Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Pakistan Map Shows Taliban Extending Control In North-West NWFP / Taliban Spreading Its Control Over North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Rapidly

Pakistan Map Shows Taliban Extending Control In North-West NWFP / Taliban Spreading Its Control Over North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Rapidly
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - May 13, 2009: A map produced by the BBC suggests only 38% of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and surrounding areas is under full government control. The map, compiled by the BBC's Urdu language service, was based on local research and correspondent reports as well as conversations with officials. It shows the Taleban strengthening their hold across the north-west. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari rejected the findings, telling the BBC it was an "incorrect survey". The map illustrates the spreading strength of the Taleban in Pakistan's north-west, something both army and government officials have vowed to combat. He was speaking after talks in London with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who pledged £12m ($18m) in humanitarian aid for north-west Pakistan. Mr Zardari said the two countries were united in fighting the threat to their countries' democratic way of life, and also repeated assurances that his country's arsenal was in safe hands. There was an international outcry recently when the militants moved into Buner district, just 100km (67 miles) from Islamabad. Pakistan has continued its military offensive to regain control of the region, and has reported the deaths of 11 militants in the Swat valley in the past 24 hours. Residents trapped in Mingora, the main town in Swat, told AFP news agency by telephone that militants had planted mines and were digging trenches. "People are becoming mentally ill, our senses have shut down, children and woman are crying, please tell the government to pull us out of here," said one shopkeeper, who did not want to give his name. "Forget the lack of electricity and other problems, the Taleban are everywhere and heavy exchanges of fire are routine at night." Mapping lawlessness The report the BBC map was based on covered the 24 districts of NWFP and the seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Pakistan's president tells the BBC's David Loyn that the survey is 'incorrect' The researchers analysed reports from BBC Urdu correspondents over the past 18 months, backed up by conversations with local officials, police officers and journalists. They concluded that in 24% of the region, the civilian government no longer had authority and Taleban commanders had taken over administrative controls. Either the Taleban were in complete control or the military were engaged in operations to flush them out. Another 38% of the region was deemed to have a permanent Taleban presence, meaning militants had established rural bases which were restricting local government activities and seriously compromising local administration. In those areas - three districts in FATA and 11 in NWFP - the Taleban had repeatedly shown their capability to strike at will, says the report. Militants had made their presence felt by carrying out periodic attacks on girls' schools, music shops, police stations and government buildings. The map gives a snapshot of the current situation. However continuing fighting between Pakistani troops and the Taleban means the situation on the ground could change in the future. The Pakistani army's spokesman, Gen Athar Abbas, rejected the BBC map as "grossly exaggerated". "The ground situation doesn't give any indicator of such influence or control of Taleban in this area," he told the BBC in Rawalpindi. Thousands flee The region is notorious for its lack of law and order, so the researchers applied a series of rules to differentiate Taleban activity from general lawlessness. The incidents had to be of a recurring nature, there had to be an official recognition of Taleban presence, Taleban militants must have appointed local "commanders" and religious schools sympathetic to the militants must be operating in the area. Pakistan has been stepping up its campaign against the Taleban in the north-west. Tens of thousands of people have fled from the region to escape the fighting. The research also indicates areas to which researchers believe Taleban-style militancy may further spread inside Pakistan. The report found that, based on current perceptions of religiously motivated violence, there were strong indications that in 47% of Punjab Province there was a high likelihood of an increase in Taleban militancy in the near future. The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that while the research indicates the strength of the Taleban in the region, the various factions and groups are only loosely co-ordinated. Observers have warned against overstating the existence of one unified insurgency against the state, says our correspondent.

DTN News: Sports TODAY May 13, 2009 - Yonex Contracted Russian Players Defeated Singapore At The Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championships

DTN News: Sports TODAY May 13, 2009 - Yonex Contracted Russian Players Defeated Singapore At The Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championships
(NSI News Source Info) May 13, 2009: Russia's Nina Vislova retures the shuttlecock as her teammate Valeria Sorokina looks on as they play against Singapore's Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari during the women's doubles preliminary matches at the Sudirman Cup world team badminton championships in Guangzhou Gymnasium in China's southern city of Guangzhou on May 11, 2009. Russia defeated Singapore 3-2.

DTN News: Iraq TODAY May 13, 2009 - US And Iraqi Soldiers Guarding Ancient Sites Sumerian City In Southern Central Iraq

DTN News: Iraq TODAY May 13, 2009 - US And Iraqi Soldiers Guarding Ancient Sites Sumerian City In Southern Central Iraq
(NSI News Source Info) May 13, 2009: Iraqi and US soldiers stand guard at ancient Ur during a handing over ceremony between the US military and Iraqi offcials in southern central Iraq on May 13, 2009.
The Ziggurat of Ur which tradition dictates is the Biblical birthplace of Abraham was handed back by the US military to the Iraqi control.
The ancient Sumerian city, which dates back to 6000 BC, lies on a former course of the Euphrates, one of the two great rivers of Iraq, and is one of the country's oldest sites.
Ur remained an important city until its conquest by Alexander the Great a few centuries before Christ.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Urges Pakistan To Apologies For The 1971 Genocide / Bangladesh Urges Pakistan Apology For 1971 ‘Crimes’

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Urges Pakistan To Apologies For The 1971 Genocide / Bangladesh Urges Pakistan Apology For 1971 ‘Crimes’
(NSI News Source Info) DHAKA - May 13, 2009: Bangladesh on Wednesday urged Pakistan to apologise formally for alleged atrocities committed by its army during Bangladesh’s bloody liberation struggle in 1971. The government of Bangladesh has banned people suspected of war crimes during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan from travelling abroad. It says these people, who are accused of collaborating with Pakistani troops, will face war crime trials. Among them are leaders of the largest religious party Jamaat-i-Islami - a rival of the ruling Awami League. Critics say it is a ploy to destroy Jamaat-i-Islami, none of whose leaders has been charged with any crimes. But two party leaders have already been prevented from leaving Bangladesh. One of them told the BBC he had not been given any reason for this, and that the government was violating his fundamental rights. 'Last chance' - The Awami League came to power in December, promising to tackle the issue which has haunted and divided Bangladesh since independence. The new government says it wants to punish those who helped the Pakistan army's brutal attempt to hang on to what was then Pakistan's eastern province. The government says some three million civilians died and 200,000 women were raped. The Pakistan army was blamed for most atrocities. But local militias, some allegedly linked to the religious party, Jamaat-i-islami, were accused of helping them. Many collaborators were jailed, but the issue was quietly dropped as consecutive governments preferred not to reopen old wounds. Awami League supporters say the government's pledge is the last chance for the generation which lived through the war to see justice. * Bangladeshi officials have said three million people were killed during the fight for independence for what was then East Pakistan, and the new government in Dhaka has vowed to try suspected war criminals. In a meeting with Pakistan’s High Commissioner on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni raised the issue of ‘seeking formal apologies by Pakistan for the genocide in 1971,’ a written statement said. A Pakistani envoy told Bangladesh in February to let ‘bygones be bygones’ and rejected plans to try those accused of murder, rape and arson. A private Dhaka-based group that has investigated the conflict has named 1,775 people, including Pakistani generals and local militants allied with Pakistan, as war crime suspects.

Singapore Awarded Thales With LEP Its Mine Countermeasure Vessels / Thales Appointed Prime Contractor For Modernisation of Singapore's Mine Vessels

Singapore Awarded Thales With LEP Its Mine Countermeasure Vessels / Thales Appointed Prime Contractor For Modernisation of Singapore's Mine Countermeasures Vessels (NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - May 13, 2009: Following a call for international tender, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) of Singapore awarded Thales with the Life Extension Programme (LEP) of its 4 Bedok class mine-countermeasure vessels. The Bedok class are mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They play an important role in the maritime security of Singapore, ensuring that the Singapore Strait and the sea lanes surrounding Singapore remain mine-free and open to international shipping. It is estimated that closure of Singapore’s ports would result in direct trade losses amounting to more than US$1.2 billion daily, posing a serious threat to Singapore's economy. The four ships form the 194 Squadron of the RSN. In November 2007, it was reported that three companies were shortlisted to compete for the supply of a new one-shot mine disposal system to equip the Bedok class. Atlas Elektronik, ECA and Gaymarine were selected for detailed technical and commercial evaluation following an initial assessment of five candidate systems. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and L-3 Ocean Systems, offering their Minesniper system and Mk 8x Expendable Mine Destructor respectively, were eliminated from consideration. BAE Systems was unable to provide its Archerfish system for evaluation within the required timescale. In November 2008, the Bedok class upgrade programme was revealed. Of the four vessels, two are planned to be fully refitted with modifications to the hulls and mine-hunting systems, while the other two will receive partial refits. A decision between two competing European bids is expected to be made by April 2009, with completion of the first platform expected 18 months later. This significant contract highlights the relevance of both Thales's naval technology portfolio and its comprehensive set of skills and capabilities to address key modernisation programs in an ever-more competitive international naval market. Thales will provide an advanced, integrated mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales will also be in charge of making any structural alterations to the vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and equipment. "Thales is honoured to have been selected by the DSTA as Prime Contractor for the modernisation program of the Bedok Class MCM vessels. This contract award underlines the cutting edge of Thales's naval technology portfolio to address the very challenging maritime environment of the Republic of Singapore", says Marc Darmon, Senior Vice President of Thales and Head of Naval Division. Within the framework of the contract, Thales will also closely cooperate with the ST Electronics Group, building on the successful history of cooperation in various other programs. "Upon completion of the modernisation program, the RSN will benefit from a high coverage rate of MCM operations, with a very high level of detection and classification accuracy of the most advanced sea mines. This enhanced capability constitutes a key contribution to a safer maritime environment", says Benoit Ribadeau-Dumas, Vice President of Thales's Underwater Systems Business. In 2007 and 2008, Thales has been awarded significant MCM modernisations programs in Norway, India and Lithuania. BACKGROUND NOTES: With an every higher degree of sophistication and the potential use by terrorists in high traffic sea lines of communications, sea mines pose an increasing threat to naval forces and commercial vessel traffic. In order to counter such threats, navies around the world are maintaining a cutting edge mine-hunting capability. This requires innovative sensors and algorithms able to rapidly and with a high degree of confidence detect and classify mines are necessary, along with the effectors to dispose of them. Effectors may include expendable drones so as to remove the human operator from being exposed to the threats posed by mine disposal operations.

Czech Republic Acquires Four C-295 Military Transport Aircraft From Airbus Military

Czech Republic Acquires Four C-295 Military Transport Aircraft From Airbus Military
(NSI News Source Info) MADRID - May 13, 2009: The Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic has signed an agreement for the acquisition of four C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus Military. The agreement extends to logistical support.
The Czech Air Force will receive its first Casa C-295 by the end of the year, with the other three to follow in 2010. (Airbus Military imagery)
These aircraft will replace the former fleet of Antonov An-26 aircraft. The first aircraft will be delivered at the end of 2009 and the last before the end of 2010.
With these four aircraft, the order book for C-295 aircraft totals 72 units. This model is owned by nations such as Poland, Finland, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, Jordan and Spain, among others.
The C-295 is a multipurpose aircraft used in humanitarian missions, deployment of rapid reaction forces, maritime surveillance and homeland security worldwide. More than 250 CN-235/C-295 currently in service have proved their quality and operating range in the hardest conditions, over the deserts in the Middle East or the more inhospitable polar regions, in humanitarian aid missions, or to evacuate catastrophic areas or military areas such as Bosnia or Afghanistan, within the OTAN operational framework.
These two models add up more than one million flights.
The C-295 is the latest development of Airbus Military medium weight tactical transport aircraft family. Versatile, robust and with the lowest life cycle cost (LCC) of any aircraft in its category, the twin turboprop (2 x Pratt & Whitney PW127G, 2,645 shp)
C-295 is capable of carrying out a wide range of missions with maximum efficacy. The C-295 can carry 71 troops or 49 paratroops + one jumpmaster. Loading options include five MIL STD 88”x108” 463L pallets or up to ten 88”x54” pallets. The max cruise speed is 260 kts (480 km/h). Max TOW is 51,150 lb (23.2 ton). Basic dimensions (approx.) are 85 ft (26 m) wingspan, 80 ft (24.5 m) length, and 28 ft (8.7 m) height.
Airbus is an EADS company.

Pakistan To Test-Fire Italian Air Defense Missiles In 2010

Pakistan To Test-Fire Italian Air Defense Missiles In 2010
(NSI News Source Info) ROME - May 13, 2009: Pakistan will test-fire next spring the Spada 2000 air defense system it has acquired from MBDA Italia, officials at the Italian firm said. The Spada 2000 is an all-weather, day and night, highly automated, air defence system developed by MBDA (formerly Alenia Marconi Systems). The system has quick reaction time and requires very few operators to man the system. The unit can operate independently or can be integrated with national air defence centres. Spada 2000 is in production and in service with Spanish Air Forces. The Spada 2000 is an upgraded version of the Spada air defence system providing significant operational and technological improvements, including increased firepower and range, and the capability of coordinating additional anti-air weapons. In March 2007, Kuwait ordered the upgrade of its Aspide missile systems to Aspide 2000 / Spada 2000 configuration. The test-firing, which will be staged in Pakistan in the first half of 2010, will follow the delivery in February of the first of 10 Spada batteries ordered by Pakistan for 415 million euros ($565.1 million) in 2007. "We aim to deliver all 10 of the batteries within 36 months of the test-firing, that is to say by 2013," said Antonio Perfetti, CEO of MBDA Italia, which is the Finmeccanica-owned Italian operation within the European missile house MBDA. Operated by Italy and Spain, each Spada 2000 system features two firing sections, each containing two to four missile launchers, each hosting six Aspide 2000 missiles. The missiles have an intercept range of more than 20 kilometers. Since the contract became operational in February 2008, MBDA has launched the construction of facilities in Karachi for maintenance on the systems. The set-up forms part of an offset arrangement on the sale, which Perfetti said had been "important" to winning the contract. Two facilities are being prepared, one for maintenance of the Spada system and a second for guidance system testing and maintenance of the Aspide missiles, both completed in February. Training of Pakistani technicians will start this year, while Pakistani military officials visited MBDA in Italy last week to follow progress, part of a cycle of visits. Perfetti said the Italian military was continuing to act as liaison with the customer. A second MBDA official added that the Italian Air Force had already helped prove the effectiveness of the system in 2005 when it staged eight test-launches at its Salto di Quirra range for visiting Pakistani officials.