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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, Part II: The Mehlis Report

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

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1. World

The emergency appeal for tsunami response in 2004 was 85 percent financed in the first ten days. The South Asian earthquake has been financed to less than a quarter of the amount needed. President Musharraf explained that with only $620 million promised, of $5 billion needed for reconstruction, international support was wholly inadequate. Turkey is the single largest donor, with a record pledge of $150 million. With winter approaching, there is little time to protect the inhabitants of the devastated mountain region.
Disasters Emergency Committee http://www.dec.org.uk
Kashmir International Relief Fund http://www.kirf.org
Red Cross/ Red Crescent http://www.icrc.org
Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org/eng/programs_emer_asiaquake.htm
UNHCR http://www.unicef.org.uk
UNICEF http://www.unicef.org
World Food Program http://www.wfp.org

In "2005: Year of Disasters", Oxfam suggests that thousands are dying because of slow response to natural disasters, and that the level of aid is connected to the publicity, rather than the urgency of the crisis.
http://www.oxfam.org/eng/pr051018_disasters.htm

The "Human Security Report" from the Human Security Centre at the University of British Columbia credits the end of the Cold War and colonialism as well as UN intervention for a decline since 1992 in every form of political violence except terrorism. The number of armed conflicts has fallen by more than 40 percent and the most deadly wars by 80 percent. The average killed per conflict fell from 38,000 in 1950 to just over 650 in 2002. Data does not include current information from Iraq or Darfur, which would likely increase the average number of deaths but not enough to change the overall results.
http://www.humansecurityreport.info

Transparency International issues the 2005 Corruption Perceptions Index. Of the 159 countries surveyed, more than 2/3 scored less than five out of a clean score of 10. Nearly half scored less than 3. The least corrupt were Iceland, Finland, New Zealand, Denmark and Singapore, while the most corrupt were Chad, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Burma and Haiti. Corruption hurts economic development and Transparency International urges these actions:

The arrival of avian influenza in Turkey raises serious risk that it will spread to the Middle East and Africa. In the Middle East and North Africa, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is working to build a line of defense, but eastern Africa has little ability to detect or respond to the disease. Should it become endemic in Africa, the possible emergence of a strain easily transmitted to humans becomes even more likely. Strong surveillance and disease response in European countries - now including the UK - helps control the spread there, although areas in the east and south are more vulnerable.
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2005/108212/index.html

The World Meteorological Organization has run out of names allocated for this year's hurricanes. The prior record for the number of Atlantic storms was 21, in 1933. Officials will use letters of the Greek alphabet for storms occurring in the last month of the season. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml
The 21st hurricane of the year, Wilma, is also the strongest ever recorded. The rise in the number of extreme hurricanes is connected with rising ocean surface temperatures.

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2. Africa

In Burundi, the rebel National Liberation Force (FNL) has increased attacks on civilians, as has the country's army. The level of attacks has drawn fire from human rights group Iteka.
http://www.ligue-iteka.africa-web.org/ (in French/English)
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=49673

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) risks returning to widespread violence, according to the International Crisis Group's "Congo Action Plan":
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo will likely relapse into mass violence unless the Congolese parties and the international community take urgent measures. Reunification has been plagued by government corruption and mismanagement, failure to reform the security sector, the ongoing threat of the Rwandan Hutu insurgency FDLR based in the eastern Congo, and a weak UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) that is not adequately protecting civilians. Crisis Groups Congo Action Plan lays out a comprehensive and urgent set of actions to save the peace process and produce a successful transition to elected government by June 2006. These include: preparing for and carrying out free and fair elections; curbing state corruption; creating an integrated national army and police force; and resolving the FDLR problem."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=3758

DRC has rejected a proposal from Uganda to re-deploy troops to eastern DRC to fight Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and other rebel groups.

Eritrea refuses to lift its ban on helicopter flights and control of UN movements, forcing three peacekeepers injured in an accident to be evacuated by road. UN peacekeepers have been withdrawn from 18 of 40 monitoring posts, and it may be necessary to evacuate them all. Ethiopia said the restrictions violated the peace agreement, while Eritrea said this was a duplicitous comment that neglected repeated violations by Ethiopia. Rejecting an appeal from UN Secretary General Annan, Eritrean President Afwerki said that the UN had no claim to the high ground in matters of law.

Gambia and Senegal announced that they will work with Nigerian President Obasanjo as the mediator in their border dispute.

Ivory Coast's security situation has deteriorated, including serious attacks against UN peacekeepers. The Security Council called for immediate compliance with all peace accords.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8532.doc.htm

Liberia's presidential election ended with no candidate achieving a simple majority, forcing a run-off that has been scheduled for 8 November. In the parliamentary elections, indications are than many former warlords have been elected, but the formal results will not be announced until 26 October.

Morocco denied reports from the separatist Polisario Front in the disputed Western Sahara that it had dumped attempted sub-Saharan migrants in the desert. However, Morocco has not yet provided full access to the UN High Commission for Refugees to examine camps.

In Republic of Congo, Ninja rebels that clashed with soldiers last week were the focus of an offensive to expel them from the city. Residents in the Bacongo district of Brazzaville fled the fighting, in which at up to five security forces, three Ninjas, and one civilian were killed. The army said it is now safe for residents to return.

South Africa suspended its three leading intelligence officials following allegations that a prominent businessman and friend of President Mbeki's had been illegally placed under surveillance.

In Sudan's Darfur region, the latest monthly update from the UN found "an alarming deterioration in the security situation". Increasing levels of gross human rights violations, including child abductions and violence against women, and attacks against civilians may threaten the peace talks. International action is necessary urgently to resolve the conflict.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/650

Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank governor warned that farm invasions must end immediately lest forced expropriations undermine economic recovery.

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3. Americas

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Jim Judd called Iraq the "post-graduate faculty for terrorism" and warns this could return home to Canada, which al Qaeda lists as an enemy nation. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1129758433825 (registration)

Colombia's Constitutional Court has overturned a single-term limit, ruling that President Uribe can run again next year.

Colombia's news magazine Semana and the US National Security Archive have joined forces in the Colombia Documentation Project, to publish Spanish and English resources on the Colombia-US relationship, including the drug war, security assistance, human rights, and impunity. Initial declassified documents provide information on paramilitaries and their role as proxies for the Colombian army. http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB166/index.htm

Cuba and the US have both come under criticism from Human Rights Watch for their "harsh travel restrictions that cause the forced separation of Cuban families".
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2005/10/19/cuba11896.htm

Ecuador's President Palacio has sent a proposal for a constitutional referendum directly to the election authorities, bypassing a congress that has blocked prior attempts at reform.

US embassies worldwide were instructed to attempt to counter anti-American backlash following a television video that showed US troops committing acts considered sacrilegious in Islam by burning Taleban corpses and other abuses apparently to spark retaliation. An inquiry is underway, and US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld has called for a quick resolution to prevent further harm to the US image abroad.

The Senate Homeland Security committee held hearings on Hurricane Katrina, including testimony from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official Marty Bahamonde that gave a first-hand account of the event, the lack of response, and challenges in communicating the serious nature of the event. A similar House Committee held similar hearings. Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff says that FEMA will be reorganized.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1124&Month=10&Year=2005&Affiliation=C
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=285
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=283
http://homeland.house.gov/release.cfm?id=418
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4896

Also note the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report "Federal Emergency Management Agency: Improvements Needed to Enhance Oversight and Management of the National Flood Insurance Program"
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-119

GAO also issued several reports related to those serving in the military:

Venezuela will become a permanent member of the South American trade bloc Mercosur in December. President Chavez told a BBC interviewer that he has evidence that the US plans to invade Venezuela, to gain control of the country's oil, as they did in Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4359386.stm

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4. Asia Pacific

Australian states have through next week to respond to the federal government's proposed anti-terrorism laws. Among concerns expressed so far are new detention rules including preventive detention of minors, shoot-to-kill provisions, and the proposed new crime of terrorist incitement.

China has published "Building of Political Democracy in China", a white paper that advocates political reform and economic development while the ruling Communist Party remains in control.
http://english.people.com.cn/200510/19/eng20051019_215254.html

In East Timor, a group of about 200 local Indonesians attacked police and set fire to two buildings in response to the border delineation that moved farmland from Indonesia to East Timor. Further demarcation will wait until the border survey is completed. Officials denied suggestions that Indonesian soldiers supported the attack.

Indonesia's antiterror leader Ansja'ad Mbai discussed the need for public involvement to counter terrorism, and other matters in a 21 October Jakarta Post interview.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20051021.A05

Indonesian police have arrested two more suspects in connection with the 1 October bombings in Bali, bringing the number of arrests to five. One was released after police found no connection with the case. Police also report intercepting a large quantity of explosives and materiel smuggled from Malaysia. Three women and a man were arrested, and four others escaped.

In Kyrgyzstan, a Member of Parliament and two of his aides were shot dead after being taken hostage by prisoners protesting their conditions. Security forces replaced guards and prison staff to prevent any escape or further violence.

A Philippines military spokesman reported that Abu Sayyaf GROUP (ASG) rebels are providing refuge to Jemaah Islamiah (JI) militants Dulmatin and Patek, who are wanted in connection with the October 2002 Bali bombings. Neighboring countries are on the watch for possible new recruits from training camps in the southern Philippines, as well as for the possibility of joint ASG-JI attacks. Security forces in Mindanao believe at least 82 JI militants may be in the area. A US official supporting counterterrorism coordination in the area suggested that the peace deal between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippines government could help defeat JI and ASG.

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5. Europe

In Bosnia, a forensic team has unearthed the remains of another 482 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

Georgia has restarted peace talks with the Abkhazia separatists. UN Secretary General Annan latest report to the Security Council urges "the Georgian side to address the Abkhaz security concerns, and urge[s] the Abkhaz side to meet practical and security concerns of the local population in the Gali district".
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/657

Italian police launched operations across Italy and elsewhere in Europe against the 'ndrangheta, a large organized criminal enterprise based in Calabria and heavily involved with transnational drug trafficking. They are believed responsible for the murder of a Calabrian politician earlier this month.
http://www.repubblica.it/2005/j/sezioni/cronaca/opecalabria/opecalabria/opecalabria.html (in Italian) http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Cronache/2005/10_Ottobre/21/blitz.shtml (in Italian)

Kosovo's democratic progress has been uneven but it is necessary to start talks on its future status now. It cannot remain indefinitely under international administration nor can it be allowed to become a failed state. Details in the UN Special envoy's report: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/635

Russian forces that used flame-throwers during the Beslan school siege last year will not be prosecuted after the prosecutor said their actions were justified, lending support to charges of a cover-up. A parliamentary commission continues their separate investigation.

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility for the Nalchik attacks last week.

Swiss authorities are evaluating criticism that they underestimated the threat posed by right-wing extremism, including the August appearance of Nazi skinheads during National Day celebrations. http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=6162007&cKey=1129277216000

Britain's ruling Labor Party saw its majority cut to 25 seats over their controversial plan for identity cards. The measure is expected to encounter strong opposition as it moves to the House of Lords.

Anti-terror police in London and Kent arrested three men under the Terrorism Act 2000. They are suspected of international terrorism, but not of the bombings in London in July. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission reviewed ten appeals against deportation. Four of the suspected international terrorists were granted bail, one case was adjourned, and five were refused, including radical cleric Abu Qatada.

The 7th report of the Independent Monitoring Commission says the Irish Republican Army (IRA) move from the armed campaign is encouraging but they are "looking for cumulative indications of changes in behavior over a more sustained period of time". Loyalist violence far outstripped that attributed to republicans during the 6-month reporting period; the next report is due in January. As a result of these findings, the Northern Ireland secretary has restored Sinn Fein's Assembly allowance, effective 1 November.
http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/publications.cfm?id=27
http://www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=12395

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) marked the centenary of its founding. Party leader Sir Reg Empey told the party conference, "Let?s be clear about this: the Provos have suffered a military defeat. No victorious so called 'army' hands over weapons to a commission established by its enemy. For republicans who murdered, maimed, bombed and robbed for 35 years their needless and futile 'war' is at an end". He called for loyalists to also put their arms beyond use.
http://www.uup.org/

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6. Middle East

In Egypt, a crowd of about 5,000 protestors marched on St. Georges, a Coptic church in Alexandria, to protest their staging of "Once I was Blind But Now I See" that deals with Islamist militants and was accused of offending Islam. A riot ensued, in which three people were killed and about 20 injured.

In Gaza, an upsurge of violence has undermined political developments. The latest UN briefing also said that cooperation between Palestine and Israel had improved, and bilateral negotiations seemed close to resuming.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8531.doc.htm

Iran claimed to have proof that the UK was involved in last week's bombings in the southwest. British officials rejected the allegation.

Iraq's electoral commission has refrained from announcing the results from the constitutional referendum pending investigation of statistical irregularities that could indicate fraud. Preliminary indications suggest that the referendum was approved by large numbers of Shias and Kurds and rejected by at least one Sunni province.

Meanwhile, the trial of Saddam Hussein opened, with the deposed President in a defiant mood, questioning the legitimacy of the court and insisting that as President of Iraq he is innocent of any charges. The attorney of one of the co-defendants was kidnapped and murdered, and many witnesses have received death threats, putting the trial proceedings at risk and suggesting that a fair trial may be impossible. The National Security Archive has posted declassified US intelligence and other documents regarding Saddam Hussein's human rights abuses, including the 1982 Dujail massacre that is the subject of this first trial.
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB167/index.htm

Despite political progress, the situation on the ground is leading to increasing questioning of the US-led military strategy. Today's Telegraph newspaper in the UK reports that a secret Ministry of Defense survey found that up to 65 percent of Iraqi citizens support suicide attacks against British troops and less than one percent believe the military actions have helped improve security. Jim Judd, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, called Iraq the "post-graduate faculty for terrorism" and warned that it attracts thousands of foreigners who will bring their newly learned skills back home. French terrorism expert Judge Jean-Louis Brugiere called Iraq a black hole that radicalized European Muslims in Iraq, who return home to commit jihad.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/10/23/wirq23.xml
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1129758433825 (registration)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/4358628.stm

Among incidents last week, US air strikes against insurgents in the western city of Ramadi killed or injured dozens, including heavy casualties among women and children. The US claims that only 70 militants were killed. Militants shot dead Iyad Abdul Ghani Yusuf, council to the industry minister. Bomb attacks killed four US soldiers. Guardian newspaper reporter Rory Carroll was abducted, and released after 36 hours. Iraqi police assisted in the recovery, have arrested four suspects, and are looking for another four. He tells the story here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/rorycarroll/story/0,16647,1598082,00.html

In Lebanon, the release of the preliminary report of the investigation into former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's death dominated the news. (See Feature Article below.) In addition, the UN envoy responsible to ensuring that foreign interference in Lebanon ends, has begun to raise the issue of Palestinian militias in the country.

Israel re-imposed restrictions on Palestinians traveling through the West Bank and suspended security contacts with the Palestinian Authority following two al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades attacks that killed three Jewish settlers.

In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinians. Palestinians claim that stone-throwing protesters were fired upon, while the Israeli army says their vehicle came under fire before they shot.

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7. South Asia

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission warns that more than half the candidates elected to the parliament and provincial councils are linked to armed groups, including some notorious warlords.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=49623
http://www.aihrc.org.af/

There were a number of attacks attributed to the Taleban last week. They include the assassination of two more pro-government clerics, a school headmaster, the Arghandab district chief, an aid worker, a police officer, and an intelligence officer. The largest incident was in Helmand when rebels attacked a police station, killing nine police. Four Taleban were also killed. So far this year insurgents have killed more than 1,200 people. Up to 5,000 people demonstrated in the eastern city of Khost to protest the death of Mullah Mohammed Khan, who was killed in his mosque by a bomb during prayers on 15 October. In a separate development, an investigation has been launched into claims that US soldiers desecrated Taleban bodies, (See Americas, above).

Bangladesh police clashed with demonstrators protesting police inaction during a robbery. Five were killed and 50 injured. Another judge was targeted in a bomb attack; the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) attacker was apprehended by passers-by immediately. JMB have undertaken a national program of violence directed against the judiciary.

India's northeast state of Assam was the scene of further ethnic clashes between Karbi and Dimasa. In the latest attacks at least 27 were killed when militant members of each tribe attacked the others villages. Clashes during the past month have killed about 90 people and an estimated 30,000 have been displaced.

Communal violence in the northern town of Mau, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of up to 12 people. The rioting between Hindus and Muslims also led to some 250 arrests. The area is under indefinite curfew, criminal cases have been filed against several politicians, and an inquiry into the response has been ordered.

India and Pakistan are preparing crossing points to allow people to cross the Line of Control to assist their relatives on either side of the border. The disaster has not stopped insurgent violence, though some of their camps have been destroyed. In areas where government relief has not yet arrived, militant groups such as Laskhar-e-Taiba and its offshoots have been filling in. In addition to a number of standard clashes, militants chose a senior political target to demonstrate their continued presence. Education minister for Indian-administered Kashmir, Ghulam Bani Lone, was shot dead at his home. A policeman, a security guard, and one militant were killed in the attack. The militant groups Al Mansurian and Islamic Jihad Front each claimed responsibility.

In Nepal, hundreds of journalists have demonstrated against restrictive new media laws.

Pakistan's President Musharraf said that banned extremist organizations would not be allowed to participate in relief efforts. Pakistan has accepted international aid that includes NATO support, an unconditional earthquake loan from the International Monetary Fund and help from Israel.

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8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

National Identity Fraud Prevention Week will run in the UK from 17-23 October. Identifying 18 million UK households as vulnerable to identity fraud, the program helps educate the public on the dangers and simple steps to protect themselves.
http://www.stop-idfraud.co.uk/
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/index.asp?id=383,47,47,61

New Jersey's Identity Theft Prevention Act has been signed into law, taking effect from 1 January 2006. Key provisions include:

US banking regulators have issued a requirement for two-factor authentication on websites by the end of next year. Note "Guidance in an Internet Banking Environment":
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil10305.html

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has identified color tracking codes used by Xerox that could identify a particular printer, including the serial number and when a document was printed.
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/printers/

Microsoft has advised of flaws in one of the critical security patches issued in the October update.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/909444.mspx

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9. Finance

The US Treasury designated eight North Korean companies as front companies for supporting WMD proliferation. These are:
Hesong Trading Corporation, Korea Complex Equipment Import Corporation, Korea International Chemical Joint Venture Company, Korea Kwangsong Trading Corporation, Korea Pugang Trading Corporation, Korea Ryongwang Trading Corporation, Korea Ryonha Machinery Joint Venture Corporation, And Tosong Technology Trading Corporation.
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2984.htm

US banking regulators announced a Written Agreement with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to address Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money-laundering compliance failings. In particular, to address policies and procedures and to improve suspicious transaction reporting and customer identification related to correspondent banking.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/enforcement/2005/20051014/default.htm

The European Commission has decided to refer France and Greece to the European Court of Justice. France had expected to complete implementation of measures under the Second Anti-Money Laundering Directive earlier this year, but the EC has received no confirmation of this. Similarly, Greece has changed its implementation schedule, without fully communicating to the EC.
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1288&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

FATF Mutual Evaluation Reports were published for Australia and Switzerland. Australia has comprehensive systems for suspicious activity reports, criminalizing terrorist financing and freezing terrorist assets. FATF recommended strengthening reporting on funds transfers and enacting laws to prevent the use of charitable or non-profit organizations to finance terrorism. Switzerland also received a favorable review, particularly regarding international cooperation and law enforcement, but criticized loopholes related to cross-boarder cash payments, bearer shares, and other money laundering loopholes.
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=6163325&cKey=1129317969000
http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/justiceministerHome.nsf/AllDocs/2DCD3F1AC23A43A8CA25709E0027F92E?OpenDocument
http://www.fatf-gafi.org/document/32/0,2340,en_32250379_32236982_35128416_1_1_1_1,00.html

Portuguese police have opened investigations into several banks accused of money laundering and tax evasion connected to offshore businesses. Among those under investigation are Banco Espirito and Millennium-BCP.
http://www.bes.pt/iipl.asp?srv=1009&etp=1&file=33636 http://www.millenniumbcp.pt/pubs/en/press/press-releases/article.jhtml?articleID=330660

Criminal abuse of natural resources arose in several cases last week. Oxfam and Earthworks have launched the "No Dirty Gold" campaign. Echoing a similar strategy against blood diamonds, they are asking users of gold to "clean up the gold mining industry before it tarnishes the jewelry business" buy ensuring that "the gold they buy - and sell - is produced in ways that do not harm communities, workers, and the environment".
http://www.nodirtygold.org/
Global Witness addressed collusion between Chinese logging companies and Burmese military commanders in "A Choice for China: Ending the destruction of Burma's frontier forests".
http://www.globalwitness.org/reports/show.php/en.00080.html
In a similar vein, Greenpeace blocked entrance to the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to encourage a ban on illegally logged timber.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/importing-forest-destruction-222

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10. Human Rights

The UN Office for Internal Oversight Services warns of "a sharp increase in sexual exploitation by peacekeeping and other personnel, systematic corruption by publicly-owned enterprises in United Nations-administered Kosovo, and fuel theft at various peacekeeping missions". The internal audit recommended a number of new procedures and additional resources for investigation, detection, and training.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/60/346

Refugees International expanded on this information with a new report, "Must Boys Be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Missions". The report calls for adequate funding and resources to address the problem of a "boys will be boys" attitude that "breeds tolerance for exploiting and abusing local women", a practice that "compromises peacekeepers' ability to transform conflict and bring about a stable peace".
http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/7078
http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/publication/detail/6976

Reporters Without Borders annual World Press Freedom Index finds North Korea ranks worst for press freedom and is joined by Eritrea and Turkmenistan as "black holes" in which no private media or freedom of expression is permitted, while harassment, psychological pressure, intimidation, and continuous surveillance are routine. Leaders in press freedom are Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and the Netherlands.
http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554

Channel 4 News in the UK has revealed testimony given by Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of Britain's MI5 that suggests that torture may have been involved in gathering intelligence. The Law Lords are examining whether the government should check on whether information has been obtained through torture, particularly when obtained through cooperation with foreign intelligence organizations.
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=980
http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini laid out proposals to help combat human trafficking in Europe.
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/623&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has adopted the new Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. This is the third standards text related to bioethics.
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=30274&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

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11. Law and Legal Issues

Ashiq Ali has been sentenced in Indian court to life in prison for spying and conspiracy to commit subversion as an agent of Pakistan's intelligence service.

Jose Ernesto Beltran Quinonez was arrested in Mexico. He will be extradited to the US, where he is wanted for a terrorist hoax and false statements about smuggling a nuclear warhead to be used in Boston.

Abbas Boutrab's terrorism trial has ended, and the British judge has reserved judgment to permit a written verdict in several weeks.

Lt Col Philip de Camp, Sgt Shawn Gibson, and Capt Philip Wolford of the US army have become the subjects of an international arrest warrant issued by Spanish judge Santiago Pedraz. They are charged in connection with the shelling of the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad in which two journalists, including one from a Spanish television network, were killed. Judge Pedraz said the warrant was issued because the US has not offered judicial cooperation.

Alberto Fujimori, former president of Peru, has been cleared of corruption in connection with a 1994 arms purchase. He still faces more than 20 other criminal charges and should he return to Peru, faces arrest on human rights and corruption charges.

Akhtar Hossain with the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) was apprehended by passers-by after setting off a bomb at the home of a Bangladesh judge.

Saddam Hussein's trial opened in Iraq. Meanwhile, Iran submitted an indictment against the former leader that charges him with genocide, use of chemical weapons, and other crimes against the entire nation of Iran.

John Irwin has been charged under Britain's Terrorism Act with membership in the banned Ulster Volunteer Force as well as possession of an illegal firearm and items that could be used for terrorism.

Desire Munyaneza has been arrested in Toronto, Canada on seven counts including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in connection with the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made the arrest, the first under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (CAHWC), which came into law in October 2000.
http://www.rcmp.ca/news/n_0525_e.htm

Augusto Pinochet, the former military ruler of Chile, has been stripped of immunity from prosecution by the Supreme Court in connection with charges of tax fraud, false documents, and other embezzlement related to overseas bank accounts.

Colonel Abdi Qeybdid was released from custody in Sweden after the court determined there was insufficient evidence to link the Somali police chief to genocide.

Thomas Roche had been exposed to mustard gas during testing in the UK 40 years ago, causing long-term damage to his health. The Human Rights judges decided unanimously that lack of disclosure of the testing breached his human rights, and awarded him GBP 38,000 in damages and costs.

Khanali Umakhanov was acquitted in Russian court of involvement in a 2002 explosion in Dagestan. He had been charged with murder, terrorism, and banditry.

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12. Transportation

European airlines and insurers said that WMD coverage on civil aircraft may be withdrawn unless governments intervene.
http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1129846187.html

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reopened Reagan Washington Airport to some pre-cleared General Aviation operations. Such operations has been suspended since 11 September 2001.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=0900051980179a4f

Another ship, the MV Pagania, was hijacked in Somalia. The crew and a cargo of iron ore are being held pending a payment demand. The International Maritime Bureau has strengthened their Alert:
"Twenty three incidents have been reported since 15.03.05. Heavily armed pirates are now attacking ships further away from the coast. A recent incident took place 120 nm off the eastern coast. Ships are advised to keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast."
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Legal Committee has agreed to a series of amendments to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts treaties for adoption at the forthcoming session 15-19 October. Measures will address new threats from terrorism. http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=848&doc_id=4416

In Baltimore, Maryland, transportation officials closed the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (71,000 vehicles/day) and limited traffic through the Fort McHenry (115,000 vehicles/day) in response to a threat that an explosives-laden truck would be blown up. The report turned out to be a hoax and five suspects have been arrested.
http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_291161746.html
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/custom/attack/bal-tunnel1018,1,510663.story

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13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

A second safety alert at Britain's Dounreay nuclear complex has led to closure of another part of the site after traces of plutonium were found in eight workers.
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=566
http://www.ukaea.org.uk/dounreay/

Meanwhile, the British government has indicated that it will publish proposals on the future of nuclear power next year. Ontario, Canada disclosed plans to restart two nuclear reactors that have been idle for nearly ten years. And Venezuela opened discussions with Argentina and Brazil to purchase a nuclear reactor.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4216302.stm
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=english.news&body=yes&news_id=110

The Rocky Flats weapons facility near Denver, Colorado has been declared cleaned and closed. It will now become a wildlife sanctuary.
http://192.149.55.183/

Proteome Systems in Australia has been awarded a US government grant to develop scavenger drugs to treat radiation damage.
http://www.proteomesystems.com/news/pressreleases/2005/US_Government_Grant_funds_PXL_scavenger_drugs_to_treat_radiation.aspx

The International Atomic Energy Agency completed the mock emergency exercise, Operation Jumpstart.
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2005/nuclear_security.html

Singapore's parliament passed the Biological Agents and Toxins Bill that gives the government authority to regulate handling and trade of dangerous biological agents, bioterrorism, and laboratory safety. http://www.parliament.gov.sg/Legislation/Htdocs/leg-main.html http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/about/newsroom/speeches/details.do?id=34308097

An international meeting in Uganda earlier this month called on African scientists and governments to take the threat posed by biological weapons seriously.
http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2412&language=1

In Brazil, the country with the second highest rate of gun deaths, citizens are voting in a referendum to determine whether to ban guns. In the US, (the country with the highest rate of gun deaths), Congress has approved a bill that shields gun manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits over the misuse of their weapons.

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14. Recently Published

R. J. B. Bosworth, "Mussolini's Italy: Life Under the Dictatorship, 1915-1945", Penguin/Allen Lane

Jung Chant and Jon Halliday, "Mao: The Unknown Story", Alfred A. Knopf

Tony Judt, "A History of Europe Since 1945", Penguin

Radovan Karadzic, "Under the Left Breast of the Century", privately published in Serbia by Slavoljub Obradovic. Sample poems can be found at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4353554.stm

George Packer, "The Assassin's Gate: America in Iraq", Farrar, Straus and Giroux/ Faber and Faber

John Yoo, "The Powers of War and Peace: The Constitution and Foreign Affairs After 9/11", University of Chicago Press

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FEATURE ARTICLE: Who Killed Hariri, Part II: The Mehlis Report

On 14 February this year, Beirut's elegant waterfront turned into a blazing inferno when a massive explosion tore open a 15-foot crater, blowing up former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's motorcade. Twenty 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. Martyrs' Square in Beirut filled with people protesting the assassination, demanding the truth about his death and a united, democratic country.

The popular protests - what was deemed the "cedar revolution" - forced the resignation of the prime minister followed by elections in the summer, the withdrawal of Syrian troops after nearly three decades of occupation, and release of several prominent political prisoners. Security remained fragile, and the past several months have seen sectarian bombing campaigns and the targeting of prominent politicians and anti-government and anti-Syrian figures. Although the basic political system has not changed, its foundation has been ruptures.

Determination of the truth behind Hariri's death is further undermining old-time feudal politics, both in Lebanon and in Syria. When Lebanon's internal investigation was found seriously flawed and Syria deemed responsible for political tension preceding the murder, an independent investigation was established under the aegis of the UN. The preliminary report of the International Independent Investigation Commission Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1595 (2005) was released at the end of the week. The investigation will continue, and preliminary findings are not a court judgment, but the direction of the investigation is clear: the assassination could not have happened without close involvement of high level officials from both Lebanon and Syria. Four senior Lebanese intelligence officials have already been detained, and a fifth man named in the report was arrested early Saturday morning.

The investigation gathered evidence from the Lebanese government, national and international experts, the crime scene, forensic evidence, telephone intercepts, testimony from more than 450 witnesses, and review of some 16,000 documents. This evidence indicates that the assassination was "carried out by a group with an extensive organization and considerable resources and capabilities". For example, " The crime had been prepared over the course of several months. For this purpose, the timing and location of Mr. Rafik Hariri?s movements had been monitored and the itineraries of his convoy recorded in detail."

Based on the Commission's findings and Lebanese investigations, the report says: "there is converging evidence pointing at both Lebanese and Syrian involvement in this terrorist act. It is a well known fact that Syrian Military Intelligence had a pervasive presence in Lebanon at the least until the withdrawal of the Syrian forces pursuant to resolution 1559. The former senior security officials of Lebanon were their appointees. Given the infiltration of Lebanese institutions and society by the Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services working in tandem, it would be difficult to envisage a scenario whereby such a complex assassination plot could have been carried out without their knowledge."

Precipitated by Hariri's opposition to an extension of Syria's mandate in Lebanon, the report concludes that that "the likely motive of the assassination was political. However, since the crime was not the work of individuals but rather of a sophisticated group, it very much seems that fraud, corruption, and money-laundering could also have been motives for individuals to participate in the operation".

The report was redacted in keeping with the principle that a person named in witness testimony should not be named in the report unless the individual has been charged with a related crime. Evidence has been given to the Lebanese authorities to pursue their investigation and law enforcement activities. Nonetheless, much information has been made known.

Among the figures mentioned in the report, Lebanese Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Al with the pro-Syrian al-Ahbash group, was identified as a key figure through numbers in his mobile phone that connected him to the main figures in the inquiry. "Indeed", the report says, "It does not appear that any other figure is as linked to all the various aspects of this investigation as Abdel-Al". His brother, Mahmoud Abdel Al, phoned Lebanese President Emile Lahoud shortly before the assassination. Lahoud, who is under heavy pressure to resign, denies receiving any call and disclaims any connection to Hariri's death. Also in Lebanon, four generals have been arrested for conspiring in the murder: General Jameel al-Sayyed, General Ali al-Hajj, General Raymond Azar and General Musapha Hamdan.

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his brother-in-law Asef Shawkat, head of Syrian military intelligence, were also named. Other names Syrians include the foreign minister Faruq al-Shara, the former head of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon, Lt. General Rustom Ghazali, and a Syrian defector, Zuhir Ibn Mohamed Said Saddik. Not named in the report was Syria's Interior Minister, Ghazi Kanaan, who held the lead role in Lebanon for many year. Shortly before the report was completed, he was found dead in his office, an apparent suicide.

As for next steps, Mehlis will provide a public briefing on Tuesday, and the Security Council will then discuss the findings. Early indications suggest pressure, possibly including sanctions, will be put on Syria to better cooperate in the investigation. The report notes the importance of the growing tension between Hariri and Syrian officials and says, "It is incumbent upon Syria to clarify a considerable part of the unresolved questions".

UN Secretary General Annan also plans to extend the Commission's mandate until 15 December to continue the investigation and assist the Lebanese authorities. Among the technical issues to resolve are the use of prepaid telephone calls, how the explosive device was activated, and other telecommunications evidence and inquiries.

Both the Lebanese and Syrian governments have denied any involvement in Rafik Hariri's assassination. Syria called it a politically motivated US conspiracy, and Lebanon's presidential office said the information had no basis and was part of a campaign against the president. Both governments face serious internal pressures for major reform, supported by significant international pressure that is only likely to increase. Changes will come, and as they do the events will be reported in this Newsletter.

Further Reading:

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