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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:
Who Killed Hariri?

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

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1. World

Worldwide alerts have been sounded over the gravest possible danger presented by deadly avian influenza and its potential for a devastating human pandemic. Virus H5N1 has so far killed 29 people in Vietnam and 12 into Thailand but has not yet mutated into a strain that can spread rapidly from person to person. Eliminating the disease first in birds is believed the best way to reduce the risk of a human pandemic that could kill millions. In addition, emergency preparedness must be undertaken as a matter of urgency. Experts emphasize that pandemics present global risks that require coordinated international solutions. These are among the issues discussed in the Avian Flu meeting held in Vietnam.
http://www.fao.org
http://www.who.org
http://www.cdc.gov

A British survey ship has collected data and images of the Indian Ocean seabed, showing the devastation on the ocean floor. Horizontal movements have been identified with Global Positioning Satellites. Researchers at Chulalongkorn University say that Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has moved nine centimeters southwest, with similar shifts in Malaysia and southern Thailand.

The UN global treaty to curb tobacco use, which now claims nearly 5 million lives a year and causes an estimated annual net loss of $200 billion in treatment and lost productivity, has come into force. 57 countries with 2.3 billion people are party to the treaty.

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2. Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri district continues to experience serious interethnic militia conflict. A police brigade has been deployed to help protect civilians to little avail. Unidentified militia members murdered nine UN peacekeepers.

In northern Nigeria a Shia Muslim group attacked a Sunni mosque. In the clashes that followed three people were killed. There have been several arrests.

Somalia's exiled president and Prime Minister were greeted by rapturous crowds when they visited the country for the first time since the transitional government was formed in Kenya last year. President Abdullah Yusug Ahmed called for warlords and militias to put down their guns and work together to rebuild the country and end the 14-year conflict. They have denounced proposals to deploy foreign peacekeepers.

South Africans despaired at government failure to deal with the HIV epidemic after a report from the government-run Statistics South Africa finding that the death toll had jumped by 57 percent.

Togo's interim leader Faure Gnassingbe bowed to international pressure and stepped down. He had been installed three weeks ago as president by the military after the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema. Now following constitutional procedure, the parliament speaker Abass Bonfoh will take his place. West African alliance ECOWAS has, in response to the return of democracy, lifted the sanctions it had imposed. Gnassingbe will stand as a candidate in presidential elections due in May.

Uganda's ceasefire with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels ended. The government said that peace talks would continue but two LRA attacks killing at least ten civilians marked the end of the truce.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 81st birthday with a fierce attack against the UK and closure of another newspaper.

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3. Americas

The Canadian Parliament has authorized a review of the Anti-terrorism Act to be completed within one year. http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2004/doc_31336.html A declassified version of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Inspector General's annual report indicates concern over delays in information sharing.
http://www.news1130.com/news/national/article.jsp?content=n022004A

With the Colombian government on the defensive by an upsurge in attacks by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), both Colombia and France held ceremonies to mark the third anniversary of the kidnapping, by FARC, of former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.

In Haiti, an armed attack on the national prison sparked a riot that left one guard dead and nearly 500 prisoners at large. Three members of the ousted Aristide are back in custody but hundreds are still at large.

In New York City, the Medical Examiner's office has ended the effort to identify remains of those killed in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Of the 2,749 who died, 1,585 remains have been identified. The specimens obtained from the site will be stored in the hope that future forensics will make identification possible.

February 21 marked the 40th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights activist Malcolm X.

The US denies claims by Venezuelan President Chavez that they are planning to assassinate him.

Venezuelan authorities say that as part of agrarian reform programs they will seize the land owned by the British Vestey Group and use it for poor farmers.

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4. Asia Pacific

Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock, discussing critical infrastructure protection, said, " there is a legal obligation on managers of corporations in Australia to make proper decisions, it’s called corporate responsibility. If you don’t exercise proper judgements in relation to considering the risks, it does reflect upon your capacity as a manager and there is a degree of culpability that is assumed by directors in their role as directors to look at and properly consider risks that industries face". http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/MinisterRuddockHome.nsf/Page/Interview_Transcripts_2005_Transcripts_21_February_2005_-_Transcript_-_Doorstop_Interview_2005_National_Security_Forum

Burmese authorities did not make available the people necessary to complete an investigation into allegations of forced labor. The International Labor Organization therefore decided to call off the mission.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/pr/2005/11.htm

East Timor's UN peacekeeping mission's mandate expires in May but maintaining a scaled-back presence has been recommended to help complete institution-building efforts and ensure that the achievements made since 1999 are not lost.

Indonesia's government and rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) successfully completed a second round of talks in which they discussed degrees of separation. An agreement could be reached this summer. Authorities in Maluku arrested 13 people for allegedly raising the flag of the South Maluku Republic, a separatist effort.

North Korea's official news agency quoted Kim Jong-il as suggesting they could reconsider participation in multinational talks if conditions mature.

Philippines police launched massive efforts to counter the recent spate of terrorist attacks with a number of raids they report helped stop attacks directed against the airport, shopping areas, and many other targets.

Polynesia's pro-French leader Gaston Flosse was forced to step down from nearly 20 years of rule in favor of pro-independence leader Oscar Remaru, ending a potential deadlock in parliament. Presidential elections are set for February 28.

Thai investigators examining the Sungei Golok bombing of February 17 report the explosion, that killed six and injured 40, was both the largest bomb in the region and also the first car bombing, marking a significant escalation in violence. Warned of further inflaming tensions in the south, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin has reversed his plan to cur funding to pro-militant villages.

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5. Europe

Kosovo may be able to start talks on the final status of the region in the second half of this year but also risks rising tensions. The UN administrator said that on the credit side are continuing improved security with rates low for serious crimes, and no evidence of ethnic bias in policing and judicial processes. On the debit side, the security environment remains fragile, minority communities continue to feel insecure and Serbs are often victims of misinformation that leads to perceptions of insecurity that prevent many of the displaced from returning home.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/88

Russia and Iran have signed an agreement in which Russia will supply fuel for Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant. Iran has agreed to return all spent fuel rods to Russia.

Russian warlord Chechen Shamil Basayev has reportedly married his third wife and, as the month-long ceasefire ended, has called to a new holy war against Russia. The ceasefire ended on February 23, the anniversary of Stalin's mass deportation of Chechens to Central Asia. Meanwhile, Chechen rebels in London presented peace proposals to the Union of Russian Soldiers' Mothers Committees.

A Spanish prison holding a suspected Islamic militant accused of planning the March 11 Madrid bombings found the man, Mustapha Zanibar of Morocco, hanging from a belt in his cell.

Ukrainian Prime Minister may have been poisoned on the orders of a Kremlin political technologist. This is one of the allegations reported by BBC Newsnight. For details go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4288995.stm

The British parliament and public have presented heavy opposition to government plans to rush through new plans to place terrorist suspects under house arrest. Meant to replace the prior terrorism measures that were ruled illegal by the Law Lords, they include measures for house arrest and other control orders. After warning that Britain faced a possible al Qaeda "Madrid-style" attack during upcoming elections, the bill won a second reading, but house arrest provisions will now be subject to some judicial review. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/index.html Police have warned of possible attacks in the near future, citing political uncertainty over the Northern Ireland peace process, upcoming elections, G8 meetings, a royal wedding and other events.

Northern Ireland secretary Paul Murphy will remove Sinn Fein's block financial assistance paid to the Assembly party for another year and will review the financial allowances paid to Sinn Fein's four Members of Parliament.
http://www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=10934

Loyalist paramilitaries of the Red Hand Defenders claim they are responsible for the death of Stephen Montgomery on February 13. The claim is under investigation.

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6. Middle East

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has asked parliament to amend the constitution to allow multiple candidates in presidential elections. There will be a referendum on the proposal prior to the presidential election scheduled for September. Excerpts from his speech are online at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4300633.stm

Iraqi rebels and US marines clashed in Anbar province as part of "Operation River Blitz" that targets rebels operating along the Euphrates. The operation focuses on the provincial capital, Ramadi, where nighttime curfews and checkpoints have been put in place. A car bomb at police headquarters in Tikrit killed 15 and injured 22. Fighting in Ramadi killed at least ten. There have been a number of smaller incidents as well. On a positive note, all 26 NATO countries have agreed to help train Iraq's beleaguered security forces or to finance the training operation. Australia is sending 450 more troops to help replace a departing Dutch contingent and protect Japanese troops doing humanitarian work in the south. They will join about 950 Australian troops already in Iraq.

Israel began the week by welcoming new ambassadors from Egypt and Israel and the anticipation of establishing further relations with Arab countries. Plans for Gaza withdrawal proceeded apace, 500 Palestinian prisoners were released, and the ceasefire kept incidents at low levels. This progress has been put at risk following a suicide bombing on Thursday.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2005/Suicide+bombing+at+Tel+Aviv+Stage+Club+25-Feb-2005.htm

The attack at a Tel Aviv nightclub killed four and injured fifty. Both the Israeli army and Palestinian security have arrested a number of people. A wing of Islamic Jihad in Damascus, Syria, claimed responsibility, but leaders in Gaza denied any role. This may suggest a factional split in the organization. Palestinian leader Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Mofaz accused Hezbollah and Syria, respectively, of involvement in the attack. Both Hezbollah and Syria deny having any role in the incident. At a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Sharon said that the attack was ordered by Islamic Jihad elements in Syria but this does not absolve the Palestinian Authority of its obligations and that the PA must take vigorous action against Islamic Jihad. If not, Israel will step up military activity.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2005/Cabinet+communique+27-Feb-2005.htm

The Palestinian parliament approved a new cabinet of experts after days of heated argument rejecting Fatah veterans from the era of late leader Yasser Arafat.

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7. South Asia

Afghanistan launched its first-ever National Human Development Report (NHDR) entitled "Security with a Human Face". If policy makers and stakeholders use this data it could help head off the possibility that the country could still fall into a cycle of conflict and instability. The report shows that Afghanistan's Human Development Index (HDI) falls close to the bottom of the 177 countries ranked, only just above Burundi, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Sierra Leone. The report also provides shocking findings, including:
* Every 30 minutes a woman in Afghanistan dies from pregnancy-related causes
* 20 percent of children die before the age of five
* More than 300,000 children may have perished during the conflict
* The poorest 30 percent of the population receive only 9 percent of the national income, while the upper 30 percent receive 55 per cent.
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/detail_reports.cfm?view=941

Afghanistan's first parliamentary election was supposed to take place by May 21 but logistical and security problems will delay it up to six months.

Indian authorities have imposed a curfew in Lucknow after sectarian clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims in which three people died and several were injured.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, two militants stormed the main government offices. They killed three police and two civilians and forced the evacuation of more than 200 people before they were killed. The militant group Al Mansurian claimed responsibility.

India has ended all military supplies to Nepal because of King Gyanendra's February 1 coup.

In Nepal, Gyanendra called for support in his fight against terrorism and for democracy. Three former ministers were released from detention but most of those detained remain in custody or under house arrest. Maoist rebels have called off a 2-week-long national transport blockade to ease the plight of the public, but threaten an indefinite strike next month if the state of emergency is not revoked.

Sri Lanka has received so many tsunami relief supplies they are using the surplus for others in need, particularly the elderly, children and the disabled. The government lost its parliamentary majority after the Ceylon Workers Congress withdrew, accusing the government of not implementing agreed programs. The political turmoil comes amid a failing peace process. A hand grenade explosion at a courtroom killed two people and is under investigation. Tamil Tiger women cadres killed a soldier on the third anniversary of the ceasefire. This follows increased tension and warnings that the truce is in danger following the killing of senior Tiger Kaushalyn.

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8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

Bank of America confirmed that computer tapes containing personal data of 1.2 million government employees (including members of the Senate etc.) had been lost in transit last year. No suspicious activities have been associated with the accounts. Following the ChoicePoint disclosure earlier this month that criminals had gained access to personal data of 145,000 people, this new case fuels increasing concerns regarding data security.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom/press/press.cfm?PressID=press.20050225.04.htm

Researchers in China and the US have successfully broken the SHA-1 algorithm that is commonly used for hash operations in many mainstream security products. Although not an immediate threat, this demonstrates the speed at which cryptographic techniques are aging and demonstrates that next generation platforms are needed more quickly than anticipated.
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60402150

Singapore announced they will spend S$38.5 million over three years to counter cyberterrorism directed against Singapore's critical infrastructure. The Infocomm Security Masterplan includes six strategies. The first three are to secure the people, private and public sectors by raising awareness amongst internet users and businesses about risks and cyber threats as well as appropriate security measures. To support this, the National Authentication Infrastructure is a key project to develop reliable and robust means of authentication for users of online transactions. For the public sector, a Business Continuity Readiness Assessment Framework will be designed to measure the effectiveness of business continuity plans of government agencies. There are also strategies to develop national capabilities, enhance security technology research and development, and improve the resilience of critical infocomm infrastructure. This includes developing the skilled personnel necessary and other measures.
http://www.ida.gov.sg/idaweb/marketing/infopage.jsp?infopagecategory=&infopageid=I3280&versionid=3

The British Home Office has launched the IT Safe service. It offers rapid alerts to notify home and small business computer users about serious internet security problems.
A rapid alerting service that tells home computer users about serious internet security problems.
http://www.itsafe.gov.uk/index.html
The National Infrastructure Security Coordination Centre (NISCC) manages the service.
http://www.niscc.gov.uk/niscc/index-en.html

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning against a fraudulent email purporting to be from the FBI but actually delivering a virus.
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel05/022205.htm

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9. Finance

Riggs National agreed to pay $8 million to the Salvador Allende Foundation in Spain, to compensate victims and families of victims of the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. The settlement resolves legal action taken in connection with Riggs' supplying illegal financial instruments to Pinochet. In addition to the bank, former chief executives Robert and Joe Allbritton will pay another $1 million.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7746411

The US Treasury Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ordered Arab Bank to suspend most of its US operations, citing inadequate internal controls, particularly regarding funds transfers.
http://www.occ.treas.gov/scripts/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=EG6GLDG6.xml

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed the Cook Islands, Indonesia, and the Philippines from the list of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCTs). The current NCCT list includes Burma, Nauru and Nigeria.

In Hong Kong, attendees to the international conference on Creating Global Partnership and Synergy in the Fight Against Money Laundering discussed the need for coordinated international efforts. Speaking at the conference, FATF President Jean-Louis Fort said that China, currently an FATF observer, is between the second and third state of full membership. He believes that both China and India will soon join FATF. Li Ruogu, the Deputy Governor of The People's Bank of China, estimated that China would be a full member by mid-year. He discussed China's internal legislation, bilateral and international treaties, and membership in the Europe-Asian Group Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (EAG).

The European Union has extended its sanctions against Zimbabwe but will examine them after the March 31 parliamentary elections. The sanctions include bans on arms sales, military equipment, equipment that could be used for internal oppression, and travel to EU countries.

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10. Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights found Russia guilty of torture and extrajudicial killings and ordered it to pay damages to the families of eleven civilians killed by federal troops during anti-terrorism operations to restore Russian control in 1999, as the USSR was breaking up.
http://www.echr.coe.int/Eng/Press/2005/Feb/ChamberjudgmentsChechencases2422005.htm

The World Bank highlights actions it has taken to improve the resources, rights, and voice needed to improve gender equality in "Improving Women's Lives: World Bank Actions Since Beijing".
http://www.worldbank.org/gender

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination opened a new session, citing the need to address manifestations of racism and xenophobia now in order to prevent new massacres and genocide.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ruud Lubbers resigned his post amid persistent controversy over allegations of impropriety with female staff, saying it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter.
http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home/+cwwBmex7-reqxwwwwnwwwwwwwhFqnN0bItFqnDni5zFqnN0bIAFqnN0bIDzmxwwwwwww1FqnN0bI/opendoc.htm

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11. Law and Legal Issues

Said Ahras, allegedly a senior Hamas militant planning a car bomb attack, was arrested by Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank.

Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, ringleader of the USS Cole bombing, had his death sentence upheld by a Yemeni appeals court. He is currently in US custody. Jamal Mohammed al-Badawi's sentence was reduced to 15 years in prison. Three others will serve 5-10 years and a fourth was commuted from eight to five years.

Muhammad Asadullah al-Ghalib, professor of Arabic at Rajshahi University in northwest Bangladesh, was arrested in connection with a series of recent bomb and other attacks, and alleged leadership of Jagrata Muslim Janata and Jama'atul Mujahideen. Three of his associates were also arrested.

Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, previously detained in Saudi Arabia, has been charged in the US with providing material support to al Qaeda and conspiracy to assassinate President Bush.
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2005/February/05_crm_072.htm

Samir Azzouz has gone on trial in the Netherlands on charges of attempted murder, manslaughter, arson, and illegal firearms possession. He is believed linked with a militant Islamic group involved in last year's killing of filmmaker Theo van Gogh.

Ljube Boskovski, former Macedonian interior minister, has been charged for ordering the killing of seven South Asian immigrants he alleged were Islamic militants, in order to earn recognition from the US that Macedonia was a partner in the "war on terror".

Salem Buaqna, an Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade cell commander, was arrested by Israeli security service Shin Bet , on suspicion of carrying out attacks funded by Hezbollah.

Anup Chetia, a leader of the separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has completed a jail term in Bangladesh, where he will remain while applying for asylum to avoid repatriation to India, where he is wanted on several charges connected with the insurgency.

Rasim Delic, former commander of the Bosnian Muslim army has handed himself to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague. He has been indicted over war crimes against ethnic Serbs that had been committed by foreign Islamic fighters in the El Muyjaheed unit under his command during the 1992-95 war.

Jose Gallardo, a former defense minister, was arrested by order of Ecuador's Supreme Court for misusing public funds to secretly purchase weapons from Argentina in 1995, while Ecuador was under an international arms embargo and at war with Peru.

Mohammad Nasir Hamid, Mohammed Yusop Karim Faiz (both Indonesian), Ted Yolanda (Malaysian), alleged members of Jemaah Islamiah, were arrested in the Philippines for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and other charges. In addition, Filipino Mohajir de la Merced of the Balik Islam movement was also arrested.

Muslim Ibragimov ("Kazbek Dukuzov") of Chechnya was charged in Russia with the July 2004 murder of US journalist Paul Klebnikov.

Saleh Mahmud al-Jamel, a Jordanian-born Australian, was sentenced to five years in prison on arms, explosives, forgery, and illegal association charges. The Lebanese military court imposed prison sentences on two other alleged terrorists, Haytham Abdallah Melhem (3 years) and Saadallah Khazaal (five years, in absentia). Zuheir Hassan Issa was found not guilty. Khazaal may be extradited from Australia, where he faces separate charges, to Lebanon, while Issa may be repatriated to Australia.

Majed Husam Kna'ana was found guilty in Israeli court of conspiracy, assisting the enemy, and providing information to Hezbollah and Palestinian terror organizations. He was sentenced to ten years prison and four years suspended.

Ratko Mladic has surrendered to the UN tribunal in The Hague where he will face war crimes charges for allegedly participating in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. Milan Gvero also surrendered. The two former generals are accused in a joint indictment of having "knowingly participated in a joint criminal enterprise and operation, the common purpose of which was to force the Muslim population out of the Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves", according to their joint indictment.

Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, who founded the Cali Cartel of cocaine traffickers, with his brother Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, will be extradited to the US where he will join his brother. Colombia's Supreme Court authorized the extradition.

Ebert Anibal Rivera, alleged leader of the Mara Salvatrucha gang, was arrested in the US. Honduras plans to extradite him for the Christmas massacre of 28 bus passengers.

Omaira Rojas, ("Sonia"), an alleged commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) responsible for financial management, will be extradited to the US on drugs charges. The extradition was authorized by Colombia's Supreme Court.

Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, the former President of Bolivia and 15 of his former ministers have been charged with genocide four months after the Congress voted to put Sanchez de Lozada on trial.

Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hasan al-Tikriti, a half-brother and aide to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, has been captured in Iraq. He is number nine of the list of most wanted insurgents, with a $1 million reward on his head. Further details are not yet available.

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12. Transportation

The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued upgrades to aircraft "black boxes" to increase the quality, quantity, and survivability of recorded data. Under the proposed rules, all voice recorders must record the last two hours of cockpit audio instead of the currently required 15 to 30 minutes. Also, a 10-minute independent backup power source for the voice recorders would be required to allow recording even if all aircraft power sources were lost or interrupted. Voice recorders also would have to use technology other than magnetic tape. Voice recorders would have to operate continuously from when pilots begin their checklist before starting the engines until completion of the final checklist when the flight ends and data recorders will measure primary flight control movements, and pilot controls more frequently. Both types of recorder would be housed in separate units (excluding helicopters) so that no single electrical failure could disable them.
http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/nprm.cfm?nav=nprm.
http://www.faa.gov/apa/pr/pr.cfm?id=1926

The European Parliament discussed the potential role of a European coastguard particularly in reducing pollution and agreed "the Commission should as rapidly as possible strengthen the role of the European Maritime Safety Agency and should present a proposal for the creation of a common European coastguard".
http://www2.europarl.eu.int/omk/sipade2?PUBREF=-//EP//NONSGML+REPORT+A6-2005-0015+0+DOC+WORD+V0//EN&L=EN&LEVEL=2&NAV=S&LSTDOC=Y

The US Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General issued a new report evaluating spending on port defense, finding "the program has not yet achieved its intended results in the form of actual improvement in port security", including insufficient focus on the most vulnerable ports.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interweb/assetlibrary/OIG_05-10_Jan05.pdf

In Australia, Sydney Harbor and Anzac bridges are being fitted with thermal imaging and CCTV cameras to track moving objects and alert security staff of anything that seems out of place.

Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) will fit tracking devices on vehicles carrying hazardous materials beginning April 1. The measure is meant to prevent hazardous materials being used as a terrorist weapon and to minimize the impact of a possible attack. The first phase of the project triggers an emergency alarm, while phase two will incorporate remote control to stop the vehicle.

A Washington DC ban on rail shipments of certain hazardous materials will go into effect March 14, barring legal measures from rail operator CSX.

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13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts' report calls for production of nuclear fuels to be transferred from individual countries to multilateral control. This will help curb "burgeoning and alarmingly well organized nuclear supply networks" and prevent materials from falling into terrorist hands. Current dissemination of sensitive parts of the nuclear fuel cycle could be the "Achilles heel" of non-proliferation.
http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/2005/infcirc640.pdf
http://www0.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=13424&Cr=nuclear&Cr1=proliferation

Russian President Putin and US President Bush agreed to joint measures to combat terrorism and safeguard nuclear materials, including upgrading security at Russian nuclear plants and weapons stockpiles, preventing diversion of nuclear fuel, and attack response measures.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050224-9.html

Interpol warned that no country in the world is prepared for a bioterrorist attack, although there is a substantial threat that al Qaeda is planning one.

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) writes in the Global Environment Outlook Year Book that loss of forests, road and dam building; spread of cities; and clearing of natural habitats for agriculture, mining and the pollution of coastal waters, are promoting conditions under which previously suppressed infectious diseases are rising rapidly. For example, the highly pathogenic Nipah virus which until recently was found normally in Asian fruit bats. Its emergence in the late 1990s as an often-fatal disease in humans is being linked with a combination of forest fires in Sumatra and the clearance of natural forests in Malaysia for palm plantations. Bats, searching for fruit, were forced into closer contact to domestic pigs giving the virus its chance to spread to humans via people handling swine. Climate change may aggravate the infectious disease threat by increasing the temperatures under which many diseases and their carriers flourish; by further stressing and altering habitats; and by increasing the number of environmental refugees forced to migrate to other communities or countries, helping spread diseases to a more susceptible population.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=424&ArticleID=4722&l=en

Canada has decided not to join the US missile defense program.

A global treaty proposed to fight mercury pollution was rejected in favor of a US-backed system to promote "best available techniques" and "voluntary partnerships". Mercury is a toxic heavy metal. It causes nerve damage and harms unborn children.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=424&ArticleID=4735&l=en

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14. Recently Published

Adam Hochschild, "Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves" Houghton Mifflin/Macmillan

John Kelly, "The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time" Harper Collins/Fourth Estate

Daniel Levy, et al, editors, "Old Europe, New Europe, Core Europe: Transatlantic Relations After the Iraq War" Verso

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

Azadeh Moaveni, "Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America and American in Iran" Public Affairs

Philippe Sands, "Lawless World: America and the Making and Breaking of Global Rules", Allen Lane. Extract at: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12956,1423230,00.html

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FEATURE ARTICLE: Who Killed Hariri?

A 3-member United Nations team led by the Ireland's deputy police commissioner, Peter Fitzgerald, has begun an inquiry into the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, Lebanon's former Prime Minister. The fact-finding mission falls short of a full investigation but its mandate is to "urgently report on the circumstances, causes and consequences of the killing". Achieving this presents a significant challenge.

Hariri was the pillar of economic and political reconstruction in postwar Lebanon. His death has provoked a domestic and international firestorm.

On February 14 Beirut's elegant waterfront turned into a blazing inferno when a massive explosion tore open a 15-foot crater, blowing up Hariri's motorcade. Some 600 pounds of explosives tore facades from the surrounding hotels and banks, shattered windows for many blocks, and sent a car to the third floor of a nearby hotel. Sixteen people were killed and more than 130 injured. Such an attack had not been seen since the 1975-90 civil war and it raised memories of the volatility that preceded that disastrous period.

The Lebanese government reported that their initial investigations indicated a suicide car bomber. Most Lebanese opposition groups and Hariri's family blamed Syria. Some opposition groups, including the Maronites, blamed the Lebanese government. The rest of the world began to weigh in with yet more competing theories.

The suicide car bombing theory has been largely discredited. Hariri's heavily armored motorcade was equipped with equipment to jam or disable remote detonators, although they could be disabled or circumvented. More important, the explosion went off in the middle of the street, not at the side where a parked car would be. This could mean, for example, that the bomb was manually detonated from under a manhole or in a similar way.

A previously unknown group called Victory and Jihad in Greater Syria, said to be connected to al Qaeda, claimed responsibility in a video sent to Al-Jazeera television. A Palestinian refugee in Lebanon, Ahmed Tayseer Adas was identified in the videotape. He said the attack was carried out in revenge for Hariri's connections to Saudi Arabia, but did not use language commonly associated with Islamic militant groups. Such claims have been common in other attacks but given the scale of the explosion this one, although still under investigation, has been generally dismissed. Troops raided Adas' home and seized computer equipment and takes but he was not at home. DNA tests will see if his was among the bodies.

An online statement attributed to al Qaeda denied any connection and instead blamed the intelligence services of Israeli, Lebanon, Syria or the US. The size and expertise of the bomb supports those involvement of a government intelligence service. Syria, Iran and other Mideast governments point to Israel first and the US close behind, suggesting the motive is to further discredit and pressure Syria. Syrian Vice President Hkaddam said, "The Israelis have assassinated an entire people [the Palestinians] and an entire region. So we should expect the worst from them". Similarly, Iranian news agency Mehr said, " All the evidence indicates that the Israeli intelligence service Mossad killed Hariri, since it had previously plotted to assassinate important Lebanese politicians. The Mossad is trying to help the Zionist army claw its way back into Lebanon, since history has shown that the stability of Lebanon is not to the advantage of Israel."

Suspicions that the Lebanese government was involved have been only slightly allayed with their agreement to allow in the UN experts. They still refuse to have a full inquiry. When Hariri joined forces with the Druze and Christian leadership in favor of implementing the UN resolution for foreign troop withdrawal he was labeled a traitor and supporter of Israel. After his death the Druze openly demanded Syrian withdrawal and the Maronites said that Lebanon's dictatorial government was responsible for his death.

Israel dismissed any involvement, instead pointing the finger at Syria. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the attack was launched by a pro-Syrian terrorist organization supported by Syria and motivated by Hariri's opposition to Syria's presence in Lebanon. An Israel Defense Forces official suggested other possibilities were Hezbollah or the world jihad.

The US also came out strongly in assuming Syrian involvement. Both the White House and Secretary of State Rice immediately connected the assassination with Syria's presence in Lebanon. Later, at a budget hearing by the Senates Committee on Foreign Relations, Rice detailed multiple criticisms of Syria and said that even if not responsible for the bombing, Syria should be held at least indirectly responsible given their interference in Lebanon.

The Israeli and US claims have received limited credibility in part because they have previously warned they would take action against Syria. However, there is international agreement that Lebanon should be sovereign and widespread support to increase pressure on Syria to withdraw its 14,000 troops. (Note: Syrian troops are stationed towards the northern border, while Hezbollah forces are in the south, especially around areas disputed with Israel. Syria last week announced it would move more troops closer to the Syrian border and would cooperate with the UN resolution requiring foreign troops to leave Lebanon. The timing of the full withdrawal is not yet known.) In fact, Syria needs a stable Lebanon and the assassination has done them more harm than good.

A suggestion with more credence is the involvement of non-government actors in Syria, including rogue elements, terrorist groups, and independent operators. Syrian President Bashar Assad does not have dictatorial control and many of his reform efforts have been blocked by remnants of his father's draconian regime. Even members of his family could be suspect. A number of terrorist groups have operated in Lebanon, including operations by Al Diniya and Al Nassar in 1999-2000. Conceivably, a foreign terrorist group could also have established a new front in Lebanon.

As for independent operators, Hariri, the self-made billionaire, had many wealthy and powerful friends. He also accumulated a number of wealthy and powerful enemies. Hariri amassed most of his fortune by working in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia, where he was King Fahd's main contractor. In this role, he had close connections to the ruling family, took on diplomatic missions, and developed connections with Wahhabist elements. As Prime Minister in the 1990s he orchestrated massive reconstruction projects in Beirut, at the expense of the countryside and people, while enriching himself and his colleagues. Accusations of corruption and neglecting the poor led to his leaving office in 1998.

These long tentacles of Hariri's business and political dealings also bear further investigation and may help answer the key puzzle: Qui bono? (Who benefits?). When we better understand this, we will have a better indication of responsibility.

Watch this space for future developments.

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