4 New Messages
Digest #4610
Messages
Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:32 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/757092.shtml
Global Times
January 21, 2013
Clinton heats up Diaoyu row
By Bai Tiantian
China Sunday expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposed US comments regarding the disputes between Beijing and Tokyo over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a veiled warning to Beijing not to challenge Tokyo's control of the disputed islets.
Observers said the latest US comment was "one of the most aggressive" positions on the disputes, and was dangerous enough to embolden Japanese right-wing politicians to make more radical moves on the disputes.
Qin Gang, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Sunday called Clinton's comments "ignorant of the facts" and "indiscriminate in terms of right and wrong," and said the US bears undeniable historical responsibility for the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, referring to the fact that despite opposition from China, the US put the islands under Japanese control after World War II.
"We urge the US side to adopt a responsible attitude in regard to the issue of the Diaoyu Islands. It should be careful with its words and acts, and maintain regional peace, stability and the general situation of China-US relations with practical actions and build credit with the Chinese people," Qin said.
Qin's comment was made in response to a speech by Clinton on Friday during a joint news conference at the State Department after holding a meeting with the new Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.
"Although the US does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, we acknowledge they are under the administration of Japan," Clinton said.
"We oppose any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration, and we urge all parties to take steps to prevent incidents and manage disagreements through peaceful means," said the outgoing secretary of state, who also invited new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Washington next month.
Japan's Kyodo News commented that it was the first time Clinton had clearly stated Washington's opposition to altering the status quo regarding the isles.
Qu Xing, director of the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times Sunday that the US' explicit support for Japan showed a big change in Washington's public tone over the issue, and that Washington's stance on the Diaoyu row is "never neutral."
Qu's opinion was echoed by Ni Feng, an expert on East Asia security affairs from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who told the Global Times that Clinton's statement is one of the most aggressive comments over the Diaoyu Islands ever released by the US.
"It complicates the current situation between China and Japan and will very likely deepen the conflict as the statement clearly encourages Japanese right-wing politicians to make more radical moves since the statement assured them of US protection should a military clash break out," Qu said.
Since December 13, 2012, Chinese government aircraft have conducted several patrols in the airspace over the Diaoyu Islands, prompting Japan to scramble F-15 fighter jets to the area.
On January 10, China sent two J-10 fighters to the East China Sea after a Chinese Y-8 aircraft was closely followed by two Japanese F-15 fighters as it patrolled the southwestern airspace of the East China Sea oil platform.
Qu said the aggressiveness of Clinton's speech is a signal that the US believes a military conflict between the two countries is more likely to happen given the tense situation.
"It would be a political and economic disaster for the US if the world's second largest economy and the world's third largest economy engaged in a war," warned Ni.
Despite rising tensions between the two neighbors, the channel for dialogues is still open.
A handwritten letter from Abe is expected to be sent to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central committee, this week by Natsuo Yamaguchi, the head of the New Komeito Party and Abe's close ally, to initiate a high-level talk over the territorial dispute, the Nikkei newspaper reported.
Xinhua contributed to this story
====================================================================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
======================================================================
Global Times
January 21, 2013
Clinton heats up Diaoyu row
By Bai Tiantian
China Sunday expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposed US comments regarding the disputes between Beijing and Tokyo over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a veiled warning to Beijing not to challenge Tokyo's control of the disputed islets.
Observers said the latest US comment was "one of the most aggressive" positions on the disputes, and was dangerous enough to embolden Japanese right-wing politicians to make more radical moves on the disputes.
Qin Gang, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Sunday called Clinton's comments "ignorant of the facts" and "indiscriminate in terms of right and wrong," and said the US bears undeniable historical responsibility for the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, referring to the fact that despite opposition from China, the US put the islands under Japanese control after World War II.
"We urge the US side to adopt a responsible attitude in regard to the issue of the Diaoyu Islands. It should be careful with its words and acts, and maintain regional peace, stability and the general situation of China-US relations with practical actions and build credit with the Chinese people," Qin said.
Qin's comment was made in response to a speech by Clinton on Friday during a joint news conference at the State Department after holding a meeting with the new Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.
"Although the US does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, we acknowledge they are under the administration of Japan," Clinton said.
"We oppose any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration, and we urge all parties to take steps to prevent incidents and manage disagreements through peaceful means," said the outgoing secretary of state, who also invited new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Washington next month.
Japan's Kyodo News commented that it was the first time Clinton had clearly stated Washington's opposition to altering the status quo regarding the isles.
Qu Xing, director of the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times Sunday that the US' explicit support for Japan showed a big change in Washington's public tone over the issue, and that Washington's stance on the Diaoyu row is "never neutral."
Qu's opinion was echoed by Ni Feng, an expert on East Asia security affairs from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who told the Global Times that Clinton's statement is one of the most aggressive comments over the Diaoyu Islands ever released by the US.
"It complicates the current situation between China and Japan and will very likely deepen the conflict as the statement clearly encourages Japanese right-wing politicians to make more radical moves since the statement assured them of US protection should a military clash break out," Qu said.
Since December 13, 2012, Chinese government aircraft have conducted several patrols in the airspace over the Diaoyu Islands, prompting Japan to scramble F-15 fighter jets to the area.
On January 10, China sent two J-10 fighters to the East China Sea after a Chinese Y-8 aircraft was closely followed by two Japanese F-15 fighters as it patrolled the southwestern airspace of the East China Sea oil platform.
Qu said the aggressiveness of Clinton's speech is a signal that the US believes a military conflict between the two countries is more likely to happen given the tense situation.
"It would be a political and economic disaster for the US if the world's second largest economy and the world's third largest economy engaged in a war," warned Ni.
Despite rising tensions between the two neighbors, the channel for dialogues is still open.
A handwritten letter from Abe is expected to be sent to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central committee, this week by Natsuo Yamaguchi, the head of the New Komeito Party and Abe's close ally, to initiate a high-level talk over the territorial dispute, the Nikkei newspaper reported.
Xinhua contributed to this story
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:32 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130121/178919655/NATO-Missiles-Arrive-in-Turkey%20-%20Reports.html
Russian Information Agency Novosti
January 21, 2013
NATO Missiles Arrive in Turkey - Reports
ANKARA: The Suecia Seaways cargo ship with Patriot missiles onboard arrived Monday at the Turkish port of Iskenderun, local media reported.
According to the Anadolu news agency, the missiles it carried from Germany will be stationed in Kahramanmaras, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) inside Turkey's border with Syria, while the Dutch systems will be deployed in the Adana Province.
Germany has sent 240 soldiers to Turkey. An advance Bundeswehr team is already on site. The deployment will number some 350 German soldiers, including medics, Deutsche Welle said.
The main German contingent flew out of Berlin Sunday. Two German Patriot units are to be fully operational by early February.
NATO agreed in December to station two units from each of the three NATO partners (Germany, the Netherlands, and the US) at the request of its member Turkey, after Syrian shelling along the border killed five Turkish civilians in October.
In early January, US personnel and equipment began arriving at the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey to support NATO’s Patriot battery deployment, the US European Command (Eucom) said.
The PAC-2 version of the Patriot missile works by exploding close to an incoming missile. The more advanced PAC-3 hits the incoming missile directly.
NATO approved the Patriot batteries deployment last month, after a request filed by Turkey. Russia has repeatedly protested the deployment, warning that it would mean the direct involvement of NATO forces in the Syrian conflict, further undermining the already unstable situation in the region.
...
The duration of the deployment will be determined by the contributing nations in coordination with Turkey and NATO, the Eucom said.
Tensions between Turkey and Syria flared dangerously this summer after Damascus shot down a Turkish fighter that had violated its airspace. Turkey threatened retaliation if there was any repeat of the incident, although it admitted the plane had mistakenly strayed slightly into Syria.
====================================================================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
======================================================================
Russian Information Agency Novosti
January 21, 2013
NATO Missiles Arrive in Turkey - Reports
ANKARA: The Suecia Seaways cargo ship with Patriot missiles onboard arrived Monday at the Turkish port of Iskenderun, local media reported.
According to the Anadolu news agency, the missiles it carried from Germany will be stationed in Kahramanmaras, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) inside Turkey's border with Syria, while the Dutch systems will be deployed in the Adana Province.
Germany has sent 240 soldiers to Turkey. An advance Bundeswehr team is already on site. The deployment will number some 350 German soldiers, including medics, Deutsche Welle said.
The main German contingent flew out of Berlin Sunday. Two German Patriot units are to be fully operational by early February.
NATO agreed in December to station two units from each of the three NATO partners (Germany, the Netherlands, and the US) at the request of its member Turkey, after Syrian shelling along the border killed five Turkish civilians in October.
In early January, US personnel and equipment began arriving at the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey to support NATO’s Patriot battery deployment, the US European Command (Eucom) said.
The PAC-2 version of the Patriot missile works by exploding close to an incoming missile. The more advanced PAC-3 hits the incoming missile directly.
NATO approved the Patriot batteries deployment last month, after a request filed by Turkey. Russia has repeatedly protested the deployment, warning that it would mean the direct involvement of NATO forces in the Syrian conflict, further undermining the already unstable situation in the region.
...
The duration of the deployment will be determined by the contributing nations in coordination with Turkey and NATO, the Eucom said.
Tensions between Turkey and Syria flared dangerously this summer after Damascus shot down a Turkish fighter that had violated its airspace. Turkey threatened retaliation if there was any repeat of the incident, although it admitted the plane had mistakenly strayed slightly into Syria.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:32 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/757061.shtml
Global Times
January 21, 2013
Mixed US signals need not alarm China
====
China's priority is to maintain our attitude toward the Diaoyu Islands. We have to help other sides properly understand us. There should have no ambiguity when it comes to China's willingness to counterattack in the event of a military provocation. As long as there is understanding, the words of the US won't seem so important.
====
Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that the US has no position on the Diaoyu Islands dispute. She did however, claim that the islands are under the administrative jurisdiction of Japan and that the US opposes any unilateral moves to encroach on Japan's area of jurisdiction. This demonstrates that the US has admitted its bias in the Diaoyu Islands dispute.
This doesn't come as a surprise. If further escalation of the confrontation between China and Japan occurs, such signs of bias may also be demonstrated by the US military. If the situation leads to conflict, US forces in Japan will take further actions to exert pressure on China. China should be psychologically prepared for this.
Some elements of the Diaoyu Islands disputes and the South China Sea disputes will be partly transformed into a competition between China and the US. If we regard Clinton's remarks as a significant change, the whole diplomatic strategy of our country should be revised and the importance of our national rejuvenation needs to be reexamined.
Does this mean that military conflict between China and the US will be triggered by a conflict such as the Diaoyu Islands dispute? Perhaps not.
It will depend on whether the US has the determination to contain China's rise via military means. We have not yet seen such determination.
With China's rise, the risks faced by the US in any military action will increase. Obviously, the US does not want to face such risks if they can be avoided.
It also depends on whether China moves to directly threaten core US interests. If China expands its forces and tries to drive the US out of East Asia, the US will resort to military action despite the risks. However, China has no such intention.
The Diaoyu Islands lie within the range of our national defense forces' effective zone of deterrence, so US tactical intervention has no certainty of success. China has enough military and non-military means to retaliate against US actions.
Therefore, China should treat subtle changes in US statements rationally. There's no need to exaggerate words that suit China's aims, nor be afraid of US bias. US influence is important, but not so powerful that China cannot deal with it.
There is going to be a very complex period involving games between China, the US and Japan. These three sides will test each other's bottom line as well as enjoy the benefits brought about by cooperation. They do not intend to go to war, but they are all preparing for an emergency. Despite the many tactical uncertainties, it is not the time for powers in the Western Pacific to engage in a strategic collision. The Diaoyu Islands are not big enough to be the trigger for this.
China's priority is to maintain our attitude toward the Diaoyu Islands. We have to help other sides properly understand us. There should have no ambiguity when it comes to China's willingness to counterattack in the event of a military provocation. As long as there is understanding, the words of the US won't seem so important.
====================================================================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
======================================================================
Global Times
January 21, 2013
Mixed US signals need not alarm China
====
China's priority is to maintain our attitude toward the Diaoyu Islands. We have to help other sides properly understand us. There should have no ambiguity when it comes to China's willingness to counterattack in the event of a military provocation. As long as there is understanding, the words of the US won't seem so important.
====
Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that the US has no position on the Diaoyu Islands dispute. She did however, claim that the islands are under the administrative jurisdiction of Japan and that the US opposes any unilateral moves to encroach on Japan's area of jurisdiction. This demonstrates that the US has admitted its bias in the Diaoyu Islands dispute.
This doesn't come as a surprise. If further escalation of the confrontation between China and Japan occurs, such signs of bias may also be demonstrated by the US military. If the situation leads to conflict, US forces in Japan will take further actions to exert pressure on China. China should be psychologically prepared for this.
Some elements of the Diaoyu Islands disputes and the South China Sea disputes will be partly transformed into a competition between China and the US. If we regard Clinton's remarks as a significant change, the whole diplomatic strategy of our country should be revised and the importance of our national rejuvenation needs to be reexamined.
Does this mean that military conflict between China and the US will be triggered by a conflict such as the Diaoyu Islands dispute? Perhaps not.
It will depend on whether the US has the determination to contain China's rise via military means. We have not yet seen such determination.
With China's rise, the risks faced by the US in any military action will increase. Obviously, the US does not want to face such risks if they can be avoided.
It also depends on whether China moves to directly threaten core US interests. If China expands its forces and tries to drive the US out of East Asia, the US will resort to military action despite the risks. However, China has no such intention.
The Diaoyu Islands lie within the range of our national defense forces' effective zone of deterrence, so US tactical intervention has no certainty of success. China has enough military and non-military means to retaliate against US actions.
Therefore, China should treat subtle changes in US statements rationally. There's no need to exaggerate words that suit China's aims, nor be afraid of US bias. US influence is important, but not so powerful that China cannot deal with it.
There is going to be a very complex period involving games between China, the US and Japan. These three sides will test each other's bottom line as well as enjoy the benefits brought about by cooperation. They do not intend to go to war, but they are all preparing for an emergency. Despite the many tactical uncertainties, it is not the time for powers in the Western Pacific to engage in a strategic collision. The Diaoyu Islands are not big enough to be the trigger for this.
China's priority is to maintain our attitude toward the Diaoyu Islands. We have to help other sides properly understand us. There should have no ambiguity when it comes to China's willingness to counterattack in the event of a military provocation. As long as there is understanding, the words of the US won't seem so important.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:25 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-01/21/content_16146495.htm
China Daily
January 21, 2013
US' dangerous stance
The United States is sending a dangerous message on the territorial dispute between China and Japan, which may lead the tension in the East China Sea to spin out of control.
On the one hand, after talking with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington on Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her country wants to see China and Japan resolve this matter peacefully through dialogue: "We do not want to see any action taken by anyone that could raise tensions or result in miscalculations that would undermine the peace, security, and economic growth in this region."
On the other hand, she announced that China's Diaoyu Islands are under the administration of Japan and the US-Japan Security Treaty obliges the US to defend Japan in the event of island-related hostilities.
The US has complicated the territorial dispute between China and Japan. Although it claims to be ostensibly neutral, its partiality to its ally emboldened Japan to "nationalize" three of the Diaoyu Islands last September, breaking the two countries previous consensus to shelve the dispute.
Japan stole the islands from China and held them until the end of World War II, when the US took control. Based on the backroom Okinawa Reversion Treaty, the US returned them to Japan in 1972 amid protests from China.
This was counter to the principles of the Cairo Declaration of 1943 and the Potsdam Proclamation of 1945, which obliged Japan to return all the territories it stole from China.
By putting the Diaoyu Islands under the US' treaty obligations, the US Secretary of State has highlighted that the US will go against any unilateral action that will infringe upon the administration rights of Japan.
Clinton's words made clear to all that the US will allow its security treaty with Japan to go beyond the bilateral scope and undermine the sovereignty of China.
The way the US is bracing and bolstering Japan is dangerous given Japan's plans and the way Japan is letting the tension flare up. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said last week that Japan may fire tracer bullets as warning shots at Chinese planes that patrol the Diaoyu Islands.
Clinton's remarks have only added fuel to the fire.
The region welcomes the US if it acts as a peacemaker, not if it acts as a provocateur.
China Daily
January 21, 2013
US' dangerous stance
The United States is sending a dangerous message on the territorial dispute between China and Japan, which may lead the tension in the East China Sea to spin out of control.
On the one hand, after talking with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington on Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her country wants to see China and Japan resolve this matter peacefully through dialogue: "We do not want to see any action taken by anyone that could raise tensions or result in miscalculations that would undermine the peace, security, and economic growth in this region."
On the other hand, she announced that China's Diaoyu Islands are under the administration of Japan and the US-Japan Security Treaty obliges the US to defend Japan in the event of island-related hostilities.
The US has complicated the territorial dispute between China and Japan. Although it claims to be ostensibly neutral, its partiality to its ally emboldened Japan to "nationalize" three of the Diaoyu Islands last September, breaking the two countries previous consensus to shelve the dispute.
Japan stole the islands from China and held them until the end of World War II, when the US took control. Based on the backroom Okinawa Reversion Treaty, the US returned them to Japan in 1972 amid protests from China.
This was counter to the principles of the Cairo Declaration of 1943 and the Potsdam Proclamation of 1945, which obliged Japan to return all the territories it stole from China.
By putting the Diaoyu Islands under the US' treaty obligations, the US Secretary of State has highlighted that the US will go against any unilateral action that will infringe upon the administration rights of Japan.
Clinton's words made clear to all that the US will allow its security treaty with Japan to go beyond the bilateral scope and undermine the sovereignty of China.
The way the US is bracing and bolstering Japan is dangerous given Japan's plans and the way Japan is letting the tension flare up. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said last week that Japan may fire tracer bullets as warning shots at Chinese planes that patrol the Diaoyu Islands.
Clinton's remarks have only added fuel to the fire.
The region welcomes the US if it acts as a peacemaker, not if it acts as a provocateur.
