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AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff

TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - August 20, 2006

SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, August 20, 2006

TEXT:

News this week covers global topics such as the 2006 International AIDS Conference emissions trading, as well as reports that begin locally but have international implications. These include the latest reports on airport security following the recently revealed transatlantic bomb plots, Holocaust cartoons on display in Iran, and organized crime trends in Canada. Make sure you take a look at section 8 to read our news of an upcoming seminar in which we are participating.


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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A Central African Republic court has sentenced former African People's Liberation Movement (APRD) rebel leader Jean-Jacques Larmassoum ("Lieutenant Larma") to life in prison for planning the assassination of President Bozize. Larmassoum admitted this and charges of complicity, rebellion, looting, theft, bodily harm, destruction of property, weapons and ammunition possession, and other charges. He claims that APRD founder former president Ange-Felix Patasse masterminded the plot.
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1155799801713A162
http://today.reuters.com/news/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=L1640961

Liberian police and UN peacekeepers have repossessed Guthrie Rubber Plantation from some 500 former Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and other rebels who have for the past three years illegally tapped trees and sold the sap.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55145
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmil/pr96.pdf


Nigerian militants released three Filipinos who had been held hostage for ten days, probably following a ransom payment. Five more foreigners were kidnapped on Monday. Two Norwegians and two Ukrainians abducted on 9 August were freed on Tuesday. German oil worker Guido Schiffarth was freed on Saturday, after two weeks. Police launched raids on a slum area of Port Harcourt where they arrested more than 100 people suspected of involvement in armed groups responsible for the surge in kidnappings.

Livingstone Kiani, Eric Abadida, Uroh Kiani and Loveday have gone on trial in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on terrorism charges connected with attacking oil facilities in the Niger Delta, and kidnapping a company employee. A fifth suspect remains at large.

Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) gained control over the central port of Hobyo and other portions of southern Somalia, increasing the areas under their control. Arab League mediators are continuing their efforts to bring UIC and the interim government together and to begin to calm the situation.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir said that Hezbollah has inspired Sudan, setting an example of the resistance that any UN-backed international peacekeeping force in Darfur would face. Bashir continues to characterize any international presence as an occupation. He has been building up forces in the area in apparent preparation for a major offensive. This week he ordered the demolition of a camp for some 12,000 displaced persons. The operation killed a child and led to other casualties as well. The crisis in Darfur continues to deteriorate. Aid workers are cut off, and the UN reports its extraordinary concern. Al-Bashir's actions have led to Human Rights Watch's letter to the Security Council that suggests sanctions against al-Bashir and other top officials for supporting attacks in Darfur rather than protecting civilians. Today, two African Union peacekeepers were killed and three injured in an ambush.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17092
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17098
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/14/sudan13973.htm

Slovenian presidential envoy Tomo Kriznar was sentenced in Sudanese court to two years in prison for spying, illegal entry, and publishing false information. Kriznar is a peace and human rights activist who entered Darfur without a Sudanese visa.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17081
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14278477.htm
http://www.aegistrust.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=429&Itemid=88

Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) will no longer demand that the government match its ceasefire and will continue with the peace talks. LRA has asked South Africa to help mediate, but the government prefers to stay with the current mediator, south Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar.
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GTM Americas
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Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay are setting up a new joint intelligence agency based in the town of Foz do Iguazu, Brazil, where a group of 275 linked waterfalls mark the triple frontier between the three countries. The wild region has been poorly secured, and provides refuge to smugglers. There is a significant Arab community in the area, many of Lebanese descent, and suspicion has been raised that this is a source of support to Hezbollah, particularly in Argentina.
http://www.mre.gov.br/portugues/imprensa/nota_detalhe.asp?ID_RELEASE=3960 (in Portuguese)

Brazilian television reporter Guilherme Portanova was kidnapped by the First Command of the Capital (PCC) criminal gang. He was released after 40 hours.
http://oglobo.globo.com/sp/mat/2006/08/14/285251767.asp (in Portuguese)

Colombian police have arrested ten Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) leaders for not complying with the peace agreement.

"Watching Lebanon: Washington’s interests in Israel's war" is an article by Seymour Hersh that describes US involvement in planning Israel's attacks against Lebanon.
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060821fa_fact

Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) contractor David Passaro has been found guilty of four counts of assaulting an Afghan prisoner, Abdul Wali. Although Passaro's severe beating of Mr Wali led to his death, he was not charged with the death. Another trial to determine his sentence is forthcoming.
http://www.newsobserver.com/nation_world/passaro/

New York City has released new tapes of 1,600 emergency calls and transcripts of people trapped in the World Trade Center on 9/11.
http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2005/11/30/nyregion/nyregionspecial3/index.html
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GTM Asia Pacific
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An Australian court in Sydney has found a 15-year-old boy not guilty of planning a terrorism attack against his school, ruling that the plot was just a fantasy, and byproduct of bullying he had received. The Victoria Court of Appeal freed Joseph Thomas ("Jihad Jack"). He had been sentenced to five years in prison in March, but the court ruled that some of the evidence used against him was inadmissible.

Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock said that Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks' case will be resolved by November. Following a US Supreme Court ruling in June against the military commission established to try Hicks, charges against him lapsed. If the US does not lay substantial new charges, he could be returned home, where domestic pressure for his release is strong and growing.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/the-major-turns-to-pr-to-bring-hicks-home/2006/08/18/1155408020853.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20165962-23109,00.html
http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/ministerruddockhome.nsf/Page/RWP7546CD03855E60ABCA2570640080F973

Australia posted an updated travel advisory regarding Indonesia in which it warns of a very high threat of terrorist attacks in Indonesia, from now to yearend.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Indonesia

On the occasion of Indonesia's Independence Day (17 August), more than 56,000 prisoners received sentence reductions, including early release. Among these were at least 12 militants jailed for the 2002 Bali bombings. One man, Puryanto, was released. The other sentences of five to 16 years were reduced by up to four months. The ringleaders, Amrozi, Ali Gufron, and Imam Samudra are scheduled for execution later this month. The revised execution date of three Christians convicted of the deaths of more than 10 Muslims is unknown.

A Japanese court has upheld Masami Tsuchiya's death sentence, imposed in 2004 for his role in overseeing the development of sarin nerve gas that killed 12 people and injured more than 5,000 when the Aum Shrinrikyo cult released it in the subway in 1995.

In the southern Philippines island of Basilan, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) insisted that Abu Sayyaf free a 19-year-old girl kidnapped 1 August or face an armed assault to free her. On Jolo Island, soldiers seized thousands of blasting caps and arrested a suspect in ongoing operations against Abu Sayyaf. Another offensive is targeting New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental provinces.

Thai security forces raided two southern villages believed to have sheltered and supported insurgents. The outcome was not disclosed, but intelligence reports indicate preparations for a major attack. Security concerns have led the annual "Yala Natives Get Together for Peace" fundraiser to move from Yala to Bangkok. The most serious attack last week was a bomb hidden in a motorcycle at a repair shop that on detonation killed three and injured 12, including eight police.
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GTM Europe
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EU Interior Ministers met in the UK following last week's security alert. UK Home Secretary John Reid pointed to a persistent and very real threat, while French interior minister joined his warning with describing the threat against France as high and permanent. They discussed accelerating work to:
* Prevent EU citizens turning to terrorism through radicalization and recruitment
* Adopt new standards of protective security at European airports
* Increase research into explosives, focussing on the detection of liquid explosives
* Tackle the use of the internet by terrorists to radicalize young people, spread messages of hate and plan mass murder
* Pre-empt further terrorist plots
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/eu-meeting

Moroccan-born Danish Muslim Said Mansour has been charged with inciting local Muslims to commit terrorist attacks. The publisher is accused of producing CDs, DVDs, and other materials that showed beheadings and glorified suicide bombers. Although arrested last September, a trial date has not yet been set. He is the first person charged under Denmark's new anti-terror laws.
http://www.cphpost.dk/get/97343.html
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/30/news/islam9.php

Fadi Ahmad Abdel Latif, a Hizb-ut-Tahrir spokesman, was found guilty in Danish court of threatening the Prime Minister and incitement to kill Jews in flyers distributed in 2004. He will appeal the conviction and 3-month jail sentence as politically motivated.
http://www.cphpost.dk/get/97394.html

German investigators have arrested a Lebanese student - one of two men suspected of planting homemade bombs found on trains in the Dortmund and Koblenz rail stations on 31 July. Police have now ruled out blackmail as the motive for the bombs, and now believe it a failed terrorist plot. They are still looking into why the devices failed to detonate.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2139974,00.html

In Moldova's breakaway Transdnestr on 13 August, two grenades detonated on a trolley bus killed a 6-year old Russian girl sand injured at least ten. Two unexploded grenades were found in the aftermath, and suspects have been detained.

Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov remains at large, but authorities report his younger brother has surrendered.
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=10717680

Basque separatist group ETA released a statement to the Gara newspaper, warning that Spanish and French policies of repression against ETA threaten their permanent ceasefire. The statement claimed that Spain reneged on an agreement - which the government denies undertaking - to arrest no more ETA members.
http://www.eitb24.com/portal/eitb24/noticia/en/politics/statement--eta-says-peace-process-is-now-in-crisis?itemId=B24_4833&cl=%2Feitb24%2Fpolitica&idioma=en

In Istanbul, Turkey, a percussion bomb in a park injured two women and a young girl.

The UK has lowered the terrorism threat alert from critical (an imminent attack) to severe (highly likely). In addition to the plot against airliners unveiled last week, authorities are investigating some two dozen major conspiracies, and up to 50 other terrorism-related investigation, involving more than a hundred suspected Islamic extremists. Links in the airliner plot to al Qaeda are being explored, as illustrated by The Independent. The Sun newspaper reports that suspect Umar Islam, a ticket inspector, had been involved in searching for bombs on 7/7. The BBC reports on continuing investigations and the discovery of a suitcase that contained all the items necessary for an improvised bomb. Conflicting reports describe possible associations - or not - with Pakistan.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/14/nterror14.xml&DCMP=EMC-new_14082006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/13/news/terror.php
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article1219252.ece
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006370616,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5261086.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/alqaida/story/0,,1851859,00.html
http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/16/top1.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1852550,00.html
http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/16/top2.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/18/stories/2006081805881300.htm
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1227651,00.html
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/10872.html

The Animal Liberation Front's "top bomber", Donald Currie, has pleaded guilty of attempted firebomb attacks in 2005 against the homes of people connected to animal testing. Following a psychiatric examination, sentencing will take place in September.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/ely/2006/08/18/05aae5e4-7e88-40bc-a831-476a1db6c44f.lpf

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Historical Enquiries Team told the Cunningham family that the 1973 shooting death of 16-year-old Henry was done by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/5262370.stm
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GTM Middle East
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An Egyptian appeals court released 11 Muslim Brotherhood members, including executive committee members Issam al-Arian and Mohamed Morsi. They will be held pending a prosecution appeal, and 80 members remain in prison. They were detained in May for protests in support of judicial independence. Police raided a house in Menoufla province and arrested 17 people having dinner together on suspicion that they were meeting to plan the revival of the banned group's activities.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned against interference in Lebanon's internal affairs and said that Hezbollah is part and parcel of the national Lebanese fabric.
http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/EgyptOnline/Politics/000007/0201000000000000006628.htm

In Gaza on Monday, the Israeli airforce launched an air strike on a house, injuring eight residents. Army fire in response to an Islamic Jihad missile attack that injured one Israeli in Ashkelon, killed three Palestinians. Masked gunmen abducted Fox News correspondent Steve Centanni and cameraman Olaf Wiig. Two Palestinians were injured by Israeli fire on Tuesday. On Wednesday an air strike killed an al-Aqsa Brigades member and a second man. Clashes between Hamas and Fatah militias killed a 14-year old boy in crossfire, and injured four. One Islamic Jihad member was killed and a second injured by Israeli troops, who also killed a 30-year-old shepherd in a separate incident. An accidental explosion killed three Hamas members.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad praised Hezbollah's victory over Israel and fiercely criticized its supporters. Extracts from his televised speech are here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4796251.stm

In Iraq, the death toll from a series of bomb and rocket explosions on Sunday rose to at least 57. On Tuesday, an office of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Mosul was attacked by a suicide bomber who killed five civilians and four Peshmerga militiamen, and injured 41 people. Security forces raided cleric Mahmoud al-Hassani's offices in the holy city of Karbala, sparking a gun battle that spread over five neighborhoods, killing six and injuring five.  On Wednesday, a bomb in Baghdad killed eight and injured 28 civilians. Other bombings the same day pushed the death toll to 21. Police in Mosul report killing six insurgents. Thursday, a car bomb in Baghdad's Sadr City killed seven Shia pilgrims and injured 26. Armed assaults in Baquba killed six. Five bodies were found in the Tigris. An Iraqi soldier guarding Balad oil fields was shot and killed. A mortar attack on a market in Muqdadiya injured at least 20. A US soldier was killed in Anbar. Today as tens of thousands of pilgrims visited the shrine of Imam Musa Kadhim, gunmen thought to be Sunni extremists opened fire, killing at least 20 and injuring 300.

US journalist Jill Carroll was kidnapped and held hostage for 82 days. The story of her captivity, in 11 parts, is being published in the Christian Science Monitor, where she works. Four suspected kidnappers have been arrested.
http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/carroll/index.html

Israel launched a commando raid in eastern Lebanon. Disguised as members of the Lebanese army, they were transported by helicopter then drove to raid Hezbollah offices, where they were identified and came under fire, leaving one soldier dead and two injured, as well as killing three guerillas. The commandos withdrew, and missiles were fired, destroying a bridge. Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora characterized the raid as a naked violation of the truce, and the government is lodging a protest with the UN. Israel insisted that the operation was necessary to prevent arms smuggling. Israel also accuses Russia of supplying weapons to Hezbollah, as well as Iran and Syria. The ceasefire was first broken less than four hours after it came into force, when Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Hezbollah member when a group approached them, saying it was an act of self defense.

Jordan's Cassation Court upheld the imprisonment of two Islamist members of parliament for their condolence visit to the family of Abu Mussab Zarqawi, the late leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, but reduced their sentences.
http://www.mfa.gov.jo/events_details.php?id=15777
http://www.mfa.gov.jo/events_details.php?id=15776

Israeli Prime Minister Olmert spoke to the Knesset regarding the War in the North, acknowledging the cost of the conflict, shortcomings in its execution, and a promise to examine it from all angles. Israeli public opinion believes the government performed badly, and did not ensure security, but are divided over whether there was a victory. In particular, they are concerned that the two soldiers whose abduction on 12 July sparked the offensive have not been returned, and their fate is unclear.
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/PMSpeaks/speechknes140806.htm
http://jta.org/page_view_breaking_story.asp?intid=4219
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article1219280.ece
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/751787.html

Here are some preliminary figures regarding Israel's war in Lebanon from 12 July to the ceasefire on Monday:
* Hezbollah fired 3,790 rockets into Israel. 901 of these landed in communities
* 42 Israeli civilians were killed by rocket strikes, and 4,262 suffered injuries requiring hospitalization, including 2,773 treated for shock and anxiety
* 116 soldiers died
* Israel Air Force attacked more than 7,000 targets in 15,500 sorties over Lebanon
* Israel Navy vessels fired 2,500 times at Lebanon's coast and imposed a naval blockade
* The war cost Israel about $1.6 billion (1 percent GDP)
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/750493.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1851195,00.html

Lebanese civilians began to return to their devastated homes, where they began to unearth the bodies of those buried under the rubble, some since the first Israeli bombs struck, including the 28 civilians, most children, killed in Qana on 30 July. Preliminary costs of the war to Lebanon include:
* 1,300 deaths, almost all civilians, and more than 3,500 injured
* Nearly one million people displaced
* $3.5 billion direct material losses including infrastructure damage and buildings destroyed, requiring at least 4 years of reconstruction and additional losses to industrial sectors currently out of business (10 percent GDP)
* Live ordnance, including active remnants of cluster bombs that will take about a year to clear
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55164
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article1219260.ece
http://today.reuters.com/tv/videoStory.aspx?isSummitStory=false&storyId=098688ad3c8d38ddf90619226b3a1b6897f502a8

These articles help to explain public support for Hezbollah, and the hero worship of its leader Hasan Nasrallah:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55113
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,432054,00.html
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4749763E-9242-4A0F-99FB-B9CB3BAD32B5.htm
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,432406,00.html
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=3&article_id=74854
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3289572,00.html
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74746

Serge Brammertz and his UN team has returned to Lebanon to resume their investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised the new Middle East emerging after the defeat of US policies and the foolish and vain Israeli government. Extracts from his speech are here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4794981.stm

In the West Bank, Israeli raids on Friday killed two Islamic Jihad militants, and injured a third. On Saturday afternoon, a Palestinian gunman shot and killed an Israeli east of Nablus
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=17092

Early on Saturday, Israeli forces raided the Ramallah home of Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nasser al-Shaer. He joins 30 members of the Palestinian parliament and a third of the Hamas-led cabinet held in Israeli detention.
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GTM South Asia
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In the southern Afghan province of Helmand army operations resulted in the death of 11 suspected Taleban and one soldier. Three Taleban were arrested. A bomb on a bicycle in Kabul injured three NATO soldiers. A suicide car bomber drove into an army convoy in Paktika province, injuring six soldiers and a civilian. In Kandahar on Thursday, 15 people in a medical team were kidnapped as they traveled to a refugee camp. In the evening, a mortar attack on injured six Canadian soldiers. Operations in Kunar left eight suspected Taleban and anti-government forces loyal to warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. A US soldier was killed and another injured in more fighting in Kunar. On Saturday more fighting in Kunar killed four US soldiers, and an Afghan soldier died in a gunfight with Taleban in Uruzgan province. Today, NATO and Afghan forces report killing about 80 Taleban in fighting in southwest Kandahar: a Taleban spokesman say only 12 were killed. A British soldier was killed in Helmand.

US-led coalition aircraft operating in Paktika province on Thursday dropped a bomb that killed at least 12 Afghan policemen in error. An investigation has been launched.

Ataur Rahman Sunny, Masudur Rahman and Amjad Ali have been sentenced in Bangladeshi court to death. Arifur Rahman, Azharul Islam, Maulana Emranul Atahar, Maulana Ershadullah and Nazrul Islam were sentenced to life in prison. The men are believed to be members of Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which is believed responsible for a series of some 500 nearly simultaneous bombings across Bangladesh within an hour on 17 August last year. Foreign sponsors and financiers of the attacks remain unidentified.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/16/d60816011710.htm
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/17/d6081701022.htm
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/18/d60818012115.htm

Indian Prime Minister Singh focused on development and poverty eradication in his Independence Day speech, but he also addressed national security, including the two major threats of terrorism and Naxalism. Although attacks such as that in Mumbai demonstrate that " it cannot be business as usual for any of us", efforts against the threats are working, including the example of peace efforts in the northeast and Kashmir.
http://pmindia.nic.in/speeches.htm

The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) threw a grenade at the home of a former minister, but it did not explode. Soon after, India suspended military operations against ULFA, a measure the separatist group had demanded before resuming peace negotiations. However, ULFA is suspected in a grenade attack at a police roadblock that killed two and injured five. The government says they expect ULFA to reciprocate their 10-day cessation of hostilities.

In the state of Manipur, a bomb at a temple in the capital Imphal has killed five and injured many more people who had gathered to observe a Hindu festival. Local separatists are suspected in the attack, but responsibility is unknown.

Security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir killed five suspected militants as they attempted to cross the Line of Control on Wednesday.

Maldives journalist and human rights activist Jennifer Latheef (daughter of Maldivian Democratic Party founder Mohamed Latheef) has been freed from house arrest following a presidential pardon, which she has rejected, insisting all charges should be dropped and her name cleared. She believes terrorism charges of inciting a riot are politically motivated and without merit. Charges against 19 others have also been withdrawn.
http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=engdetails&id=8086
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=15350

Pakistani officials have identified Jaish-e-Mohammed member Raja Mohammed Tahir as the suicide car bomber who carried out the March attack in Karachi that killed US diplomat David Foy and three other people. Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for nine explosions and armed clashes in various areas of Balochistan. At least eight people were killed and 19 injured.

Sri Lankan government forces stand accused by Tamil Tiger rebels of bombing an orphanage in the northern district of Mullaitivu, leaving 61 schoolgirls are dead, and 150 children injured. The government insists they targeted a Tiger training camp, and that the Tigers may have moved child soldiers into it.  The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and UN officials investigated the matter and found no evidence to suggest the victims were anything other than innocent children. Fearing reprisal attacks, the government has closed schools for two weeks.

Also on Monday, Tamil Tigers were accused of a bombing in Colombo near the president's residence that killed seven and injured 17. Fierce fighting continues in north, northeastern, and eastern districts. An overnight offensive in Jaffna, including aerial bombing, left at least 75 Tigers dead by Thursday morning. More than 100 soldiers have been killed in fighting during the week. Today, the Sri Lankan army says it bombed a Tiger sea base, but the rebels say it was a civilian shipyard and that bombs had harmed four civilians.


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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Angola is reinforcing troops at the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border in preparation for possible unrest after DRC's preliminary election results are announced.

A Burkino Faso appeals court confirms that charges against the only suspect in the 1998 murder of journalist Norbert Zongo have been dismissed. Presidential guards were implicated in the death, which led to massive protests and strikes across the country. The government has endeavored to quash the investigation, but there is an opportunity to reopen the case in the future.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55160

Cameroon and Nigeria have held a ceremony in the Bakassi peninsula to mark its transfer to Cameroon. Cameroon has assured uneasy Nigerian residents of continued peace.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55116
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=53912
http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/idocket/inc/INcFRAME.HTM

Democratic Republic of Congo is on high alert as provisional election results are released shortly. Anti-white hate messages in the media are raising concerns of incitement and possible revenge attacks.
http://www.irinnews.org/DRCelection.asp
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19557&Cr=DRC&Cr1
=

Guinea-Bissau's capital Bissau has been declared mine-free, after 2,580 anti-personnel mines, 73 anti-tank mines and 70,755 other explosive devices left over from the 1998-99 civil war were cleared.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55153

Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe launched the official opening of the new Giriyondo border crossing that links the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which links allows free movement among three nature reserves based in the respective countries.
http://www.greatlimpopopark.com/

In Nigeria, ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) prospective candidate for governor of southwestern Ekiti state, Ayodeji Daramola, was found stabbed to death after a rally, in the third high-profile political murder this year. Youths rioted following the news. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of the killers, and some arrests have been made.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200608160196.html
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2006/aug/16/national-16-08-2006-03.htm

Somalia's Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi has called for a ceasefire with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), and suggested they send delegations to peace talks in Sudan.

South Africa's parliamentary defense committee has passed a bill to ban mercenaries on to the full parliament, where it is expected to pass. Between 4,000 and 20,000 South Africans, many trained in the apartheid-era military, are fighting for foreign armies or security companies. The new law would require advance permission before serving in foreign armies, or face the loss of citizenship. The government would also be able to declare a region, such as Iraq, a regulated area in which it would be illegal for South Africans to work.
http://www.mg.co.za/articledirect.aspx?articleid=281045
http://ipoaonline.org/en/gov/southafrica.htm

Tanzania expelled more than 600 Burundians for being in the country illegally, although they had lived there for decades. In many cases, the families were split apart.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/74da339f8f77470f5a10b3adf2aac0b6.htm
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PRM Americas
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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Nanuvut Arctic territory to oversea military exercises and to assert the government claim of sovereignty over the region. The melting ice cap could open the Northwest Passage to commercial traffic in summers as early as 2015, although Canadian Ice Service believes towards the end of the century is more likely.
http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=1273
http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1276

Chile's Supreme Court has lifted the immunity of former military ruler General Augusto Pinochet, permitting his prosecution for misusing public funds.

Photographs of Cuban leader Fidel Castro with his brother and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have been published in state newspaper Granma. Castro's brother and temporary leader Raul says that Fidel is getting better.
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/secciones/siempre_con_fidel/art-052.html (in Spanish)

The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has been extended for six months. The Security Council calls for the program of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants to be reoriented to instead develop a comprehensive program to tackle community violence. They will also work with Haitian authorities against drugs and arms trafficking, help train police, and help reform the justice sector.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sc8811.doc.htm
http://www.minustah.org/

Mexican riot police used clubs and tear gas to break up supporters of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who have protested since 2 July against election results giving victory by half a percent to conservative Felipe Calderon. Although the leftist protestors have camped out and blockaded areas around Congress, this is the first time force was used against them, and eight were injured. Steel barriers now surround the Congress building. Election officials have to 6 September to either declare a president-elect or annul the election. A partial recount, involving nine percent of polling centers, is under way.

General Alfredo Stroessner, military ruler of Paraguay 1954-1989, has died in exile in Brazil, aged 93.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4792281.stm

Peru's opposition leader Ollanta Humana has been charged with forced disappearance, torture, and murder during the fight against Shining Path guerillas. A judge is reviewing the prosecutor's charges to see whether to proceed with a formal indictment.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16195570.htm

US District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor ruled that the government's domestic surveillance program violated constitutional protections on free speech and privacy. Stating that "[t]here are no hereditary Kings in America and no powers not created by the Constitution", she demanded an immediate end to phone tapping without warrants, but agreed to stay the order while the government appeals. President Bush strongly disagreed with the ruling, fueling yet another partisan dispute.
http://www.mied.uscourts.gov/eGov/taylorpdf/06 10204.pdf
http://www.mied.uscourts.gov/eGov/taylorpdf/06-10204Injunction.pdf
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/index.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060818-1.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081800109.html

Cases of wrongdoing among US military recruiters increased from 4,400 cases in 2004 to 6,600 cases in 2005, even though there was a significant decline in the number of recruits. Substantiated cases increased from just over 400 to almost 630 cases, and criminal violations more than doubled from just over 30 to almost 70 cases. The Government Accountability Office's (GAO) report, " Military Recruiting: DOD and Services Need Better Data to Enhance Visibility over Recruiter Irregularities" cites difficulties in meeting wartime recruiting goals of the all-volunteer army, leading to incidents of coercion, concealing disqualifying candidate information, and falsifying documents.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-846

Venezuelan opposition leader Carlos Ortega and three military officers have escaped from a military prison.
http://www.efenews.com/detallenoticiaCortina.asp?opcion=0&id=1420738
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PRM Asia Pacific
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Australian Prime Minister Howard has withdrawn a controversial bill to process future asylum seekers that arrive by boat in offshore camps. Although the lower house has passed the legislation, ruling party legislators forced cancellation of the Senate vote (where Howard has a 1-seat majority), knowing that the legislation would be defeated.
http://www.pm.gov.au/news/interviews/Interview2073.html

Changing China is the focus of this week's British Medical Journal, which leads with the increasing problem of obesity. It also discusses community health care for the elderly, lessons from SARS epidemics, research priorities in traditional Chinese medicine, the one child policy, and other issues.
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/333/7564/0-f

East Timor's security situation remains fragile, with an outbreak of unrest the end of this week in which youths burned several housed to the ground. Attempting to determine the role for the UN, the Security Council extended the current mission through 25 August. Australia has suggested that it continue control of security, including the cost. East Timor's Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta believes that the country is still on schedule for elections next year.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18432604.htm
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK316449.htm
http://www.unmiset.org/

Indonesia has marked one year since the peace agreement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) was signed. During the past year government troops withdrew, and rebels disarmed. Challenges ahead of local elections remain: although the Parliament unanimously adopted an autonomy framework, GAM has called for revisions in accordance with the terms of the peace agreement.
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/aceh060815?view=Standard
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldnews&storyID=2006-08-15T064012Z_01_B52062_RTRUKOC_0_US-INDONESIA-ACEH.xml
http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,2018,00.html
http://www.asnlf.net/topint.htm

Japan has protested the death of a fisherman and detention of three others when a Russian patrol boat near a chain of disputed islands (Northern Territories to Japan or Kuril Islands to Russia) opened fire on the fishing boat when it refused to stop. Earlier this month Russia approved a development program for the Kurils. Japanese officials traveled to collect the body, and will also meet with the detained crew.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-08-16-voa20.cfm

Malaysia's Appeals Court has upheld an earlier ruling that supports the government's refusal to let the Socialist Party register and participate in elections. The court agreed with the government that the socialists were a threat to national security and that party registration requires members from a majority of states, although this is an unpublished rule.

New Zealand has begun a week of mourning to mark the death of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the Maori queen who reigned more than 40 years.

North Korea has agreed to accept emergency food aid from the World Food Program following the devastating flooding in July.
http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2218

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has released nine fishermen from the Indonesian province of Papua. One man was killed and two injured when PNG officials fired on their boat. The men were then taken into custody for illegal fishing and freed after paying a fine. Indonesia is investigating the incident.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has announced plans to form a commission to investigate political killing, including deaths of journalists and activists, as cited in a recent Amnesty International report.
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA350082006

Uzbek refugees received reprieves from repatriation this week when Kazakhstan agreed to turn one over to the UN and Russia suspended extradition of 13 pending an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
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PRM Europe
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Belgian prison inmates in Termonde, northwest of Brussels, overpowered their guards early on Saturday. 28 escaped; six were recaptured; and an extensive search operation is underway.

In eastern Bosnia excavation of the only event from the Bosnian war classified as genocide has been completed, yielding the remains of more than a thousand of the 8,000 victims slaughtered in the Srebrenica massacre.
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/17/mass.graves.ap/
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/globe-article.php?yyyy=2006&mm=08&dd=12&nav_category=123&nav_id=36111

Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek (a Social Democrat) was replaced by Mirek Topolanek, (Civic Democrats) just ten weeks after taking office. The new center-right leadership may not last long in the closely divided parliament, and early elections are likely.

France has dismissed three employees from its consulate in Moscow after finding irregularities in the visa department, including financial irregularities.

"Moldova's Uncertain Future" is the topic of a new International Crisis Group report that explains:
"Moldova, which has recently turned away from Moscow and toward the West, will not become a stable part of the European Union's neighborhood until its conflict with breakaway Transdniestria is settled, and that is still a long way off despite recent EU and Ukrainian initiatives. While a reunited country remains a realistic long-term goal, the immediate priorities should be increasing Moldova's political and economic attractiveness and confidence-building measures. Given Russia's export bans, energy cut-offs and the continued deployment of unwanted troops, the EU must do far more with both incentives and pressures".
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4340

Spain's Canary Islands face a crisis in attempting to cope with soaring numbers of illegal immigrants. Since the beginning of this year, 16,400 African migrants have undertaken the long and dangerous journey in makeshift boats - more than three times higher than the total for all of 2005. Regional leader Adan Martin has called for urgent assistance from Spain, following the arrival of more than a thousand people in only three days. The EU plans to launch maritime patrols, but these are unlikely to provide a short-term solution.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-08-19T175806Z_01_L19853444_RTRUKOC_0_US-SPAIN-MIGRANTS.xml
http://www.eitb24.com/portal/eitb24/noticia/en/life/red-alert-rising-tide-of-illegal-immigrants-floods-spains-canary-?itemId=B24_4792&cl=%2Feitb24%2Fsociedad&idioma=en
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9,00.html

The UK government will ask Parliament to approve pardons for more than 300 soldiers executed for military offenses during the first World War.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/GovernmentToSeekPardonsForExecutedWwiSoldiers.htm
http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/
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PRM Middle East
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Palestinian discussions to form a unity government have not succeeded, since Fatah has rejected the elected Hamas' government's demand to keep the post of Prime Minister and other key jobs. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya also insists that all the ministers and members of parliament from Hamas arrested by Israel must be released. Fatah and Hamas have agreed to reinstate their temporary ceasefire with Israel. This does not include Islamic Jihad or some breakaway Fatah factions.

Gazans marked the first anniversary of the Israeli pullout facing a near total blockade, continuous Israeli attacks, and the economy in ruins.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=74761
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10872366.htm

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has launched his own blog, which is available in Persian, Arabic, English and French and includes an RSS feed.
http://www.ahmadinejad.ir

The Iran Cartoon Organization and the Hamshahri newspaper have put on an exhibit of more than 200 Holocaust cartoons selected from nearly 1200 entries from more than 60 countries. Organizers call it an effort to test the West's commitment to freedom of speech. It is also a response to caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in European newspapers in February, which sparked global protests and violence.
http://www.irancartoon.com/
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/08/9D95EF32-1AC7-4E6F-9E66-FA7D2B069833.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/16/AR2006081601535.html
http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Iran_seeks_to_test_taboos_with_Holocaust_cartoons.html?siteSect=143&sid=6979626&cKey=1155740030000

Iraq has welcomed the ambassador from Jordan, the  first Arab country to have a full ambassador since 2003.

A major Shiite festival marking the death in 799 of Imam Musa al Kadhim is underway in Iraq. During the two days of the festival, more than one million pilgrims are expected. They arrive amid continued violence, but additional security measures, including a vehicle ban in Baghdad, have been imposed.

Israel has maintained its blockade of Lebanon's marine and air space. Humanitarian organizations and the UN have called for the blockade to be lifted immediately, helping ease the difficult logistics presented by the widespread destruction of roads and bridges. Note this interview with the UN's chief spokesman in Lebanon, Khaled Mansour:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55107

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is, for the most part holding, although Israel's commando raid  (see GTM above) has led to an angry Lebanese response and the warning that the ceasefire violation could lead the Lebanese army to stop its deployment. Israel is reluctant to lift the blockade or withdraw further pending arrival of an international peacekeeping force. Neither this force nor that from Lebanon anticipates physically disarming Hezbollah. Attempts to establish this force continue slowly, including attempts to agree on the mandate and responsibilities of participants. It may not be ready within the ten days targeted. Pledges to date include:
* France will lead the mission and add to its current 2,000-strong peacekeeping contingent another 200 troops
* Bangladesh - up to 2,000 troops
* Denmark - at least two ships
* Germany - maritime and border patrols, but not at the Lebanon-Syria border
* Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal - up to 1,000 troops each
* Norway - four motor torpedo boats and 100 personnel for naval support
* UK - aircraft, surveillance planes, and a naval frigate
* Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, Italy, and Turkey are finalizing troop numbers
* Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, and Russia are evaluating the situation

Lebanese Internal Security Forces General Adnan Daoud has been placed under house arrest after he was shown having tea with Israeli Army officers in occupation in the south.

Saudi Arabia has signed a $20 billion defense deal to purchase 72 Eurofighter jets from the UK. Staff at BAE Systems, which manufacturers the planes, will be offered an opportunity to move to Saudi Arabia to support the systems.

Syria has signed the Arab Charter on Human Rights.

The Yemen Times provides this historical look at upcoming elections:
http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=973&p=report&a=1
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PRM South Asia
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Afghanistan celebrated its 87th Independence Day on 19 August.

Afghan authorities are leading disarmament talks with NATO officials and the Taleban.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155851411150

India's government is planning a new law to address national security issues that may arise from foreign direct investments into critical infrastructure sectors.

Nepal's government and Maoist rebels have agreed that a UN team will monitor arms to expedite the peace process. The monitors will arrive next month.

Lieutenant General Rukmangad Katuwal was named acting army chief on Monday, but rights groups have demanded the appointment be annulled because they link Katuwal to the April crackdown against pro-democracy activists and rights violations in an earlier position.

Sri Lanka opened access to the north for two hours on Friday to permit relief supplies to go in. Communities in northern and eastern Sri Lanka face a serious humanitarian situation after being cut off by recent fighting.


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

--------------------------------------------------
AML/CFT Incidents/Cases
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Nicolas Otalvaro-Ortiz and his brother Gabriel have been sentenced to 98 months in prison for helping launder up to $1 million in Colombian drug money through peso brokers.
http://justice.gov/usao/nys/Press Releases/August06/Otalvaro Sentencing PR.pdf

Toronto attorney and Conservative insider Peter Shoniker has pleaded guilty to money laundering and theft for moving Royal Canadian Mounted Police sting money to a New York bank. Sentencing is scheduled for 6 September.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/08/18/shoniker-plea.html
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155937811256&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has imposed a Rs 1-crore penalty on Citigroup Global Markets (Mauritius) Ltd, for violating the regulator’s circular on issuing off-shore derivatives instruments (ODIs) to an overseas corporate body.
http://www.sebi.gov.in/adjorder/citycorp.html

IT recruitment company director and Apprentice star Syed Ahmed has been questioned by British police in a money laundering investigation connected with transferring funds from a disputed loan out of a joint account.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=400486&in_page_id=1773

Francisco Javier Arellano-Felix, a most wanted drug fugitive, has been arrested off the coast of Mexico.
http://www.dea.gov/pubs/pressrel/pr081606.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mexico/etc/arellano.html

Terrorist financing and other terrorism charges against Osama Abulhassan and Ali Houssaiky have been dropped. The two Michigan students were arrested in Ohio after purchasing hundreds of mobile phones. The investigation remains open, but remaining charges stem from giving false or misleading information to police officers. Allegations of racial profiling linger.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/NEWS05/608160312/-1/BUSINESS07
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/METRO/608160353
http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new33_816200683906.asp

Former Yukos President Steven Theede has been charged in Russia with embezzlement and money laundering.
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/08/17/theedy.shtml

Disaster-recovery charity Jamaat-ud-Dawa denies alleged links to the UK airline bombings plot.
http://www.jamatdawah.org/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081401196.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2319633,00.html
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/16/d60816014325.htm
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AML/CFT Legislation and Regulation
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Fiji's lower house has passed the Real Estate Agents Bill, which has moved on to the Senate. Provisions in the bill include establishing a licensing board, licensing agents, granting permits, approving personnel, and adding disciplinary provisions. The bill has become important due to real estate fraud, including money laundering. State Minister Losena Salabula warned that f the issue is allowed to go unchecked, a sustainable part of the ratepayers, by property ownership and municipal boundaries will be affiliated to international crime syndicates.
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_7215.shtml
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/printer_6947.shtml

The Irish government has accepted Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell's proposals to establish a Casino Regulation Committee to report on regulation of casino-style regulations. The Committee will report by the end of October on:
* The possibilities for a legislative basis for the strict regulation of casino-style operations in the State;
* The form of regulation, the functions and powers of any regulatory body, the licensing system, codes of practice, investigation of complaints, entry and inspection, appeals against decisions, the nature and type of offences, internet gambling etc.;
* The role of local authorities;
* The requirements of the Financial Action Task Force.
http://justice.ie/80256E01003A02CF/vWeb/pcJUSQ6SNLX3-en
http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C463785B-899A-4ABC-BD05-1D4FAA093DB7/0/Gambling2006_draftRIA.pdf

The Jersey Financial Services Commission has added the Cayman Islands to the list of countries having an equivalent AML framework.
http://www.cimoney.com.ky/section/mediacentre/default.aspx?id=1064
http://www.jerseyfsc.org/

The Central Bank of Nigeria has released a circular emphasizing the need to report any suspicious or unusual transactions involving terrorism to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)
http://www.cenbank.org /OUT/CIRCULARS/TED/2006/TED-AD-112-2006.PDF

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Executive Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed that $5 billion in assets have been recovered and over 5,000 people arrested and investigated in the three years since EFCC was established.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/business/august06/14082006/b514082006.html

The US Treasury named Syrian officials  Major General Hisham Ikhtiyar and  Brigadier General Jama'a Jama'a Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) of Syria for contributing to Syria's support for designated terrorist groups including Hezbollah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). This designation freezes all US assets and prohibits US entities from engaging in transactions with them.
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp60.htm
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AML/CFT Modalities
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Criminal Intelligence Service Canada released its 2006 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada. It addresses illicit drugs, firearms, financial crime, intellectual property theft, human smuggling and trafficking, and vehicle theft. It covers the dynamics, characteristics and methods of organized crime, and has a special feature on Street Gangs in Canada.
http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report2006/frontpage_2006_e.htm

A fake Spanish lottery scam is being used to launder money.
http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/display.var.885689.0.spanish_money_laundering_con.php


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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Australia's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will investigate New South Wales Energy and Ports Minister Joe Tripodi for business interests in 2002.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/tripodi-did-not-request-investigation-icac/2006/08/16/1155407845134.html

Israeli army chief Lieutenant-General Dan Halutz has resigned, denying any wrongdoing in his sale of shares hours after Hezbollah captured two Israeli troops. An investigation is under way, including an internal bank inquiry. Justice Minister Haim Ramon has announced his resignation as he faces charges of misconduct towards an employee. The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Tzachi Hanegbi has been indicted on charges of fraud, bribery, and perjury when he was environment minister.

India's Supreme Court has overturned a decision that the Central Bureau of Investigation has no jurisdiction over state courts, instead upholding the CBI's powers to investigate corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika had suspended Anti-Corruption Bureau head Gustave Kaliwo on unexplained disciplinary grounds last month. He has now resigned.
http://www.int.iol.co.za/general/news/newsprint.php?art_id=qw1155373020233R131&sf=

US federal prosecutors have asked that former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling's fine is raised from $139 million to $183 million, to include the sum originally demanded by the late Enron founder, Ken Lay.
http://www.txs.uscourts.gov/notablecases/
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ETM Economies and Financial Systems
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China's National Bureau of Statistics reports industrial output increased by 16.7 percent in July compared to a year before. Growth in June was 19.5 percent, and this decline suggests efforts to tighten economic growth are beginning to show results.

India's new ambassador to Ivory Coast has announced an investment of as much as $1 billion in oil exploration and mining over the next five years.
http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-08-14T194146Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-263592-1.xml
http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=1045
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ETM Environment and Climate Change
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The World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Program released the "UNEP/WMO Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2006". The updated review of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer finds that recovery should occur by 2065, 15 years later than anticipated in the previous assessment, released in 2002.
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=484&ArticleID=5335&l=en

The US rice supply has been contaminated with a genetically engineered variety not approved for human consumption. This news follows a federal court ruling that the Agriculture Department broke the law by allowing companies to plant genetically engineered crops in open air tests in Hawaii.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/08/0307.xml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/15/AR2006081501053.html?referrer=email

Although the major oil spill in Lebanon is the most visible environmental damage, chemicals and dust from buildings hit during air strikes have led to highly toxic air. This contamination is reminiscent of that described post-9/11, and is likely to have similar long-term health consequences. Meanwhile, the UN Environment Program and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have drawn up an action plan to begin clean-up of the coast.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55151
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=484&ArticleID=5334&l=en

The Philippines has appealed to Indonesia and Japan for help in cleaning up its worst ever oil spill. A tanker sank in heavy rains and strong winds, releasing two million liters of oil around Guimaras island, where there are important fishing grounds, and a national marine reserve and diving locations important to the tourism industry. It could take up to three years to clean up.

Australian state and territory leaders released a discussion paper that introduces a "cap and trade" plan to set emission targets on greenhouse gases. Low polluters can exchange emissions credits for money, and there would be fines for companies that exceed targets. They also released modeling reports describing the impacts of national emissions trading on electricity markets and on the economy. Prime Minister John Howard, who has rejected the Kyoto protocol, says the state plans would harm the economy and increase fuel prices.
http://www.emissionstrading.net.au/
http://www.pm.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_Release2081.html
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ETM Human Rights
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"Uncounted and Discounted" is a new report by the UN Development Fund for Women that looks at women in Afghanistan. The report finds endemic domestic violence and attacks against them made with impunity. Male family members commit 80 percent of violent acts, ten percent are by a woman, and the rest by a man usually known by the woman. Violence occurs regardless of marital status, education or employment. Because the family is both the traditional support structure and the source of the violence, better access to public services is the best means to get them help.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19512&Cr=afghan&Cr1=

The UK Information Commissioner finds that the Freedom of Information Act is increasing people's confidence in public authorities. New research shows that 76 percent of individuals believe the Act has increased their knowledge of public authorities, and 82 percent of public authorities believe the Act is needed.
http://www.ico.gov.uk/cms/DocumentUploads/Freedom_of_information_creates_more_confidence_research_reveals.pdf

"Human Trafficking: Better Data, Strategy, and Reporting Needed to Enhance U.S. Antitrafficking Efforts Abroad" is a new report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). Hundreds of thousands of women, children, and men are bought and sold across international borders each year. GAO looked at how the US estimates the extent of human trafficking, its strategy for combating the problem abroad, and the State Department's process for evaluating foreign government's anti-trafficking efforts. They find serious credibility problems with the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which GAO found inconsistent and incomplete, reducing its use as a diplomatic tool or a guide for focusing government resources.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-825

The US Department of Justice launched a web site that outlines the basic civil rights servicemembers have under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
http://www.servicemembers.gov
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ETM Infectious Diseases
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The 16th International AIDS conference was held this week, under the theme "Time to Deliver". Since there is no end in sight to the pandemic, it is time to move global response beyond the current crisis management model into a sustainable response plan to address the nest 25 years and beyond.
http://www.unaids.org/en/Conferences/AIDS2006/default.asp
http://data.unaids.org/pub/Speech/2006/20060813_SP_Annan_en.pdf

Both endemic and new avian influenza strains have become endemic in parts of Asia. Vigorous control measures are essential to control this threat. H5N1 has become endemic in Thailand's Pichit province, while new strains have spread from China to other areas of Thailand and to Laos. Two more districts n Cambodia have also been hit.
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000377/index.html

Regarding human cases of H5N1 infections, China has confirmed its 31st case (14 fatal) and Indonesia its 58th case (45 fatal). Dozens of suspected cases in Thailand have led to efforts to improve diagnosis and funds have been allocated for 100 quarantine wards.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_08_14/en/index.html
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_08_17/en/index.html
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24168

Here is a summary of the current status of new candidate H5N1 vaccines:
http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/recommendationvaccine.pdf

US states, with the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior, have begun monitoring wild migratory birds for avian influenza. Cases tested in Michigan show two wild mute swans are free of H5N1 but had a less pathogenic strain of the virus.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/08/0287.xml
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/08/0294.xml
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ETM Legal Systems
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Canada's Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Beverley McLachlin, called on Canadian Bar Association members to considering changing fees to address the problem that as many as 40 percent of people appearing in some courts have no attorneys. She warned that judicial vacancies and this "epidemic of lack of representation" severely handicap the legal system and make it inaccessible to too many Canadians.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=41173565-6774-43c1-8a71-c46b56facb1f&k=33002
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2006/08/13/1752112-sun.html

Criminal Intelligence Service Canada reports that incarcerating members of street gangs does little to disrupt criminal activities but instead promotes their power and influence both inside and out of prison, contributing to more violence within the correctional system.
http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report2006/street_gang_map_2006_e.htm

The Iraqi Lawyers Association (ILA) reports that since October 2005, 38 lawyers have been murdered and hundreds attacked for defending cases which do not follow Sharia law.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55146

Ireland's Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform released the 3rd, 4th and 5th reports of the Morris Tribunal, an inquiry into complaints concerning some Gardai of the Donegal Division. The reports document egregious cases of insubordination and indiscipline among a small number of the 12,000 police on the force. Despite the damning criticisms, there are no criminal charges, although civil proceedings are proceeding. Detective Sergeant John White, suspended since June 2001 and at the center of the inquiry, has resigned.
http://www.justice.ie/80256E01003A02CF/vWeb/pcJUSQ6SRLFB-en
http://www.morristribunal.ie/


The UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast issued a scathing report on the country's penitentiary system, saying people were being held in overcrowded, unsanitary, crumbling prisons, with severe malnutrition a leading cause of death.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55168E

Namibia's National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) warns of judicial irregularities that are likely to lead to a miscarriage of justice in the treason trial of Caprivi secessionists. Among the issues they raise is the absence of the accused and their lawyers, contrary to Namibia's constitution.
http://www.nshr.org.na/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=630&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=1a0c6b10fc47263bb7c5e79a9d7568c5

The UK plans to release as many as 50,000 prisoners early to help reduce prison overcrowding.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006370734,00.html
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article1219484.ece
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ETM Natural Resources
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Der Spiegel highlights a New Cold War focused on competition for natural resources. As they become scarcer and more expensive, new alliances and conflicts emerge.
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,429968,00.html

Indigenous Santals in northwestern Bangladesh are concerned over their fate and the fate of the environment following plans to begin open pit mining.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/18/d608181802104.htm

Chilean miners at the world's largest privately-held copper mine have been on strike over a pay dispute that is well into its third week. Talks are going on through the weekend.

Environmental and business groups in Indonesia's Papua province have joined in opposition to a Chinese forestry plan that could accelerate the destruction of remaining forests and harm revenues from furniture exports.

China denies that its demands for wood menace global forest resources or fuels illegal logging.
http://english.people.com.cn/200608/18/eng20060818_294406.html
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/3866
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-08-15T133840Z_01_PEK85729_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-ENVIRONMENT-CHINA-DC.XML
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ETM Populations
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Australia's Aborigines live in some of the world's worst housing, according to UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Miloon Kothari, who recently completed a 2-week tour evaluating the situation at the request of the government. He warned that new laws on land rights in the Northern Territory are unwise and unworkable.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20142290-1702,00.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Land-rights-overhaul-unworkable-UN/2006/08/15/1155407803877.html
http://bendigo.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=501726&category=General&m=8&y=2006

Germany's birth rate has fallen again by 2.8 percent, the lowest in Europe. Declining population in Europe threatens economic damage for decades to come.
http://www.destatis.de/presse/deutsch/pm2006/p3300023.htm (in German)

The US Census Bureau shows key demographic and social changes in cities across the country, including rising median ages and increased numbers of minority groups.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/007287.html

Demographics have a major impact on "The Future of Economic Development in Rural America", which is the subject of a new publication from the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago. Articles include an overview of agriculture and rural development issues; rural depopulation; the role of community banks, rural infrastructure and how it influences quality of life and economic opportunities, and issues related to energy and telecommunications.
http://tracker.ease.lsoft.com/trk/click?ref=znwrbbrs9_1-19cfx1255dx&
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ETM Social Responsibility
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MTN Nigeria, a cellular telecommunications company, has established a foundation through which it implements ifs Corporate Social Responsibility program, which recently funded the SCHOOLSconnect program.
http://www.mtnonline.com/corporate/press.asp?NewsID=123
http://allafrica.com/stories/200608100036.html

Columnist Mallen Baker argues that asking what is the business case for corporate social responsibility merely demonstrates the immaturity of the movement. He says, " In truth, there is no business case for CSR. Any more than there is a business case for innovation. Or for marketing. Or for outsourcing. Each of these processes describe a range of possible activities - and any one of those activities may be beneficial or detrimental to the business. It all depends on the judgement in selection of which actions to take, and the skill and energy applied to achieving results.
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=4433
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ETM Technology
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Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance division of Marsh and McLennan, published "Nanotechnology - The Plastics of the 21st Century?" The report n overview of nanotechnology, its benefits to the global economy, associated risks, regulation and the likely evolution of insurance coverage.
http://www.guycarp.com/portal/extranet/popup/pdf/GCPub/NANO paper 7_11.pdf

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have used a beam of electrons to move a single atom in a small molecule back and forth between two positions on a crystal surface. This is a significant step toward learning how to build an "atomic switch" that turns electrical signals on and off in nanoscale devices.
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/atomic_switch.htm

Australian Prime Minister Howard has agreed that if a bill is introduced to allow therapeutic cloning he will permit a conscience vote after finding a depth of feeling on expanding stem-cell research.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warns that the UK science base is being eroded because the education system is failing thousands of potential scientists. Over the last 20 years, a stripped-down science curriculum, lack of specialist teachers and uninspiring careers advice have led to a 56 percent decline in A level pupils studying physics and a 37 percent decline in those studying A level chemistry. This is happening at a time when new international competitors are emerging and traditional rivals are getting stronger,
http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/dc0699d2e716fbc1802571be003c5b78?OpenDocument
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ETM Weapons (WMD, Proliferation)
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The Arms Control Association has posted five previously unpublished Iranian proposals to resolve international concerns about its nuclear program.
http://www.armscontrol.org/country/iran/

Iran, feeling powerful following the outcome of the Hezbollah/Israel conflict, has shown increasing flexibility on its nuclear enrichment activities, while insisting that it's rights to nuclear energy are absolute and that the threat of UN sanctions will have no effect.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh maintains that the US and its congress will not influence Indian energy policy, including the terms of collaboration between the two countries. Singh has assured leading politicians and nuclear scientists that India will not bow to any pressure the US could exert to limit its atomic weapons program.

China and Pakistan, meanwhile, have moved closer to their own bilateral agreement on energy cooperation.

The Indian government has devised three Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to deal with terrorist attacks involving use of radiological or nuclear Materials, biological agents and chemical weapons. These address identification of potential targets, and the formation and training of specialist response teams,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1767822,001302420000.htm

Details of the Soviet Union's research in biological warfare has emerged following the death of lead scientist Lev S. Sandakhchiev
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-jmiller13aug13,0,1225730.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail

Swiss scientists have found a molecule unique to anthrax that can be used for a faster and simpler way to detect the bacteria.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112752113/ABSTRACT

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered the structure of a key enzyme from plague bacterium, which can shed light on how it kills and on fundamental cell signaling processes.
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2006_0817.htm#structure


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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US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that the US rice supply has been contaminated with a genetically engineered variety not approved for human consumption.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/08/0307.xml
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/08/0306.xml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/18/AR2006081801043.html

The US state of Illinois has announced a program to help agricultural fertilizer dealers protect their product from theft, including illegal production of methamphetamine.
http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=5195
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CIM Banking and Finance
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US financial regulators issued "Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment" to address frequently asked questions regarding implementation of the guidance issued 12 October 2005.
http://www.ots.treas.gov/docs/r.cfm?480258.pdf

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued guidance on disclosure and marketing issues associated with gift cards. The OCC expects national banks that issue gift cards not only to inform purchasers about material terms and conditions, but to take appropriate steps so that critical information is likely to be available to recipients as well. Disclosures should generally tell consumers the expiration date; the amount or the existence of any monthly maintenance, dormancy, usage or similar fees; and how to obtain additional information. The guidance has divided the gift card industry between those welcoming the guidance and those declaring it an unwanted burden. Because the guidance includes no mention of compliance with state laws, it is also observed that this could be another instance in which OCC preempts state regulations.
http://www.occ.gov/ftp/bulletin/2006-34.txt
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thecheckout/2006/08/cracking_down_on_gift_cards.html
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060803/REPOSITORY/608030346

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is seeking public comment on a issues relating to Industrial Loan Companies (ILCs). On 28 July 28 FDIC imposed a six-month moratorium on ILC deposit insurance applications and change in control notices. The public comment process is meant to go beyond individual applications to address such issues as the current legal and business framework of ILCs and the possible benefits, risks, and supervisory issues associated with ILCs. http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/federal/2006/06noticeILCcomments.html

Ahead of Zimbabwe's change to a new currency, counterfeit money has already come into circulation.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=281008
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CIM Commercial Facilities
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Bangladesh has decided that private security agency staff will not be permitted to carry firearms.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/16/d60816012112.htm
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CIM Cybersecurity
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The U.S. Survey: Confidential Data at Risk from the Ponemon Institute and Vontu finds:
* 81 percent of companies surveyed reported the loss of one or more laptop computers containing sensitive information during the previous 12 months.
* Loss of confidential data, such as intellectual property, business documents, customer data and employee records, is a pervasive problem.
* PDAs and laptops ranked highest among storage devices posing the greatest risk for sensitive corporate data, followed by USB memory sticks, desktop systems, and shared file servers.
* 64 percent of companies surveyed reported never having conducted an inventory of sensitive consumer information.  64 percent also reported never having inventoried employee data.
* When asked how long it would take to determine what actual sensitive data was on a lost or stolen laptop, desktop, file server, or mobile device, the most frequent answer was "never" -- ranging from 24% for a file server to 62% for an employee's home computer.
* 81 percent of respondents report that protecting sensitive "data at rest" is a priority this year, and 89 percent anticipate that it will be a priority next year.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-15-2006/0004416275&EDATE=

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned its members about the threat of company identity fraud, following reports of bogus calls from people pretending to be Companies House officials.
http://www.fsb.org.uk/news.asp?REC=3498
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/infoAndGuide/coIdFraud.shtml

BBC News Real Story reports that bank account details and other personal information is being sold in Third World second-hand computer markets. Bank account details are being sold for less than GBP 20 each. Real Story recommends four rules for safe PC recycling:
* If possible, remove hard drives from PCs before recycling
* Use commercial erasing software, Examples include McAfee QuickClean, Acronis Drive Cleanser or ISafeguard Freeware
* Sign-up for a recycling service run by your PC manufacturer
* Some hard drive manufacturers also offer separate recycling programs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/real_story/4791167.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4790293.stm

Note to Macintosh users: your computer comes with a "Safe Erase" option. Use it.

Web redirection scripts are being exploited to make phishing scams more realistic.
http://www.millersmiles.co.uk/report/2784

China's Ministry of Public security reports that viruses attacked nearly three-quarters of computers in the past year, representing a six percent reduction from the prior year. Lack of maintenance or software patches presented the main vulnerabilities, as well as use of the internet and portable storage devices.
http://english.people.com.cn//200608/14/eng20060814_292943.html
http://www.millersmiles.co.uk/report/3228

University of Pennsylvania researchers warn that peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, or microphones, can be physically bugged to steal data. These "jitterbugs" are similar to keyloggers.
http://www.upenn.edu/researchatpenn/article.php?1089&tch

Responding to a demonstration of cloning electronic passport chips, the Smart Card Alliance points to multiple layers of security as protection, while others point out the likelihood of new threats emerging through the 10-year lifespan of a passport, and other possible risks. Meanwhile, the US Department of State has started issuing RFID passports.
http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm?itemID=1582
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/04/cloning_epassports
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/08/hackers_clone_r.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/70433.htm

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate America Online privacy practices following the exposure of personal information of more than half a million customers.
http://www.eff.org/news/archives/2006_08.php#004876

The use of the internet to support terrorism is discussed in these articles:
"Digitizing Terror: High-Res Executions and Bloody DVDs"
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,432122,00.html
"Terror police find 'martyr tapes'"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5265182.stm

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is looking for comments on new guidelines aimed at helping end-users, in particular telecommuting federal employees, improve the security of their personally owned desktop and laptop computers that run Windows XP Home Edition in a small office or home office environment. Like their larger office counterparts, home computers increasingly are the target of attackers looking to damage or disrupt files, steal identities or commit fraud.
http://csrc.nist.gov/itsec/guidance_WinXP_Home.html
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CIM Dams
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China's Bureau of Meteorology and Geophysics in Sichuan says that record high temperatures and drought are the most severe since recording began in 1951. Global climate change, not the Three Gorges Project, are blamed for the drought.
http://english.people.com.cn/200608/19/print20060819_294608.html

In northern Sudan, the Merowe/Hamadab dam on the River Nile floodgates were opened on 7 August to start filling the reservoir. Advance notice was not given to local residents, and the flooding has displaced more than 2,200 families.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17096
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55139
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2005/05/sudan-merowehamadab-dam-project.html
http://www.irn.org/
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CIM Energy
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Australian Prime Minister Howard spoke to parliament to describe new energy initiatives to help motorists copy with high gas prices.
http://www.dpmc.gov.au/initiatives/energy.cfm#aug2006

Flexible fuel vehicles that run on any combination of ethanol and gasoline now make up 77 percent of the Brazilian market, reaching the two-million vehicle mark.
http://www.anfavea.com.br/Index.html (in Portuguese)
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-08-17T211252Z_01_N17314600_RTRIDST_0_AUTOS-BRAZIL-FLEXFUEL.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna

A blackout struck the Japanese capital, Tokyo, causing major disruption for several hours. The power cut hit during rush hour, and severely affected transportation, traffic, foreign exchange trading and other critical sectors. 1.4 million homes were also affected. The outage was caused when a crane being transported on a river touched high-voltage lines.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-08-14T063358Z_01_T160321_RTRUKOC_0_US-JAPAN-POWER.xml
http://www.easybourse.com/Website/dynamic/News.php?NewsID=41371
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/business/news/20060814p2g00m0bu002000c.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20060815TDY01005.htm
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CIM Government Facilities
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The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Office of National Assessments will be inviting design proposals for a purpose-built building.
http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/MinisterRuddockHome.nsf/Page/Media_Releases_2006_Third_Quarter_1572006_-_16_August_2006_-_Designers_sought_for_intelligence_facility

Canada's National Capital Commission's advisory committee is reviewing a new design proposed for Parliament Hill that would include an underground visitor center and a side entrance for visitors.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=a946896f-5f67-4558-a1b2-d562960b61c2
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CIM Information Technology
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Dell, the world's largest manufacturer of personal computers, is recalling more than four million notebook computer batteries because of a risk they can overheat or catch fire. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says this is the largest recall of electrical products in its history. It has also launched an investigation into other batteries produced by Sony, which is sharing the cost of the recall.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2006/2006_08_14_rr_002?c=us&l=en&s=corp
https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/Default.aspx
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06231.html
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33682
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CIM Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste
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Legislative changes required to support a private nuclear industry in India are discussed in this article:
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=137298

The UK's Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) has reported 39 lapses in security against terrorism in the past year, including laptop thefts, internet misuse, a power cut and lightning strikes.
http://www.sundayherald.com/57240
http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/environment/soviet-nuclear-legacy/programme/nuclear-security/index.html
http://www.nda.gov.uk/News--News_(1780).aspx?pg=1780
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CIM Public Health and Healthcare
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Public health efforts to manage HIV/AIDS were addressed at the 2006 International AIDS Conference last week, including discussions of microbicides for women and girls, and male circumcision.
http://www.actionaid.org/index.asp?page_id=1254
http://www.mrc.ac.za/pressreleases/2006/6pres2006.htm
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/218275/115581288068.htm
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/hiv061004pkg.cfm

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) have devised a strategy to expand access to child-focused formulations and improve the medicines and prescribing guidelines for the entire range of infant and child care needs.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr42/en/index.html
http://www.unicef.org

In Chile, strict anti-smoking measures have come into force. These include a ban on sales to minors, health warnings, limited advertising. Smoking on public transportation, and in schools and health centers is banned, while in other public areas smoking is allowed only in designated areas.
http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=8516

China's Ministry of Health conducted an investigation last year into hospital deaths. They found that about a third of deaths are not reported, and about a quarter give the wrong cause of death. China is already under fire for poor health surveillance related to their handling of HIV, SARS, and avian influenza outbreaks.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2006-08/17/content_666609.htm

Coke has enlisted UK experts to demonstrate that their drinks are safe for Indian consumption. Reports that the soft drinks sold in India contain harmful levels of pesticides have led six states to impose partial or full bans on their sale.
http://www.coca-colaindia.com/media/View_News_Release.asp?ReleaseId=177
http://www.coca-colaindia.com/quality/fact_sheet.asp#products
http://www.cseindia.org/misc/cola-indepth/cola2006/cola_press2006.htm
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CIM Telecommunications
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The US Department of Commerce has extended for five years the contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to continue managing technical functions of the domain name system.
http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-15aug06.htm

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has proposed changes to make it easier for customers to sign up to and switch between broadband providers.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/08/nr_20060817
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CIM Transportation
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Reviews of airport security and additional regulations have been put in place or planned in locations worldwide following the plot uncovered against transatlantic jets. However, the most rigid carry-on baggage requirements have been slightly eased. There have been multiple incidents of false alarms. Recent events reinforce inconsistencies in airport security measures even within the same jurisdiction or airport.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060819/airport_heathrow_060819/20060819
http://www.tsa.gov/
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/sectionhomepage/dft_aviation_page.hcsp

Some airports are implementing passenger profiling. Rather than relying on data analysis from largely inaccurate databases, these initiatives increasingly focus on behavioral analysis. Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei, remembering a long history of terrorists in all shapes, colors, and sizes, pointed out that beliefs are not visible and that ethnic profiling would merely create a new offense of "travelling whilst Asian".
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2320784,00.html
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.profile18aug18,0,20820.story
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4207110
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-6026906,00.html
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1196202006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4666132.stm
http://www.epic.org/privacy/airtravel/profiling.html
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2004/12/airline_passeng.html
http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/02-27-02/02-27-02memo.html

Budget airlines have been particularly hard-hit by new airline restrictions, and run counter to their current business models. Ryanair is among the most vocal, warning that if the UK government does not return airport security measures to normal within a week it will be sued for compensation. Other airlines are also discussing shared responsibility for additional security costs. Ryanair has also launched the "Keep Britain Flying" counterterrorism campaign offering tickets for 99 pence. CEO Michael O'Leary said, "The goal of these terrorists and extremists is not just to kill but also to disrupt the economic life of Britain. The UK Government, by insisting on these heavy handed security measures, is allowing the extremists to achieve many of their objectives".
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=06&month=aug&story=gen-en-130806
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=06&month=aug&story=gen-en-140806
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=06&month=aug&story=gen-en-180806
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/15/news/cost.php

Many passengers have been seriously inconvenienced, including the Telegraph's Alice Thomson, whose pregnancy bump looked suspicious.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/08/15/fthell15.xml

Trains and ships are not following the new security practices implemented on airlines.
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGB6NLC1QQE.html

Australia has reminded port, ship, and offshore oil and gas facility workers of the August deadline for Maritime Security Identification Card applications.
http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/security/maritime/msic.aspx
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20193211-953,00.html

Nigerian President Obasanjo laid out a 25-year plan for expanding rail transportation throughout the country, reducing dependence on vehicles while making it easier to move about. Rail systems in Nigeria have deteriorated to the point of collapse, and this modernization effort will be key to development.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200608100385.html
http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=08/14/2006&qrTitle=Stakeholders%20want%20FG%20to%20establish%20Rail%20Maintenance%20Agency
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/
http://www.bpeng.org/10/0317731656532b.asp?DocID=177&MenuID=42

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that safer vehicles, not better drivers or improved roads, have maintained declining death rates per vehicle.
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr081006.html


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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Ethiopia's River Omo burst its banks, increasing flooding and affecting thousands of people. More than 900 are confirmed dead to date, with two weeks more rain expected.

China is undertaking recovery efforts from typhoon Saomai, including recovering more bodies, raising the death toll to 441.

Following heavy rains in eastern Ethiopia that killed 250, flash floods in the south burst the banks of the Omo river, killing at least 125.

Vietnam has evacuated thousands of people in central and northern regions, but 27 people have died in flash floods and landslides.

Storms and heavy rains killed at least 25 people in Karachi, Pakistan, most electrocuted by fallen power cables.

Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador's Andes mountains erupted. It destroyed three villages. One man is confirmed dead, and more than 60 people are missing. Another eruption is anticipated.

Floods in poor farming communities in Burkina Faso have washed away the homes of 6,000 people as well as their crops.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55111
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DRM Response and Recovery
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The embankment built to retain hot mud flooding from the Lapindo Brantas gas mine through East Java has collapsed. Thousands more homes were inundated, and the entire Porong district is sinking under the toxic mud. The local economy has been devastated, and criminal proceedings are being evaluated. In another effort to control the flooding, water will be extracted from the mud and dumped in the Madura Strait. The mud flow has been unstoppable since it began nearly three months ago.

The US Environmental Protection Association (EPA) completed analysis of sediment samples, finding that most areas of clear of chemical contamination in soil and water following Hurricane Katrina.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/68b5f2d54f3eefd28525701500517fbf/77b84148c0d18039852571cd00616cb3!OpenDocument

An Earth Policy Institute study finds that Gulf evacuees from the last hurricane season are often not returning, leading to a decline in the coastal population.
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2006/Update57.htm
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DRM Risks
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University of Bristol researchers predict that if global temperatures rise by an average of three degrees or more by the end of the century, more than half of the world's biggest forests will be lost, and extreme floods, forest fires and droughts will become more common. In the case of a two-degree rise, Europe, Asia, Canada, Central America, and Amazonia could lose up to a third of forests. Less fresh water in parts of west Africa, Central America, southern Europe and the eastern US raises the probability of drought, while tree loss in tropical regions of Africa and South America will increase flooding risk.
http://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2006/1053.html

In the wake of the 7/7 London bombings, a recent survey finds that major hospitals remain poorly prepared to cope with a major incident.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4795651.stm
http://emj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/extract/23/9/666
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DRM Mitigation
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TowerGroup new report urges the insurance industry and the government to rethink approaches to catastrophe management in a more holistic fashion.
http://www.towergroup.com/research/content/news_view.jsp?newsId=1340

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Dr. Rakesh Mohan spoke at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) seminar regarding Avian Influenza Pandemic Preparedness within the Financial Sector.
http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_SpeechesView.aspx?Id=295

Philippines metropolitan and commercial centers of neighboring Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela are testing flood pumps intended to reduce the flooding seen in the area for decades.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200608196301.htm


7. Recommended Reading

The International AIDS conference took place in Toronto this week. As this year marks 25 years since the first AIDS infections were reported, it is worth revisiting the status of this pandemic.
http://www.aids2006.org/

Key reports prepared for the meeting include:
* 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic: May 2006
http://www.unaids.org/en/HIV_data/2006GlobalReport/default.asp
* Changing Course: Alternative Approaches to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals and Fight HIV/AIDS.
http://www.actionaidusa.org/pdf/Changing Course Report.pdf
* Circle of Hope
http://www.plan-international.org/action/hiv/approach/
* Compromised Intentions
http://hrw.org/backgrounder/hivaids/ungass0806/
* Faith Untapped
http://www.tearfund.org/News/Latest+news/African+churches+are+hidden+weapon+in+AIDS+war.htm
* Global HIV Prevention Working Group
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/hiv061004pkg.cfm
* Progress on Global Access to HIV Antiretroviral Therapy: A Report on "3 by 5" and Beyond
http://www.who.int/hiv/mediacentre/news57/en/index.html
* MMWR: The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic, 2006
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5531a1.htm?s_cid=mm5531a1_e
* Tools for Planning and Developing Human Resources for HIV/AIDS and Other Health Services
http://www.msh.org/resources/publications/ebookstore/product.cfm?p=225

Note special coverage from Toronto:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=1155031315217

And prior coverage in this Newsletter, focused on HIV and global security issues:
https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2006/060406.html#FeatureArticle#7
https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2005/120405.html#FeatureArticle
https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2004/120504.html#FeatureArticle
https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2003/112303.html#FeatureArticle
https://terrorismcentral.com/Newsletters/2002/120102.html#FeatureArticle


8. Asset Management Network News

We will be attending "Connected Health -Empowering Care through Communications Technologies". At this symposium on 18-19 September, we will be providing information on lessons learned and shared experiences between the financial services and healthcare industries, such as issues regarding payment systems, security, identity management, data normalization, and outsourcing. The symposium "is bringing together thought leaders from each aspect of healthcare and technology, to discuss the innovative applications of new healthcare communications technologies. Interactive sessions, workshops and panel discussions will focus on the application of these technologies and the impact on providing quality patient care, the management of telemedicine programs in healthcare settings and strategies for integrating connected health throughout the healthcare system".
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=f72fe396-bcfc-4e8b-bd21-15f2e83d5673

Don't forget to take a look at our online store for subscriptions to the Monitor series and our Special Reports, ranging from avian influenza to "Trends in Terrorism: 2005".

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