Nuclear Issues

1. Pakistan Nuclear Safety
2. India Nuclear Safety
3. Related News

Nuclear Issues

Pakistani newspapers noted a recent report in the New Yorker magazine that a special United States' military unit is training with Israeli commandos to remove Pakistan's nuclear weapons in case of a coup against President Pervez Musharraf.
"US commandos train with Israelis to take Pakistan nukes if Musharraf falls: report"

Pakistan strongly denied reports in British media that Osama bin Laden had obtained nuclear material from Islamabad.
"Pakistan dismisses report of Osama having N-material"

A California-based firm has been indicted by a US grand jury on charges of violating US laws by exporting nuclear pulse generators to two Indian government organizations.
"US firm indicted for exporting nuclear pulse generators to India"

India has sent its first spy satellite into space. Indian columnist Raja Mohan discusses India's position on missile defense in the context of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's forthcoming visit to Moscow and Washington.
"India puts its first spy in sky"
"PM's travels: focus on missile defence"

Afghanistan War and Implications

Abdul Haq, a well-known anti-Taliban Pashtun commander, was captured and subsequently executed.
"Intelligence disaster for anti-Taliban coalition"
"US acted too late and too lightly"
"Aim in Afghanistan"

Afghan opposition forces may have lost ground near the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
"Afghan opposition loses ground in north"

Ahmad Faiz, Afghan vice-consul and official spokesman in Peshawar, Pakistan, discusses current events in an interview.
" A glimpse into the Taliban mind "

Former Afghan king Zahir Shah may visit Pakistan during the first week of November in an effort to form a broad-based future Afghan government.
"Zahir Shah may visit Pakistan next week"

A conference of Afghan elders and leaders called upon the Organization of Islamic Conference and the United Nations to cooperate with them in convening the Loya Jirga, the Afghan grand council.
"Peshawar peace moot seeks UN, OIC help: Convening of Loya Jirga"

Leaders of the Northern Alliance met to finalize their list of sixty nominees to the 120-member Council of National Unity. Discussion of the formation of the Council is expected to take place next week in Ankara, Turkey. Zahir Shah, the former king of Afghanistan, is expected to provide nominees for the remaining sixty positions..
"Alliance chiefs mull plan for broad-based setup"

The Turkish President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, underlined the need for ensuring representation to all the social and ethnic groups in the future political dispensation in Afghanistan.
"Turkey backs broad-based Afghan setup: Musharraf opposes outer influence"

The Taliban refused to allow Pakistan-based pro-Taliban Jihadis to enter Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Qazi, asked the Jihadis to wait until called into action by their leaders.
"Taliban disallow Pak Jihadis to enter Afghanistan"
"Qazi asks intending Jihadis not to throng Afghan border"

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) is rethinking its activities and strategy in Afghanistan.
"ISI gets ready for new mission in Afghanistan"

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ruud Lubbers stated that the U.N. wants Pakistan to open its borders to Afghan refugees as early as possible.
"Lubbers asks Pak govt. to accept more Afghan Refugees"

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has warned that anti-American sentiment is gaining ground in the Islamic world.
"Anti-US sentiments growing among Muslims: Cem"

The United States is considering shifting its operations from Jacobabad to Mianwali Airport for strategic and security reasons.
"US considering to use Mianwali Airport"

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has suggested that nobody, including Washington, has any clear solutions for Afghanistan."
"Uncertainty exists among Pak, US officials: Sattar"

Writer and intellectual Aijaz Ahmad argues that the real strategic aim of the United States is "not so much a change of regime in Afghanistan but to obtain realignments of power across the globe."
"Re-mapping the globe"

Pakistan

Six gunmen killed eighteen Christians at a Catholic church on Sunday. The Pakistani government and media condemned the massacre.
"Eighteen killed in Bahawalpur church attack"
"Stop this carnage"
"Bahawalpur killings condemned"

Armed tribesmen took control of the airstrip at Chilas, a town in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. The tribesmen have also blockaded Karakoram Highway, the main road that links Pakistan and China, for the last four days. The tribesmen are demanding change in Pakistan's Afghan policy, an end to US air strikes, and the release of religious leaders.
"Tribesmen occupy Chilas airstrip"
"Forces sent to end blockade"

Religious political parties continued to protest President Pervez Musharraf's government's decision to join the U.S. led coalition.
"ST chief declares Jihad against US"
"Heading towards a civil war?"
"Big anti-US rally in Karachi"

Exports from Pakistan declined by 30 per cent during the month of October 2001.
"War routs 30 per cent exports"

President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee might meet when they visit New York in mid-November to attend United Nations General Assembly session.
"Musharraf, Vajpayee may meet next month"

At a press conference in Islamabad, the visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder addressed numerous topics, including the need for resumption of peace talks between India and Pakistan.
"Schroeder appeals for resumption of Agra process"

Writer and editor Najam Sethi argues that if India wants to "clinch an honorable and equitable compromise" on Kashmir, then there is "no better-placed or flexible Pakistani than General Pervez Musharraf."
"India's Error"

A recent report describes various factors that have led to strong anti-American sentiments in Pakistan.
"Pakistan's disenchantment with America"

India

Writer Kuldip Nayar argues that it would be in the interests of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to distance itself from more right-wing Hindu nationalist parties.
"India versus BJP's India"

The US State Department, in its annual report, has criticized the BJP on the issue of religious freedom in India.
"US report flays BJP on religious freedom"

Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes said on Saturday that New Delhi would not cross the Line of Control (LoC) in pursuit of Kashmiri Mujahideen. Union Home Minister L.K. Advani, however, stated the government would keep open the option of "hot pursuit" against Pakistan.
"India says no crossing of LoC"
"Hot pursuit option against Pakistan is open: Advani"

Contradictory reports emerged on the possibility of a meeting between Pakistani President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee of India.
"US making efforts for meeting, says India: Vajpayee-Musharraf talks"
"Vajpayee rules out meeting Musharraf in New York"

Columnist M.J.Akbar presents a general assessment of political situation in the region.
"When an article becomes a serious problem"

Kashmir

Reports on continuing violence in Kashmir:
"13 killed in Kashmir shoot-outs"
"9 soldiers among 20 killed in Kashmir"
"10 killed in J&K, rocket attack on police HQ"
"Security forces storm mosque"

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

Zulfiqar Ahmad, Program Officer, Peace and Security Program: SANDNet@nautilus.org
Wade L. Huntley, Director, Peace and Security Program
Berkeley, California, United States