Twenty-first century presents a horrifying challenge of “nuclear terrorism” thanks to Al-Qaeda and other terror groups persistently trying to seize nuclear weapons and material within a weak and failing state of Pakistan.
“Preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism” was thus at the top of obama’s agenda in the recently concluded Nuclear summit held at Washington. While India’s concerns were the uppermost being victim of repeated terrorists attacks originating from the soil of Pakistan like the terrorist attack of 26/11 and prior attack at Indian parliament ,the meet was also marked by bilateral agreements between US President Barack Obama and the heads of states of Russia ,China and Brazil due to Iran’s nuclear programme, though the countries, in question, were seen mostly not favouring sanctions against the said country.
India’s Prime Minister steadfastly stuck to not reviving the composite dialogue in view of Pakistan not taking any action against the terrorists groups operating within that country, though US promised to give India access to the terrorist David Headley. How the situation was getting scarier for India from the angle of terrorism directed against it was squarely brought home to the US administration. Pakistan has been the location of activity of several Islamist terror groups against India. Added to this, the network of A Q Khan had been active in providing nuclear technology and nuclear material to various countries.
Amending international law was rather agonizingly slow and could not thus meet this menace operating briskly due to fast spreading networks of terror organizations. Further, international law could not embrace non-state actors –meaning individual terrorists. A striking example of slow pace of amending law could be seen in that “2005 amendment to the 1980 convention on the physical protection of nuclear material” has so far been ratified by just 34 countries, about one-third of the countries necessary for it to come into force as international law.
Instead acting stringently on measures already in place and solidly coordinating the work of national , regional and multilateral bodies should be given top priority even by rationalizing national laws and ensuring that various law enforcement , intelligence agencies etc implement the law stringently .Further IAEA should be designated as coordinator for various national and international bodies.
But the real task was to place an on –the –ground security against WMD terrorism. That was desired to be achieved by providing political and material incentives for countries to become active participants in the frame-work against nuclear terrorism.
As a part of this incentive US may be trying to use the Pakistan military as part of its strategy in Afghan-Pak area.But due care should be taken lest Pakistan interferes politically in the neighbouring countries.
Pakistan has often been found indulging in adventurism that even saw Bangladesh violently seceding. Likewise now Pashtun appear to have chosen the same path.
Published (17/04/2010)
http://samaylive.com/english/nation/articles/676461776.html
No comments:
Post a Comment