its F-117s in areas of strategic importance worldwide.

(SNIP)

This year's deployment of 15 F-117s is the largest so far and has drawn international interest because it comes at a tense time in the North Korean nuclear dispute. The U.S. Air Force has 55 of the fighter-bombers.

The USFK says security concerns do not allow it to reveal when the aircraft will arrive in Korea and which units they will be attached to. It says the relevant units will make an announcement when the F-117s have arrived.

Related:

U.S. DEPLOYMENT TO STEALTH FIGHTERS A PRELUDE TO WAR: KCNA
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news...

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Sunday that the United States’ decision to place stealth fighter-bombers undetectable by radar in South Korea is a dangerous sign that indicates a prelude to war.

(MORE)

3//Xinhua Online, China 2005-05-31 08:15:39
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005...

CHINA MOVES TO SAFEGUARD MILLIONS OF TEXTILE JOBS

BEIJING, May 31 -- In a move to safeguard thousands of jobs, China declared it will scrap - after only 10 days - its sharply increased export duties on Chinese-made textiles.

The withdrawal comes after Washington and the European Union clamped more restrictions on Chinese exports, which China said are "unfair and incorrect."

Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai told a news briefing yesterday that export tariffs on 81 categories of textile products will be lifted, including the 74 for which 400 per cent increases were announced.

The latest restrictions imposed by the US side will affect US$2 billion worth of Chinese exports and 160,000 jobs, while the EU action will lead to a loss of US$300 million exports and corresponding jobs.

"Behind each category of product in question, some 1,000 to 6,000 Chinese enterprises would feel the pinch," Bo said.

"We have to make corresponding policy adjustment since the EU and the US have set controls on Chinese textile exports," said Bo.

"We must be fair to Chinese producers."

To ease the concerns of trade partners, the Finance Ministry unveiled on May 20 a staggering 400 per cent increase on export tariffs on 74 classes of products starting on June 1.

Such products registered a sharp rise in exports in EU and US markets in the first few months of this year after decades-old global textile quotas were abolished on January 1.

Experts said there would be no sharp rise in exports if US and EU had taken a step-by-step approach to abolishing the quotas.

Bo said he had hoped the earlier announcement of steep tariff rises would help ease concerns of trading partners, but "it is a pity that both the EU and the US failed to accept the policy."

The China Textile Import and Export Chamber of Commerce said the adjustment will help ease the burden on Chinese enterprises, which are already operating on razor-thin profit margins.

However, Bo warned enterprises to prepare for further restrictive measures and adapt to a new international trade environment.

Bo said he had noted that some domestic enterprises, under great pressure from the restrictive moves, were calling for retaliation measures, but he ruled out the possibility of a trade war.

"We do not want to see a trade war," he said. "I do not believe retaliation to be the only way (forward) for us. A healthy trade relationship is good for both sides," he added.

Although Bo stressed that China still hopes to solve the textile row through consultation, he said China reserves the right to resort to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to adjudicate the dispute since controlling measures not only violate WTO principles, but are also prejudicial against China.

(MORE)

4//RIA Novosti (Russian News & Information Agency), Russia May 31, 2005 19:09
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20050531/40449657.html

RUSSIA, CHINA, INDIA HAVE BIG COOPERATION POTENTIAL

MOSCOW, May 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russia, China and India have a big technological and financial potential for economic cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The economic factor plays an important role in the rapprochement of the three countries. Russia, India and China have rapidly developing and perspective economies," official spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told RIA Novosti prior to the trilateral meetings of the Russian, Indian and Chinese foreign ministers in Vladivostok (Russia's Far East) on June 2.

(SNIP)

According to the spokesman, Moscow, New Delhi and Beijing share common interests in the international sphere. "Russia, India and China are faces common problems in the fight against new threats and challenges, above all, terrorism, and share common approaches to the eradication of this evil," he said.

The three powers are interested in maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region which, unfortunately, has many hot spots.

Further development of regular trilateral dialogue meets long-term political and economic interests of the three countries, promotes mutually beneficial cooperation and makes an important contribution to regional and international stability, Yakovenko concluded.

5//The Globe and Mail, Canada Tuesday, May 31, 2005
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/...

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL STALLS IN POLITICAL WRANGLE
By Gloria Galloway and Campbell Clark

Ottawa — The definition of marriage is unlikely to be changed to include same-sex couples until some time in the fall, after the Liberals backed down yesterday from an attempt to curtail committee hearings and push the controversial measure through the Commons.

Faced with a procedural filibuster by Conservative Vic Toews, who wanted 22 additional witnesses to address the committee, the government retreated from a plan to end the hearings on June 9 and provided an extra week.

The move gives opponents of the measure some breathing room because it means the bill will not come back to the House until June 16. That makes passage through the Senate and royal assent extremely unlikely before the House breaks for the summer on June 23.

The Liberals could still use a majority vote to invoke closure on debate. They could also extend the sitting hours of the House to allow for more debate time each day, or extend the session -- any of which could make the bill law before the end of the summer break.

But opponents of same-sex marriage are pressing sympathetic Liberals to prevent quick passage. The Defend Marriage Trust has asked its members to call and e-mail eight Liberal MPs who oppose same-sex marriage, urging them to take the government down on a confidence motion rather than allow the bill to pass this spring.

Any rushed effort is bound to create dissension on the government back bench, since 35 Liberal members have voted against the bill on previous reading. The government cannot afford that while its minority hangs in the balance.

"What is the rush on this bill?" Liberal MP Pat O'Brien asked yesterday. "What's magical about getting it through the House of Commons by the end of June? I don't think there's a good answer to that."

Mr. O'Brien agreed to stay in the Liberal Party earlier this year after obtaining a commitment from Prime Minister Paul Martin to allow members of the public to appear at the hearings. He said he was annoyed with the motion to end the hearings June 9 and was pleased to hear of the compromise yesterday.

But "if this is hour after hour of witnesses being rushed through when MPs are not there or half asleep when they are there then I still have some questions about how meaningful [their testimony] will be."

Mr. O'Brien is one of the eight Liberal MPs that Defend Marriage has targeted. The group issued a press release last week providing e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of the MPs so people who oppose same-sex marriage can lobby them.

"They must be willing, on this issue, to bring down the government for the greater good of Canada," the release said. "Principle must come before politics."

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