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:
Air India Flight 182 Lessons To Be Learned

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

1. World

Researchers writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and the Veterinary Record are publishing joint issues on the theme of connections between animal and human health. Articles warn that increased human contact with wildlife, as in tropical holidays, means that emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza and SARA will become a greater threat. For example, infection with the deadly Ebola virus is often linked to consumption of bushmeat. Increased travel and tourism will continue to increase the problem of emerging infectious diseases.
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/content/vol331/issue7527/twib.shtml
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), meting in Nairobi, also placed the threat from migratory animals as carriers of disease and the effects of climate change on the ecosystem at the top of their agenda.
http://www.cms.int/
News of the further spread of avian influenza makes this a critical topic for global security and disaster preparedness.
http://www.who.int/

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta from 25 to 27 November focused on international trade, elimination of poverty, and sustainable development. The Commonwealth is an association of 53 members, including some of the poorest, the wealthiest, the smallest and largest states in the world, representing every continent and ocean as well as a quarter of the world's governments, a third of the population, and a fifth of global trade. The meeting strongly supported the Doha development agenda and stressed the need to reach agreement with the World Trade Organization at its summit next month.
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/ http://www.chogm2005.mt/

A tsunami early-warning system currently exists only in the Pacific. A system for the Indian Ocean, where last year's deadly tsunami struck, is being set up. Now, a group has been established to address disaster reduction in the Mediterranean and Northeast Atlantic. They want to ensure that the impact of such disasters as the 1908 earthquake in the Sicilian port of Messina and the 1755 quake an tsunami that destroyed Lisbon, Portugal, and killed thousands, will be lessened with early warning systems.
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=30877&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

The Natural Resources Defense Council report, "Sounding the Depths II" describes the threat posed to whales, dolphins, fish, and other marine species by the rising levels of intense underwater sound produced by oil and gas exploration, military sonar, and other manmade sources.
http://www.nrdc.org/media/pressReleases/051121.asp

2. Africa

Burundi's last active rebel group, the National Liberation forces (FNL), launched a mortar attack against the capital Bujumbura, causing no casualties. The attack was apparently in response to military activities that have led to the death or detention of more than a hundred FNL rebels. Reports that FNL have stolen UN peacekeeping uniforms are being investigated.

Democratic Republic of Congo has a laundry list of recommendations from a recent UN fact-finding mission, including strengthened military forces that are paid regularly, disarmament and repatriation of Rwandan rebels operating in the east, increased civic education and voter awareness particularly among women, and dozens of other peacebuilding activities. These measures are vital in ensuring successful elections, due next year, which could have a positive impact on the stability of the entire region.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/716

Security remains a challenge, however, with more than 60,000 people forced to flee their homes after a government offensive in the southeast province of Katanga against Mai-Mai militiamen that have been resisting disarmament. UN peacekeepers operating in the eastern Ituri region killed at least 57 rebels, most members of the Ituri Patriotic Resistance Front. Ugandan rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) are also reported to be operating across the Sudanese border.

Eritrea and Ethiopia have continued a military buildup at the border. Ethiopian troops briefly violated the separation zone. The situation is volatile and could lead to renewed hostilities. Additional UN sanctions are likely.
http://www.unmeeonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=263&Itemid=53

Ethiopia's Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) announced at the end of last week that ten people had been killed when the government put down a popular demonstration. The Ogaden National Liberation Front reported more than 30 people dead from post-election violence. The government accused the two rebel groups of fomenting unrest and said the region is stable.

Gabon is voting in presidential elections today. Incumbent President Omar Bongo, who has ruled since 1967, is expected to win, but there are four opposition candidates.

Ivory Coast remains deadlocked despite heavyweight assistance from the combined efforts of the presidents of Niger, Nigeria and South Africa. The country still has not agreed on a new Prime Minister, and talks will resume early next month.

Kenya's draft constitution was defeated when 57 percent of Kenyans voted no. Those campaigning against the constitution want a fresh draft that limits executive powers. President Mwai Kibaki dismissed his entire Cabinet and will announce a new cabinet early next month. This action has led to calls for early elections.
http://www.kenyaconstitution.org/ http://www.kenyaelections.com/

Liberia's National Election Commission has declared Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the winner of the presidential election. The first elected female head of state in Africa, she won 59.4 percent of the vote, compared to 40.6 percent for George Weah.
http://www.necliberia.org/results/

Moroccan police report that they dismantled an al Qaeda cell of 17 people. They believe the cell was led by Khalid Azig and Mohammad Rha, and included two former Guantanamo prisoners, Brahim Benchekroun and Mohammad Mazouz.

Sudan's Darfur region is increasingly dangerous and militias and bandits have grown more aggressive and could lead a descent into anarchy. Reviewing the monthly Security Council report, UN Secretary General Annan said it is crucial that a framework peace agreement is completed at the next round of talks in Nigeria next month.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/719

Uganda's LRA rebels ambushed a minibus in broad daylight, setting it on fire and attacking people as they fled. At least 12 people were killed. A similar attack took place at the end of last week in which five people died. Amid escalating attacks against civilian and humanitarian vehicles, the UN plans to increase their presence.

Zimbabwe voted on Saturday for a new senate, which President Mugabe's Zanu-PF is expected to win. Turnout was apparently very low, and there was an opposition boycott. However, it appears that opposition dissidents who ran won five seats in Bulawayo. Final results are expected tomorrow.

3. Americas

Canada's Auditor General finds that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) needs to improve training or face a shortage of recruits. Already they are pulling people from national police work such as in drugs and organized crime, to address routine provincial and community police duties.
http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/media.nsf/a70cfc882b597e2c852565bf0070f7bf/b6041064ab3d8db7852570c00074061b?OpenDocument

Canadian Prime Minister Martin and EU leaders have agreed approaches to a number of current issues including closer counterterrorism efforts. They approved three agreements on policing, exchange of passenger information, and crisis management cooperation. http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/news.asp?id=656

For details of the Air India Flight 182 report and inquiry, see the Feature Article, below.

Chile's former dictator General Pinochet scrapped celebrations of his 90th birthday after he was indicted on fraud and human rights charges (two days after being charged with tax evasion and passport fraud) and placed under house arrest.

Colombian rebels with the National Liberation Army (ELN) - the second largest rebel group - said that although it is not suspending its campaign, it is eager to hold exploratory talks with the government regarding a possible peace process. Colombia is attempting to negotiate an agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) - the largest rebel group - to release nearly 60 hostages.

Guatemala's secret police archives help shed light on a decade of state-sponsored atrocities:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/21/international/americas/21guatemala.html
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB170/index.htm

Haiti's Interim President Latortue last week announced a firm election date was set for 27 December. Now, for the third time, presidential and legislative elections have been postponed, to 8 January. This may not be a bad thing, as the International Crisis Group suggests:

Honduras is voting in a presidential election.

US soldiers who burned the corpses of two suspected Taleban killed in Afghanistan face disciplinary action but no criminal proceedings. Two were cited for failing to show local understanding and two for using the cremation, which is not permitted in Islam, to taunt Taleban fighters in the area. The army investigation found no intention to desecrate. Instead, the bodies were burned for reasons of hygiene. At the time, the incident led to widespread demonstrations and the deaths of at least 15 people.

The US Department of State is considering withholding an export license regarding eight Spanish patrol boats and 12 military aircraft, which contain US technology, to block their sale to Venezuela. Although the arms deal is opposed by the US, Spain and Venezuela have reached agreement on the sale, which is to be used for fighting drug gangs and other peaceful purposes.

Venezuelan President Chavez has met with Colombian President Uribe to discuss joint energy projects, including a gas export pipeline. Venezuela and the US state of Massachusetts have also reached agreement for Venezuela to provide heating oil to low-income homes at a cost 40 percent below market rates.

4. Asia Pacific

Australian federal police launched raids to investigate possible connections with Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger separatists.

Burma has extended democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest for another year, garnering regional and international condemnation.

Indonesia's State Intelligence Agency has asked the legislature to permit them to arrest and interrogate suspects for up to three days.

In Aceh province, former separatist rebels with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) completed the third phase of disarmament. In return additional military and police units will be withdrawn. The fourth and final phase will take place next month.

The US has restored military ties with Indonesia. A 13-year ban had been imposed for human rights violations. Now, the Department of State says the restrictions have been waived in the interests of national security.

Indonesian President Susilo and President Musharraf of Pakistan signed counterterrorism agreements including intelligence cooperation and other measures.

Philippine guerillas with the New People's Army (NPA) attacked an army patrol on Tuesday. Three soldiers were killed and nine injured. The day before, the army killed ten suspected NPA rebels that locals say were farmers. NPA used to focus on business raids and extortion, but in past weeks have increased violent attacks directed against the army. Elsewhere, an assault against Abu Sayyaf reportedly killed at least 15 guerillas.

Malaysia and Thailand are discussing ways to reduce bilateral tensions following increasing violence in southern Thailand, which borders Malaysia.

Uzbekistan officials have taken the keys to the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base, which had been occupied by US forces since 2001. Although some US staff remains, no more planes will be flown from the base, which was an important staging point for Afghan operations, and withdrawal will be completed by yearend. Relations between the US, other western countries, and Uzbekistan deteriorated following the Andijan massacre in May.

5. Europe

Azerbaijan police have again used force against peaceful protestors asking for an investigation into possibly falsified election results. A new briefing from the International Crisis Group reports on " Azerbaijan's 2005 Elections: Lost Opportunity":

Georgians celebrated the second anniversary of the Rose Revolution that deposed Eduard Shevardnadze.

German police conducted emergency drills in preparation for next year's World Cup.

Russia's Chechnya region held parliamentary elections, in the midst of ongoing violence.

Spain has opened a trial involving 56 people accused of belonging to or collaborating with Basque separatist group ETA.

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan visited Kurdish areas in the southeast after weeks of rioting in which four people have died. A parliamentary inquiry into a recent fatal bombing that is widely believed another example of an extrajudicial killing by security forces.

Ukrainians marked the first anniversary of the Orange Revolution that overturned a rigged presidential election.

In the UK, the House of Commons voted in favor of the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, which permits return of paramilitary fugitives wanted for crimes committed before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, who meet certain criteria. The 310 to 262 vote was taken despite stiff opposition, following assurances that it is a necessary step in the Northern Ireland peace process.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051123/debtext/51123-08.htm#51123-08_head1
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/081/2006081.htm

6. Middle East

UN Secretary General Annan's latest report on the "Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine" warns that the window of opportunity for peace during the past year is threatened by Israel's insistence on constructing a separation barrier deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice and the Palestinian Authority's failure to help restore law and order. Other challenges include settlement construction, corruption, institutional hierarchies, cults of personality, and lack of cohesive training.
http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2005/701

Egypt completed its second round of parliamentary elections. Muslim Brotherhood representatives won 13 sears, compared to eight by the ruling National Democratic Party. The second round included several incidents of electoral violence, including attacks on voters, gang violence, and police blocking access to pro- Brotherhood areas. Mass arrests included detention of more than 600 Brotherhood supporters.

Egyptian police shot dead Salem Khard al-Shnub, a Bedouin leader in Sinai wanted for suspected involvement in the Sharm el-Sheikh and other Sinai bombings. Ten other Bedouin and two police officers were killed.

The Egypt-Gaza border at Rafah has reopened with a ceremony celebrating the first time Palestinians will control an access point to the outside world, and the first time that people in Gaza can travel freely since 1967. The Palestinian Authority will control the border with assistance from EU monitors.

Iraqi insurgents set off an infrared explosive device that killed one British soldier and injured four, raising Britain's death toll to 98, at least nine killed by this new type of bomb. On Tuesday, a suicide car bomber killed 22, including four police, and injured 28 in a market area of Kirkuk. The bloodiest day was Thursday, with more than 50 Iraqis killed in several bombings, while Wednesday saw the assassinations of an industry minister and former chief of traffic police. . The worst was a car bomb attack on a hospital that killed 31 and injured 27. US soldiers had been handing out Thanksgiving day treats. "Supporters for the Sunni Community" claimed responsibility for a second car bomb that killed four and injured 13, saying it was a revenge killing following the killing on Wednesday of Khadim Sarhid al-Hemaiyim, elderly leader of the al-Batta, a Sunni tribe. That attack, by gunmen disguised as soldiers, also killed three of his sons and his son-in-law.

Note this article on "Locals report being forced into insurgency":
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=50260&SelectRegion=Middle_East&SelectCountry=IRAQ

In military operations, US troops mistakenly fired on a civilian vehicle, killing two men and three children, and injuring three others as the family returned from a relative's funeral. The US counterinsurgency Operation Steel Curtain concluded after 17 days in which 139 insurgents and ten marines were reportedly killed.

Note Ghaith Abdul-Ahad's description of the work at Yarmouk hospital:
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1647776,00.html
Picture gallery:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/gall/0,8542,1648234,00.html

Israeli President Katsav has dissolved parliament and set 28 March as the date for early elections after Prime Minister Sharon left the Likud Party he had helped form, thereby losing coalition support. Sharon has formed a new party called Kadima ("Forward").

Jordan's King Abdullah has called for a war against extremists. The International Crisis Group offers some suggestions"
"Jordan's 9/11:

Lebanese Hezbollah attacked Israeli soldiers along the Blue Line near the southern Lebanese border, attempting to kidnap an Israeli soldier. Four militants were killed and 11 Israelis injured. Hezbollah said it has a duty to capture Israeli soldiers if that is what is necessary to force Israel to return remains, detainees, or prisoners. Accusations of an Israeli warplane attack were withdrawn after finding that an unexploded artillery shell caused the explosion. However, Israel did use planes to drop leaflets on Beirut and southern Lebanon, leading to further border clashes.

Qatar-based al-Jazeera has demanded the facts behind a memo published by the British newspaper, the Daily Mirror, indicating that US President Bush had been talked out of a plan to bomb the television station. The US denies the accusation, but al Jazeera's investigations are ongoing.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16397937%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=exclusive%2d%2dbush%2dplot%2dto%2dbomb%2dhis%2darab%2dally-name_page.html
http://english.aljazeera.net

Syria and the UN have agreed on terms for questioning Syrian officials regarding the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In the West Bank, jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti has won the primary for Fatah in Ramallah. With 34,000 out of 40,000 votes, he is one of the most popular politicians and, despite serving five life terms, remains active in politics.

Yemeni tribesmen kidnapped two Swiss tourists, demanding the release of an imprisoned relative. After an official said they would look into the case, the tourists were freed and plan to continue their holiday.

7. South Asia

Afghanistan released final results of the parliamentary and provincial council elections.
http://www.jemb.org/
The Security Council praised the effort as paving the way toward the inauguration of the new parliament and conclusion of the transitional phase of politics.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8562.doc.htm

In southern Afghanistan, the body of as Indian driver kidnapped by Taleban militants was found with a letter telling India not to intervene in the Taleban's fight and end support for the US, including reconstruction efforts. The victim, Ramankutty Maniyappan, was given a state burial in his native Kerala.

The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party has expelled Abu Hena, a member of parliament whom accused the government of supporting Islamic militancy. Hena linked BNP support to the spread of Jamaat-e-Islami, which did not exist four years ago. The Awami League and 13 other opposition parties have rallied to pressure the 4-year-old government to step down, which it is not required to do until its term ends in October 2006. A number of small bombings last week caused several casualties.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, chief commander Qari Saifullah of Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed in a gunbattle Monday night. Security forces believe this will be a major setback to the militant group. Other militant attacks last week included a looted cash fan and two infiltrators at an army camp in which five people were killed during the fight.

Nepal's Maoist leaders and seven main political parties have agreed to an alliance to end King Gyanendra's direct rule of the kingdom and restore democracy. With arms embargoes from India, the UK and UK still in place, the King has begun to obtain significant quantities of arms from China.

For details of the Air India Flight 182 report and inquiry, see the Feature Article, below.

"Pakistan's Local Polls: Shoring Up Military Rule" from the International Crisis Group finds:

Sri Lanka's new president, Mahinda Rajapakse, has named his new cabinet, which does not include Sinhala nationalist JVP or Buddhist monks. He has demanded a review of the Tamil Tiger ceasefire agreement, which he wants to amend to include an end to terrorist attacks. He also rejects the idea of a separate homeland.

8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare

The fast-spreading Sober-X worm looks to be the worst of the year. Masked as an official message from the CIA, FBI, or similar national agencies, it claims the government discovered you visiting illegal web sites and to open an attachment containing official questions. The attachment contains malicious software that disables security and firewall programs, and provides remote access to your computer. It affects only computers using Microsoft Windows. Previous versions of Sober were not as high-risk.
http://info.abril.com.br/aberto/infonews/112005/23112005-6.shl (Portuguese)
http://secunia.com/virus_information/23836/sober.x/
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w32soberx.html
http://virus.html.it/virus/cat_3/virus_47/sober.x.html (Italian)
http://www.bsi.bund.de/av/vb/sober-x.htm (German)
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nov05/emailscam112205.htm
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/sober_x.shtml
http://www.pcwelt.de/news/sicherheit/124691/ (German)
http://www.sophos.fr/virusinfo/analyses/w32soberx.html (French)
http://www.virusalert.nl/?show=virus&id=1249&name=W32.Sober.X@mm (Dutch)
http://www.zive.cz/h/Viryabezpecnost/AR.asp?PG=1&ARI=126779&CAI=2156 (Czech)

A new exploit has been identified in an Internet Explorer vulnerability. Previously believed to be a Denial of Service risk, it has been found that it can permit system access even after SP2 has been applied.
http://www.computerterrorism.com/research/ie/ct21-11-2005
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/911302.mspx

SANS issued its sixth Top 20 Internet Security Vulnerabilities, for the first time including Cross-Platform and Networking Products. The list, linking to information for correcting the flaws, comprises:

Konqueror, Internet Explorer, Mozilla/Firefox, and Opera browser developers met to discuss ways to counter security threats. http://dot.kde.org/1132619164

India's National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and the Bombay police held the third annual CyberSafety Week 21-26 November. They emphasized the need for information security and privacy, particularly in outsourcing activities, and addressed the critical threats posed with online financial services, organized crime, identity theft and national security.
http://www.nasscom.org/eventdetails.asp?id=422

9. Finance

Indonesian State Intelligence Agency chief Major General (ret) Syamsir Siregar described terrorist financing obtained by local groups from foreign sources using bank transfers and couriers.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20051125.@01&irec=0

Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and other Islamic militant organizations in Bangladesh are reportedly financed by Middle East-based non-governmental organizations such as the Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS) in Kuwait and others. Funding is sent by check, cash, and hundi. Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) "spends roughly Tk 60 lakh a year for maintaining its full-time leaders and cadres, and Tk 1 to 5 crore for buying explosives and firearms and executing attacks". Some RIHS offices have been blacklisted by the US. Al-Haramain is blacklisted in Bangladesh. Other NGOs under scrutiny are: Rabita Al-Alam Al-Islami, Al-Muntada Al-Islami, Society of Social Reforms, Qatar Charitable Society, Islamic Relief Agency, Al-Forkan Foundation, International Relief Organisation, Kuwait Joint Relief Committee, Muslim Aid Bangladesh, Ar-Rib, Dar Al-Khair, Hayatul Igachha and Tawheed-e-Noor.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/11/26/d5112601022.htm

India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is handing a dossier on organized crime leader Abu Salem's financial empire, including extortion funds transferred through hawala.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=82727

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has returned $17 million to the defunct Banco Noroeste. The bank collapsed in connection with a large scale advance fee (419) fraud. This payment is part of $242 million lost in the fraud, for which defendants Amaka Anajemba, Frank Nwude and Nzeribe Okoli were convicted.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=50266

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, governor of Nigeria's oil-rich Bayelsa state, jumped bail in the UK and using false papers and disguise returned to Nigeria. He was arrested in the UK for money laundering and corruption. The National Assembly has served an impeachment notice on Alamieyeseigha, and there have been demonstrations demanding he be arrested and deported to the UK to face justice.
http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=720&Itemid=2
http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=717&Itemid=2

Northern Ireland's High Court has approved an Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) request to freeze all assets of the late Jim Gray, a senior commander in the Ulster Defense Association (UDA) with some GBP 200,000 in assets, believed to be the proceeds of crime. http://www.assetsrecovery.gov.uk/PressReleases/101105PressRelease.htm

US President Bush issued an Executive Order in which additional individuals in the government of Zimbabwe are placed under sanction, and US officials are given the authority to add additional names to the list of those hindering democratic reform in Zimbabwe, without requiring presidential authority. Those listed are banned from undertaking any business transactions with US citizens.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051123-4.html

Afghanistan's land under opium cultivation dipped 21 percent in 2005, but renewed insecurity, continued corruption, free opium seed distribution by traffickers, dissatisfaction with development assistance, and a decreased eradication effort could prevent further gains. The Afghan Opium Survey also found that drug addiction, mostly hashish, was more widespread than previously estimated, involving nearly a million people (3.8 percent of the population). A disturbing trend is to offer Afghan children opium derivatives to ease pain or hunger.
http://www.unodc.org/newsletter/200504/page008.html

The Senlis Council , responding to the need to reduce Afghanistan's illegal opium trade, launched a study on the feasibility of licensing Afghan opium for the production of medicines such as morphine and codeine in March 2005. Initial findings indicate this would be an effective development effort as well as a response to global shortages of opiate-based medicines.
http://www.senliscouncil.net/modules/afghanistan_initiatives/feasibility_study/fs_study

10. Human Rights

As the US nears its 1000th execution since executions resumed in 1977, evidence that Ruben Cantu was not guilty for the crime of which he was executed has emerged. Further controversy has been generated by the upcoming execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams, who was convicted of leading a gang in Los Angeles. His anti-gang work has led to five Nobel Peace Prize nominations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/21/AR2005112101384.html
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/canturuben.htm
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=1620&scid=64
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3471520.html
http://www.1000executions.org/
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/deathpenalty-index-eng
http://www.tookie.com/

The new UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict has started work on implementing a resolution approved in July to promote the rights of children affected by armed conflict anywhere in the world.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8559.doc.htm

European investigations into the US use of European countries to secretly transfer and detain prisoners has spread farther. The EU is formally requesting clarification from the US, and an investigator is reviewing flight patterns and satellite photos. The UK, Spain, Sweden and Iceland are investigating reports their territory was used. Connections with British security services MI5 and MI6 are also underway.

Rodolfo Stavenhagen, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, concluded a visit to New Zealand, finding that the standard of living of Maoris had improved but the social and economic gap is increasing, particularly in health, housing, income, education and social services.
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/593D9C547C710084C12570C400369649?opendocument

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has launched an inquiry into a video that shows a police officer forcing a female detainee to undertake humiliating procedures. There have been other complaints from Chinese tourists, but the Malaysian police suggest the practices are standard. Both government and opposition politicians have called for the resignation of the deputy police chief.

The United Nations refugee agency expressed concern today that police in Slovenia will be entitled to decide whether or not a person is qualified to seek asylum in that country under new laws proposed yesterday because the legislation would create a vague new category of unprotected persons.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has advised the Slovene Government that proposed changes to Slovenia's Asylum Act, permitting police to decide whether or not a person is qualified to seek asylum,, create a new category of unprotected persons that is unheard of, and would undermine international law and go against the intention of the EU's harmonization efforts. In 2004, Slovenia received 1,174 asylum applications, and in the first three-quarters of this year received 1,229.
http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=4386f2cd11

Poland's new defense minister announced the declassification of the Warsaw Pact files, which will be available through the Institute of National Remembrance, which also investigates Communist-era war crimes.
http://www.ipn.gov.pl/index_eng.html

Sweden has become the first country to ratify the International Convention Against Doping in Sport.

11. Law and Legal Issues

Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, has been convicted in US court on nine counts, including conspiracy to hijack a plane, membership of al-Qaeda, and plans to kill President Bush. His defense team said the confession was forced through torture. The verdict will be appealed. Sentencing is scheduled for February.

The government in Ghana has confirmed that a member of parliament has been arrested in the United States for alleged involvement in drug smuggling.

Eric Amoateng, a member of Ghana's parliament, has been arrested by US authorities in connection with the alleged heroin trafficking. Found with 136 pounds of heroin (about $6 million), he was informed that Ghana's parliamentary immunity did not apply in the US.

Tafa Balogun, former Nigerian police chief, has pleaded guilty to eight charges of corruption and was sentenced to six months in prison. He is the first senior official convicted in Nigeria's anti-corruption drive.

Jean Paul Bizimana, a former Rwandan soldier and member of the Hutu Liberation Army of Rwanda (ALIR), pleaded not guilty to abducting 14 tourists and their guide in a Ugandan park in 1999, and killing nine of them. A kidnapped French diplomat was freed with a message condemning UK and US support for Rwandan president Kagame, a Tutsi.

Abbas Boutrab was found guilty in Northern Ireland court of downloading information on how to make a bomb that could blow up a plane. The Algerian, suspected of al Qaeda connections, had been arrested more than two years ago on suspected immigration offences.

Hissene Habre, the former President of Chad, is in detention in Senegal pending determination from the African Union whether the former dictator, wanted in Belgium for human rights abuses committed under his rule, should be extradited.

Peter Eaton, an electrical engineer from Wales, has been charged in Afghanistan with weapons trafficking.

Bernard Kolelas, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, has been given amnesty by parliament. He had been sentenced in absentia for war crimes and was living in exile until allowed to return home to bury his wife.

Mohammed Mahjoub will remain in Canadian prison on a national security certificate pending a constitutional ruling. A federal judge last week ruled his continued detention without trial was troubling, but felt unable to release him.

Abdul Majid, Abdullah Al Mamun ("Faruq"), Humayun Kabir ("Anas"), Noor Hossain, and Enamul Haq (age 12), and three other suspected members of Jamaat-e-Islami, were arrested in Bangladesh and are under investigation.

Mohammed Aslam Mirza denied in English court responsibility for the 1984 kidnap and murder of Ravinder Mhatre, a British-based Indian diplomat.

Rauf Abdullah Mohammed was arrested and charged under Britain's Terrorism Act with recording information likely to be of use to people planning or committing terrorist acts.

Jose Padilla has been indicted on three charges: Conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim persons in a foreign country, conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists, and providing material support for terrorists. He was charged in a superceding indictment with co-defendants Kassem Daher, Adham Hassoun, Mohomed Youssef, and Kifah Jayyousi. Padilla, a US citizen, was arrested in the US in May 2002 and has been held as an "enemy combatant" suspected of planning a dirty bomb and other attacks in the US. His attorneys demanded that he be charged or released, and he has now been charged, though these charges are not the same as those originally reported to have caused his detention without trial.
Press release:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2005/ag_speech_051122.html
Indictment:
http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/cases/opinions/04cr60001d141.pdf

Uzair Paracha was convicted in US court of attempting to help an al Qaeda operative enter the country to launch attacks. The Pakistani man's attorneys said a false confession was extracted through coercive means. Paracha's father, Saifullah Paracha, is held without charge at Guantanamo Bay.

Imran Yaqub Patel was sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to wasting 4,070 hours of police time for falsely claiming to have been the fifth 7/7 bomber.

Hrvoje Petrac will be extradited to Croatia, where he had been sentenced in absentia to six years in prison for kidnapping, pending an appeal to the Greek justice minister. The Croatian businessman was arrested in Greece in August. He is believed connected with and involved in war crimes.

Abuu Rob of Islamic Jihad was arrested by Israeli troops after a day-long siege.

Michael Gerard Rogan was arrested in Tenerife in 2004 and extradited back to Northern Ireland, where he was charged with conspiring to cause explosions at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, in 1996. He has now been found not guilty after the defense claimed there was no case to answer because there was no evidence that the accused had any knowledge of the bombing.

Ricardo Garcia Urquiza, ("The Doctor"), was arrested in a Mexico City shopping center, and will face charges in connection with alleged leadership of the Juarez drugs cartel.

Frans van Anraat, a Dutch businessman, has gone on trial before a war crimes court in The Hague, in connection with selling the chemicals used in the 1988 attacks on Halabja despite an export ban.

12. Transportation

The European Court of Justice's advocate-general has said that an EU-US agreement under which airline passenger data is released to US authorities goes beyond the EU's powers, which come under national not EU law, and should be scrapped. http://curia.eu.int/

Somalia's transitional government has awarded US company Topcat Marine Security a 2-year contract to fight piracy. http://www.topcatmarinesecurity.com/ The International Maritime Bureau's Weekly Piracy Report continues its alert:

Canada announced new steps to improve passenger rail and public transit systems, including an action plan with five complementary components:

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has proposed modernizing communicable disease regulations through:

Indonesia plans to implement biometrically enabled passports with that can automatically identify fingerprints, beginning next year.

13. Weapons of Mass Destruction

International Atomic Energy Agency Director Mohamed elBaradei called on Iran to take speedy action to provide information and take other measures to demonstrate its nuclear program is used solely for peaceful purposes. For the moment Iran has escaped sanctions over its nuclear program following an EU agreement to consider a Russian compromise.
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2005/ebsp2005n018.html

Interpol opened its bioterrorism workshop in South Africa. Two other workshops will take place in Singapore an Chile in 2006. The conference warned of the real threat and encouraged better recognition and response to it.
http://www.interpol.int/Public/BioTerrorism/default.asp

Landmine Action's report " Out of balance" finds that, "analysis of the UK government practices regarding cluster munitions and the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) reveals not just fundamental inadequacies of UK practice but also serious areas of concern for the broader IHL programme".
http://www.landmineaction.org/resources/Out of Balance.pdf

The Twelfth Session of the Group of Governmental Experts of the States Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) was held 14 to 22 November 2005. Discussions focused on the issues of explosive remnants of war (ERW) and mines other than anti-personnel mines (MOTAPM), as well as issues of humanitarian law and compliance. On 23 November States Parties to the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices reviewed the status of the protocol and issues arising from annual State reports. They appealed for wider adherence, including to restrictions on the use of incendiary weapons.
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/0495380868C9DBB9C12570B5003A991B?OpenDocument
STATES PARTIES TO CCW AMENDED PROTOCOL II ON PROHIBITION OF MINES TO MEET ON 23 NOVEMBER 2005
22 November 2005
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/907DE8693D93965EC12570C1003503CE?OpenDocument
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/BA30F46DA50005BCC12570C300352427?OpenDocument
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sgsm10230.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sgsm10227.doc.htm

14. Recently Published

Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, "Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy", Cambridge University Press

Delphine Hirasuna, "The Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts from the Japanese-American Internment Camps 1942-1946", Ten Speed

Chris McNabe, "How to Survive Anything, Anywhere", Calibre Press

Philippe Nurrin, transl. Janet Llod, "Nazi Anti-Semitism: From Prejudice to the Holocaust", New Press

Robert Rothberg, editor, "Battling Terrorism in the horn of Africa", Brookings Institution Press and the World Peace Foundation
http://www.brookings.edu/press/books/battlingterrorisminthehornofafrica.htm

David Williams, "A People's History of the Civil War: Struggles to Expand America's Freedom, 1861-1865", New Press

FEATURE ARTICLE: Air India Flight 182 Lessons To Be Learned

On June 23, 1985, a Boeing 727 flying from Montreal to Bombay, via London, disintegrated in mid-air, killing all 329 people on board. It was the worst aviation disaster over water, and the worst terrorist incident in Canadian history. On March 16, 2005, a Canadian judge found that the case against two men accused of involvement in this disaster had not been proven.

In the aftermath of the failed legal action, June 23 was named as a national day for remembrance of the victims of terror and the government undertook to establish permanent memorials to the victims. In addition to memorializing the event, the government undertook to attempt to achieve closure for the families of the victims by assigning noted parliamentarian Bob Rae to provide independence advice on outstanding questions concerning the bombing and to lay out how these issues could be addressed.

On November 23, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan announced that she had reviewed Mr. Rae's report and consulted with Prime Minister Paul Martin. Agreeing that there are "Lessons To Be Learned", they have accepted his recommendation to set up an order-in- council public inquiry.

The inquiry will focus on uncovering answers to the outstanding questions raised by Mr. Rae:

He elaborates on these issues as follows:

Mr. Rae has been appointed Chairperson of the Air India Flight 182 Review and Inquiry. The inquiry will involve multiple branches of government, as follows:

As always, developments in the case will be described in this Newsletter.

Further Reading:

HOW TO CONTACT US:

Please contact us with your questions or comments by sending email to .

We look forward to hearing from you.
Editorial Team
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