Friday, March 28, 2014

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: UN Rejects Russian Annexation of Crimea

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: UN Rejects Russian Annexation of Crimea 
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources by Jennie Matthew (AFP)
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 28, 2014The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a Western-backed resolution declaring Crimea's breakaway referendum illegitimate and refusing to recognize Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

The non-binding measure passed with a comfortable majority in the 193-member body, with 100 votes in favor and 11 votes against. But 58 abstained and more than 20 did not vote.

Ukraine, which drafted the resolution, welcomed its adoption and called for a "stronger and more concrete" united, international front against Russian aggression.

"I'm very much satisfied with the vote... (an) overwhelming majority of nations in the world supported this resolution," acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said.

He had urged the international community to back the text, hoping an overwhelming show of support would ward off further Russian intervention on Ukrainian territory.

"I am convinced that a strong vote today will help to deter further aggressive moves," Deshchytsya told the assembly.

"It sends an essential message that the international community will not allow what has happened in Crimea to set a precedent to further challenges to our rules."

Western diplomats wanted a strong majority vote to press home what they say is Russia's isolation, but there had been fears that a high number of countries would abstain.

Moscow's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin claimed the vote was a "moral victory" for Russian diplomacy, saying that "almost half" the UN membership refused to support the resolution.

"An increasing number of countries are beginning to understand the complexity of the situation and the motives behind the actions of Crimea and the Russian Federation," he said.

But the resolution did garner more support than a similar text passed in 2009 over the Georgia crisis.

Ukraine submitted the draft resolution, writing the text in moderate language in the hope of attracting a maximum number of votes, and it makes no direct reference to Russia.

The text is similar to a US-drafted resolution submitted to the Security Council on March 19, which Russia vetoed. China abstained and the other 13 members of the council voted in favor.

Thursday's resolution repeats that the March 16 referendum in Crimea has "no validity" and asks countries not to recognize any alteration of the status of the Black Sea peninsula.

It calls on all states to refrain from any attempts to modify Ukraine's borders through the threat or use of force or other unlawful means and calls for dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Ukraine said that a vote for the resolution was a vote for the UN charter, while a vote against or an abstention undermined it.

"One month has cost us dearly. More inaction may cost us this organization," Deshchytsya said.

- US urged 'yes' vote -
The United States backed Ukraine's request and criticized Russia.

US Ambassador Samantha Power told the assembly it was "disheartening in the extreme to see Russia carry on as if Ukrainians have no legitimate interest in Crimea."

"Ukraine is justified in seeking our votes in reaffirming and protecting its borders," she said.
"We urge you to vote 'yes' on a resolution that enshrines the centrality of territorial integrity and that calls for a diplomatic not a military solution to this crisis."

Russia stuck to its position, saying it had no right to refuse support to Crimeans in their right to self-determination.

The 11 countries that voted against the text were Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Nicaragua, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

NATO and Western powers voted overwhelmingly in favor. Among the abstentions were Afghanistan, China, India and Pakistan, as well many South American nations.

Israel and Iran were among those that did not vote.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources by Jennie Matthew (AFP)
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF's Super Hercules Transport Plane Crashes Near Gwalior

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF's Super Hercules Transport Plane Crashes Near Gwalior
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth + Zee News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 28, 2014According to officials, the aircraft was carrying an unknown number of people. Rescue operations are underway.

The C-130J aircraft was one of the six bought from the US two years ago. 

The plane had reportedly taken off from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The incident is shocking since the plane, known as the safest aircraft, has capabilities of landing and taking off even in improvised or short airfields, and without lights. 

India had recently deployed a C-130J Super Hercules of the Indian Air Force in Kuala Lumpur to take part in the international search for the missing Malaysian airliner in the South Indian Ocean region. 

More details are awaited.

*Narration on IAF C-130J Super Hercules

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington Sept. 27, the Indian Defence Ministry’s highest body on Friday cleared the acquisition of six C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from the US.

The aircraft are being purchased on a government-to-government basis at a cost of more than US $1 billion. The clearance to top the existing six C-130J aircraft with another six was made at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council.

The Lockheed Martin-built aircraft have been effective in rugged terrain, including mountains, for transporting troops and cargo, an Indian Air Force official said. “We are very happy with the performance of the Hercules, and the aircraft does everything which IAF wants,” the official said.

The Air Force has stood up a new squadron for flying the C-130J. Squadron 77 is nicknamed the “Veiled Vipers” with a motto “strike to kill.”

In August 2013,  the Air Force landed the C-130J at the Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh bordering China in northern India, known as the world’s highest airfield. The airstrip’s elevation is 16,614 feet and the landing was considered a “strong gesture to China,” defense analyst Nitin Mehta said.

In 2007, India signed a deal to purchase six C-130Js for around $1.1 billion.

In September 2013, the Air Force inducted the first of 10 C-17 transport aircraft contracted from the United States at more than $4 billion.

India’s military transport fleet includes the Russian-made IL-76 and Antonov-32 aircraft.


An Air Force source said India plans to buy six additional C-17s on top of the already contracted 10 aircraft.-

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Zee News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS