APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, November 23, 2006

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"APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, November 23, 2006", APSNet Semi-Weekly Bulletin, November 23, 2006, https://nautilus.org/apsnet/apsnet-for-20061123/

APSNet for 20061123

Austral Peace and Security Network (APSNet)

Twice weekly report from the Nautilus Institute at RMIT, Australia.

Thursday 23 November 2006

  1. Howard May Lift Iraq Troop Numbers
  2. Crisis Looms in Dili as Wet Approaches
  3. Alternatives Sought to Papua Border Militarization
  4. Australia May Expand NATO Relationship
  5. Australia Researching Missile Defence
  6. Thumbs Down on Nuclear Power
  7. India and China in 10-Point Ties Pact
  1. Howard May Lift Iraq Troop Numbers, Patrick Walters, Australian, 2006-11-22

    John Howard has canvassed the possibility of lifting Australia’s troop numbers in Iraq. The Pentagon is working through several options for its military in Iraq, including lifting the overall number of American troops by up to 40,000 for a limited period to help stabilise the country. The US has about 140,000 troops in Iraq, while Britain has a force of about 9000. Australia has a 750-strong contingent.

  2. Crisis Looms in Dili as Wet Approaches, Cynthia Banham, SMH, 2006-11-22

    The Minister for Defence, Brendan Nelson, warned of a humanitarian crisis in East Timor if camps for internally displaced people are not moved before the wet season. Dr Nelson also said he would consider reducing the number of troops in East Timor, after a visit in which the commander of the Australian force, Brigadier Mal Rerden, said the 950 troops now on the ground was more than sufficient.

     

  3. Alternatives Sought to Papua Border Militarization, Evi Mariani, Jakarta Post, 2006-11-23

    Indonesian and European human rights activists attending a recent conference in Belgium expressed concern at the Indonesian Military (TNI)’s plan to deploy at least 35,000 soldiers along the border between West Papua and Papua New Guinea. The plan, set out in the 2003 Defense White Paper, is part of military reforms set in motion in 2000.

  4. Australia May Expand NATO Relationship, AP, Age, 2006-11-22

    Australia will be invited to expand its relationship with NATO under a plan by US President George W Bush. Bush plans to propose a partnership arrangement that would expand the reach of the Atlantic alliance to the Pacific Ocean. Japan, Australia, South Korea, Sweden and Finland will be invited to expand training and meetings with the NATO alliance but not to join, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said.

     

  5. Australia Researching Missile Defence, AAP, Australian, 2006-11-22

    Australia is moving closer to acquiring a ballistic missile defence capability with Defence Minister Brendan Nelson commissioning research on how such a system could be installed on new warships. The research will be considered by Cabinet next year. Dr Nelson warned that missile defence could no longer be taken for granted following North Korean missile and nuclear weapon tests earlier this year.

     

  6. Thumbs Down on Nuclear Power, John Durie, AFR*, 2006-11-22

    Far from opening the door for a nuclear-power industry in Australia, the Switkowski taskforce yesterday laid down several cogent arguments why one shouldn’t be considered. Yes, it provided some clarity on what it regarded as the misconceptions around nuclear safety, but as for being a viable industry, the simple answer right now is no chance without government subsidies. The same goes for an enrichment industry.
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  7. India and China in 10-Point Ties Pact, Bruce Loudon, Australian, 2006-11-23

    Hu Jintao has sealed the historic first visit by a Chinese president to India with the signing of a “10-pronged strategy” aimed at achieving a sweeping improvement in relations between Beijing and New Delhi. It features what is described as “a paradigm shift” that opens the door to possible civilian nuclear co-operation, “consistent with … international obligations”.

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