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3 Pakistanis Sentenced to Death
in 2002 Karachi Attack
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South East Asia - Pakistan - Islamabad -
@Pakistani Court - Re: Bus Attack in
Karachi
A Pakistani court has
sentenced three men to death for orchestrating a suicide car-bombing last year,
which killed 11 French engineers in the port city of Karachi. The defense team
is already planning an appeal. The suicide bombing took place in May 2002 in
front of Karachi's Sheraton hotel, where a car packed with explosives rammed a
bus carrying 11 engineers, visiting Pakistan to offer their expertise on
submarine building, who died in the explosion, along with two Pakistanis and
the bomber. Some observers say the group is an offshoot of the banned Harakat
ul-Mujahideen, a Kashmiri militant group listed by the United States as a
terrorist organization. Others believe the movement is a new grouping, created
in opposition to U.S.-Pakistani cooperation in the war on terror.
VOA --30 Jun 2003, 10:30
UTC
Michael Kitchen
Hong
Kong
 Listen
to Michael Kitchen's report (RealAudio)
Kitchen
report - Download 208k (RealAudio)
x
x |
.
A
Pakistani court has sentenced three men to death for orchestrating a suicide
car-bombing last year, which killed 11 French engineers in the port city of
Karachi. The defense team is already planning an appeal.
A
special anti-terrorism court sentenced two Islamic militants to death for
directing a fatal car-bombing in Karachi. A third militant was sentenced to
death in absentia.
The
suicide bombing took place in May in front of Karachi's Sheraton hotel, where a
car packed with explosives rammed a bus carrying 11 French
engineers.
The
engineers, visiting Pakistan to offer their expertise on submarine building,
died in the explosion, along with two Pakistanis and the
bomber.
The
court Monday, convening behind closed doors in a Karachi jail compound for
security reasons, sentenced the militants to hang.
But
defense lawyer MR Sayyad said the prosecution's case was weak, and that the
accused were not given the presumption of innocence. "The evidence was lacking
in confidence. I was hoping that the verdict must be in favor of the accused,"
he said.
Mr.
Sayyad said he will file an appeal and is optimistic about the accused men's
chances. The two men convicted in court maintain they are
innocent.
Reports
link the accused to an anti-Western extremist movement called the Harakt
ul-Mujahideen al-Almi.
Some
observers say the group is an offshoot of the banned Harakat ul-Mujahideen, a
Kashmiri militant group listed by the United States as a terrorist
organization. Others believe the movement is a new grouping, created in
opposition to U.S.-Pakistani cooperation in the war on
terror.
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End of article 1
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Bulgarian Worker Killed in West
Bank; Israeli Forces Ready Bethlehem Pullout
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Middle East - Israel & Palestine -
@Gaza - Israeli Pullout Begins -
Re: the Road Plan
Israeli and Palestinian officials are
working out details for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the West Bank
town of Bethlehem, which reports say could take place on Wednesday. Palestinian
police have taken over security from Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip,
after Israeli forces withdrew overnight, taking down the cement barriers which
had sealed off the area to everyone except soldiers and Jewish settlers for the
past 33 months. The Palestinians are now in control of Beit Hanoun along with
the main north-south highway in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces are still in
place manning a checkpoint near the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom
Comment (HFY): The following
news article indicates that the Israeli pullout from northern Gaza followed or
coincided a declaration by Palestinian militants of a three-month suspension of
attacks on Israelis. It should be noted that Israeli withdrawal was negotiated
with teams of people associated with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas independent of the 3 terrorist
militias. Hamas and Islamic Jihad said their ceasefire depended on Israel
meeting their demands for an end to attacks on Palestinian militants, no more
incursions into Palestinian areas and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel has not agreed to or even participated in the negotiation of these
conditions. It is up to the new Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to resolve and
security issues on his side of the political fence. If he does not, then Israel
will take the necessary action to neutralize the terrorism. However, it is
worrisome that these 3 terrorist organizations have set out such conditions
followed by a cease fire to give the impression that somehow the peace now
depends upon Israel with the implication that the terrorist organizations have
offered an "olive branch" or taken the first move toward peace. In other words
they have "piggy backed" their conditions into the formal
political negotiations and conditions between Israel and Palestine while also
making it easily possible to break the peace on the basis of actions they well
know Israel is committed to take with respect to any kind of terror or failure
on the part of Israel to meet "their" conditions. President Bush, Condoleezza
Rice, and Sharon have all made remarks regarding the complete dismantling of
these terrorist organizations. Israel has already clearly indicated that it's
policy towards these terrorist organizations will remain in tact. It is these
organizations that are considered to be the reason peace has not yet been
achieved. However, the BBC news article implies that the withdrawl depended
upon the cease fire which is an entirely false statement. The term "followed"
was used which denotes a kind of dependency. What that term is supposed to
actually mean is the issue here. Perhaps "dependency" was not intended.
Therefore to clarify, there are 2 sequences of negotiations, those between the
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and the terrorist organizations, and
the formal negotiations regarding the Road Plan occuring between Israel and
Palestine and not involving in any way the terrorist organizations.
Israel Radio reported that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to meet Tuesday with
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to discuss further implementation of
the internationally backed peace plan known as the road map. These terrorist
organizations are playing some kind of "game" with regard to the entire issue
of peace. They should have no presence either directly or indirectly in the
establishment of the Road Plan as they are simply criminals and their presence
is a constant danger to any kind of lasting peace. However, there are many
outside of these negotiations that appear to belive that Israel has some kind
of responsibility to honor the terrorist ultimatum and the failure of Israel to
do so indicates bad faith on the part of Israel. Such misinformation must be
stopped in its tracks. The terrorist organizations should have absolutely no
influence with respect to the Road Plan. It is these terrorist organizations
that are at the root of the problem, not the Palestinians and not the Israelis.
Peace cannot be shaped around these terrorist organizations. If in fact peace
is shaped around some kind of a terrorist influence then lasting peace will be
sacrificed at the discretion of these terrorist organizations that continue to
live on having established themselves either directly or indirectly in the
outcome.
VOA -- 30 Jun 2003, 12:53
UTC
Larry James
Jerusalem
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A
foreign worker has been killed in a shooting incident near the West Bank town
of Jenin.
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| Israeli
soldiers, Palestinian preventative security forces talking near military
post |
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Israel's Army Radio reported that the man, a worker from Bulgarian,
was shot in the head and died a short time later. Sunday, Palestinian militants
declared a cease-fire.
Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian officials are working out
details for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the West Bank town of
Bethlehem, which reports say could take place on Wednesday.
Palestinian police have taken over security from Israeli troops
in the northern Gaza Strip, after Israeli forces withdrew overnight, taking
down the cement barriers which had sealed off the area to everyone except
soldiers and Jewish settlers for the past 33 months.
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| Palestinian
bulldozer removes barrier |
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The Palestinians are now in control of Beit Hanoun along with the
main north-south highway in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces are still in place
manning a checkpoint near the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom.
Israel Radio reported that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to
meet Tuesday with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to discuss further
implementation of the internationally backed peace plan known as the road
map.
The Israeli pullout from northern Gaza followed a declaration
by Palestinian militants of a three-month suspension of attacks on Israelis.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad said their ceasefire depended on Israel meeting their
demands for an end to attacks on Palestinian militants, no more incursions into
Palestinian areas and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Yasser Arafat's mainstream Fatah faction also announced that
its militant wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, would abide by the
truce.
The
developments coincided with a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories
by U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to promote the so-called
international "road map" peace plan.
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Companion news article to the above
article
Israel Removes Gaza Highway Checkpoints
VOA News
30
Jun 2003, 12:34 UTC
Israel
has dismantled all major checkpoints along the main north-south highway in the
Gaza Strip, as part of an agreement to turn over security control to the
Palestinian Authority.
Palestinians began moving freely along the highway \Monday for the
first time in more than two years.
Checkpoints were removed hours after Israeli troops pulled out of the
Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, and one day after key Palestinian militant groups
agreed to a conditional three-month ceasefire.
A
Palestinian official says an Israeli withdrawal from Bethlehem will begin
Wednesday.
Despite
the truce, a foreign worker was shot dead Monday near the West Bank city of
Jenin. A faction of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade - an offshoot of Yasser
Arafat's Fatah movement - claimed responsibility for the attack, and says it
will not abide by the truce.
Leaders
of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups issued a joint statement Sunday,
saying they will not attack Israelis if the Jewish state ends its incursions
and closures of Palestinian territories and stops attacking
militants.
Mr.
Arafat's Fatah organization also said it would honor the deal, and it remains
unclear whether he will rein-in the Al-Aqsa group.
Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, are
expected to meet Tuesday to discuss their next moves on the
internationally-drafted road map to peace plan.
Under the
Palestinian truce, militants also demanded an end to the Israeli siege that has
restricted the movements of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and the release
of all Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The Palestinians' statement says
any violation will mean an end to the truce.
.
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End of article 2
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Contents of Defend America
Page
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DoD -- Logged Monday,
30-Jun-2003
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| CONTROL ROOM At sea aboard USS
Kearsarge, Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher J. Rodrigue from Valentine, La.,
receives messages from the bridge, to control the speed of the ship June 25,
2003. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship deployed, Jan. 12, 2003, with
only 72 hours notice, and participated in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
Freedom. Keasrsarge's homecoming is scheduled for June 30, 2003 at Naval
Station Norfolk. U.S. Navy photo by
Photographer's Mate 3rd Class (AW) Jose E. Ponce. |
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| Iraqi Operations Net Baath Officials,
Sympathizers |
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| By
Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service |
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WASHINGTON, June 30, 2003
Coalition forces detained thousands of suspected Baath Party members and
sympathizers during Operations Desert Scorpion and Sidewinder, Combined Joint
Task Force 7 officials said today.
Desert
Scorpion, which launched June 15, has resulted in 1,330 individuals being
detained to date. Members of the 1st Armored Division and the 4th Infantry
Division also confiscated hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of
ammunition during the operation.
Operation
Sidewinder, which is primarily in the 4th Infantry Division's area, began June
29, DoD officials said. Iron Horse division soldiers conducted eight raids on
the first day of the operation. They detained 32 people and confiscated a
number of weapons. A Baath Party colonel was among those detained, officials
said.
Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials
said U.S. forces are being aggressive in patrolling and maintaining security
throughout the country.
"Whether or not
there is a named operation, we remain very aggressive in our patrolling
activities," said Marine Maj. Sean Gibson, a CJTF 7 spokesman.
More |
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| Security Patrol Attacked, Civilian Reporter
Injured |
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FALLUJAH, Iraq, June 30, 2003
A security patrol from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery was attacked June 29
here at approximately 11:30 p.m., according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The attackers fired one rocket-propelled grenade
round that struck and heavily damaged an Avenger air defense vehicle. One
civilian reporter, who was embedded with the unit, was injured in the attack
and evacuated to the combat support hospital after first being treated at C
Company, 26th Forward Support Battalion. He is in stable condition. No soldiers
were injured in the attack.
Shortly after
the attack, while soldiers were securing the area and treating the civilian
reporter, a white pickup truck with its headlights off was spotted traveling
along the highway toward the Avenger. The pickup truck ran into a fire support
vehicle, which was supporting the soldiers in the casualty evacuation process.
The impact resulted in the immediate death of two
of the pickups occupants. The third occupant was mortally wounded. Medical
personnel from 1-9 FA began treating the wounded civilian, but he died from his
injuries before he could be extracted from the vehicle. No soldiers were
injured in the collision.
The incident is still
under investigation. |
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Missing Soldiers'
Remains Recovered |
BAGHDAD, Iraq Two soldiers, assigned
to the 3rd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment, deployed here from Fort
Sill, Okla., who were discovered missing on June 25, have been found dead west
of Al Taji on June 28.
U.S. Central Command
officials said, the soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Philippe Gladimir and Private 1st
Class Kevin C. Ott, were discovered missing at approximately 11:30 a.m. from
their post approximately 40 kilometers north of Baghdad, when they failed to
respond to a communications check. Upon arriving on location, a search patrol
found no trace of the soldiers, their weapons or their HMMWV.
A thorough coordinated search was conducted to locate
the soldiers.
More |
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Pentagon Officials
Identify Navy
Casualty |
| WASHINGTON, June 27, 2003 Defense
Department officials announced that Interior Communications Electrician First
Class Petty Officer Thomas E. Retzer, 30, of San Diego, Calif., died of wounds
received in action June 25 in Afghanistan. |
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Pentagon Officials
Identify Army
Casualties |
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2003 Defense
Department officials announced that Spc. Corey A. Hubbell, 20, of Urbana, Ill.,
died June 26 in Camden Yards, Kuwait. Hubbell died from a non-combat related
cause. Hubbell was assigned to Company B, 46th Engineer Battalion, Fort Rucker,
Ala. The incident is under investigation.
Spc.
Richard P. Orengo, 32, of Puerto Rico, was killed June 26 in An Najif, Iraq.
Orengo was shot and died of injuries he received. Orengo was assigned to the
755th Military Police Company, Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Spc. Andrew F. Chris, 25, of Calif., was killed June
25 in Iraq. Chris was fatally wounded in combat operations in hostile enemy
territory. Chris was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. |
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| Defense Officials Discuss Asia-Pacific
Challenges |
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| By Jim
Garamone / American Forces Press Service |
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WASHINGTON, June 27, 2003 The
United States is looking at changing the "footprint" of American forces around
the world. But the Asia-Pacific region remains important and any changes the
U.S. makes there does not herald disengagement, said DoD leaders during
testimony before a House subcommittee June 26.
Peter Rodman, assistant defense secretary for
international security affairs, and Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of U.S.
Pacific Command, told the representatives of the House Asia-Pacific
subcommittee that the United States is capitalizing on the experiences of
Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as they implement changes.
"The war on terrorism has introduced a new
factor in our national security policy," Rodman said. "The technological change
in the nature of war, which we've seen in Iraq, leads the U.S. to think about
new ways of improving our effectiveness and capability as an ally and friend in
the region."
More |
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| RUMSFELD |
| Former Regime Supporters, Criminals Behind
Attacks |
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| By Jim
Garamone / American Forces Press Service |
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WASHINGTON, June 27, 2003
Former regime sympathizers and criminals are behind the attacks on coalition
forces in Iraq, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
said on Capitol
Hill today. The secretary also said he does not believe the activity in Iraq
rises to the level of a guerrilla war.
Rumsfeld and Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, spoke to reporters following a closed-door meeting with Senate
members.
The senators are concerned about
the coalition casualties in Iraq. Two Americans were killed and 13 wounded in
separate incidents in Iraq June 26, for example.
Rumsfeld said the Fedayeen Saddam and Baath party
loyalists are working to sabotage the coalition. "They are out doing things
that are unhelpful to the coalition, and that the coalition is taking every
step possible to root them out," he said. The coalition effort to recruit a
"de-Baathicized" Iraqi army will also pay off in the long run, he said.
More
Remarks |
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Unexploded Ordnance
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| Unexploded ordnance in
storage, waiting for disposal , in Mosul, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom,
June 22, 2003.U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Daniel
Meacham |
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| Gen. Franks Visits Task Force Operations, Thanks
Troops |
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| By U.S.
Marine Corps Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi |
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 CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti Gen. Tommy
Franks, commander, U.S. Central Command, visited Combined Joint Task Force-Horn
of Africa operations June 26, taking time to address the nearly 1,800 service
members here conducting counter-terrorism operations across the region.
Gen. Franks, who is retiring in July after 38 years of
service in the U.S. Army, was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson,
commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa on a regional tour that
also included stops in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Combined Joint Task Force
operations area, part of the U.S. Central Command area of operations, is
defined as the total airspace, land areas and coastal waters of Kenya, Somalia,
Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen.
Franks told the gathering of soldiers, sailors, airmen
and Marines, The purpose of this (visit) is for me to have a chance to
represent millions of people and stand up here and tell you all thanks a whole
lot for being a half a world away from everything thats important to you. The
Global War on Terrorism wouldnt be doing anything if you werent doing what
youre doing - thats a fact.
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Linguists Speak
For The Team |
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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) Targeteers and engineers are obvious choices for a
weapons-assessment team. However, often Arab linguists are the first to speak
to the Iraqis about what happened, according to officials.
Linguists have been integral as the Combined Weapons
Effectiveness Assessment Team travels to different impact sites, leaders said.
The team is assessing how well weapons performed during Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
We explain what were doing, said
linguist Capt. Brett Seiling, and then usually theres not a problem.
Linguists help force protection by preventing
misunderstandings, he said. If theres anything going on, were the first ones to
help clear things up.
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Nephews of Petty Officer 1st Class
Travis Prowant wait on the pier for their uncle to depart the ship as the USS
Saipan returns to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., June 26, 2003. The ship
returned following a six-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's
Mate 1st Class Michael W. Pendergrass
9 More Photos |
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| On Afghanistan |
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| On Iraq |
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| On Terrorism |
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| Military News |
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| APPROACHING
PASADENA —A
rigid hull inflatable boat crew from the USS Nimitz approaches the attack
submarine USS Pasadena to pick up an emergency medical patient. Nimitz Carrier
Strike Force and Carrier Air Wing 11 are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. U.S.
Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Yesenia Rosas |
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Reservists Keep Navy
Hospital's Mission
Afloat |
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) When USNS Comfort
deployed to the Arabian Gulf in January to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, it
took with it more than 1,000 active-duty sailors regularly assigned to the
National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital).
Consequently, more than 650 Navy Reservists received
mobilization orders to National Naval Medical Center to back-fill positions
required for the hospital to maintain patient care.
Now that Comfort has returned, about 380 of the
initial 650 reservists at National Naval Medical Center have demobilized. The
remaining Reservists are slated to depart by the end of August.
More |
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National Security
Advisor
Condoleezza Rice |
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| "To win the war on terror, we
must win also win a war of ideas by appealing to the decent hopes of people
throughout the world ... Terror grows in the absence of progress and
development. It thrives in the airless space where new ideas, new hopes and new
aspirations are forbidden. Terror lives when freedom dies. " |
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| Remarks
at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, London, June 26,
2003 |
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| Profile |
Army National
Guard
1Lt. Ernesto Torres |
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CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar - Action
seems to follow Ernesto Torres - and so does achievement.
Torres, a Florida Army National Guard infantry
officer, is posted to the former Republican Guard Palace in the heart of
Baghdad. At 20, the Okeechobee native who now makes his home in St. Augustine
was in similar, dangerous surroundings during Operation Just Cause in Panama.
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Profiles |
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War Fighters
Give a Helping
Hand |
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JALALABAD, Afghanistan -The U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division is one of the
Armys largest war-fighting units, however, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne
can do more than put rounds down range. Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion,
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.,
provided humanitarian assistance along Afghanistans eastern border recently
during Operation Unified Resolve.
More |
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Afghan Airline
Reopens Kabul Route |
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KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Ariana Airines, the national air carrier of
Afghanistan, reopened its route between Kandahar Air Field and the nations
capital in Kabul June 25.
One hundred nine
passengers boarded a Boeing 727 for the short flight leaving Kandahar.
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End of article 3
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Indonesia Arrests Another Bali
Bombing Suspect
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Asia Pacific - Indonesia - Re: 2 Bali Bombing
Suspects
Indonesian authorities
have arrested another suspect in last year's bombing in Bali. The news comes as
prosecutors recommend the death penalty for the first suspect (Amrozi) to be
tried in connection with the attack. Amrozi has said he and his fellow
conspirators planned the attack as revenge for what they perceive as injustice
against Muslims by the U.S. government. He is reported to have regretted that
the attack killed far more Australians than Americans. The presiding five-judge
panel has not yet rendered a verdict. The panel is under no obligation to
follow the prosecution's recommendation. If it does, however, Amrozi will be
the first person executed under the new anti-terrorism law, which was passed
after the Bali attack.Amrozi is the first of 34 suspects to be tried for the
bombing. At least four other key suspects are still being hunted. In
addition to Amrozi, Indonesian police said they arrested Idris, also known as
Jhoni Hendrawan, in Medan on the island of Sumatra more than two weeks ago.
They say he has confessed to his role in the October 12 bombing of tourist
nightspots in Bali, which killed 202 people, most of them foreigners on
vacation. Authorities say Idris is a member of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast
Asian radical Islamic group that counter-terrorism officials say is linked to
the al-Qaida terrorist network.
VOA -- 30 Jun 2003, 10:47
UTC
Gary Thomas
Bangkok
Listen
to Gary Thomas's report (RealAudio)
Thomas
report - Download 267k (RealAudio)
x
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.
Indonesian authorities have arrested another suspect in last year's
bombing in Bali. The news comes as prosecutors recommend the death penalty for
the first suspect to be tried in connection with the
attack.
Indonesian police said they arrested Idris, also known as Jhoni
Hendrawan, in Medan on the island of Sumatra more than two weeks ago. They say
he has confessed to his role in the October 12 bombing of tourist nightspots in
Bali, which killed 202 people, most of them foreigners on
vacation.
Authorities say Idris is a member of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast
Asian radical Islamic group that counter-terrorism officials say is linked to
the al-Qaida terrorist network.
But the
level of Idris' alleged role in the Bali bombing is not clear. Some reports say
he helped execute but not plan the attack. Others, however, label him as a
senior operative who was directly involved in planning the bombing and who
arranged funds and housing for the attackers.
Even as
news of Idris' arrest surfaced, the first man arrested in the Bali bombing
found himself facing a death sentence. In a court in Bali on Monday prosecutors
asked that Amrozi, who has admitted his role in the attack, be put to death
under provisions of Indonesia's new anti-terrorism law.
Amrozi
sat impassively as the prosecution summarized its case and called for the
40-year-old mechanic to face a firing squad. Government lawyers say Amrozi
bought one of the minivans and other materials used in the
attack.
Amrozi
has said he and his fellow conspirators planned the attack as revenge for what
they perceive as injustice against Muslims by the U.S. government. He is
reported to have regretted that the attack killed far more Australians than
Americans.
The
presiding five-judge panel has not yet rendered a verdict. The panel is under
no obligation to follow the prosecution's recommendation. If it does, however,
Amrozi will be the first person executed under the new anti-terrorism law,
which was passed after the Bali attack.
Amrozi
is the first of 34 suspects to be tried for the bombing. At least four other
key suspects are still being hunted.
.
.
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End of article 4
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International Nuclear Reactor
Project for North Korea Looking Increasingly Uncertain
. |
.
Asia Pacific - North Korea - Re: Nuclear Reactor
Project
U.S. officials say
Pyongyang admitted in October to running a secret nuclear program.
International concerns have been mounting ever since and diplomacy has not
persuaded North Korea to adhere to its signed nuclear non-proliferation
agreements. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Howard Baker, said the next step may be
for Washington to push KEDO to freeze work on the nuclear reactors. "My guess
is that if the North Koreans do not mend their ways, if they do not decide to
engage in the dismantlement of their weapons program, that it is unlikely that
the United States would support the completion of those reactors," he
said. The mammoth construction project - backed by the United States, the
European Union, Japan and South Korea - is part of a 1994 agreement to keep the
Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons and provide the impoverished nation
with energy. The reactors, if they are completed, would provide electricity but
would not make material which could be diverted for nuclear bombs, as can North
Korea's older Russian-built reactors. Under the 1994 pact, North Korea, in
return, froze its nuclear facilities that were part of a suspected weapons
program. However, it has recently restarted them and experts believe they could
yield nuclear weapons within months.
VOA -- 30 Jun 2003, 10:32
UTC
Amy Bickers
Tokyo
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