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Should big powers be selling nuclear technology to unstable regimes?

Suppliers such as France, Russia, South Korea, Japan, and the United States are eagerly competing to ink deals with, and provide nuclear aid to, more than a dozen Middle Eastern states, including Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia — many of the same regimes now facing threats of internal upheaval.

Safeguarding Nuclear Security in the Shadow of Middle East Revolutions, THE HUFFINGTON POST,  Jonathan Pearl, 4 Feb 2011, As revolutionary fervor sweeps across the Middle East and the Obama administration takes steps to recalibrate decades of U.S. foreign policy toward the region, it must not neglect the issue of nuclear nonproliferation. Continue reading →

February 5, 2011 Posted by | 2 WORLD, politics international | Leave a comment

Still time for peaceful resolution on Iran’s nuclear program

Iran “more than two years away from a nuclear weapon”A new report suggests there is still time for a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear impasse  guardian.co.uk, Julian Borger, 4 Feb 2010, The International Institute for Strategic Studies has just brought out what it calls its “net assessment” of “Iran’s Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Capabilities” – a sober and informed guess on what Tehran’s WMD capability might be. Continue reading →

February 5, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | 1 Comment

Lack of civil liberties on a national scale – Philippines and nuclear weapons

The problem is that under the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows US military forces to enter the country supposedly for specific non-combat activities for a limited period, Philippine authorities are not allowed to inspect America’s military vessels....This is aggravated by the US’s standard policy on these matters, which is to neither confirm nor deny whether its visiting military vessels and aircraft are nuclear-armed or not..

China, US making Southeast Asia a nuclear neighborhood, JUN VERZOLA, GMANews.TV , 3 Feb 2011, “…..According to Roland G. Simbulan, a long-standing advocate of nuclear disarmament: “Given the nuclear-free policy laid down by the Philippine Constitution, even transient visits by nuclear-armed vessels or aircraft are prohibited. Continue reading →

February 4, 2011 Posted by | Philippines, politics international | Leave a comment

The Southeast Asia nuclear weapons free zone

China, US making Southeast Asia a nuclear neighborhood.JUN VERZOLA, GMANews.TV, 3 Feb 2011, “……...The Southeast Asia nuclear weapons free zone The prohibition of nuclear weapons in Philippine territory is, in fact, not only mandated by the 1987 Constitution but by the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), forged in Bangkok in 1995 by 10 Southeast Asian member-states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The SEANWFZ or Bangkok Treaty of 1995, which took effect in 1997, commits its members to the following (Article 3):

  1. Anywhere inside or outside the nuclear weapons-free zone (NWFZ), not to develop, manufacture, acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons; not to station or transport nuclear weapons; and not to use or test nuclear weapons.
  2. In each member’s territory, not to allow any other state to develop, manufacture, acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons, nor to station nuclear weapons, nor to test or use nuclear weapons.

In short, the Bangkok Treaty binds all 10 member-states not to allow nuclear weapons—whether self-acquired or held by any other state—within their combined territory………….
Since China has rapidly increased its military strength in the past decade, its naval fleets have been projecting Chinese armed might—and presumably, its nuclear capabilities—beyond the internationally-recognized Chinese coastline, into the high seas beyond.

This problem is further aggravated in the case of the Philippines, where the most basic questions about the area of Philippine jurisdiction remain ambiguous. As discussed in his recent book, veteran diplomat Rodolfo Severino said, “Philippine law enforcement agencies have not been sure of what to allow and what to prohibit, particularly by way of sea passage, overflight, fishing activities, and environmental protection.” (See: Veteran diplomat asks: Where in the world is the Philippines?)
China, US making Southeast Asia a nuclear neighborhood – Nation – GMANews.TV – Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs – Latest Philippine News

February 4, 2011 Posted by | ASIA, Philippines, politics international, weapons and war | Leave a comment

Manmohan Singh helps France, but not India, in nuclear deal

The deal between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Areva reflects a bonhomie between Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and French president Nicolas Sarkozy at the cost of Indian people and the economy. Dr Singh actually came to the rescue of the problem-stricken French nuclear industry. Apart from the tariff structure, which is a very contentious issue, silence about the safety-related expenditure aggravates the suspicion.Transparency is, historically, a casualty in the nuclear energy arena.

Cost uncertainty dogs the Jaitapur nuclear project – Mumbai – DNA, Sankar Ray , February 3, 2011 Forget about the highly questionable technology for the proposed 1,650 megawatt nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district from the French power major Areva, or even the objections of the Finnish environmental watchdog body STUK for the Olkiluoto plant, which is being replicated at Jaitapur.The fact is that nothing can prevent time overruns and, therefore, cost escalation. To date, no nuclear power project has been implemented on schedule. Continue reading →

February 3, 2011 Posted by | business and costs, India, politics international | Leave a comment

General Electric Hitachi pushing to sell nuclear technology to Poland, at unknown cost

Nuclear power for Poland, but at what price?, Warsaw Business Journal -28th January 2011 The government is pushing to bring its first nuclear power plant online in 2020, but it still has no idea how much the undertaking will cost. Deputy ministers from the Treasury and the Economy Ministry admitted as much earlier this week, saying they have not even commissioned any studies into the issue, Rzeczpospolita reports.
According to the daily, the heads of PGE – Poland’s largest utility and the firm charged with overseeing construction of the nuclear plant – say the cost of building one 3,000 MW plant will be zł.35-55 billion. General Electric Hitachi Nuclear said on Wednesday that it is looking to enter Poland’s nuclear components market…….Nuclear power for Poland, but at what price? – Warsaw Business Journal – Online Portal – wbj.pl

January 29, 2011 Posted by | EUROPE, politics international | 1 Comment

Chilean public not happy as USA and France push for selling nuclear technology to Chile

international environmental activists, Chilean naturalists and the Chilean public in general upset and displeased that the country keeps heading toward the nuclear power option.

U.S. and Chile Seeking Cooperative Nuclear Energy Deal, Despite Displeasure of Many Chileans, Hispanically Speaking News, January 28, 2011  Continue reading →

January 29, 2011 Posted by | politics international, SOUTH AMERICA | 1 Comment

Nuclear Suppliers Group destabilising region by supporting India’s trade in nuclear weapons materials

Pakistan’s ambassador Zamir Akram sharply criticised reported moves to bring its neighbour into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and other bodies that allow trade in nuclear materials, including for weapons.

Pakistan warns against India nuclear support, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 26 Jan 2011, GENEVA — Pakistan warned on Tuesday that growing international support for rival India’s nuclear programme would force Islamabad to bolster its deterrence and destabilise the region. Continue reading →

January 26, 2011 Posted by | India, Pakistan, politics international | Leave a comment

Poltical problems in France trying to market its nukes to Turkey

Turkey sees political strings to France nuclear plant deal , Ahram Online, AFP ,   24 Jan 2011, French companies have expressed interest in the project but relations between Paris and Ankara have been soured by strong French opposition to Turkey’s bid to join the European Union……….

Turkey is currently in talks with Japan to build a nuclear power plant at Sinop, on the country’s Black Sea coast.
Taner said earlier this month that French energy companies Areva, EDF and GDF Suez had submitted certain proposals for the project, but stressed that Japan had the priority.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a vocal opponent of Turkey’s EU accession, is reportedly planning to visit Turkey on February 25.Turkey sees political strings to France nuclear plant deal – International – World – Ahram Online

January 26, 2011 Posted by | politics international, Turkey | Leave a comment

Japan unhappy with nuclear deal that might promote India’s nuclear weapons

India is demanding that the upcoming accord,….include a clause to ensure the deal’s conclusion will not hamper its nuclear weapons program

India nuke tech pact hits snags | The Japan Times Online,  Jan. 25, 2011 Kyodo News. Japan and India are at odds over provisions attached to a civil nuclear cooperation pact, including one that bans the transfer of “sensitive technology” from Japan that could be used to develop atomic weapons, sources close to the bilateral negotiations said. Continue reading →

January 25, 2011 Posted by | India, Japan, politics international | Leave a comment

USA keen to market its nukes, so easing sanctions on India’s defence firms

US eases sanctions on Indian space and defence firms, BBC News, 25 January 2011 US eases sanctions on Indian space and defence firms he US has removed sanctions imposed on nine Indian space and defence organisations after India carried out nuclear tests.The list includes the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation and Defence Research Development Organisation. President Obama had promised to lift sanctions on these firms during his November visit to India.The decision comes a week before a US trade delegation, led by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, visits…….BBC News – US eases sanctions on Indian space and defence firms

January 25, 2011 Posted by | India, politics international, USA | Leave a comment

USA media missed the point on Iran nuclear talks

the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China) appear to have put a much tougher proposal to Iran than the offer in October 2009, which led to weeks of negotiations before stalling.

Iran Nuclear Snapshot How the US Media Missed the Important Story About the Talks, EA WorldView – | AuthorScott Lucas January 23, 2011 US newspapers, recapping the failure of the discussions on uranium enrichment in Istanbul, seem to be oblivious to the core issue. Continue reading →

January 23, 2011 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Pakistan criticises USA double standards on nuclear weapons

Dr Shireen M Mazari said that if Pakistan’s nuclear status is recognised, as done in case of India, we will be in a position to consider FMCT…….
Shireen said that India not only has a much larger stockpile of weapon grade nuclear material but has also entered into a nuclear co-operation agreement with US, which allows it to import nuclear fuel from US for energy purposes, enabling it to produce material potentially be used for military purposes.

Dual US standards on nuclear proliferation criticised, Business Redorder, Pakistan, RAJA AQEEL & ZULFIQAR AHMADISLAMABAD (January 23, 2011) : Former caretaker foreign minister Inamul Haq has termed Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) as an attempt to cap Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities but UN permanent five members are legitimately possessing nuclear weapons in the presence of Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Continue reading →

January 23, 2011 Posted by | Pakistan, politics international | Leave a comment

Australia’s security in S.E. Asia a sound reason for refusing to sell uranium to India

The arms control reasons for refusing uranium sales to India are serious. The first is the damage that could be done to the NPT system…..A second reason is that Australian uranium used for power generation could free other sources of uranium for use in Indian nuclear weapons, possibly fuelling a nuclear arms race with Pakistan..

We need to strengthen, not weaken, nuclear deterrent, Sydney Morning Herald, Andy Butfoy, January 21, 2011 Australia has a sovereign right to choose its customers. REPORTS that Delhi is pressuring Canberra to sell India uranium are predictable. The arguments for selling have been well rehearsed, and vested interests have long been encouraging Australia to cash in on the opportunities being dangled before it. But to understand why, one has to go beyond the spin produced by the Indian government and the nuclear industry…. Continue reading →

January 21, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international, Uranium | Leave a comment

Australia refuses to sell uranium to India

Overturning the ban would reward India’s nuclear proliferation and undermine the NPT, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Australia Chair Tilman Ruff said.

“Selling uranium to India runs counter to Australia’s and global security interests, and would undermine Australia’s stated support for achieving a world without nuclear weapons,” he said..

No change in ban on uranium sales to India, Sydney Morning Herald, Adam Gartrell, January 19, 2011 – The federal government has told India it won’t lift its ban on uranium sales to the South Asian giant.India’s foreign Minister SM Krishna met with Resources Minister Martin Ferguson in Melbourne on Wednesday to discuss a range of energy sector issues. Continue reading →

January 20, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA, politics international | Leave a comment

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