Indian Army chief is alarmed by Pakistan nukes

World-over, all Indians are alarmed by the above report appeared in the news papers. It is also reported that most of the nuclear war heads are aimed at Indian targets. How the new Indian government is going to react to such a situation is to be seen. Pakistan is concentrating in increasing its nuclear arsenal, augmenting the fissile material (plutonium) production and improvising the war-head delivery systems. It is a global threat. It looks China is providing all the support to Pakistan in these activities.

Knowing the past history, why the Americans are pumping-in billions of dollars to Pakistan in the name of fighting terrorism? Americans are playing a double game as usual. India better watch out. It is in India’s own interest that it doesn’t sign CTBT and the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT), which will prevent India from producing much needed fissile material.

Feedback on DNA Article on “Centre sounds dirty bomb alert…” on 22/05/2009

It is indeed a good article published by Indian daily, DNA (Upfront) on May 22, 2009 entitled “Centre Sounds Dirty Bomb alert… . The article has given very relevant information with regard to the developments in preparedness for responding to “dirty bomb attacks”. The story is well written. It is long over-due that the bomb detection and other agencies responding to conventional bomb attacks are also equipped with radiation detection and monitoring equipments.

Recently, a national conference of Indian Association for radiation protection (IARP) was held at Jodhpur with the focal theme of “Management of Radiological & Nuclear Emergencies”. Various related issues were covered exhaustively in the conference. In the internet, there are blogs (http://radsafe.blogspot.com and http://praja2007.blogspot.com) dedicated for radiation protection and nuclear issues. Dirty bomb is also covered in these blogs.

I may just add that the definition “What is dirty bomb” (in the FAQs), given by the author in this article needs correction. The dirty bomb, as known today, doesn’t cause plume of radioactive particles. It is not a nuclear bomb. The probability of the radiation levels from a dirty bomb explosion scenario causing radiation sickness and cancer is very remote.

Pakistan is expanding its nuclear sites

United States and some other western country are pumping in billions of dollars to Pakistan to control terrorism. In fact, the money is reportedly is used to maintain camps for training terrorist outfits, to buy weapons and to increase nuclear weapon inventory.

It is also reported that Pakistanis have added one more plutonium separation plant to expand its’ nuclear weapon stockpile.

Even today, the biggest enemy as per Pakistan’s own admission is India and not Taliban. It is also reported that the US arms sent to Afghan forces have landed in the hands of Taliban. Very soon, the Taliban may take possession of the government machinery and get control over the nuclear arsenal. India may face the “Taliban-managed” nuclear terrorism originating from Pakistan. India should be ready to respond to this kind of terrorism.

US helping Pakistan to expand its nuclear weapon program

United States and some other western country are pumping in billions of dollars to Pakistan in the name of fighting terrorism. In fact, Pakistan, as usual will spend the dollars to build arsenal, including nuclear weapons to fight against India. There are reports of Taliban getting closer to have control over the nuclear weapons. If this continues, the Pakistan under the influence of Taliban will be a threat to the world, including America. Pakistan can never be trusted.

The new US President continues to have policies which are against Indian interests. Obama administration is doing more harm to India than the earlier Republican administration headed by Bush. Why Indian government should play into US hands?

Now, with the Indian public support (the ruling UPA government wins the elections with very good margin) to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, US may ultimately persuade India to sign CTBT and the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT), which will prevent India from producing much needed fissile material and US administration will have full control over the Indian Nuclear programs

Nuclear Security Initiatives in Southeast Asia Get Financial Support from Australia

Australia announced a contribution of €250 000 (A$450 000) to strengthen nuclear security in Southeast Asia through the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund initiative.

The Fund is a voluntary funding mechanism for Member States established to support the IAEA´s activities in nuclear security aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to nuclear terrorism. The grant reflects the high priority the Australian Government attaches to the work of the IAEA in this area and also to promoting capacity-building with regional partners, states a press release issued by Australia´s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Originally set up in 2002 for a period of three years, the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund was extended in September 2005 when the IAEA Board approved a new Nuclear Security Plan covering the period 2006-2009. Implementation of this plan has been almost wholly dependent on the donation of extra-budgetary contributions by Member States and others (IAEA News). This is a good initiatve which should be supported by all the Member States. Look at Pakistan. Are the nuclear weapons are in safe hands?
Nuclear terrorism should be stopped at all costs.

IAEA Director General Candidates Announced

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei´s term of office expires on 30 November 2009. He has stated that he is not available for a fourth term of office. The IAEA´s 146 Member States were advised this week that five candidates have been nominated for Director General of the Agency. In a letter dated 28 April 2008, IAEA Board Chair Taous Feroukhi said she had received official nominations from the governments of Belgium, Japan, Slovenia, South Africa and Spain.

The five nominated candidates are:

Mr. Yukiya Amano of Japan;
Mr. Luis Echávarri of Spain;
Mr. Abdul Samad Minty of South Africa;
Mr. Ernest Petrič of Slovenia; and
Mr. Jean-Pol Poncelet of Belgium.

The five candidates were nominated by their respective governments in line with a process approved by the Board in October 2008. IAEA Board Chairperson Ms. Feroukhi is soon to initiate informal consultations on the nominations received (IAEA News).