Nuclear Issues

1. Pakistan Nuclear Safety
2. Al-Qaeda and Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear Issues

In an essay reprinted in the Pakistan daily The News, Mansoor Ijaz and James Woolsey have argued that the Bush administration should allow Pakistan to have technical devices that can enhance the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. The essay originally appeared in the New York Times.
"How secure is Pakistan's plutonium?"

Experts in terrorism believe that the possibility that Osama bin Laden might have access to a nuclear weapon or a nuclear device should be taken seriously.
"Experts worry bin Laden may have ultimate weapon"

Afghanistan War and Implications

Hundreds of Taliban captives were killed at a prison fort near Mazar-e-Sharif after an alleged rebellion. There have been unconfirmed reports that 67 Pakistani Taliban captured in Kunduz and jailed in a school by the Northern Alliance troops were killed when U.S. warplanes bombed the school building. The killing of the prisoners at Mazar-e-Sharif has raised concerns about the safety of Taliban fighters captured by the Northern Alliance.
"600 captives dead, says Alliance: Qala-i-Jangi 'revolt' put down"
"US killed 67 Pak POWs in school bombing"
"160 Taliban executed, admits warlord"
"Prison becomes graveyard of men, machines and animals"
"POWs killing in Mazar merits probe"
"Riot or massacre?"

There has been intense fighting around Kandahar, the last Taliban holdout. It is not clear whether or not the Taliban forces have retreated from Spin Bolduk, a small town outside of Kandahar. According to an unconfirmed report, the Taliban have lost about six thousand fighters in the war so far.
"Taliban to hand over Spin Bolduk to Nurzai"
"Confusion prevails over control of Spin Boldak"
"Taliban claim recapturing Takhta Pul"
"Kandahar defenders surprise Americans"
"NA forces move closer to Kandahar"
"Over 6,000 killed, Taliban still prepared to fight"

The Northern Alliance interior minister Younis Qanooni refused to support a planned march by Afghan women in Kabul.
"Alliance bans women's freedom march"

The United Nation sponsored talks on Afghanistan - being held in Bonn, germany - have moved to a point where the delegates from different Afghan factions have agreed on the principle of forming a broad-based transitional government. It is, however, not clear if the Afghan delegates would agree to the presence of a multinational forces in Afghanistan. The level and nature of Pushtun participation in the interim setup also remains unclear. Meanwhile, according to an unnamed senior U.S. government official, the Bush administration believes that the Northern Alliance leader Burhanuddin Rabbani is not a "viable" candidate to head a government in Kabul.
"Rabbani plays down hopes: Bonn meeting"
"Bonn moot fate hangs in balance: Key groups oppose peacekeepers"
"Alliance says no to foreign forces"
"Pashtoons marginalised at Bonn moot"
"Top Pushtun quits Bonn talks in Afghan quarrel over power-sharing"
"Headway on interim council in Afghanistan"
"Northern Alliance softens stance: Multinational force, ex-king"
"Bonn conference agrees to form broad-based govt."
"US opposed to Rabbani"

Christiane Berthiaume, the spokeswoman for the World Food Program, revealed that aid workers have located a group of several thousand displaced people in the northwest region of Afghanistan. These refugees have been living in the open in sub-zero temperatures, and with very little food. Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has initiated an updated regional plan of action to deal with the Afghan refugee crisis.
"Thousands of Afghans living in open: WFP"
"UNHCR unveils plan to deal with refugees"

Firdous Hassan, a spokesperson for the United Nations, told a press conference that 238,000 people trapped in Kandahar need immediate outside support.
"UN says 238,000 trapped in Kandahar"

The killing of Pukhtuns in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul has given rise to the fear that Pakistani Pukhtuns may attacks non-Pukhtun refugees living in Pakistan. In response to the threat, Pakistan government has started to shift some Shia non-Pukhtun Afghan refugees to more secure camps.
"Non-Pushtun refugees under threat"
"Non-Afghans' massacre: reprisals feared in NWFP"

The Pakistani government has reiterated that it would not support the U.S. Marines or other ground troops that have landed at an Afghan airbase near Kandahar. Pakistan has also been moving towards establishing direct communications with the Northern Alliance.
"Pakistan not to support ground troops: FO"
"Pakistan fortifies contacts with anti-Taliban groups"
"Rabbani plans early talks with Musharraf"

Some members of the British troops in Afghanistan reportedly entered Pakistan's territory while searching for al-Qaeda members.
"British troops search Pak village for al-Qaeda men"

According to the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, India is "making efforts" to have "maximum possible role" in the establishment of representative post-Taliban government in Afghanistan.
"India wants role in new Afghan government"

The Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi has stated that his country is against the deployment of foreign troops in Afghanistan.
"Kharrazi links peace to broad-based govt."

The Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa has warned the Unites States against attacking Iraq.
"Syria bluntly warns US not to attack Iraq..."

Writing from Afghanistan for the Asia Times, Pepe Escobar recounts the war in Afghanistan.
"KABUL DIARY, Part 1: Freedom riders"
"KABUL DIARY, Part 2: Life is a movie"
"KABUL DIARY, Part 3: Air Osama"
"KABUL DIARY, Part 4: Super defector"

In his essay for the Dawn, Pakistan, scholar and writer Kaiser Bengali argues that the Muslim world needs to reconstruct its societies and states along "modern, social democratic lines."
"What Muslim societies are grossly lacking"

Writing for the Pakistani daily The Nation, Pakistani journalist Mushahid Hussain suggests that Pakistan has frequently "miscalculated and misjudged American motives and interests."
"Unraveling Afghanistan's myths"

Pakistan

According to Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan, President Pervez Musharraf would soon announce a policy to "weed out" extremist political forces in the country.
"Policy soon to weed out extremist forces: ISPR"

In his essay for the Pakistani daily The Dawn, Shahid Javed Burki, presents an overview of the country's economic situation after September 11.
"Economy after September 11"

Writing for the Dawn, Pakistan, Siddiqa Agha explores the future of Pakistani Jihadis after the fall of the Taliban regime in Kabul.
"The future of jihadis?"

Hasan Abbas's essay in The News, a Pakistani daily, looks at the history and the current state of Madrassas (Islamic religiously based schools) in Pakistan.
"The "rent-a-son agencies""

In his essay for the Pakistani daily The Dawn, Kamran Ali argues for the need for transition to democracy in Pakistan.
"A tentative recipe for change"

India

The fight between Assamese separatists and the Indian troops continues despite talks of negotiations.
"Military operations continue in Assam"

In his essay for the Indian daily The Hindu, S.S.Gill argues that the attempt by the ruling Bhratiya Janata Party to recast the school syllabus for social sciences "smacks of a highly racist and divisive outlook."
"Faith, reason and fundamentalism"

According to reports in the Indian press, India and the U.S. have been exploring the possibilities of bilateral military cooperation.
"Modest start to Indo-U.S. military cooperation"
"US plans 'unprecedented' military ties with India"
"U.S. firms for joint ventures in defence sector"

Nepal

His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal declared national emergency as the violent conflict between the Maoist guerillas and the Nepali armed forces continues.
"70 Maoists killed in Salyan"
"State of emergency declared"

Kashmir

The continued sporadic fighting between various militant groups and the Indian armed forces has resulted in more blood shed in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Six troops among 14 killed in held Kashmir"
"19 troops, 23 freedom fighters killed in Valley"
"13 die in Kashmir gunbattle"

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has reiterated that India "will never accept another partition." Meanwhile, Indian officials invoked the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) to seal off the house of an alleged Kashmir militant.
"Country fully united on Kashmir, says Vajpayee"
"India uses controversial ordinance in Valley"

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