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. Transportation
13. Weapons of Mass Destruction
14. Recently Published

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Canada's Counter-terrorism and National Security Strategies

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

1. World

June 20 is World Refugee Day. The theme this year is "A place to call me: Rebuilding lives in safety and dignity". http://www.unhcr.ch/

A World Bank study, "Reforming Infrastructure - Privatization, Regulation and Competition" finds that effective regulation is critical to effective infrastructure reform. It reviews particular issues with privatization or restructuring of services and efforts to reduce poverty. http://econ.worldbank.org/prr/reforming_infrastructure/

The UN Conference on Trade and Development developed an actin plan called the "Sao Paulo Consensus" that aims to eradicate poverty with equitable multilateral trade negotiations. http://www.unctad.org/

The US Commission on Weak States and US National Security recommends overhauling aid and development programs to help failing states solve their problems before terrorism takes root. http://www.cgdev.org/

2. Africa

Algeria's Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), a leading Islamic militant group tied to al Qaeda, began the week with a declaration of war against foreign interests in the country, threatening a further escalation in violence after killing more than a dozen soldiers last week. By the end of the week Algerian troops had dealt a major blow to GSPC when a military sweep killed its leader, Nabil Sahraoui, and several senior associates.

Chad may end its role in mediating between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels now that the conflict is spilling over the border, raiding the risk of serious conflict. Clashes in the last week have left more than 60 militiamen dead. The refugee crisis is deepening, as more than 110,000 Sudanese have taken refuge in Chad.

Democratic Republic of Congo's stability, weakened since the fighting in the eastern town of Bukavu earlier this month, continues to deteriorate and a new refugee crisis is threatened with more than 30,000 fleeing DRC to Burundi to escape fighting that often targets civilians. At the Rwandan border dissident forces from both countries continue to operate. In turn, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with several operations suspended for lack of security. South Africa has reached a military cooperation agreement with DRC that may help stabilize the situation. Meanwhile, a UN human rights team investigating the violence in Bukavu said that preliminary results indicate that no genocide took place.

In Liberia, ethnic fighting between Kpelle and Mandingo in the central town of Gbarnga killed one and injured four.

Nigerian troops conducted a raid to search for weapons in the Niger Delta and were met by armed Ijaw militants. In the subsequent firefight five militants and one soldier were killed.

The killing fields in Sudan claim more deaths as government-backed Arab militias carry out summary executions and other atrocities on the black population. Sudan's President Bashir disclaims connection with the militias and has announced a mobilization against the armed groups. The humanitarian crisis has spread into neighboring Chad where it threatens the stability of that country as well. The Guardian has compiled a directory of charities that are coordinating aid to address this, the world's worst humanitarian crisis. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sudan/story/0,14658,1242074,00.html
On a positive note, the Ebola outbreak is under control.

Zimbabwe has denied reports last week that it plans to end private land ownership. One report says the policy applies only to land seized from whites while others say the land policy is unchanged.

3. Americas

Colombian rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rounded up 34 coca farmers, bound them hand and foot, then shot them dead with automatic weapons. The coca farm was owned by right-wing paramilitaries. The paramilitary United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia has asked to address congress, where a commander of the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) had spoken earlier. The Colombian constitution has been amended to allow President Uribe to stand for a second consecutive 4-year term.

In Haiti, a new program to combat HIV/AIDS will be in place prior to the arrival of the main UN peacekeeping contingent.

The US National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States wound up their series of hearings last week by focusing on the 9-11 plot and the federal government's immediate response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Commission laid out a detailed chronology and key findings include:
* No evidence of cooperation between al Qaeda and Iraq
* Changes in the plans to make it less complex, reducing the number of planes, targets and locations
* Friction among the hijackers that posed their greatest potential vulnerability
* No payments for the attacks provided by Saudi Arabia (see Finance, below, for more)
* De-centralization of al Qaeda
* Confused emergency response, lack of preparation and poor communications
Listen to the hearings and read the testimony at
http://www.9-11commission.gov/hearings/hearing12.htm
Or for an excellent summary see Jason Burke and Paul Harris' report "9/11: At last, the full story has been told" in The Observer, June 20 http://observer.guardian.co.uk/focus/story/0,6903,1243079,00.html

4. Asia Pacific

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan met and agreed to strengthen security, establish an anti-terrorism center, and support stability in Afghanistan.

Australia hosted the first Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference to address concerns that the region had become a breeding ground for Islamic extremism. http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=3912

China reiterated its opposition to the US sale of arms to Taiwan.

North and South Korea have shut off the propaganda broadcasts at their border and established radio contact between their navies among moved meant to reduce border tensions. Six-nation talks regarding North Korea's nuclear program are due to resume on June 23.

Philippines president, Gloria Arroyo, has been re-elected with a reported margin of one million votes.

French Polynesia has elected a new pro-independence president, Oscar Temaru.

5. Europe

WHO Regional Office for Europe reports that one in three deaths in children and adolescents in Europe is caused by environmental factors including outdoor and indoor air pollution, unsafe water, lead and other environmental hazards that lead to 100,000 deaths and six million years of healthy life lost every year. http://www.who.dk/eprise/main/WHO/MediaCentre/PR/2004/20040617_1

French police arrested at least twelve people in raids on suspected Islamic groups; six have already been released. There has been a warning that ricin manufactured in France may have been sent to the UK.

In Chechnya, Russia, security forces fought rebels, killing two officers and two rebels. The possible kidnapping of an aid worker in Ingushetia is being investigated.

Turkish troops clashed with separatist militants of the Kongra-Gel (formerly the PKK) shortly after Kongra declared an end to its unilateral ceasefire. One rebel and one soldier were killed in two operations. Turkey has detained several suspects as well as at least three people suspected of membership in Ansar al-Islam.

In Northern Ireland, a review of the Good Friday Agreement has resumed. The British and Irish Prime Ministers have not yet decided whether to participate directly.

June 17 marks the 30th anniversary of the IRA bombing of the British Houses of Parliament, injuring 11 and causing extensive damage. Ten years ago, on June 18, were the Loughinisland attacks when six Catholics were shot dead in a pub while watching a World Cup match. Loyalists of the Ulster Volunteer Force carried out the attack.

In Northern Ireland, a loyalist Orangemen parade took place, near several flashpoint areas, where there were several disturbances. A loyalist mob of about 40 youths went on a rampage in the casualty department of the local hospital but there was only one arrest.

Scotland plans to implement a Northern Ireland-style review commission for evaluating parades thereby helping to reduce the number or events and control possible sectarian trouble between loyalists and republicans.

6. Middle East

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) representing 56 Muslim countries met last week in Istanbul. They promised to assist Iraq's interim government, continue support for Palestinians, and called to upgrade the status of northern Cyprus to that of a state.

Egypt is working with Israel to establish mutually agreeable security along the Gaza strip border prior to the Israeli withdrawal. A moat or tunnel proposed for the area will be discussed and the use of other new technologies, such as remote-controlled armed buggies and other unmanned weapons, is also being evaluated. Jordan may also play a role in future security.

In Gaza, 500 Palestinian workers have been allowed into Israel for the first time since Sheikh Ahmed Yassin's assassination, three months ago. A group of British parliamentarians on a fact-finding trip claim to have been shot at by Israeli forces, a claim that is being investigated.

Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is restructuring forces to deal with the increasing wave of violence ahead of the June 30 transfer of power. A US air strike on homes in Fallujah poses a new threat, as the death of around 20 civilians highlights the difficulties behind transferring sovereignty in the midst of such a widespread insurgency. Looking at this transfer, Rajiv Chandrasekaran of the Washington Post Foreign Service begins a series of three articles with, "Mistakes Loom Large as Handover Nears: Missed Opportunities Turned High Ideals to Harsh Realities". http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54294-2004Jun19.html

Saudi security forces were too late to prevent the beheading of US defense contractor Paul M. Johnson Jr. but in their investigation they captured 12 militants and killed four al Qaeda members, including Abdulaziz Muqrin, the leader of the local cell. Investigations continue and the counter-terrorism operations have been stepped up. A review of the Saudi press shows the possible start of a backlash against extremists. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3823489.stm

In the West Bank, clashes between Palestinian protestors and Israel Defense Forces have interfered with work on a controversial section of the Israeli "security barrier" near the Ariel settlement that includes confiscation of thousands of acres of Palestinian farmland. An Israeli undercover unit shot dead Majed al-Saadi of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a passing taxi driver. In another targeted killing, a helicopter gunship killed al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades commander Halil Muhaded Zuhaid Araysha and a colleague, in the Balata refugee camp. Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades leader Zakaria Zubeidi reportedly offered to halt attacks if Israel pulls out of Jenin.

7. South Asia

NATO's Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer and Afghan President Karzai have asked NATO member states to commit much needed resources to the existing operations in Afghanistan. Most are already over-stretched and Canada plans to withdraw its 2,000 troops as scheduled this summer rather than extending their deployment to support new operations during the scheduled fall elections. Insecurity continues to threaten the September election date. In northern Afghanistan, a bombing against NATO peacekeepers' car killed the driver as well as two children and an elderly man. Amid a wave of attacks this stands out as the first such attack outside the capital Kabul, demonstrating deteriorating security in the north. Another indicator was fighting in Ghor province in which a renegade militia commander took control, displacing the governor in a battle that killed at least ten.

Bangladesh police raided two alleged Islamic terrorist training camps Near Chittagong, arresting three people.

In Andhra Pradesh, India, the Maoist rebel People's War Group (PWG) has asked the state government to declare a ceasefire prior to beginning peace talks. Gujarat's Chief Minister escaped assassination when police intercepted a group of militants, possibly from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, killing four suspects during the operation. In Tripura state separatist rebels of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) hijacked a group of traders, taking at least 24 captive.

India and Pakistan are discussing measures to reduce nuclear threats between them. They will set up a telephone hotline and refrain from testing.

Nepal's Maoist rebels have called off a school strike that lasted almost two weeks. There were several attacks, including a landmine that killed 22 police officers and another landmine/shooting incident that killed 14 police and four civilians.

Pakistani resistance leader Nek Mohammed was shot dead in South Waziristan, where operations against Taliban and al Qaeda continue. A bomb in North Waziristan killed three Pakistani soldiers. There have been many arrests and it is reported that at least 72 people, including 17 soldiers, were killed during the offensive at the beginning of the week. In the capital, Karachi, senior member of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, Munawar Suhrwardy, was assassinated in a government operation.

8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

The Computer Security Institute/Federal Bureau of Information "Computer Crime and Security Survey" has been published, showing a continued decline in computer intrusions. http://www.gocsi.com/

The first version of a network virus that can infect mobile phones, Cabir, has been identified. It poses a low risk but indicates a new and potent threat on the horizon. http://www.kaspersky.com/news?id=149499226

A serious vulnerability in RealNetwork media players could permit an attacker to run malicious code on a remote machine. http://www.nextgenss.com/advisories/realra.txt

A UK survey finds that nearly forty percent of workers have received confidential information by email not intended for them and that more than a quarter had received the confidential information from an external source. http://www.surfcontrol.com/news/newsitem.aspx?id=660

Customers of Akamai were targeted by a distributed denial of service attack that used distributed "robot" machines that had been previously compromised. http://www.akamai.com/en/html/about/press/press459.html

9. Finance

The US Treasury has extended the "make available" provisions of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act through 2005 while it continues to conduct a comprehensive survey of the broader insurance market. http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/js1734.htm
Treasury also published interagency guidance for financial institutions doing business with embassies and foreign governments. http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js1727.htm

"Operation Nursery", a cross-border, multi-agency operation in the Ireland/Northern Ireland border area was directed against fuel- and money- laundering and smuggling in which three people were arrested and a number of items seized. http://www.nio.gov.uk/press/040617b.htm

The US National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States found no direct involvement by Saudi Arabia in financing the September 11 attacks, but may have turned a blind eye to charities that contributed to religious extremists. Its support to the Taliban, like Pakistan's, helped support the Taliban and, in turn, al Qaeda.
http://www.9-11commission.gov
The Financial Action Task Force and the Council on Foreign Relations both cite progress in Saudi Arabia's efforts to interdict terrorist financing, although CFR suggests efforts are not sufficient. http://www.saudiembassy.net/2004News/Press/PressDetail.asp?cIndex=222
http://www.cfr.org
http://www.saudiembassy.net/2004News/Press/PressDetail.asp?cIndex=223

In his reconfirmation hearing, US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the Federal Reserve was prepared to withstand another attack and it continues to improve operational capabilities. http://banking.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=118

10. Human Rights

The US Department of State published the fourth annual "Trafficking in Persons Report"
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/

With at least ten million people in twenty separate wars cut off from international aid, the UN's top humanitarian official called for strengthening protection of civilians in armed conflicts. http://www0.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11042
To understand what this means for the individuals affected, see Declan Walsh's article "Silent witnesses", in The Independent, June 16 http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=531942

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reports that the number of refugees and internally displaced people fell by 18 percent last year to 17.1 million, the lowest total in ten years. http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home?page=news

The US state of Maryland carried out its first execution since 1998 following a Supreme Court decision to lift a stay of execution for Steven Oken.

11. Law and Legal Issues

Nuradin M. Abdi has been indicted in the US on four counts connected to providing material support to terrorists and fraud to support al Qaeda. http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsrel/articles/061404alqaedaindict.htm
http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2004/61404agabdi.htm

Joelle Aubron, jailed for life for two Action Directe assassinations in France in the 1980s, has been released because of ill health connected with a brain tumor.

Fawaz Mohammed Damrah, ("Fawaz Damra") has been found guilty of obtaining US citizenship by lying about his prior association with Afghan Refugees Services, Inc., (" Al-Kifah Refugee Center"), Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ("Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine") and Islamic Committee for Palestine (ICP). http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsrel/articles/061804akron.htm

Sylvestre Gacumbitsi, former mayor of Rusamo, Rwanda, has been sentenced to 30 years prison in the International Criminal Tribunal. He organized the massacre of some 20,000 people, including the Nyarubuye Church massacre, and was found guilty of genocide, extermination and rape.

Norway's public prosecutor dropped all charges against Mullah Krekar, a refugee and founder of Ansar al-Islam, due to insufficient evidence for charges of planning to murder political rivals and other charges. Officials and a majority of the public in Norway want Krekar deported back to Iraq but Norwegian law forbids deportation of people to countries that won't guarantee exemption from the death penalty, something that can't be obtained in Iraq at this time.

"Benito Fermin Martinez, ("El Demonio", "Demon"), Ignacio Lopez de Bergara Astola, "Yves") and six other suspected members of Basque separatist group ETA have been arrested in France.

David Passaro has been indicted for assaulting an Afghan detainee on a US base in Afghanistan. http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2004/June/04_crm_414.htm

Vilor Struganov ("Pasha Tsvetomuzyka") was sentenced to nine years high-security prison for terrorism and conspiracy in several incidents associated with organized crime in Russia.

12. Transportation

Australia's Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs report increasing numbers of foreign seafarers jumping ship, raising security concerns. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9816775%255E31477,00.html

The US Transportation Security Administration announced two test programs. First is a "Registered Traveler" program that uses background information and biometrics to speed passage through security checkpoints. Second, five airports in the US have been chosen for an operational test of explosives trace detection.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800ae809
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800af924

The International Maritime Organization released the latest compliance figures, showing improvements. They have also announced that even after the July 1 international deadline for maritime security measures, the global program would continue. http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=848

13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

The International Atomic Energy Agency has adopted a resolution on Iran's implementation of nuclear safeguards. It " calls in very explicit terms on Iran to accelerate its cooperation with the Agency in order for the Agency to bring questions relevant to Iran’s nuclear program to a close as early as possible", no later than the next few months. http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus/IaeaIran/index.shtml

The June issue of "Emerging Infectious Diseases" includes an article, " Airborne Infection with Bacillus anthracis—from Mills to Mail" by Kevin P. Fennell et al, on airborne anthrax infection such as seen in the 2001 attacks through the US mail. They conclude that " The risk for airborne infection with B. anthracis is determined not only by the virulence of the organism but also by the balance between infectious aerosol production and removal, pulmonary ventilation rate, duration of exposure, and host susceptibility factors. Dilution ventilation of the indoor environment is an important determinant of the risk for infection. Enhanced room ventilation, UV germicidal irradiation, and other engineering control measures may be used to decrease the risk for infection. Although much research focuses on bacillary factors to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of inhalation anthrax, our modeling data emphasize the need to better understand the complex interactions among host susceptibility factors, environmental factors, transmission mechanisms, and dose-response relationships in determining the risk of airborne infection with B. anthracis and other agents of bioterrorism". http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no6/02-0738.htm

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said that North Korea had used Chinese transportation centers by air, rail and sea to ship missiles and other weapons, including nuclear technology to Iran, in exchange for oil. China has dismissed the report as not factual. http://www.uscc.gov/

The US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $849 million to help improve government and public health agencies ability to respond to bioterrorism, infectious diseases and natural disasters. http://www.dhhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040617.html

14. Recently Published

James Bamford, "A Pretext for War: 9/11, Iraq, and the Abuse of America's Intelligence Agencies" Doubleday

David Faigman, "Laboratory of Justice" Times Books

Douglas Farah, "Blood from Stones: The Secret Financial Network of Terror" Broadway Books

Howard French, "A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa" Alfred A Knopf

John Keegan, "The Iraq War" Alfred A Knopf

Walter Russell Mead, "Power, Terror, Peace and War: America's Grand Strategy in a World at Risk" Alfred A Knopf

Jeffrey Record, "Dark Victory", Naval Institute Press

Robert Shogan, "The Battle of Blair Mountain" Westview

FEATURE ARTICLE: Canada's Counter-terrorism and National Security Strategies

Canada is the second largest country in the world, with a land mass exceeded only by Russia, but its population just under 33 million is about twenty percent that of Russia. Most people leave near the southern border with the US, leaving vast expanses of wilderness bordered by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. It is an industrialized country with rich natural resources and plays an active role in the international community, including membership in G8, the UN and other organizations.

With a long history of democracy and a good record of supporting human rights, Canada has had little experience with terrorism. Domestically, there have been issues with human rights and economic support of indigenous people and conflicts between French- and English-speakers, including separatists in the culturally unique province of Quebec.

These separatists, associated with the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ), were responsible for the most serious incidents of domestic terrorism. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they carried out attacks including bombings, kidnappings, and the murder of cabinet minister Pierre Laporte. In the 1980s the leftist extremist Direct Action group carried out a series of bombings but the perpetrators were captured and imprisoned, putting an end to their activities. Domestic terrorism in the last decade has been associated with environmental and animal-rights extremists who have engaged in sabotage, bombings, and poisoned letters.

International terrorism has spilled over into Canada as well. The most serious incident was the bombing of Air India flight 182 from Toronto in 1985 by Sikh extremists. 329 people, mostly Canadians, died in that event. (The trial of Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, arrested in connection with this attack in October 2000, is under way.) Other examples include members of the Pakistan sect Jammat ul Fuqra who were later convicted of a bombing conspiracy, an attack against the Iranian Embassy by Mujahedin-e-Khalq coordinated with other raids in Europe and Australia, and similarly coordinated protests by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Today, there are a large number of terrorist organizations active in Canada, many operating internationally and looking at the US as a favored target. These groups include Hezbollah, Hamas; Egyptian Al Jihad, Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), Tamil Tigers (LTTE), Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), various Sikh groups and supporters of Islamic Jihad including some groups and individuals linked to Al Qaeda.

Canada has dealt with terrorism and political violence effectively for many years, but following the September 11 attacks, it was time to review whether current measures would be effective in facing the new threat environment. The legal framework for terrorist crimes and elements of critical infrastructure protection, particularly with border security, were implemented. In March of this year, the Auditor General reviewed the situation and found serious deficiencies remained. In particular:
"The government did not have a framework that would allow it to focus on the most important threats and guide investment, management, and development decisions so it could direct complementary actions in separate agencies or choose between conflicting priorities.
"* Departments and agencies are still unable to share some security information and their systems are not all able to communicate with each other.
"* Watch lists used to screen visa applicants, refugee claimants, and travellers seeking to enter Canada are not consistently accurate and up-to-date.
"* Information about the 25,000 Canadian passports lost or stolen each year is not available to front line officers, even though these passports could be used by terrorists or other criminals.
"* Machines were purchased to take fingerprints and transmit them in a digital format, but no funding was provided to electronically process the digital fingerprints -- and therefore, the time it takes to identify a person through fingerprints has not been reduced.
"*Transport Canada does not have full access to criminal intelligence held by the RCMP when screening airport employees working in controlled-access areas where baggage and freight are handled and aircraft are serviced. Based on a review by the RCMP of a sample of files, the audit estimated that 5.5 percent -- or 4,500 -- of the individuals holding restricted area clearances at five major airports had possible criminal associations warranting further investigation."

These counter-terrorism concerns as well as threats ranging from the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to last summer's regional electrical blackout have been effectively addressed in the national strategy published in April. "Canada's National Security Policy" provides a fully integrated strategic direction that preserves " core Canadian values of openness, diversity and respect for civil liberties". In fact, the document asserts no conflict between security and maintaining these values.

The key measures addressed are:

To achieve these goals, C$690 million is being provided. Assuming further investments will follow and that Canada can continue its effective participation in international efforts, this integrated strategy should prove highly effective in reducing risks overall and can serve as an example that core values need not be sacrificed to tactical security measures.

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