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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:
The End of the IRA's Armed Campaign

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

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1. World

The United Nations is preparing for the World Summit being held in September, including a draft document that addresses strengthening counterterrorism measures. Most controversial in the content of the draft is a definition of terrorism, which has held up a proposed UN terrorism convention since 1996. Secretary General Kofi Annan wants to ensure there is "a simple, clear statement bringing in moral clarity that maiming and killing of civilians is unacceptable regardless of one's cause".
http://www.un.org/ga/59/hl60_plenarymeeting.html
http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=756

The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate was announced as a climate change agreement outside the Kyoto protocol. Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the US signed the US-led initiative that focuses on new technology and allows countries to establish their goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions individually. There are no enforcement mechanisms.
http://www.pm.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_Release1482.html

The BBC's Peter Taylor has developed a 3-part series on "The New al-Qaeda". It reviews the Pakistan, the Madrid bombings, and Islamic extremists who blend into western culture.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/4683403.stm

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2. Africa

Burundi's local council elections gave a large majority to the former rebel Forces for the Defense of democracy (FDD). Senators will now be elected by the councilors, and FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza, the only presidential nominee, is expected to be chosen next month.

In Ethiopia's Somali region five people were killed and more than 30 injured in a series of grenade attacks across six locations. The simultaneous attacks at a nightclub and official residences are believed designed to interfere with August 21 elections. The attacks were attributed to Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebels. Somali is the last region in which elections are to be held. Official results so far indicate that the ruling coalition is nearing a majority, a result rejected as fraudulent by opposition leaders.

Guinea-Bissau's electoral commission announced that former military ruler Joao Bernardo Vieira has won the presidential run-off election with 55.35 percent of the vote. His challenger, Malam Bacai Sanha, had received the most votes in the first round but garnered 44.75 percent in the second. Election observers said the vote was free, fair and transparent, as they had the first. There have been some incidents of minor violence between rival factions.

Ivory Coast's army regained control of Agboville, a town near Abidjan that was attacked last weekend by unidentified gunmen allegedly from neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, a charge both countries deny. During operations that began last weekend, 17 attackers and seven soldiers were killed. UN peacekeeping forces have arrived in the area. Meanwhile, the commanders of Ivory Coast's army and the rebel New Forces military wing have resumed discussions of the final details of disarmament.

Nigeria has rejected charged by Human Rights Watch that "Nigerian police routinely commit brutal acts of torture that have endured since the country's era of military rule", and that comprehensive judicial reforms are well under way.
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2005/07/26/nigeri11451.htm
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=23846

Rwandan authorities have begun releasing more than 36,000 genocide suspects from their overcrowded jails, beginning with the elderly and infirm. Most have already confessed to their crimes and many already served the equivalent of a maximum sentence. Some may face justice in local village courts, and those accused of the most serious offenses still face trial in Rwanda or at the international tribunal.

Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and members of his transitional government have arrived in Jowhar. Other members of the transitional government are based in the capital, Mogadishu, which Yusuf believes is too insecure. Clashes last weekend in the southwest, between Gare and Marehan clans using heavy weapons killed at least 40 civilians and injured more than 60, as well as a number of combatants.

In Sudan's Darfur region, violence against women perpetrated by armed elements including law enforcement officers and the military continues, and just days after peacekeepers had cited improved security new attacks by government forces and rebels broke out again, including the complete destruction of at least one village. Such incidents support the International Crisis Group's findings that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement may fail through lack of political will.
http://www.crisisgroup.org
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=15202&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=

Swaziland's King Mswati signed into law a new constitution under which he maintains unchecked power.

Ugandans voted in a referendum on multi-party elections that early results indicate will be resoundingly approved.

Zimbabwe has, at least briefly, ended its policy of slum demolition following a harsh report from the UN envoy investigations "Operation Murambatsvina".
http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=108&Body=Zimbabwe&Body1=

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3. Americas

In Brazil, the death of an innocent man at the hands of the British police has been the lead story. The government reiterated its support for counterterrorism operations, but insisted they must respect human rights. Jean Charles de Menezes' body was flown back to Brazil, where he was buried on July 29, a week after the 27-year-old electrician was killed. Brazilian diplomats and politicians and thousands of mourners attended. A requiem mass was held in London at the same time. British officials now acknowledge that not only had Mr. De Menezes no connection to the London bombers, but he was neither wearing a bulky jacket nor running. A public inquiry is underway, and has asked witnesses to the shooting to come forward.

Colombia says it is ready to omen immediate talks with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels. They hope to exchange guerillas in prison for some 60 hostages. Those held by FARC include presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, former ministers and politicians, and three US defense contractors. Ending fighting in Putumayo and Narino would also alleviate the humanitarian crisis suffered by the local population, which is unable to obtain essential items because of a blockade imposed by the military.

Cuban President Fidel Castro marked National Rebellion Day on July 26, citing economic growth and other measures of progress. The next day, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the new post of "Cuba Transition Coordinator" that is responsible to "accelerate the demise of Castro's tyranny".
http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/idioma/ingles/2005/jul28-repercucion-discurso.htm
http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/idioma/ingles/2005/jul28fidel-repercucion.htm
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/50346.htm

In Haiti, international forces must be reinforced by special forces experienced in operating in densely populated slums, while minimizing civilian casualties. Such casualties have been too high because the forces now in Haiti have not had this training. This specialized capacity is also necessary to address growing violence ahead of elections later this year.
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/

In the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo, the US is closing its consulate pending resolution of several months of violence among rival drug cartels. More than a hundred people, including 15 police, have been killed this year.

The US Department of Defense announced plans to return 11 army bases to Germany, as part of a worldwide reorganization of US forces. The realignment plans for bases in Central Asia, but it has been made clear that these countries will support a US presence only until military operations in Afghanistan are coming to an end. Uzbekistan has given the US six months to leave the Karshi-Khanabad ("K2") airbase.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/nr20050729-4262.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4732197.stm

An independent Council for Foreign Relations Task Force argues that the United States must acknowledge that "War-fighting has two important dimensions: winning the war and winning the peace", and criticizes the lack of attention to required post-war commitments. They call for this to be a top foreign policy priority and recommend concrete government actions, including giving greater authority to the State Department.
http://www.cfr.org/publication.php?id=8269
http://www.cfr.org/pub8268/brent_scowcroft_samuel_r_berger_william_l_nash/in_the_wake_of_war_improving_us_postconflict_capabilities.php

Similar findings come from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. http://www.csis.org/isp/pcr/index.htm In addition, they offer "Beyond Goldwater-Nichols: U.S. Government and Defense Reform for a New Strategic Era", calling for "a more responsive government to address new threats: " Today we face adaptive, highly agile opponents with flexible doctrine, short chains of command, and rapid internal processes. Coherence and agility are natural enemies, and it is no small trick to make any structure the size of the U.S. government either coherent or agile."
http://www.csis.org/isp/bgn

ABC-TV has been declared persona non-grata by the Russian Defense Ministry following the television network's broadcast of an interview with Russia's most-wanted man, Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev.

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4. Asia Pacific

The Association of South-East Asian Nations ASEAN)Regional Forum (ARF) focused on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, transnational crime and disaster relief. Regarding terrorism, "The Ministers strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in London and in Sharm el-Sheikh which caused tragic loss of lives of innocent people and property and expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of the attacks, their families and friends. The Ministers affirmed that terrorism, irrespective of its origins, motivations or objectives, constitutes a threat to all peoples and countries, and to the common interest in ensuring peace, stability, security and economic prosperity in the region and beyond. The Ministers reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Several Ministers emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of terrorism and avoiding the identification of terrorism with any particular religion or ethnic group or nationality. The Ministers agreed that states must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism and related crime comply with all their obligations under international law and should adopt such measures in accordance with international law, in particular international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law." They also welcomed regional activities regarding counterterrorism and WMD.
http://www.aseansec.org/17642.htm

Australia is reviewing counterterrorism coordination, working more closely with Muslims, and applying technologies such as surveillance cameras, to address heightened concerns following the London bombings.
http://www.pm.gov.au/news/interviews/Interview1484.html
Burma has agreed to forgo its chairmanship of ASEAN next year, to avoid a threatened western boycott.

China is hosting six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. China drafted a statement calling for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula as well as economic aid and security guarantees for the North. The US wants North Korea to take the first step by scrapping its nuclear weapons facilities, while North Korea insists on progressive steps. South Korea, Russia and Japan are also present at the talks, which, now entering their second week, have reportedly included a number of heated exchanges. The fact that the talks have continued is seen as a promising development.

Fiji indigenous leaders have endorsed proposed legislation that would give amnesty to the planners of the 2000 coup, which overthrew the first ethnic Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Choudhry, in the name of indigenous rights. Coup leader George Speight is serving life in prison for treason. The proposed Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity bill would give amnesty to those involved in the violent coup and could trigger increased ethnic tensions.\

Indonesia has joined Pakistan and the UK in addressing concerns over religious schools (Pesantren, Islamic boarding schools) teaching violence, as inspired by the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) that issued fatwas against liberal thought and pluralism
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20050730.@05&irec=6
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20050730.@04&irec=5
http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20050728.G10

Indonesia's Aceh province is preparing for the peace process to begin, as three members of the EU monitoring team arrived more than three weeks ahead of the full mission. There has been growing support for the government-backed plan.

President Susilo Banbang Yudhoyono warned the US not to interfere in domestic affairs after the US House of Representatives approved a bill questioning the status of Papua. The Department of State reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of Indonesia and said it would not support efforts to promote the secession of Papua.

Indonesia protested an incident in which a Malaysian navy ship and helicopter prevented Indonesian police from detaining three Malaysian trawlers allegedly fishing in Indonesian waters in the Malacca Straits. Indonesia accused Malaysia of violating its territorial integrity, issued a formal protest, and asked for the extradition of the officers involved. Malaysia said accidental crossing of the maritime border is common and it will reply to Indonesia's protest according to procedure.

In Bougainville, an autonomous island province of Papua New Guinea, the self-proclaimed king and leader of the independence movement, Francis Ona, has died. He was in his early 50s and died after a short illness. He will receive a state funeral.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo used her state of the nation address to call for government reforms, including switching from a presidential to a parliamentary system.

Uzbekistan has given the US six months to leave the Karshi-Khanabad ("K2") airbase. Kyrgyzstan has assured the US that it can maintain its base as long it is needed to support operations in Afghanistan.

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5. Europe

Belarussian special forces stormed and seized a Polish community building near the boarder. In response, Poland withdrew its ambassador from Belarus and called on the EU to help apply pressure on Belarus to respect rights of the Polish minority. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, (known as the last European dictator) accused the Polish community of planning his overthrow. Belarus also expelled a Polish diplomat, the third in the last two months.

French police arrested four suspected members of Spanish separatist group ETA. They also detained two Moroccan men to investigate possible connections to the 2004 Madrid bombings. The Interior Ministry has deported radical Islamist preacher Reda Ameuroud to Algeria. He is believed a member of the Salafist Movement for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). They plan to expel ten more radical Islamists next month.

Italy's new counterterrorism measures have come into law. The measures approved by parliament include increased surveillance, doubling the time spent in custody without charge to 24 hours, interrogation without an attorney present, penalties for hiding a face in public, and other measures. An Italian court has issued six more arrest warrants, bringing to 19 the number of suspected CIA agents wanted in connection with the "extraordinary rendition" of Osama Mustafa Hassan ("Abu Omar").

The Russian Defense Ministry has declared US television network ABC-TV persona non-grata following their broadcast of an interview with Russia's most-wanted man, Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev.

In Serbia, fugitive Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic's wife, Ljiljana, appeared on television to urge his to surrender to the UN war crimes tribunal for the sake of his family, which she said is threatened in every way.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4727819.stm

Spanish politicians called for Basque separatist group ETA to follow the Irish Republican Army's move to lay down arms and pursue peaceful means. The next day, only hours after the French arrests of four suspected ETA members, ETA exploded two bombs on the highway. A warning had been issued and there were no injuries.

British political parties and the judiciary have agreed to work together to pursue additional counterterrorism measures. At the same time, raids connected with investigations into the 7/7 and 7/21 attacks led to multiple arrests, including the four suspects identified in the failed bombing attempts on the 21st. Another suspect was arrested in Italy. One suspect, Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, was an innocent man killed by the police. See Americas above for details. Meanwhile, the number of attacks against Asians has risen by more than 13 times, including such hate crimes as verbal abuse and spitting, arson, and other violent acts

Note tributes to those who died on 7/7
http://www.guardian.co.uk/attackonlondon/tributes

Britain's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, cites the war in Iraq as "a dominant issue for a range of extremist groups and individuals in the UK and Europe" that has led to individuals traveling to Iraq in support of the insurgency who could later return to the UK and mount attacks. http://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/Page269.html

MI5's National Security Advice Centre (NSAC) is offering extended advice to help businesses develop security plans, including a top 10 guidelines for good security practices.
http://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/Page5.html

Following the IRA's statement, security in Northern Ireland has been scaled back, including dismantling army towers.

In Northern Ireland the IRA's end to violence (see Feature Article, below) has received a mixed response, as people wait for actions on the ground to demonstrate the reality of its statement. The ongoing loyalist feud is of immediate concern, as intimidation between the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) has already killed two men, displaced people from their homes, and required a strong police presence, including around a dozen arrests.

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6. Middle East

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa endorsed UN Secretary General Annan's proposed definition of terrorism as any intentional maiming or killing of civilians.
http://www.arableagueonline.org/arableague/english/details_en.jsp?art_id=3646&level_id=219

Algeria has withdrawn all diplomats from Iraq following the kidnap and murder of two of its staff.

Egyptian investigators named Moussa Badran as the suicide car bomber who wrecked the Ghazala Gardens hotel in one of last weekend's attacks in Sharm al-Sheikh, which killed at least 64 people. 14 other names, most connected with the October 2004 bombings of Taba and Ras Shitan resorts, have also been linked to the attacks. Egypt has ruled out Pakistani involvement.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will stand for a fifth term in presidential elections on 7 September. These are the first open to more than one candidate. Leading opposition politician Ayman Nour of the Tomorrow party and Osama Shaltout of the little known Solidarity party plan to run.

In the Gaza Strip, preparations for Israel's mid-August withdrawal continue, including increased security, a new barrier system, and support from an Egyptian security force. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is moving his office from the West Bank to Gaza to coordinate the withdrawal. Inter-Palestinian disputes continue, including abduction and release of foreign workers. The Strategic Assessments Initiative delivered the first comprehensive Palestinian Security Assessment, finding that they are weak, ill-equipped and internally divided.|http://www.strategicassessments.org/media_and_speeches/security_audit_media_release_20050726.htm

Iran has threatened to resume uranium conversion pending a 1-week deadline for the EU to propose economic incentives. In Kurdish areas of the country, rich in oil fields, there have been a number of riots in which at least three people were killed. Iran has clamped down on the protests and arrested at least 12 people. Turkey has also seen increased problems with Kurdish rebels following the invasion or Iraq, and has asked the US to take action to address the PKK's use of Iraq as a base from which to launch attacks in Turkey.

Iran will provide information to the Iraqi tribunal prosecuting Saddam Hussein regarding the use of poison gas in the 1980-88 war. In Iran, 7,000 civilians and 45,000 veterans are still being treated for injuries caused by Iraq's chemical weapons. Iran had such weapons but did not use them.

Iraq's rising insurgency has been the subject of several reports in the last week. Amnesty International's report " Iraq, In Cold Blood: Abuses by Armed Groups" recognizes opposition to the continued US presence but says it does not justify deliberate killing of civilians, hostage-taking, or the torture and killing of defenseless prisoners. They say, "There is no honor nor heroism in blowing up people going to pray or murdering a terrified hostage. Those carrying out such acts are criminals, nothing less, whose actions undermine any claim they may have to be pursuing a legitimate cause".
http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGMDE140192005

Much of the criticism is directed against poor post-combat planning. The Council for Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org
and the Center for Strategic and International Studies
http://www.csis.org
both blame a lack of interagency cooperation (see Americas, above). Britain's parliamentary defense committee addresses specific limitations in planning and poor use of intelligence to address a range of scenarios that included an insurgency.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmdfence/436/43602.htm

Specific problems with funding and reconstruction and use of private contractors are addressed by the US Government Accountability Office, in " Rebuilding Iraq: Status of Funding and Reconstruction Efforts" and " Rebuilding Iraq: Actions Needed to Improve Use of Private Security Providers".
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-876
http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05876high.pdf
Inspectors General from the Departments of State and Defense fault recruitment and screening of Iraqi police, which is so poor it has admitted insurgents and criminals to its ranks, in the " Interagency Assessment of Iraq Police Training".
http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/50144.pdf
http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/50309.pdf

In Saudi Arabia, the US imposed a travel ban on military personnel in face of threatened militant attacks.

Syria extradited 12 alleged Saudi extremists to Saudi Arabia and 21 alleged Tunisian militants to Tunisia.

Yemen lowered fuel prices following riots 20-21 July against price rises that killed 22 people and injured 375.

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7. South Asia

Afghan and US forces continued operations against suspected Taleban insurgents, leading to dozens of fatalities, other casualties and arrests. Large anti-American demonstrations have taken place outside the main US base in Bagram. Election preparations continue as ballots are being printed but, as the US Government Accountability Office warns, "Despite Some Progress, Deteriorating Security and Other Obstacles Continue to Threaten Achievement of U.S. Goals".
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-742
The Center for Strategic and International Studies examines reconstruction in " In The Balance: Measuring Progress in Afghanistan".
http://www.csis.org/

India's financial capital Mumbai (Bombay) has been devastated by floods and related landslides, which have left more than 900 dead as the downpours continue.

In the northeast, separatist rebels of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) have extended their ceasefire by six months. Previously they have offered 12 months, but say they are concerned with the lack of progress in peace talks. In northern Uttar Pradesh, a bomb exploded on a moving train, killing at least ten and injuring more than 50. The use of the high explosive RDX suggests a militant attack.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, five Hindus were murdered when suspected Muslim militants raided a village and cut their throats. An investigation is underway. Heavy fighting has entered its second day in Srinagar. The fighting began the evening of 29 July when militants of the Al-Mansurin and Jamiat-ul Mujahhideen attacked a police vehicle then entered a hotel complex. When security forces stormed a building and killed a militant hiding there, a gunbattle broke out. There are a number of casualties.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has ordered that some 1,400 foreign students of religious schools (madrassas) must leave the country. The order has led to angry responses from those involved. This is one of a number of steps taken in a crackdown against extremist teachings. A number of military and government targets have come under attack since the crackdown began.
http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/PRPresidentDirectiveDetail.aspx?nPRPresidentDirectiveId=145&nYear=2005&nMonth=7
http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/PRPressReleaseDetail.aspx?nPRPressReleaseId=1278&nYear=2005&nMonth=7

President Musharraf also declared that al Qaeda's ability to operate in Pakistan has been destroyed and that small groups of al Qaeda remnants operating in mountainous tribal regions had a greatly reduced ability to act. Skeptical diplomats, journalists, analysts, and opposition politicians dismissed the claim.
http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/PRPressReleaseDetail.aspx?nPRPressReleaseId=1266&nYear=2005&nMonth=7

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8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

SANS Institute identified critical vulnerabilities that require immediate attention through patching and other defensive actions in order to prevent remote, unauthorized control of computers for identity theft, industrial espionage, or distribution of spam. The most critical of the new vulnerabilities include:

A new initiative to encourage disclosure of newly discovered vulnerabilities, including financial awards, is being offered through the Zero Day Initiative.
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/

The US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has provided guidance on the security risks associated with voice over Internet protocol (VOIP).
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil6905.html

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released for public comment the draft of Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Publication 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems, the third in a series of three parts.
http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts.html

Websense reports more than 2,500 incidents of free personal web hosting sites that were used to harbor and spread malicious code.
http://www.websense.com/global/en/PressRoom/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail/?Release=050725979

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company found that 28 percent of identity theft victims are not able to recover after more than a year of , and that on average victims spend 81 hours to resolve their cases.
http://onlinepressroom.net/nationwide/newsroom/

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9. Finance

The UN Security Council renewed for another 17 months sanctions against al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and the Taleban, while expanding the list of persons and groups associated with them.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8468.doc.htm

The European Commission is proposing new rules on money transfers in and out of Europe to help combat financing of terrorism. The proposals include recording personal identifying information, recording transfers of any amount, requiring declaration on cash transfers, and taking measures to ensure that charities are not used to launder money.
http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-142929-16&type=News

Germany's Commerzbank was raided and five executives and senior staff are being investigated by the Frankfurt public prosecutor's office, which is investigating money laundering connected with transactions of Russian telecommunications company Telecominvest. Andreas de Maiziere, head of personnel, resigned last week in connection with the investigation.

US Treasury official Glaser testified on how the Iraqi insurgency is being financed. He sited those involved as Sunni jihadists, former regime elements, and indigenous tribal groups and local militias. Their financing mechanisms include:

The UN experts panel for the arms embargo on Ivory Coast has called for a tighter definition on weapons, after hearing "widespread confusion" among neighboring countries, civil groups, and UN officials. For example, dual-use equipment and the status of the air force are unclear.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/470
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unoci/index.html
Israel is, for the first time, cooperating with this expert panel investigating suspected weapons sales to Ivory Coast.

UN monitors have also recommended extending the arms embargo and other sanctions against Democratic Republic of Congo well past the elections set for later this year. The panel has received unsatisfactory or no response to its questions and found inconsistencies in the information they were given. The panel reported that, " weak border controls allow for lucrative alliances between leaders of armed groups and unscrupulous businessmen and the diversion of wealth to fund their arms-related activities and their destabilization efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo",
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/436

Antonio Mazzitelli, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in West and Central Africa, says that South American drug cartels have started to use West Africa as a hub for smuggling operations.
http://www.unodc.org/southafrica/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/africa/4723381.stm

US Senate confirmation hearings for Comptroller of the Currency-designee John Dugan included questions regarding handling of anti-money laundering deficiencies at Wells Fargo.
http://banking.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=167

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10. Human Rights

The UN Security Council, in a landmark resolution, unanimously condemned recruitment of child soldiers and set up a mechanism for monitoring, reporting, and punishing those responsible. More than two million children have been killed and six million injured in wars during the past ten years.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8458.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8460.doc.htm

A Judge in Mexico ended more than a year of effort to hold former President Luis Echeverria responsible for the Corpus Christi massacre of 1971, when he dismissed the special prosecutor's charge of genocide. This effort also means that it is unlikely that other genocide and human rights abuses can be prosecuted.

In sentencing Ahmed Ressam, the "Millennium bomber", Judge John Coughenour said that, "The message I would hope to convey in today's sentencing is two-fold: First, that we have the resolve in this country to deal with the subject of terrorism and people who engage in it should be prepared to sacrifice a major portion of their life in confinement. Secondly, though, I would like to convey the message that our system works. We did not need to use a secret military tribunal, or detain the defendant indefinitely as an enemy combatant, or deny him the right to counsel, or invoke any proceedings beyond those guaranteed by or contrary to the United States Constitution. I would suggest that the message to the world from today's sentencing is that our courts have not abandoned our commitment to the ideals that set our nation apart. We can deal with the threats to our national security without denying the accused fundamental constitutional protections. Despite the fact that Mr. Ressam is not an American citizen and despite the fact that he entered this country intent upon killing American citizens, he received an effective, vigorous defense, and the opportunity to have his guilt or innocence determined by a jury of 12 ordinary citizens. Most importantly, all of this occurred in the sunlight of a public trial. There were no secret proceedings, no indefinite detention, no denial of counsel."

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued two reports last week that touch on human rights. "Independent Media Development Abroad: Challenges Exist in Implementing U.S. Efforts and Measuring Results" reviews the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) obligated at least $40 million to support initiatives in Europe and Eurasia, without having coordinated financial management or performance measures. Challenges in meeting their goals include changing political conditions, sustainability of local media, lack of institutions, and implementation issues raised by lack of coordination. "Southeast Asia: Better Human Rights Reviews and Strategic Planning Needed for U.S. Assistance to Foreign Security Forces" studies whether security assistance is being provided to units of foreign security forces when credible evidence exists they have committed gross violations of human rights. It is likely that the absence of vetting of security forces in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia means that there could be violations. Better information and a coherent strategy are needed to meet the objectives.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-803
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-793

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11. Law and Legal Issues

Mustapha Abushima was sentenced in English court to six years in prison for his role in the 2000 kidnapping of five children from their mother, Anita Elgirnaz, and taking them to their father in Libya.

L. K. Advani, leader of Indian opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been charged with inciting Hindus to attack the Ayodhya mosque in 1992, which sparked religious riots that killed more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.

Agus Ahmad was sentenced to four years in jail by an Indonesian district court for helping transport explosive materials used in the July 2004 suicide car bombing outside the Australian embassy.

Muhammad ibn Saeed Al-Siyam Al-Amri and two associates were arrested in Saudi Arabia. They are believed members of al Qaeda and are on the list of most wanted militants.

Haroon Rashid Aswat of the UK has been arrested in Zambia at the request of US authorities who want to question him about a 1999 plot to set up an al Qaeda training camp in Oregon.

Mohammed Bouyeri has been sentenced to life in prison for the November 2004 murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh. He admitted his guilt and said he would do it again, and he now faces additional charges with membership in the Hofstad group of Islamist militants.

Seifullah Chapman's prison sentence was reduced from 85 to 75 years. He was one of three members of a "Virginia jihad network" whose judge, Leonie Brinkema, was able to reduce the sentence following a Supreme Court ruling on federal sentencing guidelines. The other two defendants, Masoud Khan and Hammad Abdur-Raheem, also received reductions.

Raul Claudio was arrested in New York City after throwing a backpack at a rail agent and said it was a bomb. He has been arraigned on charges of making terrorist threats and falsely reporting an incident.

Julian Atxurra Egurola and Juan Luis Aguirre, former leaders of Basque separatist group ETA, were sentenced to 32 years in prison for ordering the 1996 kidnapping of a prison officer.

Samir Geagea, a former Lebanese Christian militia leader, has been freed from prison after serving 11 years for civil war atrocities. Parliament granted him amnesty.

Mohammad Hashim ("Arif") was arrested in Pakistan, where he is wanted on suspicion of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002.

Sean Kelly has been granted a temporary release following the IRA's statement to end violence. He had been imprisoned for the Shankill bombing of 1993 that killed nine people.
http://www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=11890

Sheikh Mohammed Ali Hassan al-Moayad, a Yemeni cleric connected to Osama bin Laden, has been convicted in New York court with conspiring to support al Qaeda and Hamas. He has been sentenced to 75 years in prison. His aide, Mohammed Mohsen Yahya Zayed, will be sentenced in September.

Yasin Hassan Omar has been arrested in Birmingham, England, where he is suspected of the attempted bombing at the Warren Street Tube station on 21 July.

Hussain Osman and his brother have been arrested in Italy, where they have been detained for questioning. They are wanted in the UK in connection with the 7/21 failed bombings in London.

Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto has been charged in Indonesian court with participation in the murder of human rights activist Munir. The Garuda pilot was originally arrested in February.

Luis Posada Carriles, a Cuban exile wanted in Cuba and Venezuela for terrorist attacks, has denied a request for bail during political asylum hearings in the US.

Ahmed Ressam, the "Millennium bomber" has been sentenced to 22 years in prison in Los Angeles court for planning to blow up the Los Angeles airport in December 1999.

Michael Stata, Zambian opposition leader, has been arrested and charged with spying. He had earlier been accused of sedition for inciting a miners strike and riot.

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12. Transportation

The Secure Flight program at the US Transportation Security Administration did not fully disclose its use of personal information as required by the Privacy Act. In particular, information drawn from commercial sources was not disclosed to the public, nor were they given opportunity to comment on it.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1716.xml
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05864r.pdf
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-677

Cyprus signed a mutual ship-boarding agreement under the US Department of State's Proliferation Security Initiative.
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=July&x=20050725160343sjhtrop0.9962732&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html

The Weekly Piracy Report issued one alert:

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General found that Customs and Border Protection agents are lack in enforcing federal export laws regarding shipment of chemical and biological commodities.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interweb/assetlibrary/OIGr_05-21_Jun05.pdf

Management of the DHS's Visa Security Program also needs improvement.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-801
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1075&Month=7&Year=2005&Affiliation=C

The Senate held hearings on Chemical Facility Security, including testimony from the Coast Guard's Director of Port Security.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=265

New Zealand's parliament rejected in a 109 to 9 vote, an attempt to lift the 20-year-old ban on nuclear-powered ships visiting its ports. The ban has prevented any US navy ships from docking in New Zealand.

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13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

The US Department of Energy's key approach to security is the design-basis threat, a classified security guideline that has come into question from the Government Accountability Office (GAO):
"Nuclear Security: DOE's Office of the Under Secretary for Energy, Science, and Environment Needs to Take Prompt, Coordinated Action to Meet the New Design Basis Threat."
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-611
"Nuclear Security: Actions Needed by DOE to Improve Security of Weapons-Grade Nuclear Material at Its Energy, Science and Environment Sites. GAO-05-934T, July 26
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-934T
GAO also addressed "Nuclear Waste: Better Performance Reporting Needed to Assess DOE's Ability to Achieve the Goals of the Accelerated Cleanup Program."
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-764

The Guide for the Selection of Biological Agent Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders is a 2-volume set that includes a historical overview, descriptions of various agents, detection products, and equipment guidelines and data sheets. Go to http://www2.rkb.mipt.org
and after registering type
http://www2.rkb.mipt.org/contentdetail.cfm?content_id=97649
in your browser.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the Strategic Partnership Program Agroterrorism (SPPA) Initiative to protect the food and agriculture supply from agroterrorism.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2005/07/0279.xml
https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2005/051505.html#FeatureArticle

The US House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, held a hearing on "Implementing the National Biodefense Strategy", which included testimony by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci on the threat of an engineered pathogen. Threat assessment, agency coordination, and other issues were also discussed.
http://homeland.house.gov/release.cfm?id=399

Cambodia has ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention, becoming the 170th party to the Convention.
http://www.opcw.org/html/global/press_releases/2005/PR35_2005.html

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14. Recently Published

Chris Ayres, "War Reporting for Cowards", Atlantic Monthly Press

Steven Branigan, "High-Tech Crimes Revealed: Cyberwar Stories From the Digital Front", Addison Wesley

Chris Cleave, "Incendiary", Alfred A Knopf (novel)

Council of Europe, "Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the financing of Terrorism", Council of Europe Publishing (ETS No. 198)
http://book.coe.int/sysmodules/RBS_page/admin/redirect.php?id=36&lang=EN&produit_aliasid=1939

Husain Haqqani, "Pakistan", Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Alan Palmer, "Northern Shores: A History of the Baltic Sea and its Peoples", John Murray

David J. Rothkopf, "Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power", Public Affairs

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FEATURE ARTICLE: The End of the IRA's Armed Campaign

After 36 years of armed struggle, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has pledged an end to the armed campaign, in favor of peaceful political and democratic programs. Hear it direct, by reading the full text of the IRA statement, a joint statement from British Prime Minister Blair and Ireland's Taioseach, Bertie Ahern, and a response from Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr. Ian Paisley. These are followed by links to background documents and press reports.

IRA STATEMENT

The leadership of Oglaigh na Eireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign.

This will take effect from 4 p.m. this afternoon.

All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.

All volunteers have been instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means.

Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever.

The IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to engage with the IICD [Independent International Commission on Decommissioning] to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible.

We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this.

The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and volunteers.

We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the consultation process was carried out and the depth and content of the submissions.

We are proud of the comradely way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted.

The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA volunteers for the Sinn Fein peace strategy.

There is also widespread concern about the failure of the two governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process. This has created real difficulties.

The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support this process.

They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement.

Notwithstanding these difficulties our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland.

We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country.

It is the responsibility of all volunteers to show leadership, determination and courage. We are very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, volunteers, their families and the wider republican base.

We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate.

We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict. There is a compelling imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace.

The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican communities has been raised with us. There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s. There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism in all its forms.

The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation.

We call for maximum unity and effort by Irish republicans everywhere.

We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can achieve our objectives.

Every volunteer is aware of the import of the decisions we have taken and all ?glaigh are compelled to fully comply with these orders. "There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace process.

This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland."

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER AND THE TAIOSEACH

We welcome today's developments concerning the IRA.

The end of the IRA as a paramilitary organisation is the outcome the Governments have been working towards since the cessation of military activity in 1994. We acknowledge the significance of the IRA statement. Both Governments are hopeful that the practical elements of this statement will be implemented in the terms set out. If the IRA's words are borne out by actions, it will be a momentous and historic development.

We also acknowledge that trust has been damaged and will take time to rebuild. Independent verification will be vitally important to enable trust and confidence to be restored. Vital roles in the verification process will be played by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and the Independent Monitoring Commission. We have asked the IMC to produce an additional report in January 2006, three months after their next regular report. Their reports will help the Governments to assess whether all paramilitary and criminal activity on the part of the IRA has come to a decisive end and whether decommissioning has been fully completed.

Verified acts of completion will provide a context in which we will expect all parties to work towards the full operation of the political institutions, including the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and the North-South structures, at the earliest practicable date.

We also expect all parties and community leaders to use their influence to bring loyalist paramilitary and criminal activity to an end, including the full decommissioning of weapons.

The normalisation of society in Northern Ireland also requires that all parts of the community support and enjoy the protection of the police. It is more important than ever that progress is made in extending support across all sections of the community for the new policing arrangements throughout Northern Ireland.

There has been great progress in recent years. The benefits of the Good Friday Agreement for the people of Ireland have been immense. The two Governments are committed to its full implementation. It is our intention to work closely in partnership to grasp this opportunity to inject renewed momentum into the process.

We urge all political leaders, and everyone with a genuine interest in bringing peace and stability to Northern Ireland, to join with us in our determination to ensure continued and rapid progress."

STATEMENT BY DUP LEADER DR IAN PAISLEY MP MLA

The history of the past decade in Northern Ireland is littered with IRA statements which we were told were 'historic', 'ground-breaking' and 'seismic'. These same statements were followed by the IRA reverting to type and carrying out more of its horrific murders and squalid criminality. The unionist community feels no obligation to cheer the words of P O?Neill. We will judge the IRA?s bona fides over the next months and years based on its behaviour and activity.

Even on the face of the statement, they have failed to explicitly declare an end to their multi-million pound criminal activity and have failed to provide the level of transparency that would be necessary to truly build confidence that the guns had gone in their entirety. This lack of transparency will prolong the period the community will need to make its assessment.

We treat with contempt their attempt to glorify and justify their murder campaign and we will be evaluating the extent of the price paid by the Government and the consequences that will have for the political process."

Further Reading:

Press Coverage:
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