The Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons also referred to as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), was signed in New York on July 1, 1968. The document divided the countries of the world into two groups: those which possess A-bombs and those which do not and must not have A-bombs.
The document appeared during the Cold War era. The USSR, the USA and Great Britain became the first countries to sign the Treaty. US President Lyndon Johnson submitted the NPT to the US Senate for ratification on July 9, 1968. However, the Senate refused to ratify any agreements with Moscow after the Soviet troops entered Czechoslovakia in August of that year. USA’s new President Richard Nixon submitted the document for ratification again only in the beginning of 1969. The Senate approved the Treaty on March 13, 1969, whereas the President signed the draft law about the NPT coming into effect on November 24, 1969. The Treaty came into effect in March 1970 as an international legal document.
The NPT determined that France and China could join it as full-fledged nuclear powers. The elite club welcomed all countries which had tested A-bombs before January 1, 1967 . However, Beijing and Paris did not mean to hurry with that. The Chinese administration described the Treaty as the conspiracy of two superpowers aimed to preserve the nuclear monopoly of the USSR and the USA. Beijing believed that the prohibition of nuclear weapons development would be effective only if the superpowers liquidated their nuclear arsenals
The Treaty has three basic goals: non-proliferation, disarmament and the right for the peaceful use of nuclear technologies. The goals seem to have been partially achieved as the nuclear race between the USA and the USSR ended with the end of the Cold War period. However, the world stands too far from the complete nuclear disarmament, which gives NPT critics a reason to reproach nuclear superpowers of hypocrisy and their aspiration to uncompromisingly dictate their will to other nations.
There are positive examples, though. South Africa tested nuclear weapons in the 1970s, but then destroyed them and signed the NPT in 1991. This is a unique example when a country turns down its A-bombs made on the base of the national scientific and industrial base. Western experts like to remind of the time when Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan refused to keep the Soviet nuclear weapons on their territories after the three countries obtained independence. It is true, but one should bear in mind the fact that it was only Russia that could technically play the role of the nuclear successor of the USSR.
Not all countries dealing with nuclear developments aspired to become NPT members. India actively participated in NPT negotiations, but eventually refused to join it having referred to a nuclear threat from China. Pakistan acted similarly and referred to India’s decision. Israel also decided not to tie its hands with the Treaty.
All of that was not so dangerous during the 1970s and the 1980s against the background of the bipolar world order formed as a result of the opposition of two systems. Nowadays, nuclear programs in the Middle East and South Asia threaten to develop into the regional arms race. India, Israel and Pakistan supposedly own about a hundred A-bombs each.
Non-nuclear states are entitled to develop peaceful nuclear power under the NPT and build their own nuclear power plants under the control of international supervisors. In this case there is no reason to ban such countries from enriching uranium for those purposes. The situation with Iran has unfolded into a major international problem. Iran is a member of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty; the nation cooperates with the IAEA, although the West is still deeply concerned about the Iranian nuclear program.
NPT members agreed in May 1995 to indefinitely prolong the document. However, the decision does not remove the internal conflict between the members of the Treaty. The USA is concentrated on the problems of Iran and North Korea, whereas other countries continue to ask questions about the promised total nuclear disarmament. To crown it all, Washington’s wish to solve international problems with the use of the military force can only strengthen the wish of USA’s opponents to develop an A-bomb.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Working hard can kill tired people
Scientists suggest that working hard when fatigued not only increases the blood pressure but also raises the risk of heart attack.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Psychology, when exhausted individuals perceive a task as achievable and worth doing, they increase their effort to compensate for their diminished capability due to fatigue.
As a result, they experience exaggerated cardiovascular responses and are placed at a higher risk of developing serious health risks, including hypertension and heart disease.
University of Alabama at Birmingham psychologists believe blood pressure rises and remains elevated until the task is completed or interrupted because of being viewed as too difficult or impossible.
The study showed that moderately fatigued individuals have a greater blood pressure increase when completing easy tasks compared to more difficult ones, as they view the difficult jobs as impossible or too difficult to be worth the effort.
Findings reveal that highly fatigued individuals have low blood pressure increases when experiencing both easy and difficult task conditions, because they perceive even the easy tasks as too difficult for them to accomplish.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Psychology, when exhausted individuals perceive a task as achievable and worth doing, they increase their effort to compensate for their diminished capability due to fatigue.
As a result, they experience exaggerated cardiovascular responses and are placed at a higher risk of developing serious health risks, including hypertension and heart disease.
University of Alabama at Birmingham psychologists believe blood pressure rises and remains elevated until the task is completed or interrupted because of being viewed as too difficult or impossible.
The study showed that moderately fatigued individuals have a greater blood pressure increase when completing easy tasks compared to more difficult ones, as they view the difficult jobs as impossible or too difficult to be worth the effort.
Findings reveal that highly fatigued individuals have low blood pressure increases when experiencing both easy and difficult task conditions, because they perceive even the easy tasks as too difficult for them to accomplish.
Spain wins its second European Championship
The best team won the European Championship. Spain scored the most goals, created the most chances and held the ball more than any of its opponents as it won its first title in 44 years.
Spain wins its second European Championship
"It will be good not only for Spain, but also for football because the team that played best won," said Fernando Torres, who scored the lone goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0 Sunday.
The "Red Fury" won their second European Championship playing with flair, finesse and a determination that the team had lacked in so many previous competitions.
The Spaniards may not have as many trophies as the Germans or Italians, but the sparkling performance in Euro 2008 finally gave Spain another major football title after winning the 1964 European Championship at home.
"It's a happy day for Spain, to win a European Championship and to do it brilliantly," coach Luis Aragones said. "Now we can start saying that we can win a European Championship and everything else."
The Spanish team had a weak start to qualifying for Euro 2008 with losses to Northern Ireland and Sweden, but it recovered with eight wins and one draw to claim its group.
Spain's flow continued at the tournament with three straight victories in the group stage followed by a 4-2 win over Italy in a penalty shootout.
That was Spain's toughest test, and the only match in which it didn't score in regular time. It was also crucial for the team's self-confidence as it ended Spain's bad habit of exiting major tournaments in the quarterfinals.
From that moment, there was no holding Spain back as it crushed Russia 3-0 and carried the momentum on to the final against Germany, even with striker David Villa out injured.
The injured Villa, who hurt his right leg when taking a free kick in the semifinal win, finished as top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals.
"Spain played very well during whole tournament and they were technically excellent - they fully deserve victory," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "We lost today, we acknowledge this.
"The Spaniards were constantly good throughout the tournament, they technically had a very high quality. They always play in the Champions League at the highest possible level and they are very committed to high quality."
Spain extended its unbeaten streak to 22 matches and allowed embattled Aragones to end his four-year spell with Spain on a high note.
Jubilant players tossed Aragones in the air after the final whistle as the Spanish fans danced in the stands at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
"I feel delighted," Aragones said. "I usually don't show what I feel - I'm extremely happy. Germany was very complicated to play against as they defend so well. We have a composed group which plays well, adjust very well. We all work well together and we managed to get there."
It was Spain's third European Championship final, after beating the Soviet Union in 1964 and losing to France 20 years later. Since 1984, Spain had not previously advanced past the quarterfinal stage of the any major tournament.
http://english.pravda.ru/sports/championships/30-06-2008/105622-spain-0
Spain wins its second European Championship
"It will be good not only for Spain, but also for football because the team that played best won," said Fernando Torres, who scored the lone goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0 Sunday.
The "Red Fury" won their second European Championship playing with flair, finesse and a determination that the team had lacked in so many previous competitions.
The Spaniards may not have as many trophies as the Germans or Italians, but the sparkling performance in Euro 2008 finally gave Spain another major football title after winning the 1964 European Championship at home.
"It's a happy day for Spain, to win a European Championship and to do it brilliantly," coach Luis Aragones said. "Now we can start saying that we can win a European Championship and everything else."
The Spanish team had a weak start to qualifying for Euro 2008 with losses to Northern Ireland and Sweden, but it recovered with eight wins and one draw to claim its group.
Spain's flow continued at the tournament with three straight victories in the group stage followed by a 4-2 win over Italy in a penalty shootout.
That was Spain's toughest test, and the only match in which it didn't score in regular time. It was also crucial for the team's self-confidence as it ended Spain's bad habit of exiting major tournaments in the quarterfinals.
From that moment, there was no holding Spain back as it crushed Russia 3-0 and carried the momentum on to the final against Germany, even with striker David Villa out injured.
The injured Villa, who hurt his right leg when taking a free kick in the semifinal win, finished as top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals.
"Spain played very well during whole tournament and they were technically excellent - they fully deserve victory," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "We lost today, we acknowledge this.
"The Spaniards were constantly good throughout the tournament, they technically had a very high quality. They always play in the Champions League at the highest possible level and they are very committed to high quality."
Spain extended its unbeaten streak to 22 matches and allowed embattled Aragones to end his four-year spell with Spain on a high note.
Jubilant players tossed Aragones in the air after the final whistle as the Spanish fans danced in the stands at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
"I feel delighted," Aragones said. "I usually don't show what I feel - I'm extremely happy. Germany was very complicated to play against as they defend so well. We have a composed group which plays well, adjust very well. We all work well together and we managed to get there."
It was Spain's third European Championship final, after beating the Soviet Union in 1964 and losing to France 20 years later. Since 1984, Spain had not previously advanced past the quarterfinal stage of the any major tournament.
http://english.pravda.ru/sports/championships/30-06-2008/105622-spain-0
Monday, June 30, 2008
Govt clamps down on second-hand vehicle imports
Govt clamps down on second-hand vehicle imports
The government has banned the import of vehicles that are considered to be less than 80 percent mechanically sound, according to a senior policy maker.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce's Export-Import Department Director General is Mr Khoun Thannakhot.
On Friday he said the department would only allow the import of second-hand vehicles that had undergone a technical inspection.
“According to technical inspection regulations, vehicles must be at least 80 percent mechanically sound before approval can be given for them to be imported,” he told Vientiane Times.
Mr Khoun confirmed the department would enforce the regulation. He said people wanting to bring a second-hand vehicle into Laos must show a certificate of technical inspection and a duty payment receipt.
A senior official of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport said the regulation aimed to make transportation in Laos safer as the number of sub-standard vehicles on the roads was a major factor in traffic accidents.
He also said sub-standard vehicles consumed more fuel and produced more pollution. Other countries had similar policies limiting the import of second-hand vehicles, to avoid becoming graveyards for old vehicles.
Critics argue that although the government has a clear policy to ban the import of poor quality second-hand vehicles, it is a difficult policy to enforce. They say several private enterprises use loopholes in the law to import low-quality, second-hand vehicles.
Some importers arrange for vehicles to be broken up into individual components before they bring them into the country. They then ask for permission from commerce officials to import parts to supply vehicle assembly plants – a business the government is promoting.
“There's no law banning the import of spare parts for second-hand vehicles and it is difficult to identify which parts meet the standard quality requirements,” commented an industry observer.
Policy makers from the ministries of Public Works and Transport, Finance, and Industry and Commerce, who are responsible for dealing with regulations concerning second-hand vehicle imports, said they were aware of increasing numbers of sub-standard vehicles arriving in the country.
“We have raised this issue for discussion several times, but we can't find an agreement,” said a senior transport official, adding that it was necessary to hold a meeting between officials from the three ministries.
He said some policy makers still wanted to allow the import of second-hand spare parts for assembly in the country, as these provided vehicles which were in a price range that could be afforded by the average Lao family, particularly low-income rural families.
Cheap transport is essential for these families if they are to transport goods to and from rural areas to boost their incomes, activities which form part of the government's poverty eradication policy.
The government has banned the import of vehicles that are considered to be less than 80 percent mechanically sound, according to a senior policy maker.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce's Export-Import Department Director General is Mr Khoun Thannakhot.
On Friday he said the department would only allow the import of second-hand vehicles that had undergone a technical inspection.
“According to technical inspection regulations, vehicles must be at least 80 percent mechanically sound before approval can be given for them to be imported,” he told Vientiane Times.
Mr Khoun confirmed the department would enforce the regulation. He said people wanting to bring a second-hand vehicle into Laos must show a certificate of technical inspection and a duty payment receipt.
A senior official of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport said the regulation aimed to make transportation in Laos safer as the number of sub-standard vehicles on the roads was a major factor in traffic accidents.
He also said sub-standard vehicles consumed more fuel and produced more pollution. Other countries had similar policies limiting the import of second-hand vehicles, to avoid becoming graveyards for old vehicles.
Critics argue that although the government has a clear policy to ban the import of poor quality second-hand vehicles, it is a difficult policy to enforce. They say several private enterprises use loopholes in the law to import low-quality, second-hand vehicles.
Some importers arrange for vehicles to be broken up into individual components before they bring them into the country. They then ask for permission from commerce officials to import parts to supply vehicle assembly plants – a business the government is promoting.
“There's no law banning the import of spare parts for second-hand vehicles and it is difficult to identify which parts meet the standard quality requirements,” commented an industry observer.
Policy makers from the ministries of Public Works and Transport, Finance, and Industry and Commerce, who are responsible for dealing with regulations concerning second-hand vehicle imports, said they were aware of increasing numbers of sub-standard vehicles arriving in the country.
“We have raised this issue for discussion several times, but we can't find an agreement,” said a senior transport official, adding that it was necessary to hold a meeting between officials from the three ministries.
He said some policy makers still wanted to allow the import of second-hand spare parts for assembly in the country, as these provided vehicles which were in a price range that could be afforded by the average Lao family, particularly low-income rural families.
Cheap transport is essential for these families if they are to transport goods to and from rural areas to boost their incomes, activities which form part of the government's poverty eradication policy.
Laos to generate electricity over 3 billion kw/h by 2008
KPL) Laos plans to increase electricity production over 3,700 million Kw/h in 2008, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mining.
Electricity will be distributed throughout country more than 1,400 million Kw/h worth US$75.54 million totally to ensure domestic consumption and goods production, especially in remote areas and focal development areas.Over 60% of households countrywide will gain access to the electricity system and plans to export over 1.9 billion Kw/h which draw over US$91 million in this year, said Ministry of Energy and Mining.
At present, many hydropower construction projects are being constructed namely Nam Thuen II, Seset II, Nam Ngum II, Sekhaman III, Nam Lik ½, Nam Ngum V, Nam Ngone, Nam Thuen I and Nam Ngum III.On the other hands, the plan will push forward to expand other construction hydropower and power plants projects including Thuen Hin Boun, Hongsa lignite power plant, Nam Nhiep I and Nam Sim, northern area rural power distribution and rural electrification projects.
Under the annual plan, the installation of 115kv power grid connecting from Ban Hard of Laos to Cambodia border checkpoint should be promoted to operate. The installation of transmission line connects from Seset I dam to Saravan province would also be built. For the installation of transmission line runs from Borikhamsay to khammouan and Savannakhet provinces must be constructed as plan.
The power grid installation project stretches from Xieng khouang-Samnuea- Oudomsay-Phongsaly and Luang Namtha-Bokeo are also preparing for construction.
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