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Monday, August 23, 2010

Seoul 7th biggest buyer of US arms


South Korea was one of the largest buyers of American defense goods on a government-to-government level last year, the United States said Saturday. The country purchased $462 million worth of defense products in 2009 through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, becoming Washington’s seventh-biggest client, according to the Pentagon’s Annual Military Assistance Report. The amount fell sharply from the $798 million spent in 2008, a decline the Pentagon attributes to the purchase of two Aegis weapons systems that year worth a combined $300 million. The amount is expected to jump significantly this year, however, as Seoul has conducted additional naval drills to deter provocations from North Korea, which it blames for sinking one of its warships in March. Last month, South Korea held large-scale joint naval exercises in the East Sea with the United States as a response to the sinking of the Cheonan, which killed 46 sailors. The maneuvers were followed by independent exercises in the West Sea. The two allies are slated to hold further anti-submarine drills next month.  Saudi Arabia topped the buyers list with $1.67 billion in purchases from the U.S., followed by Greece at $1.29 billion. Israel came in third at $771 million, followed by Britain ($671 million), Egypt ($659 million) and Canada ($530 million).

Iran unveils drone aircraft to counter "aggressors"

Iran unveiled a prototype long-range unmanned bomber on Sunday, the latest in a stream of announcements of new Iranian-made military hardware as tension mounts over its nuclear programme. On a stage in front of military officials, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pulled a sheet away from the aircraft, called the Karrar, which Iran says is its first long-range drone. With the United States and Israel saying they do not rule out a military strike to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb, the Islamic Republic has showed off new mini-submarines, and a surface-to-surface missile and announced plans to launch high-altitude satellites over the next three years. The presentation of the drone came a day after Iranian and Russian technicians began loading fuel into Iran's first nuclear power station, something Israel called "totally unacceptable". In a speech at the unveiling ceremony, Ahmadinejad said Iran should seek the ability to make pre-emptive strikes against a perceived threat, although he said it would never strike first. 

After Zimbabwe, NZ offers to play in Pak for flood victims

After Zimbabwe, New Zealand has offered to tour Pakistan for a one-off exhibition match to raise funds for the victims of the floods that has devastated the strife-torn country, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Sunday. A senior PCB told PTI that apart from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, New Zealand Cricket had also conveyed to the PCB that they were willing to play in Pakistan to raise funds for the flood victims. "All in all the situation is such that these matches might eventually also lead to the full resumption of international cricket in Pakistan," he said. Presently, PCB is in talks with ZCU after the African country has expressed interest in touring Pakistan for a full series to raise funds for relief efforts.
Both ZCU and NZC's offer has come as a big boost for PCB after foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team at Lahore in March last year. Since then security scenario in Pakistan has made it a virtual no go area for foreign teams, forcing the cricketing nation to play its home series on foreign soil. To add to it, the International Cricket Council also shifted Pakistan's share of the 2011 World Cup matches to the other three host countries - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Back to army in Pakistan


The reservoir of hatred has to be very deep for Pakistan to reject India's aid at a time when desperate, flood-affected, marauding men snatch precious food from wailing, helpless women; when advertisements for donations are appearing in British and American newspapers; when the United Nations has stepped in to lead a rescue effort; and when the World Bank has offered two billion dollars over the next two years to ameliorate the consequences of an unprecedented national calamity. It took an American rap across the knuckles before Pakistan accepted India's five million dollars. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's response to this gratuitous insult was a testament to his faith: He offered more. The best answer to visceral animosity is surely a civilized handshake, even if one may have to count one's fingers after the hand has been shaken. A caveat is essential. We must not confuse the Pakistani people with the Pakistan government. The government was playing politics with a crisis. The starving have no time for cynicism. The true victims of any such calamity are the poor, for the rich live above water. No poll has indicated that Pakistan's flood-displaced would rather go hungry and roofless than eat wheat or take shelter under a tent purchased with India's dollars.