INCIDENT IN USA RADIATION PLANT

13 EXPOSED TO RADIATION AT US PLANT

In New Mexico, USA, 13 workers at a US underground nuclear waste dump have tested positive for radiation exposure after a recent leak.

The accident is the first known release of radiation since the dump began taking plutonium-contaminated waste from US nuclear bomb building sites 15 years ago.

The US Department of Energy and the contractor that runs the Waste Isolation Pilot Project declined to comment further on the preliminary test results announced on Wednesday.

All employees who were working at the plant when the leak occurred late  Feb 14 were checked for contamination before being allowed to leave according to the news. But biological samples were also taken to check for possible exposure from inhaling radioactive particles.

Elevated radiation levels have been detected in the air around the plant, but officials have stated the readings are too low to constitute a public health threat. And they have also stated that all indications are that a filtration system designed to immediately kick in when radiation is detected and keep 99 % of contamination from being released above ground worked flawlessly.  

Officials stated that they can tell from their analyses of air samples in and around the plant that a container of waste leaked, but it could be weeks before they can get underground to find out what caused it.

Possible scenarios include a ceiling collapse or a forklift puncturing a canister, the president of Nuclear Waste Partnership stated on Monday before a community meeting in Carlsbad. The leak came just nine days after a truck hauling salt in the plant’s deep mines caught fire, but officials states they are confident the incidents are unrelated.

WIPP is the first deep underground nuclear repository in the US and the only facility in the country that can store plutonium-contaminated clothing and tools from Los Alamos National Laboratory and other federal nuclear sites. 

AL QAEDA NETWORK IN AFGHANISTAN

AL QAEDA COMEBACK IN AFGHANISTAN

Al Qaeda’s Afghanistan leader is laying the groundwork to relaunch his war-shattered organization once the United States and international forces withdraw from the country, as they have warned they will do without a security agreement from the Afghan government, according to the US official statement. Al Qaeda has been cementing local ties and bringing in small numbers of experienced militants to train a new generation of fighters, and US military and intelligence. They have stepped up drone and jet missile strikes against him and his followers in the mountainous eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan.

The objective is to keep him from restarting the large training camps that once drew hundreds of followers before the US-led invasion began. The Obama administration agreed to keep any troops in Afghanistan after this year – could be jeopardized by the possibility of a total pullout.

The number of Al Qaeda members  in Afghanistan has risen, but not much higher than as many as the several  hundred or so the US as identified in the past.

After taking to Afghan President the US president ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for the so-called zero option. US military and intelligence officials says unless they can continue to fly drones and jets from at least one air base in Afghanistan either Bagram ini the north or Jalalabad in the east. The US could eventually wind down counter-terrorism operations like drone strikes in the region after reducing the Al Qaeda network, leaving local forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan to control the remnants.

But Al Qaeda is not weakened enough yet, and the US has testified that the inexperienced Afghan forces aren’t ready to take over the task unaided. The United States will take the steps necessary to combat terrorism and protect interests. Al Qaeda in Afghanistan is less of a threat than when the occupation begin; it is estimated to be as many as several hundred forced to shelter in the remotest part of the country.

AFGHAN-US DEAL

THE US STILL HOPEFUL FOR AFGHAN DEAL

  

The United States can still work out a deal with a willing partner in Afghanistan, according to the US official, as lawmakers and military leaders warned that pulling out all troops from the war-ravaged country could bring the terrorist back.

The US Special Representative selected for Afghanistan and Pakistan has told a gathering in Washington that although President Obama ordered the Pentagon earlier this week to prepare for a complete with drawl from Afghanistan, he did not close all doors.

The Obama’s decision to leave open the possibility of concluding the necessary agreement with a willing partner later this year provides hope that this all can still be worked out.

The US president blamed Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s continued refusal to sign a bilateral security agreement for his decision to prepare for a final pullout.  But his order alarmed many in Washington and at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday, US Admiral warned. If we do go to zero and there is no special operations component left in Afghanistan, it will certainly make it more difficult to be able to deal with, the potential resurgence of Al Qaeda in the area.

The Admiral who heads the US Special Operations Command, oversaw the 2011 raid that killed Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in his compound in Abbottabad - Pakistan. According to him the danger posed by Al Qaeda is “inherent within the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas 9in Pakistan), and in the northern part of Afghanistan, in Kunar and Nuristan (provinces).”

Afghanistan is the birthplace of Al Qaeda and is unique in its vulnerability to once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists if a strong government is not supported, warned House Armed Services Committee.

The US official believed Al Qaeda’s Afghanistan leader is laying the groundwork to re-launch his war-shattered organization once the United States and international force withdraw from the country.

US military and intelligence officials said to prevent Al Qaeda from regrouping they needed to continue to fly drones and jets from at least one air base in Afghanistan but this would not be possible if a security agreement was not signed.

The threat that was emanating out of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with the support of the Pakistanis, we have really decimated the core Al Qaeda. 

THE US WARNS RUSSIA

THE US WARNS RUSSIA AGAINST INVOLVEMENT OF UKRAINE

  

The White House urged Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine that any intervention would be a grave mistake.

According to the White House, surfaced of armed men having taken control of two airports in the Crimea region of southern Ukraine in what the new Ukrainian leadership called an invasion.

The US officials were seeking clarification on the origin of the armed men. But intervention would be a grave mistake. Washington was concerned about reports that there might have been an intervention by an outside state.

The United States has side with the pro-Western Ukrainian leadership took over after the departure of pro-Moscow early this week.  The US officials had stressed in conversations with Russian officials that the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected. The US president spoke to Russian President a week ago.

Meanwhile authorities at Kiev’s main airport said that flights to the restive Crimean capital of Simferopol had been cancelled as tensions escalated on the peninsula. The flights for Friday evening and Saturday morning had been canceled due to the situation in Simferopol does not allow them to accept flights.

Ukraine’s Russian-speaking Crimea peninsula has been hit by unrest over the past few days that Kiev authorities blame on Russia, following the ouster of President and the formation of a new, pro-West government.

Simferopol’s regional parliament was seized by separatist commandos on Thursday and gun-toting men in fatigues descended on two key airports on the autonomous peninsula including Simferopol, prompting Kiev to accuse Russia of launching an armed invasion. Ukraine authorities later said they had regained control of the airports, and for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet denied any involvement.

CHINA CONDEMN US FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

CHINA PROTECT THE US HUMAN RIGHTS

  

Ti is said from Beijing, the US concealed and avoided mentioning its own human rights problems such as a government-run intelligence programme known as Prism which called seriously infringes on human rights. The document came after the State Department issued its annual global human rights.

China regularly produces a statement on the US in response. It does not release rights reports aimed at other countries.

According to the report, released by China’s State Council, singled out the US for criticism for drone strikes in countries such as Pakistan, which it said have caused heavy civilian causalities. It is also called the US suffers from rampant gun violence, while its agricultural sector employs a large amount of child labours. In response to the report released by Washington, it is praised China for some successes in human rights, such as the abolition of some labours camps and a change to the one-child policy. But it add, repression and coercion, particularly against organizations and individuals involved in civil and political rights advocacy were routine.

The US is always making irresponsible remarks on the affairs of other countries but keeps silent on its own affairs. This is a typical double standard. Human rights are a long-standing source of tensions between China and The US which imposed sanctions on Beijing after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters which left hundreds or thousands dead.

According to the references in the Chinese document showed that much of it was sourced from US media reports, some from sources blocked by China’s internet controls which are sometimes referred to as the Great Firewall.

China’s ruling Communist Party tightly controls its own domestic media and has repeatedly imprisoned those who openly challenge its right to rule.

China often says that it rapid economic development in recent decades has led to a greater respect for human rights and that other counties are not entitled to criticize its record.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE & CITIZENS DURING TERRORISM

SECURITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OF STATE & CITIZENS

The issue of the state’s security concerns all individuals and hence it becomes a joint responsibility of both state and citizens. It is only once the protectors of the people sensitize the public to combat a perceived or real threat that the security blanket will give the requires insulation from violence that a proactive approach to educate the masses, especially those who are frequent contacts like car attendants, coolies, drivers/pullers vegetable and fruit vendors, shoeshine boys and so on are potential information warriors.

The suspicious movements of the people has to be reported immediately, suspicious objects identified have to be made know to people and professionals who will take appropriate action. It is only mass support that is going to count in the war against terrorism. People have to be sensitized to the problems and checks and balances have to be suggested and placed for greater security. Mobile technology, which has become rather gainful for economic transactions, has to be energized for usage as early warning systems and people have to be encouraged and educated in the multiple usage of the facility. The people need to be informed of their responsibilities towards society. Citizenship has to be regarded as the strength of a nation. It is therefore relevant to suggest that there is a need for detailed and deliberate coordination of all these activities and there is a need to educate the environment through professional intervention, while also through the mass media. There is the requirement of creating a structure for spreading the message to the people and making them aware that they are a part of the advance warning system. In this regards, the role of NGOs will become more pronounced as they have to share the burden of educating the people on the intricacies of modern terrorism.

It is equally important to provide adequate updating in terms of technology and equipment. A well planned, close circuit television and sound sensors should be strategically placed at sensitive target locations. High security zones need to be appreciated well and positioning of early warning systems deliberated upon with professionalism. It is equally important to have a good communication network and reliable communication systems. Terrorism, extremism are only semantics, trying to define the levels of credit the initiators counters are planned in accordance with the definition. Unfortunately, we fail to realize that these variants are interwoven and it is extremely difficult to differentiate and to identify when a particular phase centers the next phase. The government requires enthusing and winning over the people with initiatives, which  will make a difference to the citizens and hence a citizen-oriented plan has to be worked out to bring about a change in society should become the focus of all future endeavors.

We also need to get information on the possible targets and those responsible and tasked to carry out such acts. To achieve this we have to educate the people properly from different walks of life and empower the poor on the streets by giving them simple incentives and motivating them to become facilitators and providers. In this regards, the NGOs should work towards this and educate those people who do not get formal education. Along with such a measure, there is a need to introduce formal education in this area in schools and colleges. The requirements of a structures approach in tackling this menace and relevant guidelines need to be issued to all stakeholders who have an important hand in spreading the message and in impacting the minds of the people. Ti is time for our citizens to wake up and realize the gravity of the problems of not contributing towards identifying an impending disaster and not doing one’s duty of becoming a part of the country’s security apparatus.

As a result, it is described that the recent intense waves of suicide attacks, bomb blasts and target killing in all over the country have really shattered the dreams of the young and the old. We often wonder if such dastardly acts could have been avoided if only the people in the targeted area had bothered to notice some uncanny device a bag or a person planting the bomb in an innocuous place, surely catching someone’s eye. Why do we only reflect on the past and then try and assess what went wrong? Why can we not become more proactive? Why do our newsmakers not facilitate crating more awareness amongst the people on the essentials of citizenship? It is with the support of the citizens of the country that we can expect the security situation to improve. For it is only in awareness that we can feel more secure.

PAKISTAN-CHINA ECONOMIC COOPERATION

THE PAKISTAN-CHINA ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Despite the fact that the free trade zone port of Gwadar in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Baluchistan has been an unprofitable enterprise with operational control now in Chinese hands, its potential remains. If anything, the development of the deep ocean port and an associated international airport, as well as the creation of a transport walkway connecting Gwadar to China’s easternmost province of Xinjiang, is a game changer for the Central Asian region.

The Chinese president signed a series of agreements designed for breathe life to the walkway project with the development of the passage, Central Asia, traditionally an economically closed region owing to its geography and lack of infrastructure, will have greater access to the sea and to the global trade network. For Afghanistan and Tajikistan, both of which have signed transit agreements with Pakistan, it will provide a more economical means of transporting goods, making their export products more competitive globally. For China meanwhile the passage will provide it with direct access to the Indian Ocean, enabling China to project itself strategically into the mineral and oil rich regions of Western Asia and Africa.

But for Pakistan, the project provides the country not only a third deep-seaport but also a better connected gateway into China’s backyard, giving Pakistan the potential to make good on its free trade agreement with the dragon economy.

This projects makes Pakistan a complicit satellite in China’s attempt to break the US encirclement of Asia. Commentators link Gwadar to China’s numerous other port facilities and passages developed in partnership with other nations of the globe. All of this looks much like a noose around Southeastern Asia as far as India and the United States are concerned. India in particular has looked on with continued unease at the Pakistan-China passage and port in terms of its effect on the maritime balance of power in the Indian Ocean. Ideally if regional relations were better, the passage would be a circuit linking the three economic powerhouses of the region, China, Pakistan, and India (as well as Iran for that matter), integrating the economic systems of South Asia and Central Asia. The passage will play crucial role in advancing Pakistan’s economic power. Exporting, transiting and transporting goods into and out of Central Asia and carrying them away on the current of the world’s sea lanes, the Pakistan-China walkway will be a vital rector in Pakistan’s economic future. The passage is best thought of as a comprehensive infrastructure package encompassing a wide range of spinoffs, including gas and oil pipelines, railways, an expressway from Karachi to Lahore, fiber optic cabling, metro bus and underground services for key Pakistani cities. One could even link China’s financial assistance in the development of nuclear power plants in Pakistan to the wider picture.

However, it is the same circular argument, the security situation must improve and reform, both economic and social, is required if the future economic prosperity of Pakistan is to be guaranteed.

In reality, agriculture, chemicals, textiles, and various other manufactured items are the stuff of Pakistan’s true productivity- items that are tradable on the global market and capable of boosting national income. Pakistan has always been well placed to export given its access to the Indian Ocean and proximity to key markets in the West and East, to say nothing of its international reach through the Pakistani Diaspora and the fact that it has the third largest English-speaking population in the world.

The cue is now for the Pakistani government and the business community to formulate a more global economic policy. As it stands the failure to fully capitalize on the free trade agreement between China and Pakistan demonstrates the need for a major policy effort to make the most of the corridor. For one the Pakistani government needs to place greater emphasis on trade relations in its overall foreign policy as well as foster the exporting aspirations of small and midsize companies. Expansive economic policy, continued liberal reform and above all an improved security situation are the formula needed to make full use of  the tools of globalization which Pakistan will soon have at its disposal.