APSNet 10 April 2008

1. Nuclear Power in Southeast Asia: Implications for Australia and Non-Proliferation
2. Australian Sanctuary for 100 Iraqis in Peril
3. Rudd Confronts China on Human Rights
4. Rudd’s Opium Campaign ‘Risks HIV Plague’
5. UN Slams ‘Basket-Case’ Timorese Police Force
6. West Papuan Leaders Meet in Vanuatu
7. Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq
8. Malaria, Floods, Malnutrition to Increase with Global Warming, WHO Says

1. Nuclear Power in Southeast Asia: Implications for Australia and Non-Proliferation, Andrew Symon, Lowy Institute, 2008-04-10 [608 KB, PDF]

Nuclear power development in the region faces questions about its economics and safety, as well as nuclear weapons non-proliferation. A key issue is whether countries will embark on sensitive segments of the fuel cycle. Australia should seek a focus on nuclear power and associated issues at the level of high policy discussion in regional forums, such as the East Asia Summit.

2. Australian Sanctuary for 100 Iraqis in Peril, Brendan Nicholson, Age, 2008-04-09

Australia will give sanctuary to 100 Iraqis singled out for death for having worked with Australian troops and diplomats. The civilians, who worked as interpreters and as support staff, are expected to bring another 500 family members with them.

• Protecting Iraqis Who Have Supported Australian Troops, Joel Fitzgibbon, Media Release, Department of Defence, 2008-04-08

3. Rudd Confronts China on Human Rights, Michelle Grattan and Mary-Anne Toy, Age, 2008-04-10

Kevin Rudd, defying official protests from Beijing, has used the first day of his China trip to highlight human rights abuses in Tibet and to vow to pursue the issue with Chinese leaders. Mr Rudd said there was a body of opinion around the world on Tibet and “my job is to reflect the views of the Australian people, of the Australian Government”.

4. Rudd’s Opium Campaign ‘Risks HIV Plague’, Annabel Stafford, Age, 2008-04-10

Dr Alex Wodak, who has travelled to Afghanistan as part of the World Bank’s efforts to prevent an outbreak of HIV, said the Australian Prime Minister’s plan to eradicate opium poppy crops was a “high-risk strategy” that would push up the price of opium and lead many users to inject heroin. “Then we would inevitably have an HIV epidemic among drug users,” Dr Wodak said.

• Opium and Narco-Politics, Australia in Afghanistan, Nautilus Institute

5. UN Slams ‘Basket-Case’ Timorese Police Force, Mark Dodd, Australian, 2008-04-08

East Timor’s police force is tribalised, corrupt, inadequately trained and has no public trust. A scathing UN report argues the force is politically manipulated, chronically mismanaged and massively underfunded. Australia – East Timor’s principal national security guarantor – is expected to shoulder a significant part of the financial and training burden to rebuild the police force.

6. West Papuan Leaders Meet in Vanuatu, Ben Bohane, Matangi Tonga, 2008-04-08

The most important summit of West Papuan leaders in their 45-year struggle for independence is underway in Vanuatu. West Papuan delegates from around the world are attempting what has so far eluded them in a long struggle – a unified leadership.

7. Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq, General David H. Petraeus, US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, 8-9 April 2008 [37.3 KB, PDF]

The military surge has achieved progress, but that the progress is reversible. Withdrawing too many forces too quickly could jeopardize the progress of the past year. I [have] recommended that we continue the draw down in the surge to the combat forces and that upon the withdrawal of the last surge brigade combat team in July, we undertake a 45-day period of consolidation and evaluation.

• Secret US Plan for Military Future in Iraq, Seumas Milne, Guardian, 2008-04-08

8. Malaria, Floods, Malnutrition to Increase with Global Warming, WHO Says, AP, IHT, 2008-04-07

Millions of people could face poverty, disease and hunger as a result of rising temperatures and changing rainfall expected to hit poor countries the hardest, the WHO warned. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes represent the clearest sign that global warming has begun to impact human health. They are now found in cooler climates such as the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

• Climate Change Will Erode Foundations of Health, Media Centre, WHO, 2008-04-07
• 10 Facts on Climate Change and Health, Fact File, WHO
• Food Price Rises Threaten Global Security – UN, David Adam, Guardian, 2008-04-09
• Speech of Sir John Holmes, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, DIHAD 2008 Conference, 2008-04-08 [40 KB, PDF]

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Richard Tanter,
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