AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff
TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - April 30, 2006
SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, April 30, 2006
TEXT:
The US Department of State issued the 2005 Country Reports on Terrorism. They report 11,000 terrorist attacks and 14,600 deaths, most in Iraq. Suicide attacks increased, now causing more than 20 percent of worldwide terror deaths. More details will be provided next week, when we will also release a Special Report on terrorism trends over the past decade. This week, news highlights from around the globe range from the major incident in Egypt and new oil infrastructure threats in Nigeria to poor international preparedness for a flu pandemic and a new report that shows how loose information collection creates a booming business for shell corporations in the US. Recommended Reading this week focuses on the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
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
The Global Terrorism Monitor is a monthly 16-page print publication. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For subscription information, emailinfo@tamni.com.
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GTM Africa
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To understand the disaster of Democratic Republic of Congo, watch UNICEF ambassador and former BBC reporter Martin Bell's assessment report, in this Newsnight video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4944388.stm
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) set off a car bomb in a Mercedes, at a truck stop used by oil tankers at a Warri refinery. It damaged cars but no casualties were reported. MEND notified journalists prior to the attack, calling it a warning to oil workers, and said that oil workers and the Chinese government should stay out of the Niger Delta. In Imo state, a group of youths has threatened to resort to kidnappings and attacks against oil installations if the federal government does not include Imo, a major oil producer, in the Council on Socio-Economic Development of the Coastal States of the Niger Delta. Imo state is not on the coast.
In Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, fighting between armed militias on 23 April broke out when local residents opposed the establishment of a checkpoint. Seven people were killed and dozens injured.
In March, a group of Somalis opened fire on US Navy boarding teams investigating them on suspicion of piracy. During the fighting, was man was killed, and 12 taken into custody. Following security screening, ten of the men are being repatriated. The other two continue to receive medical care.
http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/Release%20pages/Releases/US%20Repatriates%20Ten%20Somalis.htm
The UN Security Council, in a vote of 12 in favor, none against, and three abstentions, travel restrictions and financial sanctions have been imposed on four Sudanese individuals considered a threat to Darfur, Sudan, which is the scene of continuing atrocities against civilians. China, Qatar, and the Russian Federation abstained because they felt these measures would harm the Abuja peace negotiation in its final critical week before the African Union deadline of an agreement by month end.
* Major General Gaffar Mohamed Elhassan, Commander of the Western Military Region for the Sudanese Air Force;
* Sheikh Musa Hilal, Paramount Chief of the Jalul Tribe in North Darfur
* Adam Yacub Shant, Sudanese Liberation Army Commander
* Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri, National Movement for Reform and Development Field Commander
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8699.doc.htm
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=23952
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8700.doc.htm
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GTM Americas
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Fighting between the Colombian army and irregular armed groups in the southwest have forced more than 1,400 people, most Afro-Colombian minorities from remote settlements. In the same region - Narino - there have been nine summary executions in the past three weeks. Doctors without Borders described their experiences in "Living in Fear: Colombia's Cycle of Violence". The report says:
"Colombia has entered its fifth decade of violent conflict. Internal displacement has reached unprecedented levels, with over three million displaced since 1995. Massacres, executions, intimidation and the massive consequent fear have become an inescapable part of everyday life for Colombians living in conflict affected areas. The homicide rate for males between the ages of 15 and 44 stands at a startling 221 per 100,000. And violence is now also the leading cause of death for women between 15 and 39 years old (17 per 100,000) overtaking complications from pregnancy and childbirth. That said, the human suffering caused by the Colombian conflict goes well beyond statistics and medical data."
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=D50C435D-EC61-15DD-972B4FCFF29AF8A4&component=toolkit.report&method=full_html
US military commission proceedings resumed in Guantanamo Bay, in the cases of:
* Sufyian Barhoumi, an Algerian man accused of being an explosives trainer for al Qaeda;
* Jabran Said Bin Al Qahtani, a Saudi man accused of constructing circuit boards to be used as timing devices in bombs; and
* Ghassan Abdullah Al Sharbi, a Saudi man accused of providing English translation for a terrorist training camp and receiving training on how to build and use hand-held remote detonation devices for explosives.
http://www.dod.mil/news/commissions.html
In the US state of Alabama, the 110 designated victims of abortion clinic bomber Eric Rudolph have begun to receive restitution payments for the four attacks. Rudolph was ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution, but was declared indigent. Court officials were able to seize $1,700 is cash Rudolph had hidden, and raised $2,639 by auctioning his personal belongings. $1,000 was deducted for court costs.
Hamid Hayat, was found guilty in California federal court of one count of providing material support for terrorism and three counts of lying to the FBI. Prosecutors claimed he had attended terrorist training in Pakistan before returning to his US homeland to conduct attacks. The case hinged on secretly taped admissions by a paid informer with little credibility, and the conviction was not associated with original claims of an active terrorist cell in the agricultural area of the state. Sentencing is scheduled for 14 July. The case against his Pakistani father, Umer, ended in a mistrial. The US citizen was charged with two counts of lying to the FBI about his son's attending the training camp.
a Pakistani American born in Stockton,
New York' World Trade Center redevelopment has begun following an agreement between the Port Authority, which owns the site, and Larry Silverstein, the landlord. For the past four years, discussions had deadlocked over a range of issues, including ownership, financing, and design.
In Virginia, the jury in the death sentencing trial of Zacarias Moussaoui is still debating their verdict. Meanwhile, his mother speaks in this interview:
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,413271,00.html
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GTM Asia Pacific
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Burma's ruling junta has accused the opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD) of associating with terrorist groups, including exiles based in Thailand, but says it will not take action against the group at this time. NLD denies the allegations.
Indonesian police launched a raid against a house in Java, where Malaysian fugitive and senior Jemaah Islamiah leader Noordin was thought to be hiding. He was not found during the raid, but Abdul Hadi and Jabir were killed, and two others were arrested. The two militants killed had expertise in explosives and were suspected in the 2004 Australian embassy attack in which nine people died.
Malaysia has denied a report in the Bangkok Post report that Thai women are learning offensive strategies, intelligence gathering and bomb-making in a Malaysian training camp, so they can replace male insurgents.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/270406_News/27Apr2006_news15.php
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/30Apr2006_news04.php
The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group reports foiling a large May Day attack planned by Abu Sayyaf. In addition, Sharie Amiruddin ("Abu Omar") of Abu Sayyaf was captured. He is wanted on 13 counts of kidnapping and illegal detention in connection with the abduction of 20 local and foreign tourists in May 2001.
Thailand marked the second anniversary of the Krue Se mosque massacre n which 31 militants were killed at the mosque and 65 died in subsequent clashes with police and military forces in the three southern provinces. Human Rights Watch called for an independent judicial inquiry into the events to ensure justice for the victims. As yet, no officials have faced punishment, although a government commission did determine that security officials used force disproportionate to the threat posed by the insurgents that started the violence.
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/28/thaila13284.htm
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GTM Europe
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Members of the European Parliament have issued a draft interim report on the alleged use of EU countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners. They found that the CIA ran more than a thousand flights within Europe, including several kidnappings and terror suspects sent for questioning overseas. Italy and Sweden, and non-EU member Bosnia, were singled out for criticism.
http://www.europarl.eu.int/comparl/tempcom/tdip/default_en.htm
Jadranko Prlic, former president of the self-proclaimed Bosnian Croat state in the early 1990s, has gone on trial in The Hague for war crimes in connection with ethnic cleansing against Bosnian Muslims. Other defendants in the trial are Bruno Stojic, Slobodan Praljak, Milivoj Petkovic, Valentin Coric, and Berislav Pusic.
http://www.un.org/icty/latest-e/index.htm
French authorities plan to try six former inmates of the US prison in Guantanamo Bay: five had been released after their repatriation. Mourad Benchellali, Nizar Sassi, Brahim Yadel, Imad Achab Kanouni, Khaled Ben Mustapha and Redouane Khalid now face charges of associating with criminals in a terrorist enterprise.
The Irish Republic's prison service has granted Dessie O'Hare ("Border Fox") extended temporary relief. The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) member was once the most wanted man, sentenced to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping and mutilation of a Dublin dentist.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=688863s
Arnoldo Otegi, leader of the banned Basque party Batasuna, has been sentenced to 15 months prison for glorifying terrorism for attending a rally in 2003 at which he paid tribute to Basque separatist group ETA leader Jose Miguel Benaran Ordenana ("Argala"), who was killed in 1978.
Turkish prosecutors in the southeastern Kurdish region have charged 175 people with involvement in violent demonstrations and riots last month. A total of 265 people, including 80 minors, have now been indicted for clashes that began during protests at the funerals of Kurdistan Workers party (PKK) members on 28 March.
The Independent Monitoring Commission's latest report finds that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has reduced criminal activities and intelligence gathering and is committed to following a political and peaceful path. However, some senior members are still involved in crime, and local groups defying the leadership still retained some weapons.
http://www.nio.gov.uk/independent_monitoring_commission_tenth_report.pdf
Scottish police detained Mohammed Atif Siddique’s brother Asif and his uncles Mohammed Rafiq and Mohammed Niaz, as part of an anti-terrorism investigation. Atif Siddique was arrested on 13 April on charges of possessing documents or records containing information likely to be useful to planning or committing terrorist acts. He remains in custody; the others have all been released without charge
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=616222006
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16952210&method=full&siteid=64736&headline=driven-out-name_page.html
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GTM Middle East
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A pipe bomb exploded in Bahrain, and a second bomb was defused. There were no casualties, but the incident is associated with increased tensions between majority Shias and the Sunni minority that dominates the government.
Egyptian President Mubarak promised to win Egypt's war on terror and gained parliament's approval to renew emergency laws that have been in place since 1981, following a series of suicide bombings in the Sinai peninsula. Three explosions in a tourist area in the resort town of Dahab killed at least 24 people and injured dozens more. Egyptian security forces are investigating possible connections to the Sharm El Sheikh and Taba attacks, and have arrested ten suspects. These attacks have led to questions regarding use of emergency law to combat terrorism:
http://www.globalterrorismmonitor.com/2006/04/GTM3001.shtml
In Gaza, Israeli troops shot dead al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades Bethlehem commander Abu Udai on Monday. Israeli air strikes continued, and on Thursday killed a teacher on his way to school, and two other passersby, although Islamic Jihad was believed the target.
The week in Baghdad opened with seven car bombings that killed ten people at universities, the health ministry, and other locations. Nearly 80 more were injured. On Tuesday, a bomb hidden in a parked minibus exploded, killing two and injuring three, and the bodies of 28 police recruits were discovered in two different locations in Baghdad. Wednesday, a US raid on a suspected militant hideout outside Baghdad killed 12 suspected militants wearing armed vests, and one woman. Hamadi 'Abd al-Tahki al-Nissani , known as the emir of Samarra and believed to be a local al Qaeda leader, was among those reported dead. A day later, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi's sister and her bodyguard were killed in a drive-by shooting. A roadside bomb killed three Italian troops and a Romanian soldier in Nasiriya. On Friday, fighting in Baquba killed at least 21 insurgents and 7 soldiers.
Israel says there is not enough evidence to prosecute Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader Ahmed Saadat over the 2001 assassination of Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi. Saadat had been held in a West Bank jail until March, when Israeli troops stormed the facility and took him into custody. He will be charged with other offenses.
Lieutenant Colonel Omar al-Heib, an Israeli army colonel and Druze responsible for recruiting Bedouin to the military, was convicted in Israeli military court for contacting a foreign agent, espionage and drug trafficking in support of Lebanese Hezbollah.
Jordan has arrested several members of Hamas that is says were planning attacks in Jordan. Hamas denies the charges.
Lebanon plans to deport Australian terrorist suspect Saleh Jamal when he is released from jail 8 May. He had been held on immigration charges.
Syrian President Assad for the first time held talks with Serge Brammertz, the head of the UN team investigating the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri.
Yemen will extradite 16 Saudi Arabian terrorism suspects, and try 60 suspected al Qaeda members.
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GTM South Asia
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Afghanistan's Taleban militants were attacked in US air strikes in the southern Helmand province, killing three. Taleban militants are believed responsible for a police station attack in Kandahar that killed five attackers. A day later - Wednesday - a coalition operation against militants led to the bombing death of four Afghan soldiers, and injury of three. On Friday, an Indian engineer and his driver were abducted at gunpoint. The Taleban kidnappers gave 24 hours for Indian workers to leave the country.
Bangladesh security forces report the arrest of Mohammed Salauddin and Khaled Saifullah, completing the detention of all seven members of the ruling council of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).
In the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, police surrounded a Maoist meeting and in subsequent fighting six women and three men were killed, and 20 escaped. In Bihar, suspected Maoists killed a local political candidate and five of his supporters. Maoists in Chattisgarh state kidnapped and killed 13 villagers.
In Indian-administered Kashmir, three policemen and a civilian were injured in a grenade attack on a polling station. Soon after, another grenade attack injured nine.
Nepalese soldiers opened fire on a crowd of about 2,000 people in the southeastern town of Belbari. They were protesting a woman allegedly raped and shot dead by soldiers at the local army base, in an incident the army called self-defense. During the clash, six people were shot dead, and at least 11 injured.
A Pakistani soldier was killed in an ambush in North Waziristan that has been blamed on tribal militants.
Violence in Sri Lanka continued to escalate even while the government and Tamil Tigers say the ceasefire remains in effect. On Monday, eight people were killed, including two Tigers shot dead in Batticaloa; two Sinhalese guards hacked and a Tamil shot in Vavuniya, a mother hacked to death near Batticaloa as she nursed her baby, an office clerk shot dead, and a soldier shot on Sunday who died of his injuries. On Tuesday there was a major incident. A suicide bomber in Colombo army headquarters killed eight and seriously injured the head of the army, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka. 27 people were injured. At first it was thought that the bomber had pretended a pregnancy, but it has now emerged that she was carrying a child and used the army's maternity clinic to cover the attack. Identified as Anoja Kugenthirasah, the 21-year-old is believed a member of the Black Tiger suicide squad. Sri Lanka's army responded to the attack with repeated air strikes on suspected rebel bases, displacing some 40,000 people. At least 15 civilians were killed in the air strikes.
The Political Risk Monitor is a monthly 16-page print publication. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For subscription information, email info@tamni.com.
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PRM Africa
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Central African Republic (CAR) plans to submit a complaint to the African Union regarding the illegal arrival of a plane from Sudan carrying about 50 armed men. Sudanese rebels and militias are using CAR as a crossing point into Chad.
Chad and the World Bank have reached an interim agreement under which the bank will temporarily resume lending and permit access to a bank account in which oil revenues are deposited. These monies had been frozen after Chad reneged on its promise to use oil revenues for development. Now, Chad wants to purchase weapons to use against rebel fighters, including the recent attack on the capital and repeated fighting near the Sudan border.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reports an incursion by the Ugandan army as it pursued Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. One Ugandan soldier was killed, but Uganda denies having crossed into DRC. The EU will provide a 1,500 strong reserve force in DRC to assist other UN forces in peacekeeping ahead of elections due on 18 June.
These elections are the topic of a new International Crisis Group report, "Making or Breaking the Peace". They find:
"The Congo's first free elections in 40 years should be a major step toward ending the country's long conflict, but any missteps could disrupt the fragile peace. The election date, already postponed five times, is still uncertain. There is potential for electoral fraud, parties are relatively weak, and the main opposition group plans to boycott. The most immediate threat to stability comes from the east where the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) stands to lose most of its influence and could try to fuel chaos in hopes of undermining the polls. Disenfranchised politicians elsewhere might also challenge the results violently if the elections are not fair and inclusive. The international community and the transitional government must ensure there is adequate monitoring of the whole process, or the Congolese will suffer the consequences for years."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4081
Hundreds of former Liberian soldiers angry over not receiving their demobilization pay rioted in the capital Monrovia, outside the defense ministry. They threw stones, burned car tires, and fired into the air, but UN troops dispersed the crowd after a short time. There were a few minor injuries. This is the second such demonstration in recent weeks, addressing unfulfilled promises since the war ended in 2003.
Malawi's Vice President Cassim Chilumpha was arrested and charged with treason. He was accused of conspiring to remove President Bingu wa Mutharika. Both men had been allied in the ruling United Democratic Front, but the president left to form his own party and then attempted to dismiss the vice president, but a court prevented this effort.
"Political Transition in Mauritania: Assessment and Horizons" is a new report from the International Crisis Group that addresses the aftermath of the 2005 coup and the responsibilities of the new government, and the international community that accepted its authority.
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4075&l=1
South Africa has reached a sales agreement with Hannes Visser, the first white farmer whose land was earmarked for commercial expropriation to black ownership.
Sudan agreed to an AU-brokered peace plan, and rebels have until the end of Sunday to join the agreement. Under the plan, government-backed Arab militias will be disarmed, and rebel fighters merged into a national force. Negotiations have gone on for more than two years, during which Darfur has remained the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Last week, a funding shortfall forced minimal food rations to be cut in half. If the peace agreement is not signed, sanctions such as an expanded arms embargo and setting up a no-fly zone may be imposed by the UN.
Swaziland's King Mswati marked 20 years of his rule and his 38th birthday this week, declaring his birthday a national holiday. Note this interview, and his opinion that democracy is too expensive for poor countries:
http://www.politicalriskmonitor.com/2006/04/PRM3001.shtml
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PRM Americas
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Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela have reached agreement to proceed with a costly and ambitious 10,000-km gas pipeline from Venezuela to Argentina, possibly extending to Bolivia.
Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela have signed the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), a trade agreement intended to be a socialist alternative to the US-led Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Amair Feijoli de Cunha has been sentenced in Brazilian court to 18 years in prison for acting as an intermediary between local ranchers and two men hired to kill Dorothy Stang, a Catholic nun and peasant rights activist
Canada's Six Nations aboriginal activists have continued their occupation and protest, at an Ontario housing development. They are now preparing t take the case to the UN.
Chile is investigating a case in which 48 victims of the Pinochet dictatorship were given to the wrong families for burial.
Former Colombian President Cesar Gaviria's sister Liliana Gaviria and one of her bodyguards were killed in a kidnapping attempt. Two of the attackers were injured and have been detained.
Guatemala has ordered a large deployment of security forces to combat rising gang violence across the country.
Peru has recalled its ambassador to Venezuela, accusing Venezuela of interfering in Peru's presidential elections. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has openly backed left-wing populist and former army officer Humala over center-left former President Garcia, and says relations with Peru would be broken off if Garcia wins.
The US House Committee on International Relations held a second round of hearings on US policy in central Asia.
http://wwwa.house.gov/international_relations/109/meca042606.htm
http://wwwa.house.gov/international_relations/109/meca102705.htm
The US Congressional Research Service reports that the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will reach $811 billion by 2016. The estimate is based on past spending and the current spending bill, and assumes a reduction in troop levels from the current 258,000 to 74,000 by 2010. The war in Vietnam cost $579 billion.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05882.pdf
The US military has charged Lieutenant Colonel Steven Jordan with seven offenses connected with the abuse of prisoners detained in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. He is the highest-ranking officer to face criminal charges in the matter.
The "Granny Peace Brigade" was acquitted of charges of disorderly conduct. The 18 women, aged from 50 to 91, were arrested last October for protesting outside a military recruitment center in Times Square, New York City.
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PRM Asia Pacific
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The 2006 Symposium on East Asia Security (SEAS) opened in the Philippines and will run for three weeks. The 26 participants are discussing issues of regional and international cooperation to address transnational crimes including terrorism.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, has announced joint counterterrorism exercises will be held in Russia next year, focusing on transnational threats.
http://www.sectsco.org/
Australia suffered its first military casualty in Iraq. This tragedy was compounded when the body of a Bosnian soldier was sent to Australia by mistake. Prime Minister Howard has apologized to Private Jacob Kovco's widow.
Australia has dropped plans for a national identity card but will replace 17 existing cards used for health and welfare services with one that will include security enhancements.
"Australian Aid: Promoting Growth and Stability" is a government white paper that lays out plans for international aid over the next ten years. Economic growth and infrastructure development are their focus, but the plan does not include any guest worker program to provide foreign workers employment in Australia.
Former East Timor soldiers began demonstrating at the beginning of the week to protest their dismissal from the army. Nearly 600 soldiers went absent without leave in March to protest poor working conditions and favoritism in promotions. All were dismissed. After two days, the soldiers and their supporters began to throw stones at buildings, attacked local market stalls with sticks, and invaded homes. Police were called in to quell the riots, and there were a number of arrests, but increasingly violent protests continued during the week and spread from the capital Dili to the outer suburbs. On Friday, the Prime Minister's office was targeted, and police used tear gas to try to disperse the crowd. Two people were killed and 29 injured.
The Japanese Cabinet has submitted a bill to parliament that would change education laws to require teachers to foster national love of the country and respect for its tradition and culture. Liberal opponents fear a return of militarism and further damage to relations with China and Korea.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20060429a1.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/28/content_4485598.htm
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/detail.asp?ID=81286&GRP=i
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR2006042800042.html
Another new bill would impose economic sanctions on North Korea if it fails to provide detail of at least 13 Japanese citizens kidnapped in the 1970s and 1980s.
Japan has asked requested the extradition of Sing Guang-su, a 76-year-old resident of North Korea suspected of helping kidnap a Japanese man in 1980. He was previously wanted for four other abductions.
Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi has offered to hold a summit to discuss the increasing dispute over disputed islands known as Dokdo (Korea) and Takeshima (Japan). His offer followed South Korean President Roh's televised address in which he insisted South Korea would control the islands whatever the cost.
Japan and the US have resolved a dispute over the relocation of US marines from Okinawa to Guam in which Tokyo will pay $6.1 billion rather than 7.5 billion of the estimates $10 billion cost.
The Philippines department of justice has charged 49 people with rebellion. Six leftist members of Congress, soldiers, and communist rebels, are accused of planning a coup against President Arroyo in February.
Singapore is holding elections 6 May in which, for the first time in 18 years, the governing People's Action Party (PAP) faces opposition challenges in more than half the seats.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Snyder Rini stepped down less than a week after he took office, and just before a no-confidence vote was due in parliament. His selection had led to serious outbreaks of violence, and the departure of hundreds of ethnic Chinese, targeted in much of the violence. Following his resignation, rioting was replaced with large public celebrations, and a dawn-to-dusk curfew was lifted.
Thailand's administrative court failed to determine whether the initial elections were valid, and has suspended by-elections due on Saturday. The country remains in political limbo while the court considers its decisions.
Vietnam's ruling Communist Party re-appointed Nong Duc Manh as general secretary for another 5-year term, and chose Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to replace retiring two-term Prime Minister Phan Van Khai later this year,
http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/3312/1/32/
http://www.thanhniennews.com/politics/?catid=1&newsid=14840
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PRM Europe
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Belarus opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich has been jailed for 15 days for attending the Chernobyl 20th anniversary march.
Belgian police have arrested a 16-year-old Polish-born boy suspected in the murder of a teenager who refused to surrender his MP3 player to thieves. A second youth is believed to have fled to Poland. Initial reports that the criminals were North African had led to ethnic unrest, protest marches, and intervention from Muslim leaders.
Germany released Ignace Murwanashyaka, leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), after a 3-week detention in immigration jail. He is subject to a UN travel ban, but denies violating the arms embargo. His refugee status was withdrawn and German officials are considering possible deportation, while Murwanashyaka is required to report twice weekly to local police.
Greek anti-war demonstrators greeted US Secretary of State Rice with a large demonstration, including a group of anarchists who threw Molotov cocktails (petrol bombs), sticks and stones, until police responded with teargas.
Hungary's ruling leftist coalition won parliamentary elections, the first since joining the EU.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected to resign on Tuesday. Although the high court confirmed the victory of the center-left coalition in both houses of parliament, he had refused to concede defeat for more than three weeks after the election.
The Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR) submitted a report about Islam to the Dutch government, finding that it is compatible with both human rights and Dutch values.
http://www.wrr.nl/english/content.jsp?objectid=3517 (in Dutch)
Poland's Foreign Minister, Stefan Meller, has resigned following Prime Minister Marcinkiewicz's conclusion of a coalition agreement with conservatives, including Euro-skeptics.
Britain's Home Office Minister is under pressure following the revelation that 1,023 foreign criminals that had served their prison sentenced and were entitled to release should have been considered for deportation. Instead, many were freed without a review, including at least five who went on to commit serious crimes.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/foreign-prisoners-statement
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PRM Middle East
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Egyptian police broke up protests objecting to the prosecution of two judges that had suggested fraud in recent elections. As hearings opened, chaos ensued, and protestors were beaten and arrested.
The UN warned of a dangerous deterioration in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Violence and lawlessness has increased and Israel has expanded settlements. The new Hamas-led government, failing to accept nonviolence or the state of Israel, faces a serious financial crisis. These circumstances are leading to a man-made disaster for the Palestinian people. President Abbas has called for immediate talks with Israel. Hamas is considering softening its position on the state of Israel and has made an urgent appeal for funds. France has proposed creation of a special escrow account to manage Palestinian funds.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8697.doc.htm
http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2005
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/gapal1008.doc.htm
Iranian President Ahmadinejad said that following establishment of a government in Iraq, talks with the US are no longer necessary, and the US should simply let the people govern. For interesting insight into the country's people, land, and infrastructure, see "Iran in Maps" here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/06/iran_maps/html/default.stm
The US House committee on government reform, subcommittee on national security, held oversight hearings on the status of Iraq's reconstruction, governance, and security. In support of this, the Government Accountability Office released their review, "Rebuilding Iraq: Governance, Security, Reconstruction, and Financing Challenges". This review finds that "The war in Iraq will not be won by the military alone. Iraq's future requires strong Iraqi leadership, sustained U.S. commitment, and a re-engaged international community."
http://reform.house.gov/NSETIR/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=42645
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-697T
Iraq's Women's Rights Association (WRA) reports that more than 90 women are widowed each day.
http://www.politicalriskmonitor.com/2006/04/PRM3002.shtml
Israel's Kadima party has signed a coalition government with the Labor party, which came second in the March general election. The new government plans swiftly to withdraw from parts of the West Bank, construct a separation barrier, and complete unilateral establishment of Israel's final borders.
Lebanon remains deadlocked in whether or not to remove pro-Syrian president Emile Lahoud.
Syria has agreed to accept 181 Palestinian refugees who have been stranded on the Iraq-Jordan border since 19 March.
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PRM South Asia
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India has rejected a Pakistani proposal to remove heavy weapons from Kashmir.
Nepal's King Guanendra agreed to reinstate Parliament to end violent protests that has left at least 12 people dead since 6 April. A victory celebration was held, and former Prime Minister Koirala has been selected as the new Prime Minister, although he was too ill to attend the opening of parliament. Maoist rebels and others reject the monarchy, but have lifted their blockade. The first meeting of parliament in four years was held on 24 April.
Sri Lanka launched air strikes against suspected rebel targets following a suicide attack on Monday. Air strikes continued through Wednesday, killing 15 people.. They have also created a serious problem of displacement, as some 40,000 people fled their homes. Sri Lanka's government, the Tamil Tiger rebels, and Norwegian mediators all insist that the ceasefire is still in place.
The AML/CFT Monitor is a monthly 16-page print publication. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For subscription information, email info@tamni.com.
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AML/CFT Incidents/Cases
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BankAtlantic has consented to payment of a $10 million civil penalty and orders issued by the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) to address violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. In particular, BankAtlantic's AML program demonstrated systemic defects, which led to failures in timely filing of suspicious activity reports.
http://www.amlcftmonitor.com/2006/04/AML3002.shtml
The UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) imposed a GBP20,000 penalty on insurance intermediary Besso Ltd for its failure to apply for approval of an individual who held a significant management role and who had previous fraud convictions.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Communication/PR/2006/042.shtml
In the first successful cross-border investigation of a fuel smuggler, the UK Assets Recovery Agency has secured GBP 140,000 from Patrick Belton, of the Republic of Ireland.
http://www.octf.gov.uk/index.cfm/section/News/page/details/key/aragrantedcivilrecoveryorder
Dr. Mohammad Anvari-Hamedani has pleaded guilty in US District Court in Ohio to 32 counts of money laundering and making illegal money transfers - hawala - to Iran. His plea agreement calls for a maximum of three years and ten months in prison.
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060425toledo.htm http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041104/NEWS17/411040504
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=local&id=4114190
Sella Holding Banca has agreed to implement an AML compliance program within 60 days. The Miami branch of the Italian Bank reached this agreement with the US Federal Reserve.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/BOARDDOCS/PRESS/Enforcement/2006/200604244/default.htm
The Bank of New York was given 60 days to review its compliance with regulations, submit a plan for strengthening its controls against money laundering, and other measures that it had promised in 2000. At that time, the bank was fined criminal penalties of $38 million: it was not fined in this new agreement.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/BoardDocs/Press/Enforcement/2006/20060424/default.htm
Colombia and the US cooperated in "Operation Rainmaker", an investigation into the Black Market Peso Exchange that resulted in 24 arrests, and $7.5 million of cocaine and heroin.
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060427atlanta.htm
Colombia has accused Switzerland of supporting the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) through two Swiss charities, the Lenten Fund and Bread for All.
http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/Colombia_accuses_Swiss_of_funding_rebels.html?siteSect=105&sid=6649883&cKey=1145722606000
"Reputation Damage - The Price Riggs Paid" is a white paper released by World Check that outlines the reputation free-fall Riggs Bank - the bank of presidents and diplomats - went through in the final years of its existence.
https://www.world-check.com/portal/mod_perl/Handler/News/page~news_events
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AML/CFT Legislation and Regulation
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The UN Security Council, in a vote of 12 in favor, none against, and abstentions from China, Qatar, Russian Federation, travel restrictions and financial sanctions have been imposed on four Sudanese individuals considered a threat to Darfur, Sudan, which is the scene of continuing atrocities against civilians.
* Major General Gaffar Mohamed Elhassan, Commander of the Western Military Region for the Sudanese Air Force;
* Sheikh Musa Hilal, Paramount Chief of the Jalul Tribe in North Darfur
* Adam Yacub Shant, Sudanese Liberation Army Commander
* Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri, National Movement for Reform and Development Field Commander
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8700.doc.htm
http://www.amlcftmonitor.com/2006/04/AML3003.shtml
The Department of State announced the addition of the aliases Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) and Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist Designation (SDGT) of Lashkhar-e-Tayyiba (LET)
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/65401.htm
US President Bush has issued an executive order to freeze assets of individuals linked to the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.
http://www.amlcftmonitor.com/2006/04/AML3001.shtml
China's parliament introduced draft anti-money laundering legislation, expanding the scope beyond financial institutions to high value dealers, accountants, and other related industries.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Wednesday/Corporate/BT564402.txt/Article/
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/04/28/267338/Anti_money_laundering_fix_debated.htm
http://english.people.com.cn/200604/26/eng20060426_261250.html
The US Internal Revenue Service announced agreements with 33 states and Puerto Rico to begin sharing Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) information to ensure that money services businesses are complying with state and federal regulations.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=156482,00.html
Beginning 2 May, US insurance companies must have established an anti-money laundering program and begin to file suspicious activity reports. The rule applies to companies that issue or underwrite high-risk products such as permanent life insurance policies, other than group life insurance policies; annuity contracts, other than group annuity contracts; and any other insurance products with cash value or investment features
http://www.fincen.gov/ins.htm
Guyana's Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) held a workshop to address ACCA guidance on money laundering, and ways that accountants can help.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=53599494
Canada is providing more than $2 million in assistance to help Caribbean and Asian countries combat terrorist financing.
http://www.fin.gc.ca/news06/06-007e.html
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AML/CFT Modalities
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A significant investigation from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed that only minimal ownership is required or made available, greatly expanding international use of shell companies, which have no operations and can be used for illegal purposes such as money laundering. In "Company Formations: Minimal Ownership Information Is Collected and Available", GAO reports that, "law enforcement officials told us they are seeing many investigations within the United States and in other countries where individuals have used U.S. shell companies to facilitate illicit activity involving billions of dollars". The report goes on to review the kinds of information collected, efforts to review and verify information, role of third parties, use of information, and the potential effects of requiring information collection.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-376
Survey of State Officials Responsible for Company Formation.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-377SP
The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on "North Korea: Illicit Activity Funding the regime".
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=347
Online banking in Dubai has led to a significant increase in advance fee and money laundering frauds.
http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=200-8574r
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=200-5778r
Dutch timber trader Guus Kouwenhoven is charged with war crimes in The Hague for trafficking blood timber. Like blood diamonds, the illegal trade has fueled conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Kouwenhoven's lawyers have asked that former Liberian President Charles Taylor give evidence at his arms trafficking trial.
http://iafrica.com/news/features/263085.htm
http://www.globalwitness.org/press_releases/display2.php?id=350
http://www.tve.org/earthreport/archive/doc.cfm?aid=1352
A pizza oven shipped form Argentina was found to contain $6 million in cocaine. Spanish customs officials found it wrapped in bags, covered in lead, and hidden in the base of the oven.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4941470.stm
The UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Counter-Narcotics Trust Fund (CNTF) have agreed to build three small hydropower stations that will provide a steady supply of energy to support new sources of income unrelated to opium cultivation.
http://www.criticalinfrastructuremonitor.com/2006/04/CIM3002.shtml
The Emerging Threat Monitor will be published in print later this year. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For more information, email info@tamni.com.
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ETM Corruption and Transnational Crime
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Chung Mong-koo, head of Hyundai, has been arrested in South Korea on charges of embezzlement connected to an investigation into illegal political lobbying.
Cuba has dismissed Juan Carlos Robinson, a Politburo member, for arrogance, dishonesty, and the abuse of power. The ruling Communist Party is undertaking a number of reforms to combat corruption.
The Netherlands has suspended some $150 million in aid to Kenya pending more tangible efforts to combat corruption.
Britain's Scotland Yard is investigating claims that the late Independent member of parliament, Peter Law, was offered a peerage if he did not stand in the last election.
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) released " Nations: Lessons Learned from Oil for Food Program Indicate the Need to Strengthen UN Internal Controls and Oversight Activities".
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-330
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ETM Economies and Financial Systems
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The World Bank's 2006 World Development Indicators reports that overall economic growth in the developing world has averaged 4.8 percent a year since 2000, more than double the rate of growth in high-income economies, which averaged 2.0 percent a year. This robust record has been driven largely by rapid growth in East and South Asia, but Sub-Saharan Africa, which has lagged behind other regions, achieved an annual growth rate of 4.8 percent, exceeding the projected rate of 4.1 percent.
http://www.worldbank.org
The International Monetary Fund is evaluating its medium-term strategy to better adapt to the challenges of globalization.
http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/ib/2006/041806.htm
The World Trade Organization acknowledges that it has missed a key deadline but says it is not deadlocked.
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/tnc_24apr06_e.htm
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ETM Environment and Climate Change
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A 30-country poll finds large majorities in all countries believe climate change is a serious problem. No country has more than one in five saying it is not a serious problem.
http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/csr_climatechange.html
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ETM Human Rights
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Human Rights Watch finds that incompetence, negligence, and irresponsibility by US states put condemned prisoners at needless risk of excruciating pain during lethal injection executions, which are used in 37 of the 38 death penalty states in the US and by the federal government. "So Long as They Die: Lethal Injections in the United States" is a new report detailing the issues before several US courts at this time.
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/24/usdom13241.htm
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime issued "Trafficking in Persons" Global Patterns", which identifies 127 countries of origin, 98 transit countries and 137 destination countries, and calls for governments to reduce demand, target the criminals who profit, and protect trafficking victims, especially women and children.
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press_release_2006_04_24.html
The Islamic Jurisprudence Assembly granted permission of Misyar ("visitor") marriage, which allows Sunni men to "marry" without a requirement to live with or financially support their wives, in a workaround from traditional Islamic bans on extramarital sex, enraging women's rights activists.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=23975
Following the Central African Republic's (CAR) Court of Appeal ruling that national courts were unable to handle the case of former CAR President Ange-Felix Patasse and four aides, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is reviewing an application to take on the inquiry. The five accused are wanted under an international arrest warrant for serious human rights crimes.
http://www.emergingthreatmonitor.com/2006/04/ETM3001.shtml
"They Do Not Own This Place’: Government Discrimination Against ‘Non-Indigenes’ in Nigeria" is a Human Rights Watch report that documents the harmful impact of discriminatory policies on human rights, and how these policies have sparked interethnic and interreligious violence in many different parts of the country.
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/24/nigeri13260.htm
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ETM Infectious Diseases
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The first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza has been reported in Ivory Coast, where it was detected in a poor residential district. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Niger and Nigeria have all confirmed cases, and Sudan has reported a likely outbreak.
The World Health Organization's Director General, Lee Jong-wook warned the G8 group of leading industrial countries that the international community is in bad shape to confront a flu pandemic.
http://www.who.int/dg/lee/speeches/2006/g8_health_ministers_meeting/en/index.html
told the health ministers of the so-called G8 countries in Moscow.
Postexposure protection against Marburg hemorrhagic fever showed excellent test results in non-human primates. The data suggest that rVSV-based filoviral vaccines might not only have potential as preventive vaccines, but also could be equally useful for postexposure treatment of filoviral infections.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606685462/abstract
World Day for Safety and Health on 28 April focused on HIV/AIDS as an occupational safety and health issue. The pandemic hits hardest those of working age and all who depend on them.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/pr/2006/13.htm
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/worldday/index.htm
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ETM Populations
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The UK Pensions Regulator published a medium term strategy that defines the following key strategic challenges for the next three years:
* strengthening the funding of defined benefit schemes, demonstrated by having complete scheme specific funding valuations and recovery plans for those with deficits
* improving the governance of work-based pension schemes, leading to improved trustee knowledge and understanding
* reducing the risks to members of defined contribution pension schemes, demonstrated by clear understanding of the significant risks involved in defined contribution schemes by those involved in running them
http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/mediaCentre/pressReleases/pn06/pn06-14.aspx
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ETM Social Responsibility
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Save My Future Foundation, a Liberian humanitarian organization, released a new report, "Firestone: The Mark of Slavery". Firestone is an international rubber company, established in Liberia in 1926. The report aims to create public awareness and solicit public support for reform at Firestone to address issues of human rights abuses, unfair labor practices, and environmental pollution, which are summarized here:
"This report reveals that Firestone between 2000 and 2003 exported about 167, 165 tons of dry rubber from the country. The market value as well as the company's income is not known since the Company does not publish her tax returns and revenue intake. This report also reveals that Firestone's facilities have not been upgraded, and bulk of its labor force live in dilapidated buildings and do not have access to safe drinking water. They also live in quarters with poor sanitary conditions, lack of a high school and electricity even though the Company operates a dam and other equipments that provide these facilities for senior staff members and their families." Silas Siakor, author of this report, has won a Goldman Environmental Price for his work leading to a UN ban on the export of Liberian timber, which is illegally harvested to finance conflict.
http://www.samfu.org/firestone.html
The Swiss Business Federation warns that rocketing salaries of business managers and directors are jeopardizing social stability.
http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/The_country_s_social_cohesion_is_at_stake.html?siteSect=105&sid=6650241&cKey=1145778131000
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ETM Weapons (WMD, Proliferation)
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent its evaluation of Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council. They found that Iran had defied the UN request to end nuclear enrichment, but could not find enough evidence to evaluate a possible weapons program. With this referral, steps are under way to apply further pressure on Iran, which has suggested that if its energy program comes off the table, it will consider allowing broader IAEA inspections. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned against an attack, while also offering to share nuclear technology with other nations, such as Sudan.
Scientists with the US National Institutes of Health have engineered a potent anthrax inhibitor that has tested well in small animals.
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2006/AMD_06.htm
29 April is the day for remembrance of the victims of chemical warfare for more than a century.
http://www.opcw.org/29april/index.html
5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor
The Emerging Threat Monitor will be published in print later this year. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For more information, email .
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CIM Banking and Finance
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Canada is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Bank Act, legislation covering the financial services sector. Taking advantage of this opportunity,, the Canadian Consumer Initiative has proposed incorporating new legislation to govern electronic payments.
http://www.fin.gc.ca/consultresp/06Rev_42e.html
http://www.cdnpay.ca/
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=17748cf2-9935-4b35-b2f6-1c9e652a8abb&k=37929
The US House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on "Title Insurance: Cost and Competition" in which much of the testimony cited practices benefiting industry at the expense of consumers.
http://financialservices.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=463
The UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) has opened a consultation regarding Regulation of Home Reversion and Home Purchase Plans, also known as Islamic mortgages.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Library/Policy/CP/2006/06_08.shtml
The US Treasury has requested public comment on if and how it should establish
a securities lender of last resort (SLLR). An SLLR, or repo facility, is a mechanism for providing an additional, temporary supply of Treasury securities used on rare occasions when market shortages threaten to impair the Treasury and financial markets' functioning.
http://www.treas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/debt-management/
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CIM Cybersecurity
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US health benefit provider Aetna has notified about 38,000 individuals that an employee laptop containing personal information was stolen, potentially compromising the data it contained.
http://www.aetna.com/news/2006/pr_20060426.htm
The UK Department of Trade and Industry's new Information Security Breaches survey found that UK business spending had grown significantly, contributing to a fall in the number of security incidents.
http://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=1897&NewsAreaID=2
Unisys released its "Global Study on the Public's Perceptions about Identity Management". The survey found that while privacy is important, most consumers will share personal information in exchange for convenience or other clear benefits.
http://www.unisys.com/about__unisys/news_a_events/04258650.htm
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CIM Defense Industrial Base
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A quarter of Russia's national-security-related defense-industry enterprises is threatened by bankruptcy. Soviet-era management and structure have proven incompatible with the free market. Government debt, lack of funding, and myriad other reasons were also cited as causes:
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060425/46897106.html
The United Arab Emirates, already taken aback by the denial of the Dubai Ports World deal, is contemplating the US reaction to a similar deal. Dubai International Capital has acquired UK aerospace company Doncaster Group Ltd., which owns a number of US manufacturing plants of tanks and military aircraft.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id=23943
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CIM Energy
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The UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Counter-Narcotics Trust Fund (CNTF) have agreed to build three small hydropower stations that will provide a steady supply of energy to support new sources of income unrelated to opium cultivation.
http://www.criticalinfrastructuremonitor.com/2006/04/CIM3002.shtml
"It's a Gas. Funny Business in the Turkmen-Ukraine Gas Trade" is a new report from Global Witness. They explain,
"This is the story of a trade that brings natural gas from the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan through Russia and Ukraine to the European Union (EU). Far from being open to scrutiny by the citizens of these countries, this trade has long been controlled by a handful of people and a series of mysterious intermediary companies. Although the business is worth billions of dollars a year, it is still unclear where much of this money goes. The EU is increasingly reliant on gas supplies from the former Soviet Union. The gas price dispute between Russia and Ukraine in the winter of 2005/6 sent shivers of anxiety across Europe that, in the depths of winter, the continent might not get enough fuel to keep warm and power its industries. Yet the dependence of EU countries on gas from Russia and Central Asia is only likely to grow. This report poses a difficult question for the EU and its neighbours: can they meet their energy needs without funding corruption and undermining good governance in the countries that supply or transport this energy? The time has come for transparency in the natural gas trade, to the benefit of citizens across the region."
http://www.globalwitness.org/reports/download.php/00297.pdf
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CIM Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a serious health warning to residents of the former Tuwaitha nuclear site, just south of Baghdad, Iraq, as posing serious health risks from lingering ambient radiation levels.
http://www.criticalinfrastructuremonitor.com/2006/04/CIM3003.shtml
The US Senate Committee on Government Reform, subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, held hearings connected to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study it requested to follow up on issues related to quality assurance at the Department of Energy's planned nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The study found long-term and repeating problems, in findings supported by most of the witnesses.
http://reform.house.gov/FWAO/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=42797
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-550T
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CIM Public Health and Healthcare
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The World Health Organization has released new guidelines for measuring child growth.
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/en/index.html
The impact of ongoing conflict in Nepal on reproductive health is addressed here:
http://www.criticalinfrastructuremonitor.com/2006/04/CIM3001.shtml
On Africa Malaria Day a group of public health experts accused the World Bank of deception and medical malpractice in malaria treatment, charges the bank denies.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606685450/fulltext
A new law has been enacted in the US state of Massachusetts to help make insurance available for all the state's residents. However, the cost of insurance may derail the plan.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606685498/fulltext
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CIM Transportation
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The International Maritime Bureau, maintaining an alert regarding piracy along the northeastern and eastern coasts of Somalia, has issued a warning regarding the Gelasa Straits of Indonesia, where five incidents have been reported since 5 March, involving armed pirate attacks.
http://www.icc-ccs.org/main/all_piracy_al.php
The US House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security has approved port security legislation. The Department of Homeland Security has announced new background checks for port workers.
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=April&x=20060427132631SAikceinawz0.5988275&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
http://hsc.house.gov/release.cfm?id=519
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0893.xml
India has approved development of a new rail network in the IT hub, Bangalore, which will help ease serious traffic congestion.
http://www.financialexpress.com/latest_full_story.php?content_id=125273
The Disaster Reduction Monitor will be published in print later this year. News highlights from the past week are provided in this free email update, but detailed analysis, background information and source documents are only available to subscribers. For more information, email info@tamni.com
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DRM Incidents
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In Angola, 20,000 people have been infected in the cholera epidemic, and at least 900 have died. The epidemic is ten weeks old, spreading from the lack of water and sewage infrastructures following 27 years of war. Despite this major outbreak, there has been only a minimal response.
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=DA30A8AE-D4B3-F8B3-AC46284C8C8B1E46&component=toolkit.pressrelease&method=full_html
Initial reports of a boat accident in Ghana on 8 April suggested about 120 of the 150 people on board had drowned, but officials now believe there were no more than 100 on board, and 71 survivors have been identified, therefore the estimated death toll has fallen to around 30. The investigation into the sinking continues.
A coal mine explosion in northwest Shaanxi province has killed at least 24 miners. Investigations are under way, but the government previously announced plans to improve China's dire mine safety record by closing all small coal mines by 2007.
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DRM Response and Recovery
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Twelve miners died in the January accident at Sago in West Virginia. The sole survivor, Randal McCloy, said that at least four of the air packs had malfunctioned, although the International Coal Group said the packs were checked regularly. The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is investigating whether the miners had been properly trained to use them.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/27/AR2006042701018.html
http://www.intlcoal.com/pages/news/2006/ICG Statement Regarding McCloy
http://wvgazette.com/section/News/2006042743
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DRM Risks
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The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) says that lack of effective terrorism risk modeling makes government involvement mandatory.
http://www.ciab.com/Template.cfm?Section=News_Room&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=5337
ACE Insurance Company USA issued "Managing Kidnapping, Extortion and Other Global Security Risks". The white paper says that these incidents, as well as other extortion tactics, piracy and sabotage, are occurring more frequently and in more location worldwide, than ever before.
http://www.ace-ina.com/shownews.asp?ID=369
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) completed their investigation into a traffic-trailer accident in which a contributing factor was poor design of traditional toll plazas. Read the press announcement and summary accident report here:
http://www.disasterreductionmonitor.com/2006/04/DRM3001.shtml
http://extremus.de/ (in German)
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DRM Mitigation
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The World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group issued a new report, "Hazards of Nature, Risks to Development", in which the oversight group argues the World Bank should help poor countries prepare for predictable natural disasters, not just wait to rebuild after disaster strikes.
The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, following extensive investigation into the response to hurricane Katrina, has recommended that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) be eliminated and replaced by a new body. President Bush has rejected the suggestion.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Links.Katrina
The European Parliament has adopted the "intelligent cars" proposal to install satellite technology in vehicles that would be used to inform emergency services of the exact location of an accident, and thereby save lives and reduce injuries.
http://www.europarl.eu.int/news/expert/infopress_page/062-7652-116-04-17-910-20060421IPR07491-26-04-2006-2006-true/default_en.htm
German specialty terrorism insurance group Extremus, which is backed by the government, reports that insured values have fallen since 9/11 as companies increasingly count on escaping a major terrorist attack. Insurance trade groups in the US are calling for similar government backing for terrorism insurance.
http://extremus.de/ (in German)
http://www.aiadc.org/
http://cms.nationalunderwriter.com/cms/nupc/Breaking+News/2006/04/27-AIA-mb
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has sent notification to 14,000 employers identified of higher than average injury and illness rates, to encourage proactive improvements in the health and safety of their workplaces.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=12169
Early on 26 April 1986, reactor number four at the Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded, releasing ionizing radiation across a huge swath of Europe and beyond. The Soviet government waited several days to acknowledge the accident, after Swedish engineers identified levels of radiation five times higher than normal. Only gradually was the scale of what is now known as the world's worst nuclear accident revealed.
Three Chernobyl workers died immediately in the explosion. High doses of radiation received during the emergency response killed another 25 people within weeks. Through 2004, 19 workers died from causes associated with acute radiation poisoning. There have been 4,000 cases of thyroid cancer attributable to Chernobyl's release of radioactive iodine, and 15 have died of this disease.
Numbers of deaths related to the broader fallout are difficult to assess and the estimates have been controversial. The UN-sponsored Chernobyl Forum estimates that up to 4,000 people may die from Chernobyl fallout, and another 5,000 from radiation-related deaths in the contaminated regions. The International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon estimates up to 16,000 radiation-related deaths throughout Europe. Most recently, Greenpeace estimates a death toll of up to 100,000.
Chernobyl is located in what is now the Ukraine. Residents there and in Russia and Belarus were exposed to the highest levels of radiation, which has led to a 10-fold increase in thyroid cancers, and anticipated long-term effects of such exposure, including birth defects, immunological disorders, and other cancers. Contamination remains a problem, rendering the area uninhabitable, but this wilderness has been friendly to natural rehabilitation.
This 20th anniversary comes at a time of rising energy costs that have led many countries to consider building new nuclear power plants. In this context, it is important to understand the tremendous dangers posed by nuclear and radiological sources, and to consider whether new safety measures can successfully mitigate these threats. Books, reports, and web resources on these issues follow.
To understand the impact of Chernobyl, start with the stories of the people involved. Svetlana Alexievich's (translator Keith Gessen) "Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster" represents a wide range of voices, from the peasants harvesting contaminated potatoes to those responding to the accident and caring for the sick and dying. It is moving and frightening, with a healthy dose of black humor. (Dalkey Archive Press, Picador).
Author interview and excerpt:
http://www.centerforbookculture.org/dalkey/backlist/alexievich.html
Survivor stories:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5355810
Reviews:
http://dannyreviews.com/h/Chernobyl.html
http://www.theparisreview.com/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5447
Grigori Medvedev, deputy chief engineer of Chernobyl, offers his detailed analysis of the disaster in "The Truth About Chernobyl" (transl. Andrei Sakharov; Basic Books). This primary source incorporates not only Medvedev's insider's viewpoint and day-by-day account of the investigation, but also the testimony of eyewitnesses and those affected.
Reviews:
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19910901fabook6845/grigori-medvedev/the-truth-about-chernobyl.html
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6D7163FF934A35757C0A967958260&pagewanted=print
http://www.time.com/time/daily/chernobyl/910429.books.html
Also note Medvedev's follow-up, "The Aftermath of Chernobyl" (transl Evelyn Rossiter, Basic Books).
Review:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6DA1530F933A05756C0A965958260&pagewanted=print
For details on the many other titles available, check out these Annotated Bibliographies:
http://www.belarus-misc.org/bel-b-chor.htm
http://www.brama.com/ukraine/chornbib.html
http://www.davistownmuseum.org/cbm/Rad7.html
http://www.insc.anl.gov/sov_des/chernbib.php
Key Reports:
* Chernobyl Forum: "Chernobyl's Legacy: Health, Environments, and Socio-Economic Impacts and Recommendations to the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine"
http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Booklets/Chernobyl/chernobyl.pdf
* Greenpeace: "The Chernobyl Catastrophe: Consequences on Human Health"
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/chernobyl-a-nuclear-catastro.pdf
* International Agency for Research on Cancer: Article in the Journal of Radiological Protection and Book.
http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/JRP
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/76502439
* International Atomic Energy Agency: "Environmental Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident and Their Remediation: Twenty Years of Experience".
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1239_web.pdf
* World Health Organization: "Health Effects of the Chernobyl Accident and Special Health Care Programmes: Report of the UN Chernobyl Forum, Expert Group 'Health'".
http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/chernobyl/en/index.html
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr20/en/index.html
Special Coverage from News Organizations:
* BBC, "Chernobyl: 20 Years On" includes interviews with those affected and several photo collections
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/europe/2006/chernobyl/default.stm
* National Public Radio
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5369553
* RIA Novosti, "Chernobyl 20 years on)
http://en.rian.ru/trend/chernobyl/
* Der Spiegel
"Accident or Catastrophe?"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,411284,00.html
"The Aftermath of Chernobyl: A Visit to the Exclusion Zone"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,411285,00.html
"The Chernobyl Body Count Controversy"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,411864,00.html
"Photo Gallery: Chernobyl Up Close"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,411523,00.html
"Photo Gallery: Inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,410813,00.html
"Ukraine's Nuclear Future"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,412837,00.html
* SwissInfo
"Chernobyl legacy hangs over Swiss energy policy"
http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/Chernobyl_legacy_hangs_over_Swiss_energy_policy.html?siteSect=105&sid=6648697&cKey=1145789096000
* Time Magazine
http://www.time.com/time/daily/chernobyl/860512.cover.html
Many experts point to Chernobyl's lack of core protection and that its safety systems had been bypassed. They argue that this plant design is inherently flawed and should never have been built, and that other nuclear power systems are safe. Critics point to threats from terrorist attacks, usually focusing on an external breach, although risks from criminal insiders and vulnerabilities to control systems would be easier to exploit, and potentially even more disastrous. The location of nuclear power stations near water sources, particularly in the midst of rising sea levels and climate change, poses other significant risks. However, nuclear power stations are far more secure than other sources of radiological contamination. These range from the mining, transportation and storage of materials to their use in medical treatment, all of which remain poorly secured.
Note these recent resources on nuclear security:
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
http://www.thebulletin.org/article.php?art_ofn=jf05khripunov
Carnegie Endowment
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=16593
Center for Defense Information
http://www.cdi.org/nuclear/security.cfm
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center, Japan
http://cnic.jp/english/topics/safety/terrorrespns.html
Charles Clover, "Britain's nuclear waste 'vulnerable to terrorist attack'"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/27/nuke27.xml
Charles Ferguson, "Nuclear lessons for today"
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0426/p09s01-coop.html
IAEA Nuclear Security
http://www-ns.iaea.org/security/
National Radioactive Waste Management Agency, France
http://www.andra.fr/sommaire.en.php3
Nuclear Threat Initiative
http://www.nti.org
Russian American Security Council
http://www.ransac.org/
UK Department of Trade and Industry
http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/nuclear/safety/security.shtml
Related Web Sites:
Chernobyl info
http://www.chernobyl.info/
Council on Foreign Relations
http://www.cfr.org/publication/10534/chernobyl_nuclear_power_and_foreign_policy.html
International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group on Chernobyl
http://www.iarc.fr/chernobyl/index.php
International Atomic Energy Agency Chernobyl in Focus
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus/Chernobyl/index.html
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Backgrounder
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/chernobyl-bg.html
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
http://www.sdc.admin.ch/index.php?navID=65935&langID=1&userhash=82bf77e04619c405d8a497950fa14e57
World Nuclear Association
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/chernobyl/inf07.htm
US Department of Energy, nuclear energy and nuclear security
http://www.gnep.energy.gov/
http://www.nnsa.doe.gov/
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