AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff
TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - December 22, 2002
SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, December 22, 2002
TEXT:
This week we wrap up the theme of identity and the balance between privacy (human rights) and safety (collective security) with a discussion of current and emerging technologies that can help mitigate these risks.
CONTENTS:
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:
1. World
2. Africa
3. Americas
4. Asia Pacific
5. Europe
6. Middle East
7. South Asia
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
9. Finance
10 Human Rights
11. Law and Legal Issues
12. Narco-terrorism
13. Transportation
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
15. Recently Published
FEATURE ARTICLE:
Identity Management for Privacy AND Security
The US has blocked a World Trade Organization agreement that would have provided access to medicines for the scourges of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in poor countries. (On a related topic, see James Lamont “A threat deadlier than a landmine” in the Financial Times, December 17.)
The UN has reviewed the effectiveness of sanctions and cites a continuing substantial threat from al Qaeda, “one of the greatest challenges to international peace and security”. The Security Council approved certain humanitarian exemptions to the 1999 sanctions against al Qaeda and Taliban and their associates that had followed the embassy bombings. These sanctions froze financial resources and under this resolution monies necessary for basic needs and services would be exempted.
The UN has listed 23 governments and groups that have recruited child soldiers. These include warring factions in Afghanistan and Democratic Republic of Congo. Conflicts in Chechnya, Colombia and Uganda that have also included serious abuse of children were had not been included in the report because the conflicts have not been taken up by the Security Council.
Preparations for war against Iraq are the topic of much speculation:
C. J. Chivers “Kurdish Fighters Don’t Expect Call From U.S. “The New York Times, December 19
C. J. Chivers “U.S.Said to Ready Kurd Areas in Iraq for Possible War “The New York Times, December 22
Jean Eaglesham “Preparations in UK boost speculation on Iraq offensive” Financial Times December 18
James Harding, Peter Spiegel and Mark Turner “New timetable points to Iraq war in spring” Financial Times December 20
Greg Jaffe Number of U.S. Troops in Gulf Is Expected to Nearly Double” Wall Street journal December 19
As is the progress of the weapons inspections:
Roula Khalaf and Mark Turner “Iraq ‘has failed to address Unscom inspectors’ queries’” Financial Times December 19
Neil MacFarguhar “Iraq insists U.S. Experts Are Rushing To Judgment” New York Times December 20
Tony Paterson “Leaked report says German and US firms supplied arms to Saddam” The Independent, December 18 http://news.independent.co.uk/low_res/story.jsp?story=362566&host=3&dir=508
Paul Reynolds “Iraq gets new chance amid pressure” BBC News December 18 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2586351.stm
David E. Sanger and Julia preston “U.S. Is To Release Spy Data on Iraq To Aid Inspectors” New York Times December 21
Philip Shenon “Declaration lists Companies That Sold Chemicals to Iraq” New York Times December 21
David Usborne and Rupert Cornwell “Missing: four tons of nerve gas, 8.5 tons of anthrax, and assorted nuclear bomb parts” The Independent December 20 http://news.independent.co.uk/low_res/story.jsp?story=363156&host=3&dir=508
Steven R. Weisman and julia preston “Powell Says Iraq Raises Risk of War By Lying On Arms” New York Times December 20. Also see extracts of statements in this issue.
For the most current information on weapons inspections see http://www.unmovic.org and http://www.iaea.org
And to the current effects on Iraq and the future of its people:
BBC News Voices From Iraq http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/02/voices_from_iraq/html/
Cameron Barr, “Iraqi exiles want US in – then out” Christian Science Monitor December 16
John F. Burns “Stocks Bullish in Iraq Market” Don’t Ask Why” The New York Times December 18
Roger Hearing “Iraqis forsake opinions for safety” BBC News December 17 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2572209.stm
Hugh Pope and Bill Spindle, “Iraq’s Tribes May Play Crucial Role” Wall Street Journal December 16
Craig S. Smith “Groups Outline Plans for Governing a Post-Hussein Iraq” The New York Times, December 18
2. Africa
Crop yields in southern Africa have been poor and the number of aid recipients is likely to reach over 14 million. So far, the UN has received only half of the required funding.
In Algeria, suspected Islamic militants ambushed security forces, killing ten.
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the two main rebel groups, the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) and Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) have signed a peace accord, ending a 4-year conflict that has left more than two million dead. Under the agreement President Kabila maintains his position at least until general elections in two years time. RCD and MLC are being given government posts in a power-sharing agreement.
Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema was re-elected with almost 100 percent of the vote.
Fighting continues in Ivory Coast, with French forces taking an increasingly active role. A number of emergency meetings have been held among neighboring countries. They have promised to send a peacekeeping force within two weeks to replace French troops. The movement of thousands refugees is a growing problem, as rebel forces gain ground. The UN Security Council has condemned the rebel efforts to displace the elected government.
Kenyan investigators investigating the bombing last month have identified Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan as the owner of the vehicle used for the bomb and a key suspect. Police detained his wife, who led them to their apartment, where they apparently found evidence of bomb-making. Mr. Nabhan’s whereabouts are unknown. His wife and brother have been released on bail. An eleventh Kenyan, victim of that attack died of his wounds this week. Meanwhile, a nightclub in Mombasa was destroyed by a Molotov cocktail attack.
Presidential elections in Kenya will be held on December 27. Political violence has been widespread. See “’Violence for hire’ in Kenya poll” in Mail and Guardian, December 22 http://www.mg.co.za/Content/13.asp?a=37&o=13635
Madagascar’s parliamentary election has given an absolute majority to President Marc Ravalomanana. This mandate will help his standing with neighboring countries and marks a dramatic end to the career of rival former President Didier Ratsiraka.
Nigeria has set presidential elections for next April 19. It will be hotly contested with 30 parties registered, compared to just three in 1999. For an excellent perspective on the divide between western oil interests and the Nigerian people, see Norimitsu Onishi’s article “As Oil Riches Flow, Poor Village Cries Out” in The New York Times, December 22.
In South Africa, five men were arrested in connection with the Soweto bombings and a quantity of explosives were recovered. One suspect is still being sought. They are associated with the right-wing extremists “Warriors of the Boer Nation”. President Mbeki, re-elected head of the ANC, has called for more work to build racial harmony.
The last absolute ruler in Africa faces increasing protests. There were demonstrations and a two-day strike that demanded the rule of law and cancellation of the new luxury plane. A small bomb targeting the police exploded, probably the work of the opposition People’s United Democratic Movement.
Uganda’s army has declared the Lord’s Resistance Army defeated, with more than half of the rebel troops dead. This assertion is unverified.
3. Americas
The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service filed court documents in connection with the arrest of Mohamed Harkat who they allege is a member of an al Qaeda cell, part of a network of operatives in position to undertake terrorist activities in North America. The dispute over US treatment of foreign-born Canadians is analyzed by Joel Baglole and Marjorie Valbrun’s “Terrorists or Refugees?” in The Wall Street Journal, December 18
In Colombia, suspected National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels attacked a police station and set off a car bomb that killed four and wounded 17. A second bomb was defused.
In Peru, the bodies of 62 villagers massacred by Shining Path rebels in 1983 were exhumed and forensically analyzed before a formal funeral service. While the country continues to recover from the violent legacies of the past, Alberto Fujimori plans his return from Japan. For details see James Brooke, “Peru’s Former President Plots His Return to Power” The New York Times, December 22.
The US heightened the terrorism watch for the winter holiday season. The contrast between the language and preparation for war in the government with demonstrations and religious leaders speaking out for peace is marked.
US President Bush has developed a list of more than 20 alleged terrorists and has given authority to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to kill them. The Pentagon, continuing development of the Total Information Awareness system, is also expanding abroad with intelligence gathering and covert operations including expanding psychological operations. See Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt “Pentagon Debates Propaganda Push in Allied Nations” The New York Times December 16. Thomas Kean has replaced Henry Kissinger as the head of the panel investigating the September 11 attacks. And following another failed anti-missile test, Bush has ordered to begin deployment of the system (See Weapons of Mass Destruction, below).
The list of countries at high risk for terrorism has grown to 20 with the addition of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Now men from those countries must register and provide fingerprints and photographs to the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Armenia has been dropped from the list. North Korea is now the only non-Muslim or Arab country on the list. A review by the Inspector General for the State Department has said that nonimmigrant visas are insufficiently screened, due to lack of training or funding.
Reflecting continued flaws in the ability of the INS to track visitors (and the willingness to compensate for it with violations of basic civil liberties), massive arrests of Muslims have taken place in southern California. They had gone to the INS to comply with a post-September 11 rule that required registration, including photographs and fingerprints, of males 16-years of age and older from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria by December 23. Upon their arrival, between 500 and 700 were arrested. Many of them were Iranians who had fled the regime and were waiting for the INS to complete processing. Protests by thousands of Muslims and civil rights activists swiftly followed and most of the men have been released. Visitors from 13 other countries are required to register by January 13 and from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia by February 21. Given this experience, it could prove difficult to gain compliance for an already controversial measure widely viewed as discriminatory and ill-judged.
The US Treasury has issued additional interim guidelines on terrorism insurance. For the latest information, see http://www.treasury.gov.trip
In the US state of Colorado, it has been revealed that long-term police surveillance has been conducted against “subversives” including peace activists and advocates for the homeless. See Ford Fessenden and Michael Moss “Going Electronic, Denver Reveals Long-Term Surveillance” in The New York Times, December 21.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has detailed progress in the first three months of their investigation into the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York City. (http://wtc.nist.gov) They have asked for more photographs and videotapes that could help document the damage and progress of the fire. (http://wtc.nist.gov/media/provide_info.htm) Proposals for rebuilding the area were submitted by seven architectural firms and have received a much more positive response than the first group of proposals submitted five months ago.
And in Oklahoma, a new analysis has found unexpected resilience among those who helped in the recovery work after the 1995 bombing. See “Body Handlers After Terrorism in Oklahoma City” Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Vol 72 No 4, December 2002 http://www.apa.org/releases/body_handlers_article.pdf
The US territory American Samoa has rescinded their prohibition against anyone of Middle Eastern descent entering the islands.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez commandeered an oil tanker and had it brought into shore to provide much-needed fuel to a country in which oil production has nearly stopped, strikes continue despite a court order, and whose economy is rapidly declining. The protests for and against the elected President have continued in the deeply divided country.
4. Asia Pacific
Australia plans a 20 percent increase in Special Forces, including commandos to supplement the Special Air Service, to help counter increased risks from terrorism.
China has agreed that United Nations experts will be able to investigate possible human rights abuses.
In Hong Kong around 20 thousand people demonstrated their opposition to the proposed anti-subversion bill that is widely seen as threatening civil liberties. The largest demonstration ever, the issue has attracted much attention from China.
Indonesia is asking foreign governments to lift travel warnings and has begun encouraging internal travel to try to bring back the tourist industry that was devastated in the aftermath of the Bali bombing.
In the Aceh province, a peace deal signed last week remains on shaky grounds as both sides are accused of breaking the ceasefire. Peace monitors began their work on Friday, but there has been at least one battle. In a visit to help bolster the peace deal, President Megawati Sukarnoputri has promised the province will be rebuilt now that 26 years of fighting is ended. Two visitors to Aceh stand accused of contacting the Free Aceh Movement and are awaiting sentencing.
In North Sumatra, nine soldiers who attacked a police station in September have been jailed.
The five Japanese who had been kidnapped by the North Koreans in the 1970s and 1980s have asked to remain in Japan and for the North Korean government to let their families join them.
Malaysia has been awarded sovereignty over two islands near Borneo, Ligitan and Sipadan that were also claimed by Indonesia. The International Court of Justice made the determination based on Malaysia’s use of the islands for fishing and tourism, respectively. Sipadan was the location of the notorious kidnapping by rebels from the southern Philippines, of 21 people, including 10 tourists, in 2000.
Also in Malaysia, seven people were arrested and are now released on bail for spreading false terrorist warnings. In another arrest, two religious teachers join 70 others who have been arrested for suspicion of belonging to militant Islamic groups.
North Korea is under increased pressure over its potential nuclear program as the US has led an agreement to suspend humanitarian oil shipments to the country. North Korea has said that in the face of increased US aggression, it is prepared to resume its old nuclear program.
In the Philippines, the communist guerilla New People’s Army has rejected the government’s unilateral ceasefire.
South Korea, disturbed by the nuclear threat from the north, is nonetheless voicing strong anti-American sentiments following the acquittal of two US army tank drivers in the death of two Korean girls. Protests over the US military presence and US policy towards North Korea were major issues in the presidential elections that ended in victory for Roh Moo Hyun who promised to distance himself from the US and continue the sunshine policies with the north.
Turkmenistan’s President Saparmurat Niyazov survived an alleged assassination attempt that has led to questions regarding the account of the incident and a crackdown against hundreds of foreigners, Muslims, and the little political opposition that remains.
5. Europe
Albania is the focus of a Financial Times World Report published on December 18. (http://www.ft.com)
The status of Cyprus is not yet settled because the Turkish Cypriot leadership did not respond to the UN proposal in a timely manner but negotiations are likely to continue soon.
French police are holding four men in custody while investigating chemicals that may have been intended for a terrorist attack. The chemicals and a biochem protective suit were found in their apartment near Paris. Police claim the men were connected to Chechen separatists and militant Islamic groups.
Another suspected member of Basque separatist ETA, Ibon Fernandez Iradi, escaped from French police shortly after his arrest.
In Germany, the brain of Ulrike Meinhof of the Red Army Faction was returned to her family for burial.
Macedonia peacekeeping troops will come from the European Union, replacing NATO troops, next year. Macedonian authorities will also investigate the shooting deaths in March of seven South Asian immigrants, accused as terrorists but whom many believe had no connections to terrorism at all.
Russia has rejected US charges that it helped Iran develop nuclear arms. It has protested Iraq’s rescinding an oil contract and expressed concern that the US missile shield would have a destabilizing effect.
The commander of Russian forces in Chechnya, General Gennady Troshev, has been removed from his post and offered a post in Siberia instead. Closure of refugee camps continues and there is no sign that rebels will agree to support any peace initiative that involves continued Russian rule. Interesting articles on the situation in Chechnya include “Chechen Refugees Brace For Upheaval as Camps Close” by Sabrina Tavernise, The New York Times December 16; and Fred Weir’s articles “Life among Grozny’s ruins” and “Moscow’s peace initiative” in The Christian Science Monitor on December 16 and 19, respectively.
Serbian President Milan Milutinovic’s term ends soon and the International War Crimes Tribunal has called on his attendance to answer charges in connection with his actions in Kosovo in 1998-9.
Spain’s Basque separatist group ETA continues its activities. Last week one policeman was killed and a second wounded in a gunfight with two suspects, who were arrested. Their car, which contained explosives, was destroyed in a controlled explosion. It is believed that this could have been part of a New Year’s Eve bombing campaign plan.
In the UK, expectations of terrorist attacks remain high. Efforts to educate the public and enlist their support are underway. At the same time, both prominent politicians (including the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw) and peace activists warn that an attack against Iraq could increase the risk and help boost support for al Qaeda. The suggestion that a UK air force base would be used for America’s missile defense program also drew protests and demonstrations.
New census figures for Northern Ireland have been released, showing the balance between Protestants and Catholics at 53 percent to 44 percent. The last census measured a 16 point differential, at 58 to 42 percent. Many had expected the Catholic numbers would have increased more, given different birth rates, but migration patterns are said to make up the difference.
Multi-party talks at Stormont to restore devolution will continue without the Ulster Unionists or the Progressive Unionists. This followed a leaked report that the Irish government believes the Irish Republican Army (IRA) is still actively recruiting new members and acquiring weapons. At the moment, however, the damage caused by the feud between loyalist paramilitaries is far greater, with frequent bomb and gun attacks.
Following a review of documents from 1972 archives, new questions over the Claudy bombing and the possible involvement of a Catholic priest have been raised. An investigation is underway.
6. Middle East
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has invited leading Palestinians to attend talks in London in January regarding reform of the Palestinian Authority and moving the peace process forward. Israel, with support from the US, wants to wait until after their January 28 elections before participating in any peace discussions. Palestinians have welcomed the efforts, in parallel with other discussions by the Quartet (US, EU, UN, Russia) regarding development of a two-state solution.
After a UN Security Council resolution last week condemned the bombings in Kenya and specified Israel as a victim was approved, the US vetoed a resolution that condemned Israel for the deaths of three UN staff in the occupied territories and censured the destruction of a food warehouse.
In Egypt, a group of 25 accused of membership in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir (Islamic Liberation Party) claim they have been tortured and forced to sign confessions.
In the occupied Gaza Strip, two members of Hamas were shot dead by Israeli soldiers. A local Palestinian farmer was killed by soldiers who claimed he had fired on them. Another Palestinian was shot dead as he approached an army patrol. An 11-year-old girl was killed as she walked home from school. Palestinian militants from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Islamic Jihad engaged in attacks in which one militant and one Israeli settler were killed. House demolitions continue, leaving hundreds homeless.
Iran will accept UN nuclear inspectors in February to tour two facilities and set up monitoring equipment to see that materials are not used in weapons programs. Accusations by the US that Russia and Pakistan helped Iran develop nuclear weapons have been denied by all parties.
Iran and Iraq have opened a new crossing point to use to deliver humanitarian aid under the oil-for-food program. The Economist offers an excellent review of the relations between Iran and Iraq in “Neighbours from hell”, December 14.
Israeli’s Defense Minister has received a request from UN Secretary General Koki Annan to investigate the killing of aid worker Iain Hook who was killed by Israeli soldiers in November.
Jordanian officials have arrested two suspected al Qaeda members, but believe that Ahmed al-Kalaylah (Abu Musaab al_Zarkawi), the main suspect in the killing of a US diplomat in October, has gone into hiding in Kurdish Iraq.
The Israel-Syria observer mission of the UN, set up to monitor the 1974 ceasefire, has been renewed for another six months.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, still confined to his quarters in the occupied West Bank, has disavowed any association with bin Laden, saying he had never helped them and demanded that he stop using the Palestinian struggle as a motive for al Qaeda’s terrorist attacks.
Also in the West Bank, Israeli troops dismantled an illegal Jewish settlement near Hebron, evicting 250.
In Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh warned that a war with Iraq would cost the US its allies in the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, two Yemeni officials died in a gun battle with suspected al Qaeda members. The suspects, Shaker Hamel and Abdel Hakem Abduo, suspected of involvement of the October tanker bombing in Gulf of Aden, escaped.
7. South Asia
Afghanistan’s struggle to bring security to the country continues with progress on the one hand, as leading warlords have accepted President Karzai’s decree that senior politicians should not take part in military actions. On the other hand, the UN reports that new al Qaeda camps have been established in eastern Afghanistan, an allegation disputed by others, and there have been an increasing number of attacks against US forces. Agreement for more than $1 billion in donations should help the rebuilding efforts. These will proceed even more quickly if continued restrictions on the participation of women can be overcome, as witness in the recent report by Human Rights Watch that documents continued abuse. See http://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/afghnwmn1202
In the Indian state of Assam, authorities have killed three separatist rebels of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in a gun battle.
In Gujarat, controversial elections at the scene of deadly communal rioting earlier this year were held, giving Hindu nationalists an easy win, and leading to questions over the pluralistic and secular future of the country. Clashes between Hindus and Muslims following the elections were broken up by police and a temporary curfew was imposed.
Indian-administered Kashmir also suffers continued sectarian violence. State assembly representative Abdul Aziz Mir was shot dead. Three women were shot and one beheaded, possibly for not wearing a burqa. In another gun attack, four were killed and in an attack the next day three sleeping children were shot dead. The causes and responsibility for these attacks is unknown.
As atrocities mount in the battle between Nepalese authorities and the Maoist rebels, Amnesty International (http://www.amnesty.org) has documented the unprecedented levels of human rights abuses, including hostage-taking and torture.
Pakistani police claim to have foiled several attacks, including bomb plots, against US interests by arresting a number of people carrying ingredients that could be used for explosives or arms. The US has offered new communication and surveillance equipment to help increase security. A bomb on a bus killed two and wounded 18.In an explosion in Karachi, police found the remains of Asif Ramzi, leading member of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, are with four others found dead in the blast. The explosion brought down the 3-story building and is believed the result of an accident while building bombs.
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
The current issue of Computer Security Journal (Volume XVIII, Numbers 3-4 Summer/Fall 2002) offers a special report on Microsoft security and also includes review reports of Internet security and cybercrime in Australia.
More fraudulent eBay sites have emerged from Lithuania, and the US, attempting to dupe users into providing personal information. Ebay has issued warnings regarding such solicitations.
ElcomSoft, accused of violating the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act by employing a programmer who developed software that could circumvent e-book security, was found not guilty.
Emilio Calatayed, a former employee of the US Drug Enforcement Administration who used his position to sell personal information from other law enforcement databases, has now been sentenced to over two years in jail and a $5,000 fine. His actions again highlight the risks of information security, data sharing, and identity theft.
In the US congress, the draft Database Security Breach Notification Act, would require companies notify customers of any breach that could lead to release of personal data.
Simon Vallor pleaded guilty to creating a number of computer viruses, including Gokar, Admirer and Redesi. He is freed on bail and will be sentenced later.
9. Finance
The Royal Bank of Scotland was fined $1.2 million by the UK Financial Services Authority for failing to adequately document the identity of customers, in breach of anti-money laundering rules.
In another enforcement action, New York regulators have accused Western union of widespread violations under the US Patriot Act and its requirement for anti--money laundering compliance. See Paul Beckett and Carrick Mollenkamp “Western union Tripped by Patriot Act” in The Wall Street Journal, December 20
The US Department of Justice says they have had 23 convictions regarding terrorist financing. Most recently, US authorities filed charges against InfoCom managers for sending money to Hamas and shipping computer parts to Syria and Libya, who have been designated as sponsors of terrorism. Mohamed Albanna and two relatives in Buffalo NY, were charged with illegal money transfers. Another network with the Alshafei Family Contact Inc. is accused of routing money and materials to Iraq.
Ukraine and Nauru face US sanctions after they have failed to crack down on money-laundering rules enacted under the US Patriot Act. There is no evidence that wither country has facilitated terrorist financing. The Financial Action Task Force plans restrictions on business with Ukraine, and is refraining from similar actions in Nigeria for the moment.
Glenn R. Simpson reports that information on fraud and money laundering at the International Relief Organization was available several years ago. See “U.S. Had Data on Virginia Group in Terror Probe as Early as 1997” The Wall Street Journal, December 16
For an excellent perspective on the ability to track terrorist financing, see “The needle in the haystack: Banks have little serious hope of detecting terrorist money” in The Economist, December 14
10. Human Rights
A new UN report names groups that recruit child soldiers. There are 23 groups named, including forced in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Somalia. See http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2002/SG2082.doc.htm and http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?OpenAgent&DC=S/2002/1299&Lang=E&Area=UNDOC”target=”blank”. In response, Human Rights Watch has pointed out significant omissions, including in Burma and Colombia.
Following continued civilian casualties, facing war in Iraq, and looking at the transformation of unexploded cluster bombs into land mines, Human Rights Watch has called for the US to suspend use of cluster bombs until the technology can be improved.
Privacy concerns may not have been enough to motivate a second look at controversial provisions of the UK Anti-terrorism Crime and Security Act that require telephone and internet services to store customer data for six years, but the practical impact on the companies has. Facing millions in additional costs and a flood of law enforcement requests, the industries are saying that adhering to the legislation is not only burdensome but also conflicts with other requirements they are required to meet.
Rwanda has been asked for better cooperation with the UN genocide tribunal, but their refusal to cooperate rises from a belief that the tribunal is flawed and biased.
11. Law and Legal Issues
Mirwani (Merouane) ben Ahmed and his wife, as well as Muhammad Merbah and Ahmed Balhoud have been arrested in France on charges of possessing chemicals and equipment that could be used in a terrorist attack.
Mohammed Afzal, S.A. Geelani and Shaukat Hussain have been sentenced to death for their roles in organizing the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament. Navjot Guru was found guilty of withholding information and received a lesser sentence.
Dr. Jaded Ahmad and his two sons, Umar Karar and Khyzer Ali; his brother Naveed Khawaja and son Usman Khawaja and four others in the family were arrested in Pakistan as suspected members of al Qaeda.
Mohamed Albanna, Ali A Albanna and Ali Taher Elbaneh were indicted in federal court in Buffalo NY, on charges of illegal money transfers.
Wang Bingzhang, a democracy activist based in the US, has been arrested in China on terrorism and espionage charges. He and two colleagues had been kidnapped in Vietnam six months ago and later found in China. His colleagues have been released.
Yuri Budanov, a Russian army colonel, has been judged insane in a Russian court in which he is charged with strangling an 18-year-old Chechen woman three years ago. The potential for another acquittal in abuses by the military has raised questions of the justice system.
Emilio Calatayed, a former employee of the US Drug Enforcement Administration who used his position to sell personal information from other law enforcement databases, has now been sentenced to over two years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Kerim Chatty has been convicted in Sweden on weapons offenses. It had previously been thought that he took a gun on board a plane in order to attempt a hijacking, but that charge was dropped.
Jerome Courtailler, Saaid Ibrahim, Abdelkader Rabia and Amine Mezbar were found not guilty by a Dutch court, on charges of planning to explode the US embassy in Paris. Rabia and Mezbar were turned over to immigration authorities.
Denis Donaldson, a senior Sinn Fein official allegedly part of a spy ring in Northern Ireland, has been granted bail.
ElcomSoft, accused of violating the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act by employing a programmer who developed software that could circumvent e-book security, was found not guilty.
Mohsen al-Fadli, Adel Yousef bu Hemaid, Maqboul Fahad al-Maqboul and Muhammad Jamaan Safaq al-Mutairi are on trial in Kuwait for activities in connection with their alleged membership of al Qaeda, including links to the attacks on the USS Cole and Yemen hotel bombing.
Arafa Hamza, a senior detective in Giza, Egypt, was sentenced to one year of hard labor for beating a man in his custody to death.
Mohamed Harkat was arrested in Canada for his alleged role as a member of an al Qaeda cell and other radical Islamist groups.
Saad Ibrahim and Adel Tobbichi were found not guilty in Dutch Court of charges of suspected membership in an Islamic militant group.
Ibon Fernandez Iradi, suspected member of Basque separatist ETA, escaped from French police shortly after his arrest.
Wahel Kassem was found guilty in Israeli court of planning suicide bombings and, as the leader of a Hamas cell, was sentenced to 50 years prison plus 35 life terms, one for each victim. Three other cell members were also convicted, with the lightest sentence 50 years.
James Kilgore, formerly of the Symbionese Liberation Army, has been extradited from South Africa to the US to face charges of second-degree murder in connection with a 1975 bank robbery.
Mousa Abu Marzook, Nadia Elashi (his wife), Ghassan Elashi, Bayan Elashi, Basmin Elashi and Hazim Elashi were charged in US federal court with financing Hamas and doing business with Syria and Libya.
As the trial of Mounir al-Motassadek continues in Germany, authorities are questioning Ahmed Ressam who was convicted in attempting the millennium bombing in Los Angeles and who is now in prison in Seattle, Washington.
Michael Phillipe, a flight attendant on Virgin Airways, was sentenced to five years probation and $176,000 restitution in US court after pleading guilty to a false bomb threat after writing messages on board a plane.
Biljana Plavsic, former Bosnian Serb President has confessed to war crimes and expressed her regret. Witnesses in her trial included former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Nobel Peace prize winner Elie Wiesel and many other prominent people. The trial has now finished and the sentence (15-15 years were requested by prosecutors) will be handed down next year.
Wilhelm Pretorius, Rudie Gouws, Herman van Rooyen, Kobious Pretorius and Johan Pretorius were arrested in South African for their alleged role in the Soweto bombings.
The Saville Inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972 continued with testimony by Lord Carrington, defense minister at the time, and Sir Geoffrey Johnson-Smith, a junior army minister.
Simon Vallor pleaded guilty to creating a number of computer viruses, including Gokar, Admirer and Redesi. He is freed on bail and will be sentenced later.
Asif Zaheer and two colleagues were arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of planning to use an explosive-filled vehicle against US targets. Zaheer is also suspected in the Sharaton Hotel suicide attack.
13. Transportation
In an agreement with Singapore, flights between Australia and Singapore will include armed Australian guards. Australia beginning using guards on domestic flights after September 11.
Jamaica is investing more than half a million dollars to increase port security including new surveillance and access control equipment.
The UK Secretary of State for Transport announced plans to include armed air marshals on passenger flights.
The US Transportation Safety Administration released revised rules for air travel, taking into account that all checked baggage will be screened by December 31. For the latest details see http://www.tsa.gov or email and we’ll send you their latest documents.
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
The US announced they will move forward with a missile defense plan, despite continued failure of tests and international opposition. Over $17 billion will be invested in the next two years.
Bulgaria will begin shutting down their nuclear reactors, beginning with two oldest, following a series of accidents that led to safety concerns.
The difficulties that US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has had in implementing his weapons strategy is documented by Leslie Wayne in “So Much for the Plan to Scrap Old Weapons” in The New York Times December 22
Although US President Bush and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld have had their smallpox inoculations, local health providers are holding back because of continuing doubts over safety and the lack of funding to complete the effort.
FEATURE ARTICLE:Identity Management for Privacy AND Security
As we have seen in the prior discussions ranging from identity theft through the US Pentagon’s Total Information Awareness system, there are a large number of risks associated with abuse of personal data. Fortunately, there are a number of technical solutions currently developed and under development that make the public policy decisions much easier. You do not have to choose privacy or security. You can have both.HOW TO CONTACT US:
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Editorial Team
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