APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, July 23, 2009

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APSNet 23 July 2009

  1. PM Kevin Rudd told nuclear is best hope by Rio Tinto
  2. Pullout could lead to civil war, defence force chief warns
  3. Troops training plan to limit civilian deaths in Afghanistan
  4. Rudd to toughen terror laws
  5. Into the firing line
  6. Clinton cites concerns of arms aid to Myanmar
  7. New government in New Caledonia
  8. [Indonesia] House approves Rp 5.5t for antiterror
  9. Two shot in latest Freeport attack in Papua

1. PM Kevin Rudd told nuclear is best hope by Rio Tinto, Matthew Franklin, Australian, 2009-07-22

Mining giant Rio Tinto has urged Kevin Rudd to immediately begin work on a regulatory regime allowing use of nuclear energy in Australia, arguing the viability of energy alternatives has been dramatically overstated.

2. Pullout could lead to civil war, defence force chief warns, Brendan Nicholson, SMH, 2009-07-22

The Chief of Defence Force, Angus Houston, has warned that if foreign troops pull out of Afghanistan now the likely result would be a civil war that the Taliban would probably win. He said it would take up to five more years to fully train the Afghan security forces to the point where they could defend their country, and Australian troops should stay until that was done.

3. Troops training plan to limit civilian deaths in Afghanistan, Mark Dodd, Australian, 2009-07-21

The Australian Defence Force will adopt greater transparency in reporting claims of military involvement in Afghan civilian casualties. Defence Force Chief Angus Houston made the pledge today, amid growing unease by senior NATO commanders at the rising civilian death toll in Afghanistan, a result of Taliban roadside bombs and indiscriminate coalition air strikes. Air Chief Marshal Houston said Australian military personnel, including special forces, were stepping up the tempo of operations in Oruzgan in readiness for August national elections.

4. Rudd to toughen terror laws, Brendan Nicholson, Age, 2009-07-22

The Rudd Government is planning big changes to Australia’s terror laws, giving greater powers to police and intelligence agencies to stop fanatics using religion to persuade people to carry out terrorist attacks. In Labor’s first big move on terrorism since taking power in 2007, Attorney-General Robert McClelland flagged the release within weeks of a package of proposed changes to national security and counter-terrorism laws for discussion and consultation.

5. Into the firing line, Daniel Flitton, Age, 2009-07-21

A view has strengthened within the AFP that global links are vital to effective policing, and that the frontline against crime knows no borders. The AFP’s international role has grown so dramatically that after Keelty retires in a few weeks’ time, after eight years at the helm, his replacement will be forced to master two jobs — a manager at home and a diplomat abroad.

6. Clinton cites concerns of arms aid to Myanmar, Mark Landler, NYT, 2009-07-21

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in Thailand for a meeting of Southeast Asian nations, expressed concern on Wednesday that North Korea was transferring nuclear technology to Myanmar, which she said could destabilize the region. Suspicions about North Korea’s relationship with Myanmar deepened recently when a North Korean freighter appeared to be steaming toward Myanmar.

7. New government in New Caledonia, Nic Maclellan, SSGM Briefing Note, ANU, July 2007 [PDF, 2.5 Mb]

This briefing note outlines New Caledonia’s parliamentary and electoral system. It then analyses the results of the May 2009 elections for both pro- and anti-independence parties and details the post-election formation of the new government led by President Philippe Gomes. It also notes key issues arising from the campaign that have relevance for neighbouring Pacific states.

8. House approves Rp 5.5t for antiterror, Muhamad al Azhari and Dion Bisara, Jakarta Globe, 2009-07-23

The threat of terrorism produced an uncharacteristically rapid response from the House of Representatives’ budget commission, which took little time to approve a government request for an additional Rp 5.5 trillion ($544.5 million) to fund economic safeguards and antiterrorist measures for the rest of the year. The speed of the response provided proof, if any were needed, of how last week’s bombings had galvanized public and political opinion behind the government.

9. Two shot in latest Freeport attack in Papua, Christian Motte and Farouk Arnaz, Jakarta Globe, 2009-07-22

Another convoy of PT Freeport Indonesia vehicles came under attack in Papua leaving a Timika Police officer and a local Freeport employee with gunshot wounds at the same place as an Australian was shot and killed in a similar ambush near the Grasberg mining complex on July 11. The latest attack brings the number of people injured to 13, most of them police officers, since apparently well-trained and organized attackers used what is believed to be military weaponry to kill Drew Grant, a 29-year-old project manager at Freeport.

 

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