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The Journal of South Asian Non-Proliferation April, 2008 Editorial Staff |
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The Journal of South Asian
Non-Proliferation is an online compendium of non-proliferation related
publications.
It is a periodic compilation of news, official statements, and expert analyses
related to South Asian non-proliferation issues.
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Supporting
worldwide understanding of South Asian non-proliferation, arms control and
disarmament issues. The Journal of South Asian
Non-Proliferation CONTENTSNUCLEAR RELATED
ISSUES India bound only by 123 agreement, not Hyde Act: Ronen Sen
MISSILE RELATED
ISSUES SUMMARIES
Iran
installs advanced nuclear centrifuges VIENNA
(Reuters) – April 3 2008 - Iran has begun installing advanced
centrifuges in its key uranium enrichment complex, accelerating activity that
could give it the means to make atom bombs in future if it chooses, diplomats
said on Thursday. Iran says it wants to produce nuclear fuel only for
electricity so it can export more oil. But has been hit with three sets of
United Nations sanctions for hiding the work until 2003, failing to prove to
inspectors since then that it is wholly peaceful, and refusing to suspend the
disputed program. Keeping Up With The (Nuclear) Joneses March 26 2008 - In the last two years, more than a dozen Arab states have announced plans to pursue nuclear power programs. This has raised concerns that such countries are interested in developing nuclear weapons. All state parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have the legal right to develop nuclear energy programs. Yet civilian nuclear power programs can provide the technology and expertise necessary to begin a nuclear weapons program. Bahrain-US Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Energy Cooperation WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Bahrain's Foreign Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, and US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Nuclear Energy Cooperation between the United States and Bahrain. The signature of this MOU is an important element in Bahrain's overall development strategy. It aims to ensure the stability and diversity of its energy supplies, which is critically important for the continuing growth of Bahrain's energy-intensive industries in light of declining domestic hydrocarbon resources and a tightening international market. Advanced
nuclear to slash emissions – March
25 2008 - A committee established by
the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (Meti) developed the plan, called
Cool Earth 50, following a May 2007 announcement by then prime minister
Shinzo Abe. The plan relies on the development of innovative technologies to
reduce global emissions by 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
(CO2-eq) each year by 2050. Cool Earth 50 includes a roadmap giving priority
to 21 technologies with potential to contribute to emissions cuts in
sectors including power generation and transmission, industry, household and
transportation. In the power generation and transmission sector, advanced
nuclear power was selected alongside innovative solar, high-efficiency
natural gas, high-efficiency coal, carbon capture and storage and superconducting
power transmission. Middle Eastern nations do nuclear diplomacy 25 March 2008 - Middle Eastern diplomats have been busy, with new nuclear cooperation agreements signed by Egypt and Russia, Bahrain and the USA, and Algeria and China. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has established its own agency to look into developing nuclear power. Russia and Egypt's agreement on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has been billed in the press as the culmination of years of preparation. The agreement was signed by Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Russia's Rosatom nuclear energy agency, and Egyptian Energy Minister Hassan Younis during a visit by President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt to Russia. According to reports it will clear the way for Russia to participate in a tender to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant. In 2006, Egypt announced plans to build a 1000 MWe reactor for electricity generation and water desalination at El-Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast by 2015, in a $1.5-$2 billion project that would be open to foreign participation. India bound only by 123 agreement, not Hyde Act: Ronen Sen Washington, March 13 (IANS) India has made it clear that while it remains committed to the bilateral 123 agreement with the US to implement their civil nuclear deal, it wants a clear exemption from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) rules. The contentious Hyde Act, the US enabling law, Òis not our concern. We are bound by 123 only,Ó IndiaÕs ambassador to the US Ronen Sen said here Wednesday, describing the nuclear deal as Òstill a work in progressÓ.
Bribes threaten
Indo-Israeli military ties: April 1 2008 - Investigations into
corruption and bribes surrounding the Barak missile deal threatens to upset
growing Indo-Israeli ties, Military ties, the most visible manifestation of
Indo-Israeli relations, are being undermined from within by corruption and
bribery. To ensure the smooth functioning of its growing military exports,
leading Israeli companies have greased a few Indian palms – actions
that are now threatening to blow up into a major controversy. In October
2000, under the government of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, India
signed a US$250 million Barak missile deal with Israel. Within months, media
began revealing large-scale corruption involving senior political figures and
arms merchants. India took a recent
step toward its longtime goal of deploying nuclear weapons at sea by
test-firing a missile from beneath the oceanÕs surface. The submarine that
this missile type is supposed to arm is scheduled to be put to sea for the
first time next year. Official details about the Feb. 26 missile test are
scant, and the Indian government did not respond to Arms Control Today
inquiries requesting information. IndiaÕs media, however, reported on the
event at length, albeit with some conflicting data. Singapore and Indian navies conduct joint missile exercise March 30, 2008 - SINGAPORE -- India and Singapore's navies conducted a 14-day exercise using combined surface-to-air missile live firing for the first time, Singapore's defense ministry said Saturday. Held in the Bay of Bengal from March 17 to March 29, the event has been held annually since 1994 and started with anti-submarine warfare exercises. The Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) "has grown in scope and complexity, evolving to advanced naval water exercises covering the air, surface and sub-surface dimensions," a statement said. India: Missile
defense dreams. March 27, 2008 -
India reveals plans for an ambitious anti-missile defense shield, sparking
concerns of an arms race and speculation as to the country's true capabilities.
India's recently unveiled designs to develop an integrated anti-missile
shield has sparked concerns as to the potential impact on the regional
strategic balance. With development underway, reports that the US is willing
to assist India in building an anti-missile defense capacity are a cause for
concern in both China and Pakistan. Russia, which has been one of India's key
defense partners, will also be watching developments with growing unease.
Nonetheless, considerable doubts remain as to the potential effectiveness of
Indian anti-missile systems currently under development. Pakistan
Navy to counter impact of undersea missile test. March 2, 2008 - KARACHI: Pakistan on Wednesday said India's test
launch of a nuclear-capable undersea ballistic missile could trigger a fresh
arms race in the region. A day after India tested the new missile from waters
off its Vishakahpatnam coast, Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Afzal
Tahir described the development as a "very serious issue" as it was
aimed at deploying nuclear weapons at sea. Speaking to reporters on the
sidelines of a function at the shipyard here, Tahir said: "Well my
reaction is that this is going to start a new arms race in the region. We are
aware of these developments (which) are taking place with a view to putting
nuclear weapons at sea and this is a very serious issue." He said the
testing of the new missile would have an impact on the entire region. View:
IndiaÕs triad: a foregone development March
6, 2008 - There is a need to dispel the concern that Indo-Pak modernisation
on the nuclear front could undermine the peace process. The fact is that both
sides have managed to disentangle their military expenditures from progress
in bilateral negotiations Last week, India tested a submarine-launched
ballistic missile (SLBM), dubbed K-15. The test prompted a hurried response
from PakistanÕs naval chief who raised concerns of a renewed India-Pakistan
arms race. Is the CNSÕ statement merited? Will an Indian sea-based capability
force Pakistan to respond? Would it trigger an arms race? Finally, could this
end up undermining the peace process?
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