The Stevens report mentioned in last week's Feature Article on the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane has been released. This week we look at the key findings of the report and the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) that particularly benefited from the practices described in it. This issue also contains an update on the status of the Good Friday agreement, as well as recent developments with SARS, nuclear proliferation (not just in North Korea) and other News Highlights of the Week.

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:
Stevens 3

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

1. World

China has acknowledged that the World Health Organization's claims of a cover-up regarding the extent of Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) with the news that there have been ten times more cases than previously acknowledged. The Chinese health minister has been dismissed and the week-long May Day holiday has been cancelled. The disease has now spread to 27 countries. The disease vector has now been confirmed as a new coronavirus pathogen and tests for that new virus have begun to emerge.

China has agreed to be involved in talks with North Korea and the US, but these talks are at risk following North Korea's announcement that it has successfully begun reprocessing nuclear fuel.

Iraqis are still without electricity and basic services, leaving a population confused that the mighty military power that so rapidly defeated the old regime has been unable to address these essential needs. They have turned to the people they do trust, the Islamic clergy. This week saw large demonstrations against occupation and in favor of an Islamic republic, as well as the first open expression of religion and religious celebrations allowed in decades.

Non-government Organizations (NGOs) including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Food Program and a variety of United Nations initiatives, are warning that aid crucially needed to solve the needs of poor countries, particularly in Africa, will be diverted to Iraq.

2. Africa

Algerian authorities continue their search for 31 international tourists missing in the Sahara desert. Dutch authorities have announced there was a message indicating they have been kidnapped. In the east, there have been mass demonstrations by Berbers in favor of human rights and ethnic identity.

Angola's former rebels will be assisted by an aid package from the World Bank, but the reintegration funds depend on addressing government corruption and transparency.

Fighting in Burundi has escalated between the government and Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD), despite the peace accord in place. Another part of the peace agreement is a law to prevent genocide that has been passed by the transitional parliament.

Amid chaos in the Democratic Republic of Congo, efforts towards peace continue. A power-sharing administration is to be established and President Joseph Kabila has signed an amnesty for rebels, excluding war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

Eritrea and Ethiopia face severe famines, exacerbated by increased shipping costs and declining aid, both attributed to the war in Iraq.

Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki has closed all private press inside the country and detained a number of journalists as spies. A British geologist had his throat cut allegedly by rebels of the Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement.

Rebels in Ivory Coast have joined the coalition government as part of the peace agreement, but attacks continue. Eleven were killed and fifty injured in a rebel raid on a marketplace.

Kenyan police have released Ndura Waruinge, the leader of the banned Mungiki sect that has been blamed for ethnic violence, without charge.

Nigeria's parliamentary elections ended last week and presidential elections are now under way. Although greatly improved from prior elections, there were still reports of electoral irregularities and observers are waiting for the results of the final counts. Voting was peaceful around the country with the exception of the southern oil-rich Delta areas that have been the scene of serious violence. Initial returns indicate the ruling party will remain in power.

Self-proclaimed republic Somaliland has narrowly re-elected President Dahir Riyale Kahin.

South Africa's National Assembly has asked questions regarding the draft anti-terrorism bill before parliament and has been assured it will not restrict freedom of religion and will meet international obligations. South Africa will pay reparations of R30,000 ($3,800) to each of 19,000 victims of apartheid.

Uganda is concerned that its withdrawal of troops later this month will leave a vacuum in the country, creating the possibility of further ethnic conflicts. Uganda is featured in a World Report in the Financial Times, April 15 http://www.ft.com/uganda2003

Zimbabwe marked the 23rd anniversary of independence with President Robert Mugabe defiantly praising his land reforms and blaming the west and internal opposition movements for any economic problems.

3. Americas

Brazil plans to develop formal property rights for squatter communities. This initially would only take effect on government-owned land. It could help reduce the increasing conflicts over land that intensified in the past few months.

Canadians in the French-speaking province of Quebec defeated the governing Parti Quebecois, a pro-separatist party, in favor of the ruling Liberals.

Colombian guerillas, possibly with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), attacked a Holy Week religious processing, shooting dead three and wounding two, despite government guarantees for high security during the celebrations. A bomb planted on a bicycle has killed a 10-year-old boy. This is also blamed on FARC.

Cuba has rejected criticism of its recent crackdown against dissidents and says it will not permit a UN human rights investigator to visit.

In the US, the national terror alert level has been lowered to "yellow".

April 18 marks the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

A gang-related jail riot in Venezuela has left eleven prisoners dead and 40 injured.

4. Asia Pacific

Australia has closed down the controversial Woomera detention center. Detainees have been moved to the new Baxter center, which has been the scene of angry protests against the asylum policies. In the third day of protests, a camera tripod was mistaken for a weapon, triggering a police raid. Australia is considering offering Iraqi asylum seekers a repatriation package like that offered to Afghanis last year.

Indonesian rebels in the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) are negotiating with the government to retrieve the peace pact that has suffered several setbacks due to murderous attacks by both parties. In the troubled Papua province, activities of the military have again been called into question following the death of a man held in military custody.

Japan's Defense Minister has called for increased antimissile defenses to counter the threat from North Korea. In Tokyo, the Tokyo Electric Power Company has closed the last of its 17 nuclear reactors. Following accidents and alleged cover-ups, the plants are closed for safety checks.

In the Philippines, Abu Sayyaf rebels and the military clashed in several incidents in which at least six people were killed. Joint operations with the US have been resurrected and the first group of US troops has arrived.

South Korea is featured in a Survey in The Economist, April 19, including a feature on "A bad neighbour: In the cold war North Korea was a pawn. In the war on terror it is trying to checkmate the superpower".

The death toll in Thailand's anti-drug crackdown has increased to 2,275, with another 50,000 arrests.

5. Europe

Ten countries -- Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia -- have signed treaties for their admission to the European Union next year. During the EU summit that featured this ceremony, there were violent anti-war protests. Held in Athens, Greek police responded with teargas to gasoline bombs and called the conflict the worst in 30 years.

In Cyprus, the Turkish leader has been blamed for the failure of reunification talks last month, but the UN plan is still open as the basis for future talks.

The Czech Republic is completing the final testing phase of its nuclear plant, ready for electricity production late next year. Prior testing has revealed a number of safety issues.

France has been the site of another spectacular jailbreak, this time with a hijacked helicopter helping to free three accused drug smugglers.

Georgia and its breakaway province of Abkhazia are in discussions regarding new proposals and bilateral agreements that could lead to peace, although political status is not on the table.

Italian police claim to have uncovered links between Syria and the Ansar al Islam militant group that is linked to al Qaeda.

Poland has marked the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Poland is featured in a World Report in the Financial Times, April 15. http://www.ft.com/poland2003

In Russia, Member of Parliament and leading liberal politician Sergei Yushenkov has been murdered -- there are no suspects. Russian crime statistics indicate continued high levels of insecurity in Chechnya, including a series of murders, disappearances and beatings.

In Northern Ireland, the fifth anniversary of the Good Friday agreement has passed without restoration of devolution or agreement on other critical issues such as police reforms.

6. Middle East

Middle Eastern countries may be hosting a visit from US Secretary of State Colin Powell who is planning to discuss efforts to restart the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. The US is also looking at troop reductions in the Gulf. Instead, they plan to maintain bases in Iraq.

Egypt has arrested 16 men suspected of membership in the banned al-Qutbieen Islamic militant group.

In the occupied Gaza Strip, a Palestinian gunman attacked a crossing point, killing two Israelis before being shot dead. Another militant from Islamic Jihad was later killed by Israeli troops. Then, at the end of the week, Israeli soldiers launched the largest raid in the last 30 months when they attacked the Rafah refugee camp, destroying two tunnels and the house of a Hamas leader, killing five Palestinians and injuring 35. A Palestinian sniper killed one Israeli soldier.

Iran has called for the US to leave Iraq, that it would not recognize and US-imposed government and that it would support Syria if the US attempted any action against it.

Israel has begun to celebrate the Passover holiday. Following last years suicide bombing in Netanya that killed 29, and more recent threats, the Palestinian territories have been completely sealed off.

April 18 marks the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

Syria has been under increasing attacks by members of the US administration for alleged support of Iraq and terrorist groups, including new accusations of recent chemical weapons tests. The threats to Syria have led to warnings around the world that the rhetoric should be cooled down. Syria has denied all accusations, pointing out that the only country in the Middle East that has nuclear, biological and chemical arsenals is Israel, and calling for the region to be declared a weapons-free zone.

In the occupied West Bank, an Israeli military officer and a Palestinian militant were killed in a gunfight. At the end of the week, a 15-year old boy throwing stones was shot dead. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister designate Mahmoud Abbas have not yet reached agreement on a new cabinet, jeopardizing the nascent peace process.

Yemen's chief of secret police and his deputy have been arrested for inquiries into the escape of ten al Qaeda suspects connected with the USS Cole bombing.

7. South Asia

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met with the national warlords and militia leaders to discuss disarmament and demobilization. Rival Jumbesh and Jamiat militias in the north have withdrawn from Maimana, following violent clashes the prior week. Afghan soldiers captured eight Taliban in a gunfight; two soldiers died. Romanian troops from the international peacekeeping force have uncovered a massive weapons cache. NATO has agreed to increase its peacekeeping role, including taking on command of the peacekeeping mission.

A landmine explosion in the Indian state of Bihar has killed eight policemen. The Maoist Communist Center was blamed.

India's western Rajastan state has cracked down on Hindu nationalists, arresting more than 600.

Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee admitted that elections in Indian-administered Kashmir have been rigged in the past but would be fair in the future. He has appealed to Pakistan to open a dialog to resolve the ongoing Kashmir dispute.

Nepal's government and Maoist rebels will begin peace talks on Monday.

In Karachi, Pakistan, a bomb hidden in a motorcycle killed one and injured eight. The target and responsibility are unknown.

There have been serious riots in Sri Lanka between Tamils and Muslims in the north. Five are dead, many injured, and hundreds have fled their homes. The violence began after two youths were kidnapped, one later committing suicide. Tamil Tigers have denied involvement in the kidnappings.

8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

The US administration's cybersecurity advisor, Howard Schmidt, will resign at the end of April. He had replaced Richard Clarke in February. This leaves no senior official responsible for cybersecurity and the issue of integration of five cybersecurity offices into the Department of Homeland Security unresolved, and now with no leadership.

New health privacy rules came into force in the US on Monday, prohibiting exchange of personal data without permission -- except when it is used for marketing.

9. Finance

Global Witness has prepared a thorough report describing al Qaeda's use of the international gem trade, particularly tanzanite, to finance its activities. See this remarkable report, "For a Few Dollars More", online at http://www.globalwitness.org

The Greek Cypriot leader has been linked to a law firm accused of funding money to Slobodan Milosevic in violation of international sanctions.

The US has fined 59 companies including Bank of New York, ChevronTexaco, Citibank, ExxonMobil, WalMart and others, more than $1 million for breaking international sanctions. This level of penalty is unlikely to discourage the practice.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has proposed to ban correspondent accounts with Nauru and have rescinded Ukraine's designation as a primary money laundering concern.

The US Treasury announced the second set of regulations regarding the disclosure requirements and other areas related to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.

10. Human Rights

The UN Commission on Human Rights adopted a number of new resolutions. These include condemnation of systematic abuses in North Korea; reaffirming the Palestinian right to statehood; for a referendum in Western Sahara; condemning the use of mercenaries; expressing concern over defamation of religion; asking Israel to release Lebanese detainees; and requesting Cuba allow a UN investigation. They did not pass resolutions critical of Russian actions in Chechnya or the situations in Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Burundi's transitional government has passed a law to prevent genocide. A truth and reconciliation committee will be established in May.

For the first time, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has sentenced three people to life in prison after they were found guilty of female infanticide.

Sierra Leone's Truth and Reconciliation has begun taking testimony.

South Africa will pay reparations of R30,000 ($3,800) to each of 19,000 victims of apartheid.

11. Law and Legal Issues

Indian Deputy Prime Minister Advani has been summoned to court in connection with the 1992 destruction of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.

Abu Bakar Bashir, Indonesian Muslim cleric, has been indicted in Jakarta for treason, as the alleged leader of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) associated with a number of bombings and attempted bombings.

R R Gopal has been arrested in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu for his alleged relations with the bandit Veerappan. He is a journalist, the first charged under the anti-terrorism law.

Volkert van der Graaf was sentenced to 18-years in prison for the shooting of Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn. Dutch prosecutors will appeal for a life sentence.

Sheikh Abu Hamza has appealed in British court against the decision to strip him of his citizenship. Both Yemen and the US have asked for his extradition.

Mohammed Imran and Mohammed Hanif, accused of membership in the Harkat ul-Mujahideen and involvement in the car bomb attack against the US consulate in Karachi last year, have been sentenced to death. Mohammed Sharib and Mufti Zubair, accused in the same attack, were sentenced to life in prison. Mohammed Ashraf was acquitted for insufficient evidence.

Abed Abdulrazzak Kamel is on trial in Yemen on charges of murdering three US missionaries.

Fazal Karim, wanted in the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl, has been found in police custody.

Fathi Khatib, Nasser Watimi, Mohammed Schreim and Muammar al-Sheikh, accused of helping the Netanya suicide bombing of last year's Passover holiday, have been sentenced to life in prison.

Naser Oric has denied accusations of war crimes against Bosnian Serbs during his first appearance before the Hague tribunal.

James Ujaama of Seattle, US, has admitted to conspiracy to help depose the Taliban in Afghanistan.

12. Narco-terrorism

Around a thousand Pakistani officials have begun destroying poppy fields in Balochistan, where cultivation for opium production began only a year ago as a way to earn money following a long drought and other economic hardships.

Indian separatist rebels of the Revolutionary Peoples' Front (RPF) operating in Manipur state have banned the sale or use of tobacco as part of their position against any drug use. Rebels of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) support the RPF's ban.

The death toll in Thailand's anti-drug crackdown has increased to 2,275, with another 50,000 arrests.

13. Transportation

The first group of US airline pilots has completed their gun-training program that will allow them to carry a firearm in the cockpit.

14. Weapons of Mass Destruction

Arab countries have called for a UN resolution to declare the Middle East a zone free from weapons of mass destruction and a nuclear-free zone.

A new report commissioned by the US government and conducted by Colombia University has found that the level of the defoliant Agent Orange used in Vietnam was some ten- percent higher than previously thought. In addition, the levels of dioxin (cancer-causing chemicals) was more than double previous statements.

A nuclear reactor in Texas is leaking water from its base. This is an unexpected problem whose origin is as yet unknown. See Matthew Wald's article in The New York Times, April 19.

15. Recently Published

Anne Applebaum "Gulag: A History of the Soviet Camps" Allen Lane/Doubleday

Niall Ferguson, "Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power" Basic Books

Giorgio; translated by Antony Shugaar, "Memoirs of an Italian Terrorist" Carroll and Graf

Peter Howe, editor "Shooting Under Fire: The World of the War Photographer" Artisan

Robin Moore "The Hunt for Bin Laden: On the Ground with the Special Forces in Afghanistan" Random House

Ben Rogers "Beef and Liberty: Roast Beef, John Bull and the English Nation" Chatto

Robert J. Schiller "The New Financial Order: Risk in the 21st Century" Princeton University Press

FEATURE ARTICLE: Stevens 3

Sir John Stevens published the results of the third enquiry he has conducted into alleged collusion between British security forces and loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, They are shocking and present a damning indictment of operations in this "dirty war" of the 1980s and 1990s.

The report introduces the situation in Northern Ireland and the problem of terrorist attacks from both loyalist and nationalist paramilitaries. He investigated in depth the murders of Patrick Finucane and Brian Adam Lambert and a small number of related cases. He points out that "during the three years primarily covered by this report, 1987 to 1989, the RUC [Royal Ulster Constabulary] dealt with over 3,000 terrorist related incidents of which 261 were deaths related to the security situation."

He described widespread evidence of collusion, including forensic analysis, and investigates the role of Douglas Hogg, as follows:
"My Enquiry team also investigated an allegation that senior RUC officers briefed the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Rt Hon Douglas Hogg QC, MP, that ‘some solicitors were unduly sympathetic to the cause of the IRA’. Mr Hogg repeated this view during a debate on the Prevention of Terrorism legislation in the House of Commons. Within a few weeks Patrick Finucane was murdered. Mr Hogg’s comments about solicitors’ support for terrorism made on 17th January 1989 aroused controversy. To the extent that they were based on information passed by the RUC, they were not justifiable and the Enquiry concludes that the Minister was compromised." [Douglas Hogg, still in the Commons, has been a Conservative Member of Parliament representing Lincolnshire since 1979.]

Sir John concludes that:
"I have uncovered enough evidence to lead me to believe that the murders of Patrick Finucane and Brian Adam Lambert could have been prevented. I also believe that the RUC investigation of Patrick Finucane’s murder should have resulted in the early arrest and detection of his killers.
"I conclude there was collusion in both murders and the circumstances surrounding them. Collusion is evidenced in many ways. This ranges from the wilful failure to keep records, the absence of accountability, the withholding of intelligence and evidence, through to the extreme of agents being involved in murder.
"The failure to keep records or the existence of contradictory accounts can often be perceived as evidence of concealment or malpractice. It limits the opportunity to rebut serious allegations. The absence of accountability allows the acts or omissions of individuals to go undetected. The withholding of information impedes the prevention of crime and the arrest of suspects. The unlawful involvement of agents in murder implies that the security forces sanction killings.
"My three Enquiries have found all these elements of collusion to be present. The co-ordination, dissemination and sharing of intelligence were poor. Informants and agents were allowed to operate without effective control and to participate in terrorist crimes. Nationalists were known to be targeted but were not properly warned or protected. Crucial information was withheld from Senior Investigating Officers. Important evidence was neither exploited nor preserved. "

He also points out the level of obstruction into his investigation that included a lack of cooperation, deliberate concealment of evidence, and lies. In addition,
" There was a clear breach of security before the planned arrest of Nelson [UDA leader and government informant] and other senior loyalists. Information was leaked to the loyalist paramilitaries and the press. This resulted in the operation being aborted. Nelson was advised by his FRU handlers to leave home the night before. A new date was set for the operation on account of the leak. The night before the new operation my Incident room was destroyed by fire. This incident, in my opinion, has never been adequately investigated and I believe it was a deliberate act of arson."

The report ends with a list of 21 recommendations, insisting that they must be implemented in full as they are "essential to the fight against terrorism here and elsewhere".

The report does not provide detail on the organizations involved. So who were the loyalist paramilitaries with whom the British authorities colluded so closely and for so long?

The Ulster Defense Association (UDA) was formed from a group of Protestant vigilantes in 1971. It is the largest loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. At its height it had as many as 30,000 members but there are only a few hundred now. The UDA is organized in six geographical units that are independently run, and has a military wing called the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) that has also operated with the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) under the name Red Hand Defenders.

More sectarian than political, they have been responsible for dozens of shootings, bombings, arson attacks, and murders against people merely because they were Catholic. Dozens more were merely in the wrong neighborhood or caught up in an attack. Some of the most prominent attacks were the violent murders of civil rights lawyers Patrick Finucane and Rosemary Nelson.

Most recently, the UDA has deteriorated to little more than a criminal gang. Following an internal feud, the remnants of the UDA declared a ceasefire and turned in some of the weapons from its large arsenal.

The published report is only twenty pages long but substantive source materials have been turned over to the Director of Public Prosecutions for him to determine whether criminal charges will be brought. There are some twenty army and police personnel who could face such charges.

In addition to the criminal prosecutions, there is need for a public inquiry, a kind of "truth and reconciliation commission". The government will decide whether to hold such an inquiry, based in part on the recommendation of retired Judge Peter Cory. Given the lengthy and expensive effort involved in the ongoing Bloody Sunday inquiry, they may be reluctant to proceed along this path. However, in order to proceed with a lasting peace and to develop trust that provides the basis for sustainable relationships among the parties, it is necessary.

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