Threat Matrix: November 2006

Quite a google: "six men"

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=%22six%20men%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn

Wowser...in mathematical terms...some of those results are interesting.

Read it...a man after my own heart -- no decaf.

Which one, Peter or Larry?

ON THE NET...

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

http://www.tkb.org/KeyLeader.jsp?memID=6081

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=%22Habib+Rizieq%22&filter=0

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A LOOK AT THE BLOGS (and other sites)...

http://www.detiknews.com/index.php/detik.read/tahun/2006/bulan/11/tgl/19/time/125813/idnews/709726/idkanal/10

"Rizieq: Bush Halal Dibunuh"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Habib Rizieq menyatakan Presiden AS George W Bush halal dibunuh. Saat Habib Rizieq mengatakan hal itu teriakan Allahu Akbar dari puluhan ribu pengunjuk rasa pun membahana di depan Istana Merdeka, Jakarta.

"Bush halal dibunuh bagi siapa saja yang punya kesempatan untuk membunuhnya. Bush bukan saja boleh dibunuh tapi wajib dibunuh. Saya bertanggung jawab dunia akhirat," teriak Habib Rizieq dalam orasinya saat unjuk rasa anti-Bush, Minggu (19/11/2006)."

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http://www.indonesiamatters.com/images/habib.jpg
http://www.indonesiamatters.com/826/bushs-blood-halal/
"Bush’s Blood Halal"
http://www.indonesiamatters.com/826/bushs-blood-halal/#note-826-1
November 19th, 2006, in Religion, Cities & Regions, Islam, News, Jakarta, by Patung

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http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1603/3902/320/Habib_rizieq%20FPI.jpg

http://jubasucks.blogspot.com/2006/11/indonesian-militants-call-for-bush-to.html

Monday, November 20, 2006
"Indonesian militants call for Bush to be killed during visit"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Dubya is here right now and so far no news as to a bombing or anything like that. Hopefully it will pour down with rain on the assclown protestors."

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http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/185426.php
November 20, 2006
"Indonesian Protestors, "We Hope Bush Dies.""

the men were chanting 'Allah, Allah, Allah,' as they were transported down the jetway.

No comment needed. It's those Baptists/Presbyterians/Catholics at it again.

Islamic fanatics grooming students at 25 universities

Snip: University students not only learn from inside the classroom, but from outside as well. in the United Kingdom Director of Brunel University's center for intelligence and security studies, Professor Anthony Glees warned that over two dozen universities are being infiltrated by Islamic extremists and are recruiting for jihad (holy war).

Muslim prisoners at flashpoint over new imam's interpretation of Koran

Snip: Some Muslim inmates at the jail in southwest London are also pressurising fellow Muslim prisoners to adopt more militant beliefs and lifestyle. The disclosures will fuel fears that attempts are being made to radicalise young Muslims held in jails in England and Wales.

German town fights against new mosque

Snip: "[They] don't like the idea of foreigners coming," he said, sitting beneath a blue placard that read: "Islam means peace. Love for all. Hate for nobody."

Residents, who have launched a "No Mosque In Pankow!" campaign, say the Ahmadiyya movement -- which defines itself as Muslim but is not recognized by some mainstream Muslim groups because of its divergent beliefs -- is a fundamentalist Islamic sect that wants to abolish democracy.

Bulgarian news agency - Muslim bomber with fake alerts

Snip: On Friday the man phoned as an anonymous caller and said that an explosive device has been planted in the building of the agency at 11.25 am on Friday. He introduced himself as a member of the "Muslim Brothers" group. The bomb alert triggered the evacuation of the building. A bomb disposal squad combed the area, but failed to find any explosive devices.

British Airways worker loses appeal over right to wear crucifix

Snip: British Airways worker has lost an internal appeal against the company's refusal to let her wear a Christian cross over her uniform, BA said on Monday.

Check-in staffer Nadia Eweida was told in October she must not display a small necklace crucifix over her clothes. She was instead instructed to hide it under her blouse or cravat.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061120-4.html
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 20, 2006

"President Bush Meets with President Yudhoyono of Indonesia"
Bogor Palace
Bogor, Indonesia

" Joint Statement Between the United States and the Republic of Indonesia
President's Trip to Southeast Asia"

6:45 P.M. (Local)

---

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061120-3.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 20, 2006

Joint Statement Between the United States and the Republic of Indonesia

President Bush Meets with President Yudhoyono of Indonesia
President's Trip to Southeast Asia

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President George W. Bush today reaffirmed the strength and vitality of the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the United States, and reviewed the highly positive development of U.S-Indonesia relations over the past two years. The two Presidents recognized the special and enduring bonds between the two countries and their people, demonstrated recently by the close cooperation following the devastating tsunami in Aceh and Hurricane Katrina. President Bush expressed his admiration for the resilience and determination of the Indonesian people and government in rebuilding areas affected by the earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java.

The two Presidents reaffirmed that Indonesia and the United States are bound by a broad-based democratic partnership based on equality, mutual respect, common interests and shared values of freedom, pluralism and tolerance. The Presidents committed themselves to broadening and deepening such partnership.

President Bush congratulated Indonesia on the successful signing and implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding that has brought peace to the province of Aceh, and renewed the United States' firm support for Indonesia's peace-building efforts in Aceh. President Bush also re-emphasized the United States' strong support for Indonesia's national unity and territorial integrity, and opposition to secessionist movements in any part of Indonesia. President Bush stressed the importance of a united, democratic, pluralistic and prosperous Indonesia to the region and beyond.

President Bush congratulated President Yudhoyono on signing an agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation for a $55 million Threshold program, noting that it represents a resounding endorsement of President Yudhoyono's anti-corruption program and "pro-growth, pro-job, and pro-poor" economic strategy. President Bush expressed confidence that the threshold program will have a transformative effect on Indonesia's development and international competitiveness.

Noting the strength and importance of educational and cultural links, the Presidents reviewed the excellent work being done through the US$157 million U.S-Indonesia Education Initiative on basic education, the cornerstone of U.S. assistance to Indonesia and a symbol of our forward-looking partnership. The Presidents highlighted the importance of education for democracy, tolerance and economic progress and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to revitalize their cooperation in education. The Presidents also expressed their desire to encourage more people-to-people contacts through travel, educational exchanges, and tourism between Indonesia and the United States.

President Yudhoyono and President Bush noted with satisfaction the continuing development of U.S-Indonesia economic and trade relations. They welcomed the strong support by APEC Leaders for the conclusion of an ambitious Doha Round agreement and noted their joint commitment to do everything possible to realize the development goals of the Doha negotiations. President Yudhoyono briefed President Bush on his government's program to strengthen the investment climate by improving infrastructure, reducing red tape, enhancing the rule of law and respect for contracts. They welcomed a number of positive developments since their May 2005 meeting in Washington DC, including:

* The establishment of the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership;

* Signing of a U.S.-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA);

* The June 2006 extension of U.S. Export-Import Bank coverage to private Indonesian corporations for the first time since 1998;

* The upgrading of Indonesia from the Special 301 Priority Watch List in November 2006 based on steps to improve intellectual property rights enforcement; and

* The strengthening of our dialogue through our bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to further promote and facilitate trade and investment.

The Presidents praised two recently signed MOUs, one on Cooperation in Trade in Textile and Apparel Goods and another on Combating Illegal Logging and Associated Trade in the context of the TIFA between the two countries. They also applauded the resumption of cooperation and capacity building activities between the U.S. Forest Service and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry.

The two Presidents discussed the grave threat posed by Avian Influenza (AI), and President Yudhoyono reiterated his Government's firm commitment to combating its spread. He briefed President Bush on Indonesia's completion of a unified national response plan, increase in the AI budget for 2007, and active participation in the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza. President Bush announced the United States would increase its AI assistance to Indonesia to expand animal surveillance and response efforts and strengthen nation-wide public awareness. President Bush confirmed that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would assign permanent staff to Indonesia to build more effective partnerships with their counterparts in Indonesia. President Yudhoyono thanked President Bush for the United States' work in support of the Indonesian Ministry of Health's efforts to identify human AI cases and investigate AI outbreaks. The two Presidents stressed the imperative of continued and enhanced cooperation between Indonesian and American health workers and medical scientists to fight infectious diseases, including through the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-2), which has been in operation since 1968. They agreed that negotiations to extend the research work of NAMRU-2 should be expedited.

President Bush and President Yudhoyono reviewed the expanding partnership between the U.S. and Indonesia in the area of disaster management, emergency preparedness, and mitigation. The two Presidents noted the steady progress on constructing the west coast road in Aceh Province that will restore communication and economic links to communities that were devastated by the tsunami, and agreed on the importance of expediting land acquisition so that the road can be completed on schedule. President Bush applauded the significant progress made in reconstructing Aceh, paving the way for sustained peace and economic growth. President Bush and President Yudhoyono also welcomed the recent agreement between their two governments to cooperate on the development of a tsunami early warning system that will safeguard Indonesia's tsunami-prone areas by 2009.

The two leaders noted the tremendous opportunities for cooperation between Indonesia and the United States in the areas of alternative fuels and environmental protection. President Yudhoyono briefed President Bush on his ambitious biofuel development initiative and the Presidents endorsed the U.S.-Indonesia Energy Policy Dialogue as a forum to discuss ways and means to acquire clean and safe alternative energy, including biofuels.

As the leaders of two nations which have both suffered terrorist attacks on their soil, the two leaders reaffirmed their solidarity in defeating the scourge of terrorism. Both Presidents expressed satisfaction at the successful arrest and conviction in Indonesia of suspects involved in the 2002 incident in Timika, and agreed to begin negotiations toward a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

President Bush and President Yudhoyono discussed a broad range of regional and global security issues. President Bush and President Yudhoyono welcomed the successful restoration of bilateral military ties, and pledged to make such ties sustainable and mutually beneficial in the support of peace and stability. They agreed that such ties would be primarily targeted at increasing coordination on disaster relief, exchanges and training on the role of militaries in democratic societies, increasing mutual professional development and enhancing regional and maritime security. They agreed to explore the possibility of a Status of Forces Agreement.

President Bush congratulated Indonesia on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Both Presidents pledged to work closely together on issues before the Council in order to maintain international peace and security, especially the challenge posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program. President Bush applauded Indonesia's participation in maintaining peace in southern Lebanon by volunteering forces to join UNIFIL. The two Presidents also discussed the Arab-Israeli conflict, and both Presidents stressed their support for the establishment of a viable, independent, democratic and sovereign Palestine state that would live side by side in peace with Israel.

The two Presidents stressed the importance of inter-civilizational and inter-faith dialogues. The two Presidents expressed their concern to see growing religious intolerance in some parts of the world and their common desire to work against it. President Bush expressed great admiration and respect for Indonesia's long history of religious tolerance and moderate Islamic thought.

# # #

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1741897/posts?page=137#137

Thank you so much for this update ButThreeLeftsDo.

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061121/ap_on_re_us/passengers_removed_3

6 imams removed from Twin Cities flight
By STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated Press Writer 59 minutes ago
MINNEAPOLIS - Six Muslim imams were removed from a US Airways flight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Monday and questioned by police for several hours before being released, a leader of the group said.

137 posted on 11/20/2006 11:43:01 PM PST by Cindy

Larry.

UPDATE...

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=phoenix
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=arizona

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=airplane
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=airport

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1741831/posts?page=11#11
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1741831/posts?page=12#12

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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20794944-1702,00.html

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1741831/posts

Cash-smuggling suspect held in US
news.com.au ^ | November 21, 2006 | From correspondents in Detroit

Posted on 11/20/2006 4:54:27 PM PST by mdittmar

A UNITED State Federal judge ordered the detention on Monday of an Ethiopian-born U.S. citizen who was arrested at Detroit's airport last week for carrying nearly $79,000 in cash and articles on suitcase bombs and the Sept. 11 attacks.

Sisayehiticha Dinssa, 34, was arrested on Nov. 14 on arrival in Detroit after a dog smelled narcotics on his cash, according to federal prosecutors who had appealed a decision for him to be released on bond as a threat and a flight risk.

Dinssa is charged with failing to declare he was bringing more than $10,000 into the United States, a crime that carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

Dinssa, an unemployed U.S. citizen who had been living in Dallas, arrived in Detroit after changing planes in Amsterdam. Prosecutors said he arrived in Amsterdam after leaving Nairobi where had been staying for several months.

U.S. prosecutors appealed a federal magistrate's decision to release Dinssa on $20,000 bond, citing files found on his laptop related to nuclear power and suicide by cyanide poisoning.

Prosecutors said agents also found Dinssa to be carrying a hand-written note that said, in part: "The community is angry. Something is going to happen. We're going to seek justice. This is a powder keg waiting to go off." It was not clear who had written the note.

Dinssa also had several printed news articles cited by prosecutors. One article discussed the risk for nuclear bombs hidden in suitcases and another marked the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, they said.

(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...

UPDATE:

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1741897/posts?page=144#144

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=%22Omar+Shahin%22&scoring=d

http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&client=news&q=%22Omar+Shahin%22&ie=UTF8

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UPDATE...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/21/passengers.removed.ap/

"Six Muslim imams taken off plane"
POSTED: 3:00 a.m. EST, November 21, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AP) --

ARTICLE SNIPPET: ""They took us off the plane, humiliated us in a very disrespectful way," said Omar Shahin of Phoenix.

The six Muslim scholars were returning from a conference in Minneapolis of the North American Imams Federation, said Shahin, president of the group. Five of them were from the Phoenix-Tempe area, while one was from Bakersfield, California, he said.

Three of them stood and said their normal evening prayers together on the plane, as 1.7 billion Muslims around the world do every day, Shahin said. He attributed any concerns by passengers or crew to ignorance about Islam.

"I never felt bad in my life like that," he said. "I never. Six imams. Six leaders in this country. Six scholars in handcuffs. It's terrible."

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, expressed anger at the detentions.

"CAIR will be filing a complaint with relevant authorities in the morning over the treatment of the imams to determine whether the incident was caused by anti-Muslim hysteria by the passengers and/or the airline crew," Hooper said. "Because, unfortunately, this is a growing problem of singling out Muslims or people perceived to be Muslims at airports, and it's one that we've been addressing for some time."

Hooper said the conference drew about 150 imams from all over the country, and that those attending included U.S. Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, D-Minneapolis, who just became the first Muslim elected to Congress. Shahin said they went as far as notifying police and the FBI about their meeting in advance."

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Reached by cell phone just after his release, Shahin said he didn't know where they would spend the night or how they would try to get back to Phoenix on Tuesday. Hooper said US Airways refused to put the men on another flight."

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=58890

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Suspicious Yemeni Following Women
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Middle East / N. Africa - Yemen
18 Nov 2006

Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
20 Nov 2006
Warden Message: Avian Influenza &
12 Nov 2006
Warden Message: Sanaa Demonstration November 12
13 Oct 2006
Travel Warning: Yemen
18 Sep 2006
Warden Message: Avoid Yemen Election Facilities, Rallies
17 Sep 2006
Warden Message: Yemen Demonstrations September 18
U.S. Embassy Sanaa distributed the following Warden Message on November 18, 2006:

The U.S. Embassy has information that a Yemeni male in his late 20s, driving a white Toyota Cressida with license plate 1/28841, has been following foreign women from their places of work and study in Sanaa to their homes. The Embassy has advised its personnel to be aware of this individual and report any contact with him to the Embassy through the contact information listed below.

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). In case of an emergency, if these regular numbers do not work, please call 967-733213509.

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, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Travel Warning for Yemen, 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.

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=yemen
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Yemen&btnG=Search+News
http://www.yementimes.com

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http://archive.gulfnews.com/images/06/11/18/19_rg_yemen_ahdal_4.jpg
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/11/19/10083655.html

Published: 19/11/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)

"Hamdi Al Ahdal now has about two months in prison.
Al Qaida's number 2 in Yemen may be freed soon"
By Nasser Arrabyee, Correspondent

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Sanaa: An alleged Al Qaida number two in Yemen may be freed in December, despite his original jail term being confirmed yesterday by a Yemen court of appeal.

Chaired by Judge Saeed Al Qata'a, the appeal section of the State Security Court upheld the 37-month sentence, which was issued on May 3 against Mohammad Hamdi Al Ahdal. He was accused of raising funds for Al Qaida in Yemen.

Al Ahdal now has about two months in prison. The verdict stipulated three years and one month in jail from the date of the arrest.

Al Ahdal was arrested in November 2003 in Sanaa."

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http://yementimes.com/photos/1000/front3_1.jpg
http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1000&p=front&a=3

"Appeals court supports prison for Al-Qaeda terrorist"
Yemen Times Staff

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "SANA’A, Nov. 18 — The Terrorism Appeals Court has upheld a three-year imprisonment ruling against Mohammed Hamdi Al-Ahdal, Al-Qaeda’s second-in-charge in Yemen, who was convicted of targeting foreign interests and raising funds for terror acts.

During the court’s final session, prosecution accused Al-Ahdal of raising money to carry out terrorist plans, declaring that he collected more than l million Saudi riyals to finance terror acts in Yemen.

Such acts included striking the USS Cole in Aden port and French oil tanker Limburg in Mukalla, which, according to prosecution, were financed through financial transfers from Saudi Arabia either via phone or e-mail.

Additionally, prosecution pointed out that Al-Ahdal admitted meeting with Abu Ali Al-Harithi, Al-Qaeda’s first-in-command in Yemen, whose car was targeted in a November 2002 U.S. missile attack in eastern Yemen’s Marib governorate. According to a source, he further admitted working as Al-Harithi’s bodyguard.

Prosecution also charged Al-Ahdal with receiving Ahmed Ibrahim, a Palestinian who entered Yemen illegally, and took him to Marib’s Al-Houson district, where Al-Ahdal received SR 380,000 to buy weapons. Al-Ahdal also gave Al-Harithi SR 50,000 to carry out criminal and terrorist plans"

http://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=58877
"Warden Message: Avian Influenza &
Consular Affairs Bulletins"
Worldwide - Austria, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Yemen
20 Nov 2006

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2876.html

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

This information is current as of today, Tue Nov 21 2006 02:25:11 GMT-0800.

CHAD

November 20, 2006

This revised Travel Warning reminds American citizens of ongoing rebel activity in Chad, and notes the declaration of a state of emergency. This supersedes the Travel Warning of October 27, 2006.

The Department of State urges American citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Chad. In response to the inter-ethnic clashes taking place in eastern Chad along its border with Sudan, the Government of Chad announced November 13 that it was instituting a State of Emergency for the eastern regions of Ouaddai, Wadi Fira, and Salamat, as well as the regions of Hadjer-Lamis, Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET), Moyen Chari, Mondoul and for the capital city of N’Djamena. The Government has reinstated censorship of the independent media and has forbidden radio coverage of issues “affecting public order.” Americans should exercise caution when traveling in Chad, including within N’Djamena. Americans should expect increased police and military patrols around the capital. The Chadian government may introduce travel restrictions outside N’Djamena, particularly to eastern Chad. Americans not affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts should avoid travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/Central African Republic border.

U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, street demonstrations, and government installations, including the Presidential Palace, which is across from the Parade Grounds. Vehicles should never stop in front of the Presidential Palace. When traveling anywhere in Chad, American citizens should travel in groups, keep a cell phone (for when service is available) or two-way radio in reach at all times, avoid travel after dusk, and leave detailed travel plans with a reliable point of contact. Americans traveling with Thurarya satellite phones should register the phones with Chadian authorities.

Reports indicate an increase in the number of “couper de routes,” or highway banditry incidents, across the country. Some American citizens have reported harassment at Chadian government roadway checkpoints. Americans are urged to carry all necessary travel documents, including valid passports and visas, and any specific documents required for travel within the country. Americans who encounter problems at these checkpoints should contact the U.S. Embassy (See below for contact details).

In April 2006, rebels advanced across Chad and reached N’Djamena where they were defeated by government forces in a battle in and around the capital. There is a potential for further clashes between rebel movements and government forces in eastern and southeastern Chad and possibly closer to N’Djamena. In the east, there are also numerous reports of cross-border banditry and cattle rustling. United Nations (UN) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) vehicles have been targeted for carjacking in eastern Chad. At least one foreigner has been critically injured as a result of a carjacking, and another expatriate was seriously wounded during an armed robbery at an NGO compound. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad are strongly urged to coordinate travel plans with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) security offices in Abeche and N’Djamena, and to follow UNHCR guidance regarding safety and security. The government of Chad requires all individuals traveling to or residing in refugee-affected areas in eastern Chad to obtain permits issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in N’Djamena, and to register in Abeche upon arrival in eastern Chad.

American citizens who intend to enter Sudan from Chad despite the Department’s Travel Warnings for both countries must obtain the appropriate visas and permits in advance of entry into Sudan. In August 2006, five foreigners, including two Americans, were arrested and detained in Darfur after entering Sudan via the Chadian border town of Bahai without the appropriate documentation. Several of these individuals had solicited and obtained escorts in Chad who allegedly promised to facilitate entry into Sudan, but who were ultimately unable to follow through with their commitments. Further information is available in the Department’s Travel Warning for Sudan.

In southern Sudan, along Chad’s border with the Central African Republic (CAR), the situation is volatile, with over 50,000 refugees in Chad who have fled ongoing fighting in the CAR between northern Central African rebels and CAR forces. In the northern Tibesti region and the area north of Lake Chad, there have been occasional clashes between government forces and a rebel group known as the Chadian Movement for Justice and Democracy (MDJT).

The U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena may close temporarily for general business from time to time to review its security posture. For the status of services, consult the Embassy web site at http://usembassy.state.gov/ndjamena.

American citizens visiting or resident in Chad are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy on line at https://travelregistration.state.gov and to provide contact information and specific travel data if traveling outside the capital. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency and provide updates on the security situation as necessary. The U.S. Embassy is located in N’Djamena on Avenue Felix Ebou; mailing address B.P. 413; telephone (including after hours): (235) 51-62-11, 51-70-09, 51-77-59, 51-90-52, 51-92-18, and 51-92-33; fax (235) 51-56-54; web site http://usembassy.state.gov/ndjamena.

For additional information, consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Chad and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1165.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Tue Nov 21 2006 02:27:28 GMT-0800.

Middle East and North Africa

November 20, 2006

This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the region in light of recent events, including ongoing violence in Iraq and the clashes between Israel and Palestinians. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on June 14, 2006 and expires on May 15, 2007.

Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. The November 2005 bombings against three Western hotel chains in Jordan; the February 2006 attack on Saudi oil facilities in Abqaiq; the April 2006 bombing in the resort town of Dahab, Egypt; and the September 2006 attacks on the oil facilities near Mukalla and Marib, Yemen and on the U.S. Embassy in Syria underscore the intent of terrorist entities to target facilities perceived to cater to Westerners. Potential targets are not limited to those companies or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance, terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores, bars, casinos or any similar type establishment, regardless of whether they are owned and operated by host country nationals. Due to varying degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when visiting these establishments.

The sentencing and appeals process of Saddam Hussein, the violence in Iraq, and the clashes between Palestinians and Israelis have the potential to produce demonstrations and unrest throughout the region. In addition, the Department of State continues to warn of the possibility for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in the region. Uncertainty associated with the change in the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank and Gaza may lead to increased levels of instability in the region. Anti-American violence could include possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.

The Department is concerned that extremists may be planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil workers on the Arabian Peninsula. Armed attacks targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many deaths and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive surveillance. Tourist destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners recently have been attacked resulting in many deaths and injuries, including Americans. Extremists may be surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing areas and rental car facilities. Potential targets may include U.S. contractors, particularly those related to military interests. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 and the September 2006 attack on oil facilities in Yemen are such examples.

Americans considering seaborne travel near the Horn of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been several incidents of armed attacks and robberies at sea by pirates in the last year. Military action by U.S. and allied navies in several subsequent incidents resulted in the capture or death of pirates threatening international commerce. No U.S. citizens have been hurt in these attacks. When transiting around the Horn of Africa or in the Red Sea near Yemen, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and maintain good communications contact at all times. For more information on piracy off the Horn of Africa, please see the East Africa Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1158.html.

On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private U.S. citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to U.S. citizens in countries abroad may be affected if employees' movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. In case office hours are reduced, U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.

In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information, available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and Canada and, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2918.html

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

This information is current as of today, Tue Nov 21 2006 02:32:02 GMT-0800.

EAST TIMOR
November 01, 2006

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NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s06110094.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com

Monday, November 20, 2006

Brazilian Missionary Murdered in East Timor

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

DILI, EAST TIMOR (ANS) -- A Brazilian missionary was murdered in Dili, as new fighting flared in the capital of East Timor late on Sunday, Nov.19 according to a U.N. spokeswoman and a government statement said on Monday (today).

Edgar Goncalves Brito
This news was released by SVM News Service in which it reported that a statement from the prime minister's office in East Timor, Southeast Asia's newest nation, said the victim is a protestant missionary of the Assemblies of God named Edgar Goncalves Brito, 32. They did not elaborate on how he died.

Donna Cusumano, the U.N. spokeswoman confirmed the death but could give no more details on the incident. “The U.N. police are gathering up the details, the investigation is ongoing at the moment,” she said.

A source close to the Brazilian embassy confirmed the man died about 8 pm local time (2200 AEDT) and said the victim's body had been taken to a clinic in the suburb of Bairro Pite.

Eyewitness Elizabete da Silva said she saw the man die as a mob attacked his car and killed him as he was driving near East Timor's main hospital in Dili. “He was our neighbor. I saw them stop his car, drag him out and cut his throat,” she said.

It was the first foreign death in the sporadic East Timor conflict since it erupted in April.

UN police were at the scene soon after the murder and were reported to have used rubber bullets to quell the crowd.

“A rival groups of people had been involved in clashes around and inside the hospital grounds since Friday, wounding 15 people, including five with arrows lodged in their bodies and three with bullet wounds,” said the SVM News Service story.

“Battles among gangs of youths are common in the impoverished country, which only gained full independence from Indonesia in 2002 and where youth unemployment is widespread.

“Last month, authorities were forced to shut Dili's international airport after gang clashes, involving guns and bows and arrows, killed at least two people.”

The former Portuguese colony has been struggling to return to stability after plunging into chaos in April and May when a series of protests developed into widespread violence after 600 members of the 1400-strong army were sacked.

Only days earlier rival factions had united in a peace march through the city.

An estimated 100,000 people were displaced in the fighting, which led to deployment of a 2500-strong international peacekeeping force.

A strengthened police element in the force has so far struggled to contain the sporadic violence.

Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

She can't wear her cross...

OPINION: Sad world. Doesn't surprise me.
I wish it would, but political correctness has
taken over these days.

I should have said, she can wear it, but she must hide it.
Sighing...

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iraq
http://www.memri.org/iraq.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.memri.org/iran.html
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=syria
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=lebanon
http://www.memri.org/syria.html

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http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061120-115756-6329r.htm

Page 1 of 2 next »
"Iraq, Iran and Syria set for 3-way talks"
By David R. Sands
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 21, 2006

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http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=syria&ID=IA30106
Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 301
November 21, 2006 No.301

"Lebanon on Brink of Civil War (2)"
By H. Varulkar*

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RECAP:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1730468/posts?page=1016#1016

http://www.internet-haganah.com/harchives/005780.html
20 November 2006
"LEBANON'S SUNNIS RISING?"