Jusuf Kalla: The Government Will Re-Examine Namru 2

Not many Indonesians knew that Namru 2 even exists until Indonesian Minister of Health DR. Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari Sp.JP(K) made sudden inspection to its laboratory center last week. Dr. Siti got a hold for few minutes outside until she was allowed to enter the laboratory.

Naval Medical Research Unit 2 (Namru 2) been in Indonesia for the first time in 1968 to give recommendations on handling pest epidemic in Central Java. Two years later, Indonesia asked Namru 2 for recommendations in handling malaria in Papua. This time, Namru 2 asked for Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to do the cooperation with Indonesia. Indonesia agreed and MoU signed for 35 years term and would be revised every 10 years. Due to that MoU, Namru 2 had license to do the medical research in Indonesia. That MoU gave extra privileges to Namru 2's staffs. 20 staffs got diplomatic immunity, customs free and residences.

The MoU ended in 2005. Indonesia through minister of health had given Naval 2 written decision in November 2005 that the MoU would not be extended. The minister thought the MoU only benefited Namru 2. Extra privileges, intransparency and many unpublished research documents while all specimens is from Indonesian territory are the reasons for the extinction of MoU.

Namru 2 was stalling. For the last 2 years, US Embassy has been actively lobbying Department of Health and Department of Foreign Affairs to extend its operation in Indonesia. The negotiation is still in progress. Namru 2 in Indonesia is the Namru 2 HQ for South East Asia Area since its former HQ in Philippine was closed in 1990.

Dr. Siti came to Namru 2's laboratory to redeclare that Namru 2 and all its research would be temporarily closed until new agreement reached. Some intelligent observers make opinions that with its extra privileges and intransparency, Namru 2 could be used as a cover to do intelligent operations. Why US Embassy so determine to protect its existence in Indonesia also being questioned.

Indonesian Vice President H.M. Jusuf Kalla, after Friday Pray in Makassar, told the journalists that the negotiation is in progress and the government will re-examine the existence of Namru 2 in Indonesia (source: gatra.com). He said that Indonesia is open to work together with any organization for good purposes in the right way. The deadlock is about the diplomatic status of its staffs. US wants 20 persons have diplomatic immunity while Indonesia only limits to 2 persons since the relation with Namru 2 is nothing to do with diplomatic but only a health research. Indonesia also insists that naval doctors from Indonesia allowed to do the supervision.

My opinion; I agree with vice president that any cooperation for good purposes is ok but it must be in the right way. I'm sure from all the facts that US had been using Namru 2 for intelligent operations but not to have much worry about that. CIA is not that good. There is no Ethan Hunt out there.

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Fastest Car Ever

What is the fastest car ever? Well, a lot of fast cars in the world if it's just said cars. From normal cars to freak jet plane-looked cars. But if we limits fastest cars only to production cars or road cars then here is the answer; SSC Ultimate Aero of Shelby.

There are only 2 production cars dare you to limit the 400 km/h; Bugatti Veyron and SSC Ultimate Aero. Buggati is Italian brand, now owned by Volks Wagen, had the throne for years until SSC Ultimate Aero took it on Sept. 13, 2007 by doing Guinness World Records's test.

The event took place on a temporarily closed, two-lane stretch of public highway in Washington State. Guinness World Records later verified data for an official top-speed announcement on Oct. 9, 2007 that Ultimate Aero's average top speed was 256.18 mph (412.28 km/h). At that speed the SSC Ultimate Aero broke the official record held by the Koenigsegg CCR 241.01 mph (387.87 km/h) and the unofficial record 253.8 mph (408 km/h) held by $1.6 million Bugatti Veyron.

The Bugatti Veyron and SSC Ultimate Aero are very similar in major hardware and performance statistics. They contained lightweight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber, a mid-mounted engine aided by the use of turbo (two for SSC and four Bugatti); 1000-more horse power, from 0 to 60 mph times of less three seconds, and a top speed exceeding 250 mph.

Veyron sends power to all four wheels, while the Ultimate Aero uses a rear-drive setup without traction control. Yes, no traction control. In the engine department, Bugatti favored the use of the 16-cylinder, while SSC made do with eight. The Ultimate Aero weight will contain much lower than the Bugatti. And the market price of Ultimate Aero is about $ 600 k. Much lower compare to Veyron ($ 1.6 m).

Beside without traction control, Ultimate Aero also has no power steering. It makes the driver use steering with power at low speed but it will go smooth at high speeds and while doing maneuvers as Shelby's official statement called it more connected and has more road feeling.

Regarding Shelby's decision to do without traction control for the Ultimate Aero, it was a move he saw as consistent with pure sports cars that are not interfered with by the electronic nannies seen in many of today's modern cars.

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