| Link of the Week Erik Cornell, Sweden�s Ambassador to North Korea in the mid-1970s has this timely reminder on North Korea and the PRC: �North Korea lies within Beijing's sphere of influence, and . . . China retains its control and guarantee over what happens in the area. As the local saying goes on solemn occasions: Beijing and Pyongyang are as close as lips and teeth.� Cornell�s column appeared in the Washington Times. More On Communist China�s Role in North Korea Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, BBC, has these sobering comments for those looking to the PRC to resolve the nuclear weapons standoff: �As North Korea's largest donor of food and fuel, China controls the levers that could force Pyongyang to back down. But China's fear of a North Korean collapse means those levers will never be used.� Meanwhile, Jon Pomfret, Washington Post, examines Communist China�s massive crackdown and repatriation of refugees from North Korea, simply trying to escape starvation and Kim Jong-il. Of course for Communist China, preserving the Stalinist regime, a PRC ally since the Korean War, is more important than preserving the lives of the refugees, who risk harrowing imprisonment or death if �repatriated.� The editors of the National Post (Canadian) call on Communist China to help rein in its Stalinist ally. Unfortunately, the editors� view on Communist China � �looking more like an ally than a rival� � is so naively optimistic it�s practically Pollyannaish. Sign up now for the next North Korea Report, sent out every Monday. On Communist China�s Role in the Middle East Amir Taheri, in National Review Online, finds that the Muslim potentates of the Middle East are looking to Communist China �as a political and economic counterweight to the United States,� than explains why that�s a bad not just for the U.S., but also for the Muslim nations themselves. On Communist China and American Defense William Kristol, Weekly Standard, joins many others � including Henry Sokolski, frequently cited in our North Korea Reports � in calling for the President to increase defense spending, citing Communist China as one of many reasons for the proposed increase. On Brian Regan The editors of the Washington Times (second section) rip former Air Force Sergeant Brian Regan for his willingness to sell secrets to Communist China and Iraq. Check out the latest on Communist China and the Terrorist War. Miss an Update, Weekly Links, or a North Korea Report? Find it on our web site. Sign the Boycott Petition: In reaction to the decision of the International Olympic Committee awarding Beijing the 2008 Olympic Games, the China e-Lobby has begun a petition for an American boycott of those games. Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested in receiving it. Anyone who wishes to join can send his/her name and e-mail address to [email protected]. Please feel free to send any news on Communist China or North Korea that you happen to find to the same address. |