China Welcomes Inter-Korea Railway Line
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi expressed
the hope Tuesday that the reconstruction of the
inter-Korea railway line would be completed at an
early date so as to serve the communications and
economic development of both north and south of the
Korean Peninsula.
Sun made this remark at today's regular press
conference when asked to comment on the recent
launching of the reconstruction of the Seoul-Shinuiju
railway line.
The reconstruction of the 486-kilometer railway line,
which runs from Seoul, the capital city of the
Republic of Korea (ROK), to Shinuiju, a far north
city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK), was decided upon by ROK President Kim
Dae-jung and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang on
June 15 in a historic South-North Joint Declaration.
Sun said the relaxation of tension on the Korean
Peninsula not only is in the fundamental interests of
the two countries but also conducive to the peace,
stability and development of the whole region.
China has always welcomed and supported the
improvement of relations between the north and the
south of the Korean Peninsula, he added.
----------------
Chi Haotian Meets Russian Deputy Defense Minister
Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met Tuesday with
Vladimir Isakov, Russian Deputy Defense Minister in
Charge of Logistics.
Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military
Commission and State Councilor, said the Sino-Russian
strategic partnership of cooperation, as proposed by
top leaders of the two countries, is in line with the
fundamental interests of the people of both countries
and will help promote peace, stability and
development in the region and the world as a whole.
No matter how drastically the international situation
may change, Chi said, the two great nations will keep
their relations as "good friends, good neighbors and
good partners."
Chi said the Chinese army has attached great
importance to the friendly cooperation with the
Russian armed forces. With the frequent visits
between leaders and senior officers of the two
countries, Sino-Russian military relations have seen
constant, in-depth and extensive development in
recent years, he said, adding that he hoped Isakov's
visit to China will enable the military logistic
departments of the two countries to cement and deepen
cooperation.
Isakov said military logistic departments of the two
countries have held fruitful consultations and
reached consensus on a number of issues during his
China visit. All are yet to be materialized through
the joint efforts of the two sides, he said.
----------------
Yugoslavia Tries NATO Leaders for War Crimes
A local court in Yugoslavia on Monday opened a trial in absentia of 14 NATO
leaders including US President Bill Clinton and his NATO allies for war
crimes during last year's bombing.
The Belgrade District Court accused them of violating international law,
the UN Charter, and the country's criminal law for staging an invasion
against a sovereign state, war crimes against civilians, and the use of
banned munitions.
A total of 504 Yugoslav civilians, 240 servicemen, and 147 policemen were
estimated to have been killed during the March 24-June 10 NATO air strikes
last year.
In the court room, there were chairs labeled with names of the western
leaders: President Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French
President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
The other labeled chairs represented US Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright, US Defense Chief William Cohen, and their counterparts from
Britain, France and Germany. NATO Secretary General Javier Solana and NATO
Commander Wesley Clark were also put on trial in absentia.
More than 1,000 pieces of evidence covering over 500 incidents are expected
to be presented at the court, which will include spot investigation
reports, forensic reports, statements of witnesses, photographs and
videotapes.
It took the country's 29 local courts and military courts over one year to
collect the evidence.
A 192-page bill of indictment said that during the air raid, the western
military alliance carried out 25,119 combat aircraft sorties, while
launching 600 cruise missiles attacking both military and civilian targets.
In addition, NATO used internationally banned cluster bombs and ammunition
with depleted uranium during the targeting of 77 sites in the rebel Kosovo
province, six other places in southern Serbia, and one in Montenegro,
inflicting severe environment damages on top of other damages.
The prosecutors listed all the sites including towns, villages, and
industrial and military facilities.
More than 600 juridical officials from Serbia were present at the court, in
addition to about 120 foreign journalists and diplomats from 11 foreign
embassies in Belgrade.
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