nuclear-news

Nuclear Suppliers Group countries making more nuclear weapons

VIEW : Nuclear nexus in the NSG — Daily Times,  Momina Ashier, 25 July Shannon Kile, Senior Researcher of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) lately stated, “In spite of the world’s revived interest in disarmament efforts, none of the nuclear weapon-possessing states shows more than a rhetorical willingness to give up their nuclear arsenals just yet.

While the overall number of nuclear warheads may be decreasing, the long-term modernisation programmes underway in these states suggest that nuclear weapons are
still a currency of international status and power.” The statement
does not appear as a bolt from the blue. This is what is actually
happening in this anarchic world. The new great game of the big powers
is playing out to get maximum hegemony and in this pursuit of
hegemony, legitimacy is being undermined at various levels.

Last month, SIPRI released its annual yearbook of analysis on
developments in armaments, disarmament and international security. In
the report, SIPRI says that despite the downward trend, countries with
nuclear weapons either have already developed new nuclear weapons
delivery systems or are in the process of doing so. The report clearly
states that possession of nuclear weapons has become the chief
criterion to ensure deterrence against an aggressive foe. Like any
other nuclear report, it sheds light on the nuclear postures of India
and Pakistan. The report says Pakistan and India are increasing the
size and sophistication of their nuclear arsenals. Both countries are
developing and deploying new types of nuclear-capable ballistic and
cruise missiles and both are increasing their military fissile
material production capabilities. Such concerns are being highlighted
worldwide. However, in reality these advances in the two states are
not equally proportional to each other and cannot be seen through one
prism.
The South Asian nuclear activities came widely under focus in the 22nd
Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which took place
in Seattle on June 21 and 22, 2012. The meeting was chaired by the
Deputy Secretary of Energy, Daniel Poneman, of the United States, who
expressed the deep commitment of the US to the goals and success of
the NSG. The NSG brings together 46 Participating Governments with the
European Commission and the Chair of the Zangger Committee
participating as permanent observers. The group aims to prevent the
proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation on a
national basis of export controls for nuclear and nuclear-related
material, ‘dual use’ material, equipment, software and technology,
without hindering international cooperation on peaceful uses of
nuclear energy…….
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C07%5C24%5Cstory_24-7-2012_pg3_4

July 25, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, weapons and war