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Australians kept in the dark on USA new military base in Darwin

We need more details of US build-up: Brown, SMH, 17 Nov 11,  Australian Greens leader Bob Brown fears nuclear submarines could be stationed off the coast of Australia as part of a US military build-up in the Top End……

The expansion of the existing collaboration between the Australian Defence Force and the US Marine Corps and US Air Force will allow America to enhance its presence in the Asia-Pacific region

Senator Brown wants to see more details of the deal, announced jointly by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and US President Barack Obama on Wednesday. He also wants a parliamentary debate on the deal. ”I object to Australian people and parliament not knowing what the details are,” Senator Brown told ABC radio on Thursday. Continue reading →

November 17, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international, secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA | Leave a comment

Obama sets uranium policy for Australia as he flips by

Gillard uranium move linked to US: report, Business Spectator, 16 Nov 2011  Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s move to open the door to uranium exports to India reportedly follows talks with the Obama administration. The US has been pursuing a closer partnership with India and considers Australia a key part of its strategy, The Australian reported on Wednesday.

Ms Gillard has denied that the decision was made to coincide with President Barack Obama’s visit to Australia and said it was her decision alone.The Australian, however, reported that US and Australian officials have been in intense strategic discussions about India for several months. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Gillard-uranium-move-linked-to-US-report-NMLD2?OpenDocument&src=hp3

India can thank Uncle Sam for Julia Gillard’s uranium backflip, First Post India, 16 Nov 11 Uttara Choudhury   New York: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s dramatic decision to open the door to uranium exports to India came after talks with the Obama administration, which viewed the ban as a “fly in the ointment” to greater engagement between Washington, New Delhi and Australia in the Indian Ocean region…….

Gillard announced on Tuesday that she will ask the Australian Labour Party to dump its ban on uranium sales to India, at its national conference next month. The ban was imposed by former prime minister Kevin Rudd in 2008 as India wasn’t a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. Gillard has denied her decision to seek to overturn the ban is in order to fall in line with the US. She bristled when questioned on the timing of the announcement which coincided with Obama’s state visit to Australia. Gillard said the decision was hers alone…..

She did, however, point to the US-India civil nuclear agreement of 2008, which lifted the “de facto international ban” on the sale of uranium to India….. While Beijing has learned to live with American forces on its eastern periphery, the possibility of an intimate US-India military relationship, as well as India’s position astride China’s key maritime shipping lanes, has generated fears of encirclement…

November 16, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international, Uranium, USA | Leave a comment

If India gets Australia’s uranium, Pakistan wants it, too

Pakistan says it should be allowed to buy uranium, ABC Radio National PM  Michael Edwards , November 15, 2011, MARK COLVIN: Pakistan says that if Australia sells uranium to India, it too should be eligible for exports of the product. India’s chief rival is also a nuclear power and, like India, a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Pakistan says it could use Australian uranium to boost its civilian nuclear power program. And its High Commissioner to Australia says itwould be discrimination to sell to India and not to Pakistan… http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2011/s3367265.htm

November 16, 2011 Posted by | Pakistan, politics international | Leave a comment

P5 nations may become part of ASEAN’s Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ),

Nuclear nations to mull ASEAN nuke-free zone, Desy Nurhayati and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali |, 11/16/2011 , The so-called P5 group of nuclear nations have agreed to consider ASEAN’s invitation to join its Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free
Zone (SEANWFZ), according to a top Indonesian diplomat.

“Now that the P5 and ASEAN have the same draft to discuss, we hope we can move quickly to the signing stage,” Foreign Ministry chief for ASEAN cooperation Djauhari Oratmangun told the media here on Tuesday. Observers have praised ASEAN under Indonesia’s leadership for itsprogress in persuading the P5 — China, France, Russia, the UK and the
US — to consider becoming parties to the nuclear weapon-free zone. Continue reading →

November 16, 2011 Posted by | ASIA, politics international | Leave a comment

Obama puts nuclear pressure on Australian Prime Minister

Australia under nuclear pressure, Independent Australia, 15 Nov 2011 The Prime Minister announced today that Australia is set to overturn its ban on uranium sales to India, a non-signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The reason why she’s doing this is simple, Barack Obama asked her — because it’s good for the US economy.  Noel Wauchope reports……

As Australia’s biggest trading partner, one would expect that China would be receiving top consideration from the Australian government, but hey — Australia has to be nice to USA, doesn’t it? As we all know, it’s traditional that when USA yells “Jump!”, Australia responds “How high!?”

And so it is that, once again, the Australian government is in the process of jumping hurdles, as dictated by USA, however little sense that might make…..

why do we need this increased U.S. military presence in Australia? Why, to protect ourselves and the U.S.A. against China, of course! (Although Barack Obama did tell the American people that the main purpose was to provide jobs for Americans.)…

The weird part about all this is … that U.S. nuclear companies are selling technology to China to help in its nuclear weapons program….

now, Australia is coming under intense pressure from the U.S.A. to change its policy on uranium sales to India. Why? … — to enable technology sales to India.  Yes, it comes back to the USA’s determination to make money out of nuclear technology.  While USA’s domestic nuclear industry founders – unable to get investment for new nuclear reactors – its big hope is in selling nuclear technology to “developing” countries — India, China, anybody!….

Meanwhile, for Australia, the further development of India’s nuclear arsenal should mean some anxiety about the likely further development of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Well, perhaps Australia should sell uranium to Pakistan, too?

China buys our uranium, as it is a member of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty — but perhaps China will be less than delighted to see Australia stepping outside that Treaty, kowtowing to USA, and furthering the nuclear weapons of its rival, India? http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/business/australia-under-nuclear-pressure/

November 15, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international | Leave a comment

Obama gets no support from China and Russia on tougher measures to Iran

Russia and China stay silent after Obama seeks their support over Iran nuclear bomb threat Absolutely no consensus’ between three leaders By DAILY MAIL REPORTER 14th November 2011 Barack Obama was met with a wall of silence from his counterparts in China and Russia when he brought up the increasing problem of Iran’s nuclear programme at a global summit. Continue reading →

November 14, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

To make money, USA to sell nuclear technology to China nuclear weapons company

It’s our first real entry into supporting this nuclear market, which for us is huge,”…

The cooperation with Exelon appears to be a significant pivot for  CNNC, which in recent years unsuccessfully lobbied Beijing against embracing foreign nuclear technology standards.The company is also responsible for developing military nuclear capabilities for the People’s Liberation Army. China has embraced AP1000 reactor technology made by Toshiba Corp. unit Westinghouse….

Exelon to Provide Nuclear Advice to China, WSJ, 12 Nov 11, By BRIANSPEGELE, BEIJING—Exelon Corp. will provide consulting and training services to an arm of state-owned China National Nuclear Corp., ……. As part of the deal disclosed on Friday, instructors from Chicago-based Exelon will be stationed at Qinshan Nuclear Power Station in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. The initial consulting deal is a small one…..Exelon said it could subsequently grow to include a variety of services for China’s nascent nuclear industry. Continue reading →

November 13, 2011 Posted by | China, politics international, USA | 1 Comment

Call to Iran and the West for diplomacy – United Nations – Ban Ki-moon

UN’s Ban Urges Diplomacy in Iran Nuclear Dispute Voice of America,  November 10th, 2011  United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Iran and the West to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program through talks instead of military action.

A Ban spokesman said Thursday that diplomacy is the only way to settle the issue. Recent Israeli media reports say Israel has been considering a military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites to stop what the West suspects is Iranian plans build nuclear weapons.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Thursday Iran will respond to any military strike by Israel or the United States with “iron fists.”….http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/11/10/uns-ban-urges-diplomacy-in-iran-nuclear-dispute-2/

November 11, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, politics international | 1 Comment

Iran warns against Israeli military strike

Nuclear standoff: Iran warns US, Israel against strike News.com.Au 11 Nov 11 IRAN will hit back against any attack or even threat of military action, the country’s supreme leader says after Israel warned the world must act to prevent Tehran getting nuclear weapons.

Iran “will respond with full force to any aggression or even threats in a way that will demolish the aggressors from within”, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told students at a Tehran military college, according to his official website. Continue reading →

November 11, 2011 Posted by | Iran, Israel, politics international | Leave a comment

Anti nuclear, anti war protest planned against Obama’s visit to Darwin, Australia

Local activists plan Obama protest News.com.au 10 Nov 11 LOCAL activists angry at US military bases in Australia are planning to protest US President Barack Obama’s trip to Darwin next week. Justin Tutty from Darwin Residents Against War says he expects at least 20 locals to stage a peaceful protest near Parliament when Mr Obama arrives on Thursday.

“Our message is that we don’t want US bases, we don’t want US nuclear warships in Darwin Harbour and we don’t want US troops in Darwin,” Mr Tutty said. There has been speculation Mr Obama will use the visit to make an announcement relating to increasing the US military presence in the Northern Territory.

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith recently foreshadowed increasing the number of joint training exercises with America in Darwin and the US storing more equipment in the city for disaster and humanitarian assistance.

Already the US and Australia jointly run the Pine Gap spy base near Alice Springs in the Northern
Territory. Mr Tutty said there was little information about what a greater US presence in Northern Territory would mean.

“They have talked about a pre-positioning base and we are very sceptical about the nature of the base because of all the lies we have been told about Pine Gap,” Mr Tutty said.”For so many years they told us that Pine Gap was a communications base, but in the last few years it has come out about its offensive role and it was used to direct dozens of attacks on Iraq.”  http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/local-activists-plan-obama-protest/story-e6frfku9-1226190123963#ixzz1dLAjnMoG

November 10, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international | 1 Comment

Unwisdom of attack on Iran, and not much new in IAEA report

despite the rhetoric about last chances, there is still time for a peaceful way out of the crisis. The Obama administration has no stomach nor money for another war, and its generals insist that every way they game the scenarios, America comes out the loser.

The IAEA report: what does it really mean and will it lead to war with Iran?  by 9 November 2011 guardian.co.uk Tuesday’s IAEA report has rekindled the global debate over what to do about the Iranian nuclear programme with a familiar array of options on the table: engage, sanction or attack. The various protagonists are familiar too. Russia is complaining the IAEA report has spoilt the chance of renewed dialogue, the US, Britain and France want a new push towards tighter sanctions, and Israel is threatening to strike unless the international community sorts the matter out in the next few months.

There is something a little phoney about all the sound and fury. There is nothing in the report that was not previously known by the major powers. The West and Israel supplied most of the original tip-offs for the annex on weapons development, while Russia was briefed and no doubt knew one of its own scientists had been lecturing the Iranians on how to make explosive implosion devices (ostensibly for making tiny diamonds).

Furthermore, the bulk of the report is historical, referring to the years leading up to 2003. Continue reading →

November 10, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

A British warning against an attack on Iran

Iran is a far more sophisticated and divided society than the picture generally painted in the west.

An attack on Iran would halt and reverse moves to reform. The Arab spring would become an Arab winter with disastrous consequences for US and European interests as well as Arab societies, including Saudi Arabia. The alternatives are many – to continue to apply economic sanctions, a policy of carrot and stick, but with much more emphasis on the carrot. Embraces are far more difficult to withstand than attacks…

An attack on Iran would be disastrous Britain must resist US pressure for military action. Even if Iran had nuclear weapons, engagement is the only course to take, Guardian UK 6 Nov 11

“Would a British prime minister ever refuse a plea from a US president to join America in a controversial military operation?” This was the response, rhetorical and unanswerable as far as they were concerned, by Whitehall mandarins whenever they were asked why Tony Blair agreed to invade Iraq. It was not a matter of whether the invasion was wrong or right; it was that the occupier of 10 Downing Street would simply not turn down such a request from the White House.

For the US, Britain could offer not only political and “moral” support but a juicy physical asset – Diego Garcia, the base conveniently placed for American bombers, on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

This is what so worries Whitehall, and Britain’s top brass in particular – a growing fear that Barack Obama will find it difficult to oppose increasing pressure for military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities within the next 12 months. Continue reading →

November 7, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | 1 Comment

USA companies want to sell nuclear to India, but not be liable for accidents

The crux of the issue is: Who will be held responsible in case there is an accident at a plant that is set up by foreign investors?

US may press India to amend nuclear legislation, Business Standard   New Delhi November 02, 2011,  Friendly, but blunt. That will be the tone of the message from the
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to India.

When NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko comes here later this month to meet with his counterparts in the Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, he would say that this country’s civil nuclear liability law would not pass muster in the US. For, as sourcesnote, it would require to be substantially amended if New Delhi hopes to get business from the US.
The US has discussed the law — The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill 2010 — with France and Russia. These are the other two countries with whom India wants to do business in nuclear power…. Continue reading →

November 2, 2011 Posted by | India, politics international, USA | 1 Comment

United Nations passes Iran’s nuclear disarmament bill

UN passes Iran’s bid for N disarmament, Press TV 1 Nov 11The UN General Assembly’s First Committee has endorsed an Iran-sponsored resolution on nuclear disarmament despite attempts by the US and the Israeli regime to kill the bid.

The committee, which focuses on disarmament and international security issues, approved the resolution with 107 votes on October 31, despite strong opposition and negative campaigning by the US, the Tel Aviv regime as well as some European governments, IRNA reported.

The resolution calls for the implementation of pledges made at the three most recent Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conferences.  It also reiterates the urgency for a nuclear-free Middle East and demands that the Israeli regime must sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Israel, widely believed to be the sole possessor of a nuclear arsenal in the Middle East with over 200 undeclared nuclear warheads, pursues the policy of “deliberate ambiguity” for its nuclear program.

Tel Aviv has so far rejected all global demands to join the NPT and does not allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to inspect and monitor its controversial nuclear program.

The Israeli regime has never denied or confirmed the existence of its nuclear arsenal as part of its long-held ‘nuclear ambiguity’ policy. Despite international objections to such dubious policy, the UN and its nuclear regulatory agencies have never taken serious steps to censure or impose sanctions on the defiant regime.  Tehran has also proposed a draft resolution on missiles, which is to be discussed in the committee’s next session.

November 2, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international, weapons and war | Leave a comment

“Occupy” and anti nuclear- declaration for the future

 ”The future of the human race requires the co-operation of its members.” 

our planet can no longer withstand the assaults of an increasingly destructive industrial civilisation.

Learning To Shine Through The Ruins, By Vincent Di Stefano, 30 October,2011, Countercurrents.org “…….The cultural awakening of the 1960s had made many aware of the presence of deepening flaws within industrial civilisation: Of the rampant militarism that had unleashed two unspeakably destructive World Wars; of the atomic slaying of the inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; of the slash and burn methods of US imperialism that disgorged blistering gifts of napalm and poisonous defoliants into the wasted landscapes of Indo-China;

……..this abundance and the freedoms it has bestowed appear to have benumbed rather than sharpened our capacity to perceive and to interpret the divided reality that underlies our illusions of comfort and prosperity.

Despite the fact that the Chernobyl melt-down 25 years ago has already cost nearly a million lives , and despite the fact that hot Strontium from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant has been detected on the rooftops of houses in Yokohama 250 kilometers away, the nuclear industry, together with its marketing arm, the International Atomic Energy Commission continues to aggressively pursue their deadly interests….. Continue reading →

October 31, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, opposition to nuclear, politics international | Leave a comment

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