AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff
TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - February 02, 2003
SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, February 02, 2003
TEXT:
For the large number of readers in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the non-US Americas, who have not been inundated with details of the new US Department of Homeland Security, this week’s Feature Article will tell you all you need to know. News Highlights provide updates on the threat of war in Iraq and nuclear proliferation in North Korea as well as a summary of the week’s events around the globe.
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:
The US Department of Homeland Security
Both the war on HIV/AIDS and the war against Iraq were given a boost in US President Bush’s State of the Union Address. But there are some big differences. First, controlling HIV/AIDS would provide dramatic improvement in world security (see “Global AIDS Epidemic” December 1, 2002) while war against Iraq would decrease security. Second, the US has proposed to increase spending on HIV/AIDS from $5 billion to $15 billion over the next five years, with most of this funding only available towards the end of this timeframe. The initial investment in a war against Iraq would be in excess of $20 billion in the course of a few months. Third, getting HIV/AIDS under control would have both immediate and long-lasting economic benefits while war in Iraq has the potential to devastate the already weak economy; the long-term uncertainties have already created an atmosphere of risk that is proving perilous to investment. Finally, by preventing the failure of states through HIV/AIDS, we would reduce terrorism, while the threat of terrorism increases with a war against Iraq.
There has been much speculation over the relationship between Iraq and terrorism. Although their ties to Arab nationalist and Palestinian revolutionary groups are well documented, the goals of these movements and those of militant Islamic terrorists are vastly different. Despite determined efforts, only speculative connections based on unverified rumors have emerged to back up alleged ties with al Qaeda. It will be interesting to see whether the governments of the US and UK can provide better intelligence to inform those allegations as well as to back up claims of hidden stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Information will be presented to the UN but, in any case, should be given to the UN inspection teams without delay. The UN inspectors have continued their investigations in Iraq and their directors will be meeting in Iraq to discuss additional cooperation on the part of Iraq early in the week.
Of course, the crisis in North Korea hasn’t gone away. All indications are that nuclear fuel rods have been removed from storage and can now be recycled to begin production of plutonium within the next few weeks. In addition to supporting development of nuclear warheads for use by North Korea, this effort can also provide them much needed trading materials to attract desperately needed cash. The commander of US Pacific forces, Admiral Thomas Fargo has asked to strengthen the military presence to protect against this increasing threat. In the face of Washington’s continued refusal to engage in diplomatic discussions over this crisis, these threats will continue to escalate.
And finally, there have been some additions to the list of terrorist sanctions. The UN Security Council has added Riduan Nurjaman Samuddin and Iqbal Mohamad Abdurrahman, both Indonesian, to the list of persons subject to sanctions, including freezing of financial assets. And in the US, Secretary of State Colin Powell has named Lashkar I Jhangvi a foreign terrorist organization and added them to Executive Order 13224. The group is described as follows:
“Lashkar I Jhangvi is a violent Sunni Muslim group located in Pakistan. It is responsible for numerous deadly attacks and its involvement in the January 2002 kidnapping and killing of American journalist Daniel pearl has been confirmed. The group has perpetrated bus and church bombings. It claimed responsibility for the 1997 killings of four American oil workers in Karachi. Lashkar I Jhangvi also attempted to assassinate then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999.” (http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2003/17063.htm)
2. Africa
Food emergencies in southern Africa have slightly eased everywhere except Zimbabwe, but there are now warnings of drought-related famine in West Africa, particularly in Mauritania and other countries of the Western Sahel.
Burundi’s transitional government and the two main rebel groups, the Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD) and the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) have signed agreements to begin a peace process aimed at ending the ten-year civil war. The parties in Burundi have requested an African peacekeeping contingent.
A similar peace process in Democratic Republic of Congo continues with help from the UN including emergency food aid. As for its prospects, the International Crisis Group has published a report on “The Kivus: The Forgotten Crucible of the Congo Conflict” that suggests that this region needs to have crafted specific peace processes or it could threaten other agreements. http://www.intl-crisis-group.org/projects/showreport.cfm?reportid=877
The conflict in the Ivory Coast has been reinvigorated at the prospect of a peace agreement that supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo felt had been imposed by France and is too favorable to the rebels. Despite his calls for calm, enraged mobs attacked French installations and fought ethnic rivalries for four consecutive days, killing at least eight. UN relief operations were forced to suspend their work for three days and hundreds of French nationals have fled the country.
Liberia has announced a diamond-certification program in line with the Kimberley Process, while the UN Security Council has decided to reestablish the Panel of Experts to monitor compliance of sanctions levied against Liberia, including its rough diamond exports.
Following widespread protests in Malawi, the government has withdrawn a constitutional change to allow President Bakili Muluzi to stand for a third term. Militants of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) reacted by invading the homes of opposition Members of Parliament, forcing them into hiding.
In Mozambique, six men were found guilty in the murder of investigative journalist Carlos Cardoso in November 2000. Five were sentenced to long jail sentences and the sixth, Anibal dos Santos (“Anibalzinho”) was convicted in absentia. He has now been arrested in South Africa and awaits extradition. During the court case, Nyimpine Chissano, son of the President, was implicated in the crime that also called into question the level of corruption in the country.
Nigeria’s preparations for state and national elections in the spring have been accompanied by an increase in political violence, including unjustified detentions, violent intimidation and murder. One report of these issues published by Human Rights Watch is available at http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/nigeriaelection.pdf
Rwanda released 19,276 genocide suspects who will first attend rehabilitation centers then go back to their communities. They join thousands more who were released earlier this month in order to reduce prison overcrowding. They may be tried later in the gagaca village courts.
Peace talks in Somalis were disrupted by a fistfight during a dispute over representation of civil groups relative to warlords at the proceedings. Four delegates were charged with assault.
In South Africa, the way has been opened for the long-delayed report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) following a settlement in which the TRC will amend sections that blame the Inkatha Freedom Party for human rights abuses.
3. Americas
Canadian immigrants from Commonwealth countries are currently allowed to enter the US without a visa. Beginning March 17, the US will require visas from all Commonwealth countries except Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK.
Colombian rebels are increasing their efforts to oppose the government’s military offensive against them. Three journalists were kidnapped and released by the Bloque Elmer Cardenas splinter group of the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) in January. One of these, Robert Young Pelton, has recounted his experience in National Geographic Adventure magazine. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/01/0127_030127_PeltonQA.html. Two other journalists kidnapped by the National Liberation Army (ELN) are still being held. There are also reports of a rising number of child kidnappings.
In Mexico, tens of thousands of farmers gathered to protest US imports under the NAFTA treaty they say is destroying their livelihood.
Trinidad’s Sunday Express newspaper reports on threats it received from a local Muslim group that has claimed it plans attacks against US and British interests using biological and chemical weapons if Iraq was attacked. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/top.asp?mylink=2003-01-) In response to earlier warnings by the British Foreign Office and this news, the P&O shipping line has ordered four of its cruise ships no longer to call at Trinidad and Tobago.
The three I’s continue to dominate US concerns: Iraq, Immigration and Intelligence. In addition to preparations for war, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a search for some 3,000 missing illegal Iraqi immigrants. They have also engaged in an effort to count the number of mosques in the US, apparently continuing the unproductive policy of profiling.
Meanwhile, efforts to manage immigration continue to draw criticism. This week, there are investigations into the sale of US visas by an American Consulate in a Mexican border town, accusations that an INS office in California caught up on their paperwork by shredding it, and new estimates of undocumented aliens climbing rapidly. As if this weren’t enough, the new visa policies have been linked to obstructions of US business and undermining US foreign policy. For example, see Edward Alden’s article “Our secret weapon has been bringing people here to see what America is like... we’re throwing all that away” in the Financial Times, January 29, 2003.
Technical glitches are blamed on delays in both the INS student tracking system and in the continued delays and cost overruns in the FBI’s computer upgrade (the Trilogy project). Rather than recognizing the inherent obstacles to such efforts, there is yet another proposal to create a Terrorist Threat Integration Center. How this interacts with existing efforts of the CIA, FBI and DHS (see Feature Article) is undefined. Combining foreign and domestic intelligence has already raised constitutional questions and issues of civil liberties.
Terrorism was ruled out as the cause of the Colombia space shuttle disaster.
In Venezuela, the general strike has faltered as banks have decided to end their closure on February 3 to serve those who have returned to work. Opposition leaders seem ready to begin talking.
4. Asia Pacific
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union have agreed to cooperate with information sharing to combat global terrorism.
Burma has permitted a visit by human rights group Amnesty International (http://amnesty.org) that began its landmark visit by meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy.
Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, was the subject of anti-Thai riots that forced the emergency evacuation of more than 500 Thai nationals. The rioting was set off by alleged ethnic slurs and led to the looting, vandalism and partial burning of the Thai embassy and attacks against Thai-owned businesses. One died, at least seven were injured, and there were some 150 arrests, including the radio station owner accused of inciting the riots.
China has executed Lobsang Dhondup, a Tibetan convicted of involvement in bomb attacks supporting Tibetan independence. Other Tibetan activists are waiting for trials. Dhondup’s conviction was based on his confession, which has led to investigations of torture. For details on this issue, see http://www.hrw.org/asia/china.php
Hong Kong has responded to criticism of the anti-subversion by removing a provision regarding possession of seditious materials and limiting a ban on state secrets to material acquired through criminal means. These alterations have not silenced the critics of the law, due to be drafted this month.
Indonesian police have formally blames the militant Jemaah Islamiyah for the Bali bombings and have also issued a statement linking their leader, the Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir to the incident. He has been in custody since October, but denies involvement in any terrorist attacks.
In the southern Philippines island Mindanao, a bomb has exploded, injuring at least 18. It has been suggested this is the work of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). And for the latest on the Philippines kidnapping industry, see “In Manila, Kidnapping as a Business Expense” by Wayne Arnold and Carlos H. Conde in The New York Times, January 28.
Thailand has downgraded diplomatic ties with Cambodia following the rioting that destroyed the Thai embassy and continued tension thereafter. Immigration authorities have detained Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy because of safety concerns.
5. Europe
The Treaty of Nice has come into force as all EU member states have now ratified it, opening the way to the enlargement of the EU.
EU members Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and the UK have provided patrol boats to attempt to stop human trafficking and illegal migration in the Mediterranean.
Georgia and its separatist region Abkhazia have made little progress in their discussions. The UN Security Council has renewed the UN Observer Mission in Georgia until July 31. Georgia is insisting that Russian peacekeepers can only stay on if they stop support for the separatists.
Italian police have arrested 28 Pakistani’s on suspicion of terrorism. During a routine immigration raid, the police uncovered explosives, weapons, forged documents and maps.
In the Netherlands, the parliamentary commission investigating the Srebrenica massacre in 1995 has found that the Dutch government holds political responsibility for the tragedy, and also criticizes the UN’s failure to protect civilians.
Under pressure from Russia, the US looks likely to add several Chechen groups to the list of foreign terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, Russia’s treatment of Chechens is criticized in a new report from Human Rights Watch, “Into Harm’s Way: Forced Return of Displaced People to Chechnya” online at http://hrw.org/reports/2003/russia0103/ Russia continues to pursue additional nuclear reactor exports with Iran.
The Russian Federation and the Ukraine have agreed their boundary.
Continuing terrorism investigations in the UK have led to the arrest of four people in Manchester, held under the Terrorism Act 2000. Further details are not yet available, but these arrests are unconnected with the death of police officer Oake. Meanwhile, British officials claim to have credible evidence that al Qaeda was building a dirty bomb. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2711645.stm
In Northern Ireland, leading Ulster Defence Association (UDA) loyalist John Gregg and another man were killed and two more injured when their taxi was ambushed. It is believed part of the loyalist feud. Two men have been arrested in connection with this event.
Yugoslavia’s federal parliament meets this week to approve the decisions by the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments to abolish Yugoslavia and replace it with two semi-independent states of Serbia and Montenegro.
6. Middle East
Following an indecisive meeting with Palestinian delegates, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has invited Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to visit him to discuss the Middle East peace process. The Prime Minister has accepted, but a date has not been set.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli military operations continued with the deepest incursions since the Palestinian uprising began two years ago. A helicopter missile strike leveled a house, killing the son, daughter and bodyguard of Hamas official Ihab Salame and injuring eleven. Fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants continued throughout the week, ending with the death of an armed Palestinian militant from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, shot as he attacked an Israeli army post..
Iranian dissident cleric the Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri has been freed after five years house arrest. He immediately began speaking out as he did before, in opposition to the execution of political prisoners and human rights abuses. Iran’s Supreme Court has also commuted the death sentences of two former intelligence officials to life in prison following questions regarding the fairness of the original trials.
In Lebanon, serious violations of the withdrawal line have continued. The UN Security Council has extended the Interim Force in Lebanon until July 31 and, in adopting the resolution, condemned all acts of violence and called on the government to regain control of the south.
In Saudi Arabia, a Human Rights Watch delegation began a two-week visit to review the justice system and discuss women’s rights.
In the West Bank city Jenin, one Palestinian gunman and one stone-thrower were shot dead by Israeli troops. In Hebron, a vegetable market with more than 100 stalls was demolished and three police stations closed. In Tulkarm, two militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were killed in a shootout when border police attempted to arrest them.
7. South Asia
The effort to rebuild Afghanistan is progressing slowing in face of increasing insecurity and environmental degradation (http://www.unep.org/home/afghanistanpcajanuary2003.pdf). Last week, the UN refugee agency had to temporarily suspend aid operations after a convoy was attacked and six people killed. There was a fierce battle between US and coalition forces against Afghan rebels in the south, probably aligned to warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his Hezb-e-Islami faction. Some 18 rebels were killed and the hunt for survivors continues, as at least 80 are believed to be hiding in the cave network. Three men armed with explosives and bomb-making equipment were arrested in Kabul. Worse yet, a bomb exploded on a bridge as a bus passed over it, killing 8. No one took responsibility, but Taliban and al Qaeda were suspected and eight people have been detained in connection with the attack.
In Bangladesh, five suspected criminals whom police were escorting to prison were attacked by a mob that gouged out their eyes. Unable to determine the leaders of the attack, police filed criminal charges against more than 7,000 people in the crowd.
In the Indian state of Tripura, separatists of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) were blamed for indiscriminate gunfire that killed at least eleven.
In Bombay, a homemade bomb exploded in a marketplace, injuring 30, eight critically. A second bomb later went off and there were two similar attacks in December. Responsibility is unknown.
Along the Kashmir border, India and Pakistan resumed exchanges of mortar fire. Nuclear rhetoric has increased recently following recent missile tests.
In a pleasant surprise, Nepal’s government and the Maoist rebels have announced a surprise ceasefire, with plans to immediately begin peace talks.
In Pakistan, there was another rocket attack against a gas pipeline, again disrupting supplies in the continuing fight between feuding tribes.
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
The statistics are out on the Slammer virus, the most effective attack for a year and a half, that continues to raise questions both over Microsoft’s promise to improve security and over the ability of corporations and individuals to protect themselves. Microsoft falling victim to this attack does not bode well. And Slammer’s ability to shut down ATM machines presages worse attacks in the future.9. Finance
The UN Security Council has added Riduan Nurjaman Samuddin and Iqbal Mohamad Abdurrahman, both Indonesian, to the list of persons subject to sanctions, including freezing of financial assets. (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sc7645.doc.htm)
Liberia has announced a diamond-certification program in line with the Kimberley Process, while the UN Security Council has decided to reestablish the Panel of Experts to monitor compliance of sanctions levied against Liberia, including its rough diamond exports.
The US Customs Service plans to open an office in the United Arab Emirates to help track terrorist financing.
10. Human Rights
The UN Security Council has called for an immediate end to the recruitment of child soldiers. Human Rights Watch provides additional details to these efforts at http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/crp/index.htm
China has executed Lobsang Dhondup; a Tibetan convicted of involvement in bomb attacks supporting Tibetan independence. Other Tibetan activists are waiting for trials. Dhondup’s conviction was based on his confession, which has led to investigations of torture. For details on this issue, see http://www.hrw.org/asia/china.php
For the first time, the US Justice Department has exercised new powers under the USA Patriot Act in a fraud case unrelated to terrorism. See Gary Fields’ article “Agents Invoke USA Patriot Act in Case Unrelated to Terrorism” in The Wall Street Journal, January 29.
11. Law and Legal Issues
Samir Asli has appeared in court in London following his arrest during the Finsbury Park raid. He did not ask for bail. The next hearing will be February 3.
Mouloud Bouhrama (“Mohammed”) appeared in court in London on charges of conspiring to develop chemical weapons. He has not responded to the charges.
Kamel Bourgass, arrested on January 14, has been charged in London with conspiracy to produce a chemical weapon and possession of items for terrorism.
Earl L. Krugel, member of the Jewish Defense League, has pled guilty to civil rights and explosives charges in Los Angeles court in connection with the 2001 plans to bomb a Mosque and the office of a member of Congress.
Charles Li, a US citizen visiting relatives in China, has been arrested on suspicion of sabotaging radio and television stations to support the Falun Gong.
Alex Manuputty and Samuel Waileruny were sentenced in absentia in Indonesia to three years prison for campaigning for Moluccan independence.
Radomir Markovic has been sentenced to seven years prison by Yugoslav court for his attempted assassination of an opposition leader.
Milan Milutinovic, former Serbian President, pled not guilty to crimes against humanity at his first appearance before the International War Crimes Tribunal.
The continuing trial in Germany of Mounir Motassadeq on terrorism charges has hit a roadblock as the court has asked for additional information on the sources of classified testimony submitted to the court without attribution.
Mohamed Suleiman al Nalfi has pled guilty in a New York court on charges of criminal conspiracy to destroy national defense materials. He had been arrested in 2000 in connection with the embassy bombing and related investigations.
Richard Colvin Reid confessed “shoe bomber” has been sentenced in US court to life in prison.
The continuing Saville Inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday, Northern Ireland, 1972, heard more evidence from British soldiers. They have testified that they were told to expect violence but given no instructions but to deal with any problems that might arise.
Bernd Schompeter and Willi Heinz Ribbeck were convicted in German court for violating UN sanctions by sending weapons-making equipment to Iraq.
Mam Sonando, owner of an independent radio station in Cambodia, has been charged with inciting the anti-Thai riots (see Asia pacific, above).
Jafar Umar Thalib, leader of the Laskar Jihad militia on the Moluccan Islands, has been cleared in Indonesian court of inciting violence.
Relatives of seven of September 11 victims who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald have filed a lawsuit against the September 11 victims fund, alleging illegal and unfair behavior on the part of the administrator. [NOTE: It is unfortunate that the US did not follow Israel’s example of victims’ compensation, whereby victims of a terrorist attack are treated the same as wartime casualties. They have a regular pension and government protection rather than large lump-sum payments based on arbitrary rules.]
12. Narco-terrorism
Burma, Guatemala and Haiti are the only three countries not certified by the US State Department for cooperating in drug trafficking. In the annual report on drug producing and trafficking countries, US authorities also expressed concern over the volume of drug imports from Canada and the Netherlands.
13. Transportation
The cruise industry has gained attention for risks of terrorism. Molly Feltner suggests that “the swift spread of the [Norwalk] virus suggests cruise ships are easy targets for biological attacks and other terrorist threats” in her article in National Geographic Traveler. (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1211_021211_travcruise.html) In addition, Trinidad’s Sunday Express newspaper reports on threats it received from a local Muslim group that has claimed it plans attacks against US and British interests using biological and chemical weapons if Iraq was attacked. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/top.asp?mylink=2003-01-) In response to earlier warnings by the British Foreign Office and this news, the P&O shipping line has ordered four of its cruise ships no longer to call at Trinidad and Tobago.
The EU is taking legal action against Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium for complying with the US Container Security Initiative because it would create a system of preferential treatment in trade.
The US Department of Transportation has modified its rules on airport searches of turbans to accept religious use and has agreed that they need be removed only if there is a positive reading on a metal detector. For more detail, see “How One Man Took a Stand and Changed Federal Policy Toward the Sikh Community” by Ronald Smothers in The New York Times, January 28.
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
Japan’s reactivation of the Monju nuclear plant, shut down after a sodium link in 1995, has been stopped in court. The government is asking the Supreme Court to overturn this decision. On top of the poor safety record of the industry comes news that some 200 kilos of plutonium had gone missing. After investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) they have determined that this was due to inadequate measurement, not that the material had been diverted for other uses.
The US is planning a nationwide computer monitoring system to track biological of chemical attacks. Smallpox vaccinations are proceeding slowly amid questioning of the necessity and the balance of public safety given the known issues with the current generation of vaccine as well as the relative public health investment costs. Increasing numbers of health care professionals are refusing to implement the vaccination program.
Nuclear safety questions have led to a showdown over the Indian Point plants in New York. Neighboring counties have rejected evacuation plans as inadequate and have refused to certify the plans. Their certification is required in order to keep the plant open. New York State has now also refused to certify the plant, which forces the Federal Emergency management Association and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to evaluate what steps to take, which could include the first ever forced closure of a nuclear plant.
FEATURE ARTICLE:The US Department of Homeland Security
Immediately after the September 11 attacks, the accusations began to fly. How could 19 hijackers bypass every security measure at every level of the country to coordinate four simultaneous hijackings with such disastrous results?HOW TO CONTACT US:
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