Where Mountains Move

This article was not on the history of Pakistan's nuclear programme, but only on the nuclear tests at Chagai. Therefore, the role of politicians, even scientists, has not been mentioned, only those personalities that were involved in the preparations of the test site. This is why ZAB's name has not been mentioned, nor has that of Zia, who continued the programme after ZAB's death.

re cheema #50:

``It seems Michael Douglas was a bit naive in exclaiming `Greed is good`.``

Some of the most successful people are some of the most naive :) Maybe its a necessary ingredient to do well.

``The success of capitalist countries owes much to adopting socialist philosophy in matters like establishing welfare state, right to form unions and limiting maximum working hours.``

The last one is probably the goofiest regulation thought up by any beauracratic regime anywhere. Most capitalistic countries are in peril because of the rest. Except for Germany most ``capitalist`` countries are in danger of going bankrupt becuase of unfunded liabilities(medical and or pension).The major cause of economic expansion in the US for the last couple of decades has NOT been governmental policies.Its simply because the government is too busy fighting about Monica and Bill and medicaid and what not that has allowed the common man(and the successful naive man) to go ahead and better his lot.

later

-sac

Resolutions Passed at the International Conference on
Sindh, July 22, 2000, London

WHEREAS the Pakistan Resolution of 1940 furthered the
principles of federalism, secularism and democracy.
AND WHEREAS during these successive regimes democratic and
civil rights of Pakistani people in general and those of
the Sindhi, Baluchi, Saraiki and Pakhtoonkhwah people have
remained subjugated.
AND WHEREAS since 1947, Pakistan has suffered through
successive military-bureaucratic regimes.
AND WHEREAS the recently imposed de facto martial law in
Pakistan, has seriously strangled already fragile
democratic institutions in the country.
AND WHEREAS Pakistani society is characterised by
militarism and militarisation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT

1. The political power with country is needed back to
elected representative transitory mechanism, so that ways
and mechanism so that ways and means are devised and
implemented in order that a new constitution is formulated
on the basis of 1940 resolution.

2. The Right of Self-determination of all nations is
constitutionally guaranteed. That is, all nations of
Pakistan are to freely determine their political status and
pursue their economic, religious, social and cultural
development.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT

3. The continuous theft of water, financial and human
resources from Sindh, Baluchistan and Pakhtookhwahwa must
be stopped.
4. The construction of the Kalabagh Dam must be stopped
immediately.
5. The National Financial Award (NFA) scheme is abrogated
and the nations must be given economic independence in
collecting their revenues and its spending or according to
their specific needs.
6. The systematic dismissal of Sindhi-speaking personnel
from their employment is immediately stopped and due
process of the law is accorded to those currently under
orders for dismissals.
7. Pakistan should launch rehabilitation plans for victims
of the Thar and Baluchistan famine areas this year and the
cyclone victim last year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT

8. That Pakistani military go back to its barracks. There
should be no role of military in any political decisions or
civil administration. A moratorium must be declared on
acquisition of new armaments or recruitment of military
personnel for the period of ten years.
9. Pakistan signs Comprehensive Nuclear Test ban Treaty.
10. Resources currently being expended on military are
reallocated to strengthen social, educational, and medical
services to Pakistani people particularly the ones living
in the ruler hinterland.
11. Pakistan replace its engagement in the regional war and
adopt peaceful strategies.


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT
12. The current Shariah laws are repealed.
13. Judicial institutions are reorganised and strengthened
and rendered independent consistent with the common law
traditions and principles.
14. Honour killing should be declared as a murder under the
Criminal Code.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT
15. Appropriate resources to promote Sindhi, Baluchi,
Pakhtoonkhwah, Punjabi and Siraiki languages and culture
are made available.
16. Sindhi should be given more time in media such as TV
and Radio, measures should be taken to open Sindhi medium
schools in the urban areas of Sindh.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT
17. There is an acute need for unity of amongst
Sindhi-Diaspora.

WHEREAS all oppressed nations in the world have inviolable
right to self determination.
AND WHEREAS there is an acute need for solidarity between
the oppressed nations and peoples

THEREFORE this assembly condemns the oppression of women
and children.

18. This assembly further condemns continued subjugation
and oppression of the Kurdish people of northern and Shia
people of southern Iraq in the hands of the fascistic
regime of Saddam Hussein.

19. This assembly further condemns subjugation of women,
children and national entities such as Uzbek, Tajik and
Hazara people in the hands of the fascistic and
fundamentalist Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Very informative and well written article. Let us hope now that both India and Pakistan never use these (or any other) weapons. And one day get rid of them.

Re: Urstruly # 43

Yeah, it would be safe bet to say that there are couple of birds over South Asia, but my guess would be that real intelligence is coming from radio intercepts!

As to the western front; what did Erich Maria LeRemarque say in the title to his book: nicht neues im westen! All Quite On The Western Front! Agreed on that score too! Still, I think that Pakistan should reconsider its Afghan policy vis a vis internal security concerns!

A word to the wise! Do not overestimate US/Euro-NATO, Russian intelligence capabilities! Things only work out in the world of Tom Clancy and not in the real world.

Ciao!

If the paths of American satellites are easily accessible on the internet then can`t someone check the records and see which way Uncle Sam was looking in the time leading up to the blasts?

What if Pakistan had NOT carried out the tests? What would have happened that was so much worse than the consequences of the tests?

And.... all this interaction and no mention of the CTBT yet! I say Pakistan is playing its cards right so far on this issue.... both India & Pakistan must sign.

Interestingly enough, I don`t think theres any Comrehensive Nuclear War Ban Treaty. And would it matter if there was? Who`d be left to enforce the treaty once it was violated?!!

BOOM....... over and out

aaf

On another note, reminded by his recent visit to
Sacramento, California:


To Poet Ahmad Faraz

The keepers of the literary tradition of Urdu today welcome

Faraz as one of their greatest living craftsmen of verse.

This shayir-poet has risen in the defense of many causes.

Some popular, others not, and some now necessary.

Like the recent deadly embrace of atomics in South Asia.

Faraz and his pen now face difficult prospects.

In a land where he continues to offer peace and sincere

Friendship.

As an alternative to the nuclear machismo.

Started by those who claim to be

The guardians of non-violence.

Ras

Temporal# 44

Uh oh, I hope I am not in big trouble. Yaar aap ki nazar kisi masnooee siaray ki tarah tez hay :-)

Urstruly #43:

Kiya aap nay humaiN pukara thaa ;)

--t

RE: FerozK # 33

Regarding Kargil-It will only be naive to think that US, Russia, NATO, and Europe had not fully and permanently dedicated a couple of satellites to monitor Indo-Pak borders or other installations after both experimented their nukes. So Kargil was an open secret to US or NATO, atleast, if not Russians. If you keep in mind the plan B (see my previous post) it makes sense. The Kargil affair did contain India and its self assumed international aspirations.

However, the message that was intended for India is also valid for Pakistan i.e. Nukes are no deterents. A conventional war can go on for months without gaining an inch of territory with the sole purpose of draining one`s economy. The message was loud and clear. So it also contained Pakistan. The Net result again is that China has started re-investing in their War machine. Indians understood the message too and started buying conventional weapons from Russia and Isreal (the recent agreements). So the myth that Nukes will deter any war is again invalid.

In this situation Pakistan has two cards which it is playing very well. 1. Associate Kashmir issue with its nuclear program while still supporting Kashmir insurgency. 2. Playing the fundamentalist element card.

In this respect, Pakistan`s Afghan policy is also correct. Pakistan has to have a favorable government on its western borders be it Taliban or Neanderthals. As a matter of fact it is first time in 50 years that Pak Army does not have to worry about its Western front. That is the most painful reality that has hit Indians in 50 years and hence the hew and cry about fundamentalism, terrorism and Talibanisation etc.

Should Pakistan develop a better and efficient nuke delivery system along with its nuclear arsenal. The answer is a resounding yes. Sholud it invest in (anti) missile defence system (which is not rocket science-speaking proverbially (I hope Temporal doesnt see this)); the answer is Yes but not count on it. Since, it is ineffective given the strategic depth of Pak. But it will make sense to Idians if Pak starts doing it. It will cost India an arm and a leg and that will be strategically (and economically) beneficial to Pakistan.

On the other hand Pakistan must double its efforts towards a peaceful solution with India. Unfortunately, the path leading to sensibilty still goes through gross insensibilities.

ylh #1

Why are you surprised that Z.A. Bhutto is not mentioned and A Q Khan is relegated to periphery.

You have not yet able to read behind the lines of many writers on this chowk. And openly in Pakistan.

In fact I remember how A Q Khan was being relegated to periphery for some time few years back.

These things will continue, but we have our heroes of inspiration.

RE:Maliani #34

That is as original as one can find. Couldn`t have been put more succinctly.

Ref sac #: 37

I went and checked the High Energy Weapons archive. It says that at the beginning there were 100 people involved in the program and only 40 worked on all aspects of weapons design and production with the rest involved in administration and security. Also at the height of the program, no more than 300 were employed with just half of that involoved in scientific work.

The number of 5 scientists stuck in my mind from some other site and I might have to do a detailed search of all the links (700+) provided in HEW Archive to locate that quote.

HEW Archive also says that in 1997, South Africa admitted that the Vela incident was an atmospheric test. The US went to extra effort to hide that. It was reported that the fallout reached Australia. Surely the US could have analyzed the fallout to determine what caused it. If they did it, they kept quiet, most likely because that might give the idea to India and Pakistan that they could also test in the atmosphere with impunity. The scientific panel that analyzed the Vela satellite data was headed by some very eminent US academics; so that is proof to you that most of the public disclosures are just plain nonsense and even academic scientists are told what to say in the interests of global non-proliferation.

By the way, the Nagasaki bomb was the Fat Man, not the Fat Boy.

Regards.

Dear RMS Azam,

Are you sure you guys know how to operate a seismic recorder!!?? Tee Hee!!

Yes, so exploding the bomb was pakistan`s finest hour but isnt the finest hour supposed to give a country respect from others, shouldnt others then look at us in awe for being the 7th nuclear power in the world - why is nobody doing that? because we have paid a heavy price for it - and the world knows it - our economy is open to alms, our bureaucracy and politicians the most corrupt and the majority of our population weary of everything around them - a nation`s finest moment is when its people can raise their heads high and say we are indestructible because we have the best education system, because we care about each other and therefore have the best medical system and at the back of all this we have our century old values and God`s support. Right now we are telling the world that they dont need to worry about destructing us - we are ready to self-destruct.

re gymnosophist #35:

Thanks for your reply.Per your suggestion here is the first hit I got from google.

http://cns.miis.edu/research/safrica/chron.htm

To quote directly:

``Approximately 1,000 personnel participated during the life span of the weapons program, with about 400 involved at the height of the project.``

I do agree with you that a lot more than personnel numbers have to be considered when you compare something like nuclear programs, however 50 people and 3 scientists sounded more like a startup creating caching software rather than a project involving national security :) Will catch up with you later.

Regards

sac