Asia News Digest
Utopians Push Philippines Toward Perpetual Warfare
During the May 1 international webcast by Democratic Presidential pre-candidate Lyndon LaRouche, a question was was e-mailed from the Philippines, asking how to assess the growing chaos in that country as U.S. military operations there proliferate, the economy deteriorates, and political forces are breaking up into factions, without any competent leadership in sight.
LaRouche replied, "The instability [in the Philippines] has been rendered acute by a succession of U.S.-directed coups d'etat, beginning with that against President Marcos [in 1986]. These coups have been a product of the utopian faction of the U.S. military, especially the legacy of Col. Lansdale. Currently, the Philippines is being transformed to serve as a model of, and bastion for, perpetual-warfare operations in Southeast Asia. These influences from the U.S.A. utopians intersect the impact of the lack of that economic development which would provide a sense of progress, and therefore stability. Thus, this problem must be assessed as expressing more the general global situation, rather than something endemic to internally generated Philippines development."
Coups and Threats
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would do well to heed this advice. Unfortunately, she appears unwilling to risk telling the truth about the current U.S. role in the military and political crises in her country. In fact, the leading U.S. agent-of-influence in the Philippines, since the 1986 coup cited by LaRouche, former President Fidel Ramos, has removed two Presidents from office under the guise of " people's power revolutions," and is openly threatening to repeat the process against President Arroyo, if she fails to obey the economic and strategic demands coming from the utopians in Washington. Rather than confront that fact, President Arroyo has further weakened her Administration by defending Ramos.
Thus, when a group calling itself the Freedom Force, composed of leading political figures mostly connected to Ramos, leaked the fact that they were organizing for a military junta to take power, President Arroyo responded on her weekly radio interview of April 30: "The premise that Mr. Ramos could be part of the Freedom Force, just because most of his political associates are involved in it, is very wrong." Arroyo is further quoted: "First of all, the premise is wrong. Not many of the Ramos boys are involved. In fact, a lot of Ramos boys are in the Cabinet."
The View From Wall Street
What is in store for the Philippines, if this capitulation continues, was spelled out in a lead op-ed in the May 6 Wall Street Journal, by Brett Decker of the editorial staff.
The Journal, which speaks for the utopian faction currently pushing for a state of continual warfare globally, under the cover of the war on terrorism, ridicules the current "nonsensical rules of engagement" for the U.S. Special Forces now deployed as "advisers" in operations against the criminal kidnap-for-ransom gang, the Abu Sayyaf, in the southern province of Mindanao. Ignoring the Philippine Constitutional ban on foreign troops fighting on Philippine soil, the Journal demands that the U.S. drop the role of "adviser" and do the job itself.
This will make it easier to carry out the next step, argues the Journal: the reestablishment of a U.S. military base in the countrysomething also banned by the Constitution.
More revealing, the editorial threatens President Arroyo with economic and political repercussions if she fails to follow orders. Pointing out that foreign investment collapsed by nearly 90% in the first quarter, accompanied by "weekly rumors of coup attempts" (without mentioning Journal darling Ramos as the perpetrator), the Journal states ominously, like a colonial master, that "it can be argued that a U.S. presence might lend stability to the Philippine government."
A voice of sanity was sounded in the Daily Tribune of Manila May 6, in a column by Herman Tiu Laurel. He pointed out that the Philippine economic crisis is not a local one: "The American economic bubble is in final collapse. They're seeking ways to avert the catastrophe.... But there is no solution to the U.S. and global economic collapse without a shift in economic paradigm to the LaRouche New Bretton Woods system, and global pump priming through the Eurasian Land-Bridge plan...."
The perpetual war the U.S. utopians are pushing, Laurel continued, "will destroy, not build, the world economy. Gloria Arroyo, given the same pea-size-brain attitude as Bush, is going along with that disastrous, cynical notion of saving the doomed system through voodoo economics and war."
If other Philippine leaders will face this truth about the global economic breakdown, then, and only then, can corrective measures be found.
Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia To Sign Anti-Terror Pact
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad will witness the signing of an anti-terrorism pact among their two countries and Indonesia on May 7. The accord, to be signed in Kuala Lumpur by ministers of the Southeast Asian neighbors, would lead to intensified joint patrols and intelligence sharing aimed at curbing the movement of suspected terrorists across borders, they said. The three countries began working out the agreement after the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States.
Diplomatic sources said details on the "Agreement on Information Exchange and Establishment of Communication Procedures" on counter-terrorism were ironed out recently, after several rounds of talks.
President Arroyo said in her weekly radio address on May 6, that she would seek Dr. Mahathir's continuing support for Manila's peace and development initiatives in Mindanao, as well as her government's war on terrorism. She will also discuss with Dr. Mahathir efforts to speed up peace talks, brokered by Kuala Lumpur, between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Also to be discussed is the plight of thousands of Filipino workers, who have been deported recently from the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah.
Malaysia's Mahathir: 'Embrace the Out of the Ordinary'
Hosting the 35th annual Pacific Basin Economic Council Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad spoke of the need to change axioms, in order to solve the global crisis. He warned that the world is "plunging into more chaos" due to the crises in the Middle East and Afghanistan, financial upheavals, and white-collar crime, and suggested that others could learn from Malaysia's relative success in escaping the looting of the 1997-98 period, which he attributed to "our ability to look beyond the existing measures, mechanisms, systems, practices, and rules, and to embrace the out of the ordinary. We have not been afraid to throw away the old measures and embrace the new, untried and radical though it may be."
Arguing against deregulation, he said that "Globalization has already shown signs of becoming a religion that tolerates no heresy.... The old way is not all about corruption, cronyism, and lack of transparency. Japan, for example, was vilified for the close working relations between the government and the private sector. The term 'Japan, Inc.' was coined as a derogatory description of the allegedly unhealthy practice. South Korea, too, built its huge chaebols through government/private-sector cooperation. Malaysia deliberately adopted this practice and openly called itself Malaysia, Inc. .... In helping the corporations to make a profit we, the government, were simply helping ourselves. Since government spends a big portion of its budget on the public, we believe we were helping the people as well. It is strange that the people who condemn government/private-sector cooperation are not hesitant about asking the government to give privileges and incentives to sectors such as foreign direct investments.... If helping foreign companies is not cronyism, then why should helping local companies be considered as cronyism, be considered as unfair business practice and negate fair competition?"
North-South Korea Talks Cancelled Over Diplomatic Tiff
A comment by South Korean Foreign Minister Choi Sung-Hong, has provoked the cancellation of talks between the two Koreas, scheduled to begin in early May. Choi was quoted in the U.S. press as saying, in reference to the Bush Administration's stance on North Korea, that "Sometimes carrying a big stick works in forcing North Korea to come forward." The South Korean official has claimed it was misinterpreted, but the North's Central News Agency called Choi a "sycophantic traitor," and demanded his dismissal, while cancelling the planned four-day economic-cooperation talks.
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's efforts to get the Sunshine Policy back on track, have also been damaged by corruption scandals involving members of his family. President Kim resigned May 6 from the Millennium Democratic Party, which he founded, saying he would "devote myself to state affairs during [his] remaining term of office," which ends after the December elections. Kim quit as head of the party in November.
Japan To Fund Vietnam Highway Project
Japan has pledged $12 million for road construction in Vietnam. The funding will go for the purchase of road-construction equipment for Vietnam's proposed Ho Chi Minh (Trail) highway project. When completed, the project will add a second north-south highway, running parallel to the existing National Highway No. 1.
Several problems must be overcome in constructing the Ho Chi Minh Highway, including the mountainous terrain and the quantity of unexploded ordnance and landmines along the route. The Japanese grant includes funding for 20 bush cutters to be used in de-mining operations.
U.S.-Thai-Singapore Military Exercises Bigger Than Ever
This year's Cobra Gold annual military exercises in Thailand will more than double the size of those of previous years, the Bangkok Post reported May 5. U.S. military hardware has arrived at U-tapao Air Base for the May 14-28 U.S.-Thai-Singapore exercise, including some 3,000 transport and armored vehicles, along with a fleet of 73 U.S. aircraft, including F-16 and F-18 jet fighters and C-130 transports. U-tapao, which served as the launchpad for U.S. bombers during the Vietnam War, will serve as the command center for this largest-ever Cobra Gold exercise.
Whereas in 2001, about 5,000 U.S. troops took part in Cobra Gold, this year 13,200 U.S. troops, from the Army, Marines, Special Operations Command, Military Sealift Command, U.S. Pacific Air Force, Air Combat Command, and Air Mobility Command, will participate, along with 7,700 Thai troops, and 70 Singaporon soldiers. The exercise will focus on peace-keeping missions, and suppression of international terrorism and drugs. Other aspects of this year's exercise will include anti-terrorism training, with emphasis on handling chemical and biological weapons, including anthrax. Civilian evacuation and the use of safety gear to contain and dispose of chemical and biological weapons will be included.
Cobra Gold will be observed by delegates from 18 countries: Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, France, South Korea, Cambodia, Tonga, India, Russia, China, Brunei, Vietnam, Fiji, and Bangladesh.
Another military exercise in the Northern Philippines, with 2,700 U.S., troops, ended this week, while the presence of U.S. "advisers" in combat against the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao will continue for at least several more months.
U.S., India To Hold Joint Military Exercises
The U.S. and India will conduct their first joint military exercises in 39 years in mid-May, AFP reported May 5. An "elite brigade" of Indian paratroopers and U.S. Special Forces from the Pacific Command will carry out war games called "Ex-Balance Iroquois" in Agra, near the Taj Mahal. More joint exercises are planned for the future.
Nobel Laureate Released Unconditionally in Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi, 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and daughter of Myanmar (Burma) independence leader Aung San, was released with no conditions attached, following 19 months of house arrestand 18 months of diplomatic intercession led by senior Malaysian diplomat Rizali Ismail, in his capacity as special envoy of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Rizali Ismail told journalists that elections could be held in Myanmar within two to three years.
A statement issued May 6 by the country's ruling State Peace and Development Council declared, "As of today, she is at liberty to carry out all activities, including her party's. Today marks the start of a new page for the people of Myanmar and the international community. We shall commit ourselves to allowing all of our citizens to participate freely in the life of our political process while giving precedence to national unity, peace and the stability of the country, as well as the region." The ruling council also announced it had released 600 political prisoners in recent months.
Upon her release, Suu Kyi met with her party, the National League for Democracy, at NLD headquarters in Myanmar's capital, Yangon, where she told a news conference that the party continues to oppose foreign investment, aid, and tourism to Myanmar, as long as the military junta remains in power. However, she confirmed that no restrictions have been placed on her.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters as he left an event at the State Department, "I'm very pleased that she has been released and allowed to participate in political life once again." Despite this positive response, U.S. sanctions remain in effect. On behalf of the European Union, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique called Suu Kyi's release "a step in the right direction," but not enough to warrant lifting more severe sanctions, which were renewed on April 22, including an arms embargo and ban on travel to the European Union by Myanmar junta officials. Moreover, the European Parliament has indicated the sanctions could be extended to include a ban on EU investment.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi held out the prospect that Tokyo would reward political reform in Myanmar with a review of its aid policy and with more active support for the country's nation-building.
The George Soros-funded Free Burma coalition dismissed the announcement as entirely without significance.
U.S. Treasury Man Eyes Asia's Savings To Feed U.S. Bubble
Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Kenneth Dam is touring Malaysia, China, and South Korea to promote what he labelled the "George W. Bush Administration's new international economic initiative," in his speech to the Pacific Basin Economic Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur on May 6. Problem is, it's not new, and it won't work.
Dishing out the same old recipes which have caused so much misery around the world, Dam shamelessly promoted "liberalization of [the] financial sector to boost economic growth." Dam said national airlines and heavy investments in manufacturing will no longer be badges of economic advancement, but rather: "We believe that well-developed and competitive financial sectors must be the engines of growth in this decade." Such efforts are essential so that Asian countries can make the best use of their deep pool of domestic savings "in the best interests of Asia, the U.S. and the world economy.... Now in the 21st century, the fate of all our economies is intertwined.... We have entered into a period of economic convergence. When the U.S. grows, Asia grows. And vice versa. It's that fundamental."
Nepal War-Fighting Spirals as Bush Pledges U.S. Aid
The government of Nepal is claiming it has killed more than 600 Maoist rebels in the western part of the country, after six days of helicopter and other attacks on Maoist mountain training camps in the Rolpa, Pyuthan, and Dodi districts, some 300 kilometers west of the capital Kathmandu. The rebels have killed at least 140 Royal Nepalese security forces during the battle.
This is the bloodiest fighting since the war began in 1996; some 3,800 people have died so far. While the fighting continues, Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is visiting Washington, where President George W. Bush promised help for this "campaign against terrorism." The U.S. has pledged some $20 million in "non-combat" military aid for Nepal, plus military "advisers" in this latest battlefield of the "war on terror."
However, the numbers of bodies being produced by the Nepal government is far smaller than the death toll claimed; in the latest figures, after fighting which supposedly killed 200 or more enemy soldiers, only 37 bodies were "found" by the Royal Nepalese forces. The training camp is very well fortified, with concrete underground bunkers.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was reportedly "very happy" after meeting President Bush, and will follow up with a trip to London where he will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair. Deuba said at a White House press conference May 7: "I am very glad, I am very happy, President Bush is very much supportive to our campaign against terrorism and he has assured us he will help in many ways."
U.S. National Security spokesman Sean McCormack also said that Bush and Deuba "talked about ways the U.S. can support Nepal in combating the Maoist insurgency and to provide greater benefits of economic development to the people of Nepal."
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said Nepal "is fighting a Maoist rebellion, and Nepal is a democracy. The United States is committed to helping Nepal." Nepal has asked for funds, armaments, and helicopters for the war. In the recent period, U.S. military experts have been to Nepal to assess the situation.
Al-Qaeda Operatives Enter Indian-Controlled Kashmir
Al-Qaeda operatives have entered Indian-controlled Kashmir, and are working under the direct control of the Pakistan-based Jaish-i-Mohammad, planning big strikes in the Vale of Kashmir, according to "top intelligence sources" in India. They said that two groups of al-Qaeda militants had crossed the Line of Control from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
"The two groups comprise 10 to 15 men.... They are moving and operating with Jaish cadres in the Valley. The highly trained and motivated al-Qaeda men are planning to strike in Kashmir in a big way," the sources were quoted as saying in The Hindu May 8. Police sources in Kashmir did not rule out the presence of al-Qaeda cadre in the Valley.
The intelligence sources warned that as the spring thaw begins, infiltration of al-Qaeda operatives is most likely to increase, which could greatly exacerbate India-Pakistan tensions, already very high.
Close to 1 million troops, mostly Indian, remain on alert along the Line of Control, as they have been since late last year.
Pakistani ISI Chief Warns of 'High Risk' of Conflict with India
There is a "high risk" of conflict with India in the coming weeks, the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Eshanul Haq is warning, according to the Pakistan Observer of May 7.
The Observer also quoted sources saying that there are "credible intelligence reports" suggesting that the Indian Army is prepared for a limited assault on Pakistan under the guise of "hot pursuit"a factor greatly exacerbated by the U.S. military's "hot pursuit" policy from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Inter-Services Intelligence head Haq told Pakistan's Formation Commanders' conference on May 6 that, with the international community turning a blind eye to the brewing tension between India and Pakistan, "there exists an all-time high risk" of conflict in the coming weeks at the Line of Control and the border. Haq, who was appointed after Sept. 11, attacked what he called the Indian Army's "eyeball-to-eyeball position with Pakistani forces." This formulation was not in the official statement of the meeting.
Pakistani Director-General of Military Operations, Ashfaq Kiani, outlined extensively the deployment of the Indian Army and the threat he said it poses to Pakistan.
Armitage Claims Pakistani Infiltration of Kashmir Declines; India Disagrees
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage claimed that Pakistani infiltration of forces across the Line of Control in Kashmir has declined recently, in an interview with The Hindu published May 8. Meanwhile, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Nirupama Rao declared that there had not been any decline in cross-border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir: The "figures (of inflitration) closely match with the figures of the previous year. As far as inflitration is concerned, there is no cause for complacency" and "there is a need for exercising vigilance," she said.
Official Indian sources noted that there was a "visible escalation" in infiltration during March, compared to last year. In March 2001, there were 113 incidents, but in March 2002, there were 132 attempts at infiltration. There had been a sharp decline in January and February, but that is now reversed.
Armitage, however, claimed that "cross-border infiltration has gone down," but given that the snows had only just begun to melt in the areas, it would be possible to "get a better sense" of the situation, to determine whether the decrease in infiltration reflected the result of "deliberate actions" or the weather.
While many militant training camps in Pakistani-contolled Kashmir had been shut down at the launch of the "war against terrorism," an estimated 60 new terrorist training establishments had been set up in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir recently, The Hindu reported. Some 3,000 militants are in the new camps.
When asked if there were any suggestions from Washington, or any offer from New Delhi, to station U.S. troops in India for the U.S military operations in Afghnistan, Armitage's answered: "I don't think we've requested ... and I just can't imagine why we would want to station troops in India.... [But] the interesting thing about this war on terrorism is that we're not sure where it goes next. So I wouldn't rule anything out."
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