Vietnam News Dec 12
PM honours devotion of Heroic Mothers, revolutionaries Prime Minister Phan Van Khai honoured the devotion, sacrifices and contributions made by Vietnam Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries during the past struggle for national liberation and current national construction and defence. He was speaking at a reception extended to 73 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries from district 6, Ho Chi Minh City in Hanoi on December 11. After inquiring after health and living conditions of the Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries, Prime Minister Khai briefed them about socio-economic achievements recorded after 15 years of implementation of the country's renovation. He also said he hoped that the Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries would make more contributions to building a Vietnam of a rich people, a strong country and a just, democratic and civilised society. The Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries expressed their feelings, aspirations and happiness at the achievement recorded in the national renovation process. They also promised to contribute their efforts and minds to successfully implement the Resolution set out by the district's Party Committee Congress. Vietnam attends 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, who is also president of the ASEAN Standing Committee, is attending the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting which opened in Vientiane, Laos on December 11. The two-day meeting drew foreign ministers from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ministers of the European Union (EU). In their opening speeches, Lao Prime Minister Sisavat Keobounphan and French Co-operation Minister Charles Josselin expressed satisfaction that the meeting had been held in the Lao capital on schedule. Lao Prime Minister Sisavat Keobounphan welcomed the delegates to the conference and expressed his thanks for the trust and assistance given by members of ASEAN and EU in helping Laos organise the conference. He said that the conference illustrated the political ties and mutual understanding in ASEAN-EU relations, thus supporting the ASEAN-EU long-term plans to overcome the challenges in the new millennium. The two parties discussed measures to boost co-operation in economics, trade and security, and the prospect for ASEAN-EU relations. EU partners were informed about the recent changes in ASEAN, particularly the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action in an effort of building ASEAN into a region of peace, prosperity and equal development. The European Union is the third most important economic partner of ASEAN after Japan and the United States, with exports from the EU exceeding US $45 billion in 1997. The EU imported goods worth over US $46 billion from the ASEAN in that year. However, bilateral trade dwindled somewhat during the Asian economic crisis, although it has gradually bounced back in recent times through increasing trade and investment. China Party delegation visits Vietnam A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Zheng Bijian, member of the CPC Central Committee and deputy director of the Central Party School, is visiting Vietnam from December 10 at the invitation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The Chinese delegation paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and visited his residence and office. The delegation was received by Nguyen Duc Binh, Politburo member and director of the Ho Chi Minh National Politics Institute on December 11. Mr Binh, who is also chairman of the Central Party Theoretical Council, expressed his appreciation of the exchange of opinions and experiences in theoretical and ideological work between the two Parties. He described it as useful for studying and solving problems arising during the process of renovation and open reform, thus contributing to building socialism in each country. Mr Binh reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Party, government and people have always attached importance to strengthening and developing the Vietnam-China relationship guided by "neighbourly friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, and future-oriented thinking" as defined by Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin. For his part, Zheng Bijian expressed his belief that Vietnam would successfully implement the Resolution of the eighth National Party Congress and organise the ninth National Party Congress early next year, thus firmly entering into the 21st century. The Chinese delegation also had working sessions with the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, the Commission for Culture and Ideology, the Ho Chi Minh National Politics Institute, and visited the northern border province of Quang Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City. (VNA) British State minister ends visit The State Minister for the Foreign Ministry of Great Britain and Northern Ireland John
ML Update. Vol:3; No.49; 13- 12- 2000. 2/2
The rally was attended among others by Party PB member Com. Swadesh Bhattacharya, CC members Com. Swapan Mukherjee and Kumudini Pati, Member of Central Secretariat Com. Ranjit Abhigyan, Delhi Party leaders including Com. Ranjan Ganguli, Rajiv Dimri, Santosh Rai, NN Thomas, Jita Kaur, Sunita and BKSingh Gautam and AISA leaders Com. Kavita Krishnan and Sunil Yadav. Delhi State Party Secy. Com. Rajendra Pratholi in his speech lambasted the senseless privatisation drive of the Delhi government in electricity, transport and water sectors and announced plans to intensify agitation against Master Plan and privatisation. International From Seattle to Nice : No to Globalisation The 15 European states' summit was held in Nice of France, the stronghold of extreme French rightists. The summit was aimed to reach an agreement on a legislation to create a common European army which would serve common imperialist interest and suppress the rights of EU workers. Without much trouble it mandated the creation of a rapid deployment force of 60,000 battle-ready troops capable of jumping into Kosovo-like trouble spots. But the thorny question of institutional reforms could not be resolved because the national interests clashed and there was a stalemate in the negotiations towards further expansion towards European integration, even after extending it four days beyond the scheduled two days of 7 and 8 December. Against these policies several thousands of protesters had flooded Nice form various part of the world. On Dec. 7, the day of beginning of the summit, teargas filled the streets leading to the convention centre and police fought battles with groups of protesters trying to scale steel road barriers. The French army denied any entry to around 1,000 Italian protesters. In the streets of Nice, there was violent battle between the protesters and the police, as a result of which several got injured, large number of cars were burnt, windows of several shops were broken and a bank was set on fire. The majority of the protesters marching under the sea of red banners and flags were workers belonging to trade unions. But there was another procession, mainly of unemployed youths and working farmers having some differences with the trade unionists on the status of the charter. However, both were resolute against capitalism, globalisation and liberalisation. Thus from Seattle to Nice, the saga of opposition against imperialist globalisation continues. On the Second Anniversary of Com. Vinod Mishra's Untimely Demise Delhi State Committee, CPI(ML) Organises a Seminar on Globalisation and People's Response Speakers : S.P. Shukla, Prabhash Joshi Yogendra Yadav, Kumudini Pati Speaker's Hall, Constitution Club 4 p.m., 18 December, 2000 Your presence is welcome. ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
KM statement on murder of solidarity hunger striker in Holland
- Original Message - From: dhkcbureau [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2000 9:20 PM Subject: [MLL]IKM statement on murder of solidarity hunger striker in Holland TO THE PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION Nearly a thousand political prisoners started an Indefinite Hunger Strike on October 20, 2000 against the introduction of isolation cells in Turkey, and they turned this into a Death Fast on November 19. In reaction to developments in Turkey, there have been solidarity hunger strikes in various European countries. One of these started on November 29 in Rotterdam. When the actions received some publicity in the media, Rotterdam city council began making provocational attacks on the hunger strikers in the tent. Each provocation was frustrated by the hunger strikers. Nonetheless, the provocations did not cease. Most recently, when Grup Yorum held a concert at the tent on December 9, these provocations were resumed. But again the hunger strikers warded this off peacefully. The same evening, at about 7 pm, a group of 30 to 40 people who in Turkey are called "idealists and Grey Wolves", attacked the hunger strikers in their tent. They shouted the slogan, "NOTHING CAN STOP THE IDEALIST MOVEMENT!" They slew our comrade CAFER DERELI, who was taking part in the solidarity hunger strike. The attack, which happened in a short time, was clearly well-planned and organised. Although the Dutch police were very close it took them three hours to come to the scene of the crime. This incident once again proves our assertion that THE STATE IN TURKEY AND ITS LONG ARM, THE CIVILIAN FASCISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MURDER. The state in Turkey, which has practised countless massacres in the prisons of Turkey, this time had its henchmen carry out a slaughter in Holland. Thus the hunger strike and Death Fast resistance, which started in Turkey and spread abroad a short time later, has given its first martyr. WE CALL ON ALL PROGRESSIVE FORCES, ANTI-FASCISTS AND EVERYBODY TO PROTEST AGAINST THIS VILE MURDER AND SUPPORT THE RESISTANCE OF THE PRISONERS ON THE DEATH FAST. COMRADE CAFER IS IMMORTAL! LONG LIVE OUR DEATH FAST RESISTANCE! DEATH FAST SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE THE NETHERLANDS DECEMBER 10, 2000 Place of the hunger strike: Coolsingel Stadhuisplein ROTTERDAM IKM (Committee For Struggle Against Torture Through Isolation) Kreuzweg 12 20099 HAMBURG, GERMANY Tel (0040 40 280 53625) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Marxist-Leninist-List mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/marxist-leninist-list
TDN on Hungerstrike of POW's in Turkey
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sezer under pressure from all sides SEZER'S CHOICES: President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has three different choices. Sezer may approve the bill. He may take the public outcry into consideration and send the bill back to Parliament. Or he may approve the bill but at the same time he might apply to the Constitutional Court for its cancellation THE UNHAPPY MENTOR: 'This is not the amnesty that I asked for, my amnesty draft was aimed at saving the inmates from their fate,' Rahsan Ecevit who was the mentor of the amnesty bill says. She also adds that the recent bill is not an amnesty but a conditional release when responding to reaction on the Reprieve Bill Ankara - TDN Parliamentary Bureau President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is under pressure from politicians, victims' families and ambitious inmates to make the final move on the infamous Reprieve Bill. The bill had caused a number of controversies between political parties and even between the coalition partners. Rahsan Ecevit, the mentor of the bill on Monday said that, "This is not the amnesty that I asked for, my amnesty draft was aimed at saving the inmates from their fate." The countdown for the Reprieve Bill, which was passed in Parliament last week and sent to Sezer for approval, has begun. The coalition partners -- the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) -- and inmates families are waiting for the president to approve the bill amidst a huge public outcry urging the president to veto the bill. Sezer, former chief judge of the Constitutional Court appears to be applying to cancel the amnesty bills. It is expected that Sezer will make his decision based on the fact that the bill may be sent to the Constitutional Court. The bill will cover 35,000 inmates' conditional release in the short term and will gradually free many other inmates. However, the government's pledge to release inmates before the Bayram holiday would only be possible if Sezer approves the Reprieve Bill. The Parliament passed the bill on Dec. 8, and sent it to the Cankaya Palace immediately for the president's approval. According to the Turkish Constitution, the president has to make the decision within 15 days. Sezer has 12 more days in which to make his final decision. Sezer has three choices: Sezer may approve the bill. After it is published in the Official Gazette, the bill will be official. In this case, government will fulfill its promise to release tens of thousands of inmates before the feast of Ramadan. This decision will comfort coalition partners as well as inmates who are expecting the reprieve. Sezer may take the public outcry into consideration and send the bill back to Parliament. According to rumors in political circles, coalition partners who had hardly reached a reconciliation on the final wording of the reprieve bill, will have no say if Sezer vetoes the bill. Sezer may approve the bill but at the same timeht apply to the Constitutional Court for its cancellation. In this case, Sezer's possible move will pose a temporary relief for those who are supporting the amnesty. The court may either amend some articles of the bill or broaden its scope. It might also allocate some extra time to Parliament so that another amnesty bill can be prepared. Fasting inmates adamant, three in critical condition The justice minister's statement was expected to persuade the inmates to quit the death fast, but inmates decide to continue the fast. According to TAYAD, the death fast will be reinforced by other inmates Ecevit says demands of prisoners were unacceptable and urges them to end their 'death fast' Ankara/Izmir - Turkish Daily News Although, it was expected that Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk's announcements over the weekend that the implementation of F-type prisons would be postponed to end the massive death fasts, the inmates are still determined to continue their protests. On the 54th day of the death fast, three death fasters, Sevgi Erdogan in Usak Prison, Cem Yildiz and Zeynep Arikan in Umraniye have lost consciousness, and other inmates on the death fast are close to losing consciousness, the Association for Inmates' Families' Solidarity (TAYAD) said. Although, death fasters are already in the critical stage, the 203 inmates on the death fast have decided to continue the fast until their demands are accepted by the authorities. They are demanding the cancellation of the new cell-based F-type prisons, annulment of the State Security Courts (DGM) and the formation of a commission made up of doctors, lawyers, prisoners' relatives and representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to inspect the prisons. But, officials are also being firm to not give further concessions to the death fasters. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that demands made by scores of hunger-striking prisoners whose health is failing were
Korean Central News Agency Dec 12
TODAY'S NEWS (December.12.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Joint press statement on establishment of diplomatic relations between DPRK and UK * South side's delegation to fourth north-south ministerial-level talks here * Delegation of KEDO leaves * KCNA demands halt to moves to incite inter-Korean confrontation * Japan's military boss's reckless remark * Leap forward in potato farming called for * DPRK delegation visits Korean Hall in Tokyo * S. Korean students' growing distrust in "National Assembly" * New historical book published * Korean people's cause of reunification supported worldwide * Worsening environmental pollution by U.S. forces in S. Korea * Abolition of SL called for * Chilbosan Joint Venture Company commissioned * International solidarity called for * Rodong Sinmun on national reunification * Anti-reunification moves of S. Korea condemned Joint press statement on establishment of diplomatic relations between DPRK and UK Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- A joint press statement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the United Kingdom was issued today. The joint press statement reads: The Democtratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United Kingdom (UK) held official talks in London on 7-12 December, 2000. These talks followed the announcement by Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, on 19 October 2000 that the UK was ready to response positively to the invitation from Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun to establish diplomatic relations with the DPRK. Agreement was reached in these talks to establish diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the UK with immediate effect. It was agreed that representation would be at ambassadorial level as soon as each side had made the necessary arrangements to open a resident mission in the other's capital. Meanwhile, each side would appoint a non-resident charge d'affaires a.i. Both sides agreed that the establishment of diplomatic relations would enable the DPRK and the UK to develop their bilateral links more effectively, and would provide greater opportunities for exchanges on issues of mutual interests and concern. South side's delegation to fourth north-south ministerial-level talks here Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- The south side's delegation headed by Pak Jae Gyu, Minister of National Unification, arrived here today to participate in the fourth round of the north-south ministerial-level talks. It was met at the airport by delegates of the north side. At the airport the south side's delegation issued a written statement on arrival. Delegation of KEDO leaves Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) that had participated in the high-ranking specialist negotiations between the DPRK and KEDO left today by air. KCNA demands halt to moves to incite inter-Korean confrontation Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- There are highly disturbing developments in South Korea to block the positive improvement of the inter-Korean relations. This gives rise to great concern among the public at home and abroad. The South Korean "Ministry of National Defence" in its "military white paper for 2000" again advocated the anti-north "theory of the principal enemy," talking about the non-existent "military threat" from it. And the "Minister of National Defence" at a "meeting of leading army officers" whipped up war hysteria by calling for strengthened "military posture." Even the "Ministry of National Unification" supposed to specially handle the reunification issue in South Korea conducted an opinion poll in a foolish bid to build up public opinion critical of the DPRK's political system. Meanwhile, the "Unification and Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee of the South Korean National Assembly" orchestrated such a provocative anti-north political drama as "adoption of a resolution urging the repatriation of POWs of 'ROK' Army and those kidnapped by the north." And some right-wing conservative media including "Chosun Ilbo" are chiming in with its smear campaign to fan up inter-Korean confrontation. They floated sheer lies about "political propaganda" of the north and "detention" of a journalist of "Chosun Ilbo" in an attempt to pull up the north over the reunion of the second visiting group of separated families and relatives. All this is part of their moves to mislead the public opinion at home and abroad and agitate confrontation. All the happenings in South Korea are anti-national and anti-reunification moves to dampen the desire of the entire nation for reconciliation, cooperation and unity between the north and south and reunification. Facts go to prove that all these anti-north rackets in South Korea are the deliberate and premeditated moves of those who are displeased with the improving inter-Korean relations. The
China. People´s Daily Dec 13
Extracts. Wednesday, December 13, 2000, updated at 12:34(GMT+8) Cuba's Economy Improves Despite US Blockage, Minister Says Cuba's economy is improving despite the US four-decade-old blockade, said Government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. Addressing the 13th session of Sino-Cuban joint commission for economic and trade relations here Tuesday, he said in this year's first six-month period, a 7.7 percent economic growth was registered, with an increase in productivity and reduced unemployment. Cabrisas thanked China for helping the Cuban people during their moments of hardship, praising bilateral cooperation in sugar industry, foodstuff, raw material and medicine in particular. During the meeting, both parties reviewed economic and commercial cooperation since the commission's previous meeting and explored possibilities for cooperation in new fields for next year. The Chinese delegation which includes a number of top entrepreneurs is headed by China's Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng. The Chinese visitors and the Cuban delegation, which is composed of a number of government ministers as well as senior officials, are expected to sign a number of accords on Wednesday, by which China will help Cuba in seismic movement forecasts and hotel crediting. Tuesday's meeting focused on cooperation in the exploitation of hydraulics, oil and nickel resources, and better utilization of sugar cane residues. Cabrisas expressed the hope that Cuba could diversify its exports to China, for which he mentioned Cuban prestige products such as medicines, cigars, sugar industry derivatives and rum. Shi said China will continue to develop the economic and trade relations with Cuba on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, pledging a certain amount of economic assistance to Cuba within China's power. He believed that the economic and trade ties between the two countries will surely be strengthened through joint efforts. Wednesday, December 13, 2000, updated at 11:19(GMT+8) China, Japan Vow to Further Relations [Image] President Jiang Meets with Head of the Democratic Party of Japan -- China and Japan should make efforts to further bilateral ties in the new century, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Tuesday, December 12. "A healthy, stable, and friendly Sino-Japanese relationship is not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the people of both countries and their future generations, but also contributes to the peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," Jiang said. In a meeting with Hatoyama Yukio, head of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Jiang described the current China-Japan relations as "maintaining a sound momentum" on the whole. Bilateral cooperation in various areas has further enriched their partnership of friendly cooperation oriented towards peace and development, he said. The Chinese President said that seeking a better Sino-Japanese relationship is the "common aspiration" of the people of the two countries, also "the historical responsibility" of the statesmen, especially statesmen of the younger generation. As long as the two countries "take the history as a
