ALERT - World Hot Spots 6/2/5

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HOT SPOTS

Snapshots of Today´s Events
Thursday, June 2 2005





WORLD WATCH®: Online database puts the world at your fingertips




Every weekday morning, Air Security International’s (ASI) Hot Spots gives you up-to-the minute information on security and intelligence issues around the globe. ASI’s World Watch® provides even more detailed information than Hot Spots. This database consists of 365 days of Hot Spots events per country. City threat maps highlight risk areas. World Watch also provides detailed security and safety information and situation updates and analysis for each city.



For a free trial of World Watch and to learn more about the database, including pricing, contact [email protected] or Robert Skehan at (713) 430-7300.





IN TODAY´S ISSUE





AMERICAS
Bolivia


AUSTRALASIA
Australia


EUROPE
France
Greece


MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Israel
Lebanon


SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Sudan
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS
Niger



AMERICAS

Bolivia (Country threat level - 4 ): Thousands of demonstrators -- primarily farmers, teachers and students -- continued protests in La Paz on 1 June 2005 to demand that the government nationalize the energy industry. Demonstrators, who are also against the government granting autonomy to the wealthier eastern and southern provinces, marched toward downtown La Paz. Protesters harassed and attacked shopkeepers, smashed windows and vandalized cars. As on the previous day, protesters detonated dynamite sticks and continued to use stones and other objects to block major roads. Police officers fortified barriers around Congress as protesters surrounded the building. According to reports, the protests were not as large as those experienced a day earlier. Demonstrators plan to continue protests until lawmakers call for a Constitutional Assembly and a referendum on greater regional autonomy. A congressional session was postponed for a second consecutive day after lawmakers were unable to agree on an agenda for the discussions.


AUSTRALASIA

Australia (Country threat level - 3 ): Officials at Qantas Airways announced on 2 June 2005 the termination of a security manager. Although the exact nature of the termination is not known, it comes amid allegations of criminal incidents committed by staff at Kingsford Smith International Airport (YSSY/SYD) in Sydney. Media reports have previously stated that airport staff have helped to smuggle cocaine into the country, have taken bribes from narcotics smugglers and have stolen items from passengers´ bags. Additional security has been instated at airports throughout Australia in response to these allegations, and a police investigation continues.


EUROPE

France (Country threat level - 3 ): A nationwide strike by employees of the state-owned rail company SNCF is causing widespread disruptions to rail traffic in France on 2 June 2005. The strike is affecting suburban commuter lines in Paris, trains on national lines and high-speed TGV trains. There are no reports of major delays on the high-speed Eurostar or Thalys trains, which service primarily international routes. Rail workers are scheduled to end the strike at 0800 local time (0600 UTC) on 3 June 2005.


Greece (Country threat level - 3 ): A home-made bomb exploded outside of the Greek Labor Ministry in Athens on 2 June 2005. The blast caused minor damage to the facility and to nearby buildings, but no injuries were reported. An anonymous phone call to a local newspaper warned of the bomb, prompting police officials to cordon off the area before the explosion. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a separate incident that occurred several hours later, Greek police officers evacuated thousands of people from the Omonia subway station in central Athens after authorities received a bomb threat. Trains were delayed as bomb squads searched the station, but no explosive devices were found.


MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Israel (Country threat level - 4 ): Israeli security officials have foiled a double-suicide bombing that was scheduled to occur on 2 June 2005 in Jerusalem´s Ramot neighborhood. Local Israeli sources stated that officials have arrested five activists of the militant group Islamic Jihad and have seized the two devices intended for use in the attack. The arrests occurred on 30 May, but were not reported until 2 June. One of the activists involved in the attempted bombings stated that the targets under consideration were a bus, a coffee bar and a synagogue.


Lebanon (Country threat level - 4 ): During the morning of 2 June 2005, a bomb that was planted in the vehicle of a Lebanese journalist detonated as he started his car. The incident occurred in the Ashrafiyeh district of the Christian sector of Beirut. Samir Qaseer -- an anti-Syrian columnist at the al-Nahar newspaper -- died instantly in the blast, which also killed a passerby. An unknown number of people were injured. The explosion comes at a time of increased political tension due to the parliamentary elections that are staggered over four Sundays from 29 May until 19 June 2005. As of this time, there has been no claim of responsibility for the blast, and authorities have not yet identified any suspects.


SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sudan (Country threat level - 4 ): An Antonov aircraft crashed while attempting to take off at Khartoum International Airport (HSSS/KRT) on 2 June 2005. Conflicting reports state that the aircraft was a cargo aircraft, while additional reports state that the incident involved a passenger aircraft operated by Marsland. At least five people died as a result of the crash, and reports state that between two and 30 people sustained injuries. The cause of the mishap is unknown.


GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Niger (Country threat level - 4 ): On 1 June 2005, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a Warden Message stating the possibility of demonstrations in Niamey on 2 June. The message further states: "These demonstrations could involve a significant number of people who will protest the Government of Niger´s handling of the food emergency. The demonstration is supposed to follow the route of departure from Place Toumo -> Rond Point Terrain Musulman -> Rond Point Pharmacie Temple -> Rond Point Eglise -> Escale Wax -> ending at Place De La Concertation.

"We urge you to avoid large crowds and ask that you monitor local news sources for further information. We also wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens should therefore avoid the areas of demonstrations, if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. ..."


SIGNIFICANT DATES



2 June

Italy: Anniversary of the Republic. (Protests may occur in Rome).


4 June

Australia (West Australia): Foundation Day.
China: Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989) (Protests may occur, particularly in Hong Kong. Authorities may increase security measures in the days leading up to this day, including making arrests of persons involved in planning protests.)
Malaysia: King´s birthday.


5 June

Denmark: Constitution Day (Bank holiday. Shops and businesses close early).
Seychelles: Liberation Day.


6 June

Ecuador: Tenth round of negotiations of a free trade agreement between the United States, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru in Guayaquil. (Protests are planned).
India: Anniversary of storming of Amritsar Temple by military troops (1984).
South Korea: Korean Memorial Day - (Government and business offices close. Protests are possible).
Judaism: Yom Yerushalayim


7 June

Ecuador: Tenth round of negotiations of a free trade agreement between the United States, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru in Guayaquil. (Protests are planned).
Ireland: Bank Holiday.
Malta: Sette Giugno (Commemorates food riots of 1919, which sparked the independence movement. Offices and businesses close. Parades are organized).
New Zealand: Queen´s Birthday.


10 June

Ecuador: Tenth round of negotiations of a free trade agreement between the United States, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru in Guayaquil. (Protests are planned).
Portugal: National Day.
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Sovereignty Day.
United States: Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision (1973) that legalized abortion in the United States. Pro-life and pro-choice activists organize gatherings.


11 June

Australia: Queen´s Birthday (Most government and business offices close. Not observed in Western Australia).
Chinese Calendar: Nuen Ng (Dragon Boat Festival)
12 June

France: Paris Air Show / 12-19 June 2005.
Paraguay: Peace of El Chaco.
Russia: Independence Day (Government offices and businesses close).

ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS

1- A minimum threat of physical harm. Petty crime is the most common threat.

2- A low threat of physical harm. Petty crime and infrequent demonstrations are the most common threats.

3- A medium threat of physical harm. Petty crime and demonstrations are common and violent acts do occur.

4- A high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, demonstrations or terrorism.

5- A very high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, terrorism, demonstrations or war.


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