Next week President Obama is expected to announce his decision on the deployment of additional US troops to Afghanistan. Obama has sacrificed a good deal of his goodwill through too much strategic analysis instead of clear, efficient and quick decision-making. See Fraser Nelson on Britain’s AWOL ally.

When the decision on troop numbers is announced you might like to refer to this primer in the New York Times, which you can use to judge Obama’s committment to solving the Afghanistan mess:

• 80,000 more US troops: the highest number requested by US General McCrystal, but quickly rejected by Obama. [Note: the US troop surge in Iraq made a difference according to some].
• 40,000: which US military strategists suggest offers enough to gain control of Kandahar and Helmand from the Taliban, address weaknesses in control of Afghan/Pakistan border regions, and a large contingent to train the Afghan security forces. The preferred option by the military and others.
• 20,000-35,000: similar to above but fewer trainers, and at the lower level fewer troops in Helmand. The lower the number the less the chance of success.
• 10-15,000: main focus on training Afghan security forces, and reliance on drones. The weak option.
• 10,000 NATO troops which the New York times sees as problematic, as NATO allies struggle to provide close to half that figure.

If you’ve the time and interest, Anthony Cordesman’s analysis of Obama’s Afghan Strategy Checklist is a rewarding read. Since listening to General Sir Mike Jackson, I’ve come to agree that a large troop deployment will likely achieve the desired result faster, which is to put it crudely, armed nation building.

A reminder for South Tyneside folks

If you are planning on coming to South Shields to pay tribute and say thanks to our local service personnel who have been active in Helmand province, Afghanistan on Sunday, then you need to be outside the Town Hall before 12:00 noon on Sunday to see the homecoming parade. Six volunteers from South Tyneside have recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The troops will be assembling at the Register Office in Broughton Road before parading at 12:20 around the rear of the Town Hall and moving down Beach Road to pass along Westoe Road. The parade will be led by the Pipes and Drums of 101 Regiment, and will include 205 (3rd DVA) Bty, RA (V) and 4 Platoon, 12 Company, 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment (V) in Hebburn.

The contribution, courage and sacrifices made by servicemen and women from South Tyneside who are currently serving or have served other conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland as well as Afghanistan and Iraq will also be recognised.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor John Anglin is urging all serving or ex forces personnel, their families, friends and local people to come along to Sunday’s ceremony to welcome home the troops and remember those who have lost their lives.

The Mayor said: “While our troops have been away their flag has been flying from South Shields Town Hall. It will be lowered on Sunday and I will be honoured to return it back to their Battery Commander Major Peter Winton now that they are home.

The Last Post will be sounded as flag is lowered from the Town Hall and presented to the Mayor who will formally hand it over to Major Winton.

Major Winton said: “The support given by South Tyneside Council to the soldiers from 205 Battery who have deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has been second to none. We have been incredibly proud of the Council’s ground breaking decision to fly the Battery flag over the Town Hall and know it has been recognised far and wide as a mark of the close relationship between the town and its soldiers. Our soldiers will continue to serve on British Army operations in Afghanistan or wherever we are called upon to do so and it is heartening to know that we have the people of South Shields behind us.”

I would add, of course, that this event has not been designed solely for families or people with connections to the armed forces but is a great opportunity for all of us to become involved in expressing our thanks, admiration, and pride in the professional job that our troops do in very arduous circumstances wherever we send them. So come along, get down there, whatever the weather and give them all a good cheer!

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Last night’s BBC Question Time debate was a deal more measured than in previous weeks. David Dimbleby began with an introductory comment on the Chilcot Iraq Inquiry. I’m afraid to admit a feeling of depression coming over me. Iraq war, it’s history, mistakes were made, Blair and Alastair Campbell culpable, not our finest hour, and now lets move on please.

But no. The press and the media have been, rightly I suppose, exercised by the daily revelations from the Inquiry.

Watching the programme maybe you detected, and it may also be your opinion as it is mine, a general weariness on the subject of Iraq. I think we’ve all now concluded that Tony Blair was partial with the truth, and that many, many mistakes were made. Therefore, I don’t believe the Chilcot Inquiry, revelatory as it maybe, will change anyones opinions on the Iraq war.

No matter how hard Lord Falconer tried last night to protect Tony Blair’s honour, people’s minds are now made up on the subject.

One final comment before moving on from this topic. The moment to have cleansed our national soul on the Iraq war, so to speak, was at the time of the Hutton Inquiry. Unfortunately, Blair and Campbell wanted a narrow inquiry and chose a partial establishment figure. Result one unhappy country and an amazing missed opportunity. Now it’s just too late. Sure, continue with Chilcot, but please press and media don’t burden us all with its comings and goings. They are many more important things in our national life.

Figures showing that the UK Armed Forces are currently just under 98 per cent of their full time trained strength requirement have been released today by the MOD. This is up from 96.8 per cent a year ago and shows a continued upward trend in both recruitment and retention.

As at 1 October 2009, the full time trained strength of the UK Armed Forces was 174, 890 against a target of 178,490. This comprises 170,050 UK Regular Forces, 1,320 full time reserve service personnel and 3,520 Gurkhas.

The statistics show that the number of people leaving the trained strength of the UK Regular Forces in the 12 months to 30 September 2009 has fallen by 21.9 per cent compared with the same period a year ago. Overall, the number of people leaving is at its lowest in five years.

A total of 24,230 new recruits have joined the UK Regular Forces in the 12 months to 30 September 2009, an increase of 12.6 per cent (2,720 people) compared to the previous 12 months. The number of people joining the Armed Forces is at its highest point since the 12 months to 31 March 2002.

Since 1 October 2008, the proportion of females in the UK Regular Forces has risen from 12.0 per cent to 12.1 per cent for officers and from 8.9 per cent to 9.0 per cent for other ranks. The percentage of UK Regular Forces from ethnic minority backgrounds continues to rise; at 1 October 2009 ethnic minorities accounted for 6.6 per cent of UK Regular Forces compared to 6.3 per cent at the same point last year. 

These figures show that there were 18,270 untrained personnel (not including officers) at 1 October 2009, up from 15,540 at the same point last year. The number of untrained officers was up from 3,060 to 3,230 in the same period.

All figures and percentages exclude the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and Reservists mobilised for service.

The BBC reports that BAE Systems is to cut 642 jobs, with some to go in its Frimley operation. Not good news for our local economy.

One thing to remember is that what the unions involved – The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions - have said, bearing in mind that the ‘left’ are generally dismissive of what they call the ‘armaments’ industry. Here’s the quotation,

“The staff at Insyte [a division of BAE Systems] produce cutting edge technology, these are highly skilled jobs which the UK can not afford to lose,” said general secretary Hugh Scullion.

The Armed Forces - let down by Labour

An interesting item appears on the Blue Blog about the Conservatives’ plans for the volunteer reserve forces, of which I am a member.  David Cameron is right to praise the reserve forces; having served as a regular officer and, now, as a reservist, I’ve seen their hard work from both sides of the fence.  They are impressively dedicated people.

Deploying as a reservist involves the same hardships as it does for a regular serviceman, but with the added dimension of having to put one’s civilian life on hold.   As a regular officer, my then partner was used to the idea of my liability for service in Afghanistan, because I worked behind the wire and wore a uniform.  When I deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year, it was tougher: my partner is used to seeing me as a suit-wearing office worker, not a uniformed officer, so the idea of my having to put my life at risk was pretty surprising, to say the least.  Reservists receive scant recognition for that, nor for the fact that they willingly put civilian careers on hold, sometimes at personal cost in terms of promotion and pay bonuses, to serve their country.

So, for all those reasons, it’s fantastic that the Conservatives sound determined to avoid the TA training débacle that led Gordon Brown to such a humiliating u-turn last month.  I hope it reflects a wider recognition within the Conservatives that, after a 12-year-long raw deal from Labour, it’s time to cherish the Armed Forces – regular or reservist – and to invest in them properly.

PKKH

The red corridor which is now turning into red alert for Indian sovereignty has been camouflaged by the Government of India so strongly since years to save the face in the world community. But now the cover is proving too short to hide this ugly reality.

Naxals/Maoists issue is widely censored by the common Indians you interact in daily life, but the living reality says otherwise. Naxalite/Maoist insurgents are controlling more than 45% of India without any obstruction from the state anywhere in those regions. The police and paramilitary is too vulnerable to their deadly attacks due to lack of capability and fire power to confront these militants. The most dangerous reality is that the Militants are now in full control of those regions where there are located key Nuclear Installations or most convincingly the Nuclear Arsenal storage sites

Talcher’s Heavy Water Plant

Starting from the state of Orissa at the eastern coast of India, where Maoists are showing much stronger presence. A very important Heavy Water Plant is located in the City of Talcher in this state. Since last many months this city is badly hurt due to repeated terrorist activities of Maoists and their supporters. Maoists displayed their power most recently when they blocked the road access to Talcher making things to complete standstill inside that city and in the surrounding areas. Most ironic is that the presence of law enforcing agencies in these areas is very minimal and almost next to none. Local residents are living in extreme fear and in complete insecurity. In these circumstances, any serious accident to the Heavy Water Plant would lead to complete catastrophe. It is ironic that besides being completely helpless against the growing influence of Maoists near this important nuclear site, Indian media is not alarming any warnings. It is clear that India is hiding this matter deliberately and does not want the world to know about the intensity of the threat.

Uranium mines & mills, Jaduguda, Jharkand

The important Uranium mines and mills in Jaduguda Jharkand are facing worst catastrophe of deadly leakages when a new tailings pipeline burst caused a uranium mill tailings spill that reached nearby homes. Ironically this incidence of International importance was camouflaged again by the Indian media. It is widely believed that this particular area is now under full control of Naxal/Moist forces.

Read More

Madras Atomic Power Station

Located at  Kalpakkam about 80 km south of Chennai, India, is a comprehensive nuclear power production, fuel reprocessing, and waste treatment facility that includes plutonium fuel fabrication for fast breeder reactors [FBRs]. It is also India’s first fully indigenously constructed nuclear power station. It has two units of 170 MWe capacity each. The first and second units of the station went critical in 1983 and 1985 respectively. The station has reactors housed in a reactor building with double shell containment ensuring total protection even in the remotest possibility of loss of coolant accident. An Interim Storage Facility [ISF] is also located in Kalpakkam

Naxal tentacles are reaching Chennai which as mentioned above has this important Power Plant, Naxal presence just few kilometers from this city is a living threat which no one can ignore so easily. The recent train mishap in Chennai is believed to be the activity of Naxals to signal their strong presence in this region too. Read Report

Narora nuclear power plant

Narora is located on the banks of river Ganges, in district Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh. A nuclear power plant is located in its vicinity. The insurgent sympathizers smuggle highly radioactive material out of the Nuclear Fuel Complex to detonate a radiological dispersion device or ‘dirty bomb’ in Hyderabad. An example of security blunder that could have resulted in the theft of fissile material in August 2006: Security was tightened in and around the Narora nuclear power plant after three men working there were arrested for giving fake addresses at the time of their appointments. Unbelievably, the men were given access to the facilities without first conducting thorough background checks. The problem is that India does not only have 22 declared including under construction  nuclear reactors, but it also has about 60 less secure agencies connected with nuclear activities. India is well known for lax security and overworked systems; security experts believe smuggling of radioactive materials to be highly probable.

There are several other regions where Naxal ideology is gaining popularity and more and more poor and homeless are becoming part of their Army. The Maoist/Naxals are too close to capture the half of India and consolidate their position for their future goals. Read More

It is extremely ironic that India is yelling and screaming about the vulnerability of Pakistani Nukes, but it is more catastrophic when we see that many important locations of Indian Nuclear Installations are situated in those areas which are in complete control of these insurgents. Why this truth is hidden from the world? The catastrophe of weapons slipping into the hands of most cruel terrorists on earth is quite possible not in years but in days. The question arise that who will raise the alarm for the world? The world leaders are quite unmoved on this issue, but once we come to know that Naxals have obtained few of the war heads for their ugly means then it will become a global threat overnight and the sleeping savers of the world would jump for crash program! This is bad luck for the poor people of India in particular that their government has thrown them in front of Maoists/Naxals and has accepted an undeclared defeat against these forces. Read More

From every corner of India sane and intellectual journalists and news channels are now beginning to raise their voice on this issue but it seems that water has reached the noses already.

When we analyze as to why India is not taking strong action against Maoists/Naxals then we can find few important reasons behind this criminal delay which is hurting Indian existence:

• India has till now portrayed itself as a safe and trouble free country thus gaining maximum attention of tourism and foreign investment which it does not want to loose due to this issue.
• Next year a huge event of Cricket World Cup is to be held in India and the Government does not want a situation in which the neighboring country Pakistan has fallen into after initiating assault over Taliban Militants which brought complete catastrophe and subsequent barring of all International sporting events to be conducted there for security reasons.
• India does not want itself to be slipped into the same situation where Pakistan has been pointed out as an unsafe Nuclear Power.
• It is also believed that Americans are trying to penetrate into Nuclear Installations of India in the name of assistance or help to increase security level of these Installations. Some of them are almost 4 decades old and have completed their life. India is trying to hide the vulnerable status of their Nuclear command and control system to avoid undue interference of USA.

In short, Indian nation would have to bear the threat of Naxals/Maoists helplessly because in the near future Indian Government seems to have no plan but to unwillingly allow these terrorists to spread their influence inside the whole of the Indian territories.

USA, UK, China and Europe should see this latest development with responsibility because the threat of Maoist/Naxals is 1000 times more deadly than the proclaimed threats in Pakistan who are confined to only some remote mountain areas as compared to Naxals/Maoists who are controlling the cities and the huge region in full. World cannot afford to see the Nuclear Arsenal of India easily slipping into the hands of Naxals who can use that any time anywhere to surprise the peace loving nations. It is also possible that these insurgents who are so close to capture these important weapons would also sell them ahead to Al Qaeda or any deadly group which can hit America with unmatchable intensity as USA has put a blind eye on this possibility.

The company are a natural spin out of an established business in Birmingham known for it’s innovative design, manufacture and supply of highly specialised products in the personal safety, emergency services and defence markets.

Background and introduction

Their most recent innovation, a personal cooling system, was developed in response to an enquiry from one of their key clients, who tried and tested it’s functionality, also identified an alternative application and significant benefits, for users of chemical suits, particularly in hostile heat environments. It was quickly established that the opportunity presented by this spin off product, was considerable and a new company has been formed to commercialise this first, of a range of anticipated products. All associated IP has been transferred to the new company and a sector experienced management team is being recruited to exploit a pipeline of opportunities that can be evidenced.

Market, performance and funding

The key markets & routes are well known and access/contact already well established in the sectors that are associated with the use of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) protection suits and for staff working in high temperature areas. The product has shown not only durability but enables the user to maintain high performance levels for far longer periods in exacting environments.

The company has established strong relationships with a number of identified users and the largest supplier of CBRN suits are at advanced stages of negotiation to supply units within 3 months of manufacturing, leading to a sales profile of c2k units in year one rising to 12k in year 2, with sales into other sectors ramping up revenues to from £300k year one to £5m by year 3 and profits approaching £1.5m

A comprehensive business plan has been prepared indicating a funding requirement of £450k, of which £250k will be raised as equity immediately against a valuation of £1m. A regional VC is considering a match investment. The balance of £200k over the following 15 months may be debt or trade finance based.

The operation is scalable with controllable overheads in line with sales. The market for the product is sustainable and has all the attributes associated with long term potential that makes an exit via a trade sale to an existing supplier of industrial and military personal protective equipment a realistic probability.

Lady President of India…Prathiba Patil…travels in a war plane!!!!

Is it a news or a record?……………….Both..But more than that she wanted to give a message to the jawans, sainiks and the defence that…when they are protecting the country from the rivals….they are not alone…and the whole country is with them…if not physically…morally…including the person of the highest rank…President of a country. She represented the whole nation alongside the air force and the other defence faculties.

Kudos…..President Patil….We are proud of you….Your act is an eye opener to the younger generation towards realising their dedication, duties and responsibilities towards the mother soil…when required and when mattered. Its a lesson that its not only the duty of warrriors with uniform to defend their country…but much more responsibilities also lie on the shoulders of the civilians and common man.

Jai Jawan….We are with you……

News: President Pratibha Patil made news on wednesday, the 25th of november 2009-when she took on board..in a  fighter jet aircraft  SUKHOI-30 MKI thereby becoming the first woman president to fly in a warplane.At 74 years she also created the world record of being the oldest woman in a jet fighter travelling at a supersonic speed…for 30 minutes, at a height of 8,000 feet around the Lohegaon air force base.

It would have been the proudest moment for Wing Commander S Sajjan, when he gat a pat on his back from the President for taking her for a smooth ride. The President expressed her confidence about todays women and was sure that many would serve the country by joining the defence forces of the country. Her step today whould be a moral booster for the younger girls seeking profession to serve their country.

“It was an out of the world experience. I was thrilled and overjoyed and I am proud of IAF for the work they are doing in securing the nation,”.. These words straight from the President herself would do much for the protectors of the nation…just made a day ahead of the anniversary of the most dreaded days of man kind….the 26/11 incident…which stays wet in the heart of all the Indians. “We also wanted to show to the defence forces that the country is with you,” she said.

“Yatha Raja Tatha Praja”…as is rightly said in a sanskrit proverb…”As king-as subjects”… The nation sill follow the footsteps of a wise, determined and a courageous leader. The leader has set an example today…and when our nation calls…its our duty to respond strongly……..

We are really proud of our Warriors……………….

PKKH

By Shahid R. Siddiqi. Axis of Logic

When the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets President Obama during his visit to the US this week, the two leaders will discuss the framework for strategic dialogue between the two countries.

Singh seeks to solidify a relationship, transformed under the Bush administration from distant friendship to that of a ‘key ally’. That transformation led to a nuclear cooperation deal, increasing trade and investment, educational exchanges and unprecedented security collaboration. He is keen to finalize the civilian nuclear deal and seek Obama’s support for his bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Singh may also seek reassurance that the Indo-US relationship will not be overshadowed by the increasing Sino-US collaboration.

After the collapse of Soviet Union, India’s former mentor and ally, India sought an alliance with the United States who also had interest in wooing it. In the US containment-of-China policy under Bush, India could prove extremely useful to advance U.S. interests, particularly because of strained Sino-Indian relations over regional ambitions and border disputes which led it into a war with China in 1962, though with a humiliating outcome.

But this created a paradox for the US. Pakistan was once a key ally of the U.S., an important link in their strategy to contain communism during the cold war era and a member of the U.S.-sponsored, but now defunct military pacts – SEATO & CENTO. Pakistan became highly suspicious of this U.S. ‘tilt’ towards India. Pakistan had an acrimonious relationship with India mainly over the Kashmir and water and India’s blatant role in the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971.

The consistent Indian threat to Pakistan’s security led Pakistan to develop a nuclear response to Indian acquisition of nuclear weapons in 1974 to maintain the balance of power and ward off Indian hegemonic designs. Despite Pakistan’s efforts and calls by the international community, India refused negotiated settlements of disputes. This has kept the pot simmering, maintaining an uneasy peace in the region. In the absence of progress in resolving the root causes of tensions, recent assurances by Obama and Singh, that India poses no threat to Pakistan – were rejected outright in Pakistan.

The US has used Pakistan for its own geopolitical objectives in the past during the cold war, to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan in the 1980s and then for its war on terror in Afghanistan after 9/11. While it aided and equipped Pakistan for the role it wanted Pakistan to play, Pakistan’s relationship with the US has swung from being the ‘most allied ally’ to being the “most neglected ally” and then to being the ‘most sanctioned ally’, depending upon how much the US needed Pakistan’s services at any given time. In Pakistan, the US has come to be perceived as most unreliable and is viewed with deep suspicion.

Presently, the deepening U.S. relations with India result from the changing American perspective of the region. India could prove to be a huge market for American high tech goods and weapon systems in the future. Also its growing nuclear and military strength coupled with regional ambitions could be useful to the US as its proxy for policing the region.

Realizing that he cannot maintain a military presence in Afghanistan for long, Obama needs to install a proxy power there too when he decides to pull out, most likely by 2011. India fits the bill. The US expects India to keep the government in Kabul under check, keep peace among warring factions and protect American interests.

India has its own interests too. The nuclear deterrence will not allow India to launch military aggression against Pakistan, but it can work for the dismemberment of Pakistan by promoting an Eastern Pakistan style insurgency in Balochistan and by continuing to squeeze Pakistan on the western border using rogue elements from the tribal belt. It has already begun to position its troops there under cover of “development work”.

The belief that India can hold the fort for the US is a fallacy. If the Afghans, who fiercely oppose foreign occupiers whom they have thrown out unceremoniously in the past and if the U.S. is also on the verge of withdrawal, what makes anyone think that Indian forces would be welcome to stay? Besides, the Taliban, who are bound to gain political influence in Kabul sooner or later, will reject Indian military presence on their soil, as it will represent American interests.

This Indo-US partnership, which seeks to serve divergent geopolitical objectives and is based on taking advantage of one and other, will neither be smooth nor lasting. Above all, it will seriously jeopardize peace in South Asia by alienating Pakistan and adding to its existing tensions with India. This will also ring alarm bells in Tehran and Beijing.

As of now in the current US matrix, cordial Sino-US relations are very important for a variety of reasons, mainly owing to U.S. reliance on Chinese economic support and that will not end any time soon. It is clearly not feasible for Obama to promote relations with India at the cost of its relations with China.

But this will not sit well with a sensitive India, given the history of Sino-Indian rivalry. Only recently the Indian officials, says a Washington Post report, in an outburst of Brahmanic self importance expressed concern that New Delhi has suddenly been relegated to the second tier of U.S.-Asian relations because Obama did not mention India in his speech on US relations in Asia recently. The speech was delivered in Tokyo and focused on the Asia-Pacific region and not South Asia. This, the Indians believe, is Obama’s failure to recognize India’s broader regional aspirations, something that the Bush administration had encouraged. The Indians were upset that “Washington was leaning too closely to China”.

Then to India’s chagrin came a call made through the joint statement on conclusion of Obama’s visit to China, in which Obama suggested that Beijing mediate between India and Pakistan. The statement said,

“China and the United States are ready to strengthen communication, dialogue and cooperation on issues related to South Asia and work together to promote peace, stability and development in that region.”

“A third-country role cannot be envisaged nor is it necessary” to solve disputes between India and Pakistan, was the retort by Indian Foreign Ministry. The influential Times of India headline read “Obama’s China [credit] card casts shadow on PM’s US visit,” referring to the $800 billion in U.S. Treasury securities held by China.

Ashley Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment said he detected in India “a sense of exclusion that’s been gnawing at them since the Tokyo speech.” He added: “The joint statement prompted new fears that somehow the United States and China would collude to manage events in South Asia.”

Tellis said this has caused particular neuralgia in India because tensions between Beijing and New Delhi have risen recently over competing border claims. India is also upset over Chinese plans to divert waters of Brahmaputra River that originates in Tibet and flows into Northeastern India, without whose water its plains would lay waste. In addition, Indians are concerned that the Obama administration, unlike the Bush administration, views India as part of the South Asian problem, which includes the instability in Pakistan.

China’s interest in South Asia, a natural outcome of its regional security concerns in its sensitive underbelly and its very close relations with Pakistan, is unpalatable for India which considers South Asia as its exclusive domain.

These Indian sensitivities will keep the US on the edge. To assure them that India was in its own league in South Asia and of America’s growing closeness, Secretary Clinton spent four days in India in July but refrained from a stopover in neighboring Pakistan.

In a geopolitically sensitive region, where the US has to cater to important bilateral interests with China, even handedly deal with a Pakistan whose cooperation in Afghanistan is key to its success and which is increasingly angry over repeated American betrayals, and to keep the Taliban and Pashtun sensitivities in mind while negotiating a exit deal with them, the tendency to throw tantrums on the part of Indian leadership could make the new partnership difficult to sustain.

Therefore, before rushing into a collaborative arrangement with India and offering highly sensitive nuclear technologies, the US will be well-advised to first test out the prickly world of relations with New Delhi.

Despite tall claims about being the biggest democracy, India remains high on the list of human rights violations and has a long way to go in ensuring equal social status to Dalits (also called the untouchables) who form 20 percent of the population. It has been repeatedly accused of ethnic and religious cleansing of minorities.

If the US could make a political issue out of Tiananmen Square and Obama could refer to human rights issues during his China visit, why should not India be held to the same standard during Singh’s visit.

As for the Indian request for a permanent seat on the Security Council, it is important to bear in mind that India itself is involved in Kashmir dispute pending before the Security Council and whose Resolutions it has refused to implement. At the bottom of the dispute is the issue of exercise of the people’s will in determining Kashmir’s final dispensation. The dispute has led India to fight three wars with Pakistan and one with China. India has stationed several army divisions in Kashmir to subjugate the people and independent sources have confirmed killings of thousands of unarmed Kashmiris and sexual abuse perpetrated on thousands of women by these security forces.

In response to a similar bid earlier, India was advised to first settle the Kashmir dispute. Then the U.S.-India relationship had just begun to take shape with limited US influence over India. But now that the US enjoys greater clout, it could more effectively pressure India for a negotiated settlement, which is in every one’s interest, as well as in the interest of peace.

© Copyright 2009 by AxisofLogic.com

Parade at South Shields Town Hall this Sunday

I am delighted that this homecoming parade is taking place in South Shields and I hope that as many people as possible from South Shields, South Tyneside and the surrounding area will turn out to welcome the five members of the Territorial Army who have just completed six months service in the troubled Afghanistan province of Helmand. The parade and march past in front of the Mayor of South Tyneside by TA soldiers from 205 Battery Royal Artillery, based in Horsley Hill, South Shields, and the 12th Company of the 4th battalion Parachute Regiment (Volunteers) will be led by the Pipes and Drums of 101 Regiment and starts at 12:30 -  a great opportunity for all of us to express our thanks for their commitment and professionalism.

I was at the March meeting of South Tyneside Borough Council when a unanimous decision was taken to arrange this parade after opposing councillors gracefully accepted each other’s amendments to the original resolution. It was one of those rare occasions in the council chamber at South Shields Town Hall when unity counted for far more than dissent, and with no need to introduce politics, sentiment, personal circumstances, family or friends’ opinions, pro war or anti war positions, – it was a real pleasure to see each and every one of our councillors wanting to support this kind of public measure which displays our appreciation and honour for our armed forces wherever they have been sent to serve.

So it is with great disappointment that I see one political group appearing to steal a march on the show by almost single handedly claiming credit for the parade. One of my commenters has just emailed me the link to the piece which reads:

Almost 8 months later the South Tyneside Independents are proud to announce that a civic reception and homecoming parade for veterans from the borough will be held on Sunday 29th November.

You can find the link to their website in the side bar, just why they think they have some prior right to proudly make an announcement on behalf of the whole council, nay on behalf of the whole borough, is quite beyond me. The council has made an announcement non politically, on our behalf. The South Tyneside Independents may be as happy as any other group on the council but to almost claim credit is a travesty and does a great disservice to all those who either supported their amendment, changed their own resolutions, or altered their words in order to find amicable unanimity. This is an occasion where the people of South Tyneside can claim credit for all their own pride in our armed services, an occasion where the petty politics can be left at home thank you very much!

Update

In a magnanimous gesture, the admin person (now who could that be) at the South Tyneside Independents website has agreed to change the wording in their post  -to keep politics out of the issue.

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^13-18If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be

stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the

opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at

attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.

Be ready to speak up and tell

anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the

utmost courtesy.

Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you,

none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need

a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be

punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of

others sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—

was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

1 Peter 3:15-18

The children and I have been working through a book by David Walters called Fact or Fiction and finally finished it last night.

The idea of the book is to begin to develop a mindset within children that encourages them to seek logical arguments and words of testimony about ‘their’ Christian faith.  It is not the ’strongest’ book I have ever read on the subject, but it has been a really good starting point for my kids. I really like a quote I heard recently about Christianity and I know I have often said a similar thing before.

Anyone that can be argued into the Christian faith, can also be argued out of it.

This is why David Walters calls children to not only know what they believe and why they believe it, but to be ready with experiences and testimony’s from their own walk with Jesus. While people will argue with logic and reason, it is very hard to argue with experience.

As parents we all truly want children respond to Jesus for them themselves rather than hang off the coat tails of our Christian walks. We want them  to develop and cultivate their own relationship with God rather than assume it is heredity because mum is a Christian.

I have been training them to look at these instances as an opportunity to share with those who ask rather than feel burdened by giving responses.

Today I gave them a visual lesson very similar to the one in the picture to the left.

Our first response may be one of feeling  burdened by those questions and the feelings that come along with needing to educate others. It is quite a human thing to become burdened under this kind of weight especially if someone asking you is older than yourself or even an adult.  After a while one could easily tire of it and feel they are a little over explaining themselves time and time again to others.  We could begin to feel defensive and start to think that people really have no right to ask us such personal questions or maybe we could become hurt that they feel the need to dig so personally into our life and faith.  But really while this may be a human response, one that is quite normal and technically nothing wrong with, it is not really a biblical response.  God’s ways are higher than our ways and often require different things from us than the world requires.

The bible calls us to;

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who
asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.

So rather than being burdened by the need to give an account, we should rather see it as the opportunity to give away knowledge- both gathered from personal experience and Christian logic.  A real opportunity, an invited opportunity to give away our faith to someone else.

Sometimes it is a simple question about why we don’t do a particular thing (ie like not celebrate Halloween), or why we go to Church or be careful about what we watch on TV or the books we read.  The easy route would be to just use a blanket statement like, we are Christians.  But really it is far better to have thoughtful, equipping responses as to why we choose not to certain things and choose to do others and speak about them confidently and gladly when asked… why?  Because we were told in the bible that this is what we should be doing.

But not just logical arguments, but be sure to speak about your families, personal experiences behind these choices.  For instance it has been a lot easier as a mum to question various things the children watch, when they begin to have night mares after watching them.  This is a tool in their kitty, an testimony they can ‘personally’ give.

Or what about all those times God has answered specific prayers?  What a wonderful chance to spread the good news of God, by speaking about how he REALLY DOES answer the prayers of His children.

I know that some of this is fairly simple stuff, but I think I am being recalled to a simple life.  Going back to foundational truths, the simple truths of the gospel and making sure as a family, we are getting it… and doing it.

Our next book is…

PakAlertPress

Iran has begun five days of large-scale war games to simulate attacks on its nuclear sites, officials said, warning it will retaliate if provoked.

The head of Iran’s air defence said the aim of the exercises was to thwart aerial reconnaissance and air attacks.

Another official warned Tehran would retaliate with a missile strike on Tel Aviv, if it was attacked by Israel.

Iran is under intense pressure over its nuclear programme, which critics say is intended to produce nuclear weapons.

The US and Israel have not ruled out the prospect of a military attack to prevent Iran developing nuclear bombs. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful.
IRAN’S NUCLEAR SITES

Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for energy, not military purposes

Bushehr: Nuclear power plant

Isfahan: Uranium conversion plant

Natanz: Uranium enrichment plant, 4,592 working centrifuges, with 3,716 more installed

Second enrichment plant: Existence revealed to IAEA in Sept 2009. Separate reports say it is near Qom, and not yet operational

PressTv

The 20-meter Agni-II is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to targets within a range of 2,500 kilometers (1,560 miles).

India’s nuclear-capable, medium-range ballistic missile has proved unsuccessful during its night-time test fire.

The army test-fired the surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) from Wheeler’s Island, Bhadrak district, around 7:50 pm (1420 GMT).

“The liftoff and the first stage separation was smooth. But it faltered just before the second stage separation and behaved erratically, deviating from its coordinated path,” ‘the Times of India’ quoted a Defense Ministry official as saying on Tuesday.

“Further analysis to ascertain the cause is ongoing,” he said on condition of anonymity.

Sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and a naval ship tracked the entire trajectory of Monday’s test fire.

The launch, originally scheduled earlier this month, had been postponed due to some technical problems in its pneumatic system.

Agni-II, which can deliver a nuclear warhead to targets within a range of 2,500 kilometers (1,560 miles), measures 20 meters in length, one meter in diameter.

The missile, first tested on April 11, 1999, has a launch weight 16 tones and can carry a 1,000 kg conventional or nuclear payload.

The user training test was the first night-time launch since the beginning of a missile development program by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

India already has the nuclear-capable 3,000-kilometer range Agni-III missile while unconfirmed reports suggest it is building an Agni variant with a range of 5,000 kilometers.

There was at least one Englishman with a smile on his face Saturday night, although he was quite some distance away from the gloom of HQ. With the skirl of bagpipes from the rooftop lone piper still ringing in the ears of the crowd, the men from Murrayfield became the first Home nation to defeat a major southern hemisphere touring side this season. In an epic display of Celtic tenacity and defence, Andy Robinson did what a long line of Scottish coaches –even the great Ian McGeechan- had failed to do in twenty seven years. Scotland had beaten Australia.

Andy Robinson: 9 reasons to be cheerful.

Scotland has been kind to Andy Robinson. Since his dismissal from the England top job and the resulting ritual sacrifice in the media, he has been able to re-launch his coaching career north of the border with remarkable success; first by turning perennial Magners league underachievers Edinburgh into a potent force, and now with the national side. He has galvanised the Scottish team into realising their potential after reaching a plateau under Frank Hadden. This performance against Australia should become the benchmark for his men in the six nations. Robinson and his coaching team, most notably defence guru Graham Steadman, have made Scotland a force to be respected, if not yet feared.

There is still some way to go for the Saltire, especially in attack. Scotland still lack clarity in offence once the ball is taken away from the pack, who seem to be able to punch holes at will in close quarters. The centres, whilst immense in defence didn’t offer much more than the traditional crash ball and Scotland need the distributors in midfield to unleash the back three, be that the Lamont brothers or the promising pacy youngster Thom Evans. Finally Phil Godman has risen to become the marshal Scotland need and never again should we see Dan Parks in a navy blue jersey. With both Godman and Patterson pretty adept at slotting goals and penalties, Scotland are pretty much guaranteed nine points a match.  Scrum half Chris Cussiter is thriving on the ball he is getting from his forwards and has a tremendous work ethic; his concussion early in the first half no doubt negated Scotland’s attacking options somewhat.  Let us now look at the pack and marvel at the return of quick and clean ruck ball. Traditionally, the Scots have always played a rucking game that relied on the quality of ball delivered to the backs and for several seasons they have struggled to achieve this. Messrs Hines, Kellock and Strokosch et al have worked manfully to reproduce this staple of Scottish play of years gone by and we may just see some excellent running rugby if Andy Robinson can get the right mix behind the eight. The lineout is beginning to take shape too, with veteran Nathan Hines displaying great tactical nous. Allan Jacobson is the cornerstone of frankly massive tight five that should evolve with the return from injury of Euan Murray into a scrum that should mince Ireland and be a thorn in the side of France, England and Wales come February.

And now to defence, where this Scotland side shone in the darkness of Edinburgh. Even when Australia crossed the home sides try line, which was inevitable given the almost total possession the wallabies enjoyed, the feisty Scots refused to say die, twice holding up would be try scorers. Such was the aggression in the Scottish defence that Australia began to play a slow, pick-and-go game-plan that played into Scotland’s hands perfectly and thus negated any momentum Giteau and Cooper could generate. Time and time again Australia were repelled. The Wallabies were shocked by the aggression that they faced and several times simply made the wrong decision under pressure; consider the wayward miss pass Quade Cooper threw that was deemed forward when a simple draw-and-give would have done. Even Matt Giteau’s wayward kicking can be directly attributed to the special attention he received during the match. Getting smashed into the grass every time you touch the ball can affect one’s composure somewhat.  Make no mistake, defence wins games.

Scotland did the impossible on Saturday, and they have given the long suffering Scottish rugby public something to believe in, even if it is only an almost unbreakable defensive line at the moment. Andy Robinson needs now to build an adventurous attack in the run up to the Six Nations and, perhaps, Scotland can rise to be that nation again.