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Turkey hosts Eurasian summit amid Israel storm

June 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Turkey, seething with anger after an Israeli raid on an aid ship bound for Gaza, hosts leaders from Russia, Iran, the Arab world and beyond this week for a Eurasian security summit that may further isolate Israel.

The guest list for the meeting in Istanbul of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), reads like a “who’s who” of leaders from world hot spots, with participants from the Middle East, South Asia and the Korean Peninsula.

Israel is one of 20 members of the forum, but has decided to send a diplomat from its consulate, an Israeli embassy official said on Sunday, rather than expose a more senior figure to the fury generated by the killing of nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists in the Israeli commando operation last Monday.

Turkey is expected to try to raise pressure on Israel to end the four-year old blockade of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza during a conference on Monday which precedes Tuesday’s full summit.

The diplomatic momentum will continue on Wednesday, as Arab League foreign ministers gather in Istanbul for the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum.

Turkey, NATO’s only Muslim member, has sought to raise its international profile in recent years. Positioned next to countries along the Gulf and Caspian Sea, where most of the world’s oil and gas is found, Turkey holds geostrategic value in a conflict-prone region.

It wants to join the European Union and become a major regional power, shedding the straitjacket of its Cold War era role as ally of the West.

Critics caution that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamist-leaning government risks tilting too far in trying to forge stronger ties with Middle East governments the West does not trust.

EIGHT PRESIDENTS

While CICA aspires to ideals of collective security to minimise threats of conflict within its region there are several hard core enemies of Israel among its diverse membership.

Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas are among eight presidents participating in the Eurasian summit. President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, though not a member, is attending as a guest.

Plenty of discussion is expected to focus on Israel and the blockade it says is necessary to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of Hamas militants in Gaza. But other topics, including Afghanistan, will also be debated.

“Afghanistan and Gaza are equally test cases for us,” Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Unal Cevikoz told a news conference on Saturday.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is to meet Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi before the summit in a trilateral spearheaded by Turkey to build confidence between two deeply suspicious neighbours who are both fighting Taliban militants.

Cevikoz said he did not expect the meeting to focus much on Iran’s nuclear programme, despite momentum for a new sanctions resolution against the Islamic Republic in the U.N. Security Council.

Turkey, with Brazil’s help, brokered an accord with Iran last month for a nuclear fuel swap, in the hope of heading off sanctions against a fellow Muslim neighbour, major trading partner and key supplier of gas.

There will be an inevitable focus on any exchanges between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Ahmadinejad, after the Iranian leader sharply criticised the Kremlin for supporting a draft sanctions resolution.

China will be represented at the Istanbul summit by State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a high-ranking foreign policy official, while India is sending a trade minister.

CICA was first established in the early 1990s by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, whose country hosted the only two previous summits, the last one four years ago.

(Editing by Noah Barkin)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Caspian Sea, Collective Security, commando operation, confidence building, Embassy Official, Enemies Of Israel, International Profile, israeli embassy, Israeli Raid, Korean Peninsula, leader mahmoud abbas, mahmoud abbas, mahmoud ahmadinejad, Palestinian Activists, Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas, prime minister tayyip erdogan, Prone Region, regional power, Security Summit, Straitjacket

Crossbeam Presents 2010 Boston Security Summit

June 4, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Security Expert from Leading Analyst Firm to Discuss Cybersecurity Trends and
Their Impact on Enterprise Security Spending
BOXBOROUGH, Mass.–(Business Wire)–
Crossbeam Systems

WHAT: Crossbeam Systems, Inc., the leading provider of next-generation security platforms for high-performance networks, today announced its 2010 Boston Security Summit titled “Architecting Confidence Into Your Security Infrastructure,” to be held on June 15th in Boston, Massachusetts. The Summit, which examines the challenges that enterprises face in managing their growing security infrastructure, invites security and technology professionals
to hear from featured speaker Lawrence Orans of Gartner, Inc., the world`s leading information technology research and advisory company.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 15th, 2010, from 8:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. at The Harvard Club of Boston.

SPEAKER: Lawrence Orans, security analyst for Gartner, will give a seminar on enterprise security best practices titled “The Gartner 2010 CyberThreat Landscape.”

Session overview: Orans will discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity and how this ever-changing ecosystem is impacting enterprise security spending, along with recommendations for security managers moving forward. Orans will discuss how these latest trends translate into the need to architect confidence into your security architecture, utilizing the latest security applications that can efficiently and effectively combat new and old
threats alike.

In addition to Orans` featured presentation, other speakers will provide:
— An overview of the state of enterprise security, including
insight into the challenges IT security personnel face in
managing the growing number of devices and technologies required
to address current and emerging threats.
— Insight into advances being made in security virtualization and
network consolidation, and how they are helping enterprises take
advantage of the latest security applications while reducing
management complexity.
— Real-world examples of enterprises that have built confidence
into their networks by consolidating their security
infrastructure onto Crossbeam`s X-Series security platform.

To learn more about where Crossbeam executives and customers will be presenting
in the coming year, please visit Crossbeam`s events page at

http://www.crossbeam.com/news-events/events/.

About Crossbeam

Crossbeam Systems, Inc. offers a proven approach to deploying network security
that meets the extreme performance, scalability and reliability demands of large
enterprises, service providers and government agencies. Its leading X-Series
security platform offers an open, high-performance architecture that easily
provisions and scales multiple best-in-class security applications to meet the
ever-changing threat landscape. Companies rely on Crossbeam to intelligently
manage risk, accelerate and maintain compliance, and protect their businesses
from evolving threats. Crossbeam is headquartered in Boxborough, Mass., and has
offices in Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific. More information is available
at www.crossbeam.com.

Crossbeam Systems and Crossbeam are registered trademarks of Crossbeam Systems,
Inc. All other company, product or service names not owned by Crossbeam
mentioned in this press release are the property of their respective owners.

Davies Murphy Group
Sharon Dratch, 781-418-2425
crossbeam@daviesmurphy.com

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Advisory Company, analyst firm, boston massachusetts, Boston Speaker, Gartner Inc, Harvard Club Of Boston, High Performance Networks, information technology research, Latest Security, Latest Trends, Leading Information Technology, Orans, security analyst, Security Applications, Security Architecture, security expert, Security Infrastructure, Security Managers, Security Summit, Session Overview

US, India for early FMCT talks

June 4, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, June 4 (ANI): The United States and India have agreed and committed themselves to achieving an early start of negotiations on a multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament.

A joint statement issued after the first US-India Strategic Dialogue held here, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated the two countries’ shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons and restated their commitment to address the challenges of global nuclear proliferation.

Krishna reiterated India’s appreciation for President Obama’s initiative to host the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

Both expressed satisfaction over the summit’s outcome and the adoption of a
Communiqué and Work Plan.

Secretary Clinton welcomed India’s announcement of establishing a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership with focus on advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety and applications of radio isotopes and radiation technologies and appreciated India”s intent to welcome participation by international partner countries and IAEA in the work of the Centre.

On the issue of energy security, both said that the United States and India have taken crucial steps towards full implementation of civil nuclear cooperation.

Krishna and Clinton reiterated that nuclear energy could make a significant contribution to building a sustainable and clean energy future.

They highlighted the Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation Action Plan recently signed by the two countries.

According to the joint statement, they welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Arrangements and Procedures Agreed between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of India pursuant to Article 6(iii) of the India-U.S. Agreement Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, which sets forth the arrangements and procedures for India’s reprocessing of U.S.-obligated spent nuclear fuel.

They also discussed progress on energy and climate change issues since the signing of the U.S.-India Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Security, Clean Energy, and Climate Change.

They stressed that the Clean Energy and Climate Change Initiative they finalized last year would contribute to achieving sustainable development and a clean energy future for the people of both countries.

Both also discussed their respective national action plans and initiatives to address the challenge of climate change. They noted the enormous potential for scientific and commercial collaboration in clean energy technologies and recognized that their respective experience and expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency provided a sound platform for building their bilateral partnership further and supporting similar efforts in other countries, especially developing countries.

They reaffirmed their support for the Copenhagen Accord as a positive step forward in meeting the global climate challenge, and underscored its importance in building a consensus in the ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC.

They also welcomed the launch of the India-U.S. Climate Dialogue, which seeks to enhance bilateral U.S.-India cooperation with a view to achieving a successful outcome of the ongoing multilateral climate change negotiations. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Conference On Disarmament, energy cooperation, Energy Partnership, energy security, External Affairs Minister, Global Centre, Global Nuclear Proliferation, government of india, Government Of The United States Of America, Hillary Clinton, International Partner, nuclear cooperation, Nuclear Energy Systems, nuclear security, partner countries, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Radiation Technologies, Radio Isotopes, Security Summit, uses of nuclear energy

Pak’s nukes well guarded by ‘strong hands’: Gilani

May 15, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 15 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday reiterated that his country’s nuclear assets are well guarded by ‘strong hands.’

Geo News quoted Gilani as saying that US President Barack Obama had himself acknowledged that Pakistan’s nuclear establishments were in safe hands.

He said that the country has suffered immensely in the ‘war on terror’, and that it was now the international community’s turn to ‘do more’ to help Pakistan come out of the myriad problems it is facing at present.

While the US is still suspicious of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Gilani maintains that Islamabad’s ‘successful’ participation in the two-day nuclear security summit last month has ‘boosted the legitimacy of the country”s nuclear programme.’

During the nuclear security summit, Gilani had insisted that Islamabad needed fissile nuclear materials as a deterrent against India.

“For a minimum deterrence, we have to have. That is our requirement,” Gilani had said adding the issue has been discussed with the United States.

“I assure you that Pakistan, as a responsible nuclear state and an emerging democracy, stands with the international community in its effort to make this world a better place to live in,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that John Brennan, the top anti-terrorism adviser to President Barack Obama, had warned that Al-Qaeda’s interest in nuclear weapons was “strong” and said the risk of nuclear terrorism was “real, “serious” and “growing.”

A report by Harvard University’s Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, titled Securing the Bomb, had said that Pakistan’s stockpile “faces a greater threat from Islamic extremists seeking nuclear weapons than any other nuclear stockpile on earth.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Barack Obama, Belfer, geo news, harvard university, Islamic extremists, John Brennan, Minimum Deterrence, myriad problems, nuclear assets, Nuclear Establishments, nuclear materials, nuclear security, nuclear state, Nuclear Stockpile, nuclear terrorism, nuclear weapons, safe hands, Security Summit, Strong Hands, yousuf

Pakistan test fires n-capable ballistic missiles

May 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 8 (DPA) Pakistan Saturday successfully tested two ballistic missiles capable of delivering both conventional and non-conventional warheads, the military said.

The launches of the short-range Hatf III and medium-range Hatf IV were conducted at the end of annual field exercises of Army Strategic Force Command.

‘Both missiles can carry conventional and nuclear warheads to a range of 290 km and 650 km respectively,’ military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.

Pakistan’s arsenal of missiles target India, while the latter also has missile systems capable of hitting major Pakistani cities.

The two countries are bitter enemies and have fought three wars, two over Himalayan region of Kashmir, since they gained independence from Britain in August 1947.

The latest test came a week after their prime ministers met in Bhutan on the sidelines of a regional conference, and promised to improve relations.

Saturday’s tests are unlikely to aggravate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as they regularly carry out missile testing and notify each other in advance.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who witnessed the tests along with senior military officers, said it was time for the world to recognise Pakistan as a nuclear power with equal rights and responsibilities.

He also demanded that Pakistan be given a Nuclear Supplier Group waiver for civil nuclear energy cooperation, as energy is a vital economic security need and nuclear power is a clean way forward.

‘Pakistan is capable of providing nuclear fuel cycle services, under IAEA safeguards, and this offer was also made at the Nuclear Security Summit,’ Gilani said.

Pakistan first conducted nuclear tests in 1998, weeks after India’s initial tests, and has been demanding recognition as a declared nuclear state since then.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ballistic missiles, Bitter Enemies, Conventional Warheads, energy cooperation, Field Exercises, gilani, military spokesman, missile systems, Missile Testing, Missiles Target, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear state, nuclear warheads, pakistan test, Pakistani Cities, Security Need, Security Summit, supplier group, Target India, test fires

Gilani hopes stalled Indo-Pak dialogue may resume soon

April 23, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday reciprocated the good wishes conveyed to him by senior Indian leaders and hoped that the stalled dialogue between the two countries would be resumed soon.

Gilani made the remarks during a meeting with Population Welfare Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, who visited India recently and met several leaders, including Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

During her meeting with Awan, Sonia Gandhi sent her felicitations to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and the people of Pakistan on the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which strips the President of his sweeping powers and removes changes made to the constitution by military dictators.

Gandhi lauded the Bhutto family’s sacrifices for democracy and appreciated Gilani’s reconciliatory policy to bring political stability to Pakistan.

“While reciprocating the goodwill gesture of the Indian politicians, the Prime Minister hoped (for the) early resumption of the bilateral dialogue between the two countries,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s media office.

Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and looks forward to establish friendly bilateral relations with all the countries of the region, Gilani said.

Pakistan is trying to solve regional issues through dialogue as stability will usher in prosperity in the region, he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gilani held brief encounters at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington last week but no meeting was held.

“Lets see when we visit Bhutan,” Gilani had this week said when asked whether he will meet Singh on the sidelines of the SAARC summit there.

Awan briefed the Prime Minister on her visit to India and her meetings with leaders of major political parties, especially Sonia Gandhi.

She said the formation of a “Friendship Forum”, especially a Women Parliamentarians Forum, was discussed in her meetings with lawmakers to bring both countries closer.

The Indian leaders stressed the need for people-to-people contacts and free bilateral trade. They also discussed proposals for socio-cultural heritage exchange through ministries and youth of both countries, she said.

While in India, Awan also attended a reception to mark the wedding of cricketer Shoaib Malik and tennis star Sania Mirza. Awan represents Shoaib’s hometown of Sialkot in parliament.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ashiq, Asif Ali Zardari, awan, Bhutto Family, bilateral dialogue, Brief Encounters, congress party, Early Resumption, Friendship Forum, ghulam nabi azad, goodwill gesture, indian politicians, Manmohan Singh, Military Dictators, peace and stability, prime minister manmohan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saarc summit, Security Summit, Sonia Gandhi

US, India holding discussions on access to Headley

April 23, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The US and Indian authorities are holding discussions on providing New Delhi access to LeT operative David Coleman Headley who has confessed to his role in the Mumbai terror attacks and agreed to be interrogated by foreign agencies.

“Those discussions (of providing Indian investigators access to Headley) are going on between our government and the Indian government at this time. It is part of the plea agreement that Headley would cooperate with Indian authorities,” Pakistani-American Headley’s lawyer John Theis said.

Theis would not comment on how much more time it would take before Indian investigators are finally given a date to quiz Headley and said “those kind of discussions will happen without the media knowing the specifics of time and place”.

Theis said he is not part of the discussions going on between the US and Indian governments but expects to be present when Headley is quizzed.

“I would expect to be present anytime that my client is interviewed by law enforcement officials, be it from India, US or any other country,” he said.

Theis refused to give any more details.

Headley had last month pleaded guilty to plotting the Mumbai attacks and avoided the death penalty and extradition to India, Pakistan and Denmark by agreeing to be interrogated by foreign agencies on US soil.

The US has said it is working “at the highest level” to provide India access to Headley, who had scouted targets for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks during his several trips to India.

US President Barack Obama had assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during latter’s recent visit to US that India would get access to Headley.

Singh had raised the issue with Obama when the two leaders met in Washington last week on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.

India has for long been asking that its investigators be allowed to quiz Headley directly to unravel the entire conspiracy behind the attacks.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Barack Obama, David Coleman, extradition, India-Pakistan, indian authorities, Indian Government, indian governments, indian investigators, law enforcement officials, manmohan, Manmohan Singh, nuclear security, Plea Agreement That, prime minister manmohan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Security Summit, sidelines, summit india, terror attacks, Theis

China military paper spells out nuclear arms stance

April 23, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

China must have a limited nuclear “second strike” force to deter foes from threatening it with atomic weapons, the nation’s main military newspaper said on Thursday, in a rare account of Beijing’s nuclear strategy.

The commentary in the official Liberation Army Daily comes during intensifying atomic diplomacy — after a nuclear security summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and before an international conference in May about the future of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

China has been gradually modernising its relatively small nuclear arsenal and some critics of proposals to cut dramatically Western nuclear forces have said uncertainty about Beijing’s plans should deter such proposals.

Retired People’s Liberation Army Major General Xu Guangyu said in the newspaper commentary that China wanted a minimal nuclear deterrent and would avoid any arms race.

“China resolutely adheres to a defensive nuclear strategy, and has always adhered to a policy that it will never be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances,” wrote Xu, now a researcher in the state-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.

“The most basic feature of China’s nuclear strategy, in a nutshell, is to be a deterrent but present no threat.”

The commentary does not suggest China is rethinking its nuclear doctrine, but spells out in uncommonly sharp terms Beijing’s rationale for upgrading its atomic forces.

AUTHOR ADDRESSING DOUBT ON CHINESE STANCE

In a telephone interview, Xu told Reuters the commentary was intended to address worries about China’s nuclear stance, especially in Japan, India and the United States.

The United States and Russia this month signed a pact to cut their much larger atomic arsenals, and Obama separately announced a shift in U.S. doctrine, vowing not to use atomic weapons against non-nuclear states that abide by the NPT.

Like all the nuclear weapons states, China is secretive about its arsenal, developed from a first atomic test explosion in 1964. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has estimated that by 2009 China possessed 186 deployed strategic nuclear warheads.

Under the new treaty, the United States and Russia will limit their deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 each, 30 percent fewer than the limit set in a 2002 treaty.

Members of the U.S. Senate could make an issue of China when debating whether to ratify the new pact with Russia. Some U.S. opponents of deeper nuclear arms cuts have said sharp reductions could allow China to “sprint to parity”.

China must have a nuclear force that is “real, reliable, effective, and keeps up with the times”, Xu wrote.

That force includes a “second-strike” capability so China can retaliate if it comes under nuclear attack, he added.

This force, he wrote, “is able, should a foe launch an initial nuclear strike, to really possess, and to convince the other side that it faces, an intolerable second-strike nuclear capability, thereby deterring an enemy from using nuclear weapons against us.

“It must make them grasp, without the least ambiguity, that we possess a deterrent.”

China’s efforts to upgrade its nuclear forces include gradually replacing older, liquid-fuelled ballistic nuclear-capable missiles with solid-fuel missiles, which will make launching them faster and less cumbersome.

China is also building new “Jin-class” submarines, capable of launching nuclear warheads while at sea.

“International experience shows the most effective second-strike capability is submarines,” Xu told Reuters. “That and the upgraded missiles are a focus.”

(Editing by Benjamin Kang Lim and Ron Popeski)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Atomic Diplomacy, Atomic Forces, atomic weapons, Barack Obama, liberation army, Military Paper, Non Proliferation Treaty, NPT, nuclear arsenal, nuclear deterrent, Nuclear Doctrine, Nuclear Forces, Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, nuclear security, Nuclear States, nuclear strategy, nuclear weapons states, Rare Account, Security Summit, strike force

US to India: Keeping close watch on weapons supplied to Pakistan

April 20, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr.19 (ANI): The United States has assured India that it is keeping a close watch on the weapons supplied to Pakistan and, will investigate if there is any ”misuse” of the weapons tramsferred to Islambad.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, US Ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer, said:”There are allegations of misuse of weapons given to Pakistan for other purposes. We will investigate it, Congress will take the issue seriously.”

The American assurance came just days after Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, where he reportedly expressed concern over the misuse of American weapons by Pakistan.

In the next few months, the United States will be delivering to Pakistan the first lot of hi-tech
eighteen F 16”s, 6C/D Block 50/52 combat aircraft, which is being viewed with worry in New Delhi.

Apart from the F-16s, which are worth 1.43 billion dollars, Washington is also forking out 477
million dollars for almost 60 mid-life update kits for its older fleet of F-16s A/B combat aircraft and financing part of the 115 M-109 self-propelled howitzers.

The US has already given 5,250 TOW anti-armour missiles to Pakistan.

Roemer said: “We cannot hyphenate the India-America relationship to AFPAK and Pakistan. Pakistan is doing something in dealing with the threat of Taliban and, we have told them in no uncertain terms that they need to continue to do more.”

On India”s role in Afghanistan, Roemer said: “India”s role in Afghanistan is very critical. President Obama has personally said this to Prime Minister Singh”.

“India”s role has been a great success, but we also have to look for new roles for India in Afghanistan and, when I go to Afghanistan, I will discuss it with the Indian Ambassador (Jayant Prasad) whether it is education or civil services, we are grateful for it,” he added.

Roemer also told reporters that providing access to David Headley, one of the American scouts used by the Lashkar-e-Toiba to locate places that could be attacked, is a top priority for the United States. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 6c, American Weapons, Barack Obama, billion dollars, Close Watch, combat aircraft, D Block, Dr. Manmohan Singh, India-Pakistan, indian ambassador, Indian Prime Minister, jayant, M 109, manmohan, Manmohan Singh, nuclear security, Security Summit, sidelines, Timothy Roemer, Uncertain Terms

US to India: Keeping close watch on weapons supplied to Pakistan

April 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

In the next few months, the United States will be delivering to Pakistan the first lot of hi-tech
eighteen F 16”s, 6C/D Block 50/52 combat aircraft, which is being viewed with worry in New Delhi.

The US has already given 5,250 TOW anti-armour missiles to Pakistan.

On India”s role in Afghanistan, Roemer said: “India”s role in Afghanistan is very critical. President Obama has personally said this to Prime Minister Singh”.

Pak has pledged to bring Mumbai attackers to justice, cooperate with India: US

April 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr.17 (ANI): The United States has said that Pakistan has pledged to ‘fully’ cooperate both with it and India to bring the perpetrators of extremist activities, including the Mumbai attackers, to justice.

Addressing a regular press briefing, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip Crowley said Islamabad has assured Washington that it is committed to establish peace and stability in South Asia.

“They (Pakistan) have pledged to continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. and also to cooperate fully with India, both in terms of ongoing investigations, making sure that those who have perpetrated past crimes are brought to justice, and that together that the countries in the region reduce and ultimately eliminate this threat that threatens all of them,” The Nation quoted Crowley, as saying.

Crowley reiterated that Pakistan and the US were fighting a common enemy, and it was important for both to work in tandem.

“This has been a part of our ongoing dialogue with Pakistan. It came up in the discussion that Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton had earlier this week with Prime Minister (Yousuf Raza ) Gilani. I just simply would say that we emphasise again this is a shared struggle.”

Gilani had met both Clinton and US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the just concluded nuclear security summit.

It may be noted that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who also attended the summit in Washington, made it clear that New Delhi would think over restarting the composite dialogue with Islamabad only after it takes substantial action against the 26/11 perpetrators. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: assistant secretary, attackers, Barack Obama, common enemy, composite dialogue, crowley, Dr. Manmohan Singh, extremist activities, Hillary Clinton, manmohan, Manmohan Singh, New Delhi, nuclear security, peace and stability, perpetrators, raza, Security Summit, sidelines, south-asia, yousuf

Talks on with both India, Pak about nuclear responsibilities: US

April 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr.17 (ANI): Concerned over the arms race between India and Pakistan, the United States has said that it is holding talks with both the nuclear powered countries about their responsibilities which come with the nuke capability.

“Obviously, we are talking to both India and Pakistan about their nuclear programmes and the responsibilities that come with them,” The Daily Times quoted Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs PJ Crowley, as saying.

The United States has been pushing both India and Pakistan to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and reduce their respective nuke stockpiles.

During the recently concluded nuclear security summit, which was attended by both Dr.Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, Washington stressed on the need of reducing the nuclear stockpile across the globe.

It particularly expressed concerns over the extremist threat looming large over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals.

Dr. Singh, while leaving for Washington for the summit, had said that India has been a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear disarmament.

“We were among the first countries in the world to call for a world free of nuclear weapons. I am encouraged by the fact that this approach is finding greater resonance today. We will continue to call for more meaningful progress in this direction,” he had said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: assistant secretary, comprehensive test ban treaty, Consistent Advocate, countries in the world, CTBT, Dr Singh, Dr. Manmohan Singh, gilani, Global Nuclear Disarmament, India and Pakistan, manmohan, Manmohan Singh, meaningful progress, Nuclear Arsenals, nuclear security, Nuclear Stockpile, nuclear weapons, Security Summit, stockpiles, test ban treaty

Talks on with both India, Pak about nuclear responsibilities: US

April 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The United States has been pushing both India and Pakistan to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and reduce their respective nuke stockpiles.

It particularly expressed concerns over the extremist threat looming large over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals.

Dr. Singh, while leaving for Washington for the summit, had said that India has been a consistent advocate of complete and universal global nuclear disarmament.

International effort required to fight scourge of terrorism:PM (Embargoed till 2.30 a.m.)

April 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Brasilia, April 15 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said on Thursday that an international collective effort is required to fight the scourge of terrorism.

Making his opening statement at the plenary session of the IBSA summit, Prime Minister Dr. Singh said: “Terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge to our developmental goals. It is a scourge that needs to be fought through collective international effort.”

Dr. Singh also said that all efforts should be made for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.

Today’s appeal to IBSA countries to make a collective international effort to combat terrorism, follows a similar appeal made to leaders at the just concluded Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

On April 12, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had sought US support in tackling “the menace of terrorism” during his bilateral meet with the United President Barack Obama at Blair House.

“Terrorist onslaught in our region, if it persisted, could affect our growth prospects,” Manmohan Singh told Obama at their first meeting since they met at the first state dinner of the Obama presidency in November last year.

Reminding Obama that terrorism “was an issue on which India and the US stood on the same side,” Manmohan Singh focused on the volatile situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan and stressed “how this menace was tackled would determine the future of the South Asian region.”

The U.S. President, while opening the main working session of his 47-nation Nuclear Security Summit, gave a call for unified action against nuclear terrorism.

He said the convergence of world leaders was an opportunity to act against one of the “greatest threats to global security.”

“It will require a new mindset-that we summon the will, as nations, as partners, to do what this moment in history demands,” he further stated.

Obama had said that finding solution to the problems of 21 century required collective effort. “I believe strongly that the problems of the 21st century cannot be solved by any one nation acting in isolation, they must be solved by all of us coming together.” By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Barack Obama, collective effort, Developmental Goals, Dr Singh, Dr. Manmohan Singh, growth prospects, History Demands, international effort, international terrorism, Manmohan Singh, nuclear security, nuclear terrorism, prime minister manmohan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Security Summit, Similar Appeal, situation in pakistan, South-Asian region, State Dinner, volatile situation

Obama criticized for not addressing greatest threats

April 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

A noted US columnist on Friday criticised President Barack Obama for not addressing the two greatest threats, including Pakistan’s plutonium production, at the recently concluded Nuclear Security Summit.

“The first is Iran, which is frantically enriching uranium to make a bomb, and which our own State Department identifies as the greatest exporter of terrorism in the world. Nor on the agenda was Pakistan’s plutonium production, which is adding to the world’s stockpile of fissile material every day,” wrote Charles Krauthammer, a columnist at The Washington Post.

“Pakistan is a relatively friendly power, but it is the most unstable of all the nuclear states. It is fighting a Taliban insurgency and is home to al-Qaeda,” he said in his comments.

“Suicide bombs go off regularly in its major cities. Moreover, its own secret service, the ISI, is of dubious loyalty, some of its elements being sympathetic to the Taliban and thus, by extension, to al-Qaeda,” he wrote.

Acknowledging that sequestering nuclear material is a good thing, he wrote: “But, it is a minor thing, particularly when Iran is off the table and Pakistan is creating new plutonium for every ounce of Canadian uranium shipped to the United States.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: al-Qaeda, Barack Obama, canadian uranium, Charles Krauthammer, columnist, criticised, Enriching Uranium, insurgency., isi, major cities, Nuclear Material, nuclear security, Nuclear States, ounce, Plutonium Production, secret service, Security Summit, stockpile, Terrorism In The World, Washington Post

International effort required to fight scourge of terrorism: PM (Embargoed till 2.30 a.m.)

April 16, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Brasilia, April 15 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said on Thursday that an international collective effort is required to fight the scourge of terrorism.

Dr. Singh also said that all efforts should be made for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.

Today’s appeal to IBSA countries to make a collective international effort to combat terrorism, follows a similar appeal made to leaders at the just concluded Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

On April 12, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had sought US support in tackling ”the menace of terrorism” during his bilateral meet with the United President Barack Obama at Blair House.

The U.S. President, while opening the main working session of his 47-nation Nuclear Security Summit, gave a call for unified action against nuclear terrorism.

He said the convergence of world leaders was an opportunity to act against one of the “greatest threats to global security.”

“It will require a new mindset-that we summon the will, as nations, as partners, to do what this moment in history demands,” he further stated.

New ATFA Ad Sets the Facts Straight on Argentine Debt Repayment

April 16, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

ATFA Wall Street Journal ad wraps up President Kirchner`s visit to D.C.
WASHINGTON–(Business Wire)–
American Task Force Argentina (ATFA), a coalition seeking a fair resolution of
the Argentine 2001 sovereign debt default and 2005 debt restructuring, issued a
full-page print advertisement in the Wall Street Journal contrasting the facts
about Argentina`s debt repayment with the recent claims by the Argentine
government. As Argentine President Cristina Kirchner leaves Washington, D.C.
following the Nuclear Security Summit, the group called on her to “Tell the
truth. Honor your debts.”

In addition to the advertisement, ATFA welcomed President Kirchner to
Washington, D.C., by distributing postcards outside places where President
Kirchner was scheduled to appear, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the
Smithsonian Institution, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the
National Museum of the American Indian.

The postcards presented President Kirchner with a “collection notice,” calling
attention to the $3.8 billion that Argentina owes its U.S. creditors, and the
associated costs to U.S. investors and taxpayers. The postcards allowed
individuals to send the message to their Members of Congress that Argentine debt
repayment should be a priority.

“Argentina must negotiate in good faith with all of her creditors and resolve
the scores of lawsuits against the country, before she can return to
international capital markets,” ATFA co-chair Robert Shapiro said. “These bonds
have been in default for far too long, and it is time for Argentina to offer its
lenders a reasonable proposal for a debt swap. ATFA hopes that Argentina will
finally follow this course and provide its bondholders with a fair offer.”

Visit www.atfa.org to see the full print advertisement that points to the
Argentine Government`s fabrications about not being able to pay its debts in
full, its denial of over 117 U.S. court judgments in favor of its creditors, and
its false claim that the debts currently in default were incurred during the
military dictatorships of 1976-1983.

Comprised of an alliance of diverse organizations, ATFA`s leadership includes
Executive Director Robert Raben, a former Assistant Attorney General at the U.S.
Department of Justice, and is co-chaired by The Honorable Robert J. Shapiro,
former Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs in the Clinton
Administration, and Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, Ambassador at the U.S. Mission
to the United Nations in New York from 1997 to 2001.

For additional information on ATFA`s activities, please visit www.atfa.org, or
contact media@atfa.org, or +1-888-662-2382.

American Task Force Argentina (ATFA)
1-888-662-2382
media@atfa.org

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Argentine 2001, Argentine Government, Argentine President, Atfa, Bondholders, Court Judgments, Debt Default, Debt Restructuring, Facts About Argentina, Hirshhorn Museum And Sculpture Garden, International Capital Markets, members of congress, Museum Of The American Indian, National Museum Of The American Indian, robert shapiro, Security Summit, Smithsonian Institution, sovereign debt, Task Force Argentina, wall street journal

(Reuters) – Italian amateur Matteo Manassero, 16, capped a brilliant Masters debut with a birdie three to thrill an adoring audience of teenage girls who brought ‘Matteo-mania’ to Augusta National on Sunday.

April 12, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – The nuclear security summit starting on Monday is a chance for Russia to promote itself as a global leader on the crucial issue, but experts say Moscow must do more to safeguard its own big stocks of bomb ingredients.

World | Barack Obama | Russia

Almost two decades after the Soviet collapse spawned nightmares about the seizure of nuclear materials from poorly guarded facilities or theft by desperate employees, Russia says its nuclear materials are reliably protected.

It has recast itself as a champion of nuclear security worldwide, initiating an international treaty against nuclear terrorism that came into force in 2007 and joining the United States in creating a global grouping to set strategies.

Following last week’s signing of a nuclear arms reduction treaty with President Barack Obama, the summit gives Russian President Dmitry Medvedev another chance to portray his country as a linchpin of international security.

“Russia wants to be seen as a leader, with the U.S. and other countries, of the global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism,” said Matthew Bunn, a nuclear expert at Harvard University. “And they are a leader, in important ways.”

But despite dramatic improvements in the protection of Russia’s nuclear materials, funded in large part by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance, experts say threats remain.

“To say this problem was left behind in the 1990s would be wrong,” said Vladimir Chuprov, Greenpeace Russia’s energy projects chief. “Russia remains a risk zone in terms of the physical security and physical protection of nuclear materials.”

The most glaring gaps have been fixed, vastly reducing the chances of a break-in at one of the 235 buildings across Russia where highly enriched uranium or plutonium separated from spent fuel are kept. There are also more than 100 weapons-related sites, including temporary areas such as rail transfer buildings.

INSIDER THEFT

“You don’t have gaping holes in fences anymore,” Bunn said, or “no detector at all to set off an alarm if someone is carrying plutonium out in their suitcase.”

But the potential for theft by insiders — who have been involved in all explained thefts of highly enriched uranium or plutonium — is still a concern, particularly in a country where corruption is widespread.

Imperfect accounting for nuclear materials is a related weakness, he said, and some materials are protected with “wax or lead seals that are pretty much the same technology Louis XIV was using to seal his letters.”

Many sites are guarded by inexperienced and poorly paid Interior Ministry conscripts, and official complacency is also a potential problem.

“One key question is whether the Russian government will really assign the resources needed to sustain the security measures that have been put in place for the long haul,” Bunn said.

Like the ‘New START’ treaty Medvedev and Obama signed on Thursday, joint efforts to improve nuclear security showcase cooperation between the Cold War foes in tackling the threatening legacy of their nuclear arms race.

Iran’s defiant nuclear program is not a focus of the summit but will likely be discussed on the sidelines. Russia has signaled it could support new sanctions against Tehran but would not back measures it considers misdirected or overly harsh.

(Editing by Philip Barbara)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: augusta national, Barack Obama, dmitry medvedev, dramatic improvements, energy projects, Glaring Gaps, global effort, Greenpeace Russia, harvard university, Italian Amateur, linchpin, Matthew Bunn, Nuclear Arms Reduction, nuclear expert, nuclear materials, nuclear security, nuclear terrorism, Security Summit, Soviet Collapse, teenage girls

Clinton downplays Netanyahu no-show at summit

April 12, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denied the United States had been blindsided by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pull out of President Obama’s nuclear security summit.

Barack Obama

Netanyahu’s decision last week to cancel a planned trip to Washington comes at a time when bilateral ties are strained between Israel and the United States over matters such as Israeli construction in Jerusalem and the disputed West Bank.

But in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” aired on Sunday, Clinton brushed aside suggestions that the Israeli leader’s no-show for the nuclear parley opening on Monday had surprised Washington or made a tense relationship worse.

“No, not at all,” she told NBC.

“That’s a decision for a head of government or head of state. Gordon Brown is not coming from Great Britain. Kevin Rudd is not coming from Australia. King Abdullah is not coming from Saudi Arabia,” Clinton said. The interview was taped on Friday.

“It’s like when President Obama had to cancel his trip to Indonesia and Australia,” she added, referring to a recent decision by the U.S. president to stay home to help push healthcare reform proposals through Congress.

Dozens of world leaders are gathering in Washington for the meeting Obama is hosting on securing nuclear materials.

Netanyahu decided not to go after learning that Egypt and Turkey intended to raise the issue of Israel’s assumed atomic arsenal at the summit and plan to say it must sign the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a senior Israeli government official said on Friday.

By staying outside the NPT, Israel has not had to forswear nuclear arms nor admit international inspectors to its Dimona reactor, which experts believe has produced plutonium for between 80 and 200 warheads.

Arab diplomats countered that they suspected Netanyahu had canceled mainly to avoid further confrontation with Obama over Jewish settlements.

Clinton told NBC that the Israelis “share our deep concern about nuclear terrorism” and will be represented “at a very high level”. Netanyahu is sending Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor along with two senior advisers, a delegation U.S. National Security Adviser Jim Jones on Friday called “robust.”

“We have a deep and very close relationship between the United States and Israel that goes back many years. That doesn’t mean we’re going to agree on everything,” Clinton said. “We don’t agree with any of our friends on everything.”

(Editing by jackie Frank)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Arab Diplomats, Barack Obama, benjamin netanyahu, bilateral ties, Conce, Dimona Reactor, healthcare reform, Hillary Clinton, international inspectors, Israeli Leader, israeli prime minister, Jewish Settlements, Kevin Rudd, King Abdullah, meet the press, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Non Proliferation Treaty, Prime Minister Benjamin, reform proposals, Security Summit

U.S. and China ties grow closer

April 12, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington for a nuclear security summit this week is the latest sign of a warming in relations with President Barack Obama’s administration that looks set to continue in the months ahead.

The two leaders, who hold a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the summit on Monday, are expected to work more closely this year on a range of issues, including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, military cooperation and North Korea.

Beijing may also be close to revaluing its yuan currency and unveiling a long-awaited shift in its foreign exchange regime. Washington has argued that it is in the interest of China, and the world, to let the yuan strengthen.

U.S.-Chinese relations have improved rapidly since April after months of disputes over China’s currency and Internet controls, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House.

“China reacted maybe a bit tougher rhetorically than in the past and than we had expected,” said Bonnie Glaser, a China expert and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

But she added, “The reaction was limited primarily to rhetoric,” with China, for example, threatening to impose sanctions on U.S. goods, but never actually moving to do so.

After weeks of coyness, Beijing announced on April 1 that Hu would attend the two-day nuclear security summit.

Days later, Washington said it would delay a report that could have labeled China a currency manipulator.

“The relationship with the Chinese goes up and goes down,” said J.J. Ong, an Asia expert at the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. “There are cycles to it.”

Hu and Obama had an extended telephone conversation on April 1 in which Obama urged Hu to help ratchet up pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities, after China agreed to join serious talks about possible new U.N. sanctions on Tehran.

“I think what we’ve seen throughout the year is that at important junctures, the president’s bilateral meetings and conversations with these leaders helps kind of move things forward,” Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, told reporters this week.

“Our view from the beginning has been is that if you really want to broaden the ability to isolate Iran and to affect its cost-benefit analysis as it relates to their continued failure to live up to their obligations, that you needed to bring in a broader coalition, and that Russia and China would be important parts of that effort,” he said.

‘IT WON’T BE ROSY’

Analysts said they would be looking for more from China on Iranian sanctions, a resumption of U.S.-Chinese military cooperation and signs of whether China can help bring North Korea back to six-party talks seeking to end Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for aid.

“It won’t be rosy. If we can manage the currency issue, and Iran and North Korea — by manage, I do mean manage, and not solve — then I think that we will at least build some sort of a track record of some positive accomplishments between our two countries,” Glaser said.

Hu is also expected to make a state visit to Washington later this year, to return Obama’s visit last November, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates may visit China.

“Tensions are down and both sides are stressing the positive,” said Kenneth Lieberthal, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution.

At the center of the strategy is the administration’s ability to keep global issues central to the Washington-Beijing relationship, separate from disputes over trade and currency between the United States and its largest creditor.

“If the Chinese had really high expectations with Obama coming into office, after what he said about it being one of the most important bilateral relationships and elevating strategic dialogue to show the importance China has in U.S. foreign policy, invariably they were going to be disappointed when the U.S. sold weapons to Taiwan or met with the Dalai Lama or criticized the Chinese human rights record,” said Walter Lohman, head of Asian studies at the Heritage Foundation.

No one expects economic issues to go away.

Washington must still issue the hotly anticipated currency report, and the White House is under pressure from Congress to name China a currency manipulator. The Obama administration is generally expected to bring other countries into its effort to push China on the yuan, which may be a theme at the G20 summit in Canada in June.

“Looking back next year, my guess is if there is seen to be a major problem in U.S.-China relations during the course of 2010 … it will be the trade relationship,” Lieberthal said.

He said the issue was a potent one politically, especially with U.S. congressional elections in November. A combination of high U.S. unemployment and the huge U.S. trade deficit has made China an easy target, and put pressure on Obama to get tough with Beijing on trade and currency issues.

“It (the currency issue) is clear and simple and therefore politically powerful,” Lieberthal said.

(Additional reporting by Paul Eckert; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: asia expert, Barack Obama, center for strategic and international studies, China Ties, Chinese president hu, chinese president hu jintao, Chinese Relations, Coyness, dalai lama, Exchange Regime, foreign affairs committee, Hu Jintao, Internet Controls, military cooperation, Nuclear Activities, nuclear ambitions, nuclear security, President Hu Jintao, Security Summit, Yuan Currency

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New ATFA Ad Sets the Facts Straight on Argentine Debt Repayment

(Reuters) – Italian amateur Matteo Manassero, 16, capped a brilliant Masters debut with a birdie three to thrill an adoring audience of teenage girls who brought ‘Matteo-mania’ to Augusta National on Sunday.

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