APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, July 6, 2009

Recommended Citation

"APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, July 6, 2009", APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, July 06, 2009, https://nautilus.org/apsnet/apsnet-6-july-2009/

APSNet 6 July 2009

  1. Afghanistan: A child, a battle and a place with no name
  2. Afghanistan: Voice of defiance
  3. U.S. faces resentment in Afghan region
  4. Law ‘too harsh’ on Indonesian people-smugglers
  5. PM Kevin Rudd too defensive on China: Paul Keating
  6. Japan envoy wins UN nuclear post
  7. France votes to pay nuclear-testing victims

1. A child, a battle and a place with no name, Tom Hyland, Age, 2009-07-05

Five weeks ago, the Australian Defence Force released a report by an officer who inquired into whether Australians caused “unintended” civilian casualties in the fighting. The report shows Australian troops were not qualified for jobs they performed and fired mortars without orders. It reveals the army had not introduced new mortar firing procedures — despite an inquiry into an earlier civilian casualty recommending this be done. And it undermines promises by foreign forces to conduct prompt, joint and open inquiries into civilian casualties. Instead, it shows these inquiries are fragmented, multi-layered and opaque.

2. Voice of defiance, Paul Sheehan, Age, 2009-07-04

Malalai Joya has a message for Western democracies: you are wasting your blood and money in Afghanistan. The warlords have been entrenched by the US-led military occupation. The damage to the civilian population is causing widespread resentment. The country is devolving into a narco-state. Corruption is endemic. Parliament has been debauched. The conditions for women remain abysmal.

3. U.S. faces resentment in Afghan region, Carlotta Gall, NYT, 2009-07-02

The mood of the Afghan people has tipped into a popular revolt in some parts of southern Afghanistan, presenting incoming American forces with an even harder job than expected in reversing military losses to the Taliban and winning over the population. Villagers in some districts have taken up arms against foreign troops to protect their homes or in anger after losing relatives in airstrikes. Others have been moved to join the insurgents out of poverty or simply because the Taliban’s influence is so pervasive here.

4. Law ‘too harsh’ on Indonesian people-smugglers, Paul Maley, Australian, 2009-07-04

Australia’s crackdown on people-smuggling has the potential to damage relations with Indonesia, says Jakarta’s ambassador to Australia, who warns some offenders are being dealt with too harshly by the courts. Primo Alui Joelianto said a few of the Indonesians convicted of people-smuggling offences were dupes with no clue of what they were doing.

5. PM Kevin Rudd too defensive on China: Paul Keating, Patrick Walters, Australian, 2009-07-03

The Rudd government is too defensive in its attitude to the rise of China and Australia must become more skilful and inclusive in dealing with Beijing and the emerging concert of great powers in Asia, according to former prime minister Paul Keating.

6. Japan envoy wins UN nuclear post, BBC News, 2 July 2009

Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano has been elected the next director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Correspondents say his narrow victory may weaken his position, as many countries had stressed the need for the new head to be chosen with the broadest possible backing, to be able to tackle the threat of nuclear proliferation.

7. France votes to pay nuclear-testing victims, Bruce Crumley, Time magazine, 2009-06-30

After nearly 40 years of denial, France is finally taking responsibility for the health consequences of its nuclear-testing program — although too late for those who died over the decades after having served France’s strategic interests. On Tuesday, the French Parliament approved legislation providing care and compensation to people exposed to radiation during France’s nuclear testing and who have fallen or may yet fall ill as a result.

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Richard Tanter,
Project Co-ordinator