APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, May 15, 2008

Recommended Citation

"APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, May 15, 2008", APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, May 15, 2008, https://nautilus.org/apsnet/apsnet-15-may-2008/

APSNet 15 May 2008

  1. Facing Up to Our Responsibilities
  2. Troops Home and a Refuge for Some
  3. AusAid Meddling, Says Fiji
  4. How Much Will the Joint Strike Fighter Cost Australia?
  5. UN on Defensive over Controversial E Timor Appointment
  6. Spread of Nuclear Capability Is Feared

Briefing Note: Defence and Security Aspects of the Federal Budget 2008-2009

1. Facing Up to Our Responsibilities, Gareth Evans, Guardian, 2008-05-12

When a government default is as grave as the course on which the Burmese generals now seem to be set, there is at least a prima facie case to answer for their intransigence being a crime against humanity – of a kind which would attract the responsibility to protect principle. And that bears thinking about, fast, both by the security council, and the generals.

2. Troops Home and a Refuge for Some, Cynthia Banham, SMH, 2008-05-14

Scores of Iraqi police will be trained in Australia, and hundreds of refugee places will be set aside for other Iraqi nationals to settle in Australia. The moves form a part of the Rudd Government’s plans to reverse the policies of the Howard government on Iraq.

3. AusAid Meddling, Says Fiji, Chris Merritt, Australian, 2008-05-09

Fiji’s military-appointed government has accused Australia of using foreign aid to encourage opponents of the post-coup regime. Australian foreign aid agency AusAid had been using its financial resources to favour Fiji judges who were perceived to be opponents of the Fiji government, said Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Kaiyum.

4. How Much Will the Joint Strike Fighter Cost Australia? Andrew Davies, ASPI, 2008-05-12

One of the uncertainties surrounding Australia’s proposed purchase of the Joint Strike Fighter is its cost. The proposed purchase has increased in real cost by at least 30% since the 2002 decision to join the program was made. There seems to be enough money in the project budget to buy 100 aircraft, especially if some of them can be purchased a bit later.

5. UN on Defensive over Controversial E Timor Appointment, Stephanie March, ABC, 2008-05-14

The United Nations in East Timor is on the defensive after hiring disgraced former defence minister, Roque Rodrigues, as a presidential security adviser. In the wake of East Timor’s civil unrest in 2006 a UN commission of inquiry report recommended that that Mr Rodrigues be prosecuted on charges of illegal weapons distribution.

6. Spread of Nuclear Capability Is Feared, Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 2008-05-12

Since 2004, uranium-producing countries such as Canada and Australia have sought to develop their own enrichment and reprocessing capabilities to cash in on the future growth in nuclear power generation. While no one forecasts a nuclear-armed Canada or Australia, the change could lead to more nuclear materials being transported around the world, among countries in nearly every region with heightened nuclear expertise.

7. Briefing Note: Defence and Security Aspects of the Federal Budget 2008-2009, Richard Tanter, Nautilus Institute, 2008-05-15

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Richard Tanter,
Project Co-ordinator