china, burma, nepal...

[cd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

re china and burma, it would appear that china is on a path similar to
the one it has taken over the last thirty odd years in Nepal, that is,
to dominate the foreign policy and many of the matters influencing
internal policy to a solidly pro-china tilt by the national government.
not only do both nations greatly fear china driving through their
country, towards india or the southeast pacific rim, but they enjoy
balancing off china, mostly a diplomatic face-saving gest to the
international community, while reaping the awards from competing nations
seeking access in these smaller border countries in the spirit of
friendship and trade. Nepal has been thoroughly unabashed in denouncing
tibetans, arresting tibetans inside nepal, persecuting tibetans and
castigating HH the Dalai Lama, and is among the first of nations to side
with China in declaring that Tibet is an integral part of China. For the
historical record, the late Democratic leader of Nepal, B P Koriala, was
always particularly irked by the issue of Tibet and China, and despite
numerous encounters on this subject with this author refused to speak
about China and Tibet, either on or off the record (an astute
politician). Nor did the Dalai Lama ever venture into Nepal's special
relationship with China though it was Koriala who refused territory to
the Dalai Lama during the 59 flight, and would not harbor persecuted
Tibetans lest he incur Chinese rage. Anyway, Koriala was soon toppled by
his King's One Party mafia, and both ended living across the street in
exile, in Benares India, from time to time, never venturing to meet or
talk over the China problem which they both suffered miserably...

dawn star - somewhere in france 


BurmaJapan@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> Inbar foundation sets Beijing roots
> 
>      A CEREMONY to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the
> headquarters of the International
>      Network for Bamboo and Rattan (Inbar), which was officially
> launched on Friday, was held in Beijing
>      on Saturday.
> 
>      Beijing Mayor Jia Qinglin addressed the ceremony, saying that as
> the host city Beijing will provide as
>      much support as possible to the construction and operation of the
> first China-based international
>      organization.
> 
>      He also expressed the hope that more international organizations
> would set up their headquarters
>      and branches in China's capital.
> 
>      Gordon S. Smith, first chairman of the Inbar board and also
> chairman of the Canada-based
>      International Development Research Centre (IDRC), expressed his
> thanks to the related Chinese
>      departments for their support.
> 
>      The network, he said, will play an integral part in the greater use
> of bamboo and rattan resources,
>      which should contribute to the world's economic development,
> poverty relief and ecological
>      conservation.
> 
>      He said bamboo and rattan, with an annual world output value of $14
> billion, are of special
>      significance in creating jobs for rural women.
> 
>      Inbar is an independent, non-profit, inter-governmental
> international organization with full legal status.
>      The network aims mainly to support the research and development of
> bamboo and rattan resources
>      so as to make greater and better use of these two natural
> resources.
> 
>      The institution vowed to initiate a second "green revolution," a
> double revolution to green the earth as
>      well as to ensure the food supply.
> 
>      As important forestry products in tropic and sub-tropic areas,
> bamboo and rattan are fast-growing,
>      high-yielding, profitable and ecologically friendly. They are
> expected to help promote the sustainable
>      development of countries, especially developing ones, in tropical
> and sub-tropical areas.
> 
>      Wang Zhibao, China's vice-minister of forestry, was elected to
> chair the Inbar Council.
> 
>      Jiang Zehui, president of China's Academy of Forestry Sciences, was
> elected as co-chairperson of
>      Inbar's board of trustees, and IDRC's Cherla B. Sastry appointed
> secretary-general.
> 
>      Jiang pointed out that Inbar, as the first Beijing-based
> multilateral organization with the characteristic
>      of globalization, is expected to act as a precedent for future such
> institutions in China.
> 
>      Following international practices, the Chinese Government will
> supply privilege, diplomatic immunity
>      and other preferential conditions, according to Jiang.
> 
>      The agreement to set up the international network was signed on
> Thursday in Beijing by nine
>      government representatives from Bangladesh, Canada, China,
> Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal,
>      Philippines, Peru and Tanzania.
> 
>      China is the world's biggest producer and user of bamboo and
> rattan. (CD - Xinhua)
> 
>      Date: 11/10/97
>      Author: Chen Chunmei
>      Copyright© by China Daily