Posted by K.E. White on August 21, 2007
Japan seems ready to approve the US-India nuclear deal, and for much the same reason as America: the desire for a counter-weight to China.
From the Business Standard:
Japan today indicated that it would play a “positive role” at the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers’ Group) to help India’s case for getting crucial supplies for its nuclear plants – which is the next step in augmenting the civil nuclear deal with the United States.
A senior official from prime minister’s office who briefed media persons on the visit of the Shinzo Abe said that “Japan would play a positive role in discussions at the NSG (when India goes there to seek clearance from all the NSG members for fuel supplies).”
The spokesman for Abe said that, “Japan understands the importance of nuclear energy for India and also India’s deep interest in securing fuel supplies for its plants,” Besides, he said, Japan also realizes that “how important this (India’s getting nuclear fuel) was for (arresting) the global climate change.”
And from The Age:
WHEN Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan touches down in India this week, it will be the highest-level step yet in an effort to balance, if not contain, China’s growing economic and political might.
As Beijing’s influence in Asia and around the world has grown, common interests have forced Tokyo and Delhi to warm up their historically chilly relationship and to forge closer economic ties.
Posted in Abe, India, Japan, NSG, Singh, U.S. India Nuclear Deal | 1 Comment »
Posted by K.E. White on August 21, 2007
The United Nations yesterday unveiled a new bureau that aims to foster cooperation between members of the Biological Weapons Convention.
The Implementation Support Unit, which is funded by the States parties to the Biological Weapons Convention and has a staff of three professional officers, is based in the Geneva Branch of the Office for Disarmament Affairs. The recently appointed United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Sergio Duarte, invited States parties to support this initiative: “Much of the mandate of the Unit is concerned with facilitating communication among States parties and, upon request, facilitating contacts with scientific and academic institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations. The Unit will also serve as a central clearinghouse for information relating to confidence-building measures. Clearly, the more States parties make use of such services, the better they will work.”
The Unit is also mandated to provide administrative support to the State Parties and to promote universal adherence to the ban on biological weapons and to persuade the remaining States not party to join the Convention.
Ambassador Masood Khan of Pakistan, who is chairing this year’s meetings of the Biological Weapons Convention, emphasized the key role to be played by the Unit: “The Unit will harness resources, forge connections, develop networks and identify opportunities. It will make an important and innovative contribution to our collective effort to reduce the terrible threat posed by biological weapons.”
And for ultimate fans, here’s even more information.
Posted in Biological Weapons, Implementation Support Unit, United Nations | Leave a Comment »
Posted by K.E. White on August 21, 2007
Iran released two supposed Chinese spies yesterday. The Chinese explanation:
“In early July, two people from Chinese companies mistakenly took some pictures of some sensitive buildings when they were helping local owners to conduct field measurements in Iran,” China’s Foreign Ministry said.
“They were detained by Iranian police and now they have been freed,” the ministry said on a fax sent to Reuters. “Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Iran have warned Chinese citizens in Iran to behave so as to prevent misunderstandings.”
Proliferation Press blogged on this story earlier. But one question comes into sharper relief: Why did Iran wait until the S.C.O. summit to announce this arrest?
But while an answer to that question may never materialize, there’s always re-reading that priceless Chinese explanation.
Posted in China, Iran, Nuclear, spy | Leave a Comment »
