News of the Day (July 29)

Hao Fengjun reveals worldwide espionage network: Hao Fengjun, the former Communist cop who is still seeking asylum in Australia, revealed plans from the anti-Falun Gong 610 office "that required its operatives in all major cities around the globe to have a complete monitoring system in place within the next three years" (Epoch Times). Hao also noted that the largest number of Communist spies are in Japan, Australia, and North America, and that many in the 610 office "simply waiting for their chance to defect" and are a watching his case to see if he will b protected - all the more reason for the U.S. to grant Hao asylum now.

Talks on SNK nuclear weapons stretch on: The U.S. and Stalinist North Korea "have begun a fourth round of bilateral talks" (BBC) over the latter's nuclear weapons program. The talks, which also include Russia, South Korea, Japan, and host Communist China, may even go into next week. The continuing willingness to talk is a sign that the battle within the Bush Administration on the Stalinist regime appears to be settled - with the dealmakers in control (Washington Times). Will they never learn?

Chen Yonglin says Communists are building nuclear stockpile to confront U.S.: Meanwhile, Communist China is already "building up its nuclear forces as part of a secret strategy targeting the United States," according to ex-Communist consul Chen Yonglin, who spoke to Bill Gertz (Washington Times). Chen also disputes the estimate of 20 nuclear missiles in Communist China, saying the exact number is known to only the highest ranking cadres.

Communist China may drop Unocal bid: Amid "political pressure in the U.S." (Market Watch) that "makes the takeover impossible," Communist China could end its bid for Unocal "as early as next week." According to the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun, the bid is already dead. Unocal's board of directors recommended shareholders reject the Communist bid in favor of a revised Chevron merger deal (fifth item).

Communist China launches charm offensive in Washington as Charles Lee suffers in jail: Communist China has hired the Patton Boggs lobbying firm to help "counter U.S. criticism of its growing economic and military power" (Newsmax). One person Patton Boggs will likely not have in its files on its new client is Charles Lee, the American citizen and Falun Gong practitioner who has spent two and a half years in a Communist jail. The Communists are "threatening to cut off all communication with Dr. Lee, including diplomatic visits, if he keeps studying and practicing . . . Falun Gong" (Epoch Times).

Communist "pig bacteria" deaths pass 30: What the Communists are still calling a "pig-borne bacterial disease" (Newsmax) has now infected over 150 and killed 31 people. Already, questions about the nature of the disease, and the Communists refusal to answer them, are reminding observers of the SARS coverup that enabled that disease to encircle the globe.

On Jiang Zemin: The editors of the Epoch Times release Chapter Nine of the autobiography.

O Canada! Rob Anders, Member of Parliament from Calgary West (Alberta), spoke on Communist China's persecution at home - and abroad - at a Nine Commentaries forum. He ought to know about the latter: Communist embassy officials once accosted him outside of the Canadian Parliament. Report: Epoch Times

On Pakistan and the War on Terror (again): We have even more accounts of Pakistani strongman Pervez Musharraf's checkered policies on terrorism (lead and ninth items), this one from Wilson John, of the Observer Research Foundation, in the Washington Times.