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AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff

TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - July 23, 2006

SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, July 23, 2006

TEXT:

The G-8 leaders reached agreement on issues ranging from counterterrorism to trade, which are cited in the relevant sections of this week's Newsletter. The conflict in the Middle East also covers multiple sections, including the reports in terrorism and political violence, as well as implications to the global economy, trade and transportation, and energy prices. Following up the G8 and WTO meetings, Recommended Reading looks at books covering development strategies.

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

For detailed analysis, background information and source documents become a Global Terrorism Monitor subscriber. You can purchase this and other titles here:
TAMNI Publications

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GTM Africa
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Burundi's government and National Liberation Forces (FNL) rebels have resumed ceasefire talks, which had been stalled for more than a week. While the ceasefire talks continue, FNL launched further attacks against civilians in the northwest province of Bubanza and the western province of Bujumbura Rural. An attack on Monday killed three people and injured seven, and scores of households have been internally displaced.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Front of Nationalists and Integrationists (FNI) militia leader Peter Karim and 60 militiamen have agreed to disarm. FNI was responsible for kidnapping seven UN peacekeepers: all have been released. Arms trafficking continues to pose a threat to peace and the upcoming elections.
http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=11848

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has criticized UN peacekeepers for bias in favor of the northern rebels. He and his party object to the plan to identify undocumented citizens as a tactic to inflate the number of voters in the rebel-controlled north. The government-backed Young Patriots used barricades and fires to interfere with the identity program, but the next day things were back to normal
http://www.presidence.ci/ci/infos_details.php?srub=magazine&idart=3871
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54658

Kenyan police have arrested Abdulkadir Karim Tunda, who wanted in connection with attacks in India, and in the US in connection with the 2002 Nairobi hotel bombing. He has been linked to Lashkar-e-Toiba.

In Mali a Catholic Church service was underway when one of the attendees set fire to a 5-liter can of gasoline and set it on fire. The bomber is in intensive care, and 20 other people were injured. An investigation is under way.

Somalia's interim President Abdullahi Yusuf has ended his boycott of talks in Sudan with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), and will now send a delegation. UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys asked the UN to maintain the arms embargo to ensure new arms will not enter the country. Despite the public statements issued by UIC, their militias are advancing towards Baidoa, the home of the interim government, which has placed its national forces on high alert. This news comes amid reports that some 150 government troops have defected to UIC, and Aweys has ordered a holy war to drive out the Ethiopian troops.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54676
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=277971
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5195962.stm

In southern Sudan, government troops and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) began fighting on Monday over a local dispute that escalated during the week. At least 28 people, most civilians, have been killed in the fighting. This is the first major incident since the January 2005 peace agreement was signed.

The security situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate. Workers providing basic services such as water as well as humanitarian aid workers have become targeted by mob violence. Three Darfur water workers were beaten to death in a displaced persons camp, and there have been several cases of abductions and other attacks. Following an attack that killed three aid workers, international assistance has been suspended in affected camps.
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=44c0af5316

Opening positions of the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) are very far apart as the peace talks get under way. You can read their position statements here:
http://www.monitor.co.ug/news/news07186.php
Elders from southern Sudan and northern Uganda presented a statement describing alleged atrocities committed by LRA and the Ugandan army.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54738
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GTM Americas
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Argentina is hosting a meeting of Mercosur. Cuban President Fidel Castro is attending the regional trade group, and has met with new member Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.
http://www.mercosur.int/

Brazil has expressed disappointment over the UK decision not to prosecute the individual police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken for a suicide bomber on 22 July 2005. A Brazilian mission is seeking further information.
http://www.brazil.org.uk/newsandmedia/pr20060717.html
http://www.brazil.org.uk/newsandmedia/pr20060716.html

In Colombia's Narino and Choco departments on the Pacific Coast, the Colombian army and irregular armed groups have been fighting for the past week. As the fighting escalates, indigenous communities have been displaced, but scores of people have been trapped and are able neither to flee the fighting nor to obtain food and basic supplies.

Peruvian judge Hernan Saturno Vergara has been shot dead while dining with his cousin, who was injured. The single gunmen may have been acting on behalf of the Tijuana drug cartel, since the judge was handling the trial of some of its members.

The US House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, held a hearing on the "Global War on Terrorism (GWOT): Accuracy and Reliability of Cost Estimates". Testimony reported numerous problems with reporting and estimates, and warned of the impact of growing fiscal imbalances. Neither the Department of Defense nor Congress knows the cost of the GWOT or how funds are being used.
http://reform.house.gov/NSETIR/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=47142

Benamar Benattahas been released following nearly five years in detention, even when in November 2001 the FBI had determined he had no connection to terrorism. He is believed to be the last of more than 1,200 mostly Muslim men rounded up after 9/11.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072002007.html

In the state of Georgia, Syed Haris Ahmed and Ehsanul Islam Sadequee have been indicted for planning attacks against targets including the Capital and World Bank headquarters. These charges are added to previous accusations of collaborating in terrorist plots in Canada.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/19/AR2006071901748.html
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GTM Asia Pacific
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has denied western reports that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding somewhere in Central Asia.

In Victoria, Australia, the Attorney General has demanded an explanation from the Commonwealth on the legality and treatment of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/enough-is-enough-hulls-demands-action-on-hicks/2006/07/22/1153166633737.html

Scores of Indonesian militants are investigating ways they can travel to Lebanon and the Palestinian territories to join Hezbollah.

Philippines Army, Coast Guard And police came under attack by New People's Army (NPA) communist rebels. A coast guard officer and five rebels were killed, and eight others were injured.

Thailand has approved a 3-month extension of emergency rule in the three southern provinces. Attacks last week included the drive-by-shooting deaths of a village headman and a scrap gold dealer. Kidnapping threats closed schools n Narathiwat's Rueso district.
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GTM Europe
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Meeting in Russia, the G8 issued a declaration on counter-terrorism and a statement on strengthening the UN's counterterrorism program.
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/17.html
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/18.html

Mirsad Bektasevic, Cesur Abdulkadir and Bajro Ikanovic have gone on trial in Bosnia for allegedly planning terrorist attacks to force a pullout from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Italy's Carabinieri (military police) have arrested five suspected members of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), a designated Algerian terrorist group.

Russia's former Nuclear Power Minister Yevgeny Adamov has been released from custody following an appeal to the Supreme Court. He still faces fraud and abuse of office charges, and other charges in the US.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060721/51672692.html

Russia's offer of an amnesty to Chechen rebels has been rejected.
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2006/07/19/5010.shtml

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned US President Bush that Baghdad must crack down on escalating violence in Kurdish areas. The next day (Friday) the Turkish army killed four Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) separatists in northern Iraq.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=74147

The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) completed their investigation over the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent Brazilian shot dead last July by anti--terrorism officers who mistakenly believed he was a suicide bomber. Since the officers responsible genuinely believed this there will be no manslaughter prosecutions. Under the "shoot to kill" policy against suicide bombers, de Menezes was shot with exploding bullets seven times in the head. This policy remains in effect. The Metropolitan Police Service will be prosecuted under health and safety law over operational errors that fall short of criminal offenses.  De Menenzes' family and supporters are disturbed by this decision and are considering a judicial review or private prosecution.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/146_06.html
http://cms.met.police.uk/news/met_comment/cps_decision_mps_statement

Home Secretary John Reid laid a draft Order in Parliament proposing the proscription of four organizations associated with terrorism. Al-Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect have been added under the new criteria for glorification of terrorism. Two alternative names for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is already proscribed, have also been added: Baluchistan Liberation Army and Teyrebaz Azadiye Kurdistan.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/terror-groups-banned

Syed Talha Ahsan has been arrested in the UK on a US federal indictment that charges him with conspiracy to support terrorists and conspiracy to kill or injure people abroad, through his operation of websites that garnered support and recruited terrorists. He remains in custody pending extradition.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-5961739,00.html
http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/terrorism/usahsan62806ind.html

Brian Tollett, a former soldier, has been convicted in Scottish court of killing former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) gunrunner Lindsay Robb.
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GTM Middle East
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In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed the Palestinian foreign ministry for the second time in a week, completing its destruction, and injuring nine people in nearby houses. Troops then clashed with Palestinians near an area often used for missile launches, killing two Palestinians. On Wednesday, an Israeli incursion killed at least six Palestinians and injured 45, including children. Thursday's Israeli operations killed two Palestinians and injured 20, while other attacks raised the death toll to ten. An Israeli tank shall killed four Palestinians including a Hamas militant, his mother, and two of her grandchildren, on Friday. Reports today suggest that a peace deal may be on the way.

In Iraq on Monday the most serious attack was an armed assault in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad, in which 48 people were killed and more than 60 injured, most Shia. Other attacks killed dozens more. On Tuesday, a minibus bombing in the southern Shia-dominated city of Kufa killed at least 53 and injured more than 100. Clashes between British forces and a Shia militia in Basra left four militants dead and ten injured. Four members of the al Qaeda-linked Omar Brigade were arrested. Bombings on Wednesday in Kirkuk, Baghdad, and other locations killed at least 20 people, including an Iraqi general. Twenty government workers that care for Sunni mosques and shrines were kidnapped. On Thursday three car bombs exploded in Baghdad. One killed three and injured ten in a market. US forces launched a raid in Baquba on Friday, killing two suspected militants, two women and a child, and injuring 23. On Saturday, gunmen burst into a construction site in a Sunni area of Baghdad and killed seven Shia construction workers. Three police officers were killed and five injured in Baquba. A roadside bomb in Kut killed an Iraqi soldier and injured four. In Baghdad, roadside bombs killed a US soldier and an Iraqi civilian and militants shot dead a US soldier. Today, a suicide minibus bomber in the Sadr City section of Baghdad killed 34 and injured more than 70. There was also a bombing outside the town hall that killed eight. In Kirkuk, a car bomb near a courthouse killed at least 20 and injured more than 90.

The UN reports that nearly 6,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in May and June. This is more than 100 per day and represents the largest number of civilian deaths since the fall of Baghdad.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54711

The International Crisis Group warns of "Iraq and the Kurds: The Brewing Battle over Kirkuk":
Unless the international community acts soon to resolve mounting tensions in Kirkuk, the result could well be yet another violent communal conflict in Iraq, risking full scale civil war and possibly outside military intervention. The dangerously neglected looming conflict in and around the northern Iraqi city is equal parts street brawl over oil riches; ethnic competition over identity between Kurdish, Turkoman, Arab and Assyrian-Chaldean communities; and titanic clash between two nations, Arab and Kurd. All parties should make clear their intention to pursue a negotiated settlement, explaining to their followers that compromises must be made for peace. The Iraqi government should invite the UN Security Council to appoint an envoy to start negotiations to designate Kirkuk governorate as a stand-alone federal region for an interim period. And the U.S. should place its weight behind such a UN-brokered political settlement.
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4267&l=1

Saddam Hussein has been taken to hospital after 16 days on a hunger strike to protest poor security for his attorneys: three members of the defense team have been murdered during his trial on crimes against humanity.

Northern Israel remains a target of Hezbollah rocket fire. Between a third and half of residents in the north left their homes for safer shelter. Among those killed were two Israeli Arab children. Companies in the area have called for employees to return to work and for the government to take measures to compensate or otherwise support businesses during the fighting.

The New York Times reports that "The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which requested the expedited shipment last week after beginning its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.... The decision to quickly ship the weapons to Israel was made with relatively little debate within the Bush administration, the officials said. Its disclosure threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran's efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah".
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/22/world/middleeast/22military.html

Human Rights Watch has called for both Hezbollah and Israel to scrupulously respect the absolute prohibition under international law against targeting civilians or undertaking attacks that indiscriminately harm civilians. They point to an Israeli bombing near Tyre that burned alive 12 civilians, and Hezbollah's use of inaccurate artillery in civilian areas.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54663
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/17/lebano13748.htm
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/18/lebano13760.htm
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/17/isrlpa13756.htm

On 12 July Lebanese Hezbollah launched a daring raid into Israel, killing eight soldiers and capturing two. Twelve days of escalating Israeli attacks have followed, plunging the Middle East into crisis, reviving memories of Israel's ill-fated 1982 Lebanon War, and destroying Lebanon's fragile infrastructure. Israel has entered Lebanon and called up additional troops in preparation for a possible ground assault, to which Lebanon has promised to respond.

More than 350 Lebanese, most civilians, have been killed, while 37 Israelis, including 17 civilians, have died.

Israel's "Operation Just Reward" has targeted alleged Hezbollah positions, leveling multi-story apartment blocks, and leaving whole towns flattened. Critical infrastructure targets have been demolished, including government offices and private industry. The airport, seaports, ridges and roads have been destroyed. A dairy farm, a paper mill, a packaging firm, a pharmaceutical plant, water pumping stations, energy plants, gas stations, hospitals, a swimming pool, a school, transmission towers, a woodworking shop, social institutions, farms, a glass factory, and many other facilities, almost all non-military, were destroyed. Vehicles carrying civilians and relief supplies have also been targeted, sometimes disastrously, and humanitarian agencies have been badly effected, including attacks against ambulances and relief convoys. All this destruction has harmed human health; caused serious damage to the environment, including an oil slick; and has damaged ancient ruins including the global heritage sites in Baalbek and Tyre.

The damage to Lebanon's economy and infrastructure is in the billions of dollars. Coming during the holiday season, the loss to the restaurant sector alone is likely to exceed $1 billion. The devastation wrought has led UN emergency relief chief Jan Egeland to the chorus of voices calling the Israeli attacks violations of humanitarian law. Surveying the damage, UK Foreign Office minister Kim Howells said the attacks were clearly not surgical strikes, and criticized the continued aerial bombardment.

At first the international community responded by leaving en masse, in one of the world's largest evacuations since World War II: 80,000 Sri Lankans; 40,000 Canadians; 30,000 Filipinos; 25,000 Australians; 25,000 US; 22,000 UK; 20,000 France; 12,000 India; 5,000 Nigerians, and thousands more from Italy, Liberia, Nepal, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, and elsewhere. Many have been sent to Cyprus, where chaos has followed. In an interesting sidebar, Muslim cleric and former leader of al-Muhajiroun Omar Bakri Mohammed was banned from the UK and, where his children reside and he lived for 20 years. When he attempted to evacuate on a British ship, he was forbidden.

The fate of the internally displaced now numbering more than 500,000, and representing about 20 percent of the population, is far more serious. About 70 percent of these are from the south and have few resources. Many have taken refuge under ground or in public buildings used as shelters. There are serious concerns for the safety of 22,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Iraq, Somalia and Sudan, who have been stranded in Lebanon. Syria is offering assistance for Lebanese nationals stranded at the border when they fled, including many dual-nationality foreigners using Syria as a transit point.

Facing mounting casualties, a serious humanitarian crisis, and infrastructure destruction that will have a long-term regional impact, the initial alliance in favor of Israel defending itself against a terrorist group has begun to break up. Anti-Israeli demonstrations have taken place across the Middle East and parts of South and South East Asia: the same countries have offered aid, and participation in a future peacekeeping force. Anti-war demonstrations took place in Europe and Australia, where calls for a ceasefire are growing, particularly strong in Muslim minority communities. Accusations of war crimes have grown, and legal measures are already underway, including an effort by Lebanon to be compensated for damages caused by Israel, and a group of Lebanese lawyers filing a complaint with the UN regarding Israeli crimes against humanity and genocide on Lebanese territory.

These pressures are beginning to be reflected in growing diplomatic efforts. The UN's call for a ceasefire and international stabilization effort has been greeted positively by all countries, although with major reservations and qualifications from Israel and the US. Within Israel, ministers and members of the Knesset have expressed reservations in recent days over the call-up of reinforcements for a possible ground operation, and Defense Minister Peretz said today that Israel would support a multinational force in Lebanon, possibly led by NATO troops.

A group of Belgian doctors of Lebanese-origin told a press conference that eight bodies bought to the hospital in Sidon had turned black but bore no burn marks, and chemical substances were found on their bodies, suggesting that Israeli planes had used chemical weapons in Lebanon.
http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0607202926164827.htm

In the West Bank, an al Aqsa Brigade militants ambush killed one Israeli soldier and injured six. An Israeli raid on Nablus led to an exchange of fire in which three Palestinians were shot dead, and dozens arrested.
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GTM South Asia
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In the Afghan province of Helmand, a suicide bomber in the capital Khost attacked the justice department, killing the local justice director Abdul Khan, his deputy, and another official, and injuring eight. US-led coalition forces report killing four al Qaeda militants in Khost province, but locals believe they were civilians. One coalition soldier was killed in Uruzgan province and eleven were injured. On Tuesday, a military operation began to retake two towns in Helmand province that are held by the Taleban. On Friday Dutch special forces killed 18 militants in Uruzgan province. Fighting in Helmand killed six Taleban. Saturday, some 13 Taleban were killed and 15 injured in the same area. In Kandahar city a suicide car bomb rammed into a Canadian convoy, killing two soldiers and injuring eight. A second bomber killed six Afghans and injured 19.  Today, continued fighting in Helmand led to the deaths of 19 Taleban and three Afghan police. The Taleban has threatened more suicide attacks.

The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), civil groups, and the state government held a third round of talks, indicating a troubled peace process.
http://www.ipcs.org/whatsNewArticle1.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2091&status=article&mod=b

Maoist rebels in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh killed 26 villagers that belonged to the Salwa Judum, an anti-Maoist civil militia. Another 23 villagers were kidnapped, and more than 100 dwellings burned down.
From some 300 suspects detained after the Mumbai (Bombay) bombings, Indian police have arrested three men belonging the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). They are believed to have played a minor role that may provide information leading to those who planned the attack.

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir arrested Mohammad Rafiq Shekh ("Mudassar"), a top Lashkar-e-Toiba leader believed responsible for the May suicide attack on a political meeting and more than 20 attacks in Kashmir, and may have been connected to the 11 July Mumbai attacks. He has connections with Pakistani militants.

Mohd Hanif Kalis was sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment in Indian court after he was found with explosives. He is believed to have been planning attacks in India for a new terrorist organization, Hizb-e-Islami.

Indian soldiers killed eight suspected militants in separate clashes in two districts.

Pakistani police report the arrested of some 150 Taleban following two days of operations in Balochistan. Most of the detainees were Afghans held on immigration charges, and many came from Islamic religious schools. Several Taleban militants and their leaders were also reportedly captured, including Mullah Hamdullah Achakzai.

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers are believed responsible for a Claymore mine attack in Jaffna that killed one person on Tuesday. On Wednesday a similar attack targeted an army bus, killing two and injuring 12. In Trincomalee, six workers were injured in an explosion. A suspected suicide bomber has been arrested in President Mahinda Rajapakse's constituency, the southern town of Tissamaharama.


2. Political Risk Monitor

For detailed analysis, background information and source documents available only to subscribers of the Political Risk Monitor, visit our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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PRM Africa
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Chad's parliament has voted to agree to a five percent salary increase demanded by the Syndicated Union of Chad, thereby ending a strike that has closed government and healthcare facilities since June.

Democratic Republic of Congo continues preparation for 30 July elections. There have been a number of incidents, of which the most serious so far was an armed assault at a rally for an independent parliamentary candidate, in which gunmen killed seven people. UN officials have warned that violent responses to demonstrators can violate freedom of expression, and it is particularly important to avoid such violations ahead of the critical elections.

The International Crisis Group weighs in on DRC's elections with "Escaping the Conflict Trap: Promoting Good Governance in the Congo". The new report finds:
" Congo's elections on 30 July could become the root of renewed violence unless Kinshasa and donors increase efforts to create a transparent and accountable government. This is the country's most promising moment since independence, but there are huge dangers as well because the poll will create a significant class of disenfranchised politicians and former warlords tempted to take advantage of state weakness and launch new insurgencies. The incoming government should strengthen state institutions, especially parliament and the judiciary. The public administration needs to be reformed, accountability and transparency promoted. Major donors should form a new body to coordinate funding and policy advice for the new government and regularly discuss good governance issues with key ministries and government anti-corruption bodies. Civil society needs to track public expenditures and press for sanctions against corrupt officials."
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4276

Ethiopian troops have entered Somalia. They have taken up positions in Baidoa to support the interim government against the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which earlier had pulled their militiamen back from the town. Ethiopian troops have continued their incursion, taking over a second town and an airstrip. Their activities triggered an immediate breakdown of peace talks in Sudan, with the UIC walking out of the negotiations. Not only is a ceasefire between the interim government and the UIC likely to break down, but this incursion threatens renewal of full-scale war and its spread to other East African countries.

Ahead of Gambia's September elections, the government has dismissed Ndondi Njai, the head of the independent electoral commission. No reason for this step was given, but the opposition claims this confirms the commission's lack of independence and impartiality. President Yahya Jammeh gained power in a coup, has served for 12 years, and is seeking re-election.
http://www.thepoint.gm/headlines1023.htm
http://www.iec.gm/artman/publish/index.shtml

Ivory Coast is attempting to advance the peace process while work proceeds for October elections. The UN Security Council has advised that it will impose sanctions against any efforts to block peace.

Kenyan villagers captured six young men suspected of robbery and serious crimes against women, then beat them and set their bodies on fire. The case of vigilante justice is being investigated by the police, who were criticized for not solving the increasing number of crimes, and for corruption.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=77488

"Nigeria: Want in the Midst of Plenty" is a new report from the International Crisis Group that suggests:
" Nigeria is a major oil producer, home to every sixth African, and one of the continent's great hopes ñ but it is very fragile. If internal fissures, massive poverty and economic disparities are left unchecked, persistent levels of violence could escalate and severely impact regional security. Widespread corruption and relentless exploitation of regional, ethnic and religious fault lines by a ruling elite has thwarted reform and stalled economic development. Despite more than $400 billion in oil revenue over three decades, nine of ten Nigerians live on less than $2 a day. While the 1999 return to democracy was welcome and overdue, the people remain dangerously disconnected from their government. The 2007 presidential election is an opportunity for transition to a more stable democracy, but only when every citizen becomes a stakeholder in its future can the country truly leave its troubled past behind".
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4274

Zimbabwean President Mugabe told a meeting of tribal leaders that only 40 percent of the 5,000 white-owned farms on 11 million hectares of land have been taken over by blacks.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=278384
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PRM Americas
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Members and associates with the Common Market of the South, Mercosur, have ended the summit with agreement to focus on measures to alleviate poverty with increased trade and job creation.
http://www.mercosur.int/
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mercosur22jul22,1,1856936.story
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5205032.stm
In Guatemala killings of women have risen for the fourth consecutive year, from 163 in 2002 to 383 in 2003, to 527 n 2004, and 665 last year. Between January and May this year 299 killings have already been reported. In "Guatemala: No protection, no justice – killings of women (an update)" Amnesty International reports that 70 percent of women's murders are not investigate and in 97 percent of cases no arrests are made. Amnesty calls on the government to improve coordination and cooperation among state agencies, strengthen witness protection, and guarantee the resources necessary for the National Forensic Institute.
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR340232006

Haitian gunmen in the capital Port-au-Prince clashed with UN peacekeepers, killing six people. Gang-related attacks and kidnappings have been on the rise, suggesting a potential for national security to deteriorate once again.

Mexico's defeated presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is leading civil resistance in which hundreds of thousands of protestors are demanding a full recount of the vote. The Federal Electoral Tribunal is investigating charges of electoral irregularities made by Lopez Obrador, and must determine the winner by 6 September.

The US Senate Committee on the Judiciary held an oversight hearing regarding the Department of Justice. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was the sole witness. During questioning he revealed that the department's internal investigators wanted to look at the role department lawyers had played in drafting the controversial program to monitor domestic electronic communications, but President Bush personally intervened to stop the inquiry, and refuse security clearance for the investigators.
http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=1987

In Chicago, Illinois, the report on police torture against nearly 150 black suspects in the 1970s and 1980s has been released. Prosecutors identified three cases in which there was sufficient to charge former Lieutenant Jon Burge and others, and five federal lawsuits are pending. Mayor Richard Daley was the head prosecutor at the time of these cases, and faces serious pressure following revelations of a decade of abuse.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-060719burge,1,1155721.story
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0607220075jul22,1,1523381.story
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0607210185jul21,1,1785525.story
http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=6313
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1216795,00.html
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PRM Asia Pacific
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Australian members of parliament will face stringent security checks if they set off metal detectors.

In Cambodia, Ta Mok ("The Butcher") has died. He was one the Khmer Rouge military commander, linked to many atrocities, and would have been one of the first to face trial for genocide and crimes against humanity. Here is an obituary:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5128664.stm

For the first time in 57 years, a direct cargo flight has been permitted between Taiwan and mainland China.

East Timor's security situation has improved. Australia has begun drawing down its force, but will leave peacekeepers in place for some time. Meanwhile, prosecutors are investigating allegations that former Prime Minister Alkatiri set up a secret political death squad, ad have banned him from travel.

Indonesian journalist Teguh Santosa, editor of Rakyat Merdeka, will be tried for inciting racial hatred towards a religious group in connection with his decision, in February, to publish satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Indonesia and Malaysia have both offered troops under any UN peacekeeping mandate in the Middle East. Muslims in the two countries have launched angry protests against Israel's attacks on Lebanon.

South Korea has suspended food aid shipments, including rice and fertilizer, after talks over North Korea's missile tests collapsed. North Korea has stopped cross-border family reunions, and accused the South of bowing to pressure from Japan and the US.

Kyrgyzstan police have arrested six people for religious extremism linked to the 2005 Andijan massacre.
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/17/eu13754.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5196924.stm

Although Thai courts are still considering legal cases stemming from the annulled April election, King Bhumipol Adulyadej has signed a royal decree approving a repeat election on 15 October.

The UN and Human Rights First have called for an end to emergency rules in Thailand that violate human rights.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19239
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/media/hrd/2006/advisory/233
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PRM Europe
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The European Commission has unveiled plans for a rapid reaction team of border guards empowered to address immigration crises, such as recent appeals from the Canary Islands and Malta.

The Czech Republic is still without a cabinet, seven weeks after an election that generated no clear winner. The latest candidate for parliamentary speaker was rejected by one of the parties, forcing another week of negotiations for this key position and other parliamentary leaders.

Georgia's parliament has called for Russian troops to withdraw from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and be replaced by an international force. A meeting of the Joint Control Commission for the resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict has been delayed. The detention of Russian diplomats by Georgian authorities may have contributed to the lack of progress.

German doctors have been involved in industrial action for three weeks. Talks over pay and working conditions broke down this week, but the union Marburger Bund says that emergency care will not be affected by rolling strikes involving about 70,000 doctors in as many as 700 hospitals.

Malta and Spain, with EU assistance, have agreed to an initiative that would help asylum seekers or other migrants ineligible for residence to return safely and with dignity, and resolve the issue of 51 stranded African migrants.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5197590.stm
http://www.gov.mt/
http://www.la-moncloa.es/ActualidadHome/190706ClausuraVicepresidenta.htm
(in Spanish)

A Dutch court has ruled that the Brotherly Love, Freedom and Diversity Party (PNVD), which promotes pedophilia, has the same rights as any other political party and therefore will not be banned.

Poland's parliament has approved a bill to remove communist secret service collaborators from public office. The legislation must be approved by the upper house and president before coming into law.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Action Plan for full cooperation with the Hague tribunal, including the arrests of General Mladic and  other fugitives, has been approved by the EU.
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?id=25338

Spain is marking the 70th anniversary of the Civil War, on 18 July 1936.
http://www.elmundo.es/especiales/2006/07/espana/guerracivil/ (in Spanish)
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2006/07/18/one_in_three_spaniards_still_back_franco.html
http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id=7546

Political uncertainty in the Ukraine is likely to continue for some time. The pro-Russian governing coalition has a small majority and includes parties with divergent interests. President Yushchenko's Ukraine Party has moved officially into opposition, where it is likely to join up with other pro-Western allies.

The UK House of Lords European Union committee released "Behind Closed Doors: the meeting of the G6 Interior Ministers at Heiligendamm". The report is highly critical of EU ministers and the Home Office for holding meetings on critical issues such as terrorism and immigration that should attract broad media interest but instead no information is provided to the press or Parliament.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeucom/221/22102.htm

The Home Office is being reformed, as the new Home Secretary John Reid is changing a quarter of the top officials and setting up a new leadership team and reducing staff. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate will become a semi-autonomous agency and the backlog of asylum cases will be cleared in five years or less. These changes come as the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee uncovered a GBP3 million black hole they attributed to failures of financial stewardship that could hide even larger amounts.

The Home Affairs Select Committee also addressed illegal immigrants. Their fifth report finds current enforcement mechanisms inadequate and need an overhaul, including targeting employers of illegal immigrants and establishing an immigration inspectorate.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmhaff/775/775i.pdf
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PRM Middle East
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The G8 meeting last week took place along the growing crisis in the Middle East. The G8 leaders acknowledged the root cause of the regional problems is the lack of a comprehensive peace agreement, and offered full support for efforts to restore peace, and went on to say:
"The immediate crisis results from efforts by extremist forces to destabilize the region and to frustrate the aspirations of the Palestinian, Israeli and Lebanese people for democracy and peace.  In Gaza, elements of Hamas launched rocket attacks against Israeli territory and abducted an Israeli soldier.  In Lebanon, Hizbollah, in violation of the Blue Line, attacked Israel from Lebanese territory and killed and captured Israeli soldiers, reversing the positive trends that began with the Syrian withdrawal in 2005, and undermining the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. These extremist elements and those that support them cannot be allowed to plunge the Middle East into chaos and provoke a wider conflict.  The extremists must immediately halt their attacks. It is also critical that Israel, while exercising the right to defend itself, be mindful of the strategic and humanitarian consequences of its actions.  We call upon Israel to exercise utmost restraint, seeking to avoid casualties among innocent civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure and to refrain from acts that would destabilize the Lebanese government. The most urgent priority is to create conditions for a cessation of violence that will be sustainable and lay the foundation for a more permanent solution.  This, in our judgment, requires:
* The return of the Israeli soldiers in Gaza and Lebanon unharmed;
* An end to the shelling of Israeli territory;
* An end to Israeli military operations and the early withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza;
* The release of the arrested Palestinian ministers and parliamentarians."
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/21.html

In Gaza, gunmen forced their way into the home of Nabil Tammous, a senior Palestinian security officer in the force loyal to President Abbas. They blew up the house, killed one guard, and injured four. Hamas denies involvement.

Iraq has extended the daytime curfew in an effort to stop rising violence in and around Baghdad.

For details of Israel's wars on two fronts, Gaza and Lebanon, see GTM/Middle East, above.

Kuwait's National Assembly held a special session in which they approved a key electoral reform law that reduces the number of constituencies from 25 to five. The bill now passes to Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabag.

Saudi Arabia has signed major defense deals with France and the US.
--------------------------------------------------
PRM South Asia
--------------------------------------------------
An Afghan government inquiry found that a US-led bombing raid on a village in Uruzgan province had killed about 50 Taleban, including nine commanders, but had also killed ten civilians and injured 27, many women and children. President Karzai has repeatedly asked the coalition military to stop harming civilians.

Bhutan refugees in Nepal have organized an indefinite protest to urge the UN and Nepal to facilitate talks with Bhutan's government. More than 100,000 Bhutanese refugees have been living in camps in eastern Nepal since they were evicted in 1985 following a change in citizenship requirements.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/1acbfacc358c1fc71c24f693e3848b17.htm
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/country?iso=npl

The Indian state of Haryana has ended its ban against people with more then two children being banned from voting.

Nepali police briefly detained more than 100 former bonded laborers known as kamaiyas when they demonstrated in front of the main government secretariat in Kathmandu. Bonded labor was abolished in 200, but those freed have yet to receive promised jobs and land or other benefits.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=80083
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/jul/jul18/news15.php
http://www.nepalhumanrightsnews.com/news.asp?id=405


Pakistan has formed a grand tribal council (loya jirga) in which 45 participants will try to broker a peace agreement with pro-Taleban militants, beginning with North Waziristan.

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have demanded EU monitors withdraw by 1 September following the EU's designation of the Tigers as a terrorist organization.


3. AML/CFT Monitor

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. Purchase a subscription at our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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AML/CFT Incidents/Cases
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Bulgaria's National Service for Combating Organized Crime (NCOC) and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have broken a money laundering operation associated with property purchases in Bulgaria. Assets of a US suspect have been frozen.
http://www.bgnewsnet.com/story.php?lang=en&sid=21868
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=66783

The Irish division of HSBC has found major flaws in AML checks.
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=THE%20MARKET-qqqs=themarket-qqqid=15944-qqqx=1.asp

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair told the House of Commons that Iran was providing support to both Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi insurgents:
"In the communique issued by the G8, we refer to and condemn the activities of the extremist groups and, more elliptically, as we say, 'those that support them'. For most of us at the G8, we can be less elliptical. Hezbollah is supported by Iran and Syria: by the former in weapons, which incidentally are very similar, if not identical, to those used against British troops in Basra; by the latter, in many different ways; and by both of them financially."
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060718/debtext/60718-0991.htm#06071887000583

Juan Maria, owner and AML compliance officer of the licensed remittance agency Genoveba Communications in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of money laundering and one count of criminal forfeiture. He sent more than $92,000 to his native country, Dominican Republic, which he believed the proceeds of the drug trade.
http://www.hardbeatnews.com/editor/RTE/my_documents/my_files/details.asp?newsid=10202&title=Top%20Stories

Senior executives from Societe Generale, Barclays France, Societe Marseillaises de Credit, and the National Bank of Pakistan have been ordered to appear in French court over money laundering charges following a 1999 investigation that suggests they failed to enforce AML laws.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13974388/

Deprez's Quality Jewelry and Loans, Inc. consented to a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessment of a $25,000 civil money penalty for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Deprez is a money services business (MSB) located in Louisville, Kentucky, which failed to register as an MSB in a timely manner, failed to implement an adequate AML program, and structured transactions to avoid reporting requirements.
http://www.fincen.gov/deprez_release.html

Mexican authorities in the state of Tabasco called in army support after Los Zetas, a paramilitary gang that works for the Gulf drug cartel, launched an armed assault in an attempt to free two associates from the local jail. Los Zetas' narco-terrorist attacks involve extortion, kidnappings and decapitations connected to control of drug supply routes in this area and Acapulco.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5188838.stm

UK police and customs officers have dismantled a fuel laundering plant. They seized a 40-foot tanker, a 10,000 liter storage tank, and 21,000 liters of illegal fuel. Total output was estimated at 210,000 liters each week, presenting an annual loss of revenue of nearly GBP7 million. Seven tons of toxic waste was also removed during the operation in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
--------------------------------------------------
AML/CFT Legislation and Regulation
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KPMG's Global Anti-money Laundering Survey 2004 finds that banks spending on AML will continue to increase, particularly for know your customer and transaction monitoring. Other key findings include:
"* More than 60 per cent of banks saw anti-money laundering as a high profile issue at senior management level, 34 per cent saw it as moderate profile, and only 5 per cent considered it low profile. Banks in Latin America and Russia were particularly likely to consider it high profile (87 per cent and 88 per cent respectively), while only about half the banks in ASPAC and Africa thought it high profile.
* A large proportion of respondents have a formal program of independent testing of their AML systems, although western European banks scored poorest on this, with only 59 per cent carrying out formal testing of the effectiveness of their AML systems and controls. This compares to 100 per cent in the Middle East and 91 percent in North America.
* Increased spending was especially pronounced in North America where 29 per cent reported increased spending of more than 100 per cent in the past three years. KPMG attributes this to the impact of the USA PATRIOT Act 2001, passed in the wake of September 11th."
http://www.kpmg.co.nz/pages/102477.html
http://www.kpmg.de/about/press_office/10245.htm
-

Bangladesh Bank has appointed a special division to monitor and inspect 50 branches of different commercial banks to identify suspicious transactions.
http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=7/18/2006&section_id=1&newsid=31424&spcl=no

Ghana is making progress in implementing anti-money laundering laws.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/economy/artikel.php?ID=107580

The number of suspected money laundering offenses in Ireland has doubled over the past two years, from 5,491 in 2004 to 10,735.
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqid=15918-qqqx=1.asp

2.5 percent of alleged corruption cases reported to Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Agency involve money laundering.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/7/21/nation/20060721155040

Central Bank of Nigeria governor Professor Charles Soludo addressed an AML seminar in Lagos with a call for banks to "gird their loins" to thwart money laundering with effective mechanisms, procedures and processes.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/business/july06/20072006/b220072006.html

Recent reports suggest a 7-fold increase in money laundering in Poland over the last five years.
http://www.polskieradio.pl/polonia/article.asp?tId=39496&j=2

The US Department of the Treasury designated Abu Sufian Al-Salamabi Muhammed Ahmed 'Abd Al-Razziq, a Canadian and Sudanese citizen, for his connections to al Qaeda recruiter Abu Zubayda to for providing administrative and logistical support to al Qaeda. This designation, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, prohibits transactions and freezing assets in the US.
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp22.htm http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=8141e29b-293b-446e-9397-9fcb8c8b7e6f&rfp=dta

Treasury also designated two additional Iranian companies, Sanam Industrial Group and Ya Mahdi Industries Group, for their ties to missile proliferation.
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp17.htm

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released "Information Technology Management: Observations on the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN's) BSA Direct Retrieval and Sharing (BSA Direct R&S) Project", following its cancellation last week in the wake of serious development and implementation problems. GAO found that FinCEN's inconsistent application of IT investment management processes contributed to project management failures that were not addressed at the executive level.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-947R
http://www.fincen.gov/bsa_direct_nr.html
http://www.fincen.gov/bsa_direct_report_071306.pdf
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AML/CFT Modalities
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This article discusses "Money laundering risks facing Indian casinos":
http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8009

The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued an advisory warning that Mexican financial institutions, including casas de cambio, may misuse their relationships with US financial institutions to launder money.
http://www.occ.gov/ftp/bulletin/2006-30.txt


4. Emerging Threat Monitor

For detailed analysis, background information and source documents consider subscribing. Subscriptions to Emerging Threat Monitor can be purchased at our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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ETM Corruption and Transnational Crime
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India's Central Bureau of Investigation has filed corruption charges against former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bangaru Laxman.
http://cbi.nic.in/PressReleases/PRelease2006/p19_1Jul06.htm

Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Agency reports that three-quarters of reported cases involved civil servants, most connected to false claims.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/7/21/nation/20060721155040

The ongoing corruption investigation in Marbella, Spain, has led to the arrest of former mayor Julian Munoz, who is suspected of bribery and embezzlement.

Former Brocade Communications CEO Gregory Reyes and VP Human Resources Stephane Jenson have been charged in the US with criminal and civil securities fraud for backdating stock option grants.
http://sanfrancisco.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2006/sf072006.htm
http://sanfrancisco.fbi.gov/securitiesfraud.htm
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-options21jul21,0,4394345.story
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ETM Economies and Financial Systems
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G8 participants recommitted to fulfill the development agenda of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha round, acknowledging the failure to close the gaps between developed and developing countries.
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/16.html

The World Economic and Social Survey 2006 recommends improving the trade environment both through freer market access and reduction of rich country farm subsidies, and by giving developing countries better opportunities to participate in world service markets, including those that entail mobility of low-skilled labor.
http://www.un.org/esa/policy/wess/

China's economy grew 10.9 percent the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2005, but the government says that measures n place to slow growth are starting to take effect.
http://english.people.com.cn//200607/19/eng20060719_284700.html
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ETM Environment and Climate Change
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Rising sea levels are threatening Pacific Ocean mangroves.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=483&ArticleID=5312&l=en

The diversity of bees and the flowers they pollinate has declined significantly in the Netherlands and UK over the past 25 years. If these findings are reproduced in other regions, pollination could be at risk and have widespread consequences on the reproduction of wild flowers and crops.
http://reporter.leeds.ac.uk/press_releases/current/bees.htm

The UK's Butterfly Conservation charity says that disappearing habitat has led to a fall in butterfly species

The Sustainable Development Commission reports that homes already build represent 99 percent of total housing stock in the UK. Environmental targets will only be met if households cut the amount of resources they consume, and retrofitting existing technologies is the most cost-effective way to achieve this.
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/

Particulate matter in the air is linked to serious health problems including asthma and premature death. The Clean Air Act requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) to periodically review air quality levels and set safety standards. In 2002, the National Academies recommended 34 improvements to how EPA regulates air pollution. EPA has applied in full or in part 22 of these recommendations, but the remaining 12 have not been applied, including EPA's assumption that each component of particulate matter is equally toxic. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works last week held a second hearing to review these issues and the EPA's proposed revisions to the Particulate Matter Air Quality Standards. Note the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that was prepared in support of this investigation.
http://epw.senate.gov/hearing_statements.cfm?id=258766
http://epw.senate.gov/hearing_statements.cfm?id=258490
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-780
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ETM Human Rights
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US soldiers report that torture and other abuse against detainees were authorized and routine, even after Abu Ghraib. "No Blood, No Foul: Soldiers' Accounts of Detainee Abuse in Iraq" is a new report from human Rights Watch that includes interviews as well as memoranda and sworn statements from declassified documents.
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/19/usint13767.htm

Child labor has taken on a particularly horrifying face in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where thousands of children working in the diamond industry are being accused of witchcraft.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54634

A joint Italian-Polish operation has led to the arrest of 20 people responsible for keeping 119 Poles in forced labor camps in southern Italy.
http://www.polskieradio.pl/polonia/article.asp?tId=39393&j=2

The European Court 0f Human Rights has ruled that 13 years of pretrial detention with little or no review was a violation of reasonable time rules. Turkish national Resul Baltaci had been held since 1992 on suspicion of lending aid and assistance to the Kurdistan Workers' party (PKK). Under the courts judgement he was awarded costs and damages.
http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?item=2&portal=hbkm&action=html&highlight=&sessionid=7827880&skin=hudoc-pr-en

An undercover investigation by The Sun newspaper has revealed a UK-Czech gang that sold babies. British police have arrested three men and rescued a baby girl being sold for GBP 79,000.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006330160,00.html

The European Court of Human Rights overturned a UK ruling that the police raid of a family during a search for criminals did not breach human rights because they could not prove malice. The Court ruled that proving malice was too great a hurdle and that although there was no malice the raid was a breach to the rights for private and family life, and the right to an effective remedy. Gerard and Moira Keegan were awarded damages and costs.
http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?item=3&portal=hbkm&action=html&highlight=&sessionid=7827880&skin=hudoc-pr-en

The Inter-American Press Association reports a sharp deterioration in press freedom in Venezuela, including restrictive legislation, prosecution of journalists in the courts, and harassment of news media.
http://www.sipiapa.com/espanol/pressreleases/chronologicaldetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1698

India's burgeoning blogger community is up in arms over a government directive that has blocked websites, similar to measures taken in China. Calls for internet information providers to end support for internet censorship are increasing.
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGACT300162006
http://irrepressible.info/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5194172.stm
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ETM Infectious Diseases
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Acknowledging the global threat of infectious diseases, the G8 agreed to address global surveillance and monitoring; avian influenza and human pandemics; HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria; eradicating polio; halting the spread of measles and other preventable diseases; access to prevention, treatment and care; and the health consequences of disasters. Participants committed to various investments to achieve these goals.
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/10.html
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2006/s11/en/index.html

Indonesia has recorded its 42nd avian influenza fatality, now equal to Vietnam, however Vietnam has recorded no deaths this year.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_07_20/en/index.html

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has named its first medical director, Mark Goldberger, for emerging and pandemic threat preparedness.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01413.html
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ETM Legal Systems
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Indonesia has passed a landmark witness protection law, establishing the Witness and Victims Protection Agency (LPSK) to protect witnesses and victims.
http://www.republika.co.id/koran_detail.asp?id=257154&kat_id=59 (in Indonesian)

The UK Home Office has launched a Criminal Justice Review to "ensure that courts and the parole system consider the rights of crime victims and the law-abiding public above all else". Key proposals include longer penalties, more judicial discretion, introduction of violent offender orders, unanimous Parole decision requirements, and repatriation of foreign nationals
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/crime-justice-review

The US Voting Rights Act has been renewed for 25 years. It was passed in 1965 to bolster the 1964 Civil Rights Act by removing the right of states to impose restrictions on who could vote in elections. Many southern states had imposed literacy tests, a poll tax, or other measures to prevent black or poor citizens from voting. Although renewed several times, this year a number of Republicans had opposed its renewal, saying that it was no longer needed, and its renewal was uncertain.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/21/news/vote.php
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/intro/intro_b.htm

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ETM Natural Resources
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The Least Developed Countries Report 2006 warns that although the economies of the 50 least developed countries grew at 5.9 percent in 2004, this growth was due to high demand for natural resources and aid, but has not translated into increased employment or poverty reduction.
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=7011&intItemID=3881&lang=1

Chad and the World Bank have reached agreement about application of oil revenues. The Memorandum of Understanding commits the government to spend 70 percent of its budget to poverty reduction programs and integrate a long-term poverty reduction strategy into law. The World Bank had suspended loans in January when the government had scrapped long-term measures under a 1999 agreement that was meant to avoid the "oil curse" in which a few are enriched while the majority languish in poverty.
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:20994138~menuPK:34463~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html

Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources is setting up an integrated system for monitoring companies involved in exploiting natural resources.
http://www.upi.com/Energy/view.php?StoryID=200-4094r
http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20060719144541.shtml
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ETM Populations
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Writing in Science magazine (20 July), University of Cologne scientists report that "radiocarbon data from 150 archaeological excavations in the now hyper-arid Eastern Sahara of Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Chad reveal close links between climatic variations and prehistoric occupation during the past 12,000 years". Gradual desiccation led to a mass exodus to other parts of Africa, and helped "trigger the emergence of pharaonic civilization along the Nile, influenced the spread of pastoralism throughout the continent, and affects sub-Saharan Africa to the present day". The researchers point to the close link between human settlement and climate, seen today by such conflicts as that in Darfur, caused by environmental degradation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5192410.stm
http://www.uni-koeln.de/pi/i/2006.095.htm
(in German)

Demonstrating these links today, the UN Environment program held a workshop in Sudan to address restoration of natural habitat and environmental management.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=483&ArticleID=5313&l=en

The EU reports significant differences in causes of death among the Member States.
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/06/96&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
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ETM Social Responsibility
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BP has reached a settlement with Colombian farmers, in which the oil company will establish an Environmental and Social Improvement Trust Fund to redress any harm caused by oil pipeline construction associated with erosion.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1190528.ece
http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/STAGING/global_assets/downloads/I/hria_response_Tangguh_HRIA_1737.pdf

"Human Capital: Trends in Executive and Judicial Pay" is a new report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report provides trend data for basic pay rates of selected federal executive and judicial plans 1970-2006, elements of total compensation, and principles for possible restructuring. GAO explains that although human capital is essential to the success of government transformation, in many cases the classification, development and employee motivation is not designed to help employees achieve maximum results. The government as a whole faces challenges in offering competitive compensation to senior leaders that face statutory salary caps.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-708
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ETM Technology
--------------------------------------------------
Hewlett Packard has announced a wireless data chip with a built-in antenna the size of a grain of rice that can store up to 512 KB data. It can be embedded in almost any physical object, while transferring data at speeds much faster than current short-range radio systems such as RFID or Bluetooth. Powered by induction, it is likely to take at least two years before it will be commercially available.
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/060717a.html

The Tokyo Institute of Technology launched the first manned flight powered by dry cell batteries.
http://english.people.com.cn//200607/17/eng20060717_283842.html

US President Bush issued the first veto of his presidency, thereby continuing a ban against federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Although the debate focused on the value of a potential life against an existing life, the issue has expanded to incorporate US commitment to innovation, the economic impact of lost biotechnology investment, and potential political repercussions in upcoming elections.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060719-5.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5197926.stm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/20/AR2006072001978.html

This article explains the significance of magnetoresistive random-access memory.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/5202486.stm
This was first reported in the Newsletter on 16 July:
Freescale has unveiled a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) chip that can store data as a hard disc does.
http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?nodeId=015424&tid=FSH
http://www.mram-info.com/
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ETM Weapons (WMD, Proliferation)
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At the G8, Russian President Putin and US President Bush announced the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. The G8 also issued a statement on non-proliferation.
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/5.html
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/7.html
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/20.html

No progress has been made in resolving disputes over Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs.

The impact of arms abandoned after the fall of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin includes "death, hunger and paralyzing insecurity". In the poorest northeastern region of Karamoja, local pastoralists "quickly found that the Kalashnikov was more effective than the spear. Cattle raiding would never be the same again".
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=54675

Pakistan's Foreign minister Khursid Mahmood Kasuri reiterated their desire for the US to treat them equally with India in the area of nuclear cooperation. The US has arranged to sell $5 billion F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/19/nat2.htm
http://www.startribune.com/587/story/563496.html

Japan and the US have agreed to begin deploying US Patriot Advanced Capability 3 ballistic missile interceptors in August.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/7/0720.html

Armenia and Andorra have ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
http://www.ctbto.org/press_centre/press_release.dhtml?item=277
http://www.ctbto.org/press_centre/press_release.dhtml?item=278

Italy has agreed to provide medical and logistical support to any Chemical Weapons Convention member state that needs assistance following a chemical threat or attack.
http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2006/PR38_2006.html


5. Critical Infrastructure Monitor

Critical Infrastructure Monitor gives you the background and analysis missing from these news briefings. Subscriptions can be purchased from our online store:
TAMNI Publications

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CIM Agriculture and Food
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Britain's Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) opened a consultation on genetically modified crops to address strict standards including separation distances to separate GM fields from unmodified crops.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2006/farm-0721.htm

California is increasing state funding for agricultural inspections after finding that the Department of Homeland Security's focus on terrorist threats has limited their efficacy in addressing more conventional threats.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060723/BUSINESS/607230307/1003/business
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CIM Banking and Finance
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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been planning a unified currency and common fund transfer network, but are rethinking their plans following the revelation that information could be handed over to the US government.
http://www.itp.net/news/details.php?id=21417

US federal regulatory agencies are soliciting comments on a proposed rule regarding identity theft red flags and address discrepancies.
http://www.occ.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?JNR=1&Doc=ENPMHTXW.xml
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CIM Chemical
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The U. S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued its final report and recommendations regarding the 6 October 2005 fire and explosions at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, USA, plant in Point Comfort, Texas, and a related safety video. The investigation determined that the Olefins II Unit, which converts either natural gas liquids or naphtha into products such as propylene and ethylene, may not have exploded if it had been equipped with automated shutdown valves. Operators were unable to reach manual valves. Stopping the polypropylene flow could have limited the size of the fire. Other vulnerabilities notes lack of physical guards to reduce being hit by a vehicle and lack of fireproofing on some steel supports.
http://www.csb.gov
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CIM Cybersecurity
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Oracle has issued a security update that includes 65 patches to address flaws in the database, application server, and e-business suite.
http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/critical-patch-updates/cpujul2006.html

Microsoft has warned of a security loophole in PowerPoint that permits remote access and installs keylogging software.
http://blogs.securiteam.com/?p=508

H. D. Moore has created a search engine tool to identify malicious software.
http://metasploit.com/research/misc/mwsearch/index.html
http://www.cio.com/blog_view.html?CID=23075
http://www.websense.com/securitylabs/alerts/alert.php?AlertID=547

McAfee Avert has launched a new journal, Sage. The inaugural issue addresses risks presented by open source in developing malicious software.
https://secure.nai.com/apps/downloads/free_evaluations/survey.asp?code=MW100

The UK Chief Surveillance Commissioner suggests that police use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras could breach human rights law according to some reports
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1029662006)
http://www.spy.org.uk/spyblog/2005/11/anpr_automatic_number_plate_re.html
http://www.surveillancecommissioners.gov.uk/

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reports that more than half of all online images of child abuse they have identified can be traced to the US, due to the country's large number of Internet Service Providers and high levels of traffic. Russia was second, with just under 15 percent.
http://www.iwf.org.uk/corporate/page.160.htm

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released the Multimodal Biometric Application Resource Kit to support better biometric systems reliably measured.
http://www.itl.nist.gov/iad/894.03/nigos/nigos.html.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued "Information Technology: Agencies and OMB Should Strengthen Processes for Identifying and Overseeing High Risk Projects". GAO's calls for the federal government to strengthen oversight were rebuffed by de facto federal CIO Karen Evans. However, the numbers support GAO's position, with nearly 80 percent of self-identified high-risk projects suffering performance shortfalls.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-647
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9001937
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CIM Defense Industrial Base
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The UK will purchase a fleet of next-generation Nimrod aircraft from BAE Systems, thereby ensuring 700 jobs in northern England.
http://www.baesystems.com/fias2006/news/news215a.htm
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/RafGetsexceptionalNewNimrod.htm
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CIM Energy
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The G8 agreed the following key areas of activity to enhance global energy security:
* increasing transparency, predictability and stability of global energy markets;
* improving the investment climate in the energy sector;
* enhancing energy efficiency and energy saving;
* diversifying energy mix;
* ensuring physical security of critical energy infrastructure;
* reducing energy poverty;
* addressing climate change and sustainable development
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/11.html

Canada and Russia concluded an energy cooperation agreement.
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/9.html

Oil experts warn that the current oil price of $80 per barrel of crude could exceed $100 per barrel if Middle East unrest continues or spreads further.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development hosted a meeting to investigate whether African countries can play a role in the electronics sector. They plan to begin with a prototype for production of energy-saving light bulb production, in partnership with Philips and the UN.
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=3893&lang=1
http://www.philips.co.za/

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) explains that in fiscal year 2005, federal and Native American lands supplied about 35 percent of the oil and 26 percent of the natural gas produced in the US. Companies that lease these lands pay royalties based on a percentage of the cash value or as a percentage of the actual oil and natural gas produced as royalties in kind. Although prices have increased, substantially, royalties have not. "Royalty Revenues: Total Revenues Have Not Increased at the Same Pace as Rising Oil and Natural Gas Prices due to Decreasing Production Sold" explains that the lower rate of increase is connected to declining volumes produced.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-786R
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CIM Government Facilities
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The US Department of Defense has been made responsible for disposing properties under the Base Realignment and Closure process under and permit state or local governments and certain nonprofits to obtain surplus real property for public use. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report "Federal Real Property: Most Public Benefit Conveyances Used as Intended, but Opportunities Exist to Enhance Federal Oversight: recommends coordination between the General Services Administration (GSA), which is responsible for the public benefit conveyance (PBC) program,. GAO also recommends development of uniform standards guidance and measures to ensure compliance monitoring policies are followed.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-511
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CIM Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste
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The G8 welcomed the report of the Nuclear Safety and Security Group, which was issued in May. They join the call for all States to join the two recent instruments to combat nuclear terrorism and reaffirmed the importance that national regulators have sufficient authority, independence, and competence to provide effective nuclear regulation.
http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/24.html

The US National Nuclear Security Administration repatriated from Argentina more than 3 kilograms of US-origin highly enriched uranium (HEU) contained in 24 research reactor fuel assemblies. Next, Argentina's RA-6 research reactor will be converted from HEU to use low-enriched uranium.
http://www.nnsa.doe.gov/docs/newsreleases/2006/PR_2006-07-19_NA-06-29.htm

Prime Minister John Howard plans to study the possibility of uranium enrichment in Australia. Opposition Green party leader Bob Brown says that enrichment would increase the chance of a terrorist attack, present a massive waste problem, and have other serous consequences that warrant public debate and a public vote.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Uranium-enrichment-a-terror-risk-Greens/2006/07/19/1153166436255.html

Japan's Chubu Electric Power Company's nuclear power plant in Hamaoka was forced to lower output when jellyfish blocked a filter in a seawater cooling system. The jellyfish mass was removed and output returned to normal after a few hours.
http://www.chuden.co.jp/

The UK newspaper the Daily Mirror undertook an undercover investigation in which a reporter was able to place a fake bomb on a train transporting nuclear waste.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/archive/tm_objectid=17422378%26method=full%26siteid=94762-name_page.html

Greenpeace published detailed timetables for trains carrying nuclear waste across the UK, potentially opening a way for terrorists to take advantage of the information.
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/contentlookup.cfm?&ucidparam=20060721083707
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CIM Public Health and Healthcare
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Last year's G8 meeting, with its focus on Africa, emphasized preventable diseases associated with poverty. A Lancet editorial discusses how health has fallen behind as a priority, and how G8 leaders can bring it back into focus.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS014067360669048X/fulltext

Canada has fallen back on a promise to tackle the health gap between the indigenous population and the rest of the country.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606690570/fulltext

Kenya and Malawi have both launched campaigns to promote HIV testing.

In South Africa new HIV infections increased only marginally over the last year, raising hopes that the pandemic is stabilizing.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=278391

The UK Parliament's Health Select Committee released its third report on National Health Service charges ranging from parking fees to dental care. They find the system in disarray and call for a review of the entire system that will identify alternatives and analyze the associated costs and benefits.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmhealth/815/81502.htm
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CIM Transportation
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The EU has proposed common rules for air services to ensure non-discriminatory and transparent pricing, and would make illegal hidden charges.
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/294&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

In the Philippines, Manila International Airport Authority successfully completed second phase airport security procedure testing.

The US Transportation Security Administration issued revised guidelines for airport construction.
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2006/press_release_1005.shtm

Nigeria and the US held talks regarding security in the Gulf of Guinea, emphasizing the value of mutual cooperation. The US is also assisting with enhancements to airport security.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/cover/july06/17072006/f217072006.html

Political implications of Gwadar Port in Balochistan, Pakistan, are discussed in this article:
http://www.ipcs.org/whatsNewArticle1.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2087&status=article&mod=b

Two truck drivers waiting for their cargo in Beirut were killed during an Israeli offensive. Ports and all transit routes are blockaded. Although commercial shipping is assisting with mass evacuation, regular business is severely disrupted, and cargo interests face a 5-times increase in war risk insurance premiums.

The US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on the Federal Transit Administration's State Safety Oversight program, which is responsible for rail transit systems except commuter rail. In 2004 this involved 3.25 billion trips (from 9.4 billion in total).
http://www.house.gov/transportation/highway/06-07-19/06-07-19memo.html
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CIM Water
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Australia is undertaking a feasibility study to see if a 1200 km water pipeline could help cope with future effects of climate change.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19885259-29277,00.html

India's Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) ha developed a proposal to secure water installations in Delhi against potential terrorist threats or biological contaminants.
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=310914&sid=REG

Water pipelines to Ashraf City, Iran, were blown up for the second time in three days.
http://www.ncr-iran.org/content/view/2024/69/


6. Disaster Reduction Monitor

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. Disaster Reduction Monitor subscriptions and other titles can be purchased here:
TAMNI Publications

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DRM Incidents
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A 7.7 earthquake struck off the Indonesian coast, triggering a tsunami in Java that killed more than 650 people. Hundreds are still missing, and tens of thousands have been displaced. Although the tsunami early-warning system is supposed to be in place, those affected said there was little or no warning, and confusion over whether an event would occur. Currently scientists require as much as an hour to analyze sensor data and send out a warning, but the time between the earthquake and the tsunami was only 20 minutes. Additional seismological stations will be installed, but the entire network will not be completed until 2009.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/22/indonesia.earthquake.ap/
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-07-22T072301Z_01_SP266283_RTRUKOC_0_US-TSUNAMI-INDONESIA
.
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=33900&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html"

Tropical Storm Bilis (14 July) is now found to have killed more than 500 people. It caused massive flooding in southern China and displaced three million people. The number of fatalities is more than double the original estimates, leading to accusations of a coverup.

Hundreds are dead or missing in North and South Korea following heavy rains that caused landslides and heavy flooding.

A building collapse in Lagos, Nigeria, has killed at least 25 people. Fifty people have been rescued. The number in the building is unknown.

Severe heat across the US has claimed at least 22 lives in ten states.

Severe heat across Europe is leading to severe problems ranging from melting roads to forest fires. At least 20 deaths in France have been linked to the heat, as well as two deaths in each of Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Heavy rains on Japan's southern island of Kyushu triggered floods and landslides that killed three people. Flooding across the country has killed 21 in the past week, and more ran is expected.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake in China's southwestern Yunan province has killed at least 18 people.
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DRM Response and Recovery
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Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised both full recovery from this week's tsunami and an investment to accelerate tsunami warning systems.
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/22/eng20060722_285680.html

Pakistan and the UN have launched a radio program to update people displaced by the October 2005 earthquake disaster on issues and policies affecting their return and recovery. This is the most immediate and accessible medium for a region with a low literacy rate.
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=44be3e8a4

Attorney General Charles Foti with the US state of Louisiana has charged a doctor and two nurses with second-degree murder in connection with allegations of euthanasia and negligence in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.ag.state.la.us/ViewPressRel.aspx?RelID=473
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-katrina21jul21,0,646469.story

The Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security released a new survey of high-risk hurricane areas in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. It found that 33 percent of residents said if government officials said they had to evacuate due to a major hurricane this season, they would not or are unsure if they would leave. 68 percent say their home is well-built and they would be safe there. 54 percent feel that roads would be too crowded, and 36 percent feels that evacuating would be dangerous. 31 percent worry that their possessions would be stolen or damaged.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/hurricane/topline.doc (survey data)
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/hurricane/charts.ppt (powerpoint slides)
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/press/releases/press07202006.html (press release)

The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on "DHS Purchase Cards: Credit Without Accountability". The Department of Homeland Security was found to have a weak control environment that has contributed to fraudulent, improper, and abusive use of purchase cards. These findings were made following investigations into the response to the 2005 hurricane season.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=377
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DRM Risks
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Experts attending the Northeast Hurricane Conference in New York forecast a one-in-nine chance of a major hurricane hitting the Northeast in the coming years and projected a doomsday scenario of a 30-foot-high storm surge and endless power outages for New York if a major hurricane hits the city. Such a storm may have as much as six hours notice, but it would take 18 hours to evacuate one million people from the city. Normally it would take a Category 3 storm to generate a 13-foot storm surge, but in Manhattan it can happen with only a Category 1.
http://www.iii.org/media/met/nehurricane/
http://www.namic.org/topnews/060721st1.asp

University of Calgary researchers have found that global warming is making long-term weather patterns that spark major forest fire cycles more frequent. The mechanisms they identified will also make it easier to predict major forest fires in North America.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/july06/Forest%20fires.html
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DRM Mitigation
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America First Insurance has released a disaster planning tool, "Open for Business" to help small businesses plan for and recover from disasters.
http://www.ibhs.org/policyholder/general.asp

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has demonstrated its new operations center and completed phase two testing of the new digital emergency alert and warning system. Fact sheets for the various components can be downloaded from the FEMA website (or requested through our document deliver service):
http://www.fema.gov

Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the difficulties of community evacuation and raised questions about how hospitals and nursing homes plan for evacuations, and how the government assists. The Government Accountability Office report "Disaster Preparedness: Limitations in Federal Evacuation Assistance for Health Facilities Should Be Addressed" calls for the Department of Homeland Security to clearly delineate federal assistance and the needs of those in hospitals and nursing homes during evacuations.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-826

The US Department of Homeland Security has updated the emergency preparedness web site:
http://www.ready.gov


7. Recommended Reading

Following the failed round of WTO talks, the G8 meeting, and an ongoing effort at WTO to meet the Doha objectives, it seems like a good time to take a look at how donor nations approach poverty reduction.

Former World Bank official Robert Calderisi has written a polemic, "The Trouble With Africa: Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working" (Palgrave Macmillan) that insists the continent's problems are of its own making: corruption, dictatorships, bureaucracy, etc. He suggests a radically different approach to development, cutting aid, and requiring strict oversight and democratic reform.
http://www.palgrave-usa.com/catalog/product.aspx?isbn=1403971250
Summary article:
http://www.newstatesman.com/200606260016
Author interviews:
http://www.globalisationinstitute.org/podcasting/interviews/interview-with-robert-calderisi,-author-of-the-trouble-with-africa-20060410643/
http://gfh.squarespace.com/interview
Review:
http://www.salon.com/books/review/2006/07/05/caldirisi/index_np.html

William Easterly's "The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good" (Penguin Press) takes a similar approach, harshly critical of the established humanitarian aid industry, and its lack of accountability or results. The New York University economics professor argues for home-grown solutions rather than development from above, and emphasizes the need for accountability.
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594200373,00.html
Reviews:
http://www.powells.com/review/2006_05_26.html
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_14/b3978114.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/books/review/19postrel.html?ex=1153800000&en=3e55c8ffcaf48d73&ei=5070
http://www.cfr.org/publication/10405/world_of_hurt.html

Famed economist Jeffrey Sachs takes a positive approach. "The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time" (Penguin Press) offers a brilliant, ambitious plan to eliminate extreme poverty by focusing on investment in the one billion poorest in a way that will enhance the global economy and embrace globalization.
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/endofpoverty/
Article and excerpt:
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101050314/
Interview:
http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/2005/05/jeffrey_sachs.html
Reviews:
http://www.newyorker.com/critics/books/articles/050411crbo_books
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25562-2005Mar10.html

Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and UK researcher Andrew Charlton, wrote "Fair Trade for All: How Trade Can Promote Development" (Oxford University Press). This free-trade critique follows his best-selling "Globalization and its Discontents", offering a trade regime focused on the interests of poor countries and how to help them prosper. They share with Sachs the belief that poverty reduction is good for the world, and well worth the changes necessary in richer countries.
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Economics/International/?view=usa&ci=9780199290901
Lecture:
http://murphy.tulane.edu/events/yates-lecture/651.php?summary#event-summary
Reviews:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/books/review/02reich.html?ex=1153800000&en=34fa74fe57744dd4&ei=5070
http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/reviews/article334756.ece
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060301fabook85222/joseph-e-stiglitz-andrew-charlton/fair-trade-for-all-how-trade-can-promote-development.html


8. Asset Management Network News

Interested in joining an advisory/editorial board or speakers bureau? Let us know!

We have added a new section on Natural Resources to the Emerging Threat Monitor (ETM). Many countries rely on their natural resources as the main source of wealth. This reliance leads to both opportunities, such as opening opportunities for prosperity in Africa, and challenges such as environmental harm and the paradox of the "oil curse".

Visit our online store to purchase subscriptions to the Monitor series as well as our Special Reports, including our new Special Report "Trends in Terrorism: 2005".

Email info@tamni.com for details about the new products, publications, and information about services, including custom research.