02/12/2012 Reporters

brick by brick. Those are the headlines. Now it is

time for Reporters. Working together, David Shukman

finds scientists from across the Middle East. We need civilians

stuck in a Kent on the border with Turkey. We discover why wine lovers

are heading to Nelson Mandela's former prison on rather -- Robben

Island. Welcome to Reporters. Israelis and Iranians working side-

by-side, in Today's environment that may sound far-fetched, but

science has trumped politics. Countries from across the Middle

East are backing a particle accelerator known as Sesame being

built in Jordan. We have this inside look.

A journey like no other. In the hills of Jordan something almost

unimaginable is taking place. I have joined a group of scientists

from Middle Eastern countries that are openly hostile to each other.

In this highly volatile region, they are actually working together.

Right at the back, a researcher from Israel. Riding on the bus just

behind, a team from Iran. They are on their way to an extraordinary

signs project that their governments are backing. A new

Centre for Advanced Research to be shared, amazingly, by all of them.

A hand of friendship is offered across a violent divide. A

Palestinian side-by-side with an Israeli. In this land of ancient

hatreds, science is achieving what diplomacy has failed to. Creating

an extremely rare sight. People who never normally meet happy to stand

together. They have come to see a project called Sesame. A vast

instrument known as synchrotron, designed to investigate the tiniest

objects. This multi-million dollar project is taking shape. These

concrete blocks are part of the shielding needed to protect people

when the system is working. For the past decade there has been constant

doubts about funding as well as huge uncertainties about who will

take part. Against all the odds, the machine is getting built.

think it is pretty remarkable that it has happened. It is because the

scientific community's in these countries have pushed for this,

ignoring the political barriers. Science is a global language, if

you can speak it together we can build bridges of trust to help in

other areas. You must worry when you hear the news about an

escalation in conflict and risk of possible war that it could do real

damage to this project? As a private individual I worry about

that a lot. A real war would stop us in our tracks, but we have got

to be optimistic and keep going. This is the heart of the Sesame

project here in Jordan. A device that is still under wraps that

accelerates electrons. The key process in what is known as an

synchrotron. This will be the first such machine in the Middle East.

The electrons get fired into these magnets, you can see on this plan

how that will happen. The electrons will be fired around in this great

circle. They are at least three years away from getting this thing

to work. Most of this equipment is second hand, it has been donated by

Germany. This project has been run on a really tight budget. Just one

of a number of real challenges. Because this machine will generate

some powerful X-rays, it needs some very serious shielding. That is

what this extraordinary zig-zagged corridor is all about. Should

anyone happen to stumble in here when the machine is working, they

should get some protection. This is where the electrons will end up,

whizzing around inside this giant ring. The faster they go, the more

they will give off X-rays, visible light, infrared. Exactly what the

researchers need to do their work. They are rehearsing how they will

run the machine, technical problems are bound to emerge. All the time

there is the problem of political tension, unrest and war. What is

driving the scientists is the wide range of research that Sesame will

be able to do. The work we do here can be used in many fields,

including electronics, engineering, material science. It will have many

applications. The scientists who will use Sesame have come to see it.

Synchrotrons are normally seen in developed countries, having won in

the Middle East is bringing people together. Here is an Israeli,

behind him, the Iranians. A remarkable sight, given the Iranian

government threatens to destroy Israel. I first talked to the

Israeli. The storm clouds of potential war are between your

country and Iran, here you are with Iranian scientists. They are not

going to destroy me. Iranian and Palestinians and Pakistani

scientists are my friends. We have a common ground. We are doing

research. We do not care about religion, the colour of your skin.

This project is highly sensitive. Many scientists are worried about

how it will be seen back home. You have got technological problems,

political and financial problems. Many people would be amazed you

have got this far. We have come a long way. We have good scientists

and good people who have inspired hope. They have put a lot of effort

to make this machine. The scientists, they like it.

donated machinery from Germany got Sesame off the ground. Much of it

is old, dating from the 1970s, it will have to be replaced. This

American scientist got the idea of sending this second-hand machine

here. Each of those countries, despite of the fact their

governments have did -- difficulties with each other, each

of them see significant benefit to their own country. Beside this of

the waters of the Dead Sea, one of the great fault lines of the Middle

East. On one side Iranians, on the other, Israelis. Despite everything,

they are prepared to be under the same roof. We are having a very

rough period now, it may become even rougher. As scientists we have

to look at the long range. In the long range I see no conflict of

interest between the people of Iran and Israel. Common sense will tell

you that everything is stacked against this project. The richest

Arab countries were not that it because Israel is involved. America

is reluctant because Iran is taking part. Somehow, just about enough

money has been raised. This dream of a shared science centre in the

Middle East is still alive. What binds the scientists together is

the prospect of having an advanced research facility on their doorstep.

No single country in this region could afford an synchrotron on its

own. Sesame paves the way to science that otherwise would be

impossible. Everybody sounds surprisingly optimistic. We hope

signs will open the door for other, further understandings for studying

other issues. -- science. This is what we hope. Somehow we will open

the door... In science there is no hostility, OK? We are scientists,

we are academic people. We are not dealing with political issues.

Scientists belong to the humanity, not the country. We are not here

for political reasons. So far, the recent conflict involving Israel

and Gaza has not led to anyone pulling out. That is quite

something for a project that many doubted could ever get this far.

Science has created an extraordinary opportunity, the

opening of a new door to dialogue right in the heart of the Middle

East. The Red Crescent says 2.5 million people have now been

displaced by Syria's civil war. According to the UN on one day this

month 11,000 people fled to neighbouring countries. Many are

not able to escape Syria. Atma camp. For 12,000 people, this

is as far away from the war as they can get. It is wet and cold, even

before the winter has set in. It is unsanitary, sewerage mixes with mud

after it rains. For some, the temporary home has become permanent.

They are stark. This place sprang up overnight. -- stuck. The war in

Syria is grinding on, in a typical week, 1,000 people are killed. Many

more families are making the same Northern Syria has seen some of the

worst atrocities of the war. They have come through a terrible ordeal

to reach the camp. In this group of tents, we found survivors. 110

people were have said to have died where they came from. This woman

lost four brothers. TRANSLATION: Where can we go? All of Syria is

being killed. We ask the world to help poorer children. We must

prevail. The can has fighters as well. From the rebel Free Syrian

Army. Many family signed the tense. TRANSLATION: We have been here for

seven months. It is the safest place we can find. Even here we are

afraid we will be shelled. Turkey is reluctant to take more refugees.

So the little this one has will have to take more. People cling to

what little dignity they can. They are despairing at any one will

bring this to an end. Mention Nelson Mandela's former

prison and the finer things in life are probably not what comes to mind.

But the discovery of grape vines in his prison courtyard has inspired

an unlikely rescue mission. It is this small island, famous for

its prisoners. Above all, Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years hidden

from the world. Today it is a place for tourists. Occasionally, for

surprises. In the corner of Nelson Mandela's old exercise yard, great

wines have survived. Burgeoning gay Nelson Mandela a precious sense of

control. -- Garden in day. A winery is attending the vines. The Swan is

flowering now. The plant's resilience echoing that of the

prisoners. It is not easy conditions they are facing. It is

on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. But they are still

flowing, ignoring the difficulty of the circumstances. The first crop

has now been picked. Over the years, many people have been accused of

trying to cash in on the brand, but this does not feel like that. As

Nelson Mandela fades from public view, this is a sincere attempt to

try and cherish and cling on to the legacy of one extraordinary man.

is like my great father. The issues your way to pay him respect? Yes.

Back on the mainland, the fermented white wine is tested. Two types,

one sweet, one bubbly, will soon be auctioned. And inspirational story

captured in a bottle of wine. Maybe in another 50 were 100 years, there

is fines might still be alive. They might be the only living monument

of the times of the great leader. The profits will go to the families

of former political prisoners and the winery workers. In a country

still wrestling with the economic legacies of apartheid, the workers

had been given their own patch of land to farm. It is a great

experience. I can make wine. I really enjoy it. It gives you a

sense of self-respect. Yes. Back on the island, another crop is

ripening. Of the fruits of the prison courtyard.

Japan's Ninja were all about mystery in the age of civil wars in

the 15th century. They were young men hired by feudal words to spy,

sabotage and chill. After 500 years of history and myth, only a few

masters all the deadly secret of ninjutsu.

Paying respects to the centuries old art of Ninja. This training

Hollis two Alice from Tokyo. It is full of trainees from around the

world. This man runs the sessions. He claims to be one of Japan's last

surviving inches. That is why he says he has 300,000 followers

worldwide. TRANSLATION: My pupils include military and police

personnel from abroad. The techniques can be used with any

weapons. It is universal. But the history of Ninja was not only

written in busy cities. And many of them lived in rural areas. It is

believed their women just across Japan, of this mountainous area is

where the catch mac famous clans originated in the 15th century.

They were hired by samurai in the age of civil war has to spy,

sabotage and chill. -- kill. This is where another living in to

master passes on the history. Trained in stock from a young age,

he no longer hides in the shadows. Today he sees himself as the

modern-day protector of Ninja MH. He is the 21st head of the clan. He

is also the chairman of this museum. But unlike previous Masters, he

will not be choosing a protege. He prefers to let the art die with him.

TRANSLATION: The tradition of skills do not have any place in the

modern age. In the 15th century, the abilities to spy and kill may

have been useful. But now we have guns, the internet and much better

medicines. This loud and exciting show is what Ninja means to most

people today. And they are the heroes or villains of countless

movies and comics. All the legacy will no doubt live on, it will be

less about assassinations and more about entertainment. An

ecclesiastical dispute has flared in Denmark over a Church's bells

are used for playing popular music. The Church has been accused of

trivialising clerical traditions. The skyline of Copenhagen is famous

for its church spires and the sonorous bells. One stands out. The

Church of our Saviour has a unique sound. The Beatles sound yesterday

was one of just hundreds of compositions. I started off my

career as a bar pianist. I play it because people love it. Finding

that gives the Church a good brand. This is one song that is deeply

irritating the Church's critics. It is Postman Pat, the theme tune to a

popular children's cartoon series. Lined up against a classical

musician who is playing one of his compositions. He believes the

Church has got a rich classical tradition and should not be

betraying its heritage. It is a symptom of the musical sickness

that has hit the church. And they are undermining themselves and do

not trust their own history. I up the Bishop of Copenhagen disagrees.

Why on earth be held back by principle? Why not take a bit of