ASIA & THE PACIFIC :

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International Herald Tribune, 13 May 08, by Andrew Jacobs
China's quake response is unusually open
'With images of the calamitous cyclone in Myanmar still fresh - and the authoritarian government's lackadasical response earning it international scorn - Wen and his fellow Communist Party leaders are keenly aware that their approach to the earthquake will be closely watched, at home and abroad.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 08, by Christopher Johnson
Burma's neighbors step in
'The junta ruling Burma appears more open to Asian aid than to Western.'

International Herald Tribune, 14 May 08
Junta is stealing aid, relief groups assert
'... the directors of several relief organizations in Myanmar said Wednesday that some of the international aid coming into the country for the victims of Cyclone Nargis was being stolen, diverted or warehoused by the military.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 May 08
Myanmar aid trickles in, but generals uphold restrictions
'Aid continued to arrive in Myanmar on Tuesday - a darkly clouded and rainy day here and in the south - but international aid experts and diplomats in the capital expressed concern that the government was not up to the task of delivering the aid effectively.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 08, by Mian Ridge
Indian bombings fit pattern of efforts to foment interreligious strife
'Seven synchronized bombs exploded in the city of Jaipur Tuesday evening.'

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Seth Mydans
A Reclusive Government, Forced to Ask for Help
'In opening its doors to international disaster relief, Myanmar’s military government is breaching a wall of isolation it has built around itself over nearly half a century.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 May 08, by David Montero
Disaster may loosen junta's grip in Burma (Myanmar)
'A May 10 poll could underscore how unpopular the regime is, as it slowly opens to foreign aid.'

International Herald Tribune, 08 May 08, by Jonathan Adams
In battle with China for allies, Taiwan resorts to riskier tactics
'A scandal here over a bungled Taiwan attempt to forge official ties with Papua New Guinea has thrown a spotlight on the long-running, shadowy war between China and Taiwan for allies.'

New York Times, 08 May 08, by Martin Fackler
In His Visit to Japan, China Leader Seeks Amity
'The leaders of China and Japan pledged Wednesday to make their nations partners instead of rivals as the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, began a good-will mission to Tokyo aimed at improving often tense relations between the Asian powers.'

International Herald Tribune, 29 Apr 08, by Somini Sengupta and Heather Timmons
Iranian president's visit will test India
'The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ... brought the Indian government a strange boon: a chance to show that it is willing to buck pressure from the White House and shake hands with a man Washington reviles.'

International Herald Tribune, 24 Apr 08, by David E. Sanger
Risk to Pyongyang deal seen in U.S. release of Syria nuclear evidence
'The timing of the administration's decision to declassify information about the Syrian project has raised widespread suspicions, especially in the State Department, that Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration hawks were hoping that releasing it might undermine a potential deal with North Korea that would take Pyongyang off a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.'

Washington Post, 20 Apr 08, by Dan Eggen
Bush, S. Korean President Suggest More Patience With Kim Jong Il
'President Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged patience yesterday in nuclear talks with North Korea, arguing that recent concessions proposed by the United States could lead to tangible progress in stalled negotiations with Pyongyang.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr 08, by Mian Ridge
India: How will Maoist gains in Nepal shape two countries' ties?
'The Maoist party had a surprisingly strong showing in recent elections. India is worried about the impact on its own Maoist rebel movement, the Naxalites.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr 08, by Peter Ford
Amid human rights protests, a look at China's record
'Freedoms have improved tremendously in the past 25 years, but Chinese people today face plenty of red lines.'

BBC News, 03 Apr 08
Spat between two Koreas escalates
'North Korea has reportedly threatened "countermeasures" against South Korea, in a growing row between the nations.'

StrategyPage, 03 Apr 08
The Mauling At Mannar
'Sri Lanka remains the bloodiest conflict in the region, killing more people each week than the fighting in Pakistan or Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 27 Mar 08, by Josh White and Glenn Kessler
Nuclear Parts To Taiwan : U.S. Initially Unconcerned About Erroneous Shipment
'After Taiwanese officials reported in early 2007 that four packages they had received from the U.S. military did not contain the helicopter batteries they had expected, U.S. officials suggested that Taiwan simply dispose of the incorrect items -- which turned out to be parts for U.S. nuclear missiles.'

Washington Post, 05 Mar 08, by Jill Drew
China's Military Budget Reported at $59 Billion
'Disclosure of plans for a $59 billion outlay in 2008 followed a Pentagon report Monday that raised questions about China's rapidly increasing military budget, and came less than three weeks before a presidential election in Taiwan, the self-governed island over which China claims sovereignty.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Mar 08, by David Lague
Russia and China rethink arms deals
'For almost two decades, it was close to the perfect match of buyer and seller. Denied weapons and defense technology from the West, China was almost totally reliant on Russia for the hardware it needed to jump-start an ambitious military buildup. And while the Russian economy teetered in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, huge orders from China helped keep a once-mighty defense industry afloat.'

See Asia and the Pacific archive for past stories.