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Strategies & Market Trends : HONG KONG -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (2750)	3/17/1999 9:19:00 PM
From: Tom	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2951

Actually, the HWI operations that are being objected to are not in the canal proper at all. They are ports near the ends of the canal. I indicated as much by identifying them as "approaches." Did you read the links I passed on to Dave? Not all Moorer's stuff, but his opinions are prominently cited and those writing certainly appear to be sympathetic to his views. HWI is repeatedly referred to as "Chinese-owned" - as if there were something sinister about an ethnic Chinese owning a company - and even "Communist controlled". I didn't see the links, and I'd have to read the articles in order to determine the who's, what's and where's. More than a bit exaggerated, and with real tinges of racism. One of the links called up the specter of Chinese bombers striking at the US from Panama - a bit of a jump, when all we're talking about is operation of a port by a well respected HK firm that happens to operate ports. A close working relationship with Beijing does not put the Company under control of the Chinese military. Like I said, I'd have to read the composition. If it slanders the Chinese race, as you indicate, it's entirely unacceptable. Bombers? There's a nearby airfield at one end, but the PLAAF inventory wouldn't require much more than getting airborne. When you read the positions of those involved, it is pretty clear that they want HWI out of Panama, and they want the company kept out of any area considered "strategic". This seems to be a real restraint-of-trade issue. How can we preach free trade on one hand, and go around telling independent countries who they can and can't do business with on the other? Interesting to note that the entire case against HWI is based on Li's links with Beijing: nobody is claiming that HWI facilities are being or have ever been used as bases for intelligence or military services. If there was evidence of that, there would be a case. Apparently there is not: if there was, I expect we would be hearing about it. Do we hear China howling in protest because Raytheon - which certainly has close links to DoD - is involved in construction projects in strategic locations around Asia? How would we react if they did? See my remarks of yesterday on the PLA and failure to act responsibly. Steve, you're beginning to rant. "...seems that...suggesting....anywhere" Read the links, and tell me who is ranting. I will. They should have worked more and relaxed the arrogant posturing. They wanted the bases out, for understandable reasons. Many of the same people who wanted the bases out now support the VFA, which is in no way contradictory: the VFA is a much more equitable and reasonable arrangement, an agreement between two sovereign nations, rather than the old client/patron situation. I agree absolutely with Moorer that building up the defensive capabilities of Pacific Rim nations is at least as important as maintaining a military presence. Many Filipinos feel that their external defense capability was deliberately neglected in an effort to keep the nation dependent on a foreign military presence. They have a point. By "they," I meant the U.S. There are many tactical reasons for choosing Subic over Cavete Harbor. Myself, I favor other locations for certain evolutions... Cubi is always an attractive feature. Swing some arcs from Cubi and consider operating ranges. There is a big gap between running an occasional visit, which would as easily be done in Manila, and running actual operations out of Cubi. Given the current civilian nature of the freeport zone, I don't see the latter as an option in any event short of full scale war. Air components of joint exercises under the VFA, if it is approved, would probably operate out of PAF facilities at Basa Air Base, or Batangas, where security is better and interference with civilian operations less likely. Even Clark would probably be preferable to Cubi: it would be very difficult to run any substantial operation out of Cubi without interfering with FedEx, which pretty much runs the airport now. I was referring to a brief visit of an emergency nature, not just an R&R stop. FedEx? <g> There are many considerations, as I've said. Manila is not acceptable, nor is it required. And Clark...well, the arc swings both ways. Chinese intentions in the China Sea are certainly a matter of concern, but I don't think hysteria - or a purely military view classifying China as "the enemy" - is the appropriate way of dealing with that concern. Attacking respectable HK companies with Red-scare tactics is neither logical nor effective, and actually draws attention away from the legitimate points. Yes, gets one to thinking. -----

To: Dayuhan who wrote (2750)	3/18/1999 9:00:00 AM
From: Ron Bower	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2951

Steven, OT You wrote - "How can we preach free trade on one hand, and go around telling independent countries who they can and can't do business with on the other?" I agree. I feel our foreign policy is isolating the US. We're 'telling' instead of 'listening' and our friendships are based on money. We're making a lot of noise and are involved everywhere, but I feel the rest of the world is having discussions and we haven't been invited to participate because we will try to dominate and control. It seems a far fetched scenario, but we may see the day when the world's economies operate independent of US influence. I don't know how to adequately express the impressions I'm getting but, should I by some miracle be right, there's some major changes coming in the next couple of decades. JMHO, Ron