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Nuclear Security Summit begins Monday, but that's hardly the issue | The threat of nuclear terrorism is probably uppermost
in minds of the 47 heads of state and government, who will be attending the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12 and 13. But, who will they discuss the
issue with? It ought to be with Prime Minister Gilani and President Karzai, one
would presume, as the Taliban and Al Qaeda are based in their countries, and these
terror groups are the ones after nuclear weapons. But, Karzai has been ditched
by the US administration and think tanks to such a ridiculous level , that he
is unlikely to cooperate on any matter. But more pertinently, he isnt here at
the Nuclear Security Summit, and nuclear terrorism is at the top of the agenda
of the summit! Pakistan Prime Minister Yusouf Raza Gilani is here and met with
President Obama on Monday, but then, just last week, the Pakistani delegation,
including Army chief General Parvez Kiyani and the ISI chief, Lt.Gen. Shuja Pasha,
were sent marching back without a nuclear deal, so they are smarting as well.
And, in all likelihood, what Obama spoke to Gilani about was the fantastic cooperation
that the ISI is apparently giving to the Taliban. Sleeping with the enemy is not
something America will condone. Sure, President Obama sugar-coated the bitter
pill when he said: "I feel confident that Pakistan has secured its nuclear weapons.
I am concerned about nuclear security all around the world, not just in Pakistan."
But, the fact remains that uppermost in the minds of decision makers in Washington,
is Pakistan's undependable attitude when it comes to dealing with the Taliban
and Al Qaeda. US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said: "We know that
terrorist groups, including al Qaeda, are pursuing the materials to build a nuclear
weapon, and, we know that they have the intent to use one." So what is the world
going to do about it? Will it come up during discussions on Monday and Tuesday?
Surprise surprise, the official response "It's an important issue, but it's not
the focus of the summit. We're focusing here on the most potentially catastrophic
threat, which is terrorist groups acquiring or manufacturing nuclear explosives."
Oh ok, so if the bomb is officially manufactured in a factory publically-owned
and declared by Al Qaeda, it merits discussion. But, if it is a dirty bomb, illegitimately
procured from rogue scientists on official payroll of nuclear armed nations, err
not up for discussion. Get the picture? According to one reputed daily, the Nuclear
Security Summit will aim to work out a modus operandi "to physically secure sensitive
nuclear materials around the world so that terrorists don't get hold of them."
It further goes on to say that the summit is being held to "help draw the spotlight
away from the threat posed to the world by the arsenals and doctrines of nuclear
weapon states such as the U.S." "The truth is the NSS is not about high-octane
subjects like nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, arms control or disarmament.
Instead, it concerns something much more prosaic: the physical security of nuclear
and radiological materials around the world. Materials which, if they fall into
the hands of terrorists or criminals, could allow them to make or acquire a nuclear
weapon or a dirty bomb," says The Hindu. It says: "India joined together with
the other nuclear weapon states to keep nuclear weapons out of the purview of
the summit declaration. The consensus document - which will be released on Tuesday
- speaks instead of keeping all nuclear material physically secure, regardless
of how the state which owns it intends to use it." |
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