Nuclear Issues

1. Al-Qaeda and Nuclear Weapons
2. India Nuclear Safety
3. Related News and Analysis

Nuclear Issues

Documents and notes explaining how to detonate explosives to compress plutonium and trigger a thermonuclear reaction were found in an abandoned house in Kabul. The discovery was made by a reporter for The Times, a British newspaper.
"Osama nuclear plans found"

Writing for the Far Eastern Economic Review, David Lague explores the reasons for the United States' concern that Osama Bin Laden may already have, or may be able to acquire, nuclear weapons.
"A Buyer for The Bomb"

Dr. R. Chidambaram, the newly appointed Principal Scientific Adviser to the Indian Government, has ruled out any need to review the country's nuclear policy.
"No review of n-weapons policy: Chidambaram"

Writing for the Indian daily The Hindu, N. Gopal Raj criticized the United States for blocking the acceptance of a protocol designed to improve the effectiveness of Biological and Toxin Weapons Conventions.
"Banning biological weapons"

Afghanistan War and Implications

Following the capture of Kabul, the Northern Alliance's foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah has invited Afghan groups for negotiations on the future of the country. There have been unconfirmed reports of violence and killing in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. Meanwhile, the fate of the southern city of Kandahar, the birthplace of Taliban leader Mullah Omar, remains uncertain.
"Northern Alliance invites all groups for talks"
"Mass-murder, retribution killings reign Afghanistan"
"Fate of Kandahar unclear"
"Bombing on Kandahar destroys Taliban ministry and mosque: AIP"

In the wake of the Taliban's retreat, a former mujahideen group led by Maulvi Yunus Khalis took control of the eastern city of Jalalabad. There have also been reports of tensions among various Northern Alliance groups in Mazar-e-Sharif.
"Khalis group takes control of Jalalabad"
"Factional fights break out in Mazar-i-Sharif"

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation's Pashto Service, the supreme commander of the Taliban Mullah Mohammad Omar claimed that his real goal is "the extinction of America." Meanwhile, a former Pastun Mujahideen, and the leader of Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan, Gulbaddin Hekmatyar has announced his support of the Taliban.
"Mujahideen take up the Taliban fight"
"Mullah Omar vows destruction of United States"

Pakistani government has denied a report broadcasted on Mashed based Iranian radio claiming that Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden have crossed into Pakistan.
"Taliban chief, Osama flee to Pakistan: Iranian radio"

Afghanistan's victorious Northern Alliance forces have come under strong international pressure to seek a broad-based interim government. Pakistan, Iran and the United States have also reiterated their support for a broad based and multi-ethnic setup in Kabul.
"Northern Alliance under pressure to share power"
"US envoy, CE discuss broad-based government"
"Pakistan, Iran agree to cooperate on Afghanistan"
"Musharraf emphasizes liaison with Iran"
"Pakistan, Iran won't be part of world force, says UN"

An editorial in the Indian national daily, The Hindu, believes that Afghanistan is a "critical test for the U.N and its voiceless majority to prove themselves."
"U.N. and Afghanistan"

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed "extreme fears" that 9000 displaced Afghans in Makaki camp, where there are reportedly armed Taliban fighters among the civilian population, could become human shields or hostages.
"Alliance besiege Taliban-occupied refugee camp"

The fate of Pakistani volunteers who had crossed into Afghanistan to join the Taliban militia remains uncertain. The Pakistani government has approached the United Nations relief agencies to verify the number of Pakistanis killed in Afghanistan.
"Over 1,000 TNSM men still missing"
"Move to ascertain number of Pakistani casualties"

There have been unconfirmed reports that four bombs fired by the United States fighter planes hit northwest part of Pakistan.
"Four bombs dropped on Pakistani territory"

A report published in The News, Pakistan, has suggested that the Northern Alliance may be open to establishing friendly relations with Pakistan.
"Alliance's olive branch to Islamabad"
"Will hopes of peace prosper?"

There have been reports that Pakistan has deployed its troops along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to prevent the Taliban fighters from entering into the country. The Pakistani government, however, has denied these reports.
"Troops arrive at Chaman border"
"Pakistan moves troops close to Afghan border"
"Pakistan denies sending troops to block borders"

Roedad Khan, a retired senior member of Pakistani bureaucracy, takes a critical look at Pakistan's foreign policy.
"Our Afghan Policy"

Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee has applauded the victories of the Northern Alliance over the Taliban. He advocated a "generous assistance to our brethren in Afghanistan."
"All help for Afghan brethren: PM"

In his column for the Pakistan daily, The News, Imtiaz Alam examines the strategic and tactical "blunders" committed by the Taliban.
"After the Taliban debacle"

M.A. Niazi, a Pakistani journalist and political commentator, has argued that the "Taliban have not just shifted gear from the conventional to the guerrilla mode of warfare, but have also shifted to guerrilla rather than state politics..."
"Shifting of gears"

Writing for the Far Eastern Economic Review, journalist and author, Ahmad Rashid argues that the Taliban's retreat from northern Afghanistan has set the stage for new military battles while accelerating the "challenge of finding a legitimate leadership in a country where war is a way of life."
"The Trouble With Kabul"

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad has stated the war against terrorism is "beginning to look more and more like a war against Muslims."
"Hunt for terrorists turning into war against Muslims: Mahathir"

Pakistan

Pakistani law enforcements agencies have been put on high alert to track down "as many as 96 most wanted sectarian terrorists" who have been hiding in Afghanistan, and may try to "enter Pakistan in the disguise of Afghan refugees."
"Pakistan waits for its own terrorists"

Chairman Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai has called for greater autonomy for the four Pakistani provinces.
"Achakzai favors autonomous provinces"

Pakistani businessmen have expressed fear that the country will continue to face uncertain economic conditions until the situation in Afghanistan is stabalized.
"Economy now linked to Afghan situation"

In his column for the Pakistani daily, Dawn, Ayaz Amir has suggested that Pakistan citizens may now have "a chance to cure the Pakistani state of its delusions of persecution and grandeur. The world is not out to get us (persecution). Nor are we a fortress of Islam destined to fulfill messianic dreams (grandeur).
"Pakistan's red carpet fraying at the edges"

In his article for The News, Pakistan, Kamran Khan discusses Pakistan's security concerns after the fall of the Taliban government.
"Western borders strain military strategy"

The Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed the chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmad's petition challenging a local court order that restricted his movement within the country.
"Apex court dismisses JI chief's petition"

In an article for the Egyptian weekly, Al Ahram, Iffat Malek examines how the war against Afghanistan is affecting the lives of Pakistani Christians.
"Caught in a cruel crossfire"

Pakistan and the United States have signed an agreement under which the U.S. will provide $600 million in direct budget and balance of payment support to Pakistan.
"Memorandum signed for $600m US aid"

According to the United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca, the events of the last two months have opened "new possibilities for recasting Indo-Pak relations and reducing tensions."
"US calls on India, Pakistan to recast their ties"

India

Indian opposition politicians have criticized the Indian government's performance at the Doha trade talks. The representatives of Indian industries, however, expressed satisfaction with the results of the trade talks.
"Jeers and cheers greet Doha"

A prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, Maninderjit Singh Bitta has criticized his party's opposition to the proposed Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance.
"Congress leader slams party for opposing POTO"

According to the United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca, the events of the last two months have opened "new possibilities for recasting Indo-Pak relations and reducing tensions."
"US calls on India, Pakistan to recast their ties"

The United States authorities have imposed $ 7.5 million fine on the State Bank of India for violating banking laws and for failing to maintain accurate records.
"US imposes $ 7.5-m fine on SBI"

Kashmir

Nine people, including four Indian army soldiers were killed in continuing clashes in the valley.
"Four troops killed in Kashmir"

Unnamed Indian army officers stationed in Kashmir have expressed fears that the Taliban fighters fleeing Afghanistan might find their way to Jammu and Kashmir.
"Taleban fighters may land in Kashmir"

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