AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff
TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - December 29, 2002
SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, December 29, 2002
TEXT:
This last issue of 2002 we review the news highlights around the world where this week’s elections in Kenya seem poised to lead to the first peaceful change in power in that country’s history. This gives us a chance to review Africa’s “Big Men” in this week’s feature article.
Next week, watch for the annual review of terrorism and political violence around the globe.
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:
Kenya, Moi and Africa’s Big Men
Christmas was celebrated around much of the Christian world this week and the sermon most commonly heard was a message for peace around the world. The Pope’s Christmas message called for the fires of war to be extinguished. None of these efforts have had any apparent impact on the US military build-up, including additional troop deployments, large-scale maneuvers and implementation of missile defense systems.
The conflict in Venezuela and preparations for conflict in Iraq have led to oil prices passing $80/barrel, the highest in 15 months.
US preparations for war against Iraq continue as UN weapons inspections are now in full swing. Interviews with Iraqi scientists, supported by a list of more than 500 names submitted by Iraq, have begun and inspections have continued without incident. For latest details consult the IAEA and UNMOVIC web sites at http://www.iaea.org/worldatom/ and http://www.unmovic.org. Also of interest:
Zaffar Abbas, “Pakistan and Iran voice Iraq concern” BBC News December 26 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2606561.stm
James Bone, “UN chief issues secret orders for war in Iraq” The Times, December 23 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-522510,00.html
C. J. Chivers, “Kurdish Agents Play Spy Games With Iraqis on Arms Tips” The New York Times, December 29
David S. Cloud “Can Iraqi Defections Aid Inspections?” The Wall Street Journal, December 27
Dave Kehr, “Arms Inspectors in Iraq, The Last Time Around” The New York Times, December 27, is a review of the movie “In Shifting Sands: The Truth About UNSCOM and the Disarming of Iraq”
Brad Knickerbocker “How US might counter ‘scorched-earth’ tactics” The Christian Science Monitor December 23
John Lloyd “The case for intervention: how politics, morality and economics are framing the debate on Iraq’s postwar future” Financial Times December 27
Ewen MacAskill, Suzanne Goldenberg and Richard Norton-Taylor, “Iraq hits back with CIA offer” The Guardian, December 23 http://www.guardian.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4572699,00.html
Neil MacFarguhar “Hussein Says Inspections Will Expose ‘American Lies’” The New York Times, December 25
Neil MacFarguhar “For U.N. Labor of Hercules, A Talk- and Walk-Through” The New York Times, December 23
Thom Shanker “Iraqi Planes Shoot Down American predator Drone” The New York Times, December 24
Steve Stecklow and Alix M. Freedman “Iraq Deal Leaves Egg on Faces: Transaction Sheds light on U.N. Suspicions About payments” The Wall Street Journal December 23
Kathryn Westcott, “Seeking Saddam’s weapons scientists” BBC News, December 23 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2594263.stm
2. Africa
The next three months are critical in preventing widespread famine before the next harvest in southern Africa, where more than 14 million people need food aid.
Algerian security forces shot dead four suspected Islamic militants thought to be involved in massacres earlier this year.
Breaches of the truce between Burundi’s army and the rebel Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD) continue in the lead-up to a full ceasefire due December 30.
Rebels of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) have massacred some 125 troops in the Central African Republic.
Renewed fighting by rebel factions of the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) and liberation Movement of Congo (MLC) has led to a massive refugee problem and threatens the peace deal signed last week.
Ivory Coast now has three active rebel movements: Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI), Movement for Justice and Peace (MPJ) and Ivorian People’s Movement for the Far West (MPIGO) that control about half the country. Now not only government troops are involved, but also French troops who have been pulled into active conflict rather than the peacekeeping role they had agreed to assume until local African forces could take over. They have reinforced their troops as clashes and widespread atrocities on all sides continue. President Laurent Gbagbo drafted a peace plan that will be reviewed by the mediator and rebel leaders.
Despite a rocky start and the memory of violence during the last elections, Kenya’s recent elections were completed in a largely peaceful and fair move towards change. Early returns indicate a large vote not to President Daniel arap Moi’s hand-picked successor, but instead to the opposition leader Mwai Kibaki. (See the Feature Article for more information.)
Liberia has experienced a new rebel offensive from the Liberians United for Reconciliation.
Madagascar completed parliamentary elections that resulted in a resounding vote of confidence for President Marc Ravalomanana and his party.
Malawi is suffering new hardship in the form of a malicious rumor that the government and international agencies are cooperating to collect human blood in exchange for food aid. The panic over the vampire rumors has made it difficult for aid workers to complete their tasks and have led to a number of vigilante incidents. http://www.mg.co.za.Content/13.asp?ao=9643
Niger, accused by the US of selling uranium to Iraq, has denied the charges.
Security in Somalia continues to deteriorate. In the latest attack on a bus, four schoolchildren were killed and ten wounded.
Sudan’s ceasefire between the government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has been extended by six months.
Uganda has made progress towards increased security by signing a peace agreement with the remaining Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) soldiers, who had been supporters of dictator Idi Amin. After apparently wiping out half the forces of the Lord’s Resistance Army, their leader Joseph Kony has apparently offered to discuss peace negotiations. A reward for Kony’s capture or killing remains open.
3. Americas
In Colombia, right-wing paramilitaries of the United Self-defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) are attempting to negotiate a peace deal with the government. Their unilateral ceasefire appears largely to have held, but left wing rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) took advantage of the situation to attack their deadly enemies, killing some 60 in an AUC camp. Alleged left-wing rebels were possibly responsible for another attack directed against the Canon Limon oil field. In this incident, the latest of around 36 this year, a bomb under a bus killed two oil workers. Meanwhile, the second-largest rebel force, the National Liberation Army (ELN) broke off peace talks with the government.
Peru’s Constitutional Court has found that several of the antiterrorism laws instituted under former president Alberto Fujimoro are unconstitutional. Hundreds of people jailed in the 1990s will have the opportunity for new trials, including senior rebel leaders like those in the Shining Path. This ruling mirrors a prior finding by the inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States.
US President Bush’s no holds barred approach to hunting down his declared enemies seems to know no bounds. In addition to hundreds of detainees held without charges and widespread civil rights violations, it now appears that torture of detainees is now acceptable practice. A Washington Post investigation by Dana Priest and Barton Gellman “U.S. Decries Abuse but Defends Interrogations: ‘Stress and Duress’ Tactics Used on Terrorism Suspects Held in Secret Overseas Facilities” (December 27, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37943-2002Dec25.html reports on CIA interrogation techniques, often with the cooperation of allied governments.
Amid escalating tension with North Korea while preparations against Iraq proceed, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says that the US is prepared to fight on both fronts and that action against one of these members of the “Axis of Evil” will not limit action against the other. Thousands more troops are being activated in the Gulf and discussions over the economic impact of the war are receiving general attention.
Meanwhile, both democrats and republicans are reviewing the “war on terrorism” to try to gain leverage for elections in 2004. For the first time, opposition Democrats have begun to question the efficacy of US policies, while Republicans plan political and military campaigns to coincide to best effect.
In Venezuela, beleaguered President Hugo Chavez says that the worst of the impact of the month-long oil strike is over now that Brazil is supplying imported fuel supplies. Protests continue.
4. Asia Pacific
Australia is developing a national anti-terrorism education campaign. They are also increasing security at foreign embassies.
Mass rapes of women and girls of the Shan minority in Burma have been confirmed by US State Department investigations.
Hong Kong has ended the period of public debate over the new anti-sedition laws and plans to implement the new security rules promptly, despite widespread concerns over their impact on human rights.
Indonesian police seized a huge cache of bomb-making materials being smuggled in a car en route from Malaysia. It was possibly intended for attacks against churches on Christmas Eve.
In the continued investigation of the Bali bombings, six new suspects have been names, in addition to the fifteen in custody and five already wanted. They are Dr. Azahari, Noordin Mohammed Thob, Zulkarnain (“Arif Sunarso”, “Daud”), Saad Al Achmad Roishan, Heri Hafidin, and Hutomo Pamungkas (“Mubarok”).
North Korea has begun to reactivate its nuclear program. They have disabled surveillance devices, removed security seals, unlocked nuclear fuel rods in storage, and asked for UN nuclear inspectors to leave the country. It is likely this could lead to nuclear weapons in a couple of months. In response, the US has threatened economic sanctions but ruled out military action at this time.
In the southern Philippines a bomb has killed 16. Authorities have blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has denied responsibility. An ambush later in the week killed 12 when a truck carrying mine workers was attacked. On the Philippine island Basilan, a soldier and a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant died in a gun battle.
5. Europe
Security in Bosnia Herzegovina has been taken over by the European Union’s Police Mission. Replacing US forces, this represents the start of a long term strategy to rebuild the Balkans.
In France, an internal police investigation is reviewing the embarrassing escape of leading Basque separatist group ETA suspect Ibon Fernandez Iradi amid widespread criticism from Spanish media and authorities while bolstering the reputation and confidence of ETA.
Four more suspected Islamic militants with alleged links to Chechen rebels are being held in Paris. Recent arrests are related to alleged plans for attacks against the Russian embassy. French officials claim to have dismantled the terrorist cell that also has ties to al Qaeda.
In Kosovo, an explosion in a car killed the driver.
In Macedonia a bomb near a school killed one man and injured four, including a schoolchild.
Russian police have arrested two men armed with grenades and TNT as they entered a Moscow market. Also in Moscow, the theater where the October Chechen rebel siege took place has reopened, again showing the Nord-Ost musical.
In Chechnya and neighboring Ingushetia, there is concern over closure of refugee camps without a replacement for the displaced persons. In Grozny, 28 rebels ceremoniously surrendered their weapons and agreed to cooperate with the Russian government. But there has been no letup in rebel attacks. Two suicide bombers executed a massive attack that utterly destroyed government headquarters in Grozny killing at least 55. The total devastation of the building, practically the only one standing in the capital that has been razed in the fighting, has dealt a huge blow to Russian allegations that the conflict is under control. The search for survivors and victims under the rubble continues.
Russia and Iran are developing a nuclear reactor. They have accelerated the development schedule and expect the plant to be commissioned at the end of 2003.
In The UK, plans are under consideration to allow emergency cordons in major cities in the event of an attack using weapons of mass destruction. The legal and practical impacts of such an approach will be hotly debated.
6. Middle East
In the occupied Gaza Strip, Israeli troops killed two suspected militants.
Iran and Russia have accelerated development of a nuclear reactor.
Iraq has returned additional property taken in 1990 to Kuwait.
Israel and the US will conduct joint military exercises to coordinate communications and missile defense systems in the event of war with Iraq. Security forces, believing there is no strong risk of biological attack from Iraq, have decided not to vaccinate the general public against smallpox although more first responders will be inoculated.
Both Syria and Iraq have denied Israeli claims that Iraq transferred weapons to Syria.
In Lebanon, gunman, Khalil Ali Sinno, opened fire in a courtroom, wounding the judge and two court employees.
Reports from US military sources that Saudi Arabia would allow the US to use its bases for war in Iraq were rapidly denied.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli troops killed Kahlik Abu Roub of Islamic Jihad, a suspected militant and an unarmed civilian in Nablus, Bassam Ashkar and Shaman Sobih of Hamas, another suspected militant, and two other men. Many civilians and five Israeli soldiers were injured. In an attack by suspected Palestinian militants, four Jewish settlers were killed and eight wounded. One of the attackers was killed.
The Palestinian cabinet has indefinitely postponed scheduled elections since the continued Israeli military occupation makes them impossible.
Although Israeli troops drew back from Bethlehem for Christmas, continued restrictions meant that business ground to a standstill and celebrations were greatly subdued.
Senior Yemeni opposition politician Jarallah Omar was shot dead as he spoke during a conference.
7. South Asia
Afghanistan’s neighbors Pakistan, Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have all signed the Kabul Declaration that pledged respect for territorial integrity and independence. Security within the country is by no means assured, as leading warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar pledged a holy war against occupying troops. Although his opposition is overt, many others have mixed feelings regarding the continued presence and actions of US and allied forces.
In the Indian state of Bihar, Maoist rebels of the Maoist Coordination Center (MCC) attacked a village, killing seven women and children and seizing police weapons.
In Gujarat, violence between Hindus and Muslims has led to renewed clashes killing two Muslims. In Manipur, the separatist Kanglei Yana Kan Lup kidnapped an education official and threatened the education minister. A Jain temple in Rajastan state has taken out insurance against militant attacks.
The leader of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, the main separatist alliance party in Indian-administered Kashmir, is offering to mediate a ceasefire between Indian authorities and militants. India has expressed interest in establishing discussions.
In Nepal, a bomb attributed to Maoist rebels injured seven.
In Pakistan, two militants disguised in burkas threw a grenade during a Christmas service, killing three girls and wounding twelve. Four people, suspected members of Jaish-e-Mohammad, were arrested and five more were being sought.
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
Military health care contractor TRICARE was the subject of a theft of computer equipment and files including personal records containing social security numbers and other personal data.
Red Herring magazine’s January 2003 issue offers a briefing on “Digital Defense” surveying trends in the digital security industry.
Kevin Mitnick, nearing the end of his probation at the end of a US federal hacking conviction, will be able to use the internet beginning in January.
9. Finance
Ukraine’s parliament passed tighter money-laundering controls hoping to revoke international sanctions imposed by the Financial Action Task Force last week.
Investigations into al Qaeda’s movement of cash into diamonds is reported in “Report Says Africans Harbored Al Qaeda: Terror Assets Hidden in Gem-Buying Spree” by Douglas Farah, Washington Post, December 29 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48929-2002Dec28.html
Check out “Operation No Safe Haven” There’s $400 billion in unregulated money stashed in offshore hedge funds. It’s time to expose this Crescent of Corruption” by Christopher Bryon, Red Herring, January 2003.
10. Human Rights
Human rights groups around the world decried new evidence of the use of torture by American authorities operating overseas. A Washington Post investigation by Dana Priest and Barton Gellman “U.S. Decries Abuse but Defends Interrogations: ‘Stress and Duress’ Tactics Used on Terrorism Suspects Held in Secret Overseas Facilities” December 27, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37943-2002Dec25.html
Colleges in the US are responding negatively to a request by the FBI to supply detailed personal information of all foreign staff and students. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have protested that the law requires the FBI show that a request is tied to a particular investigation and requires a court order.
Cambodia and the UN are scheduled to start negotiations in January to establish a human rights tribunal.
India and the US have agreed not to extradite their nationals to the International Criminal Court. India is the 15th country to sign a bilateral agreement with the US that bypasses the ICC.
11. Law and Legal Issues
Abdellah Abdelhafid, Mourad Idir Abes, Ghalem Belhadj, Karim Benamghar, Salah Moullef, Hakim Ziem, and Sofiane Lahamar Hassim Ziem arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 last week have appeared in court in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Mohamed Nasser al-Ajji was arrested on a social security card fraud charge but documents released at his federal court hearing suggest he is a member of al Qaeda planning an unspecified terrorist attack.
Sam Bith, former senior Khmer Rouge commander, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the kidnapping and murder of three tourists.
Nasser Abu Hamid, a popular Palestinian leader, has been found guilty in Israeli court on arms and murder charges related to the deaths of seven Israelis, and sentenced to seven life terms plus 50 years.
Dr Ahmed Javed Khawaja and nine members of his family have been arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of links with al Qaeda or Taliban. Four were freed, three who are foreign nationals will not be extradited, and Dr. Khawaja and one other face terrorism charges.
Jacob B. Miller of Northampton, Massachusetts, US, was denied bail after his arrest for making bombs in his basement. Police also discovered a Nazi armband.
The City of Moscow is denying responsibility for the October theater siege by Chechen rebels in a lawsuit brought by hostages and relatives. The full hearing will be on January 16.
Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri was arrested in the United Arab Emirates for his suspected involvement in al Qaeda attacks in Yemen and East Africa. He was arrested in October and has been in custody in an undisclosed country while being interrogated by US authorities.
Priscilla Raj, a Bangladeshi journalist, was released on bail after her detention on sedition charges. She has claimed that she was tortured while in custody.
Richard C. Reid, the admitted “shoe bomber” is accused to attempting to contact fellow terrorists from his prison cell. A review of the rules on limitations of his outside contacts is under way.
Khalil Ali Sinno has been arrested in Lebanon after he opened fire in a courtroom, wounding the judge and two court employees.
Lt. Colonel Soejarwo was found guilty in Indonesian court for human rights violations in East Timor in 1999. He is sentenced to five years prison.
The US Justice Department has refused to answer a lawsuit brought in California court by four US Muslim groups protesting against last week’s mass arrests. The JD insists that only the Supreme Court can hear the case.
Xu Wenli, noted Chinese dissident, was released from prison in China and exiled to the US.
Asif Zaheer was remanded into police custody in Pakistan until January 6 on charges in connection with his role in the Karachi bus attack and other activities. He is suspected to be a member of Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami.
13. Transportation
The US FBI has issued a warning that the use of shoe bombs continues to be a technique that could be used by terrorist organizations.
December 31 marks the US Transportation Security Administration’s deadline for all checked baggage to be screened. For an interesting take on one option for explosives detection, see Mark Derr’s “With Dog Detectives, Mistakes Can Happen” in The New York Times, December 24.
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
Israeli security forces, believing there is no strong risk of biological attack from Iraq, have decided not to vaccinate the general public against smallpox although more first responders will be inoculated. There have been cases of significant side effects, including the serious illness of a physician’s immuno-compromised wife who contracted smallpox from her husband’s inoculation. Meanwhile, researchers are working on safer vaccinations. See Marilyn Chase “German, U.S. Researchers Aim At Safer Vaccines for Smallpox” in The Wall Street Journal, December 24
Ukrainian police seized radioactive Christmas trees smuggled from contaminated Chernobyl forests. BBC News December 29 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2613039.stm
FEATURE ARTICLE: Kenya, Moi and Africa’s Big Men
Nearly two generations have passed since the colonial powers were forced from Africa and local leaders were left with the task of building new political processes. More often than not, the systems that were born through violence have found it difficult to cast off this legacy. Changes in leadership only occurred when someone died (naturally or otherwise) or through a military coup. These long-term leaders of the continent are called Africa’s “Big Men”.
Many now in power have fiercely held their positions for decades. Elections in Kenya on December 27 illustrate this long history while offering hope that peaceful change has a future.
Kenya achieved independence from Great Britain in 1963, led by Jomo Kenyatta. Kenyatta’s career may sound familiar. He became leader of the Kenyan African Union in 1947 and campaigned for independence while also secretly leading the Mau Mau guerilla group. For his role in the Mau Mau attacks against white settlers, Kenyatta was held in custody from 1953-1961. After his release, he became leader of the new Kenya African National Union (Kanu) party and became President of Kenya in 1964.
No longer sharing a common enemy, ideological and ethnic divisions began to emerge. Kenyatta fiercely defended his position, banning opposition parties and holding uncontested elections in 1974 to which he was re-elected. He died in office in 1978 and his Vice-President, Daniel arap Moi, succeeded him.
In 1982 Kenya was declared a one party state and Moi continued his predecessor’s policies of ruthless suppression of dissension, leading to widespread abuses of human rights and a large number of political prisoners. National dissent against the government increased, but international and domestic pressure combined to lead the ruling Kanu party to agree to multi-party politics.
The first multi-party elections were held in 1992, amid widespread ethnic conflicts, corruption and a divided opposition. Moi was re-elected. His prior record did not hold out much hope for new elections in 2002, but Moi has proved himself a true son of Kenya and has risen to the needs of the country.
The 2002 elections occurred in a country facing great challenges ranging from endemic corruption through economic difficulties and AIDS prevalence to ethnic conflicts and terrorist attacks. President Moi, after 24 years of rule, chose Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of the first President, as his successor. But the opposition parties united over the need for change in the new National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) and all signs are they will win an overwhelming victory, ending 40 years of Kanu party rule.
President Moi’s decision to honor the country’s constitution and step down peacefully puts him in a select group of African leaders.
Ketumile Masire was President of Botswana for 18 years. He retired peacefully in 1998 and since then has helped to mediate conflicts such as that in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Senegal’s founder and first President, Leopold Senghor, retired in 1980 after 20 years of rule, leaving behind a legacy of a free press and democratic elections.
Both Botswana and Senegal have established elections and changes of leadership as par for the course, to the great credit of their founding leaders.
Kenneth Kaunda was the father of Zambian independence and led the country for 27 years. He has recently become the first Balfour President-in-Residence at Boston University’s African Presidential Archives and Research Center in Boston, Massachusetts, US.
Nelson Mandela was elected President in the first multi-racial elections in South Africa in 1994, and served only until 1999. He is helping build peace and reconciliation throughout the world.
Others continue to cling to power.
Gnassingbe Eyadema holds the record of Africa’s longest-serving ruler, as leader of Togo for 35 years, since he took power in a coup in April 1967. He recently rearranged the constitution to remove term limits.
Gabon’s Omar Bongo comes in second, having taken power only in December of 1967. His current term expires in 2005 and he says that Gabon’s constitution would allow his mandate to be renewed.
In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi has held power since he deposed King Idris al-Sanusi in a military coup in 1969. He has ruled unopposed ever since
Jose dos Santos has been President of Angola since 1979, when he replaced the first president, Agostinho Neto, at his death. He narrowly defeated UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in 1992 elections and has ruled over the bloody conflict with UNITA ever since. Now that Savimbi is dead and peace is in progress, he has said he will not seek another term.
Robert Mugabe clings to power after 22 years. He and his ZANU-PF party have dominated politics since independence from Britain in 1980, virtually unopposed. The recent economic collapse led to the first genuine opposition, and President Mugabe responded by changing the constitution and violently attacking any threat to his authority under the guise of continuing the revolution he had started at independence.
In Namibia, President Sam Nujoma has held power since independence in 1990. He recently amended the constitution to remove term limits and was elected to a third term of office. He has said he will not stand for a fourth term when his presidency expires in 2004
Daniel arap Moi has set a good example and joined a small, exclusive group of African leaders who have stepped down before they were forced. What he has done would have been unheard of even 15 years ago. This is a good sign for Kenya and a good example for other African countries, where good governance will be one of the defining characteristics of those able to overcome the developmental challenges ahead, versus those who descend into violence and chaos.
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