Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: NickSE who wrote (105709)	7/15/2003 11:24:11 PM
From: NickSE	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Japan departs from pacifist stance, plans two aircraft carriers -- 13 July 2003 Perception of North Korean threat may have led to decision straitstimes.asia1.com.sg The Japanese navy is preparing to build two small aircraft carriers, its first in more than 60 years, according to Japanese and United States officials. The plan is further evidence that Japan is departing from its pacifist post-World War II Constitution that restricts its military to self-defence. The carriers can be deployed as command ships in a task force to give the Maritime Self-Defence Force, as the Japanese navy is called, a modest ability to project power into the sea-lanes that are vital to Japan's trading economy. That capability is likely to draw protests from China, North Korea and South Korea, which were invaded by Japan during World War II. Tokyo's decision to go ahead with the aircraft-carrier plan is believed to be prompted by its perception of an immediate threat from North Korea and a longer-term threat from China..... US to give missiles to Taiwan -- 13 July 2003 news.com.au The US will deliver 200 advanced air-to-air missiles to Taiwan after it had held them in a US air base for three years to avoid upsetting China, a news report said today. When it agreed to sell the AIM-120C advanced medium range air-to-air missiles to Taiwan in 2000, Washington decided to hold the weapons in the United States to avoid giving the island air supremacy over China or provoking Beijing into accelerating its pursuit of a similar capability. Washington recently agreed to turn over the missiles because the Chinese air force has acquired advanced fighter jets and successfully test-fired Russian-built AA-12 air-to-air missiles, posing a greater threat to Taiwan, the semiofficial Central News Agency said. The AIM-120C missiles, to be carried by US-built F-16 fighter jets, will be shipped to Taiwan in a month or two from the US air base in Guam, the agency quoted unidentified Taiwanese military officials as saying. Defence Ministry officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

To: NickSE who wrote (105709)	7/15/2003 11:30:26 PM
From: Maurice Winn	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Yet people don't seem to realize that North Korea and China are probably doing the same for similar reasons: <AUSTRALIA is giving itself the option of becoming a nuclear power through a deal with the United States to obtain nuclear weapons and extensive investment in atomic know-how, experts claim. A leading strategic policy expert says Australia is forging an understanding with the US that would ensure quick access to "off the shelf" tactical nuclear weapons in the event of a crisis. A former senior Howard Government science adviser has told the Sunday Mail that the new $600 million reactor at Lucas Heights would ensure Australia had the skills and technology to start a nuclear weapons program.....> Mqurice