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.

Pakistan will launch its first think tank on China

Pakistan will launch its first think tank on China on Oct.1, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, to promote, strengthen and expand Pakistan-China relations in different fields, the chairman of the Pakistan China Institute announced Thursday.

The Pakistan China Institute is the first non-governmental, non-party and non-political organization with equal number of experts, scholars and intellectuals from China and Pakistan, Chairman Mushahid Hussain said in a press briefing.

“Since there is complete unanimity within the Pakistan’s political and social fabric on the need for deepening friendship between Pakistan and China, it is my pleasure to announce the establishment of the first Pakistani think tank,” said Hussain, the former information minister.

“This think tank will work in key sectors of Pakistani state and society including political parties, civil society, educational institutions, opinion leaders, media and business community,” he remarked.

The chairman said the Pakistan China Institute will conduct policy research on promoting Pakistan-China cooperation and bringing the two countries closer in the areas of security, trade, energy, education and culture.

“With its headquarters in Islamabad, the Pakistan-China Institute will explore ways and means to further strengthening the Sino-Pak ties since Pakistan-China relations are unique in international relations,” he said.
Highlighting the key elements that make this relationship so special and so unique, Hussain said Pakistan and China have the longest depth of strategic relationship between any two countries and they have been solid and strong for the last 46 years, since 1963.

“Pakistan-China relations are friction-free, model relations between two neighbors, which are unequal in size, with different social systems. China has never interfered in Pakistan’s internal affairs and it has always provided aid and assistance without any conditions or strings attached. Moreover, China has always stood by Pakistan in every conflict and crisis and China is Pakistan’s all-weather friend,” added the former minister.

Hussain further informed that The Pakistan China Institute will be formally inaugurated on Oct. 1 with a function at the International Islamic University, Islamabad and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui will attend the launching ceremony.

He said that the Pakistan China Institute will hold regular seminars and briefings on important developments pertaining to Pakistan-China relations and will also maintain an inter-active website.

Tabling his recommendations to the government for taking initiatives to cementing the Sino-Pak ties, the chairman presented a three-point strategy to the government.

“The government should establish an inter-ministerial and inter-provincial Special Task Force to implement in a speedy, coordinated manner the ongoing projects, initiatives and MOUs signed between the two governments,” he said.

Hussain further advised the government to ensure full protection and security to nearly 10,000 Chinese workers, experts and technicians working in Chinese-aided projects in different parts of Pakistan.