Threat Matrix: September 2007

Previous Thread ^

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=burma
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=myanmar

#

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070925/FOREIGN/109250080/1001
(AP)

“Bush to announce sanctions against Burma”
Associated Press
September 25, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “President Bush today will announce additional sanctions against the military dictatorship in Burma to support the push for democracy in that Asian country, the White House said yesterday.

Mr. Bush, in a U.N. General Assembly speech, will announce financial sanctions against key members of the regime and those who provide them financial aid, said Stephen J. Hadley, the president’s national security adviser.

The U.S. action comes amid a growing series of anti-government demonstrations in Burma, also known as Myanmar. As many as 100,000 protesters led by a phalanx of barefoot monks marched yesterday in the most powerful show of strength yet.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_927.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Tue Sep 25 2007 03:13:42 GMT-0700.

NEPAL

September 24, 2007

This Travel Warning provides updated information on the security situation in Nepal. The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens contemplating a visit to Nepal to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans at short notice. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on May 7, 2007.

Nepal continues to experience sporadic incidents of terrorism and politically-motivated violence in major urban areas. On September 2, 2007, near-simultaneous blasts at three locations in the capital, Kathmandu, killed three persons and injured scores of commuters and bystanders, many of them seriously. Nepal Police believe that the Improvised Explosive Devices were planted intentionally where people congregate, and in a moving microbus carrying passengers. American citizens are reminded to remain on high alert, avoid public transportation (including travel by microbus), and be cautious of unattended baggage in public places, including airports and bus depots.

Despite the signing of the November 21, 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement by the Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)—a U.S. designated terrorist organization—and the insurgents’ entry into an interim government, Maoists continue to engage in violence, extortion, and abductions. The Young Communist League, a Maoist subgroup, continues to extort and abuse people, including threatening Kathmandu-based personnel of a U.S. Non-Governmental Organization. In November 2006, numerous resident American citizens reported to the U.S. Embassy first-hand accounts of Maoist cadres demanding food and lodging, often accompanied by threats of physical violence. In some instances, Nepalese staff of Americans who resisted such demands were beaten. Since the cease-fire in May 2006, hotels and businesses frequented by American citizens have been targets of extortion demands, forced closures, and have become the focus of demonstrations.

Various armed groups have sprung up in 2007, primarily in the Terai region along the southern border with India, and insurgent violence has affected trade and travel in that area. Violent clashes between Maoists and indigenous groups have taken place since January 2007 in the Terai region, in one case resulting in many deaths. Ethnic tensions in the Terai region have spawned violent clashes with police, strikes, demonstrations and closures of the border with India. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends against non-essential travel to this region. Clashes between Maoists and groups who oppose them also recently have extended into Kathmandu.

While widespread protests have abated, the potential for demonstrations and disruptions remains high. During demonstrations, protestors have used violence, including burning vehicles, throwing rocks and burning tires to block traffic. Given the nature, intensity and unpredictability of disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel, and maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with little or no advance notice, and American citizens are urged to consult media sources and the Embassy’s website http://nepal.usembassy.gov for current security information.

Crime in the Kathmandu Valley, including violent crime and harassment of women, has increased since April 2006. Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley is still dangerous and should be avoided. Police have reported a number of robberies by armed gangs; in some cases victims were attacked and injured. The U.S. Embassy reports an increase in crime in some popular tourist areas. Visitors to Nepal should practice good personal security when moving about, especially at night, and avoid walking alone after dark and carrying large sums of cash or wearing expensive jewelry. In several reported incidents tourists have had their belongings stolen from their rooms while they were asleep. In late 2005, two European women were murdered in Nargarjun Forest, a popular tourist destination in the Kathmandu Valley. The murders occurred within weeks of each other and both involved women hiking alone. Solo trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men, even on some popular trails. Crime, including violent crime, has further increased in 2007, and police are unwilling or unable to arrest criminals who claim Maoist affiliation.

U.S. official personnel generally do not travel by road outside the Kathmandu Valley. All official travel outside the Kathmandu Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. As a result, emergency assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty U.S. military and Department of Defense contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and unofficial travel to Nepal.

Although the Government of Nepal no longer considers the Maoists to be terrorists, the U.S. Government’s designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization under Executive Order 13224 and its inclusion on the “Terrorist Exclusion List” pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States and bar U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists.

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nepal are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy by accessing the Department of State’s travel registration site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by personal appearance at the Consular Section, located at the U.S. Embassy on Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. The Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and security, and can be reached through the Embassy switchboard at (977) (1) 400-7200 or directly by fax (977) (1) 400-7281. Email: consktm@state.gov, web site: http://nepal.usembassy.gov .

U.S. citizens also should consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement via the Internet on the Department of State’s home page at http://travel.state.gov or by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=yemen
http://www.yementimes.com

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_936.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Tue Sep 25 2007 03:16:22 GMT-0700.

YEMEN

September 24, 2007

This Travel Warning updates information on security incidents in Yemen and reminds U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Yemen issued April 30, 2007.

The Department of State continues to strongly urge U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of traveling to Yemen. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen, and U.S. citizens in Yemen should exercise caution and take prudent measures to maintain their security: maintain a high level of vigilance, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure travel documents are current. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa advises American citizens in Yemen to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners countrywide and at restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates. From time to time, the Embassy may restrict official Americans from restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas. The Department of State strongly encourages American citizens to consult the most recent Warden Messages (http://usembassy.state.gov/yemen/citizen_services.html ) to get the most up-to-date information on security conditions. Americans who believe they are being followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there.

The Department remains concerned about possible attacks by extremist individuals or groups against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived interests. On July 2, 2007, suspected al- Qa’ida operatives carried out a vehicle-borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Belquis Temple in Marib, which resulted in the deaths of eight Spanish tourists and two Yemenis. The targeting of tourist sites by al- Qa’ida may represent an escalation in terror tactics in Yemen.

On February 3, 2006, 23 convicts, including known affiliates of al-Qa’ida, escaped from a high-security prison in the capital city, Sanaa. Among the al-Qa’ida associates were individuals imprisoned for their roles in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole and the 2002 attack on the French oil tanker Limburg. In the weeks following the escape, some prisoners voluntarily turned themselves in to authorities; to date however, some escapees remain at large. Two of the escapees were killed in vehicle-based suicide attacks on oil facilities near Mukalla and Marib on September 15, 2006. Those attacks were followed by the arrest the next day in Sanaa of four suspected Al Qa’ida operatives, who had stockpiled explosives and weapons. Additionally, on December 5, 2006, a lone gunman opened small arms fire outside of the U.S. Embassy compound during the early morning hours. The assailant, wounded by host-nation security personnel and subsequently arrested, was the sole casualty.

Since January 2007, the Government of Yemen has been battling al Houthi rebels in and around the northern governorate of Saada. While foreigners have not been targeted, hundreds of soldiers and civilians have been killed in the ongoing violence. U.S. citizens traveling in Yemen should be aware that local authorities occasionally place restrictions on the travel of foreigners to parts of the country experiencing unrest. In addition, the U.S. Embassy itself often restricts travel of official personnel to the tribal areas north and east of Sanaa, such as the governorates of Amran, Al Jawf, Hajja, Marib, Saada, and Shabwa. Travelers should be in contact with the Embassy for up-to-date information on such restrictions.

U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Yemen despite this Travel Warning should register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) in order to obtain updated information on travel and security in Yemen. This can be done online prior to arrival in Yemen at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs .

The U.S. Embassy is located at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, P.O. Box 22347. The telephone number of the Consular Section is (967) (1) 755-2000, extension 2153 or 2266. The fax number is (967) (1) 303-175. The after hours emergency number is (967) (1) 755-2000 (press zero for extension) or (967) 733213509. From time to time the Embassy may temporarily close or suspend public services for security reasons. Emergency assistance to U.S. citizens during non-business hours (or when public access is restricted) is available through Embassy duty personnel.

Current information on travel and security in Yemen may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Yemen, the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement on the Department’s Internet site at http://travel.state.gov. (Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy.state.gov/yemen/citizen_services.html .)

[Cindy]

SUGGESTION FOR TMers:

LISTEN to this audio that accompanies this article.
What you are listening to is a CALM emergency operator relaying
necessary info to a KEPT HIS WITS ABOUT HIM father who
is having to deliver a baby before medical care arrives.

As you listen, ask yourself, “If I had an emergency situation; could I remain calm enough to handle the situation?”

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901754/posts

“Dramatic transcript of a birth (Emerg. Operator assists via phone; Audio included...very touching)”
The Sun (U.K.) ^ | September 25, 2007 | SAMANTHA WOSTEAR

Posted on 09/25/2007 3:14:59 AM PDT by Stoat

[Cindy]

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14231&Itemid=128

Sept. 25, 2007
Release A070925a

Coalition Forces capture suspected Special Groups member

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured an Iraqi suspected of terrorist activity and detained six other criminals during operations early Tuesday in Baghdad.

Intelligence indicated that this criminal was a Special Groups member who specialized in the movement of weapons throughout Iraq for the terrorist network. The man was reported to have ties to several Special Groups senior leaders, as well as contacts with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force members.

Sensitive intelligence information led Coalition forces to an area were they detained six other suspected terrorists. A vehicle that tested positive for explosive material was safely destroyed on site.

“Special Groups members, working with support from Iran, are criminals who jeopardize the security and safety Iraqi citizens,” said Maj. Brad Leighton, a Multi-National Force – Iraq spokesman. “Their IEDs often kill civilians, their mortar rounds often hit residential areas, and they attack from residential areas, placing residents at risk when Iraqi and Coalition security forces defend themselves.”

-30-

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14224&Itemid=128

Sept. 24, 2007

Release A070924c
Update: High-level al Qaeda in Iraq Terrorist Detained Near Taji on Sept. 16 Identified as Abu Bakr

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A senior al Qaeda in Iraq member of the Abu Ghazwan network, who was detained by Iraqi Army Scouts during a series of helicopter assault raids near Taji, Sept. 16, has been identified as Salim Ismail al Hayali, also known as Abu Bakr.

Abu Bakr is suspected of conducting attacks that target local citizens in the Tarmiyah area who join the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army forces. His cell has attacked the Tarmiyah Regiment of the 9th Iraqi Army division, the 9th Oil Protection Division, guards at the Al Karkh water treatment plant and Coalition Forces in the Taji area. Abu Bakr’s cell is also suspected of distributing propaganda and installing illegal check points.

Abu Bakr is additionally suspected of being the second in command to Abu Ghazwan’s network and the gatekeeper for access to Abu Ghazwan himself. This criminal network is known to commit robberies, kidnappings, murder, and is responsible for the Sept. 6, 2006 attack against a British Contractor convoy near Tarmiyah.

This terrorist network is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of employees from the Nasr Industrial Plant and is known to stage attacks from a local mosque. The cell provides salaries and materials for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices to be used in the Baghdad area. The cell is further suspected of storing and supplying weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, mortar rounds, mortar launchers, and heavy machine guns to be used in future terrorist attacks.

U.S. Special Forces served as advisers during the operation.

- 30 -

[Cindy]

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Tue Sep 25 2007 04:22:12 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

[drymans wife]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297981,00.html

Man Wanted in Oregon Terror Camp Plot Extradited From Czech Republic

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

PRAGUE, Czech Republic — A Lebanese-born Swede wanted on suspicion of plotting to set up a terrorist camp in Oregon was extradited to the United States on Tuesday, officials said.

Czech Justice minister Jiri Pospisil ruled on Sept 18 there was no reason to refuse a U.S. extradition request for Oussama Kassir, spokeswoman Zuzana Kuncova said.

Kassir was arrested on Dec. 11, 2005, at Prague’s Ruzyne international airport while flying from Stockholm, Sweden, to Beirut, Lebanon. The United States requested his extradition in February 2006.

The U.S. complaint alleges that Kassir and others conspired to establish a training camp for holy war, or jihad, in Bly, Ore. According to the complaint, Kassir and others wanted to set up the camp to teach military-style methods so a community of Muslims could move to Afghanistan to fight or receive further training there.

snip...

[drymans wife]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297982,00.html

Iran Does Far Worse Than Ignore Gays, Critics Say

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s seemingly ridiculous claim that “we don’t have homosexuals, like in your country” masks the cruel reality that his government does far worse than ignore gays, human rights groups charge.

“There are criminal laws on the books in Iran that allows for people to be killed for being homosexual,” said Paula Ettelbrick, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

Just how many gays may have been killed — some say the figure is more than 400 — is impossible to determine. But Ahmadinejad’s flip follow-up answer to the question posed to him Monday at Columbia University — “We do not have this phenomenon. I don’t know who has told you that we have” — suggests he won’t take the issue seriously.

Human rights groups have long railed against the Iranian government’s persecution of gays, which Ettelbrick calls “a campaign by the government to draw attention to the risks of people expressing their sexuality.” Some believe that repression has only worsened since Ahmadinejad became president.

“When I first heard his comments yesterday, I laughed,” said Arsham Parsi, founder of the Toronto-based Iranian Queer Organization.

[drymans wife]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297944,00.html

Pennsylvania Schools Locked Down After Shooting

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Two Pennsylvania schools were locked down on Tuesday after a student was shot in the leg outside a high school, MyFoxPhilly.com reported.

Click here to read full story at MyFoxPhilly.com.

A school official said two former students were involved in the shooting — one who graduated and one who dropped out.

The victim was taken to Chester Crozier Medical Center after several shots were fired outside Chester High School, which is in one of the state’s poorest school districts.

Both the high school and Columbus Elementary School were locked down.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Mata6858]

Per Fox news breaking Faa has grounded flights due to communication problems. No other information at this time. All flights cancelled out of Memphis. Not sure if it is radar or direct commucications with planes.

[Mata6858]

Sep 25, 2:58 PM EDT

Planes Grounded Over Equipment Failure

U.S. Video

Advertisement

Buy AP Photo Reprints

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration cleared all airline traffic within 250 miles of Memphis on Tuesday, grounding an unknown number of flights around the country, because communications equipment had failed at the regional air-traffic control center there.

Air-traffic control centers in adjacent regions handled flights that were already in the air when the problem was discovered, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said. “The airspace was completely cleared by 1:30 (p.m.) Eastern time,” she said.

High-altitude flights through the region - which includes Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, parts of Indiana and Kentucky and West Tennessee - were discontinued while the equipment was being fixed.

“What we did is put a ground stop in place for any flight that would transition through that airspace. We held them on the ground wherever they were, whether it was Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, Boston,” Bergen said.

Bergen said the FAA did not know how long it would take to fix equipment at the Air Route Traffic Control Center at Memphis or have an immediate number on how many flights were affected.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

From the Apwire

[drymans wife]

Thats going to create quite a mess. Thanks I heard that on Fox but couldn’t find a link.

[Cindy]

Thank you dryman’s wife for these posts.
I appreciate it.

[Cindy]

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/232987/Panamanian_authorities_deny_reports_of_attempted_plane_hijacking

“Panamanian authorities deny reports of attempted plane hijacking”
Posted 1 hour ago by dpa news in Crime | 40 views

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Civil Aviation spokesman Victor De La Hoz told Panamanian television that the authorities “deny any attempt or report of a hijacking” on board Copa Airlines flight 231.

De la Hoz said the misunderstanding started when flight attendants served breakfast on board and noticed that one knife was missing in the first-class section of the plane. The subsequent search showed that one of the passengers had grabbed the knife as a “souvenir.”

Airport security officials arrested the man pending further investigation after the plane landed safely.

De La Hoz stressed that Panamanian authorities did not want to cause unnecessary alarm that might affect tourism.”

[Cindy]

Thanks to a special emailer for pointing to these links:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/II26Df02.html

Sep 26, 2007

Page 1 of 2
“Military brains plot Pakistan’s downfall”
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI

#

http://analysis.threatswatch.org/2007/09/understanding-alqaedas-psy/

“Understanding Al-Qaeda’s Pakistan PSYOP and Insurgency
The Troubling Effectiveness of al-Qaeda’s PSYOP On The Pakistani Army”
By Steve Schippert
(September 25, 2007)

#

http://www.saag.org/papers24/paper2387.html

Paper no. 2387
21-Sept-2007

“Al Qaeda Steps up Psywar Against Musharraf & Pakistani Army - International Terrorism Monitor-— Paper No. 283”
By B. Raman

[Cindy]

blog:

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/09/21/upi-experts-analyze-al-qaedas-media-arm/

“UPI, ‘experts’ analyze al Qaeda’s media arm”
posted at 9:50 am on September 21, 2007 by Bryan