Pakistan

1. Nuclear Issues
2. Pakistan-U.S. Relations
3. Security Planning
4. Foreign Relations: Iran
5. Military Hardware
6. Domestic Politics: Sharif Verdict

Pakistan

The U.S. Commerce Department has redesignated Pakistan's uranium enrichment plant at Gadwal as a "government entity," rather than "military entity." The change will allow some additional imports from the U.S.
"US eases N-related curbs on Pakistan"

Last week, Uzbeckistan customs officials seized 10 Pakistan-bound containers filled with "radioactive substances." A Pakistan foreign ministry official denied involvement with the shipment. Kazakhstan, the country of origin, claimed that the containers' contents were not radioactive.
"SANDNet Update April 6: Radioactive Substances"
"Charge of N-material trafficking denied"

Analysis: Using U.S. cost data as a starting point, Farrukh Saleem (in The News) estimates that Pakistan must have spent US$4.2 billion annually for two decades to develop its nuclear and missile technologies.
"Cost of an atom bomb" Farrukh Saleem

Louie Freeh, director of the U.S. FBI, visited Pakistan on April 6 and spoke briefly with Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf.
"FBI chief met Musharraf on 6th"

Pakistan engaged the Afghan terrorist issue in two ways: Pakistani police arrested two men who allegedly collaborate with Osama bin Laden, and Pakistani diplomats asked the Taliban government to close down "terrorist training camps." At the same time, the United Nations Security Council threatened to impose more sanctions against Afghanistan if the Taliban government does not hand over Osama bin Laden to the U.S.
"2 arrested for 'links' with Osama"
"Pakistan asks Kabul to close terrorist training camps"
"Osama issue: UN threatens Taliban with more sanctions"

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh met Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar in Islamabad on April 4. Both sides agreed to cooperate regarding stability in Afghanistan, increased bilateral trade, and control of narcotics trafficking in the region.
"Pakistan, Iran discuss Kashmir, Afghanistan"
"Pakistan, Iran agree on talks for drug cooperation"

Pakistan officially announced its "Shaheen-II," a medium-range (2500 km) ballistic missile that can carry a 1000 kg payload.
"'Pak. missile has a range of 2,500 km'"

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was convicted of conspiracy to hijack an airplane. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The newspaper "Dawn" provided a comprehensive chronology of the case. "The News" summarized the arguments of the prosecution and defense. The Indian government did not comment on the verdict.
"Life-term for Sharif, others freed"
"Chronology of plane case"
"Arguments in the plane conspiracy case"
"India suddenly goes silent"

India

John Holum, a senior advisor to U.S. President Bill Clinton, argued that "very strong sanctions" continue to be imposed on India and Pakistan and that these sanctions will remain until these countries sign the nuclear nonproliferation treaty (NPT). Brahma Chellaney anticipates little progress at the mid-April NPT review conference to be held in New York because neither nuclear powers nor non-nuclear powers have clear incentives to conform to the treaty's expectations. The Times of India argues that U.S. credibility on nuclear issues is compromised both because it continues to maintain a nuclear arsenal that is twice as large as allowed under the START-II treaty and because the Clinton administration has not punished China and Pakistan for their nuclear collaboration. [On March 24, the U.S. CIA director testified that the Clinton administration has known of this collaboration since 1994.]
"U.S. will persist with sanctions against India, Pak."
"NPT's wobbly knees" Brahma Chellaney
"Unrestrained Reserve"
"SANDNet Update, March 28: Tenet Testimony"

"Frontline" includes ten analyses of the Clinton visit. U.S. FBI director Louis Freeh arrived in New Delhi to deepen India-U.S. cooperation in the areas of international terrorism and organized crime. He formalized arrangements for setting up an FBI office in the U.S. embassy in Delhi and offered the FBI's "active assistance" in India's investigation of the December 1999 Indian Airlines hijacking.
"FRONTLINE: Comprehensive Coverage of the Clinton Visits"
"FBI Director arrives"
"Enter the FBI"
"FBI boss offers help in hijack probe"

Richard Celeste, U.S. Ambassador to India, stated that the U.S. is "prepared to give India serious consideration for permanent membership of the Security Council."
"US ready to back India's bid in UNSC seat: envoy"

China objected to the Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sun Yuxi said "The political purpose of his visit is obvious. We have always stressed that both Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of Chinese territory. We are opposed to any attempt by any person to conduct political activities to split the motherland and undermine national harmony."
"Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan this year: Report"
"Beijing flays Dalai Lama plan to visit Taiwan"

Ministerial-level leaders of 115 non-aligned movement countries met in Columbia on April 9-10. Following a proposal by Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, the convention approved a resolution that would ban all countries whose leaders came to power by force. The ban must be passed at the NAM summit meeting, scheduled for June 2001 in Dhaka.
"India makes a pitch for keeping Pak out of NAM"
"NAM endorses democracy norm"

C. Raja Mohan (The Hindu) reports that India is engaging in high-level diplomacy with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Sudan, and Egypt. Mohan argues that India seeks to turn other Islamic states against Pakistan on the terrorism issue.
"India reaches out to the Islamic world" C. Raja Mohan

Leaders from Turkmenistan met with leaders of India's Joint Working Group on energy to discuss the sale and transport of natural gas from Turkmenistan to India. [Recent discussions regarding transport of natural gas from Turkey through Pakistan to India have raised the level of other producer countries' interest in the Indian energy market.]
"Experts to discuss Turkmen gas transport"

Kashmir

Farooq Abdullah, chief minister of Indian-Administered Kashmir, said that Pakistan has been giving "encouraging signs" in the wake of U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to the subcontinent. A Pakistani "ministerial source" reported that, when Pakistani Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf met Bill Clinton, Musharraf told Clinton that Pakistan "condemns terrorism in all its forms and is not supporting any militant group or party in Kashmir."
"Pakistan sending positive signs after Clinton visit: Farooq"
"CE denies terrorism charge: Pakistan not behind trouble in Kashmir"

Pakistani Analysis: A Dawn editorial observes that India is considering the closure of railroad and bus links to Pakistan as well as diplomatic links. It urges New Delhi to reconsider this policy. Afzal Mahmood argues that U.S. support for the Indian position regarding Kashmir has increased the potential for India-instigated violence. Khalid Mahmud argues that attracting foreign investment is India's main international concern. For this reason, he predicts that India's currently strident rhetoric will be replaced by a willingness to reduce tensions in Kashmir in exchange for political stability in the region.
"Time for India to change its stance"
"Has the war threat receded?" Afzaal Mahmood
"Beyond confrontation" Khalid Mahmud

Indian Analysis: Radha Kumar argues that Pakistani Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf's willingness to use his influence to de-escalate the activities of militant groups in Kashmir give his invitation for India- Pakistan talks greater credence than has been acknowledged by the Indian government.
"A time to talk?" Radha Kumar

In August 1999, India shot down a Pakistani reconnaissance plane. Pakistan sued India in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ heard Pakistani and Indian arguments regarding whether the ICJ has jurisdiction over the case. A jurisdictional ruling is not expected for several months.
"ICJ ruling on Indo-Pak case may be delayed"

The Home Department reports nearly 2 million licensed weapons in North West Frontier Province, the Pakistan province that borders Afghanistan and Kashmir.
"1 million licensed weapons in NWFP"

On April 6, Indian Home Minister L.K. Advani offered to hold talks, "within the framework of the Indian Constitution," with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other independent Kashmiri groups, but the time frame and specific goals of the talks were not clearly identified. On April 11, the Home Ministry denied four Hurriyat leaders the right to travel to the annual U.N. Human Right's Commission meeting in Geneva. A Home Ministry spokesperson suggested that the four leaders would have used their stay in Geneva to mount an anti-India campaign.
"Ready for talks with militants, says Advani"
"Hurriyat team barred from leaving"
"Govt's olive branch may not work in Kashmir"

Sri Lanka

The spring offensive continues. Government planes bombed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) camps; the LTTE sank two government boats; and the death toll rose to 421. The LTTE now occupies the entire Vadamarchchi coast from Nagarkovil to Kattaikadu, east of Elephant Pass.
"Lankan jets bomb LTTE positions"
"LTTE sinks 2 Lankan Navy attack vessels"
"Lanka fighting goes on; death toll up to 421"

Deputy Defense Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte rejected the LTTE demand that Sri Lankan government forces withdraw from the northern and eastern portions of the country prior to the commencement of peace negotiations. A commentary in "Himal" magazine argues that international mediation by a respected and impartial country such as Norway is the only way that a lasting peace can be achieved.
"Colombo rejects LTTE terms"
"WAY out with NORWAY?"

Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development in partnership with the Monash Asia Institute.

David Stuligross, SANDNet Coordinator: SANDNet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

Wade L. Huntley, Security Program Director: SANDNet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States