North Korea – Diplomacy And Peaceful Resolution

August 14, 2017

North Korea – Diplomacy And Peaceful Resolution

By Padmini Arhant

The recognition of diplomacy and peaceful resolution to Korean Peninsula standoff is the only way to defuse crises. 

When two sides are engaged in a dispute with the party responsible for the cause refusing to comply in suspending military drills and provocative activities in foreign shores while expecting the other to surrender is anything but diplomatic. 

North Korea ceasing nuclear programs is critical as much as United States and South Korea obliging on their part in halting military operations and base threatening potential for peaceful existence that is long overdue. 

Anytime aggression is exerted expecting the target to agree to terms and conditions that are not necessarily binding on aggressors, such situation exacerbate any diplomacy and dialogue initiatives lacking in credibility.  

United States fragility brought to light in the calibrated terror attack in American soil on September 11, 2001 due to complicity within and so-called allies involvement. The intelligence and then administration inaction further demonstrating the real enemies for U.S. citizens are not offshore but in fact remain in the system held hostage to vested interests. 

Similarly, the tiananmen square massacre with the authorities showing no mercy aptly proved the threat originating from those at the helm rather than perceived foes from outside.

Notwithstanding China’s zero tolerance to political dissent leading to peace activists like Liu Xiaobo death in custody. In addition to these internal and external human rights violations against citizens in the country and occupied land, the leaderships and members representing political and military dias are exempt from accountability. 

From currency adjustment for trade advantage to cyber espionage and attacks, UNSC P5+1 members impunity on crimes that are otherwise condemned against those regarded adversary speaks volume on the council’s premise.  The flawed and fraudulent practice aimed at subjugation of nations for economic resources and strategic dominance is clearly unsustainable. 

Insisting on maintaining failed apparatus i.e. UNSC  results in malfunction hurting operatives behind ill-conceived notion. The experience is evident in unlawful sanctions eliminating prospects for economic progress, global peace and security. Such decision is not viable in the global economy and environment dependent on universal cooperation.

Accordingly, sanctions from those in constant breach of international law is meaningless and invalid. All the more reason for UNSC qualifying as defunct body to preside over international disputes considering the conflict of interest with members being the source of discord.

Sanctions have no place in the domain declared a feee world especially selective imposition to isolate nations declining to bow to unreasonable demands and expectations from forces in contempt of human rights and territorial integrity.

The peaceful settlement on North Korea matter is possible upon all sides accepting responsibility and meeting the commitment to honor sovereign status and protect innocent lives from any unwanted escalation of tension.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminiArhant.com

Spouse in Divine Mission

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Asia, Featured | Leave a Comment 

Independence Day Celebration

August 15, 2016

By Padmini Arhant

Nations celebrating independence day – Singapore, Pakistan and India  reflecting on milestones reached since the respective nations declaration of independence from foreign rule.

The achievements or the lack thereof are best evaluated in society beginning at the bottom with the poorest of the poor, the lower income struggling to make ends meet and the categories above comprising the labor force in the economy. The business sector survival is directly linked with consumer base affecting the retail industry, the supply chain and ultimately the manufacturing source.

The affordability amongst the lower income group representing majority diminish due to lower wages, underemployment and unemployment amid soaring inflation. The middle class generally bear the burden of the economy in many aspects. They are not only dealing with price rise but also in compliance on various taxes unlike the wealthy opting tax evasion.

The competitive economic environment plateau wages boosting profitability for corporations not necessarily shared from the top all the way down widening gap between the rich and the poor with the middle class barely comfortable in the status quo.

In social equality – besides economic standards creating hierarchy, the diversity in society is not without barriers with gender bias, racial, religion and ethnic divide usually ignore the minority groups and inherent discriminatory practice continues in all respects in the modern age. Then there are the disenfranchised and others targeted for political mileage. In certain parts the population are deprived of basic needs and rights leading to communal isolation. These characteristics exemplify the extreme.

On security – terrorism and territorial disputes causing constant cross border tensions within boundary spreading across the region. The skirmishes become the reason to increase defense budget spending at the expense of other critical investments like health, education, housing and infrastructure stalling global economy.

Citizens safety in the country with crimes such as rape against women not even sparing female infants threatens free mobility for women in emergency and normal conditions in addition to inhibiting economic opportunity in tourism. The strange verdicts exonerating the offenders and faulting the victims in these incidents reverse the trend in national progress.

In other nations, innocent people are hostage to violence from explosions, drone attacks and hostile situations with little or no relief to residents facing persistent threats to their life on daily basis.

Active nuclear proliferation amongst key nuclear powers with nuclear testing on land and under water intensify nuclear upgrade facilitated in nuclear energy worsening global security.

On the environment front, any efforts to optimize clean energy production and use replacing fossil fuel especially coal and oil would reduce carbon emission with deforestation depleting rainforests and ozone. Nuclear power plants are vigorously run and operated in defiance to public legitimate concern in the wake of Fukushima disaster.

Regarding civil liberty – the controlled setting maintained via print, visual and audio media i.e. all possible mass communication to curb basic rights on expression considered anti-government and anti-establishment is a serious setback on democracy. The free speech subversion further confirms zero tolerance to alternative perspective.

Above all, the free nation would apply the law of the land across the spectrum holding none above the law unlike the prevalent system granting immunity to VVIP and VIP’s on crimes ranging from corruption scandals to misuse of power and celebrity status at various level.

The developments otherwise in the economic sense is a welcome change and striving for collective benefits would strengthen national goals.

Greetings to nations commemorating independence day!

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, World Events | Leave a Comment 

Iran – Nuclear Deal With P5 + 1 in Geneva

November 24, 2013

By Padmini Arhant

The nuclear deal between P5 + 1 viz. United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany and Iran recognizing Iran’s nuclear enrichment rights with no new sanctions regarded as the preliminary step towards nuclear standoff resolution.

Although P5 + 1 initial measure could ease unnecessary tensions and unwanted provocations,

The fact of the matter is IAEA and UN reports along with United States and Israel’s military as well as intelligence authorities have found no evidence in the alleged Iran’s advanced  nuclear activity.

Iran as signatory to Non Proliferation Treaty maintains the nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and accordingly reserves such opportunity.

Nonetheless the existing economic embargo and financial restrictions on Iran based on unsubstantiated claims hurt P5 + 1 credibility with intentions to sustain pressure limiting nuclear enhancement.

The truth is the individual and collective P5 + 1 nuclear status in the absence of similar inspections and verifications on their stockpiles endanger global stability and security.

Unless there is acknowledgment among P5 + 1 to this effect, the discriminatory policy targeting nations like Iran and North Korea with crippling sanctions only promotes exceptionalism allowing major nuclear powers to accelerate accumulation barring accountability.

United States, Britain and Israel use of nuclear weapons and components arguably catastrophic and yet P5 + 1 non-compliance considering legacy and prevalent geopolitical dominance prolonging illegal invasion and occupation of foreign land remains existential threat to humanity at large.

Hence, P5 +1 leading the rest of the world in nuclear disarmament would deliver meaningful outcome on nuclear talks rather than intense negotiations with Iran – the non-nuclear member of NPT pledged to peaceful cause.

Besides imperial powers aggression not excluding potential nuclear warfare in the all options are on the table rhetoric cannot be ignored with preference for volatility rejecting peace and democracy anywhere.

Additionally, Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents, United States nuclear sites leakage and radioactive waste contamination of rivers along with Russia’s experience in series of fire incidents involving atomic submarines are some of many environment disasters harming life.

The Russian atomic powered submarine Tomsk fitted with two nuclear reactors caught on fire near Vladivostok in September 2013 and previously in December 2011Yekaterinburg carrying nuclear missiles on board engulfed in flames in northwestern Russia preceded by the Kursk nuclear submarine explosion on sea claiming 118 seamen lives in August 2000 serve as reminders on nuclear hazards in the contemporary setting.

Further, the nuclear states ICBM and diverse capability testing in the ocean increases vulnerability to ecological damage leading to planet deterioration.

The unanimous decision to renounce nuclear ambitions and proliferation with enactment of international laws enforced without exceptions is the immediate priority to alleviate constant risks from nuclear related ramifications.

Failure to change course from nuclearization to nuclear free zone could precipitate irreversible consequences with pervasive impact.

Earth protection is directly linked with removal of nuclear arsenal and other weapons of mass destruction.  The P5 + 1 submission to nuclear and WMD renunciation given the substantial inventory in possession would eliminate nuclear pursuits in the foreseeable future.

Hopefully reason and reality would guide choices resulting in universal safety and survivability.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, International Politics, Middle East | Leave a Comment 

Global Security – Nuclear Disarmament Without Exception

August 6, 2013

By Padmini Arhant

The White House issued statement prior to G-8 summit in Northern Ireland on June 17, 2013 that President Barack Obama is scheduled to address U.S. nuclear weapons reduction by third and negotiate with counterpart Russia for similar contraction.

President Barack Obama in his Berlin speech on June 19, 2013 expressed desire to downsize nuclear arsenals and minimize tactical weapons in Europe held on United States behalf through NATO alliance.

Furthermore, United States and Russia signed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) calls for limiting nuclear warheads to 1550 by the year 2018.

Meanwhile, Washington continues to strengthen strategic nuclear weapons capability ranging from interception to various offensive interventions.

The Obama administration 2014 budget proposal targeting nuclear non-proliferation programs with drastic cuts at 20 percent i.e. $460 million below the existing $2.45 billion and,

In juxtapose reallocating the fund towards nuclear surge by 7 percent or $500 million above the prevalent $7.227 billion to be expended in weapons modernization and uranium enrichment for nuclear warheads in a new facility contributes to nuclear arms race increasing volatility in the war fatigued surrounding.

Notwithstanding White House misplaced priorities during gloomy economic climate exacerbating American families plight.

Washington’s paradoxical paradigm detouring from defusing nuclear proliferation to profuse production necessitates Russia and other nuclear states to consider comparable preparation.

The subcritical nuclear test on plutonium shock absorbency to chemical explosives titled Pollux conducted in Nevada desert in December 2012 is direct contradiction to United States and western policy on nuclear testing traditionally used as premise to impose economic sanctions against nations like North Korea and earlier on India and Pakistan accused of enhancing nuclear status.

In fact, United States generous funding towards nuclear warheads development and advancement has spiked recently in the last four years while demanding other nuclear states to refrain from such accumulation and expansion.

United States incumbent administration pivot to Asia doctrine aimed at provocation demonstrated in Korean peninsula with redeployment of 23rd Chemical battalion used in biological warfare amid flying B-52 and B-2 nuclear capable bombers during military drill with South Korea represent aggressive tactics displaying weapons of mass destruction in possession.

The Pentagon report on United States nuclear strategy stated to maintain nuclear capable bombers, ballistic missile submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in addition to ongoing annual investments estimated at $31 billion in sustaining nuclear stockpile and infrastructure.

Above all the grim reality on nuclear arms attributed to five major nuclear nations – United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

These countries as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) permanent members with veto power evidently accelerate nuclear weapons program rather than deterrence.

Their decision to upgrade nuclear inventory quality and quantity in the absence of accountability for violation of international standards and protocol that otherwise apply to several nuclear and non-nuclear members in the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) serve as the reason for nuclear states India, Pakistan and North Korea non-participation in NPT.

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) assessment on contemporary nuclear status published in June 2013,

The five prominent nuclear states – United States, Britain, France, Russia and China are engaged in improving nuclear weapons delivery systems and techniques with arrangement to own nuclear arsenals indefinitely.

SIPRI data claims that United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel approximately have 4,400 operational nuclear weapons and the combined total of these nations nuclear warheads is a staggering 17, 300 in early 2013.

In specific reference to Israel – The non signatory to NPT having declined inspections remain in non-compliance of existing rules and regulations despite holding 200 to 400 nuclear warheads with 80 intact nuclear weapons comprising 50 Jericho II medium-range ballistic missiles and 30 gravity bombs at disposal.

Israel also positioned in non-strategic weapons, not excluding artillery shells and atomic demolition munitions per SIPRI.

United States nuclear stock held in safekeeping with NATO allies viz. Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Turkey to name a few and simultaneously in Asia Pacific the nuclear consignment in South Korea and Japan essentially qualifies these nations as nuclear states as well.

Yet another dimension to nuclear dilemma is nuclear energy pursued as alternative source to fossil fuel that creates controversy regarding uranium enrichment and classifications to prevent weapons manufacturing due to precedence in the course considered routine in elevation from preliminary process to productivity.

Not to mention the contentious nuclear waste management and radioactive material leaks endangering environment as well as citizens lives with catastrophic impact experienced in Chernobyl and subsequently in Fukushima and lately in Hanford Site located on Columbia River in the state of Washington.

The hierarchy in nuclear empowerment asserting responsible vs. reckless category when those aligned in the former group notably behind humanitarian disaster in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq and now Syria evade responsibility.

These nuclear powers in their quest for geopolitical dominance escalate risks involved in potential nuclear attacks against any nation worldwide.

The solution to burgeoning nuclear crises is Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in conjunction with Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) enforcement as the initial step towards universal commitment to nuclear disarmament.

Collective action along with independent monitoring committee on mandatory denuclearization without exception is a necessity for global peace and security.

History is testimony to foregone conclusion that nuclear armament benefits none and reliance on deadly dynamite would blind the world in entirety.

Wishing humanity success in the establishment of nuclear free planet.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, National and Global Security | Leave a Comment