CONTENTS:

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:

1. Global Terrorism Monitor
2. Political Risk Monitor
3. AML/CFT Monitor
4. Emerging Threat Monitor
5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor
6. Disaster Reduction Monitor
7. Recommended Reading
8. Asset Management Network News

1. Global Terrorism Monitor

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Africa
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In Democratic Republic of Congo, Congolese and UN soldiers conducted anti-rebel operations in the northeast. Early on 25 December, Ugandan rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces counterattacked. After four days, the operation had left 86 Ugandan rebels dead, as well as six members of government forces and one UN peacekeeper.

Ivory Coast security forces were attacked at a military barracks. Mutinous soldiers were blamed for the 2 January incident, in which three soldiers and seven attackers were killed.

Nigerian security forces shot and killed 12 men among a group bunkering (siphoning off) oil from a pipeline in the Niger Delta.

Uganda's army conducted operations against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in which ten LRA fighters, including Brigadier Francis Kapere, were killed. This news was overshadowed by civilian deaths at a camp for people displaced by LRA violence. A teenage boy was reportedly mistaken for a rebel and killed. The responsible soldier was arrested, but residents launched a protest that turned violent. In the end, the army killed seven civilians and injured 16.

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Americas
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Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels are believed responsible for an attack in Meta province in which 28 soldiers guarding coca destruction workers were killed. The Colombian army, already involved in multiple operations, will respond. FARC has ruled out a prisoner exchange with the government, believing they lack the necessary political will.

Haitian police arrested 20 people suspected of involvement in kidnappings, freeing two hostages in late December. On 30 December, three members of the Organization of American States' electoral preparation team were abducted en-route to the airport, but released soon after.

Jose Padilla will be transferred from military custody to a civilian court in Florida, where he will face criminal charges. This follows a US Supreme Court ruling that overturns a lower court's refusal to support the transfer. The lower court suggested that the move from military to civilian custody seemed intended to avoid a Supreme Court ruling on Padilla's indefinite detention. The appeal regarding his detention stands and the Supreme Court will consider it later.
http://www.GlobalTerrorismMonitor.com/2006/01/GTM0802.shtml

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Asia Pacific
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East Timor police shot dead three of seven alleged Indonesian militiamen attempting to infiltrate into East Timor.

In Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province a bomb in a market that sold pork, forbidden to Muslims, in a largely Christian area of the capital, Palu, killed at least eight people and seriously injured more than 50. Dozens of people have been detained for questioning.

Indonesian separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) disbanded its military wing. In return, the last Indonesian troop reinforcements have been removed from Aceh, fulfilling one of the major conditions of the peace agreement.

An active-duty, low-ranking Indonesian soldier and four civilians were arrested for piracy in the Malacca Strait, involving two commercial chips and crew held for ransom in late December. Abdulah Sunata ("Arman Krisdianto") has gone on trial in Indonesia for alleged financing and operational support of the 2002 Bali bombings and the 2003 Marriot hotel attack.

Philippine soldiers and police clashed when they mistook each other for communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels. Two soldiers and three police were killed. NPA rebels clashed with security forces on several occasions, including an incident on 6 January in which five police and three civilians were killed in Masbate province. In Beslan, Abu Sayyaf attacked and shot dead two pro-government militiamen.

Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies sponsored a forum in which changes in Jemaah Islamiah were discussed. Sidney Jones reported that Jemaah Islamiah was divided into a mainstream group that conducts training and raises funds, while there is a smaller faction involved in bombings. Webcast at
http://nettv.1-net.com.sg/iseas/sidney_july05/

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Europe
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In Russia, preliminary findings from a federal inquiry into the 2004 Beslan School siege, led by Alexander Torshin, report that regional police did not follow orders to increase security that could have prevented the attack. An earlier report from the local parliamentary commission had found the security services incompetent and culpable. Investigations are ongoing, with final reports due next year.
http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?idr=530&id=638939
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20051228/42763415.html
http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=2759574&PageNum=0
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4563708.stm

In Dagestan, Russian security forces carrying out an anti-rebel operation, reports they have killed at least five militants, including one on an international wanted list.

Diego Ugarte Lopez de Arkaute has been sentenced in Spain's high court to 100 years and three months in prison for the February 2000 murder of Basque Socialist Party leader Fernando Buesa and his bodyguard. Diego Ugarte, a member of Basque separatist group ETA, was also banned from living near or associating in any way with the victims' families for five years after his release.

Haroon Rashid Aswat faces extradition from the UK to the US, where he faces charges to trying to establish a terrorist training camp in the US state of Oregon. Britain's home secretary has two months to approve the extradition of the British suspect, who had been arrested and deported in Zambia last August.

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Middle East
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Alaa al-Hams of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade has been arrested by Palestinian police in Gaza on suspicion of involvement in the kidnapping of human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents. His arrest prompted armed protests that breached the border fence with Egypt and led to the death of two Egyptian soldiers. Palestinian authorities have reached an agreement with al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade to end protests, and have released Mr. Hams.

In Gaza, two members of Islamic Jihad were killed by an Israeli missile strike against their car. A third person was seriously injured.
Recent insurgent attacks in Iraq include:

Israeli security agency Shin Bet reports a major decline in casualties associated with militant attacks. In 2005 45 Israelis were killed, including 37 civilians - 60 percent fewer than in 2004. There were 2,990 militant attacks, including 377 Qassam rockets, 160 attempted suicide attacks, and five successful suicide attacks.

Israel launched air strikes inside Lebanon, targeting a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command (PFLP-GC) facility in retaliation over rocket attacks into Israel. PFLP-GC denies responsibility for the rocket attacks.

Kuwait's criminal court sentenced six suspected militants to death for charges including attempting to establish a terrorist organization. Seven other defendants were acquitted, and 30 sentenced to various prison terms.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=800705

Saudi Arabian police captured Muhammad Suwailmi at a roadblock. His arrest was achieved after two gunfights in which five police were killed. Suwailmi was considered one of the leading Islamist militants in the kingdom, and was number seven of the list of the 36 most wanted. Another suspect who evaded capture was later shot and killed, and a third captured at the time has also died of injuries sustained during the fighting.

In the West Bank, Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a 29 December suicide bombing that killed the bomber, Suhaib Ibrahim Ajami, two Palestinians, and one Israeli soldier. Ten people connected to the bomber were arrested. He had reportedly planned to attack a children's Hanukkah party.

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South Asia
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Roadside bombs in northern Afghanistan injured two NATO peacekeepers. Taleban militants are believed responsible for shooting dead an Afghan aid worker in a mosque in Helmand province and for the decapitation of a head teacher in Zabul province. On 5 January a suicide car bombing in Uruzgan province killed at least ten police and civilians and injured a similar number. The Taleban claimed responsibility.

Taliban military chief Mullah Dadullah and three Afghan associates were sentenced in absentia to life in prison by a Pakistani court. Two Pakistani supporters were also sentenced, and a third acquitted, in the case of attempting to murder Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani, a conservative member of parliament with the Jamiat Ulema-I-Islam.

Indian police in Bangalore have been on high alert since retired college mathematics professor MC Puri was killed and four other scientists injured when a gunman opened fire at the Indian Institute of Science campus on 28 December. It has been called a terrorist attack aimed at the technology capital of India, but investigations are still underway to determine the nature of the attack. One suspect has been arrested.

In Manipur, police Inspector General T Thangthuam was ambushed by suspected rebels. He and one of his bodyguards were shot dead on 31 December. The attack may have been in response to the death of four United National Liberation Front (UNLF) separatist rebels on 27 December.

Nepal's Maoist insurgency resumed on 3 January with a series of bombings targeting government buildings, but causing no casualties.
http://www.GlobalTerrorismMonitor.com/2006/01/GTM0801.shtml

Pakistan's gas-rich Balochistan province has been the scene of further conflict between tribal rebels and government security forces. Attacks are often against infrastructure targets, including a railway bridge that was blown up on the night of 30-31 December. Gunmen killed two soldiers on Friday and violence over that weekend killed two soldiers and one tribesman. On 2 January a bomb blast killed at least four people. The Indian government expressed concern over the spiraling unrest in the province, and was told not to interfere with the internal affairs of Pakistan. There have also been accusations that India has supported nationalist rebels.

In Waziristan province, eight Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed when attacked by suspected Islamic militants. Eight other people were killed when military helicopters attacked a house in the region, an incident that is under investigation.

Sri Lankan troops were attacked and shot dead two suspected Tamil Tiger rebels. Tamil Tigers are believed responsible for a 27 December land mine in Jaffna that killed at least 11 soldiers. A bomb on 2 January also blamed on the Tigers killed five and injured two in the eastern town of Trincomalee. On 6 January, a Sri Lankan naval boat was ambushed by suspected Tigers, leaving 15 sailors missing in what may have been a suicide attack.

The Sri Lankan army denies being involved in the 2 January attack in the eastern town of Trincomalee that killed five Tamil youths. Survivors said men in military clothing threw a grenade then shot the boys, execution-style, in the head. Tamil Tigers claim the youths were killed by military special forces. An investigation has been launched.

2. Political Risk Monitor

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Africa
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The European Union has set aside Euro 165.7 million in humanitarian aid to address "silent tsunamis": the ongoing crises in Burundi, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
http://www.PoliticalRiskMonitor.com/2006/01/PRM0804.shtml

Central African Republic's parliament granted President Francois Bozize the right to rule by decree for three months. The law was adopted on 30 December. Any decree Bozize makes would be subject to parliamentarian ratification at the end of rule by decree.

Chad has decided to relax controls on the use of oil profits, leading the World Bank to suspend all loans to the country.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's conflict kills 38,000 people each month. The medical journal, the Lancet, says that most of these deaths are related to consequences from the collapse of health services since the war began in 1998. With some four million deaths, it is the deadliest conflict since World War II.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606679233/fulltext

The Eritrea and Ethiopia border remains tense, with troop movements on both sides and Eritrean restrictions on UN monitors hindering operations.

Guinea's only opposition party in parliament, the Union of Progress and Renewal (UPR), has announced it will withdraw from the assembly to protest the December elections, which gave a huge majority to the ruling Party for Unity and Progress. UPR called it "electoral robbery", and said the results should be annulled. Corruption and poor governance have led international donors to suspend financial aid.

Ivory Coast has a new transitional government that names rebel leader Guillaume Soro minister of reconstruction and has independent defense and finance ministers, reducing the power held by transitional president Laurent Gbagbo, and leaving open the question of which leader will be able to unite and lead the country.

Nigeria, facing a severe problem in getting cases through the justice system, will free up to 25,000 people - about half the prison population - to reduce overcrowding. These include the old, sick, and those who have been held for longer than the sentences they face.

Rwanda has reorganized the country into four provinces plus the capital, Kigali. They replace 12 provinces that had little power, helping reduce the centralized political system that had helped make the 1994 genocide possible. The new North, South, East and West provinces also eliminate provincial names associated with ethnic differences and the genocide.
http://www.minaloc.gov.rw/events/index.html

Somalia's rival political forces have agreed to assemble the transitional parliament in a to be determined location in Somalia in the next 30 days. The government last met in Kenya and has not be united for 15 years.

In Sudan peace negotiations between the government and rebel groups failed to meet a year-end deadline and are proceeding slowly even while instability increases and there is a build-up of forces along the northern border. Cross-border conflict with the Ugandan-based Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups continues. The International Crisis Group warns of dangerous conditions in the east:

Swaziland charged 13 members of the banned People's United Democratic Movemenbt (PUDEMO) with treason in connection with a series of bombings against government interests last year. PUDEMO Secretary General Bonginkosi, who had been working with Amnesty International regarding the detentions, now faces charges of treason and sedition. These charges could carry the death penalty.
http://www.PoliticalRiskMonitor.com/2006/01/PRM0801.shtml

Zimbabwe's human rights record has for the first time been denounced strongly by the African Union's (AU) Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR). An AU-appointed independent group of experts condemned such acts as the urban cleanup that displaced some 700,000 people. AU heads of state will be asked to adopt the ACHPR in meetings in January or February 2006.

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Americas
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Bolivian President-elect has been on an international tour that began in Cuba, included Venezuela, Spain, Belgium, Holland, and France, and will end with China and Braqil. He is discussing the partial nationalization of Bolivia's oil and gas reserves, and the role foreign firms, as well as the necessary investment and security. Mr. Morales will be Bolivia's first indigenous leader when he takes office on 22 January.

In Brazil, inmates in an Amazonian prison took more than 200 people hostage, supporting their demand for the return of Ednildo Paulo de Souza, who had been transferred to another jail after leading a vicious and deadly uprising last year.

Haiti's elections were postponed for the fifth time amid deteriorating security and persistent operational problems. The commander of the UN peacekeeping force, General Urano Teizeira Da Matta Bacellar of Brazil, has apparently killed himself. He was found in his hotel with a bullet wound to the head. General Eduardo Aldunate Herman of Chile will take on his role.

Mexico's Zapatista rebels have launched a nationwide political tour that will cover all 31 states in advance of upcoming presidential elections. Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marco now prefers to be known as Delegate Zero.

Peru has withdrawn its ambassador to Venezuela for consultations in protest against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's support for Peruvian nationalist candidate Ollanta Humala. Chavez and Humala, a former rebel leader, share opposition to free trade. Peru says Chavez is interfering it its election.

Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard University budget expert Linda Bilmes calculated the real cost to the US of the war in Iraq at between $1 trillion and $2 trillion, up to ten times previous estimates. This follows news that the Bush administration does not plan to seek additional funds for Iraqi reconstruction.
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Asia Pacific
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A Chinese farmer, angry over a land dispute, set off a bomb during a court hearing. He blew up himself and also killed the court president, a local party official, and two other people. At least 20 people were injured.
Guo Feiziong was arrested in China in September, after he assisted a farming village's protest. After being held for more than three months, he has now been released without charge, in what is seen as a concession to the protestors.
Tian Fengshan has been sentenced to life in prison in Chinese court for accepting some $500,000 in bribes while he served eight years as a regional governor and minister.
Indonesia's last troop reinforcements have been removed from Aceh, following the disbanding of the Free Aceh Movement's (GAM) military wing. This fulfills one of the major conditions of the peace agreement. Peace monitors will remain in Aceh for another six months.
Thai authorities have responded to escalating violence in the south with arbitrary detention, torture, and excessive force, and have failed to adequately investigate attacks. These are among recent findings reported by Amnesty International.
http://www.PoliticalRiskMonitor.com/2006/01/PRM0802.shtml

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Europe
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The European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) undertook an operation to arrest indicted war crimes suspect Dragomir Abzazovic. In an exchange of fire, his wife, Rada Abazovic, was shot and killed. Their son and one other person were injured. Mr. Abazovic injured himself in the head, but was arrested. Bosnian Serb leader Dragan Cavic has asked for an investigation into this use of force.

The French cabinet lifted a state of emergency imposed in November, six weeks earlier than planned. It had been imposed in reaction to riots that began in the Paris suburbs and spread to other cities. During the three weeks of urban violence there were 4,000 arrests and nearly 9,000 cars were set afire. President Chirac plans to overturn a law that requires teachers to emphasize the positive aspects of French colonial rule, particularly in North and West Africa, because the law was dividing the country, particularly families from the former colonies.

Pietro Nocera has been arrested in the Canary Islands on a European arrest warrant issued by Italy, where he is wanted for financing the Nuvoleta clan of the Naples Mafia.

Former Serb paramilitary Slobodan Davidovic was sentenced to 15 years prison in Croatia for participating in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia. He is one of six men seen on videotape: the other five are on trial.

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Middle East
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Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has died while on a visit to Australia. Sheikh Maktoum was also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the Unnited Arab Emirates. He has been succeeded by his brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Egyptian police used truncheons and water cannon to break up a Sudanese-migrant protest camp in Cairo on 23 December, causing a stampede. The migrants had asked to be settled in a third country with better living conditions. There are calls for an independent inquiry into the violence, which killed at least 27 people, including 11 children. Egyptian authorities and UN refugee officials are working together to resolve the situation, and Egypt has agreed to delay deportation of some 650 Sudanese detainees.

Campaigning for upcoming Palestinian elections is underway. Israel has refused to let Palestinian candidates canvas in East Jerusalem.

In Iraq, military operations increasingly use air strikes to help limit coalition casualties. On 3 January, a US air strike in the northern town of Baiji killed 14 members of one family, most women and children. A US convoy travelling in Kerbala was targeted with a roadside bomb that killed five soldiers. There were a number of other bombs and other attacks directed against Iraqi and coalition forces, including attacks on 6 January that killed 11 US troops. Iraqi Shiites have demonstrated against the recent upsurge in attacks.

International monitors in Iraq have begun reviewing complaints of fraud and intimidation during December's parliamentary elections. Results will be released after the investigation is completed.

Israeli Prime Minister Sharon suffered a major stroke that will make it impossible for him to resume his leadership of the country. As his treatment continues, the political situation is unsettled and there are widespread concerns over the future of the peace process.

Lebanon hosted the National Conference to Support the Resistance. The 2-day meeting reviewed distinctions between terrorism and resistance, national security, and other issues. Their final statement said that Hezbollah, the resistance, is the only real option for territorial defense, which must include comprehensive and civil resistance among all groups in civil society, including immigrants.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=21203

Abdul Qadir has been arrested in Lebanon in connection with the murder of anti-Syrian newspaper owner Gibran Tueni on 12 December. Qadir was born in Syria, rents land near the murder site, and made phone calls immediately before and after the car bombing.

Syria rejected a UN request that President Bashar al-Assad be questioned in connection with the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In Yemen there have been a spate of kidnappings against foreigners. In late December five German hostages were held then released. On 1 January, five Italian tourists were held but released on the 6th. The releases have been secured after negotiation, but details of the kidnappers' demands were not released.

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South Asia
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Assadullah Sarwari is on trial in Afghanistan for alleged war crimes and torture in the 1980s. He has been in custody since Mujahideen rebels overthrew the Soviet-backed regime in 1992. This is the first war crimes trial to be held in Afghanistan. Sarwari says he is not guilty and that the charges are politically motivated.

India's former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to retire. BJP President LK Advani also left the party, and Rajnath Singh has been named as his replacement.

Indian police in Bangalore have been on high alert since retired college mathematics professor MC Puri was killed and four other scientists injured when a gunman opened fire at the Indian Institute of Science campus on 28 December. It has been called a terrorist attack aimed at the technology capital of India, but investigations are still underway to determine the nature of the attack.

In Manipur, police Inspector General T Thangthuam was ambushed by suspected rebels. He and one of his bodyguards were shot dead on 31 December. The attack may have been in response to the death of four United National Liberation Front (UNLF) separatist rebels on 27 December. Clashes between police and tribespeople erupted over protests against a planned steel plant. Six people died.

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission reports that the Maoist ceasefire led to a sharp drop in bombings, killings, and human rights abuses. However, after the government refused to match the ceasefire, the Maoist rebels said the 3-month truce will not be renewed. The insurgency resumed on 3 January with a series of bombings targeting government buildings, but causing no casualties.

Pakistan's gas-rich Balochistan province has been the scene of further conflict between tribal rebels and government security forces. Attacks are often against infrastructure targets, including a railway bridge that was blown up on the night of 30-31 December. Gunmen killed two soldiers on Friday and violence over that weekend killed two soldiers and one tribesman. The Indian government expressed concern over the spiraling unrest in the province, and was told not to interfere with the internal affairs of Pakistan.

Sri Lankan troops shot dead at least two suspected Tamil Tiger rebels who had allegedly had attacked the soldiers. Tamil Tigers are believed responsible for a land mine in Jaffna that killed at least 11 soldiers. A bomb on 2 January also blamed on the Tigers killed five and injured two in the eastern town of Trincomalee.

3. AML/CFT Monitor

A BBC World Service investigation into the 7 July London bombings revealed that the cost of executing the four suicide attacks that killed 52 people and injured hundreds was self-financed with small withdrawals and cost only about a $1,000. This is another example of the declining costs of terrorist attacks, and the difficulty of detecting terrorist financing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4576346.stm
Note detailed coverage of "Dirty Money" in these World Service broadcasts:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1132_wag_dirtymoney/

Indonesian police are investigating links between a string of armed robberies and terrorist financing. They believe that most wanted Malaysian terrorist Noordin Mohammad Top was behind an armed jewel store robbery in December in which the store's owner and his assistant were killed. Kidnapping for ransom is believed to be another financing tactic.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20051224.@02 http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20060107.G02&irec=1

The US Department of State has imposed sanctions against nine companies, from Austria, China, and India that it claims supplied military equipment to Iran. Under the US-Iran Nonproliferation Act, these companies will be banned from trading with the US government and prohibited from acquiring export licenses for certain US technologies.
http://www.AMLCFTMonitor.com/2006/01/AML0801.shtml

Also addressing weapons proliferation, the US Treasury has designated the Iranian entities Novin Energy Company and Mesbah Energy Company.
http://www.AMLCFTMonitor.com//2006/01/AML0802.shtml

Securities broker-dealer Oppenheimer consented to a $2.8 million penalty assessed against it by the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The penalties were imposed for Bank Secrecy Act breaches related to anti-money laundering programs and suspicious activity reports, as well as anti-money laundering rules administered by the SEC, including deficiencies in international account transfers.
http://www.AMLCFTMonitor.com/2006/01/AML0803.shtml

The Middle East & North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) has issued guidance on best practices regarding cash couriers.
http://www.AMLCFTMonitor.com/2006/01/AML0807.shtml

The Isle of Man has amended its AML guidance notes in line with regional and international standards.
http://www.AMLCFTMonitor.com//2006/01/AML0808.shtml

4. Emerging Threats Monitor

The first human case of avian influenza was detected in 2003. The World Health Organization has now confirmed a total of 144 human infections, of which 76 proved fatal. For the first time, fatal infections have occurred on the European continent, with the deaths of three children in Turkey. These are believed contracted from the birds and not transmitted from human-to-human.

Amid rising media restrictions and detention of journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists finds that the numbers killed has reached the highest level in more than two decades. In 2005 there were 47 confirmed deaths, of which 22 occurred in Iraq, making it the most dangerous place for journalists last year. While crossfire had been the leading cause of death in 2003 and 2004, last year murder accounted for more than 70 percent of the deaths. Since the 2003 invasion, a total of 60 journalists have been killed in Iraq.
http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2006/killed_05/killed_release_03jan05.html

A chemical attack using methyl mercaptan affected 78 people, most requiring hospitalization, as they were shopping in a St. Petersburg, Russia, store. The gas was delivered in capsules with timers. The devices were found also found in three other branches of the Maksidom retail chain. Security officials believe the attack was criminal rather than terrorist in nature.

Russia has been attempting to use energy supplies as a political lever. Russia attempted to override its contract with Ukraine to raise gas prices, and when their demand was rejected shut down supplies to Ukraine. This temporarily affected gas supplies in much of Europe. Just days after their disagreement with Ukraine had been settled, Russia has demanded that Bulgaria agree to changes in its gas supply contract. Russia currently controls about a quarter of world gas reserves.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued draft guidance for comment on preparation and response to dirty bomb attacks.
http://www.EmergingThreatMonitor.com/2006/01/ETM0801.shtml

5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor

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Cybersecurity
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Microsoft has released a patch for a major security flaw in which the way Windows handles images could allow installation of malicious software, including remote control of the infected machine. Immediate installation of the patch is strongly advised. Because the vulnerability is so severe, the fix was released in advance of scheduled monthly updates.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06-001.mspx

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division and subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), said today backup computer tapes containing data pertaining to approximately 206,000 associates, timeshare owners and timeshare customers were missing from the corporate office in Orlando Fla.
http://www.vacationclub.com/corporate/corporatePress.jsp
http://www.vacationclub.com/corporate/faq.jsp

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Healthcare
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The US Department of Health and Human Services has issued a planning guide for individuals and families to be prepared in the event of a pandemic.
http://www.CriticalInfrastructureMonitor.com/2006/01/CIM0802.shtml

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Public Sector
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London's Metropolitan Police have launched a new counter-terrorism advertising campaign to reinforce the need for people to report suspicious activities. The theme is "Terrorists won't succeed if some reports suspicious bags, vehicles, or behavior: You are that someone". It will be promoted through the transportation system and newspapers during January.
http://www.met.police.uk/counter_terrorism/campaign_ct.htm

The US Department of Homeland Security has begun implementing its new risk-based assessment for homeland security grants, beginning with $765 million in direct grants for 35 high threat urban areas.
http://www.CriticalInfrastructureMonitor.com/2006/01/CIM0801.shtml

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Transportation
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The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have made progress in addressing security concerns for fractional operators, which are subject to private regulation in the US and public regulation in the EU. Framework regulations are likely to be produced early this year.

El Al Israel Airlines has decided to install anti-missile systems on passenger jets that fly to areas where al Qaeda has been active. In 2002 militants in Kenya narrowly missed an Arkia plane.

The Singapore Maritime Foundation, representing shippers in the Malacca Strait, reports improved security that merits an end to additional war risk insurance charges.

Piracy in Somalia remains the worst in the world. The International Maritime Bureau reports 35 incidents since last March and warns ships not making scheduled port calls to keep at least 200 nm from the coast.

6. Disaster Reduction Monitor

On the 1-year anniversary of the 26 December 2004 tsunami disaster, that killed 160,000 Indonesians, Indonesia's House of Representatives completed draft legislation to create the new National Disaster Mitigation Agency. It would coordinate prevention, mitigation, and management of disasters at both local and national levels. The current draft would staff the agency with 15 government officials and does not specify oversight.

Without a national agency in place, Indonesia's local governments have struggled to respond to disasters, supported by the military. Flash floods and landslides in Java have killed up to 240 and displaced more than 5,0000 people since 31 December. Such meteorological events are expected to present similar threats through March. Facing this persistent threat, the government plans to update maps each month to support evacuation planning. People are being urged to resettle in safer locations, but no information about resettlement funds has been provided. The landslides have sparked widespread concern about environmental management, particularly excessive logging.

The Australian Labor Party has proposed a comprehensive climate change plan, including an international coalition to accept climate change refugees, including citizens of the Carteret Islands, already uninhabitable, and Tuvalu, which will rapidly become uninhabitable. The current government under Prime Minister Howard has refused to address requests for assistance from their Pacific neighbors or to join in international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.DisasterReductionMonitor.com/2006/01/DRM0801.shtml

Record snowfalls in East Asia have caused serious problems in China and Japan. In Japan, 56 people have died, transportation seriously disrupted, and self-defense forces may be mobilized to help remove snow. In Xinjiang province in China, nearly 250,000 people have been trapped by the snow. Over 100,000 people were evacuated when the weight of the snow caused their homes to collapse, and more than 5,000 people have been treated for frostbite.

Britain's Flood Risk Management Research Consortium are simulating a one-in-1000 year flood to attempt to prevent a Hurricane Katrina type disaster in London (the Thames), Sales (the Severn River), and Glasgow (the Clyde).
http://www.floodrisk.org.uk

In Pakistan, earthquake relief has been hampered by snow, but there have as yet been no widespread disease outbreaks. However, cases of pneumonia are rising, and there have been several incidents in which fires have burned tents, causing multiple fatalities. Even more severe earthquakes have been predicted for the region.

Last week's mine disaster in the US state of West Virginia illustrates the terrible impact of poor disaster communications. Reports that 12 of the 13 trapped coal miners were alive had made headlines but were proven disastrously wrong when, after a significant delay, it turned out that only one had survived. The families of the victims have called for an explanation, and reporters are reviewing how the story was handled.

A study led by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography analyzed ocean records by sampling deep marine sediments. They found that a rapid rise in temperature 55 million years ago caused major disruption to ocean currents that took 140,000 years to reverse.
http://scrippsnews.ucsd.edu/article_detail.cfm?article_num=708

7. Recommended Reading

Said Hyder Akbar and Susan Burton, "Come Back to Afghanistan: A California Teenager's Story", Bloomsbury.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6284950.html

Richard J. Evans, "The Third Reich in Power", Penguin http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/books/review/18ladd.html?ex=1136869200&en=73580bc0f0c959f5&ei=5070

Doug Lennick and Fred Kiel, "Moral Intelligence: Enhancing Business Performance and Leadership Success", Wharton School Publishing
http://knowledge.emory.edu/index.cfm?fa=viewArticle&id=938

James Risen, "State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration", Free Press. See this extract:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/extracts/story/0,,1678218,00.html

8. Asset Management Network News

The "AML/CFT Monitor" is a monthly 16-page print publication covering international news and analysis related to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. "Global Terrorism Monitor" and "Political Risk Monitor", follow the same format and are also available now. All three titles are available through annual subscriptions to the print editions. Online database subscriptions will be available soon.

"Critical Infrastructure Monitor", "Disaster Reduction Monitor", and "Emerging Threat Monitor" will be available later this year.
Details available online at:

Like https://TerrorismCentral.com, these titles are published by the Asset Management Network. http://www.tamni.com

HOW TO CONTACT US:

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TerrorismCentral

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