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On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.
Released on 2012-10-15 17:00 GMT
|2010-07-18 12:30:14
1) Editorial Urges India To Acquire 'Military Muscle' To Become
Influential in Asia
Editorial by Bharat Verma: "Offensive Orientation"; for assistance with
multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
2) Column Views Turkey's EU bid, Government Reservations Toward European
Column by Soner Cagaptay: "Who will take Turkey into the EU?"
3) Wen Jiabao Says Goverment Regulation Causes Q2 Economic Slowdown
By reporters Liao Lei and Liu Dongkai: "Wen Jiabao Says Slowdown in
China's 2d Quarter Economic Growth Rate Is Mainly the Result of Active
Regulation and Control"
4) Tourist May Have Been Guided by PRC
Unattributed article from the Taiwan page: Tourist May Have Been Guided by
5) Xinhua 'Interview': Robotic Surgery Makes Dr. Giu lianotti Think About
Xinhua "Interview" by Joyce Lee: "Robotic Surgery Makes Dr. Giulianotti
Think About Art"
6) Further on Wen Jiabao Explaining China's Economic Macro-Management,
Euro Issues
By reporters Liu Dongkai and Liao Lei: "Wen Jiabao Talks About
Micromanagement of the Chinese Economy in the Second Half and the Issue of
Euro Reserves and Trade Surplus"
7) Premier Wen Refutes Allegation Chinese Investment Environment Worsening
Xinhua: "Premier Wen Refutes Allegation Chinese Investment Environment
8) PRC Pundit Views German Chancellor Merkel's Fourth Visit to China
By ZXS reporter Ma Haiyan: "Merkel's Fourth Visit to China Will Promote
China-Germany Relations Toward Steady Development"
9) Wen Jiabao, Merkel Comment on Foreign Exchange Reserves, Euro at News
By reporters Liao Lei and Liu Dongkai: "Wen Jiabao Says Europe Remains One
of the Key Investment Markets of China's Foreign Exchange Reserve"
10) Report Details Information on Several Aerospace, Military Equipments
Report by Pragya Tyagi: "Aerospace and Defence News"; for assistance with
multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
11) Yeni Ozgur Politika Headlines 14 July 2010
The following is a list of news headlines from the Yeni Ozgur Politika
website on 14 July; to request additional processing, please contact OSC
at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, fax (703) 613-5735, or
12) Sultan Qaboos of Oman Visits Kuwait
"Sultan Qaboos of Oman Visits Kuwait" -- KUNA Headline
13) G8 Nations Accused Over Food Aid Initiatives
"G8 Nations Accused Over Food Aid Initiatives" -- KUNA Headline
14) Results Of Bulgar ia Gas Talks Satisfy Each Party-Gazprom Deputy CEO
15) Centenary of Birth of Kim Il Sung to Be Commemorated By CPG
16) Italy, Germany Donate 1 Million Euros to Assist Yemeni Refugees
Report by Majid al-Kibsi: "Italy and Germany Donate (euro)1,100,000 for
Food aid to Yemen"
17) Commentary Urges AU To Rule Somalia for 50 Years To Eliminate
Report by Jerry Okungu: "AU Should Occupy Somalia and Rule Her for 50
18) US Singer Pink To Give Her Only Show In Russia Sunday
19) Ugandan Police To Computerize Crime-Related Data Following Kampala
Bomb Blasts
Report by Andrew Bagala: "Police To Use Bio-Metric Systems"
1) Back to Top
Editorial Urges India To Acquire 'Military Muscle' To Become Influential
in Asia
Editorial by Bharat Verma: "Offensive Orientation"; for assistance with
multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
email@example.com. - Indian Defence Review
Saturday July 17, 2010 12:39:40 GMT
potential to be to Asia, what America is to the world - a symbol of hope,
liberty and freedom.
Closed societies like China or Pakistan do not fit the bill. Due to
authoritarian regimes in Beijing and Islamabad, in times to come they will
remain preoccupied with growing internal societal turmoil. Therefore, they
will naturally tend to threaten democratic India, militarily and with the
help of their irregular forces to divert attention from the brewing
internal storm. Particularly true, as on one hand, the Indian democracy
negates their authoritarian philosophy, and on the other, the Union is
perceived as a soft target to be conquered or cause rupture.
But technology drive n 21 st century cannot be China's century in Asia as
is being touted by its proxy Pakistan or the Chinese themselves. Simply as
these are very brittle, regressive and perpetually paranoid societies that
cannot sustain such enlarged influence as they get into an over reach.
While the People's Liberation Army, the largest in the world consists of
3.5 million soldiers to project power; Beijing employs whopping twenty-one
million to police the dissent internally!
Military threat from such dictatorial regimes will increase to free
societies as the western democracies retreat from Asia. There already
exists a severe trust deficit between China and the small countries in the
Possibly India is the only country in Asia that boasts of the potential to
occupy the strategic high ground gradually being vacated by the retreating
western forces, provided it develops offensive orientation at the
political level. Unlike China, its soft power increasingly impacts on Asia
. The young demographic profile will continue to propel Indian economy to
greater heights at least till end of the year 2050. China's ageing profile
shows trends that it will, first grow old then rich, unlike Japan, which
grew rich then old. India if governed fairly well, will grow rich and then
old like Japan. New Delhi requires to develop offensive orientation in its
India's multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society is the
melting pot in Asia that benefits from rich diversity and open society.
However, it is not as fortunate to be situated geographically in a safe
haven like America, which is surrounded by nations with similar values.
Historically, the direction of demographic flow for centuries saw
invasions from Central Asia to capture Delhi. Every fifty to hundred
years, the subcontinent due to the genius of natives tends to generate
wealth. From time immemorial this attracted hordes of invaders from
Central Asia. Delhi Durbar wa s unable to defend itself as it neglected
its military. Time and again, the rulers in Delhi were subjugated, as
their incompetence in wielding the military was pathological.
Once again India is generating vast wealth. Once again it refuses to
defend it.
Despite historical lessons of defeat at the hands of marauding armies,
Delhi Durbar's incompetence and ignorance in equipping the excellent
military machine inherited from the British is again on display. Today the
danger of disruption to the Union is much higher than in the previous
centuries. Worse, the lack of offensive orientation in political thinking
degrades the ability of the military to defend the Union from the
extraordinary threat developing on its borders.
The level of danger continues to creep north from "orange" to "red" on our
land borders primarily on two counts. First, as a deception plan Pakistan
on its birth, professed to be secular, while in reality the leaders want
ed a purely Islamic state. As a result the minority Hindu population of
more than thirteen percent in a population of 76 million in 1947 got
reduced to barely two percent even as the population of Pakistan increased
in 2004 to 156 million. After refusi ng to share power with the Bengalis
in the East and breaking up their country, the Pakistani Sunnis not
satisfied with this calibrated purge, now want to eliminate the Shias and
expel the Ahmadiyas from Islam.
In its devious journey towards fundamentalist Islam, it also wants to lock
the women folk inside their homes under Taliban diktat, thus negating
fifty percent of its population. This dangerous religious philosophy based
on extreme form of imported Wahabi Islam is intolerant of worldview of
others, wields nuclear weapons, nurtures a Talibanised army that runs a
large irregular guerrilla force solely motivated by Islamic
fundamentalism, and partners China. The ideology of Pakistan is in direct
confrontation with the values cherished by India.
Worse, Pakistan's financial bankruptcy exacerbates the internal
instability. This in turn provides cheap human resource, to be used as
cannon fodder, by the Jihad Factory run by the ISI. One feeds on the
other. Islamic fundamentalism occupies Pakistan's political space, that in
turn negates Indian influence, which wisely extended up to Afghanistan
during British rule. It was the British Indian Army that kept a check on
the repeat of a history of invasions from Central Asia.
Ironically, instead of consolidating and integrating Kashmir, pacifist New
Delhi is permitting the birth of a similar pocket of influence with
extreme philosophy in the valley that will come back to haunt India in the
near future. Second,
to add to the woes of New Delhi, a bigger threat in addition to the
existing one is posed by communist China. While too much 'god' motivates
Pakistan, China pretends to be a 'godless' state. Unlike nations that
boast of an army, in Pakistan the army owns the state. On the other hand,
in China the People's Liberation Army is loyal to the Chinese Communist
Party and not the state. Dissent in both is a 'no-no' in varying degrees.
Both, Pakistan and China, unlike India are paranoid about open societies.
Thus, Beijing and Islamabad share commonality of purpose and together
direct their energies to upstage India in international forums, on the
borders and by fomenting internal dissent. In a unique 'jointmanship,'
Islamabad clandestinely transfers sensitive defence technology it receives
from the west to Beijing on 'barter basis' as there is ban on transfer to
China! The physical threat to India will materialize in 2012, after the
exit of the American forces from Afghanistan.
The concurrent rise of China and India pits them against each other, as
they compete for the same resources, but one with an authoritarian regime
that is scared of Dalai Lama and Google, and the other with a free society
that revels in religion, Dalai Lama and Google.
Threat from China was evident from its maps in 1946. Mao with the help of
these maps described Tibet as the palm of a hand with its five fingers -
Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and NEFA as Chinese territories that needed
to be liberated. Tibet was liberated by force while New Delhi slept. Nepal
found India's refusal to defend Tibet as a sign of an unreliable ally and
thought it prudent to open communications with Beijing.
Today India stands encircled by China.
To be supreme in Asia, and impelled by the necessity to divert the
attention from the growing internal turmoil, Beijing is likely to design a
limited but visible military victory in a joint strategy with Islamabad.
Pakistan under severe threat of fragmentation would be more than a willing
With Afghanistan being abandoned by the West, beginning July 2011,
Islamabad will craft a strategy to take over Kabul with the help of
Islamic fundamen talist groups. The irony is that in the aftermath of the
exit of the West; Taliban will occupy the Parliament being built by India
in Kabul and connive disruption from there of the Indian Union. These
groups will not target the West immediately since the latter retains the
ability to re-intervene once inaction is deemed as 'suicidal' The Taliban
will initially concentrate on unraveling a soft target like India in
concert with Beijing-Islamabad-Kabul or Chinese Communists-Pakistan
Army-Irregular Forces axis.
The physical threat to India will materialize in 2012, after the exit of
the American forces from Afghanistan. Earlier India had to contend with a
single threat from its West and Central Asia. Now another threat posed
from the North under a joint strategy between China and Pakistan has
The developing scenario suggests that henceforth GHQ Rawalpindi will
further orchestrate provocation against India to regain lost ground in
J&K by way of rall ies in PoK or Lahore and through military
machinations on our borders. It will provide fillip to terrorist attacks,
export of fake currency, inserting terrorists in India through Nepal,
activation of sleeper cells, and raising controversy on non-issues like
water. Beijing while talking ambiguously up to 2012 buildup will continue
to support the Maoists in Nepal and step up training and funding to Maoist
in India. The intensity of Cyber War will meanwhile increase.
In nutshell, the objective will be to keep India off balance.
By 2012, to unravel India, Beijing is likely to para-drop a division of
its Special Forces inside the Siliguri Corridor to sever the Northeast.
There will be simultaneous attacks in other parts of the border and linkup
with the Special Forces holding the Siliguri Corridor will be effected.
All these will take place under the nuclear overhang. In concert Islamabad
will activate the second front to unhook Kashmir by making offensive moves
acr oss the IB in the plains and the desert to divide Indian reaction
capability. Meanwhile the fifth columnists supporting these external
forces will unleash mayhem inside.
Two key question for New Delhi:
1. Will India go nuclear if its territorial integrity is threatened?
France's stated policy is that it will use the nuclear option, if Germany
is attacked. Germany is not likely to face a nuclear adversary, yet France
will use nuclear option if it is attacked. India faces threat from two
nuclear powers in its vicinity. Will it shift its stated position of
second strike to first strike, if the territorial integrity of the Union
is under threat?
2. Will New Delhi have the gumption to order the Navy to retaliate and
stop the flow of cargo in the Indian Ocean being freighted to China? Or
will it order the Air Force to conduct offensive and decisive strategic
strikes inside Tibet? By 2012, to unravel India, Beijing is likely to
para-drop a division of its Special Forces inside the Siliguri Corridor to
sever the Northeast.
New Delhi requires to develop offensive orientation in its thinking for
the answers to be in affirmative. India has produced more than its share
of great thinkers in civil affairs. However, being a pacifist society, it
does not boast of a single military thinker of repute. Therefore, we
should not hesitate to import knowledge from the best military thinkers to
create an assertive society, just in the same way, as we need to import
the best defence technologies to set up the most modern defence industry
hub that ensures expansion of democratic space in Asia.
The ideal opportunity for China to dismember India is between 2011 and
2014 on multiple counts. First, to divert attention from growing internal
dissent. Second, beyond this period, Pakistan as a fragmented nation may
not exist to support the Chinese. Third, the change of generation by 2015
will witness an assertive India. Fourth, the new Indian assertiveness will
ensure rapid modernization of the Armed Forces with robust military
capabilities. Last but not the least, given the fact it does not pose
threat to any country, India will create strong international alliances.
It is in a unique position and gets along well with the West, as well as
countries like Russia and others. In fact, the international opinion will
decisively tilt in favour, if India shrewdly deals the powerful
geo-economic card held in the arsenal.
The answer to the outiined nightmare stares India on its face.
India simply needs to take out the cost-benefit ratio from the game plan
of the opponent by rapidly acquiring the requisite military muscle that
outguns and outclasses the adversary. War is akin to business. If there is
no cost-benefit ratio, it cannot be imposed! Such assertive actions will
also naturally propel India in Asia as the most influential player and
arrest the slide of retreating democracies.< br>
(Description of Source: New Delhi Indian Defence Review in English --
Quarterly magazine on defense issues. Most writers are retired senior
military generals.)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
2) Back to Top
Column Views Turkey's EU bid, Government Reservations Toward European
Column by Soner Cagaptay: "Who will take Turkey into the EU?" - Hurriyet
Daily News.com
Saturday July 17, 2010 05:24:23 GMT
supposedly driving Turkey away from the West by stalling the country's EU
accession. Mr. Obama is confusing cause and effect. The real problem is
that the ruling Islamist J ustice and Development Party, or AKP, doesn't
share the dream of a liberal, Western Turkey.
While I have always supported Ankara's membership bid, it is time to admit
that the reason Turkey will not join the EU any time soon is not because
of European reservations toward a Muslim country but because of the
Turkish government's reservations toward European values.
Things looked much different when Brussels opened membership talks with
Ankara in 2005. At the time, the government seemed committed to joining
the EU. The AKP, whose predecessor Islamist Refah (Welfare) Party was
banned in 1998, emerged in 2001 with an avowedly non-Islamist platform.
The party jettisoned Refah's anti-European rhetoric (Refah had dismissed
the EU as a "capitalist and Christian club") and instead embraced the
accession process.
But despite the AKP's re-branding as pro-Western, it has no strategic view
of EU membership. It used the EU accession process only as a tactical ploy
to shed its Islamist image, gain Western legitimacy and curb the power of
the secular military. Having thus made the AKP palatable for Brussels
bureaucrats and liberal Turks alike, the AKP dropped the EU accession
process as soon as it was expected to implement, and not just pass, tough
reforms. In a public demonstration of its lack of interest in Europe, the
AKP declared 2005 the "Africa Year."
As a result, Turkey's reform process did not just stop, it deteriorated.
As the government resorted to jailing critical journalists under the
pretext that they were planning a coup, the country dropped 20 spots in
the Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index. In last year's survey
Turkey ranked only 122 out of 175 countries, compared to 102 in 2008. The
AKP has used plot allegations - most infamously in the so-called Ergenekon
case - to target its political opponents in the media, military and
The AKP has gone specifically after the Dogan Yayin Holding, which owns
the bulk of the media not already in the hands of pro-government
businesses. After Milliyet, a paper owned by Dogan, reported allegations
about AKP links to an Islamist charity in Germany, the government last
year slapped Dogan with a record $3.3 billion tax fine, a sum that exceeds
the company's worth. Under the AKP, Turkey is becoming more like Russia
than Europe.
The Islamist rule has also been a blow to the cause of gender equality.
Back in 1994 the percentage of women in executive civil service positions
was 15 percent, according to IRIS, an Ankara-based women's rights group.
The number has now gone down to 11 percent. While 33 percent of all
lawyers in Turkey are women, there is not a single woman among the nine
top bureaucrats in the Turkish Ministry of Justice. Contrast this with the
large number of female jurists in the country's high courts, where judges
are appointed by peers and not by the government. Almost half of the
members o f the Council of State, Turkey's top administrative court, are
But even this refuge of enlightened gender policy might soon come to an
end. The AKP has recently pushed constitutional amendments that would
enable it to appoint the majority of the judges to the high courts without
a confirmation process. Female judges may no longer bother to apply. As
Mr. Erdogan put it so delicately on the 2008 World Women's Day, the role
of women in Turkish society is not to have a career but "to make at least
three babies each."
Given these reform shortcomings, skeptics of Turkey's EU membership, such
as French President Nicolas Sarkozy, cannot be simply discarded as
prejudiced. The AKP could have responded by adopting a strategic view of
EU accession. Swift reforms could have embarrassed Mr. Sarkozy into
dropping his objections, les t France be seen as an anti-Muslim country.
Instead, the AKP complained about Europe's alleged anti-Turkish
The AKP then turned its foreign policy attention to the Middle East,
engrossing itself in regional conflicts. Herein lies the incongruity
between the AKP's activist, run-around-the world foreign policy and the
party's alleged commitment to EU accession: When everything is a priority,
nothing is, and no country has ever gotten into the EU without making
membership a top foreign policy priority.
While Turkey has raised eyebrows in the West by aligning itself with
regimes in Tehran and Damascus, it has received much applause for
supposedly repairing relations with Armenia. But despite the personal
involvement of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, there has been no
real progress. Ankara signed a protocol to normalize ties with Yerevan but
never ratified it. Just like its EU accession policy, the AKP's Armenia
opening is more PR than reality.
There is, though, a glimmer of hope. Turkey's EU prospects have looked so
bleak not just because of the AKP but also be cause even the secular
opposition lacked the necessary commitment to Europe. However, since the
May 22 election of the charismatic and pro-European Kemal Kilicdaroglu as
the new leader of the main opposition, the Republican Peoples Party, or
CHP, things are changing. Mr. Kilicdaroglu has already voiced his
commitment to the EU, a refreshing change in Turkish politics, and is
courting retired pro-EU Turkish diplomats disappointed with the AKP's
foreign policy direction.
When Mustafa Kemal Ataturk established the CHP in the 1920s, his vision
was to make Turkey European. In next year's general elections, the CHP
will face an uphill battle against the AKP. One thing is sure, though. If
Ataturk's dream is ever to come true, Turkey will need a new government.
(Description of Source: Istanbul Hurriyet Daily News.com in English --
Website of Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review, pro-secular daily,
with English-language versions from other Dogan Media Group dailies; URL:
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
3) Back to Top
Wen Jiabao Says Goverment Regulation Causes Q2 Economic Slowdown
By reporters Liao Lei and Liu Dongkai: "Wen Jiabao Says Slowdown in
China's 2d Quarter Economic Growth Rate Is Mainly the Result of Active
Regulation and Control" - Xinhua Asia-Pacific Service
Sunday July 18, 2010 05:20:56 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua Asia-Pacific Service in Chinese --
China's official news service (New China News Agency) to the Asia-Pacific
region, established to replace Xinhua Hong Kong Service. The new service
includes material previously carried by Xinhua Hong Kong Service and
additional material specific to the Asia-Pacific region)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
4) Back to Top
Tourist May Have Been Guided by PRC
Unattributed article from the Taiwan page: Tourist May Have Been Guided by
PRC - Taipei Times Online
Sunday July 18, 2010 00:26:02 GMT
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/07/18/20034 78212
TITLE: 'Tourist' may have been guided by PRCSECTION: TaiwanAUTHOR:PUBDATE:
A form er government official said the case of a tourist arrested for
taking photos at an Armed Forces recruitment center was more alarming than
it first appearedBy J. Michael ColeSTAFF REPORTERSunday, Jul 18, 2010,
Page 3Information has come to light that could indicate that a Chinese
tourist who was caught in May last year taking photos in a restricted area
of an army recruitment center in downtown Taipei may have been directed by
Chinese intelligence.(TAIPEI TIMES) - TARGETED?: A former government
official said the case of a tourist arrested for taking photos at an Armed
Forces recruitment center was more alarming than it first appearedBy J.
Michael ColeSTAFF REPORTERSunday, Jul 18, 2010, Page 3
Information has come to light that could indicate that a Chinese tourist
who was caught in May last year taking photos in a restricted area of an
army recruitment center in downtown Taipei may have been directed by
Chinese intelligence.
On May 25 last year, Ma Zhongfei, a C hinese tourist who reportedly was
chairman of a high-tech company, left his tour group at Taipei 101 and
ended up at an Armed Forces recruitment center on Keelung Road, about 2km
away from the landmark. After entering a computer warfare command area
through a back door, Ma was caught by security taking photos in the
computer warfare command area.While the recruitment center is open to the
general public, the computer warfare command area is a restricted
facility.After being apprehended by military police, Ma was handed over to
the Taiwan High Prosecutors' Office for investigation on suspicion of
illegally intruding into a military area.The following day, a prosecutor
ordered Ma's release and did not bar him from leaving Taiwan. The Ministry
of Justice said it didn't have sufficient evidence to indict him.A former
government official who handled intelligence matters under the former
Democratic Progressive Party administration told the Taipei Times earlier
this week that the M a case was far more alarming than it first appeared
and hinted that political intervention may have played a role in the
decision not to charge him.The source, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said that aside from the off-limit computer warfare command
area, which falls under the Ministry of National Defense, the area also
houses the government's Information and Communication Security Technology
(ICST) center, a little-known unit under the Executive Yuan's Research,
Development and Evaluation Commission that plays a crucial coordination
role in ensuring information security for all government agencies. In the
government hierarchy, the ICST ranks above the ministry's computer warfare
center.Established in 2002, the decision was made to locate the secretive
ICST center in the vicinity of the warfare center to facilitate
cooperation between the two bodies, whose responsibilities are to protect
the nation against cyber warfare -- mostly from China.The source said
certain bra nches of central government, including the prosecutors'
office, may not have been informed of the location of the ICST, given its
sensitivity.As the country is the principal target of Chinese cyber
warfare, Taiwan has become a leader in research on and protection against
Chinese hacking, the source said, adding that some countries, including
Germany, have turned to Taiwan for assistance after being the target of
Chinese cyber attacks.The source said China has an estimated 300,000
professional hackers and that they are directed -- and paid -- by the
Chinese government to launch cyber attacks on its behalf. Estimating the
number of "high value" targets in Taiwan to be in the vicinity of 10,000,
this implies a ratio of 30 Chinese hackers per target, the former official
said.Asked how those numbers had been assessed, the source said it came
mostly from human intelligence in China.The Chinese-language Liberty Times
(the Taipei Times' sister newspaper) in February last y ear reported that
the National Security Council may have ordered the National Security
Bureau to cease recruitment of agents to work inside China.A drawdown in
human intelligence in China and a deprioritization of China as a
counterintelligence target would make it even more difficult for Taiwanese
agencies to determine what information Chinese spies are looking for and
what has been compromised, the source said.The former official suggested
that in its efforts to foster closer relations with Beijing, the Chinese
Nationalist Party (KMT) government may not only have imposed further
restrictions on espionage against China, but could also have downplayed
the Ma incident.Asked if Ma knew what he was looking for on May 25 -- in
other words, if he knew of, or had been directed to ascertain, the
location of the ICST center -- the source said it was "very
probable."Earlier this month, Premier Wu Den-yih said Taiwan could soon
lift its ban on individual Chinese tourists. Ch inese tourists made
900,000 visits last year. That figure is expected to reach 1.2 million
this year.(Description of Source: Taipei Taipei Times Online in English --
Website of daily English-language sister publication of Tzu-yu Shih-pao
(Liberty Times), generally supports pan-green parties and issues; URL:
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
5) Back to Top
Xinhua 'Interview': Robotic Surgery Makes Dr. Giulianotti Think About Art
Xinhua "Interview" by Joyce Lee: "Robotic Surgery Makes Dr. Giulianotti
Think About Art" - Xinhua
Saturday July 17, 2010 18:36:58 GMT
CHICAGO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Dr. Pier Cristoforo Giulianotti has completed
more than 1,000 successful major procedures without laying a finger on a
patient. Using hand controllers, foot pedals, and 3-D visualization, he
performs complex surgeries sitting just a few meters away from the
operating table.
It happens that the sophisticated surgical system, consisting of three to
four robotic arms and a remote console, is nicknamed after one of the
Italian surgeon's most famous hometown visionaries -- Leonardo da
Vinci."At the beginning, even I did not understand the revolution behind
robotics because I was appreciating only the aspects of mechanical
improvements," said Dr. Giulianotti, chief of the Division of General,
Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at the University of
Illinois-Chicago. "But actually, in robotics there is a charming
revolution I can summarize paradoxically: You are modifying reality using
virtuality. You are using a virtual environment to interact with reality;
the only limit is your mind. "As the president of the Clinical Robotic
Surgery Association, an organization of robotic surgeons worldwide formed
last year, 57- year-old Dr. Giulianotti is leading the reimagining of
surgical operations. There are three "da Vinci" systems housed within his
university department, each with a price tag upwards of 1 million U.S.
dollars. Intuitive Surgical, Inc., the sole manufacturer of the surgical
systems, have installed 1,482 around the world as of March, according to
the company's 2010 SEC filings.Modern robotic surgery technology
originated in the 1980's with a NASA research project on telemedicine, or
the capability to utilize virtual reality to connect physicians to
patients and use robotics for treatment. The project was heavily funded by
the U.S. Army, but the patents were later sold to Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
in the 1990's."Using the computer and electronic instruments you can
achieve better movements," said Dr. Giulianotti in an interview with
Xinhua. He cited enhancement of sight through an endoscopic camera with a
high-resolution zoom function and 3-D visualization, stabilization of
instrument movements, as well as sole control over the navigation of the
surgery by negating an assistant's role. "My capability is expanded; I'm
using three hands instead of two."The method has been successfully used
for pancreas, lung, esophagus, colon, stomach, liver, gall bladder and
kidney procedures, and has proven especially superior for treating
prostate cancer. "You can preserve the physiology much better," he said.
"The incidence of potency is much higher than in an open procedure."The
aesthetic results of robotic surgery are another advantage - - Dr.
Giulianotti remembers robotically operating on a young female patient from
Florida with thyroid cancer. "We were able to remove the thyroid and the
cancer avoid ing any incision in the neck, just using small holes in the
axilla (armpit). I received a call from the family yesterday saying how
grateful they are, that she is so happy with no scar."As a medical student
in Tuscany, Giulianotti remembers watching an open chest procedure that he
found "too violent with too much blood." Since then, his advocacy of
refined robotic operations has connected him to international programs
around the world. He has performed live teaching surgeries and lectured at
PLA General Hospital in Beijing and Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, sits as
director of the robotic surgery division of the Misericordia Hospital in
Tuscany, and served as a surgical professor in Germany and France.Like da
Vinci, he envisions technology transforming contemporary methods. "We are
working in the same square room of 200 hundred years ago," he said. "Now
it is so crowded and difficult even to clean." He is spearheading a
multimillion-dollar pr oject to redesign the operating room, leaving space
for only a bed and the robotic surgical system, as well as a computer that
surrounds the patient with projections of calming images. The surgeon
would sit in a different room, remotely maneuvering the robotic arms
holding the necessary tools."To me, a big operation is like making a
painting; like sculpturing anatomy when anatomy is not clear; drawing
tissue when tissue is destroyed; restoring physiology when it is lost,"
Giulianotti said. "I don't think about surgery in terms of blood or
organs. I am thinking about art."(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in
English -- China's official news service for English-language audiences
(New China News Agency))
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Further on Wen Jiabao Explaining China's Economic Macro-Management, Euro
By reporters Liu Dongkai and Liao Lei: "Wen Jiabao Talks About
Micromanagement of the Chinese Economy in the Second Half and the Issue of
Euro Reserves and Trade Surplus" - Xinhua Domestic Service
Saturday July 17, 2010 17:21:06 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua Domestic Service in Chinese --
China's official news service (New China News Agency))
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Premier Wen Refutes Allegation Chinese Investment Environment Worsening
Xinhua: "Premier Wen Refutes Allegation Chinese Investment Environment
Worsening" - Xinhua
Saturday July 17, 2010 10:51:17 GMT
XI'AN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- It is untrue to say that the investment
environment in China is worsening, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Saturday as he invited more foreign companies to invest in the country.
China sticks to its opening-up policy, Wen added.In talks with heads of
prestigious German and Chinese firms in northwest China's Xi'an city, Wen
and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel aim to boost cooperation
between the two nations."Currently, there is an allegation that China's
investment environment is worsening. I think it is untrue," said Wen when
answering a question from Juergen Hambrecht, chief executive of German
chemical company BASF.Foreign firms hav e voiced concern China's
indigenous innovation policy might provide incentives for government
bodies to purchase products developed by Chinese companies.The World Bank
in a July report gave China a low investment environment ranking.But the
amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into China in the
first half of the year rose 19.6 percent year on year, according to data
from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).China attracted 12.51 billion U.S.
dollars in FDI in June alone, up 39.6 percent year on year.Wen said,
"Foreign investment will not pour into a country where the investment
environment is worsening."Wen said China has relatively good
infrastructure as well as fair and stable market environment.Wen said
China welcomes companies which meet China industry policies to invest in
China, adding that the government will ensure such companies having access
to the Chinese market."For those which have entered China, they all enjoy
national treatment as Chi nese companies do, no matter whether they are a
foreign-funded company, a joint venture or a joint stock company, " Wen
said.Wen also promised China would never block the export of rare earth
minerals to foreign countries, but said minerals should be exported at a
reasonable price and volume. China supplies about 90 percent of the
world's rare earth minerals.The trade seminar came after China and Germany
Friday signed ten deals in Beijing involving green energy, culture and a
joint venture producing trucks.The two sides also signed a joint
declaration on the establishment of an environmental partnership that will
involve water resource protection, equipment safety and evaluation, energy
conservation, renewable energy and technology."China-Germany cooperation
is at a new starting point," Wen said.After the seminar, Wen and Merkel
visited China-German joint venture Siemens Signaling Company Ltd.Merkel
started a four-day visit to China on Thursday, her fourth tri p to China
since taking office as German Chancellor in 2005.(Description of Source:
Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for
English-language audiences (New China News Agency))
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
8) Back to Top
PRC Pundit Views German Chancellor Merkel's Fourth Visit to China
By ZXS reporter Ma Haiyan: "Merkel's Fourth Visit to China Will Promote
China-Germany Relations Toward Steady Development" - Zhongguo Xinwen She
Saturday July 17, 2010 07:37:46 GMT
Jin Canrong, deputy dean of the Chinese People's University Institute of
International Relatio ns, said: China-Germany relations have remained
stable since 2009. Germany is an important member of the European Union.
China has always attached great importance to developing good and stable
relations with Germany. Merkel's current visit is conducive to deepening
mutual trust between both sides. Particularly since the outbreak of the
financial crisis, Germany has felt the need to understand China better and
handle well its relations with China. This has positive significance on
China-Europe relations as a whole.
Besides holding meetings with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao,
Merkel will also visit universities, museums, and other cultural
institutions and attend a signing ceremony for economic and trade purchase
orders. Jin Canrong said that Germany is an important country of origin
for China's technology imports and is China's important strategic partner
in Europe. Germany's successful economic "Rhineland Model" on the basis of
social fairness and its ancient culture have certain influence on China.
Jin Canrong also noted that unlike her previous three visits to China,
Merkel's current visit is proceeding against the backdrop of two prominent
changes in China-Germany balance of forces: In 2008 China's GDP surpassed
German's for the first time; in 2009 China became the first largest
exporting country, replacing Germany. "This has certain influence on the
German people's minds," Jin Canrong said, adding that both sides will make
progress in bilateral trade. "Germany hopes that China will provide a
large import space for German products, whereas China hopes that Germany
will recognize its market economic status."
In fact, China is the largest trade partner of Germany in Asia, and
Germany is the largest trade partner of China in Europe. Despite the
impact of the international financial crisis, China-Germany bilateral
trade amounted to $105.73 billion in 2009, accounting a little more than
one-fourth of China-Europe trade. "Both sides also share much cooperation
space in the economic field. For example, in multilateral trade, China and
Germany are countries with trade surpluses and have certain financial
assets in the United States. Europe, which relied on three US ratings
firms -- Fitch Ratings, Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, and Moody's
Investors Service -- in the past, has now fallen into a deep crisis." Jin
Canrong believed that both sides will conduct cooperation in establishing
a credit ratings agency and mutual trust.
Jin Canrong said that as Merkel is a female who keeps a low profile and
has come across little negative media comments, she will easily leave a
favorable impression on others. The stable development of China-Germany
relations will also help secure her governance status.
(Description of Source: Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She in Chinese -- China's
official news service for overseas Chinese)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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Wen Jiabao, Merkel Comment on Foreign Exchange Reserves, Euro at News
By reporters Liao Lei and Liu Dongkai: "Wen Jiabao Says Europe Remains One
of the Key Investment Markets of China's Foreign Exchange Reserve" -
Xinhua Asia-Pacific Service
Saturday July 17, 2010 04:21:24 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua Asia-Pacific Service in Chinese --
China's official news service (New China News Agency) to the Asia-Pacific
region, established to replace Xinhua Hong Kong Service. The new service
includes material previously carried by Xinhua H ong Kong Service and
additional material specific to the Asia-Pacific region)
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Report Details Information on Several Aerospace, Military Equipments
Report by Pragya Tyagi: "Aerospace and Defence News"; for assistance with
multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
email@example.com. - Indian Defence Review
Saturday July 17, 2010 12:01:41 GMT
Airbus A400M
The A400M programme, which had slipped by four years, was afflicted by
huge cost overruns primarily on account of unforeseen problems encountered
in the develop ment of a new engine. The A400M is now expected to enter
service in 2015, with the French Air Force receiving the first delivery in
2013. Dynamatic Aerospace & Boeing to Tie-up for P8I
In March 2010, Dynamatic Aerospace, a part of Bangalore-based Dynamatic
Technologies, signed a contract with Boeing for the manufacture of
cabinets to house critical power and mission equipment for the P8I
Maritime Surveillance Aircraft ordered by the Ministry of Defence for the
Indian Navy. Dynamatic Aerospace has received the Boeing Quality
Management System (BQMS) approval and is now a Boeing-approved supplier.
This is the first time the company has received a direct order from
aerospace major Boeing and the first article will be ready for inspection
by October this year. Dynamatic is already an Airbus-approved supplier and
now, with the BQMS approval in hand, the aerospace division of Dynamatic
is uniquely positioned to further consolidate its leadership position in
the Indi an private sector by collaborating with international aerospace
majors on export initiatives.
Priya Tyagi
mailto:email@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com
Dynamatic Aerospace is also involved in the fabrication of parts for the
Su-30 MKI combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force being manufactured by
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Ozar. POP300 for Homeland Security In
Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Tamam Division and Vectra Engineering
Materials Pvt Ltd have installed the IAI-made Plug-In Optronic Payload
(POP300) on an EC-135 helicopter. Being a modular, lightweight,
gyro-stabilized day/night observation system, the POP300 can be utilized
for law enforcement and homeland security.
Su-30 MKI
The product, promoted in India by IAI's technology partner, Nova
Integrated Systems Limited, includes a high performance Focal Plane Array
thermal imager (infrared), a color CCD TV camera, automatic video tracking
and a laser pointer for sur veillance by day and night. The EC-135 is a
three tonne twin engine helicopter from Eurocopter, and has the largest
share in the world in the light twin engine category. The POP300, which is
currently in use by about 100 law enforcement agencies around the world,
is based on a unique, plug-in slice concept. Saab to Further Develop
Reconnaissance System for Gripen
Defence and security company Saab has received an order worth
approximately MSEK 400 from the Swedish Defence Material Administration
for upgrade and further development of the reconnaissance system in Gripen
over a four-year period. The order entails development of night capacity
and an improved user interface for the reconnaissance pod, which provides
the Gripen with a photo-reconnaissance function. The system, a significant
component of Gripen's overall reconnaissance capacity, is modular and has
considerable potential for further development.
EC-135 with the POP300 Second Phalcon AEW & CS f or India
The first aircraft having been received in May 2009, the second of the
three Israeli-made Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control System
contracted in 2004 for $1.1 billion, arrived in India on March 25,2010.
The tripartite deal also involves Russia as the Israeli Phalcon radars are
mounted on Russian Il-76 heavy-lift transport aircraft.
The AEW&CS system provides state-of-the art surveillance capabilities
to the Indian Air Force. While the first system was deployed for
operations on the western front, the second one is likely to be deployed
on the eastern front. The first Phalcon is carrying out extensive flying
operations with frontline fighters such as the Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and
the Jaguars and recently took part in a major exercise codenamed
'Vayushakti', where it controlled the operations of over 100 aircraft
participating in the fire-power demonstration.
Commonly referred to as an 'eye in the sky,' the AEW& amp;CS will allow
integrated operations and enhanced surveillance capabilities for the
Indian armed forces. The system will be used to detect incoming hostile
cruise missiles and aircraft from hundreds of kilometres away and will
also direct air defence fighters during combat operations against enemy
aircraft. The system, which is capable of detecting troop build-up across
the border, is eventually slated to be integrated with the country's first
military satellite, proposed to be launched by the middle of 2011. Reports
suggest that India and Israel may be in negotiations for an additional
three Phalcon systems, the platform for which could be either the IL76 or
the Gulfstream executive aircraft. Helicopters from AgustaWestland for
The Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a Rs 3,726 crore contract with
AgustaWestland, a unit of Italian major Finmeccanica for supply of 12
three-engine AW-101 helicopters for the Indian Air Force. These aircraft
will replace the f leet of ageing Russian built Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters
of the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron, tasked with the
responsibility of carrying the President, Prime Minister and other high
dignitaries in a security environment which appears to be progressively
worsening. Deliveries are set to commence in three years time for this
order which could pave the way for larger orders from India. The Indian
AW-101 helicopters will have a number of self protection systems that will
warn of approaching missiles and activate countermeasures such as chaff
and flare dispensers and direct infra-red electronic counter-measures.
EADS Considering US Tanker Bid
As per Thomas Enders, CEO, Airbus Aircraft Division, European aerospace
and defence giant, EADS, has announced that a decision to bid for a
contract for aerial tankers for the US Air Force as a prime contractor is
likely to be made before end April 2010. The Pentagon confirmed that talks
with EADS were on.
< br>In the aborted bid two years ago, EADS with Northrop Grumman
Corporation won the contract, which was subsequently cancelled after
government auditors upheld a Boeing protest. Earlier on, the contract
awarded to Boeing was cancelled on account of alleged unfair practices by
Boeing and the Department of Defence. In the most recent tender, Northrop
has declined to participate as in their view, the conditions of the tender
were skewed in favour of Boeing offering the much smaller B767. Confronted
with a Single Vendor situation with only Boeing in the race for the
contract, the Pentagon is now extending the May 2010 deadline to make it
possible for EADS rejoin the race should the company wish to do so either
independently or with a partner. American companies do dominate the
European arms market but seem to be unable to reconcile with competition
from European companies in the American market. Lockheed C-130J Super
Hercules for the IAF
Lockheed Martin plans to deliver t he first C-130J Super Hercules aircraft
to the IAF in December 2010, three months ahead of its planned induction
in the first quarter of 2011. The company also said it was looking ahead
to receiving a Letter of Request (LOR) from the Indian government for six
more of these specially configured aircraft. The C-130J ordered by the IAF
will be with longer fuselage or 'stretched' variant, similar to those
being delivered to the US Air Force. Being configured for special
operations, it will be capable of carrying loads of 15-20 tonnes. With
interest in the aircraft displayed by the Indian paramilitary forces such
as the Border Security Force and the Indian Coast Guard, Lockheed expects
to sell around 50 aircraft in India.
The IAF order is worth $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) with offsets worth
around $300 million (Rs 1,350 crore). Lockheed is contemplating fulfilling
offsets obligations through investments in setting up training and
simulation facilities for the aircraft in India. The contract provides for
three years of initial support, training of air and ground crew,
provisioning of spares, ground support and test equipment, as well as a
team of technical experts who will be based in India during the three-year
initial support period. Also included is the supply of customised
equipment for special operations.
AF-i, the first optimized Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II conventional
takeoff and landing test plane, rolls out of the F-35 Final Finishes
Facility sporting a new hand-painted fin flash on Its vertical
stabilizers. The plane also received highly accurate robot-applied
coatings. The stealth jet flew twice before entering an intensive period
of ground testing, and is preparing for its return to flight. Boeing, HAL
Deal for P8I Fuselage Parts
US aerospace major Boeing has signed a $4.5 million (Rs 20.85 crore) deal
with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for weapons bay doors for the eight
maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft ordered by the Indian
Navy. The first delivery will be by the end of 2010. The deal for the
eight P8I aircraft, which is a variant of the P8A Poseidon based on the
Boeing 737-800 platform that the company is developing for the US Navy, is
worth $2.1 billion, of which Boeing has to reinvest $640 million in India
as part of its industrial offsets obligations. Although HAL provides other
equipment for the P8I through its avionics division in Hyderabad, this is
the first P8I offset package that Boeing has directly executed with
India's largest aerospace company.
The deal not only makes India the first international customer of the P8
Poseidon, but also marks Boeing's first military sale to India. Boeing
will deliver the first P8I to India within 48 months of the signing of the
contract, which was in January 2009.
The P8I will replace the ageing Tu 142M maritime surveillance aircraft of
the Indian Navy, and also be able to drop and monitor so nobuoys. The P8I
is a true multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft that features greater
flexibility and a broad range of capabilities. It can operate effectively
over land or water while performing antisubmarine warfare, electronic
intelligence missions, search and rescue, maritime interdiction and
long-range intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and
reconnaissance. The aircraft is capable of carrying torpedoes, depth
charges, AGM84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and other weapons.
P8 Poseidon RFI to Boeing for Refuelling Tankers
Boeing Company has received a Request for Information (RFI) from the
Indian government for the supply of six refuelling tankers. This follows a
letter of request from the Indian Ministry of Defence for the acquisition
of 10 C17 Globemaster III advanced military transport aircraft. Value of
the deal for the refueling tankers is as yet unknown. Boeing has already
delivered four tankers to Japan and has an order for four tankers for
Italy. India is one of the world's top importers of defence equipment and
is currently engaged in a major drive to modernize its armed forces'
inventory, which is largely of Soviet origin. Boeing estimates that likely
Indian arms purchases could allow it to bid for deals worth about $31
billion (Rs 139,500 crore) up to 2019. The list of hardware likely to be
inducted by India could include combat aircraft, heavy lift cargo
aircraft, missiles, airborne early warning and training systems. Boeing
C17 Globemaster III for India
As per US aerospace major Boeing, the US government has received a 'Letter
of Request' from the Indian government for ten C17 Globemaster III
heavy-lift aircraft for the IAF. The deal worth $2.5 billion is to be
chanelled through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route under which
intergovernmental deals are signed for arms sales. The C17 Globemaster III
has a payload capacity of 75 tonnes, nearly twice that of the IL76 which
is 43 tonnes. It has the capability to paradrop 200 troops as compared to
140 by the Il76, apart from carrying tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery
guns and medium-sized helicopters. Its unique feature is that it needs
only a 3,000 feet runway and a crew of three to operate. There are
currently 212 Cl7s in service, out of which 19 are operated by
international customers.
Boeing C17 Globemaster
SAAB-2000 PAF Inducts SAAB2000 AEW&C System
Fulfilling a long standing need, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has inducted
the Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft
joining an exclusive club of nations that can boast of fielding such a
According to the CAS, the AEW&C system will be able to detect and
identify an aircraft well before it enters Pakistan air space and
therefore, will serve as a force multiplier. He said the system would
strengthen the defence of Pakistani air space and lead to a major change
in its operational con cept and deployment.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Project Director, Project Horizon, Air
Commodore Perci Edul Virjee of Sweden said that the Saab surveillance
system was one of the most advanced Airborne Early Warning and Control
Systems available with sophisticated sensors and communication suites. The
PAF CAS also revealed that dialogue with China was on for the supply of
four AWACS aircraft to be delivered in the period 2011 to 2012. These
would be based on the China-built Il76 platforms. PAF is also to receive
18 F16 aircraft by July 2010 as well as surface-to-air missile systems by
the end of next year. The new JF17 Thunder squadron would be made
operational by mid-2010.
F35 Joint Strike Fighter F-35 Fighter Programme in Turbulence
As confirmed in a Pentagon testimony before the Senate Armed Services
Committee of the US Congress, the cost of the tri-service, nine-nation
Lockheed Martin F35 Joint Strike Fighter programme has increa sed 60 to 90
per cent in real terms since 2001. The estimated price of the aircraft has
jumped from $50 million to $113 million.
The programme could eventually cost $323 billion, nearly twice the
original estimate of $200 billion, which is likely to trigger a review of
alternatives under the Nunn-McCurdy statute that is designed to curtail
cost growth in American weapons procurement programs. The statute requires
increase of more than 15 per cent to be notified to the United States
Congress and calls for the termination of programmes whose total cost
grows by more than 25 per cent over the original estimate, unless the
Secretary of Defence submits a detailed report certifying that the
programme is essential to national security, that no suitable alternative
of lesser cost is available, that new estimates of total programme costs
are reasonable and that the management structure is adequate to control
costs. The state-of-the art fighter is likely to be ready for inducti on
into the US Air Force in 2015, two years behind schedule.
The F35 Lightning II, a single-engine stealth fighter, is to be the
backbone of American and allied air forces over the next several decades.
The USAF, the US Navy and the US Marine Corps plan to acquire 2,443 of
these planes. NAVAL SYSTEMS BrahMos Crosses Historic Milestone
The Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile pr ogramme crossed
another milestone achieving manoeuverability at supersonic speeds, a
complex technical task. The missile, which has been tested in various
configurations, was successfully test fired from a newly developed,
state-of-the-art, vertical launcher onboard the Indian Navy's Kashin-class
destroyer, INS Ranvir. The missile slammed into the target ship INS Meen
in the Bay of Bengal. The launch met all mission requirements and was
completely successful. The test proved it was possible to manoeuvre the
missile at supersonic speeds before hitting the target.
The Join t Venture company has also developed and patented the Universal
Vertical Launcher, from which the missile was launched. The vertical
launcher will fit under the warship's deck which will protect it from
atmospheric conditions and also impart stealth advantages to the ship. The
vertical launcher allows the missile to provide 360 degree coverage. The
existing versions of the Brahmos are launched in inclined configurations.
The missile, which has a range of 290 km and flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach,
can take on a target lying anywhere in the 360-degree range of the ship.
It is capable of carrying conventional warheads up to 300 kg. The missile,
developed as a land attack version for the Indian Army, is available in
various ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore versions with the Indian Navy.
Indian Navy Seeks Carrier-based Fighters
The Indian Navy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for an
unspecified number of multi-role, new generation carrier-based fighter
aircraf t to four global aerospace firms including Sweden's SAAB for their
Sea Gripen, which is a naval version of the Gripen JAS39.
Other contenders are the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company for
the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Boeing IDS for their F/A18 Super Hornet and
Dassault for the Rafale. If selected, the new aircraft would in all
likelihood, be deployed aboard the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC),
which is expected to be commissioned around 2018. Of these four
contenders, the Super Hornet and the Rafale have been developed as
carrier-based platforms from the initial design stage while the Typhoon
and the Gripen will require modification.
Gripen JAS39
The new aircraft, which will be in addition to the 16 MiG29Ks that are
under induction, as well as the naval version of the indigenous Light
Combat Aircraft Tejas currently under development. It is understood that
while the MiG29Ks will operate from the 44,570 tonne Admiral Gorshkov
(redesignated I NS Vikramaditya), the Tejas will operate from the first
38,000 tonne IAC currently under construction at the Kochi shipyard. The
Indian Navy's fighter jet complement consists only of the British-made Sea
Harrier jump jets which operate from the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat. The
Harriers will continue to operate as long as the Viraat is operational,
which is till 2019. General Dynamics to Support US Navy
General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General
Dynamics has been awarded a five-year, $21.8 million contract to support
the new US Navy, Air and Missile Defense Command (NAMDC) at Naval Support
Facility, Dahlgren.
General Dynamics will provide expertise to support NAMDC in the areas of
fleet unit-readiness assessments, training, resource and requirements
planning, systems engineering as also science and technology
experimentation. General Dynamics has supported N AMDC since early 2009
when the command was established as the Navy's lead organ ization for
Naval Joint and Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).
Serving as the single warfare centre of excellence to integrate Navy
efforts across the full spectrum of air and missile defence, including air
defence, cruise missile defence and ballistic missile defence, NAMDC
supports the Chief of Naval Operations and fleet component commanders by
integrating technologies, warfighting concepts and command & control.
Dhanush Successful User Trials of Prithvi
A ship-based Prithvi ballistic missile variant, 'Dhanush' with a range of
350 km, and the land-based Prithvi II have been successfully test-fired in
the last week of March 2010. The missiles are capable of carrying both
conventional and nuclear warheads.
Both missiles were fired almost simultaneously as part of user training
trials for the Indian Navy and the Indian Army. While the 'Dhanush' was
fired from the INS Subhadra, in the Bay of Bengal by the Indian Navy, the
Prithvi I I was test-fired from a mobile launcher by the Army at the
Complex 3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur.
The Subhadra is a Sukanya-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy and,
along with INS Suvarna, has been used as a test bed for installation of
the Dhanush launch system. The missile is essentially a Prithvi which is
held in place by the Dhanush launch system installed on the rear-deck of a
ship. The Dhanush system lifts and holds the Prithvi in position on the
ship when it has to be test-fired. MIG29KS for the Indian Navy
Speaking at the induction ceremony of the first batch of MIG-29K held at
INS Hansa, the Indian Navy's shore-based establishment at Dabolim, the
Indian Defence Minister AK Antony stated that over and above the initial
order placed for 16 such fighters, the Indian Navy will get another 29
MiG29K combat jets for carrier-borne operations. The time frame for
procurement of these additional jets was not stated. However, it is
understood that the contract which has received clearance from the Cabinet
Committee on Security, is valued at $1.2 billion.
The induction ceremony was marked by a spectacular fly past performed by
the newly inducted fighter aircraft. Antony along with the Chief of Naval
Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, and several other dignitaries from India and
Russia were present on the occasion. It is understood that the four jets
inducted in the first batch will soon be joined by another two that are
currently undergoing tests. Ten more will be received over the coming
months. Enhancement of the MiG29K contract has ramifications for the
Indian Air Force's $11 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft contract
on account of commonality between the MiG-29K and the MiG-35, which is a
contender for the MMRCA tender. With a capability to carry a variety of
air-to-air missiles, including beyond visual range missiles as well as a
host of air-to-surface weapons, the fourth generation plus Mi G29K is a
capable platform.
Mig-29K LAND SYSTEMS Saab Signs Support Contract with the British Army
In a deal that covers maintenance and support of delivered training
systems used by British Army, Saab has signed a support contract with the
British Army amounting to approximately MSEK 150. This contract is an
extension of existing support contract and enables the British Army high
performance combat training on the training areas in UK, Canada and
Germany. Saab will provide the service for a period of two years with the
option of an extension.
Earlier this year in January, Saab received an order of the RBS 70
ground-based air defence system for the Finnish Army. First deliveries of
the order, which has a value of MSEK 260, are scheduled for 2011. "This is
very positive and it further proves the capability of the RBS 70 system
which until now has been exported to 18 countries located on all five
continents," says Tomas Samuelsson, Head of Busine ss Area Dynamics, Saab.
DRDO Looks Beyond Agni III
The successful fourth test flight of the Agni-III conducted by the Indian
Army was an important milestone that has clarified a few issues beyond
doubt. The Agni III is now a proven missile.
Agni III
The missile, tested for its full range and integrated strategic command
network, is likely to undergo a few more tests and eventually be inducted
into the Indian Army in two years. This system establishes the maturity of
the country's nuclear deterrence programme and its second-strike
capability. Even though the missile did not carry a live warhead, its
nuclear triggering mechanism performed well detonating chemical explosives
instead of a nuclear warhead.
The Agni III, a 50-tonne, 17 meter long, two-stage solid-fuel missile can
carry a payload of 1.5 tonne. Equipped with a sophisticated computer
system as also advanced navigational and guidance systems, the Agni III is
a stepping stone to the next int ermediate range ballistic missile, the
5,000 km Agni V. Army Tests Agni-I Ballistic Missile
On March 28, 2010, the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army
successfully test-fired from a rail mobile launcher, the 700 km range
nuclear-capable Agni I Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) from the
Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Orissa.
The guidance and re-entry system having worked well, Agni-I incorporates
new guidance and control systems and there are also significant
improvements in its re-entry technology and manoeuverability. As per ITR
Director, S.P. Dash, the Agni I missile system met all parameters.
Logistics back-up was provided by the Defence Research Development
Organisation (DRDO).
The 12-tonne, 15-metre tall Agni I missile can carry a tonne of
conventional or nuclear payload to most targets in Pakistan without having
to be deployed at the borders. The surface-to-surface, single-stage
missile is powered by solid prop ellants and has already been inducted
into the Indian Army. L&T - Raytheon to Upgrade 72 Tanks
At Defexpo 2010, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) and Raytheon
Company disclosed that they have submitted an L&T-led proposal to
upgrade the fleet of T72 tanks of the Indian Army. Raytheon will provide
infrared imaging sights and electronics that will greatly improve target
accuracy and enhance the overall lethality of the system. Raytheon has
provided 20,000 thermal sights to more than 15 countries. The two
companies are jointly exploring other opportunities to provide net-centric
modernization defence solutions to meet the growing demands both globally
and in India. L&T, which has a track record of dev elopment of fire
control systems across multiple weapon systems in land, naval and air
defence applications, will provide fire control system and sensors. It
will accomplish the final integration and will provide customer support.
L& ;amp;T is the only Indian company in the private sector that is leading
the tank upgrade program. This project would lead to new avenues in the
Indian and global defence markets for both the partners working together.
Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and
innovation leader specializing in defence, homeland security and other
government markets throughout the world. Raytheon provides
state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other
capabilities in the areas of sensing, effects and command, control,
communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of
mission support services. With its headquarters in Waltham, Mass, Raytheon
has 75,000 employees worldwide while L&T, one of the largest and most
respected companies in India's private sector, is an $8.5 billion
technology, engineering and construction group with global operations.
72 Tanks Light-weight Howitzers for India
Defense Sec urity Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the Pentagon has notified
the US Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to India of 145
M777 155 mm Light-weight Towed Howitzers with Laser Inertial Artillery
Pointing Systems (LINAPS) and associated equipment, training and
logistical support for approximately $647 million. The principal
contractors will be BAE Systems, Watervliet Arsenal, Seiler Instrument
Company, Triumph Actuation Systems, Taylor Devices, Hutchinson Industries
and UK-based Selex.
M777 Howitzer
PAC3 Missiles
India is currently upgrading its armed forces to maintain parity with
China, which has one of the world's largest defence spending programmes
and Pakistan, which receives defence equipment gratis from the US and at
discounted rates from China. The Howitzers will improve inter-operability
with American forces which also use the M777 as their primary means of
indirect fire. The Indian Army badly needs new artillery systems as its
last su ch acquisition was made from Bofors in 1986. US Army Order for
PAC3 missiles
Lockheed Martin has received an order worth $556 million from the US Army
Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) for hardware and services associated
with the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC3) missiles. The contract
includes production of 148 hit-to-kill PAC3 missiles, 17 launcher
modification kits, spares and other equipment, as well as programme
management and engineering services. It expects to complete deliveries on
the contract by July 2010.
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected ATV
As part of the contract, Lockheed Martin will also be delivering equipment
designed to upgrade all US Army Patriot batteries to the current
Configuration3 capability, which will essentially allow all Patriot
batteries to deploy the PAC3 missile. Lockheed says that the PAC3 missile
is the world's most advanced and powerful theatre air defence missile,
which is capable of defeating all forms of tactica l ballistic missiles,
evolving cruise missiles and fixed and rotary winged aircraft. Indian Army
RFI for All-terrain Vehicles
Seeking to acquire a large number of specialist vehicles to provide high
mobility for its troops in all types of terrain, such as high altitude
snow-bound areas, marshes, creeks, beaches and deserts, the Indian Army
has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to manufacturers, both domestic
and foreign, for high utility vehicles with capability to carry ten fully
armed personnel.
The RFI, however, does not specify the exact number of vehicles required,
but wants the manufacturers to state their ability to supply them and in
case of foreign vendors, transfer technology for manufacturing within
India. The Army will seek to procure both wheeled and tracked all-terrain
vehicles with convertible rack and seat systems.
Corner Shot Indian Army Seeks Corner Shot Weapons
It is understood that the Army has floated a Request for Inform ation
(RFI) to acquire Corner Shot weapons for its special forces to various
companies around the world for the supply of unspecified numbers of such a
weapon system able to effectively engage targets beyond 200 metres. Corner
Shot weapons enable the user to observe and engage a target from around a
corner, especially in situations like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The
supplier will also need to consider licenced production in India.
Corner Shot weapons are equipped with small, high-resolution cameras and a
monitor that can observe and view a target from various angles. The weapon
allows shooters to track a hostile element around a corner with the help
of a video camera mounted on the gun, which can swivel 63 degrees on
either side. The weapon, designed by former Israeli Army officers, is
manufactured by Miami-based Corner Shot Holdings with offices in Israel.
The weapon has been sold in 15 countries around the world. SPACE AND
NUCLEAR Boeing Seeks Alliance with IS RO
Boeing has shown preliminary interest in seeking an alliance with the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the domain of communication
satellites. However, as ISRO already has an existing alliance wi th
European aerospace and defence giant EADS, the former would have to
clearly define areas of cooperation and operate within its limits to avoid
conflict of interests. The two entities may, however explore other
opportunities. ISRO is also exploring possibility of collaboration with
Astrium in other areas such as in the field of earth observation.
INSAT-4CR ISRO t Launch Communication Satellite
ISRO will launch a dedicated satellite next year carrying a large S-band
transponder that will provide satellite phone services considerably
reducing dependence on foreign sources.
ISRO has already designed a high-beam antenna and is in the process of
building it. The antenna will be deployed on board the satellite. Once
launched, India will become a major player as a provider of satellite
phone services, and domestically, it would also help bring down prices of
such services. Presently, foreign satellites are being used for satellite
phone services in the country.GSLV Mark II
On being queried about the weaponisation of the space programme, former
Chairman ISRO, G. Madhavan Nair said that effective measures were being
taken to protect the country's space assets. China had tested its
Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons. Russian Technology for Manned Spaceship
Extending strategic ties into the civilian arena, Russia will now
cooperate with India by helping it to build an indigenously designed
manned spaceship by 2020. Russian space agency officials said that they
would share technology used in developing Russian Soyuz spacecraft with
India. The Soyuz is heavier and cannot be launched by a light Indian
booster. Design of ISRO's manned spacecraft began in October 2006, with
the aim of launching a two-man capsule i nto orbit by 2015. The launch
vehicle would be an advanced version of the Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II, with a structurally-strengthened upper
stage to accommodate the heavier low-earth-orbit manned capsule, as
compared to the lighter, standard, geosynchronous-transfer-orbit satellite
payload. The capsule will accommodate a crew of two, possibly three.
Though the GSLV Mark II can hoist 4.6 tonne, the manned capsule may only
be between 2.5 to 3 tonne.
As part of the cooperation programme, India will receive assistance in
crew selection and training from Russia under an agreement signed in March
2008. In preparation for the mission, a space flight of an Indian
astronaut aboard a Soyuz capsule around 2012, is also under consideration.
The small size of the Indian space capsule may also allow ISRO to use it
for a manned flight to the moon.
GSLV Mark III ISRO Tests Third Largest Rocket Booster
The Indian Space Research Organisation h as successfully conducted a
static test of the S-200, the largest solid booster developed by it, which
will used in a strap-on mode on the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch
Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III). The test was conducted at the Satish
Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
The S-200 is the third largest solid booster in the world, next only to
the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) solid booster of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Shuttle and the P230
solid booster of Ariane5 of the European Arianespace.
The GSLV Mk III will be used for launching heavy satellites in the
four-tonne class in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee of
about 200 km and an apogee of 36,000 km. Alternately, it can insert a
10-tonne satellite in a near-earth orbit at an altitude of about 300 km.
The GSLV Mk III has three stages with the twin boosters, S200, forming the
first stage. The boosters are wrapped around the second stage which uses
li quid fuel. The third stage uses a cryogenic motor. The S200 is so named
as it uses 200 tonnes of solid propellants. The first flight of the GSLV
Mk III which stands 43.5 metres tall and will weigh 630 tonnes, is
expected by the end of 2011. The world's leading trade show for naval
defence and maritime safety
The 22nd Euronaval show will be held from 25 to 29 October 2010 at the
Paris-Le Bourget exhibition centre (France).
Organized under the joint patronage of the French Ministry of Defence and
Secretariat of State for the Sea, Euronaval is one of the most important
events on the naval and maritime industry calendar.
Euronaval has traditionally covered missions ranging from naval
sovereignty to State actions at sea and maritime safety & security,
including the enforcement of public order at sea, marine, maritime &
fisheries policing and maritime & coastal surveillance.
Euronaval is also a leading event for naval drone (UXV) manufacturers and
satellite applications, including communications, navigation, weather,
defence and security.
Euronaval 2010 will also focus on maritime domain, including shipbuilding
and dismantling, through-life support, energy systems and ecological
considerations. This broader coverage reflects the global challenges
facing the maritime world and the growing importance of sustainable
development in maritime trade and shipping. Indian Defence Review will
exhibit as media partner at Euronaval 2010.
Euronaval exhibition will welcome leaders of the industry from across the
world. To date, countries expected to exhibit at Euronaval 2010 include
Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Finland, France,
Germany, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South
Korea, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey, UEA, United Kingdom, USA.
As the world's premier naval event, the Show offers significant networking
opportunities to all i ndustry players, allowing visitors and exhibitors
to build effective business relations and foster ambitious industrial
Euronaval is more than ever THE place to discover the latest innovations
and technologies, THE business meeting-place of the naval and maritime
sector between industry and decision-makers, and between companies, and
THE crossroads for reflection on naval and maritime world. BAE SYSTEMS
Readiness and Sustainment Contract
BAE Systems has won a four-year contract worth Pounds111 million from the
UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) to support and maintain the 28 new Hawk
Advanced Jet Tra iner (AJT) aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force.
The contract underlines the company's capabilities in the area of
readiness and sustainment and is the latest in a number of significant
military aircraft support contracts awarded by the MOD in the last 12
months. Totalling Pounds1.5 billion the contracts are; Hawk In-Service
Support, Harrier Pla tform Availability Contract (HPAC), Typhoon
Availability Service (TAS) and Radar and Defensive Aids Sub Systems
(RDASS) for Typhoon. Readiness and sustainment activity accounts for
around 40 per cent of BAE Systems' revenue in 2009.
This latest contract, also known as Hawk In-Service Support (ISS) means
that BAE Systems is responsible for ensuring the AJT fleet, also known as
Hawk TMk2, is available for training the RAF's fast jet pilots at RAF
Valley. The contract runs until 2014 and builds upon the success that BAE
Systems has had supporting the Hawk TMkl aircraft and other a ircraft
including the Tornado and Harrier.
The UK's RAF received the first of its 28 Hawk TMk2 aircraft in the summer
of 2009. With 22 aircraft delivered to date the final aircraft will be
delivered to the RAF this year.
Martin Rushton, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Training & Hawk UK
business, said: "Signature of the Hawk ISS contact represents recognition
of BAE Systems' readiness and sustainment capabilities and is a
significant milestone for the joint MOD, RAF and BAE Systems team. This
contract provides an effective and flexible service at an affordable price
enabling our future pilots to perform their essential training in
readiness for future fast jet aircraft including Typhoon and F-35
Lightning II."
BAE Systems currently supports the RAF's Hawk TMkl fleet at RAF Valley on
Anglesey in Wales.
Over 900 Hawk aircraft have been sold, or are on order, and the aircraft
is currently helping produce highly trained pilots across 25 countries
worldwide. The Hawk produces less noise and emissions than any other jet
trainer and has lower acquisition, operating and support costs than any
other jet trainer. KMW Krauss-Maffei Wegmann German Army orders 44 DINGO 2
GSI mobile workshop vehicles
The German Defence Procurement Agency (BWB) has commissioned Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann (KMW) to supply44 all-protected battle dam age repair vehicles
based on the DINGO 2. The task of the battle damage repair contingent (in
German GSI contingent) is to eliminate combat and wear damage to vehicles
as fast as possible and restore their ability to function. To protect the
three-man crew also on foreign missions such as Afghanistan, they will be
equipped with the newly developed DINGO 2 GSI. Consequently, the entire
order will be delivered to the German Army by the end of 2010. Ideal
Platform for Transport and Logistics Deployments
"With the DINGO 2 GSI the army obtains a vehicle that is the ideal
platform for logistics deployments and possesses at the same time the high
protection of the DINGO 2, which has already successfully proven its worth
on repeated occasions", says Frank Haun, CEO and Chairman of the Board of
All-protected battle damage repair vehicles DINGO 2 GSI Up to Two Tons
The new DINGO version has an all-protected crew cabin with room for three
peo ple (driver, gunner and maintenance sergeant). It provides maximum
protection against explosive charges (IEDs), anti-personnel and anti-tank
mines, modern firearms, shrapnel and NBC warfare agents.
In addition, the mobile workshop is equipped with an integrated storage
system on the payload area in which tools, machinery and wearing and spare
parts can be transported. Moreover, the DINGO 2 GSI has its own generator
to produce electricity.
To protect themselves all 44 DINGO 2 GSI vehicles have a remote controlled
KMW-FLW100 light weapon station. The gunner operates it from the protected
interior and can use it even while driving at high speed in difficult
terrain in a very precisely and controlled. 41 All-protected Personnel and
Material Transporters Ordered
The BWB only recently ordered 41 DINGO 2 vehicles in the all-protected
personnel and material transporter configuration, which the German Army
will deploy in Afghanistan. KMW will also deliver these v ehicles to the
army by the end of the year.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for
armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece,
the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3400 employees manufacture
and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily
armoured wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, AMPV*, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER*) through
reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD,
LeFlaSys*, Armoured Howitzer 2000, AGM and DONAR) to heavy battle tanks
(LEOPARD 1 and 2), infantry fighting vehicles (PUMA*) and bridge-laying
systems (LEGUAN). In addition, KMW has wide-ranging system competence in
the area of civil and military simulation, as well as in command and
information systems and remote-controlled weapon stations with
reconnaissance and observation equipment for day and night missions. The
armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on the operational
systems by KM W. HARRIS (R) assuredcommunications (R) Terminal Provides
Increased Bandwidth Onboard Guided Missile Destroyers
Harris Corporation has completed the operational test of the first U.S.
Navy satellite communications terminal to simultaneously provide standard
military X-band communications and higher-speed Ka-band communications
through a single dual-band feed. The AN/WSC-6G(V)9 terminal is designed
for use onboard the Navy's Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile
The addition of Ka-band capabilities to the terminals is important because
it enables the Navy fleet to take advantage of the increased bandwidth and
higher data rates available on the next-generation Wideband Global SATCOM
(WGS) satellite constellation. WGS represents a major improvement in
communications bandwidth and can supply more than 10 times the capacity of
existing legacy systems.
Successful completion of the operational test, as well as environmental
qualification and militar y satellite certification, enables the Navy to
begin fielding systems. The milestone represents the last phase of a
10-year, $172 million contract awarded to Harris in 2000 by the U.S. Navy
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), San Diego.
The Harris AN/WSC-6E(V)9 "Ka-ready" terminals currently installed
throughout the fleet can now be upgraded from C-/X-band to include the
Ka-band communications capabilities through pier-side installation of a
Ka-band electronics kit. Fielding of Ka-band kits is expected to begin in
the U.S. Government's fiscal year 2011.
"Successful completion of this critical test is a defining milestone in
this program, which is designed to provide the Navy with the best
capabilities for its satellite communications network backbone," said Wes
Covell, president, Harris Defense Programs. "This program is an excellent
example of the long-term confidence the Navy has in Harris products and
services, and of o ur commitment to being the leading supplier of advanced
satellite communications technology to our naval forces."
Harris Defense Programs develops, supplies, and integrates communications
and information processing products, systems, and networks for a diverse
base of aerospace, terrestrial and maritime applications supporting U.S.
Department of Defense missions. Harris is committed to delivering
leading-edge technologies that support the military's ongoing
transformation to network-centric communications. MBDA MISSILE SYSTEMS
Greater protection for the Rafale
MBDA can now present the first images obtained by its DDM NG detection
system which has been flying on the Rafale since summer 2009 at the DGA's
(Direction Generale de l'Armement) test flight centre in Cazaux (situated
75km from Bordeaux). Achieved within the timeframe agreed when the
development of DDM NG was launched at the end of 2007, this first
programme of flight trials has produced extremely c onvincing results. As
a result, the DGA has ordered DDM NG equipments for the 60 Rafale combat
aircraft which were ordered in December 2009 for delivery commencing in
The concept behind DDM NG is the ability to detect incoming attacking
missiles from any direction and angle of attack with regard to the host
aircraft. It will succeed the current DDM system on the Rafale as a "form,
fit and function" replacement. DDM NG incorporates a new infrared array
detector which enhances performance with regard to the range at which a
missile firing will be detected, offers improved rejection of false alarms
and gives an angular localisation capability which will be compatible with
the future use of Directional Infra Red Counter Measures (DIRCM). With two
sensors, each equipped with a fish-eye lens, DDM NG provides a spherical
field of view around the aircraft.
DDM NG benefits from over 30 years of unequalled experience in France in
the area of infrared miss ile detectors, historically associated with the
challenge of providing nuclear strike aircraft with fully discrete
protection when having to penetrate deep into enemy territory. The quality
of DDM NG's detection algorithms and its very low false alarm rate, allows
it to be effectively incorporated within an integrated aircraft
self-protection system such as SPECTRA (Systeme de Protection et
d'Evitement des Conduites de Tir Rafale) and to automate the sequence of
countermeasures. Operating in passive infrared, DDM NG has no
electromagnetic compatibility issues with other sensors and can therefore
be easily integrated into all aircraft platforms. 2 nd Bengaluru Space
Expo 2010 Redefining Universe
Satellites and Space - the not so acknowledged sector is one of the most
contributing sector for the development, technological advancement and
growth of any given economy. Today Space is not limited to earth &
other planetary observations and life sciences but provides the strong
base and support systems for a more technological world with a
introduction of DTH, telecom, disaster management and GPS Navigation
systems etc. This becomes evident with commercial space sector
experiencing unprecedented growth over the past decade. The increasing
capacity in the launch services across the world has helped in bringing
down the cost of commercial space launches drastically. This entire
exercise has contributed positively to social development - leading to
better standard of living around the globe. Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX)
The second edition of Asia's only focused exhibition on Space
Technologies, Products and Innovations organised by Confederation of
Indian Industry in association with Antrix Corp & India Space Research
organisation (ISRO) is scheduled from 25 th -28 th August 2010 at BIEC,
Bengaluru, India. BSX 2010 will be showcasing the latest technological
advancements, products and technical services providing a platfo rm for
space agencies, specialists, entrepreneurs and space industry heavyweights
to display their visions. Today India is one of the handful of countries
that has the capacity to launch satellites leading other co untries to
look at India to use the facilities available. Nevertheless India is now
poised to be major player in global satellite manufacturing. The
successful launch of the country's maiden unmanned moon mission
Chandrayaan-1, has positioned India as a strong player in the sector. With
increased private sector participation in the country's moon mission, the
launch has also highlighted the competitive advantage provided by Indian
aerospace industry. With the current scenario of unorganized market in the
sector & few industry heavyweights and government space agency BSX
2010 (together with ISRO & Antrix) aims to organize market, provide a
unique platform for partnerships, initiate more international
collaborations, universal growth for Asian and al l countries, educating
masses of the important role played by Space in our day to day lives.
The previous Bengaluru Space Expo, held in Bengaluru November '08, had
witnessed the encouraging participation from the Space Industry around the
globe. The event recorded attendance of over 2500 business visitors
besides the participation from over 18 countries - Austria, Brunei,
Denmark, France, Hongkong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia,
Netherlands, Russia, Peru, Singapore, Sudan, UK, Ukraine, USA etc. Indian
Defence Review will exhibit as media partner at Bengaluru Space Expo 2010
Some of the major participants at BSX 2008 included Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, ECIL, Bharat Electronics limited, TATA Advanced Materials,
Spacekey Components USA, Omnetics Connector Corporation-USA, GPV Printca
A/S-Denmark, Arianespace-France, Infinisat (USA), European Space Agency,
Israeli Space Agency, Thaicom, Yuzhnove (Ukraine), ScanEx (Russia),
Intelsat, Avanti Communic ations Group plc, MEASAT, Asia Broadcast
Satellite (HK) Limited, Hong Kong, Spectrolab Inc. (a Boeing company),
Thales Alienia, New India Assurance, Sea International Space Brokers,
Space Corporation (USA), United Space Alliance (USA), AON space, Zee, TATA
Sky, Marsh Space Projects etc and many more companies from different parts
of the world are either exhibiting or participating in the conference.
(Description of Source: New Delhi Indian Defence Review in English --
Quarterly magazine on defense issues. Most writers are retired senior
military generals.)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
11) Back to Top
Yeni Ozgur Politika Headlines 14 July 2010
The following is a list o f news headlines from the Yeni Ozgur Politika
website on 14 July; to request additional processing, please contact OSC
at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, fax (703) 613-5735, or
firstname.lastname@example.com - Yeni Ozgur Politika Online
Saturday July 17, 2010 18:52:32 GMT
Mountains Banned to Civilians! - While, parallel with the surge of
military operations, the Turkish General Staff has declared some regions
in Sert (Siirt), Sirnex (Sirnak) and Colemerg (Hakkari) to be "temporary
security zones," it has also extended the banning on some areas that were
previously declared off-limits.
Kurkcu: "Peace Process Not Severed - Writer Ertugrul Kurkcu said that the
guns will fall silent if the solutions to the Kurdish issue set forward by
Ocalan are taken into account.
Cold Face of the Boycott - BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) Co-Chairman
Demirtas: "Is there any reason to come to us 30 years after the passing of
the 12 September constitution, a constitution predicated on the belief
that there is one language, one nation, that everyone is a Turk and that
there is only one ethnicity, and ask us to lend our approval?"
Beyond News: Sociology Should Be Ashamed! - It is known that the political
movement that has assumed responsibility for the struggle of the Northern
Kurds, that has taken on the leadership role, has also considered "a
voluntary and equal union" to be an option.
State Will Pay the Price - The Turkish Army is using chemical weapons
against Kurdish guerillas. For days now the Kurds have been protesting
this savage practice and are standing against the acts carried out on our
dead. Intellectuals who live in Europe are also condemning the savagery
and are announcing that the state will be made to pay for this.
14 July Call from KCK (Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan) - The KCK is
calling on the people to rise up in rebellion and to back the preparations
to announce a democratic autonomy.
Ozan Vicdani Passes Away - Ozan Vicdani, one of the legendary names among
all asik s (minstrels) has been conquered by a merciless disease. In an
interview published two weeks ago in our paper, Vicdani -- who managed to
squeeze hundreds of poems into his 70 years of life -- said, "I want them
to say that once there was a Vicdani."
Tens of Thousands Attend July Festival - The July Festival of Culture and
Art organized by the Samandag Development Association ended with a concert
y by Ferhat Tunc that was attended by approximately 40,000 people.
Cilo's Height Meets with Art - Supported both by the Colemerg (Hakkari)
Mayorality and by some of Gever's (Yuksekova) non-governmental
organizations, the Gever Mayoralty is organizing the First Cilo Culture
and Art Days with the theme of "We are bringing together the height of
Cilo with art." Kor v e Ates
(Embers and Fire) journeys to Amed (Diyarbakir) - A play called Kor ve
Ates that was performed in Hewler (Arbil), the capital of the Kurdistan
Region, and Duhok will be performed in Amed on the invitation of the
Diyarbakir Center for Arts and Culture.
"Trial of Shame" Village Guard Makes Threats - Following the 33 rd session
of the N.C. trial known among the public as the "trial of shame,"
defendant and village guard Mehmut Temelli, who is being tried without
being held in detention, threatened both Caglar Demirel, the Mayor of
Derik, and N.C.'s lawyer, Reyhan Yalcindag.
Bakirci Doesn`t Think With His Brain - Announcing their intention to issue
a criminal complaint against AKP (Justice Development Party) Rize Mayor
Halil Bakirci, who insulted Kurds, the Women's Commission of the
Diyarbakir branch of KESK (Confederation of Public Sectors Workers Unions)
said, "Bakirci doesn`t think with his brain, his thoughts originate from
below his belt."
Their Bodies Were Desecrated - Sexual torture that is used as a weapon
against women in Turkey has provoked many suicides. Most women have not
been able to describe what has happened to them and there are still no
statistics regarding those women who were sexually abused by state forces.
And... We Are at a Guerrilla Check Point - He gives a half-comic response
to our request to take a photograph: "Anyway, the herons are already
photographing us 24 hours a day, so one more photograph can't do much
harm," he says. Even though he has been targeted many times in attacks, he
is a guerrilla who is very easy and cheerful.
Kurdish Youth Again First in the School! - Just as he had last year,
Kurdistani Ridvan Uludag, who is continuing his education in the
Geschwister-Scholl-Schule in Bermstedt, Germany, held onto his first place
position in school achievement.
Do Not Remain Indifferent Against Savagery! - HPG (People`s Defense
Forces) guerillas Abdullah Hezer, Abdurahman Bozdag, and Sitki Tanriverdi,
who were killed in action, were commemorated in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
World Population Will be 8 Billion by 2025 - According to UN data, by 2025
world population will reach eight billion in 2025, and even though a drop
in population increase is expected, this figure will top nine billion by
"Erdogan Wants to Win Back His Constituency" - Erdogan tried to make
himself into a hero, but at the same time he did not want to harm his
relationships with Israel. The Israeli government and its media are
demanding that Erdogan explain the statements he has made against Israel.
It is for that reason that secret meetings were arranged."
Second Arrest Decision for Al-Bashir - The International Criminal Court
has issued a second arrest notice for Sudan President Omar Hassan
al-Bashir, charging him with genocide in Darfur.
Cap Against Oil Leak - A new ray of hope has appeared that the petrol leak
that is poisoning the natural life of the Gulf of Mexico will be able to
be stopped. Kurdish News:
Makhmur Condemns Savage Attacks - A massive march was carried out in the
Makhmur refugee camp to protest the savagery of the Turkish army in the
desecration of the bodies of dead HPG members. Thousands of Makhmuri
people, aging from seven to 70, joined in the march.
March for Nature - Nature marches are being organized to protest against
all of the bans, military operations and massacres in Dersim (Tunceli).
Religious people also gathered on the Buyer Baba Mountain in Dersim to
pray for a stop to the operation and dams.
"We Will Protect Our Achievements - PJAK (Free Life Party of Kurdistan)
announced that they are ready to protect, with all their strength, the
national achievements Kurdish people in all of Kurdistan.
"Ocalan's Solutions Will Silence the Guns" - Writer and intellectual
Ertugrul Ku rkcu, one of the leaders of the `68 era, stated that the guns
will fall silent if the proposals put forward by PKK leader Abdullah
Ocalan are taken into account..
Unrest Gradually Growing - The people are becoming increasingly concerned
about the desecration of the corpses of HPG members. A protest march was
also held in the Akdeniz and Toroslar districts of Mersin.
War Supporters Will Be Held to Account - Demirtas stated that they will
accept neither the constitution of Kenan Evren nor the constitution of
Tayyip Erdogan, for their demand is for a constitution of the people.
Demirtas condemned the disrespect shown towards the dead bodies of HPG
members and said that one day Erdogan and all war supporters will be held
Sick Prisoner Await Support - In an effort to draw attention to the health
conditions of sick prisoners, the Mersin branch of the IHD is preparing a
dossier about the ill prisoners and will be sending it to the relevant
officia ls.W
Publishes Letters from Prisons - The latest issue ofW magazine has now
been published.W has devoted most of this edition to writings by
Iraq Sends Warning Delegation - The Iraqi government has released a
statement saying that they will send a delegation on behalf of the Iraqi
central government to warn Turkey about its violations of Iraqi territory.
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Sultan Qaboos of Oman Visits Kuwait
"Sultan Qaboos of Oman Visits Kuwait" -- KUNA Headline - KUNA Online
Thursday June 17, 2010 11:57:22 GMT
(KUWAIT NEWS AG ENCY) - KUWAIT, June 17 (KUNA) -- Sultan Qaboos bin Said
of Oman began on Thursday a four-day visit to Kuwait, during which he will
hold talks with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah.The two leaders will discuss cooperation between the two
countries, in addition to regional and international issues of common
interest.Kuwait and Muscat have the same views regarding many issues.The
two leaderships are wise and maintain moderate policies.In December 2009,
His Highness the Amir decorated Sultan Qaboos, during his visit to Kuwait,
with Mubarak Al-Kabeer Medal, while Sultan Qaboos decorated Sheikh Sabah
with Oman's First Class Civilian Medal.The exchange of medals showed the
strength of the historic Kuwaiti-Omani ties.During the Iraqi occupation of
Kuwait in 1990-91, Oman was a strong supporter to the state of Kuwait and
hosted many Kuwaitis.In 1991, the sultanate of Oman took part in the
liberation of Kuwait, a stance that will not be forgotten by Kuwai tis.The
two countries' relations witnessed continuous development in all fields,
especially at the economic level.In March 2001, Kuwait and Oman agreed on
forming a joint committee for economic, trade, and tourism issues.The
committee, headed by the Omani and Kuwaiti foreign ministers, discussed
cooperation in the fields of security, trade, industry, tourism, oil, gas,
private sector, social development, and manpower.According to Omani
statistics, trade exchange between the two countries is increasing.Omani
officials stressed in several occasions that the ties between the two
countries were strong.Statistics of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic
Development (KFAED) show that the state provided 22 loans to Oman, with a
total value of KD 164.6 million.The loans were used to fund projects in
the fields of communication, industry, energy, water, sewage, and
transportation.Sultan Qaboos, who is the eights sultan of Oman, was born
in November 18, 1940 in Salalah, in the Omani governora te of Thafar.He
studied in his early years in Oman and in September 1958, he was sent by
his father to get education on England.He studied for two years in the
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst then joined a British Infantry regiment,
The Cameronians, and served in the 1st Battalion in Germany for six
months.After returning to Oman from Britain, Sultan Qaboos studies local
rule for one year, then attending specialized training courses on
administration.Later, he went on a three-month tour around the world,
before returning to Oman in 1964.Along the next six years, until he became
sultan on July 23, 1970, the Omani leader studies Islamic history, the
history of Oman, and environmental issues.Sultan Qaboos currently supports
several cultural projects locally, regionally, and internationally,
whether through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) or other organizations.One of those projects is
Sultan Qaboos Encyclopedia of Arab Names and Su ltan Qaboos Prize for
Environmental Preservation which is given through the UNESCO every two
years.Sultan Qaboos was able to stress national unity and to end the
rebellion in Thafar in 1975.In October 1998, he received an international
peace award from 33 organizations, universities, and research and
strategic studies' centers in the United States.(Description of Source:
Kuwait KUNA Online in English -- Official news agency of the Kuwaiti
Government; URL: http://www.kuna.net.kw)
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G8 Nations Accused Over Food Aid Initiatives
"G8 Nations Accused Over Food Aid Initiatives" -- KUNA Headline - KUNA
Thursday June 17, 2010 10:51:54 GMT
(KUWAIT NEWS AGENCY) - (Embargoed to 0001GMT Friday June 18) LONDON, June
17 (KUNA) -- Members of the G8 group of rich nations are falling short of
pledges to deliver more than 20 billion US dollars to support farming and
fight hunger in the world's poorest countries, according to a report
released today. Development charity 'ActionAid' said the credibility of G8
leaders - including Britain's David Cameron - is on the line when they
gather in Canada next week a year after the 22 billion dollar (15 billion
pounds) pledge. At last year's summit in the Italian city of L'Aquila, the
G8 countries - the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and
Russia - signed up to a pledge to "act with the scale and urgency needed
to achieve sustainable global food security". But ActionAid research
suggests that less than one-third of the money pledged is additional to
previ ous aid promises and there is no official information on how much
has actually been delivered. The charity said that it was "staggering"
that it could find no proof of an increase in funds for the agricultural
sector, despite the promises made at L'Aquila. And ActionAid uncovered
examples of the money going to projects which the charity said have little
apparent connection with the battle against hunger, including: :: Spain
providing 15 million dollars to supply Nicaragua's Navy with four patrol
boats, which were classed as agricultural aid because they are intended
for the monitoring of fishing resources. :: Finance from Germany for
biofuel production in South Africa, in the face of evidence that fuel
crops are increasing hunger by diverting land away from food production.
:: Millions of dollars of support for monitoring and countering bird flu,
classified as aid for agriculture.Meanwhile, Canada, France, Germany and
the UK have increased aid. But the overall figu re is dragged down by
reductions in aid for farming from Italy, Japan and the EU. Britain has
committed itself to an additional 110 million dollars (75 million pounds)
for agriculture - an increase of 34% over previous levels - said the
report. But it added: "With the new coalition Government here stepping out
for its first international engagement at the 2010 Canadian G8, David
Cameron's challenge will be to outline how they intend to deliver this
money and honour their pledge."(Description of Source: Kuwait KUNA Online
in English -- Official news agency of the Kuwaiti Government; URL:
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Results Of Bu lgaria Gas Talks Satisfy Each Party-Gazprom Deputy CEO -
Saturday July 17, 2010 21:56:24 GMT
VARNA, Bulgaria, July 18 (Itar-Tass) - The results of the gas talks in
Bulgaria satisfy each party, Gazprom deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said
after the talks on the South Stream roadmap and gas supplies on
Saturday."Our approach to the work is very easy - agreements should be
advantageous for every participant of the talks. Those agreements that
we've reached today are mutually advantageous on all aspects of
cooperation," he said. "Although the talks turned out to be difficult, the
results have been reached and they satisfy each party.""After the Saturday
talks Bulgaria received additional advantages. We've adopted a
comprehensive decision on preferential treatment, resolved the issue of
gas supplies to the country's southeast and taken a decision on extra gas
volumes as compared to the crisis year of 2009," Medvedev said."These
preferences are very beneficial for the Bulgarian side," he said.Gazprom's
top official underlined that the Russian gas giant plans to continue
efforts to develop Bulgaria's gas market, as it is dissatisfied with the
pace of gas equipment installation."The population consumes very little
gas, although the advantages of this fuel are evident from the point of
view of environment and power-generation and simply from the point of view
of the price, especially if it is compared with that of black oil and
other fuels," Medvedev said."Taking into account the preferential
treatment Bulgaria will find itself in a better situation than its
neighbours will do, as the privileges are rather substantial," he
said.Speaking about South Stream Medvedev highlighted that this project
will be profit-making for Bulgaria."Taking into consideration the use of
the exi sting gas pipeline system, the Bulgarian side's revenues are
guaranteed not only until 2030, but even further. The contracts on South
Stream will be concluded beginning from 2015 for 20-25 years as a minimum.
This means that Bulgaria's pipeline network will be fully loaded until
2035-2040," the Gazprom deputy CEO said.In reply to the Itar-Tass question
Medvedev said "the South Stream project is in principle open for new
shareholders.""We do not call anyone to join, but if somebody comes to be
ready to breathe something new in the project, we with our French and
Italian partners will be ready to consider the application. But just now
there is no such need," he said.Medvedev described as ambiguity the
information on the talks on participation of Germany's RWE in the South
Stream project."We did not invite the company RWE to participate in the
South Stream gas pipeline project and there is no need to do this," he
said.The Gazprom official beli eves that at present, there is no
competition on the market of new gas pipelines.Experts say that within
years Europe's gas consumption will grow by 160-200 billion cubic meters,
while the throughput capacity of all gas pipelines - Nord Stream, South
Stream, Nabucco and other sources - will be not enough to meet consumers'
demand."New routes to satisfy Europe's gas demand are still necessary,"
Medvedev said.(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information agency)
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Centenary of Birth of Kim Il Sung to Be Commemorated By CPG - KCNA
Saturday July 17, 201 0 03:53:14 GMT
Centenary of Birth of Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so'ng) to Be Commemorated by CPG
Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- The plenary meeting of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of Germany (CPG) held in Berlin on July 3 discussed
the issue of grandly commemorating the centenary of birth of President Kim
Il Sung.The plenary meeting proposed the issue of the activities of the
German Preparatory Committee for Commemorating the Centenary of Birth of
President Kim Il Sung as a separate agenda item.The meeting decided on
making an interim review of the work of the preparatory committee in
November, issuing its bulletin introducing the brilliant revolutionary
career of the President and his immortal feats and serially carrying his
short biography on the organ of the party and on carrying out the plans of
the central and local party organizations to widely organize such
political and cultural events as a seminar and fi lm show on important
occasions.(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official
DPRK news agency. URL:
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Italy, Germany Donate 1 Million Euros to Assist Yemeni Refugees
Report by Majid al-Kibsi: "Italy and Germany Donate (euro)1,100,000 for
Food aid to Yemen" - Yemen Observer
Saturday July 17, 2010 11:01:27 GMT
"Both countries have been consistently strong supporters of WFP and Yemen
in the past, providing assistance for Somali refugees, malnourished
mothers and children, and severely food insecure families in addition to
conflict affected persons." said Gian Carlo Cirri, WFP Representative. "We
are extremely grateful to Italy and Germany for their financial support
but also for acknowledging the dire situation and raising awareness of
this severely under-funded crisis," Cirri added.
Other donors are also responding to the appeal from humanitarian agencies
to address the increasing needs across the country. Most recently, the
United States announced that it has nearly doubled its humanitarian
assistance to Yemen this year.
Despite the recent support, WFP's funding situation remains dire. For the
Sa'adah operation, the agency is facing a shortfall of US$ 20 million
until the end of 2010. In the current situation, the agency will be forced
to continue distributing reduced rations until food runs out entirely
before the end of October.
The estimated budget based on planned activities for 2010 for al l WFP
Yemen operations is $108 million. Of this budget, nearly $70 million still
needs to be resourced. Without increased support, the agency will be
unable to provide critical monthly food and nutrition support to 3.1
million beneficiaries during the second half of 2010.
According to apres release published by WFP, despite the ceasefire, the
majority of displaced families have yet to return and remain scattered
across the governorates of Hajjah, Amran, Sa'ada, Al Jawf, and Sana'a.
WFP's May 2010 rapid assessment found that if food assistance were to be
suspended, 67% of displaced persons would be considered food insecure, and
1 in 2 would be severely food insecure. The nutrition indicators were of
equal concern, indicating that more than 12% of displaced children are
moderately acute malnourished.
In response, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) extended its
emergency response for some 300,000 persons displaced and affected by the
Sa'adah conflict in northern Yemen. In addition to providing life-saving
food and nutrition support to internally displaced persons, the operation
will expand assistance to returnees and other vulnerable and affected
groups across Sa'ada governorate and Harf Sufyan as soon as access is
granted. WFP is ready to support recovery and reconstruction through cash
or food for work programs if the situation and access allows.
"In recent weeks we have been able to reach Malaheeth in western Sa'ada,
which has been cut off from humanitarian assistance for ten months. This
is an extremely positive however fragile step forward, and we hope to be
able to have more expanded, regular access to the affected areas in order
to better address the humanitarian needs," said Cirri. "Improved services
will also contribute to strengthening the sustainability of the ceasefire
and facilitate the voluntary return of IDPs."
However, critical funding shortfalls for humanitarian agencies in Yemen
have severely challenged the provision of assistance to IDPs and other
vulnerable groups. In May, WFP announced that it would have to cut food
rations by half for all IDPs due to lack of funding and urgently appealed
to donors for increased support. The impact of the ration reductions on
the already vulnerable population has been severe; demonstrations were
reported, the livelihoods of families have further deteriorated, and
increased levels of acute hunger and malnutrition are reported.
UNHCR chair of the Executive Committee of the high commissioner's program
(ExCom), Ambassador Peter Woolcott noticed through his visit to Sa'adah
week ago, that IDPs from Sa'adah long to return to their home. Woolcott no
ted that there are still some crucial issues. "There remain some serious
issues in food, health, education, social and security. These issues we
are facing, came after the international financial crisis that hit the
world," added Woolcott.
( Description of Source: Sanaa Yemen Observer Online in English -- Website
of independent, limited-circulation, twice-weekly newspaper; URL:
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Commentary Urges AU To Rule Somalia for 50 Years To Eliminate Terrorism
Report by Jerry Okungu: "AU Should Occupy Somalia and Rule Her for 50
Years" - The New Vision Online
Saturday July 17, 2010 11:56:08 GMT
(Description of Source: Kampala The New Vision Online in English --
Website of the state-owned daily publishing a diversity of opinion; URL:
http://www.newvision.co .ug/)
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US Singer Pink To Give Her Only Show In Russia Sunday - ITAR-TASS
Saturday July 17, 2010 23:21:46 GMT
ST PTERSBURG, July 18 (Itar-Tass) - U.S. singer Pink will give her only
concert in Russia at St. Petersburg's Stadium Telebashnya on Sunday.NCA
concert agency said Pink concert in Russia during the much-awaited
Funhouse Tour will take place as scheduled after the singer was
hospitalized during a gig in Germany after an on-stage stunt went wrong.
Fortunately, nothing has been broken and the 30-year-old will continue her
tour.Russia's rock group Mumiy Troll and US Good Charlotte will serve as a
warm-up for Pink. The concern in St. Petersburg will take part within the
framework of Tuborg Greenfest.R&B singer/songwriter Pink has sold
around 30 million albums worldwide. According to the world concert
statistics, her Funhouse album with the hit single So What is in the top
five list of the worldwide best-selling tours of the year.Pink was
nominated for three Grammy awards with her studio album Funhouse released
in 2008.(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information agency)
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Ugandan Police To Computerize Crime-R elated Data Following Kampala Bomb
Report by Andrew Bagala: "Police To Use Bio-Metric Systems" - Daily
Monitor Online
Saturday July 17, 2010 11:28:45 GMT
(Description of Source: Kampala Daily Monitor Online in English -- Website
of the independent daily owned by the Kenya-based Nation Media Group; URL:
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