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Israel 'not planning Iran strike' Aljazeera.net :Russian President Dmitri Medvedev

The Israeli president said Israel has no intention to launch a military attack on Iran, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with CNN released Sunday. 
 Medvedev touched upon a number of key issues, including the Israeli-Iranian relations, START talks and the missile defense system.
    He said Israel is not going to deliver any blows on Iran, as he was assured by Israeli President Shimon Peres during their recent meeting.
    Medvedev said when he met Peres in Sochi last month, the Israeli president said "Israel does not intend to launch any strikes on Iran, we are a peaceful country and we will not do this."
    Medvedev also confirmed a secret visit "in a close regime" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Moscow earlier this month, whom he had conversation with, according to a transcript of the interview published by the Kremlin.
    Yet he did not disclose any details of their meeting. Israeli media said Netanyahu was to discuss Moscow's arms deals with Iran and Syria during the visit.
    When asked whether Russia would support Iran when Israel launched an attack, Medvedev said "Russia can not support anybody or act in such a situation," but it neither means that Russia "would like to be or will be impassible" before such "unreasonable" developments.
    "But my Israeli colleagues told me that they were not planning to act in this way and I trust them," he said.
    "Our task is not to strengthen Iran and weaken Israel or vice versa, but our task is to ensure a normal, calm situation in the Middle East," he said.
    The Russian head of state also said in the interview that his country reserved the right to deliver defensive systems to Iran, and "any supplies of any weapons, all the more defensive weapons, can not increase tension; on the contrary they should ease it."
    Although Russia repeatedly opposed sanctions against Iran, Medvedev urged Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as an obligation. 


    "Iran must cooperate with the IAEA, this is an absolutely indubitable thing, if it wishes to develop its nuclear dimension, nuclear energy program. This is its duty and not a matter of its choice," he said.
    Russia and Iran cut a deal two years ago concerning the delivery of S-300 air defense systems. Israel has urged Russia not to deliver such systems to Iran, alleging Iran wants to develop a military nuclear program and such a deal will not serve the interests of peace in the Middle East. Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes.
    Medvedev also said the chances for an agreement with the United States on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty by the end of this year are high.
    "If we come to an agreement by the end of the year, and chances remain quite high, I believe, this would be extremely helpful for us, as well as for the world community," he said.
    Russia and the United States have been engaged in working out are placement for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I), which was signed in 1991 between the United States and the former Soviet Union and is due to expire in December.
    Concerning the missile defense system, the Russian president reiterated that the system must have global dimension.
    "I have many times reiterated that such simple conclusions are as follows: the missile defense issues may not be dealt with by two or three countries separately...the defense should have global dimensions rather than consist of a limited number of missiles which can first of all reach our territory and cannot cover greater distances," he said.
    Russia has dropped plans to install short-range Iskander missiles in its enclave region of Kaliningrad after the United States scrapped its missile defense program in Eastern Europe, said Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin Saturday.
    The Bush administration had planned to deploy missile interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic as part of a shield to protect its European allies from missile threats from some "rogue states."
    Russia strongly opposed the measure, saying it posed threats to its security.

"CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric spoke exclusively Monday with Pakistan's foreign minister Mahkdoom Qureshi about Gen. McChrystal's request.
                                                           
                                                            
Couric: Do you think that more American troops would be helpful to Afghanistan and to Pakistan?

Qureshi: There are two sides of the border. What we have done in the last one year, in our opinion, our side of the border is being far better managed today. We have the terrorists on the run.

Couric: How so?

Qureshi: Because today the local population in the tribal belt has risen against them. They are, for the first time, moving along with the troops searching for them. But there is a problem we are facing. And the problem is that there is a constant flow of weapons into Pakistan. Where are they coming from? They're coming from across the border.

Couric: Would happen, in your view, if - if the U.S. pulled out?

Qureshi: Oh, there'd be chaos, you know? You went in. You cannot leave without doing the job.

Couric: Many countries have. It's called the graveyard of empires for a reason.

Qureshi: Yes. And might look at the results then. Look what happened. Then you have 9/11's, right? And then you have, you know, these militants knocking on your door. Do you want that? No. The world, global economy will get affected. Do we want that? No.

Couric: A recent Gallup poll shows that 59 percent of Pakistanis regard the U.S. as the greatest threat to the country. Sixty-seven percent oppose U.S. drone attacks against the Taliban and al Qaeda. Why is there such public opposition in your country?

Qureshi: There are two issues why there's opposition to the drones. One is the issue of sovereignty. And the other is collateral damage. That is why what Pakistan is saying - transfer the technology to us. Give us the ownership and we can use this technology for the purpose that you want it to be used for.

Couric: I think the United States military worries that that technology will get into the hands of the wrong people if they're too relaxed about giving it to your country.

Qureshi: We are sort of your allies, and we have been your allies for a very, very long time. And this relationship can only be built on trust and confidence. So if you lack trust and confidence, where are we going? Today there is a consensus in Pakistan that these guys, the Taliban, and their value system is threatening what we believe in.

We have to fight them. Not for you - we have to fight them for ourselves.

Couric: How is anti-American sentiment right now in Pakistan?

Qureshi: I think you have failed in public diplomacy. You have not reaped - sort of the - the rewards of what you have given.

Couric: Isn't sending billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan, though, a pretty powerful message to the Pakistani people?

Qureshi: You see, giving money is one thing. But cultivating the people is something totally different. President Obama is now reaching out to the Muslim world. Why is he doing that? Because he realizes that the strategy of the past was not working.
                                  

            Pakistan's FM Speaks Out

Katie Couric speaks with Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the current Foreign Minister of Pakistan, about the instability of neighboring Afghanistan and the presence of U.S. military in the region

Balochistan’s importance to Pakistan

The province is in turmoil and the people are in difficulties. The leaders of the last government were responsible for the murder of Nawab Bugti. He was always apprehensive of the way his death would take place and if there was any doubt that was put to rest by the conversation that I had with some one who had worked for and with him when he was Governor.
He asked the colleague as to whether the walls of his house could stop the artillery fire. The colleague was rightly perturbed for the reasons were simple. The Army did have more than nay civilian could understand. That prophecy was to come true within a couple of years.
What have these inconsistent actions done to the people of this country and to the Baluchis in particular? The answers have led to weakening of credibility of the successive federal governments. This is a tragedy as the present government is trying hard to get the correct measures going so that on the one hand the people of Pakistan understand the particular issue that is now eating the people of Pakistan and the options that the people of Baluchistan are living with this. As I see the situation these matters are made far worse by the functionaries of he government who are using all kinds of innuendos and a campaign of vilification of the local Baluchis and Pathans. The order is simple. They would try and keep the seniors out of coming to the province for work. At the same time they give themselves no leverage for work by using the system in such a manner that they become the precursor of determining and adding sinister aspects that enable them o rationalize lack of work. This is portrayed by such statements as the local conditions are bad and therefore one cannot go to the site. Remain desk bound and the vocational failings would follow. I had seen this in former East Pakistan and the dire consequences of personal benefits overcome public interest. As it is identities are based on 1. Ethnic element that is based on a legacy that has to be historic and 2. A developmental one that stems from the concept of modernity and in an effort to join the ranks of the reasonably developed and ultimately well developed. This essentially means that social forces generated must have centripetal strengths rather that centrifugal ones and should thus be forcing the social systems, despite any aspect that is otherwise, to take charge.
The special social aspects of Baluchistan are such that special dispensations in a number of policy matters have to be affected. Instead policy of aggressive designs were carried out and justified. It is possible to justify any aspect of life and it is also possible to find a coterie of people from the area so aggrieved to carry out parochially and to justify the whims of the powerful forces. The aspect that I have always cherished and have advocated is that nothing can be held by force and eventually the fate of any social conflict is in allowing the governance to those that believe in what is going in the province or oppressed area and how best to handle it so that the federation is preserved. Social macro misdemeanors have a nasty way of moving by geometric progression. They balloon out of context and then it is not a matter as to who is right or wrong but the manner in which these social forces gather momentum.
The development effort than has to be geared towards the betterment of the economic well being of ever person in he oppressed area and it cannot be, by definition, policies for the few and against the many. Governments in the past have followed all kinds of policies and have tried to black mail on the one hand and bribe them on the other. Such policies essentially are to be based on equity, efficiency and efficacy in which social justice and fair play have a large role. The ordinary citizens may seem helpless but they understand what is going on around them and have a stance on the policies although they may not seem to influence these policies.
The social understanding of centuries of colonialism can at best be removed by such policies as require a different kind of approach. Conveniences of other areas already well served by the federation may be excluded from the list of ‘investment’ in such areas. Instead we have seen social policies responsible for disaggregating the already social fabric. Since industry would not be possible in the short term the burden must fall on agriculture. There is much to do and Baluchistan is my favorite for the last two decades or even more as one sees potential in the area and the husbanding of resources in a different manner. Agriculture can be put on its head and in an unconventional manner much can be done. Cohesiveness and otherwise social policies are dependent on intangibles and the censorship system of the leaders that are in position democratically and one has therefore no consort with despicably indecent tyrants that come in to our lives every now and then.
The tendency has been to base our academic work on some defunct western logician irrespective of understanding the local cultural concept. Socially, culturally and an interpretation of these is based on a premise that is not desirable. Thus if I were to quote Rousseau and Locke etc what reasonable person would accept that kind of analysis for the social aspect of tribal areas and the culturally nurtured argument that comes up every now and then and not resolved. The enculturation [weaker culture imbibing the better aspects of another culture] is an important element in the development of attitudes and values that eventually must impact on the political weaknesses of a system. A tyrannical system is not answerable to any one and therefore forces policies on the body politic that on the face of it would leave the governance factors much worse than what these were than what they acquired by assuming power illegitimately.
Governance is a much abused word and has acquired sinister meaning thereby generating and furthering the fact generically of something not happening correctly. This has allowed Pakistan to be called a number of times by the international agencies for reasons that may or may not be correct. The myths attached to these systems by the international agencies themselves are questionable.
So the list of such actions may be seen in the context of what is required to be done? Development policies can improve the legacies of the past. The colonial system used money power and this is clear from the work of Sandhurst and other white men that governed on behalf of their countries. They may have seemed to be socially benign but they were not as the long term context indicates. Agriculture has to be at the forefront and yet the people’s in-charge in the province are the one’s that seem to be the biggest culprits.
Given to senseless intrigues and an ability not to work but to back bite and bad mouthing everyone and that in it self does two things: 1. Takes care of the ‘opponent’ and thus seemingly places them lower in the social and work order. 2. Places the intriguer in a psychological moment superior to the person spoken against and rationalizes the lack of work done. The best of them do it and the worst are despicably low. The time, in short is, to get going in an equitable manner and to deliver the goods so sought. Leadership change in agriculture in the short term may be a way out. We will see how it emerges. The world is ours to make or break. Dr Zafar Altaf

India to hand over those involved in the Samjhota Express terrorist attack

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has demanded of India to hand over those involved in the Samjhota Express terrorist attack in which 68 Pakistanis were burnt alive.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Rehman Malik briefed the media on Pakistan’s handling of the Mumbai issue.
He said Pakistan had taken a very serious view of the tragedy. He added that a high-level investigation had been conducted to ascertain the facts.
He said law-enforcement agencies had already arrested five suspects involved in the Mumbai terror plot.
Rehman Malik said Jamaat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed was being investigated and had been included in the Mumbai investigation.
He said Hafiz Saeed would be arrested after availability of solid evidence against him. “I assure my Indian counterpart that if there was evidence found against (him) during our investigation, he will not escape from the clutches of the law. We will take action,” he added.
Rehman Malik, who earlier held a meeting with the Indian high commissioner to Pakistan in the Interior Ministry, said intelligence information was being shared with the Indian authorities.
He said a fifth dossier had been handed over to India and that further information and statements had also been sought from the Indian authorities.
But while he apparently tried to give the impression of things working smoothly between the investigation agencies of the two countries, he betrayed his underlying frustration with the persistent Indian mantra of ‘Pakistan not doing enough’. “I am willing to have a debate over the Mumbai attacks with the Indian authorities anytime, anywhere.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism and said there was no room for terrorism in the country and it would be rooted out completely.
Giving details of the Mumbai investigations, the minister said five suspects of the Mumbai attacks — Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Mazhar Iqbal, Umer Abdul Wajid, Zarrar Shah and Shahid Jamil Riaz — had been arrested and statements of 10 witnesses had been recorded. He said the suspects would be charged in the next hearing of the case on September 26.
He said Fahim Ansar, who was arrested in July, had given a statement against Jamaat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed.
The minister told reporters that the court would be provided information regarding the hideouts of the terrorists, while bank accounts used in the Mumbai attacks had also been unearthed.
He said it would prove immensely beneficial and critical for investigations if the Indian authorities provided statements of the Indian forensic experts, as requested by the Pakistani investigators.
“Pakistan wants lasting relations with India and the soil of Pakistan would not be allowed to be used against any country, including India,” he asserted.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the information provided so far by the Indian authorities and said it was insufficient and Pakistan needed more cooperation in this regard.
“India must now give us credible information for the prosecution of suspected terrorists in the Pakistani courts. It should share all credible information that it possesses about the Mumbai attacks, so that such incidents could be pre-empted in future. We cannot move forward on the basis of insufficient information and assumptions,” he added.
Rehman Malik said the Federal Investigation Agency team, led by Tariq Khosa, had completed its investigations.
Replying to a question, he said Pakistan was a responsible country that sought cooperation on equal status and could not be dictated by India.
Malik said terrorism was a common threat and required concerted efforts by the international community to effectively counter it.
The minister said the Indian government conveyed preliminary information on the Mumbai attacks on January 5, 2009, through diplomatic channels.
“After examining the matter, Pakistan decided that a high-level inquiry team of the FIA should carry out the preliminary probe in order to take further legal action against the perpetrators. Accordingly, the inquiry was initiated on January 16, 2009.”
The FIA team submitted its report on February 3, 2009, indicating that some persons belonging to Pakistan and having links to the defunct Lashkar-e-Taiba were involved in the Mumbai attacks.
A case (FIR No 01/2009) had been registered by the FIA Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on February 12, 2009, against nine accused, including Ajmal Kasab, who is under arrest in Mumbai.
The remaining eight accused nominated in the FIR are Amjad Khan, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Hammad Amin Sadiq, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Abu Hamza, Kahfa, Zarrar Shah, and Alqama.
Upon registration of the FIR, the Indian government was conveyed a set of 30+2 questions on February 12, 2009, for response to carry forward the investigation process. The Indian government formally responded to the questions from the Pakistani investigation agency on March 13, 2009.
Pakistan sought further material evidence on April 13, 2009, from the Indian investigators for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.
The FIA submitted the first interim challan/charge-sheet in an Anti-Terrorism Court on April 30, 2009, against five accused, namely Hammad Amin Sadiq, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Mazhar Iqbal alias Alqama, Abdul Wajid alias Zarrar Shah and Shahid Jamil Riaz.
“The Anti-Terrorism Court has declared 20 accused proclaimed offenders,” Rehman Malik said. He said non-bailable warrants had been issued against accused Ajmal Kasab and Fahim Ansari.
Agencies add: Meanwhile, Rehman Malik said in a statement that anti-state elements were instigating sectarian violence, adding that the government would deal with such elements with an iron hand.
He said a special cell had been set up in the Interior Ministry to stop sectarian violence and the provinces had been directed to take appropriate steps in this regard.

Bangladesh build strategic relationship with China & Pakistan

Bangladesh is in the throes of an existential struggle for survival and growth as an independent nation. Bangladesh was created for the democratic right of the Bengalis. However a couple of years after its creation, Shaikh Mujib Ur Rahman banned all political parties, and declared himself dictator for life. The country was supposed to be secular panacea for Muslims of South Asia. Bengali nationalism rejected other ethnicities and made the clarion call for ethnic independence.
1971 witnessed the call for Bengali nationalism ignored in Kolkota. The Hindus did not want to join a Bengali nation of greater Bengal. Religion once again proved a potent dividing line for Bengal. The same Hindu Bengalis who agitated against the partition of Bengal in 1906 are today championing the cause for fencing the border and keeping the Muslims Bengalis out of West Bengal. Partition of Bengal: Implications for Benagaldesh & Pakistan, then and now . In 1906, the All India Muslim League created by the Bengalis of the region (Nawab Waqar Ul Mulk, Nawab Mohsin Ul Mulk, Alama Iqbal and others from all parts of South Asia) rose up against the injustices of the ruling class of Hindu landlords of Kolkota. Lord Curzon cancelled the partition of Bengal and this was a victory for the Indian National Congress and  the Brahman Hindus of Bengal. They wanted to keep the Muslim Bengalis under their thumb.
After failing to take over Bangladesh on Dec 6th 1971, India is forcing a transit policy on defenseless Bangladesh that is fighting for her existence. The Transit facilites that Bharat is asking would clog existing Balgladeshi roads and pose a security threat to Bangladesh. It would also exacerbate the situation in Northeast “India” where the sevean Assamese states want freedom from Delhi. The Transit agreement poses a mortal threat to Bangladesh
In a post 71 world secular Bengali nationalism has not proved enough of a magnet to lure in Hindu Bengalis from West Bengal (Bharat) to rise up and join their Muslim brethren in a secular Bangladesh. Hindu Bengalis on the other hand are content at building fences along the border to prevent the Islamization of Bengal–which they see as the biggest threat. The supposedly non-communal communist party of West Bengal has kept the Muslims at the lowest rung of the ladder in a state that supposedly flows the Marxist ideology where religion should not matter.
Shiakh Mujib Ur Rahman signed away Bangladesh to the Rakhi Bahni led by a sitting Bharati General. The Indian agent then signed a “treaty of friendship” with India which pretty much would have made Bangladesh a province of Bharat. On 14th date the Bangladeshi patriots (they picked the Pakistani day of independence day) rose up against the Awami League and killed Mujib Ur Rahman , his coterie of commanders and his entire family. To make it a lesson, they threw his body in the streets of Dhaka and left it to rot for two weeks. They took Bengali secularism and drowned it deep into the Bay of bengal. For the briefest moment Muslim nationalism emerged. Khondakar Mushtaque announced a confederation with Pakistan. Muslim nationalism wa quickly snuffed out by the powers to be. The secularists seem to have taken control of Bengal.
Today Bangladesh once again stands at the cross roads. There is a civil war raging for its soul. It is once again divided between secularism and religion. Putting the religious leaders on trial will not expunge religion from Dhaka. Dhaka Diary: Bangladesh fights India’s hegemony designs. The country’s future stands on the strategic choices it makes.
WHEN Bangladesh became independent, the world was bipolar. Conducting foreign affairs was then relatively easy. One had to choose between the two super powers to assist small nations achieve their interests in international politics and more often than not, they obliged. At the time of liberation, Bangladesh joined the Soviet Camp to which India was aligned. They helped Bangladesh in many ways in its needs in the international relations and were thus its strategic partners. When Bangladesh switched sides, and moved away from the Soviet camp after 1975, it was helped in international affairs by the other super power, the USA and its regional ally China. Bangladesh did not thus feel that its interests could be by-passed. It may not have had the muscle but it had the strategic partners with powers to help it at times of need.
Bangladesh also had the support of many powerful countries who became its friends because they were inspired by the way it fought oppression and liberated the country. Japan to a major extent and European countries and Australia to a large extent helped Bangladesh to rebuild a war-devastated country. These countries still assist Bangladesh to achieve economic development. Unfortunately the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991 has taken away by default the comfort zone for countries like Bangladesh, leaving it to fend for itself when faced with strategic issues. The comfort of a bipolar world is no longer there.
The international goodwill Bangladesh earned from its liberation has also gone. The United States as the world’s only super power is too involved with other major issues to have time for Bangladesh. In the meantime India, which was a not a major power when Bangladesh became independent, is today aspiring to become a world power. Unfortunately, Bangladesh-India relations have, meanwhile, lost the closeness that had brought them together in 1971 because both the countries were at fault. In the deterioration of relations, India has also stepped into areas that are critical for Bangladesh’s viability as a nation. Water of the rivers that flow from India, which gives life and livelihood to Bangladesh, are now at India’s mercy and it has interfered with the flow of a major river, namely the Ganges, by the Farakka barrage that started the process of desertification in Bangladesh’s northwest and is going ahead with building a dam at Tipaimukh on another international river that could do to Bangladesh’s northeast what Farakka has done to the northwest. In search of strategic relationship M. Serajul Islam. The writer is a Director, Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies and a former Ambassador to Japan.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) permits countries to claim continental shelf regions beyond the exclusive economic zone (giving exclusive fishing and mining rights), provided they can back it up with scientific data. On 12 May, India staked claim to large swathes of seabed under the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which a government scientist involved with the survey process pegged at approximately 0.6 million sq. km of continental shelf. The scientist asked not to be identified.
Mint on 12 June reported that India’s claim was likely to also conflict with regions claimed by Sri Lanka as its own, quoting top government officials involved in the process.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 18 June said that her government was also planning to contest India’s and Myanmar’s claims to the extended continental shelf. This was reported in the Daily Star, a local English newspaper. India, neighbours fight for the continental shelf Myanmar says India has extended the maritime boundary unilaterally; Bangladesh to contest claims too Jacob P. Koshy
India’s interpretation of the laws relating to demarcation of maritime boundary risks closing Bangladesh’s access to the sea where there are rich marine and hydrocarbon resources. Myanmar has taken the cue from India and has used the same interpretation on demarcating maritime boundary that, if these countries have their way, will take away from Bangladesh a major portion of its claim in the Bay of Bengal. These are therefore difficult times for Bangladesh because its attempts to negotiate with India and Myanmar on the maritime issue have borne no result and neither country has shown the inclination of accepting Bangladesh’s position. According to the Convention on UN Law of the Seas, Bangladesh must demarcate its maritime boundary by July 2011; India by June, 2009 and Myanmar by May, 2009. India has submitted their claims to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Commission will hold hearing on Indian submission by March of next year. The process for ultimate demarcation of Bangladesh’s maritime boundary with India and Myanmar is likely to be protracted and complicated where it is up against two countries holding similar positions. Bangladesh feels it has a good case to convince the Commission in its favour but it cannot be certain and must wait for the Commission’s ruling on the issue. The future of Bangladesh being able to exploit the rich resources of the Bay of Bengal unhindered is therefore uncertain. In fact, Bangladesh and Myanmar faced off over the issue last year but the danger lingers. In search of strategic relationship M. Serajul Islam. The writer is a Director, Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies and a former Ambassador to Japan.
Abid adds. India has been persuing its imperialist ambitions from the time of its independence; this has been known as the Nehru Doctrine (for an Akhanda Bharata) This is to both economically and politically make the South Asian countries either part of India or make dependent on it. In this effort, it already swallowed, Hydrabad, Kashmir, Goa, Sikkhim and Bhutan through military invasion, and now Nepal and Sri Lanka are in the process, and Bangladesh through Indian dam building over the Ganges, Brahmaputra and the Barak River causing desertification and ofcourse eventually to become a failed state. In its newly earned fame as a South Asian rising power, India is now aggressively laying claims on places and the sea boundaries that are even beyond its reach. Under the circumstances, most South Asian smaller countries are increasingly couming under threat from India. It appears that South Asian countries would be better off if they together take initiatives to form a union of South Asian nations comprised of Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and like the EU also keeping the doors open in this case, for any breakaway province from India to join it. While the contemporary Indian muscle flexing is also due to its super connection with the US, in all this China should come in to extend its economic and humanitarian help to the proposed confederation. It appears that if no initiatives of this kind by smaller nations taken soon, as Nehru once said to boost his Akhanda Bharata ideology “the future of smaller nations will be doomed.”
The devastation ravaged by the East India company on the Subcontinent can be seen in land of Sonar Bengal–the richest and most affluent, most educated and most cultural part of the Subcontinent. The fatefut event in 1757 in one stroke not only enslaved the Bengalis, but transformed the entire area into a cesspool of penury and poverty from which it has not been able to unshackle itself. Partition of Bengal’s implications for Bangladesh & Pakistan then and now
The Battle of Plassey was more devastating for the Muslim than the destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols. At the time that the East India Company brutally savaged Bengal, Urdu was the language of the country, and the Muslims were in power. The landed gentry was Muslim and as the overseers of culture, poetry, music, painting and industry. Muslim was made here and it was so fine an entire “than” could be pulled through a ring. 1873 all that ended. In 1873 the British government abolished Urdu as the national language. All Muslim were made illiterate overnight. The center of learning and literature moved to Hindu Bengal. They produced the attorneys, doctors, lawyers and the poets. Muslim Benglis were considered uncouth and bohemian.  In 190740 the Devanagari script was imposed on the entire subcontinent with devastating affect. Religious riots in 1947: Who were the architects?
Bangladesh is therefore in desperate need of a strategic friend with the clout for providing it the support for negotiating a fair deal with India and Myanmar on the maritime issue. Bangladesh’s long friendship with China could provide it that support, at least with Myanmar. It built and nurtured this friendship overlooking China’s opposition during its war of liberation and veto to its membership of the UN when it desperately needed the membership to be accepted by the international community as an independent and sovereign nation. After Bangladesh established diplomatic ties with China in 1976, the two moved forward and built up a strategic relationship where all the conceivable areas of cooperation: economic, political, social, cultural and defense were brought into their bilateral relations. Exchange of large number of high level visits has been an important instrument in building excellent bilateral relations.
The incumbent government in Bangladesh has been in office over eight months now. Yet there has been no move for a visit of Sheikh Hasina to China. Last time around, she went to Beijing within two months of assuming office. There has also not been any visit at the Ministerial level. The result of the Joint Commission that has been held recently has not been promising either. In that meeting, Bangladesh had sought over US$ 5 billion in assistance for 28 projects. The Chinese agreed to offer a little over US$ 1 billion in five projects in suppliers’ credit and also noted serious dissatisfaction at Bangladesh’s handling of Chinese assistance.
There appears to be a cooling of Bangladesh-China strategic relations. One reason for this could be the permission given to Taiwan by the last BNP Government to open a Trade Office in Dhaka. The permission was given at a most inappropriate time for China and embarrassed it very much. Bangladesh also did not follow the cardinal principle in strategic relationships: the need to keep the partner informed before taking a decision affecting the partner. Bangladesh’s expectation that Taiwan would bring billions of dollars in trade and investment also did not occur. It has only harmed Bangladesh’s relations with China on the issue of dependability. Before the Taiwan Trade Office fiasco, Bangladesh could have requested China for support to negotiate a fair deal with Myanmar on the maritime boundary, given its undoubted influence with the military rulers of Myanmar. China will not be inclined to come forward now because in the meantime, China has extended its strategic relationship with Myanmar further. One major reason of China’s interest in Bangladesh is its access to the Bay of Bengal, an access that Myanmar is now providing China as a dependable ally.
At a time when Bangladesh needs friends with clout for achieving its interests in foreign affairs and foreign relations, it thus finds itself standing alone. Bangladesh has become marginalized in international politics. In its best interests, Bangladesh should now try its utmost to settle problems with India and cash upon the historical friendship between the AL and the Congress. While speaking on Tipaimukh, Sheikh Hasina has recently stressed the need for unity. She should now do her best for bipartisanship in dealing with India that will not just strengthen her hands but also enhance her standing with India tremendously. Simultaneously, Bangladesh must also seek for strategic relationships with powerful countries that value its geopolitical location.
Bangladesh must also warm up its relations with China and that will not be easy because China has tilted towards Myanmar, which can satisfy China’s strategic interests in place of Bangladesh. Views emanating from USA recently suggest that the world’s only super power has not lost its interest in the Bay of Bengal where, the problems with maritime demarcation notwithstanding, Bangladesh holds a crucial geopolitical location. Meanwhile, USA and India have moved ahead in their strategic relations and hence building strategic relations with USA will be a very difficult task. The strategic choices nevertheless are there; the necessity to go forward with these choices is crucial to Bangladesh’s future. The task of achieving these strategic choices will be a test of Bangladesh’s diplomatic ability and capability. Unfortunately, this is its weakest link. Bangladesh:In search of strategic relationship M. Serajul Islam. The writer is a Director, Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies and a former Ambassador to Japan. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=106363
Greater Brihot Bangladesh  Plassey to Muslim Bengal to Bangistan to Bangladesh to Brihot Bangal
Bangladesh today stands at a cross-roads. It is being led into subservience by the same Awami League that wanted to merge it with Bharat. It is looking for a strategic partnership with China. Obviously the road to Beijing leads from Islamabad via the Korakurams ot Beijing. If Bangladesh wants a partnership with China, it has to form a close partnership with Pakistan. The Awami League government in Dhaka is exacerbating the situation in Bangladesh by continued the civil war that ended in the 70s, and the 80s. Thier trial of the Jamat e Islam which was fighting for the Muslims of Bengal is an abomination to Muslims everywhere. The Awami League is selling the soul of Bengal to the highest bidder and allowing Tata truck to rumble through the highways of Bangladesh into Assam. Transit Routes: Shaikh Hasina capitulates Bangladeshi sovereignty?  This will not only reduce Bangladeshi sovereignty, it will bring the ire of the Asamese nationalists into Bangladesh and this militancy threat poses huge dangers for the country.
A Muslim ummah is born again in Bangladesh. How long till it uncovers its true potential and create Briohot Bengal or Greater Bangladesh? Plassey to Bangistan dream to Bangladesh to Brohit Bengal
Failure to get Assam included in East Pakistan in 1947 remained a source of abiding resentment in the
country (Pakistan). Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in his book, Myths of Independence wrote, “It would be wrong to
think that Kashmir is the only dispute that divides India and Pakistan, though undoubtedly the most
significant. One at least is nearly as important as the Kashmir dispute, that of Assam and some districts
of India adjacent to East Pakistan. To these Pakistan has very good claims.
Even a pro-India leader like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his book, Eastern Pakistan: Its population and
Economics, observed, ‘Because Eastern Pakistan must have sufficient land for its expansion and because
Assam has abundant forest and mineral resources, coal and petroleum etc., Eastern Pakistan must include
Assam to be financially and economically strong. (Quoted in â˜Terror Sans Frontiers: Islamic Militancy
in North East India’).
Historic Plassey Day
The 252nd anniversary of historic Plassey Tragedy Day will be observed today across Bangladesh. The Battle of Plassey was fought between the forces of Nawab Sirajuddaulah and the East India Company on June 23 in 1757. It lasted for about eight hours, in which the Nawab was defeated by the company forces because of the treachery of his leading general Mir Jafar.
Plassey’s political consequences were far-reaching and devastating and hence, though a brief skirmish, it has become known as a battle. It laid the foundation of the British rule in the Bengal. For the English East India Company, Bengal was the catalyst from which the British expanded their territorial domain and subsequently built up the empire, which gradually engulfed most parts of India and ultimately many other parts of Asia as well.

Pakistan celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated throughout Pakistan Monday with great religious fervour and festivity, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramazan, the official news agency APP reported.
    Big Eid congregations are held across the country with special arrangements made to offer Eid prayer. In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and capital city of Islamabad, the Eid congregations have been held at more than 300 places.
    In Islamabad, the biggest congregation was held at the grand Faisal Mosque, where the high-ups of the government offered Eid prayers. In Rawalpindi, the biggest Eid congregation was held at the historic Liaquat Bagh.
    Following the Eid prayers, Muslims spend their time feasting with family and friends and feeding those who are less fortunate. Sweets and other special dishes have been prepared for serving the guests. People also exchange gifts on the occasion.
    The government has declared Eid holidays from Sept. 21 to 23 and paid advanced salaries to employees for enabling them to meet their Eid expenses.
    On this occasion, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited has also offered a special package on Eid days to encourage people to exchange Eid greetings with their near and dear ones.
    The Radio and Television channels have chalked out a series of special programmes on the occasion of Eid while newspapers will publish special supplements, highlighting the significance of the day.



    Immediately after the announcement that the Shawwal moon has been sighted previous night, a wave of happiness surged through the masses. People swarmed the markets and Eid bazaars for shopping and women crowded the beauty parlours and shops, selling bangles and mehndi.
    Till late night people were busy in shopping in the markets. Meanwhile foolproof security measures have been adopted on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Policemen have been deputed outside mosques, bazaars, shopping centres and sensitive public and private buildings.
    Pakistani authorities said that they have further beefed up security across the country to avert any unpleasant incident on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr festival

Extremely Inspirational Video

It covers the rise of Muslims and reasons of downfall and then current situation of Ummah and its solution, i.e. Unity.

China strikes back on Arunachal

Anger over troop deployments, reports of border incursions, and a high-pitched media debate have reignited strains between China and India over long-festering border disputes in the Himalayas.

The details of whether boots actually crossed borders are murky, but experts in both countries agree that tensions have risen, highlighting the fragility of relations between the giant neighbours jostling for dominance.

The two Asian powers have disputed their 3,500 km (2,200 mile) border since a 1962 war. In that war China seized much of the Himalayan high ground, worrying India which traditionally sees the mountain range as a strategic buffer against invaders.

Despite decades of mistrust, trade is booming and China is now India's biggest trade partner. The value of bilateral deals is expected to pass $60 billion next year, a 30-fold increase since 2000, raising the stakes in maintaining peace.

While a new war is very unlikely, the unsettled border between the world's two most populous countries remains the biggest single impediment to better relations.

There have been 13 rounds of largely fruitless talks in recent years.


"The temperature on the border is rising," said former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal. "The situation is disturbing political circles."

China has upgraded roads on its side of the border while India has boosted troop numbers on its more challenging terrain.

Beijing tried to block a $60 million Asian Development Bank loan sought by India for development in one contested area, and has protested activities of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, who is based in India.

And in India, as the summer drew to a close, there were almost daily media reports of border incursions by China, presented as a sign China is growing more assertive.

Brahma Chellaney, professor at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, says Chinese cross-border forays nearly doubled from 140 in 2006 to 270 in 2008 and have kept that level in 2009.

"The situation is now hotter than the Pakistan border," he said.

CHINA CRITICISES INDIA MEDIA

China has not directly commented on the allegations, saying only that it sticks to an agreement to "safeguard peace and tranquility", but Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu did obliquely accuse Indian media of stirring up tensions.

"I have noted that some Indian media are releasing inaccurate information; I wonder what their aim is?" she said.

Cheng Ruisheng, former ambassador to India and now adviser to the Chinese government on relations with its neighbour, told Reuters there were no incursions.

"China is dealing with so many things, it has no idea of having any kind of military conflict with India," he said.

Taylor Fravel, a specialist in China's border and security issues at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that even if the military are reporting border crossings, an apparent incursion can sometimes be a matter of perception.

"What one side views as a patrol along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), another side views as a violation, and vice versa."

Chinese experts say increasing tensions have been fuelled by Indian fears and nationalism rather than aggression from Beijing.

"I think that the immediate cause is that the Indian armed forces increased around the border, and this can easily increase the mutual suspicion," said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Beijing's Renmin University.

Delhi has officially denied the reports of border violations, and like Beijing, has little to gain from friction.

"Our borders are secure and it serves no purpose to create excessive alarm," said Foreign Minister S.M Krishna. With the two countries trading in everything from high-tech to steel, ties couldn't be better, according to one expert.

"China-India relations are probably the best in 45 years," said Siddharth Varadarajan, strategic affairs editor of the Hindu newspaper.

LEAKS

Some analysts say the news of incursions reflects leaks by an Indian military worried about the Chinese army's growing mobility and strength in the border areas. India lags China both in terms of infrastructure work and military strength.

To counter this, India is raising two new army divisions, some 30,000 soldiers, for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh. It is also beefing up air defences in the region.

The Indian buildup of troops on the one hand and beefed-up border patrols and roads by China on the other may be creating a cycle of mistrust that could undermine years of diplomatic work.

"If you ask me what is the major problem between China and India, it is neither the border question, nor the Tibet question -- it is the lack of mutual trust," said former ambassador Cheng. (Additional reporting by Biswajyoti Das in GUWAHATI, Bappa Majumdar in NEW DELHI, Editing by Krittivas Mukherjee and Sanjeev Miglani)

Pakistan police raid US-employed security firm

Pakistani police raided a local security firm contracted by the U.S. Embassy on Saturday, officials said, seizing dozens of allegedly unlicensed weapons at a time when American use of private contractors is under unusual scrutiny here. Two employees of the Inter-Risk company were arrested, Islamabad police official Rana Akram told a news conference. Reporters were shown the disputed weapons -- 61 assault rifles and nine pistols.
He said police were searching for the owner of the firm, which has been mentioned recently in local media reports that have been trying to establish the types of private security firms that American diplomats use in Pakistan.
In particular, Pakistani reporters, bloggers and others have suggested that the U.S. may be using the American firm formerly known as Blackwater, which was refused an operating license by Iraq's government early this year amid continued outrage over a lethal 2007 firefight involving some of its employees in Baghdad.
The U.S. Embassy denies it uses Blackwater -- now known as Xe Services -- in Pakistan, but the accusations have been part of a deepening sense of anti-Americanism in a country where that feeling is already pervasive.
Much of it hinges on U.S. plans to expand its embassy, adding hundreds more staff and more land in what it says is a move to allow it to disburse billions of dollars more in humanitarian aid to Pakistan.
Akram said police are investigating whether any other private security firms are using illegal weapons.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Rick Snelsire confirmed that the embassy signed a contract with Inter-Risk last year and that it took effect at the start of 2009. It is believed to be the first contract the local firm has signed with the U.S., said Snelsire, who did not have a figure for the contract's worth.
"Our understanding is they obtained licenses with whatever they brought into the country to meet the contractual needs," Snelsire said. "We told the government that we had a contract with Inter-Risk, that Inter-Risk would be providing security at the embassy and our consulates."

Stronger, Smarter, and Swifter" Europe Missile Defenses"

Russia says it has scrapped plans to deploy missiles in a region near Poland after U.S. President Barack Obama canceled plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe.

In a radio interview Saturday, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin said Mr. Obama's move has made the deployment of Iskander short-range missiles in the Kaliningrad region unnecessary.

President Obama said Thursday he is replacing the planned missile defense system with what he called a new approach for defending the United States and its NATO allies from a missile threat from Iran.

Russia had fiercely opposed the earlier planned system as a threat to its security.

Some U.S. Republican leaders and East European politicians have criticized the change as misguided.

Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States is not shelving missile defenses but implementing a more comprehensive defense system. She insisted the United States is not walking away from its allies.

Thursday, U.S. Republican Senator John McCain called the decision a step backwards at a time when Eastern European countries are increasingly wary of what he called "renewed Russian adventurism."

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have both praised Mr. Obama's decision.



Some Czech and Polish officials said the development will not endanger the security of their countries. But others, such as former Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, whose government negotiated the missile deployment accord, said the decision threatens Czech security.

Poland's Foreign Minister Radek Sikorsky called the timing of the announcement clumsy, noting that it came on the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of his country during World War Two.

In his announcement, Mr. Obama said the change follows a new assessment of Iran's missile program. The missile defense system planned for central Europe was supposed to counter an attack from Iranian intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush first proposed building a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic in 2006

Younus confident for second major title of year

Having already won the Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan is targeting a second major 2009 title at the upcoming Champions Trophy despite a less-than-impressive history in the competition.
"Our past performance in Champions Trophy is not that much encouraging, but the way we have trained for this year's tournament, I'm sure we can perform well," coach Intikhab Alam told reporters on Thursday.
Pakistan has not reached the final in any of the five previous editions of the Champions Trophy - the biggest 50-over tournament behind the World Cup.
"It's a tough tournament, but we are going to South Africa with a target to win it," Alam said as the team prepared to leave for Johannesburg.
Pakistan will play two warm-up matches before taking on the West Indies in its first group game on Sept. 23.
Pakistan, which has never beaten India in a major ICC tournament, takes on its neighbour and archrival on Sept. 26 before rounding off its group matches against defending champion Australia on Sept. 29.
South Africa, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka form the other group, with the top two teams from each qualifying for the semifinals.
India and Australia both have hit peak form ahead of the Champions Trophy. India won a triangular series over Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Australia is on verge of whitewashing England in their seven-match one-day series.
However, Alam is not worried about the form of his group opponents.
"The team which handles the pressure on the given day wins in a 50-over game," Alam said.

Af-Pak policy on anti-terrorism war in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistan Foreign Office on Thursday said Islamabad does not agree with the term Af-Pak, applied to Pakistan and Afghanistan under President Barack Obama administration's strategy in war on terror.     The report came in the wake of last week's rejection by Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari of the U.S. strategy to link policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan in a bid to stamp out Taliban insurgency and bring stability to the region.
    "Afghanistan and Pakistan are distinctly different countries and cannot be lumped together for any reason," Zardari said in an interview with the London-based Financial Times, on September 10.
    Political observers in the region attach great significance with Islamabad's fresh assertions coming ahead of Zardari's upcoming visit to the United States and the scheduled meeting between President Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in New York later this month.
    U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also scheduled to visit Islamabad next month. This obvious change in Islamabad's mood follows Pakistani media's sharp criticism of U.S. drones attacks in the Pakistani tribal areas close to the Afghan border.
    Recent reports in Pakistani newspapers also took exception to alleged activities of Black water, a private American security firm, which in recent years had shot up to notorious eminence after reports of its prisoners' abuses in Iraq.
    Gen. Hamid Gul, the former chief of Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), has even claimed that Black water is operating in Islamabad and Peshawar cities with the changed name of Zee Securities.
    However, Pakistan government circles sharply declined the reports.
    "Pakistan's interior minister has already made it clear that there is no existence of Black water in Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit Khan said.
    Basit said Pakistan will not allow U.S. forces to carry out actions inside the country.
    Addressing a function in Islamabad on Wednesday, the Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said: "Pakistan condemns (U.S.)drone attacks, considering them as violation of our sovereignty."
    His remarks came simultaneous with a U.S. drone attack in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region, in which, according to U.S. intelligence sources, two important al-Qaida leaders were killed.
    U.S. President Barack Obama had, in his new strategy about Afghanistan, interlinked the issues of terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
    Last week, the U.S. State Department reiterated its position defending its approach in this connection.
    "The United States treats Afghanistan and Pakistan as two countries, but facing a common challenge presented by violent extremism," Ian Kelly, U.S. State Department spokesman, said.
    "Our efforts center on the president's goal to dismantle, disrupt, and defeat the extremist threat faced in both countries."     
    A report in the Rawalpindi-based English newspaper, The News, said earlier this month that Zardari and his senior officials "draw a distinction between a Pakistan with functioning institutions, diversified economy and a powerful national army, and Afghanistan, a state shattered by decades of conflict and ethnic divisions."
    Under the new strategy, Washington had been talking of direct strikes of U.S. forces inside Pakistan but the plan was later abandoned in the face of serious reaction from Islamabad.
    Later, Washington and Islamabad agreed that only Pakistan Army will take action against militants inside the Pakistani territories.
    While Pakistan has since the beginning been criticizing drone attacks, media reports suggest that Islamabad has accorded a tacit approval to these strikes. There have even been reports that the drones are flown from Pakistan air bases.
    However, the latest outcry by Pakistani leaders shows that the country is now coming clear in opposition to the drone attacks.
    Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani said "Pakistan will take up the issue (of drone strikes) with the United States, urging it to change its policy. Rather, Islamabad will ask U.S. to transfer drone technology to Pakistan so it is able to take action if needed."
    Regional analysts doubt if Pakistan's changed posture is a prelude to some major shift in its policy of extending cooperation to the United States in tackling insurgency in Afghanistan.

Pak, China agree to develop new satellite

Pakistan and China signed an agreement on Friday to develop a new satellite, PAKSAT-1R, in about three years period, Pakistan's Economic Affairs Division (EAD) said in a press release.
According to the framework agreement signed by EAD Secretary Farrakh Qayyum and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui, China will fund the satellite project with a soft loan of 1.35 billion RMB (about $200 million) carrying maturity period of 20 years.
The communication satellite will have 30 years transponders, 12 in C-Band and 18 in Ku-Band, each of 36 MHz Bandwidth. The program is in line with Pakistan's Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF 2005-10) objectives and may provide better satellite communications for Pakistan, said the press release.
Pakistan Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) will jointly develop the new satellite to replace the Pakistan Space Craft, which is likely to expire in 2011.

embarrassing details: India tested nuclear bombs in the deserts of Pokhran,

Eleven years after India tested nuclear bombs in the deserts of Pokhran, embarrassing details about the test fizzling out have exploded  in a full blown controversy with top nuclear scientists on ,
Thursday demanding that the government institute an inquiry to determine whether the test failed. Former nuclear czars said they were ashamed that information had been hidden.
Three former nuclear leaders -- M R Srinivasan, P K Iyengar and A N Prasad -- said in the wake of revelations by K Santhanam, project leader for Pokhran II, the government must order a peer review into the yield of the thermonuclear test of May 1998. 
Santhanam went public first on August 26, saying that the yield from the test was far lower than what prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government claimed. On Thursday, in a newspaper article he disclosed embarrassing details saying the test was a failure because the yield was only 25 kilotons, nearly half of what the scientists had then claimed. He said that a meeting of scientists discussed the failure soon after the test and decided to hide it. He also pointed out that the failure meant that India now did not possess a credible nuclear deterrent, indicating that warheads on India's long-range missile could have far less punch than expected.
R Chidambaram, former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and the architect of the nuke tests; Anil Kakodkar, then director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and APJ Abdul Kalam who led the team from Defence Research and Development Organisation, have insisted the device operated according to its design specifications and the yield was 45 kilotons.

At a meeting on September 5, the AEC dismissed the first statements made by Santhanam, saying through different types of analysis it was established that the yield of the thermonuclear test was 45 KT. Now, even scientists in Barc, the nation's top nuclear weapon establishment, doubt the claim.

While saying he was surprised by Santhanam's article, M R Srinivasan, former AEC chairman, told TOI it was time for both Chidambaram and Kakodkar to clarify the situation. ``In such circumstances I think a peer review is certainly warranted,'' he said.

At the same time he said he still stood by the official position and would support Chidambaram and Kakodkar regarding the yield of the thermonuclear test. ``A lot of information has been published and is on record. So I have really no reason to disbelieve at this stage either Chidambaram or Kakodkar on this issue. However, because of the current controversy, I think the best recourse would be for both of them to clarify the position through a peer review,'' he added.

Former Barc director, A N Prasad, who has all along maintained that the thermonuclear test was anything but a success, said, ``The painful fallout of this episode is that the credibility of the nuclear scientific community and the respectable name of Barc is being damaged by a few at the top.''

In a direct attack on Kalam and Chidambaram, Prasad said: ``If all that Santhanam has written is true, then people occupying high places have misled the country. If all the data about the thermonuclear test has been held by one man (Chidambaram), then how can it be scientifically contested or debated? He has kept it under wraps.''

Stressing that there should be a probe by a committee constituted by the government, Prasad said that the team should comprise those having serious doubts about the yield of the test as well as experts who can include former nuclear scientists who have been raising their voices. ``It should not consist of only yes men. It should consist of those who are knowledgeable, who have the capacity to investigate such a serious matter,'' he said.

``If this committee concludes that the thermonuclear test had completely failed then the government has played a major fraud on the people of this country,'' he said. Asked if the AEC itself can investigate, he replied: ``It has credibility, but no expertise.''

Another former AEC chief, P K Iyengar said, ``The government should undertake an active investigation immediately following the statements made by Santhanam in the article. I am feeling really ashamed.''

Regarding a revelation in Santhanam's article that the thermonuclear device had not yet been weaponised like the fission devices, he said: ``How will they do it if they are doubtful about the yield? This itself is a clear indication that the test was not a complete success.''

Both Iyengar and Prasad said the disclosures by Santhanam, that there was no disturbance to the shafts at ground zero, was also proof that the test was unsuccessful.

Black Water security agency in Pakistan

Pakistan on Thursday, reiterating its commitment to reviving the dialogue process with India, said that Pakistan has been working for peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, it is facing issues with its two immediate neighbours, India and Afghanistan, which are hindering peace.
Addressing a weekly briefing here, the Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said, Pakistan has various issues with India to be solved. He said on the Western border, there are various problems including terrorism and added that Pakistan has been taking steps to tackle these issues very seriously.
He said, Pakistan does not agree with the Pak-Afghan term, as both Pakistan and Afghanistan are different countries with different cultures and situations.
The spokesman said Pakistan would not allow any foreign troops to launch any operation, against terrorists, inside Pakistan.
He said that Pakistani forces are capable of fighting the terrorists and militants and they had proved it in the recent operations, against such elements in Swat, and other areas.
He rejected the allegation against Pakistan of causing instability in Afghanistan and said that in fact Pakistan was itself is suffering from the spill-over effect of terrorism from Afghanistan.
However, he said Pakistan has also stood for stability and peace in Afghanistan that as it was vital for the stability of the region also.
Regarding thev Pak-India talks in New York, he said The Pakistan would go there with a positive mind with the hope of a constructive outcome. He said that Pakistan and India were still working to finalise the date and place for the meeting, at the foreign secretary level before the UN General Assembly session. 

He said, the Pakistan strongly believes in just and fair resolution of the occupied Kashmir issue that is vital for peace in South Asia and Pakistan will take up the issue at the international level.
He said that Pakistan would take up the occupied Kashmir issue in New York adding it will be our utmost effort to gain the further support of the international community on the issue.
Answering a question regarding the threat to Pakistan's nuclear programme from al Qaeda, the spokesman said, Pakistan is confident and conscious of its strategic assets and we have proper arrangements for their safety and security under an effective system.
Replying to a question about the explanation on the statement of the American ambassador to Pakistan, regarding the provision of three billion dollars of financial assistance, the spokesman said the Ministry of Finance has issued comprehensive clarification on this issue.
On the question of the presence of the Black Water security agency in Pakistan, the spokesman quoting the statement of the Interior Ministry said that there was no presence of Black Water in Pakistan.
Replying to a question about the accountability of foreign assistance, the spokesman said that Pakistan was not against transparency. He said, We want that the aid should be utilised effectively and the administrative cost should be reduced so that the people could get the maximum benefit from foreign assistance. 

Beirut Marine bombing was Mossad False Flag Operation

 reported that Marine had been sent there to become the focus of a major incident. The Mossad is to arrange for a number of our Marines to be killed in an incident that will be blamed on Arabs! This will be used to inflame American public opinion to help us lead into war including ultimately nuclear war,” – Dr. Beter, a Pentagon analyst, November 3, 1982.

Next month many US Marines will be commemorating the 26th anniversary of the murders of their 241 fellow Marines who fell victim to Israeli false flage operation – just like Israeli attack on USS Liberty to make Muslims and Arabs look as enemies of Americans.

On October 23, 1983 – at 6:20 a.m. – A truck packed with explosives slammed into US Marine barracks at Beirut Internation Airport – killing 241 Marines, mostly aseleep. A few minutes later, a similar explosion blew up a French military barracks – killing 56 French soldiers. Israeli Mossad acknowledged that it had prior information on these terrorist activities – but its chief Nahum Admony (former member of Haganah Jewish terrorist militia. In September 2006, he chaired the investigation committee to find out the reasons behind Israeli military humiliation at the hands of Hizbollah in 34-day war) decided not to warn Israel’s ally in details: “No. We are not going to protect the Americans. They’re a big country. Send only the regular information.” Israel took a similar position on September 11, 2001 attack on WTC and the Pentagon – while asking prime minister Ariel Sharon to cancel his schedule travel to Washington.

Israel and its western bandwagon riders – blamed Hizbollah leader Sheikh Fadlallah, Tehran and Damascus to protect the Zionist thugs. They repeated similar lies concerning the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister, Rafiq Hariri, died as the result of Mossad car bombing.

On March 15, 1978 – Zionist entity invaded Lebanon. As result of UN Resolution – Israel Occupation Force (IOF) were replaced by UNIFIL peacekeepers in June 1978. On June 6, 1982 – under the orders of Israeli Defence Minister Ariel Sharon, IOF invaded Lebanon again – holding the entire civilian population of Beirut and Palestinian refugee camps under siege. In august 1982, Yasser Arafat, agreed to shift PLO headquarter from Lebanon for Tunis. President Reagan sent 800 Marines to help evacuate 14,000 Palestinian refugees. Soon after the Marines left Beirut – Ariel Sharon unleashed his Christian Maronite militants of Phalange Party, who were armed and trained by IOF under the orders of Israeli prime minister Rabin, who reportedly invested US$150 million during Lebanese Civil War (1975-76). The Christian militants murdered 5,000 of civilian men, women and children in cold-blood in Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. Reagan, under pressure from the Jewish Lobby, despatched 1800 Marines to Beirut to look after Israeli interests after the withdrawal of IOF forces from the city.

Israeli butchery resulted in the formation of Islamic Resistance group Hizb’Allah in 1982 – as a major provider of social services, operating schools, hospitals and agricultural services to tens of thousands of Lebanese in the South. Hizb’Allah’s military resistance wing finally achieved its first major victory on the international canvass when it forced IOF to abandon most part of Israeli occupied Southern Lebanon in 2000. In Summer 2006, Hizb’Allah inflicted a serious dent in IOF’s “invinciblity” myth and became a hero in the Arab world.

Fifty-two types of new weapon systems in China National Day parade

Fifty-two types of new weapon systems developed with China’s own technologies, including airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft, will be showcased at the military parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China.

Further cutting-edge weaponry would include sophisticated radar, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and satellite communication devices of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Lieutenant General Fang Fenghui, general director of the parade, told.

The Oct. 1 parade would also show personnel and equipment from the navy, air force and China’s ballistic missile corps, Fang said.

Fang did not identify the specific models of the weapon systems but said all of the weapons are tagged: “Made in China”.

“They (the weapon systems) embody the ongoing transformation of the PLA from a labor-intensive force to technology-intensive might be capable of joint operations in modern warfare,” said Fang, who is also commander of the PLA’s Beijing Military Area Command.

“The weapon systems to be shown in the parade also showcase the ability of the PLA to carry out diverse military missions,” he said.

There will be 56 regiments on the ground and in the air during the parade, symbolizing the country’s 56 ethnic groups marching along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics in solidarity, Fang said.

Fourteen of the regiments will march through Chang’an Avenue on foot, 30 in wheeled transport and 12 will take to the air.

All the troops in the parade will be dressed in PLA 07-type uniforms and most of them are from generations born in the 1980s and 1990s.

Compared with the previous military parade on National Day 10 years ago, this one would have less troops and equipment but increased high-tech weaponry and special force units, Fang said.