Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Meets With His Japanese Counterpart Prime Minister Taro Aso In London On April 1, 2009

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Meets With His Japanese Counterpart Prime Minister Taro Aso In London On April 1, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown greets his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso inside 10 Downing Street in London April 1, 2009. World leaders will have their work cut out at a G20 summit where U.S. President Barack Obama makes his first major international sortie, under perhaps more pressure than anyone to show that the country where the crisis began can lead the way out.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Greets Russian President Dmitry Medvedev In London On April 1, 2009

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Greets Russian President Dmitry Medvedev In London On April 1, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev shakes hands with Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London on April 1, 2009 during the G-20 summit. World leaders wrangled today on how a London summit could fix the global economy as demonstrators attacked a bank in an anti-capitalist riot in the British capital. U.S.President Barack Obama makes his first major international sortie, under perhaps more pressure than anyone to show that the country where the crisis began can lead the way out.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Greets India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh In London On April 1, 2009

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown Greets India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh In London On April 1, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown greets India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inside 10 Downing Street in central London April 1, 2009. World leaders will have their work cut out at a G20 summit where U.S. President Barack Obama makes his first major international sortie, under perhaps more pressure than anyone to show that the country where the crisis began can lead the way out.

US President Barack Obama Meeting With His Russian Counterpart Dmitry Medvedev In London On April 1, 2009

US President Barack Obama Meeting With His Russian Counterpart Dmitry Medvedev In London On April 1, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev during their meeting at Winfield House in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.The President of the United States, Barack Obama, right, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev look on during their meeting ahead of the G20 summit in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.

The United States and Russia, striving to ease strained relations, announced jointly Wednesday that they'll try to put a new nuclear arms reduction deal in place before the existing treaty expires in December.

In advance of their first sit down, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a joint statement saying the "era when our countries viewed each other as enemies is long over."

US President Barack Obama Meeting With Chinese President Hu Jintao In London On April 1, 2009

US President Barack Obama Meeting With Chinese President Hu Jintao In London On April 1, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: US President Barack Obama sits alongside Chinese President Hu Jintao during meetings at the Winfield House, the US Ambassador's residence in London, England, April 1, 2009, ahead of the G20 Summit Thursday.

U.S. President Barack Obama introduces China's President Hu Jintao (L) to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Winfield House, the U.S. Ambassador's residence in London, April 1, 2009. The United States and China agreed in talks between Obama and Hu to resume discussions about human rights as soon as possible, the White House said on Wednesday ahead of the G20 summit.

Pakistan Epicentre Of Terrorism: India

Pakistan Epicentre Of Terrorism: India

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON - April 1, 2009: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described Pakistan as the "epicentre of terrorism in the world" and said it had failed to take effective action against militants, in an interview published on Wednesday. Police escort Hafiz Saeed (C wearing white cap), the head of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa and founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as he leaves after an appearance in court in Lahore March 9, 2009. Speaking to the Financial Times, Singh said Islamabad was either "unable" or "unwilling" to control Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which New Delhi accuses of staging the November attacks on Mumbai that killed 165 people. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," he said. Indian Army soldiers display seized arms and ammunition after a gunbattle, at an army base in Srinagar, India, Wednesday, March 25, 2009. The Pakistan-based rebel group Lashkar-e-Taiba blamed for last year's Mumbai attacks on Wednesday threatened more attacks in Indian Kashmir after a five-day gunbattle between government troops and suspected insurgents killed 25 combatants. Singh said that despite pledges by Pakistan throughout the past decade that it would not be a launch pad for attacks against India, "in practice no effective action has been taken to control terror". He added: "We all know the epicentre of terrorism in the world today is Pakistan. The world community has to come to grips with this reality."

Iran Denies Diplomatic Contact With U.S. At Hague Conference

Iran Denies Diplomatic Contact With U.S. At Hague Conference

*Analysis: Today is April 1st, which is APRIL FOOLS and probably Iran is taking full opportunity of the day making a prank by denying diplomatic contact with U.S. It is a known fact that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is a no-nonsense entity and credible individual. Iran should make every efforts to step forward and establish cordial relations with Obama administration, which would be benefited by both countries Iran and U.S. as well rest of the world. (DTN Defense-News Technology)

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN - April 1, 2009: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqawi denied on Wednesday comments by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that talks were held between the two countries at a conference in The Hague. Qashqawi said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Mehdi Akhoundzadeh had called Clinton's announcement "a lie." During a press conference at Tuesday's international conference devoted to the restoration of Afghanistan's economy, Clinton said the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, had a chat on the sidelines of the gathering with Akhoundzadeh. "In the course of the conference today our special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrook, had a brief and cordial exchange with the head of the Iranian delegation," Clinton told reporters on Tuesday. "It was cordial, unplanned and they agreed to stay in touch," she added. Iran's Foreign Ministry also denied there were any direct discussions between the U.S. and Iranian delegations at the conference. "There were no official or unofficial talks between Iranian and U.S. delegates during the Hague conference on Afghanistan," read an official statement released on Wednesday by Iran's Foreign Ministry. "As talks between Iran and the U.S. were not on the agenda, there has certainly been no negotiation with the American envoy," the statement said. During his election campaign, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was open to talks with the Iranian leadership, and international meetings such as Tuesday's in The Hague and one last week in Moscow, have been closely watched for signs of a more open policy between the two countries.

World Leaders Lay Out Tests For President Barack Obama

World Leaders Lay Out Tests For President Barack Obama

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON - April 1, 2009: In the closing weeks of his presidential campaign, Barack Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, warned that the world would soon test a young, relatively inexperienced president. "Soon" has become "now." Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2nd L) and his wife Sarah (L) meet U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle in Downing Street in London April 1, 2009. World leaders will have their work cut out at a G20 summit where Obama makes his first major international sortie, under perhaps more pressure than anyone to show that the country where the crisis began can lead the way out. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wrote in a Tuesday Washington Post op-ed piece that frosty U.S. relations would warm only if Mr. Obama backed off a range of U.S. policies. The two men plan to meet Wednesday for the first time.:

A person familiar with the matter said a communiqué to be issued afterward could cover a range of U.S.-Russia bilateral issues, including Iran, North Korea, missile defense and economic issues. The leaders could announce the resumption of Strategic Arms Reduction Talks, people familiar with the planning say. Around the same time, France warned that French President Nicolas Sarkozy could walk out of this week's meeting of the Group of 20 nations if the London summit fails to embrace stringent enough regulations on international banking. And in recent days, the Chinese government has raised concerns about U.S. government borrowing, even raising the idea of a global currency to replace the dollar as international finance's default trading option. Mr. Obama will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao Wednesday, too. Mr. Obama arrived here Tuesday night eager to try his hand at statecraft after the opening months of his administration were dominated by domestic policy. World leaders appear just as eager to test a president with little international experience who's arriving for his first major overseas trip. Mr. Obama's experience in Europe was a college visit to Germany to see his half-sister, a Senate trip in 2005 and last summer's tour through Europe as part of his presidential campaign. Obama aides describe a president animated in recent days by arcane corners of diplomacy, such as restarting strategic arms-control-reduction talks, rather than agreements on international banking regulations and tax-haven sanctions -- likely the big takeaways from the G-20 summit. "This is a very difficult situation, because the U.S. is still the global leader, and problems aren't going to be solved without the U.S. leading the efforts to solve them, but other countries are not in the mood to do what the United States says," said James Goldgeier, senior fellow for trans-Atlantic relations at the Council on Foreign Relations. The Sarkozy government appeared to raise the prospects of confrontation at the G-20. In an interview made available on the BBC's Web site Tuesday, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said Mr. Sarkozy would walk away from the G-20 meeting if no progress was made on global financial regulations, where France wants stricter standards in areas such hedge funds than the U.S. and U.K. Mr. Sarkozy's spokesman later appeared to backtrack somewhat, saying "there is no threat" to leave the summit. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk out together from Air Force One upon their arrival at Stansted Airport in Essex, England, on Tuesday.

Mr. Medvedev appears to seek the respect Russian leaders don't believe they were accorded by the Bush administration, said an official familiar with the Kremlin's thinking. Where there are issues that can be discussed, such as missile defense, Mr. Medvedev wants Mr. Obama to approach them with flexibility. Where differences cannot be resolved, such as on Russian domination of Georgia, the Kremlin wants such issues to not derail the broader dialogue. A U.S. official called Mr. Medvedev's public comments the Kremlin's version of a "restart," which is what the Obama administration has said it wants in its relations with Russia.

British Army Hands Control Of Basra To US Forces

British Army Hands Control Of Basra To US Forces

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: Britain today handed the US control of Basra airport, where thousands of its troops have been based since the invasion of Iraq, six years ago. In a ceremony marking the UK's official withdrawal from Iraq, Major General Andy Salmon transferred authority to a US major general, Michael Oates.

Major General Andy Salmon (left), former head of coalition operations in south east Iraq, shakes hands with General Michael Oates to hand over military command of coalition forces in Basra. Most of the 4,100 British troops will go by 31 May, the day they complete their combat mission. Around 300 will stay, mentoring and training Iraqi officers and sailors. Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff, flew in from London for the changing of the guard ceremony, and the Royal Marines band played Reveille as the US 10th Mountain Division hoisted its standard in place of the British division banner, which had flown there. "This occasion is about the countless numbers of young men and women from far-flung corners of the US and the various reaches of the British Isles, who have together striven here with such commitment, such dedication and courage, over so long a period," Stirrup said. He continued: "We remember particularly at such a time those who paid the ultimate price in this endeavour, those who suffered injury and disablement, in order that we might get to this point today." Since 2003, 179 UK personnel have died in Iraq, 43 as a result of illness or accidents. In Basra yesterday, there was talk of gallantry and hardships endured, but the memory of only one former British leader was invoked – Winston Churchill. There was no mention of Tony Blair, the prime minister who sent Britain to war in 2003, nor of the man who replaced him, Gordon Brown, who by the end of July will have withdrawn all remaining British forces except the few hundred who will stay on to train Iraqis. Nor was anyone present from Westminster. General Ray Odierno. the US commander in Iraq, paid tribute to reconstruction efforts, which are slowly taking shape in Basra after eight relatively stable months. "Under the former regime, the people of Basra suffered from oppression and neglect," he said. "Only one in four people had access to running water and one in 10 had access to sewerage. The British presence here brought in projects of over $1bn [£0.7bn], and they began the process of creating sustainable employment opportunities." While the US will be on hand in crises as well as protecting supply routes, the Iraqis now have overall responsibility for Basra's security. John Hutton, the defence secretary, said: "The Iraqis have not reached this point on their own. Thousands of British servicemen and women have stood shoulder to shoulder with them during the past six years. "Thanks to their shared commitment, sacrifice and resilience, Basra is now a much safer city with a bright economic future, which has put behind it the fear, misery and oppression endured under Saddam's regime. I am immensely proud of all that our people have achieved." Aside from safer streets, Basra city, about 10miles from the fortified airport base, has yet to see the broad benefits of the money pledged. The army has funded several dozen community projects, such as pavement improvements and general clean-ups, but the extensive sewerage, water and civic works projects being planned are still up to five years off, city officials said this week. Salmon, who took control of the Basra region last summer said: "Basra bears little resemblance to the place I came to with my headquarters eight months ago. Security was not a given and we were in the midst of six months of counter-insurgency operations" During Salmon's tenure, British forces did not launch any combat operations, but continued to patrol jointly with Iraqi army teams in and around Basra. General Nasier Abadi, vice-chief of staff of the Iraqi joint forces, said the people of Iraq would not forget the UK servicemen and women killed in his country. He said security in Basra had been "transformed", adding: "On behalf of all the Iraqis, I thank the United Kingdom for the hard work and sacrifice that helped bring peace and stability to Iraq's second city." Gordon Brown called the handover "a further step forward in the UK's work in Iraq". He added: "There have been difficult times along the way, but British troops have made an outstanding contribution to laying the ground for a stable and increasingly prosperous Basra – part of a stable, secure and prosperous Iraq." Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, said: "Our troops' outstanding courage in Iraq has been matched only by the incompetence of the political leadership which took them there. The government must now focus on what should have been their priorities all along: properly supporting the brave men and women who have made such sacrifices in this conflict, and refocusing on the vital mission in Afghanistan."

Iraqi Army Prepares To Field M1A1 Main Battle Tank / M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks With Iraqi Army Marking

Iraqi Army Prepares To Field M1A1 Main Battle Tank / M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks With Iraqi Army Marking

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: The Iraqi Army continued on its path toward a more professional and capable Army when IA armor students fired their first main gun shots while training on the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M1A1 Abrams at the Besmaya Combat Training Center located east of Baghdad, March 21.

The Iraqi Army purchased the 140 Abrams tanks through the Foreign Military Sales Program from the United States and they are scheduled to be delivered by August 2010.

The M1 Abrams is a main battle tank produced in the United States. The M1 is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. It is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for modern armored ground warfare. Over 8,800 M1 and M1A1 tanks have been produced at a cost of US$2.35–$4.30 million per unit, depending on the variant. The Iraqi Army has requested 140 M1A1M tanks as of 2009. 700 may be planned.

The purchase of this sophisticated tank will greatly improve the Iraqi Army's capability to defend the country and defeat its enemies. The M1A1 tank is a vast improvement over the old Soviet-era tanks still in use by the IA.

In preparation for operating and maintaining these tanks, the Iraqi Army students have been in training with their Coalition forces counterparts and the Military Professional Resource Incorporated civilian instructors at Besmaya range since Jan. 24.

Each student is trained in a variety of skills on the Abrams including how to drive, load, fire and perform basic maintenance. To be proficient in all areas of the Abrams the students will rotate between the four different positions on the M1A1 to learn the different skills needed to run the tank. Previously Iraqi soldiers were only trained on their primary position and knew little to nothing about the other soldiers' skills.

"We teach them the basics of tank maintenance, how to shoot, move, and communicate" said William Dunbar, the MPRI tank team manager. "Once they finish the training, these students will be the subject matter experts for the IA."

Another big difference in the training of the tank crews is the inclusion of a fourth man in the tank. Previously the Iraqis used the Soviet-designed T-72 which incorporated an auto loader that would load a new round after every fire. The M1A1 does not use an auto loader, instead relying on a crewman to load the rounds.

"The Iraqis show lots of potential, and with this training they could be really good," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Romano, from St. Petersburg, Fla., a noncommissioned officer and instructor in the Multi-National Support Team - Center. "What they need now is repetition to build muscle memory."

The Iraqi students' training will be broken up into two phases. Currently they are in the first phase of their training in which they learn from the Coalition Soldiers and contracted instructors. In the second phase of the training the students will take the role of the instructor and will train a new group of Iraqi Army soldiers in the use of the Abrams tank. This is a train the trainer concept important to the IA especially with Coalition forces leaving Iraq in the near future.

"This is about more than selling and buying tanks," said Brig. Gen. Steven Salazar, commander of the Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Training Team, while speaking to the Coalition Soldiers instructing the students at Besmaya. "This is about building the relationship between the Coalition forces and the Iraqi Army."

Jordan Orders 300 Upgrade Kits For M-113 APCs / Pentagon Contract Announcement

Jordan Orders 300 Upgrade Kits For M-113 APCs / Pentagon Contract Announcement

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: BAE Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., was awarded on Mar. 13, 2009, a $43,300,000 firm fixed contract to implement Jordanian M113A2MK1 Upgrade program (conversion effort) 300 vehicle upgrade kit conversion. A huge number of M113 Armored Personnel Carrier variants have been created, ranging from infantry carriers to nuclear missile carriers. The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier has become one of the most prolific armored vehicles of the second half of the 20th century, and continues to serve with armies around the world into the 21st century. Not without its faults, the otherwise versatile chassis of the M113 has been used to create almost every type of vehicle imaginable. Few vehicles ever created can claim the application to such a wide range of roles. Jordan Amred Forces have approx. 300 M113 APC in service.

Work is to be performed at Zarqa, Jordan with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited one bid received.

U.S. Army Contracting Command, TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0236).

China's Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile / China's Ballistic Missiles Threaten U.S. Aircraft Carriers

China's Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile / China's Ballistic Missiles Threaten U.S. Aircraft Carriers

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: While the world is focused on North Korea and its Taepodongs, the Chinese military has reportedly been refining its own ballistic missiles. But whereas the Nork missiles were really only intended as diplomatic leverage rather than for actual military operations, the Chinese missiles are designed to actually work against a specific set of military targets: U.S. ships, especially aircraft carriers. The DongFeng 21 (NATO code name: CSS-5) is a two-stage, solid-propellant, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) system developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy (also known as 2nd Space Academy). The missile design is based on the two-stage JuLang 1 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The DongFeng 21 is capable of delivering a 500kT nuclear warhead over a distance of 1,800km. Some DongFeng 21 missiles are reportedly armed with a conventional warhead. The improved DongFeng 21A with extended range was reportedly introduced in 1996. China has also developed the Kaituozhe 1 (KT-1) space launch vehicle based on the DongFeng 21 design. "Since the mid-1990s, reports have indicated Chinese interest in modifying DF-15 tactical (600 kilometer) and DF-21 (2,500 kilometer) intermediate-range ballistic missiles as antiship weapons, using radar or infrared guidance," naval expert stated. Friedman says that ballistic missiles are effective anti-ship weapons because they exploit a gap in the anti-air coverage of U.S. warships, which are optimized to defend against low-flying cruise missiles. "The main effect of a tactical ballistic-missile threat would be to make anti-ballistic weapons such as the [Raytheon] SM-3 much more important for Fleet air defense." In other words, those interceptors the Navy was planning to use to shoot down Nork terror weapons might be handier as a routine defense against Chinese anti-ship missiles. But don't go investing in Raytheon stocks quite yet. The Chinese missiles rely on a sophisticated satellite targeting system that probably isn't in place ... and might never be. This [missile] program, if indeed it exists, may be connected to an ongoing Chinese satellite surveillance program, which reportedly will consist of four radar and four electro-optical satellites. [But] it is not ... clear whether the [potential] Chinese satellite system is intended primarily for ocean surveillance. Remember that the Chinese military procurement system was initially modeled on that of the Soviet Union, and that probably it has changed a lot less than the rest of Chinese society. To what extent would the Chinese field an antiship ballistic missile even though the associated targeting system(s) were either not ready or would never enter service? Moreover, even if the satellites are pointed at the ocean, telling an aircraft carrier from a civilian tanker ship is difficult for all but the most sophisticated sensors. In the end, it is skeptical that the Chinese can effectively target whatever ballistic anti-ship missiles they possess.

Russia Wants New Dialogue With NATO - President Dmitry Medvedev

Russia Wants New Dialogue With NATO - President Dmitry Medvedev

(NSI News Source Info) BERLIN - April 1, 2009: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that his country intends to build new dialogue with NATO. "The full-format dialogue through the Russia-NATO Council will be resumed soon. On the whole we welcome what is going on - we had never called for these relations to be restricted," Medvedev said at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The work of the Russia-NATO Council was suspended by the alliance unilaterally in September 2008, after Russia's retaliation to Georgia's attack on South Ossetia in August. Russia's envoy to the military alliance, Dmitry Rogozin, earlier said the work of the Russia-NATO Council could resume later in March. He also said the "period of estrangement" in Russia-NATO relations is "largely behind us."

No Aid Until Pakistan Hits Militants: US Lawmaker

No Aid Until Pakistan Hits Militants: US Lawmaker

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 1, 2009: Pakistan must prove it is willing to take on extremists within its own borders before the US delivers financial aid or weapons to the government there, a key senator said on Tuesday. Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he does not believe the United States can buy stability in Pakistan. Levin condemned NATO nations for failing to provide the funding and troops needed to wage the Afghanistan war. Levin said he would support economic and military aid only after he sees that the Pakistani government understands that it is in its own interest to battle its internal insurgent threats. So far, he said he is not convinced. ‘If I thought we could buy stability, I would buy it,’ the Democrat told reporters. ‘I have no reluctance in purchasing stability if it’s effective. But I don’t think its effective unless the recipient of the support sees where the threat is to them. I think otherwise it can backfire.’ Levin’s stance signals some difficulties for the Obama administration’s plans to provide at least $1.5 billion in aid to Pakistan. President Barack Obama endorsed the aid last week as he unveiled his new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, but he also cautioned that the US will not write a blank check to the Pakistani government. Levin said that Pakistan has not displayed the political will to go after extremists, and instead is more inclined to try and buy peace ‘with people I don’t think you can buy peace with.’ At the same time, Levin condemned NATO nations for failing to provide the funding and troops needed to wage the Afghanistan war, saying the allies’ performance has been ‘nothing short of pitiful.’ On top of the 17,000 troops he had already approved, Obama decided last week to send another 4,000 troops that will focus on training Afghan army and police forces to take over their own security. ‘We’ve got a long way to go,’ Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica, head of training, said Tuesday of his efforts to reform Afghan police. In addition to the US contribution of 4,000 trainers, Afghan officials are working to weed out corrupt practices in the police sector, including in the way equipment is controlled and accounted for and how pay is handled, Formica told a Pentagon news conference.

Sudan Envoy To Visit Moscow To discuss al-Bashir Arrest Warrant

Sudan Envoy To Visit Moscow To discuss al-Bashir Arrest Warrant

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - April 1, 2009: The special envoy for the leader of Sudan will arrive in Moscow on a two-day visit on April 2 to discuss President Omar al-Bashir's arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, as well as Sudanese-Russian relations. Russia has joined Arab countries in criticizing the arrest warrant for al-Bashir, who faces charges of war crimes in committed in Darfur, saying the ongoing dispute threatens to harm relations between the West and the Arab world. Envoy Awad Ahmed al-Jaz, who is also Sudan's finance minister, is expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Mikhail Margelov, who heads the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee and is the president's special representative on Sudan. The envoy will also deliver a message from President al-Bashir to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The Sudanese president is currently in Qatar for the ongoing Arab League summit. In a draft communique issued on Monday, the Arab leaders said they considered the warrant to be in violation of the 1961 Vienna agreement. The International Criminal Court accuses al-Bashir of criminal responsibility for "intentionally directing attacks against an important part of the civilian population of Darfur, Sudan, murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians, and pillaging their property." The warrant is the first ever to have been issued by the ICC for a serving head of state.

Brazil Begins Evaluating Competing Fighter Bids / F-X2: Technical Visits And Evaluation Flights

Brazil Begins Evaluating Competing Fighter Bids / F-X2: Technical Visits And Evaluation Flights

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: The Air Force Command, further to the selection schedule for the Brazilian Air Force’s new multi-purpose combat aircraft, has today March 30 begun the technical visits and evaluation flights of the aircraft competing for the F-X2 program.

In October 2008, it was reported that the Brazilian Air Force had selected three finalists in their F-X2 program. They are Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Gripen NG, and the number of aircraft involved are said to be anywhere between 36 and 120. The decision should be made early 2009. On 2 February 2009, Saab submitted a tender for 36 Gripen NGs to the Brazilian Air Force Command.

These are intended to verify technical, operational, logistic and industrial aspects of the bids.

To fulfill these objectives and to obtain additional details about the offers submitted by the bidding companies (listed here in sequence alphabetical) Boeing (F-18 E/F Super Hornet), Dassault (Rafale) and SAAB (Gripen NG), they will be visited and evaluated as to their industrial and logistic installations, maintenance workshops, laboratories for the development of systems, and operational squadrons. In addition, the competing aircraft will be flown and tested by pilots and engineers of the evaluation commission.

During month of March, the F-X2 Project Management Group (GPF-X2) met and prepared a new series of questions and clarifications for the three participating companies, so as to resolve outstanding issues and to improve the content of the various offers with regard to the requirements of the Air Force Command.

During this process, the Project Management Group maintained its focus on the aspects of the competing bids as regards commercial, technical, operational, logistic, offset-related, technological and technology-transfer issues.

Saudi Arabia To Purchase AIM-9X Missiles / Saudi Arabia To Purchase Raytheon AIM-9X Missiles

Saudi Arabia To Purchase AIM-9X Missiles / Saudi Arabia To Purchase Raytheon AIM-9X Missiles

(NSI News Source Info) TUCSON, Ariz. - April 1, 2009: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. government executed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to purchase Raytheon Company's AIM-9X missile. Saudi Arabia is the world's 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile. Two F-15E's from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, fire a pair of AIM-9Xs during a training mission. "The AIM-9X will provide our Saudi Arabian allies with unparalleled capability, a small logistical footprint and ease of integration onto its existing fighter aircraft," said Capt. Jeffrey Penfield, the U.S. Navy's Air-to-Air Missile program manager. "AIM-9X has demonstrated its reliability during ongoing operational deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and in extensive user-driven test programs with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force." Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RSAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for its F-15 fighter aircraft. "The Royal Saudi Air Force truly chose the most affordable and capable within-visual-range air-to-air missile in the world," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "Raytheon has delivered more than 3,000 Block I missiles on cost and ahead of schedule, and we look forward to continuing to do the same for the newest member of the AIM-9X family." The Royal Saudi Air Force joins the air forces of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States as AIM-9X users. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, 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 headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide. Note to Editors: More than 400 Raytheon employees design and build the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile in Tucson, Ariz., Andover, Mass., and Goleta, Calif. Hundreds of employees in scores of businesses across the U.S. design and manufacture AIM-9X components. Major suppliers include: Alliant Technology, Rocket Center, W.Va.; Atlantic Inertial Systems, Cheshire, Conn.; Axsys Technology, San Diego; BAE Container Solutions, Longmont, Colo.; Celestica, Austin, Texas; Cristek Interconnects, Anaheim, Calif.; ENSER, St. Petersburg, Fla.; HR Textron, Valencia, Calif.; Klune Industries, Spanish Forks, Utah; L3 Comm, San Diego; L3 KDI Precision Products, Cincinnati.

Russia, Ukraine Discuss Joint Aircraft Production / Meeting of Ukrainian-Russian On Cooperation In Aviation Industry At ANTONOV ASTC

Russia, Ukraine Discuss Joint Aircraft Production / Meeting of Ukrainian-Russian On Cooperation In Aviation Industry At ANTONOV ASTC

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: On March 24, 2009, the fourth meeting of Ukrainian-Russian subcommitee on questions of cooperation in sphere of aviation industry took place at ANTONOV ASTC. Leaders of the ministries and aviation enterprises of both contries participated in it.

The Antonov An-148 is a regional jet aircraft designed by the Ukrainian aircraft firm Antonov. In December 2006 the An-148 completed certification testing and on February 26, 2007 received its type certificate with the Motor Sich D-436-148 engines and AI-450-MS Auxiliary Power Unit, a variant of the -9 APU series, from the Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IAC AR). There are plans to certify this airplane according to Joint Aviation Authorities JAR-25 standards, as the existing certification have already been designed to meet the ICAO Ch. 4 (noise and environmental requirements) as well as the established Western European airworthiness rules. An-148 is currently produced by Russian Voronezh Aircraft Production Association.

The Ukrainian party of the subcommitee was headed by Mr. Pinskii, First Deputy Minister of industrial policy of Ukraine – Chairman of Agency on Defense Industrial Complex, the Russian one – by Mr. Mantourov, Deputy Minister of industry and trade of Russian Federation.

During the meeting parties considered a number of questions directed at strengthening of cooperation in aviation branch including:

--insertion of additions into the Agreement between governments of Ukraine and Russian Federation on cooperation in sphere of development, production, deliveries and operation of aircraft dated August 20, 1997;

--possible ways of integration of “Joint Aviation Company” Russian JSC and Ukrainian aircraft building enterprises;

--joint production of AN-148, AN-140 and AN-74 families;

--assumption of serial production of AN-124 heavy transport.

As a result of the discussion the parties signed the Minutes with certain measures to realize the abovementioned questions.

Mr. Kiva, ANTONOV ASTC General Designer, President of Antonov Aircraft Building Concern, said: “Today we have worked very productively. It is pleasantly, that we have come to terms with our Russian colleagues practically in all questions. Our today’s meeting, without doubt, became one more fruitful step on the way of many years cooperation of aviation plants of Ukraine and Russia”.

Syria Getting MiG-31Es, MiG-29s: DIA Chief / Syria Getting MiG-31E Jet Fighters, Pentagon Source Claims

Syria Getting MiG-31Es, MiG-29s: DIA Chief / Syria Getting MiG-31E Jet Fighters, Pentagon Source Claims

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 1, 2009: In testimony to the U.S. Senate, outgoing head of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. Gen. Michael Maples stated that Syria is expected to receive advanced MiG-31Es from Russia.

Several other variants have been developed, including a dedicated anti-satellite missile carrier, the MiG-31D; a similar satellite-launching aircraft, MiG-31A; a proposed multi-role version, MiG-31F; and a downgraded export version, MiG-31E; but most have not been built in any quantity, if at all. Syrian Air Force has 8 MiG-31E on order.

Following a visit to Moscow by Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2006, reports from the Russian press announced a deal for the aircraft but were quickly denied by the Kremlin and state arms-trader Rosoboronexport.

The reported deal also included sales of MiG-29s and Yak-130 jet trainers to Damascus. The Syrian Air Force - built upon Soviet-legacy and Russian-build aircraft - is obsolete and based around badly aged MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-29 squadrons.

Despite Russia's previous denial of the deal, Maples stated that the MiG-31Es will be delivered to Damascus soon, along with MiG-29M/M2 fighters. Maples also testified that Syria remains focused on upgrading its missile, rocket, anti-tank, aircraft, and air-defense inventories.

Britain’s 105mm Light Gun Proving Particularly Effective In Afghanistan / MoD Waxes Enthusiastic About 105mm Light Gun

Britain’s 105mm Light Gun Proving Particularly Effective In Afghanistan / MoD Waxes Enthusiastic About 105mm Light Gun

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: A 105mm L118 Light Gun is being used by British gunners to such devastating effect against the Taliban that they have dubbed it the "Dragon". The gun fired its first round in anger from a rocky outcrop above Musa Qaleh in January 2009 and has been busy ever since protecting coalition and Afghan forces and maintaining security in the area, thereby making it safer for civilians living in the town.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence says the 105mm Light Gun, seen here operated by 7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, is proving particularly effective in Afghanistan.

Musa Qaleh sits in a strategic location in north-western Helmand Province. It was re-taken from the Taliban by British, US and Afghan Forces in a major operation in December 2007.

Towering above the town around 2km to the north is the Roshan Tower - a 40m tall, rocky outcrop which provides an excellent vantage point with an eagle's eye view across a massive swath of territory.

Realising the strategic importance of this lofty location, British gunners hatched a plan to take the fight direct to the enemy. They intended to put a gun weighing over 4,000lbs (1,814kg) at the summit of the rocky cliffs, providing a firing point to provide protection for Musa Qala and Forward Operating Base Edinburgh.

Moving the massive gun to the peak was a logistical challenge. The cliff face was riddled with deep cracks that threatened to crumble under the weight of the gun so a plan was devised to move the gun to the foot of the cliffs by helicopter.

Four days of large scale changes to the watchtowers to build a solid firing platform ensured the rocky platform could hold the weapon and then the men of Alma Battery, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, in scenes reminiscent of the Royal Tournament - dismantled the two ton gun and moved it up the cliff face by hand under the cover of darkness.

Major James Vigne, Battery Commander of 8 (Alma) Commando Battery who oversees the Dragon Gun, said: "The gun itself weighs over 4,000lbs [1,814kg], and the effort involved every available man on the cliff-top outpost. The ammunition boxes, each weighing nearly 100lbs [45kg] and containing High Explosive shells also had to be manhandled up the 400m track. The move of the gun was done at night to keep the gun secret from the enemy, with Gurkhas providing close protection on the hills and cliffs around - alert to any enemy attempting to ambush the gun-movers.

"Once in place, the gun was camouflaged to prevent the enemy realising the new threat to them. Since it was nicknamed the Dragon, the effort of uncamouflaging it is now called 'bringing the Dragon from its lair'."

At the summit, the gun commands a firing point which provides protection for Musa Qala town, the British Forward Operating Base and Patrol Bases deep in the lush Green Zone surrounding it.

Manning the gun are four soldiers from 8 (Alma) Commando Battery - two of whom are Australians from 4th Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, attached to 8 Battery for the duration of the tour. In addition, a Fire Support Team of a further four 8 Battery gunners use their excellent observation point to direct air strikes, attack helicopters and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) accurately and quickly onto targets.

They are joined by soldiers from The 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles with a bristling arsenal of weapons - Javelin heat-seeking missiles, sniper rifles and .50cal heavy machine guns.

Gunner Thomas Alder, 8 (Alma) Commando Battery said: "The Roshan Tower gun platform gives us excellent observation over enemy territory. My role is actually laying the sights onto the enemy directly and firing shells into the heart of the enemy territory. The Taliban are running scared because of the gun - they call it the Dragon because of the huge belching flame that spits out of the barrel when it fires!"

Rather than being used in its usual indirect-fire role, firing over obstructions and land masses, being so high up allows it to fire directly down in a straight line onto its targets, affording unrivalled accuracy.

This role was originally designed for destroying tanks, up to a distance of around 2km away, but the Gunners now manning it are accurately striking targets up to 3km away. They are able to acquire, engage and hit a target at 3km within five seconds.

Major James Vigne, added: "The gun is phenomenally accurate - achieving first round hits on individuals at up to 3km, allowing us to strike the enemy very precisely and extremely quickly. Our location allows us to provide fire support to our patrols out on the ground and give a running commentary of the locations and movements of the enemy.

"The Dragon is the most feared weapon in our area by the Taliban - they are genuinely frightened by it. It is also the most loved by our own forces - the Gurkhas operating from Musa Qala have been astonished by its speed, pin-point accuracy and power.

"More importantly, its accuracy means we are better able to prevent civilian injuries."

Major Ross Daines, Officer Commanding B Company The 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: "The Dragon is an excellent capability which plays on the enemy's mind and is a huge confidence boost for troops in contact. The enemy cannot now move around the area without fear of being struck - it is responsive, accurate and effective, hitting the enemy hard before they can escape - they cannot run from a 105mm shell."

29 Commando Regiment is an Army Commando gun regiment that has been an integral part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines since 1962. It is equipped with twelve 105mm Light Guns that were first used during the Falklands War in 1982 and have remained in service since. The Regiment also provides the Fire Support Teams that direct the fire of these guns and many other assets such as fast jets, attack helicopters and guided rocket launchers.

The Commando Gunners are manned by Army ranks who wear the coveted Green Beret having completed the All Arms Commando Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone.

For Operation HERRICK 9, the Regiment was augmented by men from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, based in Germany, as well as by a number of TA and Australian Gunners. The Regiment's fire planning staffs working at HQ level and its Fire Support Teams at company level, have directed the firepower of 3 Commando Brigade - Firepower provided by its own 105mm light artillery, 81mm mortars, Attack Helicopters, multinational fast jets and precision guided rockets fired by 74 (Battleaxe) Battery.

Members of the Regiment have either been delivering this firepower or coordinating it from practically every location that Task Force Helmand troops have operated from.

China, Taiwan Military Officials To Meet: Report

China, Taiwan Military Officials To Meet: Report (NSI News Source Info) BEIJING - April 1, 2009: Military officials from China and Taiwan will meet face-to-face for the first time in 60 years, state media said March 31, the latest sign of warming relations between the longtime rivals. They will meet at a security forum in Hawaii in August, China Daily said, quoting unnamed senior Chinese military officials. It gave no other details on who would meet or what would be discussed. The expected meeting, on the sidelines of a military exchange forum organized by a think tank under U.S. Pacific Command, would be the first in the 60 years since the sides split at the end of China's civil war. The report comes amid a dramatic improvement in relations since China-friendly Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May promising to boost the island's trade and tourism links with the mainland. In December, the sides inaugurated the first daily passenger flights across the Taiwan Strait, along with other transport links. Earlier this month, Taiwan's defense ministry said it planned to cut the size of its armed forces by more than a fifth by 2014 amid the friendlier relations with China. China views Taiwan as a part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

Iran And US hold 'Cordial' Talks / Iran Signals Willingness To Join US In Fight Against Afghan Drug Trade / Clinton Said Iran's Presence At The Hague

Iran And US hold 'Cordial' Talks / Iran Signals Willingness To Join US In Fight Against Afghan Drug Trade / Clinton Said Iran's Presence At The Hague Meeting Was 'A Promising Sign'

(NSI News Source Info) The Hague - April 1, 2009: The US envoy to Afghanistan has held "a cordial exchange" with Iran's deputy foreign minister, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said. The meeting between Richard Holbrooke and Mohammad Mehdi Akhoondzadeh took place on the sidelines of a meeting in The Hague to discuss Afghanistan. The US has welcomed Iran's presence at the meeting. Netherlands' Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen hands over a set of papers as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) is about to answer a question before the start of a U.N.-backed conference on Afghanistan in The Hague March 31, 2009. Clinton is hoping to win support at the 90-nation conference for greater military involvement along with increased economic development and army and police training to defeat al Qaeda and Taliban insurgents. Analysts say the easing of tensions between the US and Tehran is due to a new tone set by the Obama White House. Earlier, Iran gave a guarded welcome to US plans to increase regional co-operation over Afghanistan. "In the course of the conference today, our special representative for Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, had a brief and cordial exchange with the head of the Iranian delegation," Mrs Clinton told a news conference. She said the meeting had been unplanned, but Mr Holbrooke and Mr Akhoondzadeh had agreed to "stay in touch". She added that Iran's presence at Tuesday's meeting was "a promising sign that there will be future co-operation". Afghan reconstruction Mrs Clinton was speaking at the end of the one-day meeting of delegates from 70 countries and other organisations interested in rebuilding Afghanistan. The meeting was called by the UN amid widespread concern that not enough progress has been made since the US-led invasion in 2001. Mohammad Mehdi Akhoondzadeh criticised US plans for a troops 'surge' During the conference, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said much of the aid given to his country had been wasted. He said the failure to deliver aid effectively was a cause of widespread grievance among Afghans. In response, Mrs Clinton said aid should be more effectively spent, but added that the Afghan state needed to be more accountable and had to tackle corruption. She said the cost of remaining in Afghanistan in the long term might be high, but it would be worth it. "Let us be guided by an ancient afghan proverb - patience can be bitter, but its fruit is sweet," she said. BBC international development correspondent David Loyn says US President Barack Obama's new Afghan strategy was given a broad welcome at the conference. Anti-drugs campaign Mr Akhoondzadeh said Iran was fully prepared to participate in "projects aimed at combating drug trafficking and the plans in line with developing and reconstructing Afghanistan". However, he was critical of US plans to send more troops to the region, saying the money would be better spent on building Afghanistan's own forces. "The presence of foreign forces has not improved things in the country, and it seems than an increase in the number of foreign forces will prove ineffective, too," he said.

Netanyahu: Israel Is Serious About Peace

Netanyahu: Israel Is Serious About Peace

*The hawkish prime minister, who presented his new government Tuesday, shows a distinct change in style and tactics – though not substance – since his 1996-99 term.

(NSI News Source Info) Tel Aviv - April 1, 2009: This week, Benjamin Netanyahu begins his second tenure as Israel's leader. Will this time be different? Nearly a decade after his rocky stint as prime minister ended in a landslide defeat, his inaugural speech Tuesday evening completed a comeback. But Israel's leader is still dogged by a legacy of diplomatic stagnation that unnerves both the international commuinty and Israelis – a legacy he sought to overcome in his address to parliament. Incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speak on the plenum floor before the swearing-in ceremony for Netanyahu's new government at parliament in Jerusalem March 31, 2009. Netanyahu was to be sworn in as Israel's prime minister on Tuesday, returning to a post he held a decade ago and with no explicit commitment to the internationally-backed goal of Palestinian statehood. "Israel aspires to a full peace with the Arab world," he said, as he presented his new right-wing government. "I say to the Palestinians, 'If you really want peace, we can achieve peace.... We will conduct continuous negotiations.' " Netanyahu's shift in emphasis from criticism of the peace process to stressing his desire to "engage" with new ideas stems in part from an ill-fated first go-round as premier, which observers say chastened the man known for his hubris. The change, however, is more a function of style and tactics rather substance, say many analysts. While they say his worldview is still that of a pragmatic hawk who is skeptical about making concessions to Israel's Arab neighbors, observers point to a mellowed political style and a more carefully considered tactician. "Netanyahu is still a very strong idealist," says Aviv Bushinsky, who served as Netanyahu's top media advisor during his first term. "I think he will be more cautious before making decisions. Even if he reaches the same decisions, he'll prepare the ground better." Last time: a wunderkind bent on opposing peace When Benjamin Netanyahu became Israel's youngest prime minister in 1996, he had a reputation as a brash political wunderkind bent on putting the brakes on the Oslo peace process adopted by the administration of former US President Bill Clinton. Despite that tension, Netanyahu compounded the strained relations with Israel's all-important ally by publicly meeting with Christian-right evangelicals like Jerry Falwell – prominent opponents of Israeli concessions to the Palestinians – on a US visit in 1998 aimed at advancing the peace process. The contrast in his approach to relations with the Obama administration has been telling. Recognizing that in order to confront Iran he cannot afford another rift with the White House, he has stressed his desire to "engage" with new ideas. And though he doesn't see eye to eye with Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on the urgency of resolving the Palestinian conflict, Netanyahu has sought to smooth over those differences by stressing the points in common with the Obama administration. But Netanyahu comes into office at a time when Iran's growing regional influence and nuclear aspirations figure just as high on Israel's regional agenda – if not higher than – Arab-Israeli peace. Identifying the spread of "extremist Islam" as the source of Israel's security "crisis," Netanyahu addressed Iran directly in his speech Tuesday: "We won't let any person or state to put a question mark over our existence." Zalman Shoval, a former Israeli ambassador to the US and foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu, argues that containing Iran has become a precondition for progress on the peace process.

"There's a close relationship. If Iran was allowed to have nuclear weapon, then the whole nature of the peace process will change," he says. "The moderates will be the losers" and peace-process opponents like Hamas will grow stronger. Common ground with US on Arab-Israeli peace Though Netanyahu doesn't see eye to eye with Obama and Secretary of State Clinton on the urgency of resolving the Palestinian conflict, he is seeking to smooth over those differences by stressing the points in common with the US administration. "He'll emphasize close cooperation with the US, and this also reflects on the peace process," says Mr. Shoval. "In the same way that Hillary Clinton put it, the Palestinians should run their own lives." While Netanyahu has remained a critic of peace negotiations with the Palestinians, he has proposed a different approach to peace: an economic one. Peace negotiations will come to fruition only after the US-backed Palestinian Authority is strong enough to assume control over the West Bank, and only after control of the Gaza Strip is wrested from Hamas, say Netnayahu's aides. So instead of pushing talks on the thorny final status issues like the future of Jerusalem, Netanyahu has promoted an "economic peace" in the West Bank, suggesting that support for militants will drop if Israel and the international community can spearhead business and investment. But there are doubts about the effectiveness of this approach. "The global economic situation is such that nobody has money to make investments, and if they did have money, why would they come to the West Bank," says Gershon Baskin, head of the Israel-Palestinian Center for Research and information. "It's difficult for me to see how he can make progress." Breakthrough for regional diplomacy? Whether Netanyahu will just bide his time or is interested in a breakthrough in regional diplomacy is a subject for debate. Some believe that along with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Netanyahu is likely to revisit peace negotiations with the Syrians. "We see a full peace with the Arab world," Netanyahu said in his remarks. "I wanted to isolate extremist Islam from the rest of the Muslim and Arab world, which is also threatened." During his first term in office, Netanyahu conducted secret talks with the Syrians via US businessman Ron Lauder, and discussed giving up parts of the Golan Heights.

Many analysts think that a deal with Syria would help the US and Israel turn the tables on Iran, but Netanyahu is almost sure to encounter fierce political opposition from coalition partners and his own party. But Bushinsky noted that this time around, Netanyahu is liable to be looking for a place in Israel history rather than being remembered as having tried twice and come up with no results. "It's like an American president in his last term," he said. "If he won't do anything, he won't do anything, and it will be the end of his career. I think he will be braver than before."

Pakistani Taliban Threatens Attack On White House

Pakistani Taliban Threatens Attack On White House

*By ISHTIAQ MAHSUD The Associated Press

(NSI News Source Info) DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan - April 1, 2009: The commander of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Tuesday for a deadly assault on a Pakistani police academy and said the group was planning a terrorist attack on the White House that would "amaze" the world. Baitullah Mehsud, who has a $5 million bounty on his head from the U.S., said Monday's attack on the outskirts of the eastern city of Lahore was retaliation for U.S. missile strikes against militants along the Afghan border. Pakistani police officers arrest one of the allegedly gunmen at the compound of a police training school on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, March 30, 2009. A group of gunmen attacked a police academy and rampaged through it for hours Monday, throwing grenades, seizing hostages and killing at least 11 officers before being overpowered by Pakistani security forces in armored vehicles and helicopters, authorities said. "Soon we will launch an attack in Washington that will amaze everyone in the world," Mehsud told The Associated Press by phone. He provided no details. Mehsud has never been directly linked to any attacks outside Pakistan, but attacks blamed on his network of fighters have widened in scope and ambition in recent years. The threat comes days after President Barack Obama warned that al-Qaida is actively planning attacks on the United States from secret havens in Pakistan. Pakistan's former government and the CIA named Mehsud as the prime suspect behind the December 2007 killing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Pakistani officials accuse him of harboring foreign fighters, including Central Asians linked to al-Qaida, and of training suicide bombers. In his latest comments, Mehsud identified the White House as one of the targets in an interview with local Dewa Radio, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said the bureau was not aware of any imminent or specific threat to the U.S., despite what the Pakistani Taliban leader said. "He has made similar threats to the U.S. in the past," said Kolko. Mehsud also claimed responsibility for a suicide car bombing that killed four soldiers Monday in Bannu district and a suicide attack targeting a police station in Islamabad last week that killed one officer. Such attacks pose a major test for the weak, year-old civilian administration of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari that has been gripped with political turmoil in recent weeks. A senior police investigator in the Lahore case, Zulfikar Hameed, said some of the men arrested in Monday's attack corroborated Mehsud's claim. "We have got some important leads from them regarding their origin, their network, their local facilitators and things like that," he told Dawn News TV, declining to elaborate.

The gunmen who attacked the police academy killed seven police and two civilians, holding security forces at bay for about eight hours before being overpowered by Pakistani commandos. Some of the attackers wore police uniforms, and they took hostages and tossed grenades during the assault.

Earlier Tuesday, a spokesman from a little-known militant group linked to the Pakistani Taliban also claimed responsibility for the attack and a similar ambush-style attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team earlier this month in Lahore. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the two claims. Omar Farooq, who said he is the spokesman for Fedayeen al-Islam, said the group would carry out more attacks unless Pakistani troops withdraw from tribal areas near the Afghan border and the U.S. stops its drone strikes. The group previously said it was behind the deadly September bombing of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad that killed 54 people. Mehsud declined to comment on Fedayeen al-Islam's claim that it carried out the attack or to say whether the group is linked to his own. The Pakistani Taliban leader also said he was not deterred by the U.S. bounty on his head: "I wish to die and embrace martyrdom." The AP has spoken to Mehsud several times in the past and recognized his voice, and a request for an interview with Mehsud was submitted through his aide. The militant leader also granted phone interviews to other media organizations. The Pakistani Taliban has links with al-Qaida and Afghan Taliban militants who have launched attacks against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan from a base in the border region between the two countries. Pakistan faces tremendous U.S. pressure to eradicate militants from its soil and has launched several military operations in the Afghan border region. The U.S. has stepped up drone attacks against militants in the area, causing tension with Pakistani officials who protest they are a violation of the country's sovereignty and kill innocent civilians. Monday's highly coordinated attack highlighted that militants in the country pose a threat far outside the border region. It prompted Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik, Pakistan's top civilian security official, to say that militant groups were "destabilizing the country." After gunmen stormed the academy, masses of security forces surrounded the compound, exchanging fire in televised scenes reminiscent of the militant siege in the Indian city of Mumbai in November and the attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team. Officials Tuesday were still trying to sort out how many attackers were involved, giving varying accounts to the media. A senior Lahore police investigator, Zulfikar Hameed, told the AP that three of the attackers blew themselves up when commandos retook the police academy and one was shot by security forces. Hameed said it was difficult to say precisely how many militants carried out the attack and some may have escaped. Tasneem Qureshi, a top official at the Interior Ministry, told an Express News TV that four attackers were in custody and "one, who was wounded, managed to escape." Punjab police chief, Khawaja Khalid Farooq, said one of the captured militants had provided useful information and that about 50 other people in Lahore were detained overnight for questioning.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Discuss Taliban with President Barack Obama

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Discuss Taliban with President Barack Obama

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - April 1, 2009: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to tell President Barack Obama there is no difference between good and bad Taliban when they meet this week on the G20 sidelines. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before a delegation level meeting in New Delhi, India,Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (file) India's prime minister will meet U.S. President Barack Obama for the first time at the Group of 20 meeting Thursday in London.

While the global economic crisis is to dominate the official agenda, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the U.S. President will also discuss South Asian security.

Speaking to reporters in Guwahati in northeast India, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Mr. Singh is eager to discuss the insurgencies along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Mukherjee is expressing unease with proposals to allow so-called "good" Taliban in a future power-sharing arrangement in Afghanistan to fight al Qaida and other terrorists.

"I am afraid our perception is you cannot make a distinction between good Talibans and bad Talibans," Mukherjee said. "There cannot be any good terrorists or bad terrorists."

The Taliban, who are primarily ethnic Pashtuns, are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. A U.S.-led military operation in 2001 ousted the Taliban from power in Afghanistan.

The Indian minister added Afghanistan's problems cannot be solved without simultaneously taking care of the challenges faced by it neighbor, Pakistan. Mukherjee pointed to territories under Pakistan's administrative control as the epicenter of global terrorism. The initial face-to-face meeting between the Indian and U.S. leaders in London this week is viewed as crucial for maintaining the warming ties between New Delhi and Washington.

The Indo-American relationship blossomed during the presidency of George W. Bush. Traditionally the United States maintained a closer relationship with Pakistan than India. Pakistan and India have fought three wars since independence in 1947. During the Cold War era, India was officially a non-aligned state, but had a deep level of cooperation with the Soviet Union. Russia remains the top supplier of weaponry, aircraft and other equipment to India's military.

Croatia and Albania To Join NATO

Croatia and Albania To Join NATO

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: Slovenia took the action on Croatia's behalf at the State Department on Monday, after doing the same for Albania on March 3, Gordon Duguid, a department spokesman,said. Croatian Army soldiers attend a briefing after joint military exercises with members of the Minnesota National guard at Gasinci training centre, some 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Zagreb on February 26, 2009. NATO is expected to welcome Croatia and Albania as new members at a summit in April. "The deposit of Slovenia's instrument of ratification completed the individual ratification process of all 26 NATO allies needed for the admission of Albania and Croatia into NATO," Mr Duguid said. NATO Secretry General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer "will now issue official invitations to Albania and Croatia to join NATO," he said. Croatia and Albania will "take their seats as members of the alliance" at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's 60th anniversary summit at the end of the week, he added. In Ljubljana on Friday, Slovenian President Danilo Turk officially ratified Croatia's accession to NATO, after a referendum that threatened to hold up the process failed to materialize. The two neighbors are involved in a long-standing border dispute that has already stalled Croatia's EU accession process. But Slovenia insisted that the row did not effect Zagreb's NATO bid. After Greece ratified Croatia's accession in mid-February, Slovenia was the last of the 26 NATO members not to have handed the alliance its signature.