Threat Matrix: June 2007

ON THE NET...

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Note: The following breaking news brief is a quote:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=119451

BREAKING NEWS

Soccer match bomb wounds 14

(Agencies) - A bomb exploded Thursday during a soccer match in southern Pattani province, wounding 14 police officers who were providing security, police said.

Two local teams were playing on a public field in Pattani’s Yaring district when the bomb was detonated remotely by a cell phone, apparently by Muslim insurgents, said Pol Lt Somkiat Kanchanaporn.

Five policemen were seriously wounded, and the others suffered minor injuries, Somkiat said. All were hospitalised.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6751295.stm

Last Updated: Thursday, 14 June 2007, 06:27 GMT 07:27 UK

“Schools torched in south Thailand”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Thirteen schools have been set on fire in southern Thailand, where teachers have increasingly become the targets of a bloody conflict.

The Thai authorities have blamed Muslim insurgents for a series of recent attacks on schools, as part of their separatist campaign.

The violence in the region has killed more than 2,200 people since 2004.

More than 200 schools have been torched and 77 teachers killed, according to education officials.

Classrooms unsafe

This appears to have been a co-ordinated attack - 13 schools set on fire almost simultaneously on Wednesday evening.

Hours later a bomb exploded in front of another school.”

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html

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

This information is current as of today, Thu Jun 14 2007 14:39:07 GMT-0700.

LEBANON

June 14, 2007

This Travel Warning alerts American citizens to the ongoing fighting and political tensions in Lebanon and advises them of safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon, and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on December 22, 2006.

This warning alerts U.S. citizens to the renewed threat of attacks against western and Lebanese government interests by the extremist group Fatah Al-Islam. Similar threats also were made by the militant groups Jund Al-Sham and Al-Qaeda. The Department of State remains concerned about the personal safety and security of American citizens as the fighting continues at the Nahr El-Barad refugee camp. Sporadic fighting also has occurred outside several other refugee camps. U.S. citizens who visit refugee camps in Lebanon risk becoming trapped during hostilities. On June 7, a bomb exploded in the town of Zouk Mousbeh, north of Beirut . This was the fifth small-scale bomb attack in greater Beirut in recent weeks and follows the June 7 discovery of explosives-laden vehicles in eastern Lebanon . Since May 20, explosions have occurred in the Beirut neighborhoods of Achrafieh and Verdun, the Beirut suburb of Sad Al-Bouchrieh, and the resort town of Aley . The possibility of related episodes of violence in popular districts of Beirut and other tourist areas in Lebanon remains high.

The Department continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon , and that American citizens already in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. Americans who remain in Lebanon despite this Travel Warning are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance; take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness; confirm that passports and U.S. travel documents for themselves and for family members are up-to-date; and be alert to any deterioration of the security situation.

In a crisis situation, U.S. citizens are responsible for arranging commercial or private means of transportation to depart Lebanon . If evacuation is warranted, only when all other transportation options are unavailable will the U.S. government assist U.S. citizens in leaving a country. This service will be provided on a cost-recovery basis. The lack of valid travel documents will slow the U.S. embassy’s ability to provide assistance. Further information on the department’s role during emergencies is provided at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html .

The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, access by U.S. Embassy officials to certain areas of the country. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the department of state.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance pose significant dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River, as well as in areas of Lebanon where civil war fighting was intense. More than a dozen civilians have been killed and over 100 injured by unexploded ordnance following the armed conflict in July-August 2006. Travelers should watch for posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and unexploded ordnance may be present.

The embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon . Public access hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. however; American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours may contact the embassy by telephone at any time. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, and fax 544-209. American citizens may register with the embassy online by visiting https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs . Information on consular services and registration can also be found at http://beirut.usembassy.gov or by phone at the above telephone numbers between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday local time.

Updated information on travel and security in Lebanon 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. Additional details can be found in the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Lebanon, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, the Middle East and North Africa public announcement and “A Safe Trip Abroad,” all of which are available on the Department’s Internet site at http://travel.state.gov .

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070614-5.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 14, 2007

Notice: Continuation of the National Emergency Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus

White House News

On June 16, 2006, by Executive Order 13405, I declared a national emergency and ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Belarus, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). I took this action in response to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons that have undermined democratic processes or institutions; committed human rights abuses related to political repression, including detentions and disappearances; and engaged in public corruption, including by diverting or misusing Belarusian public assets or by misusing public authority.

Because these actions and policies continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on June 16, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond June 16, 2007. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13405.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

June 14, 2007.

# # #

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46416

Taliban Suspects Killed, Captured

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces killed several enemy fighters and detained three suspects in operations around Afghanistan over the past two days, military officials reported.

Afghan and coalition forces killed a suspected militant and detained three others during an operation early today against a suspected Taliban safe house. The forces killed the adult male when he attempted to engage them during a search of the location.

Credible intelligence led the forces to the location in Paktika’s Mata Khan district suspected of housing local Taliban and foreign fighters responsible for facilitating suicide bombers and organizing improvised-explosive-device attacks.

A search of the buildings revealed a video camera and various tapes of “martyr” operations in addition to an AK-47 rifle, a shotgun and two pistols. The weapons were removed to a safe distance and destroyed. The detainees will be questioned as to their involvement in militant activities.

Elsewhere, soldiers from 3rd Company, 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 209th Afghan National Army Corps, along with coalition forces, identified and engaged enemy fighters on a ridgeline outside the village of Kowndalan, in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, yesterday.

After engaging the enemy, the combined patrol climbed the ridgeline in search of other enemy fighters. The soldiers discovered several dead enemy fighters, several rocket shells, and clothing.

“Taliban fighters are no match for Afghan national security and coalition forces,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “We will intensify our operations to rid Afghanistan of all Taliban fighters who harm innocent Afghan civilians and threaten the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”

In another operation, elements of 2nd Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army Corps, and coalition forces were ambushed by an unknown number of enemy fighters while conducting a combat patrol near the village of Kudak, in the Deh Chopan district of Zabul province, June 12.

Afghan and coalition forces repelled the initial enemy attack with small-arms fire and then requested coalition close-air support to repel five more attacks on their patrol over the next five hours. A significant number of enemy fighters were killed during the battle.

Elsewhere, in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, 1st Brigade, 205th ANA Corps soldiers, teamed with coalition forces, identified an unknown number of enemy fighters placing improvised explosive devices in a high-traffic area near the village of Safi. After ensuring no Afghan civilians were in the area, Afghan and coalition forces fired artillery rounds on the enemy location, killing several of the fighters.

“Afghan National Army Corps soldiers and coalition forces will continue to pursue and defeat all enemy fighters who threaten the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” Belcher said. “The efforts of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will not be derailed by enemy fighters.”

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)
#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46418

NATO Allies Discuss U.S. Missile Defense Proposals

By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 14, 2007 – Today’s formal meetings of NATO’s North Atlantic Council ended with no formal opposition to U.S. proposals for a European missile defense plan.

Following a meeting with the NATO-Russia Council, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said there were no criticisms from allies on the U.S. missile defense proposal or of the United States moving forward with its plans to place radar systems in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland.

“There is obviously an interest in trying to encourage Russia to participate with us to make the system complementary to NATO’s shorter-range missile defense and for transparency,” Gates said.

During today’s sessions, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer praised the “forward-leaning offer” the United States has made to share technology and data with Russia to develop capabilities for the radar system. “There has been a good spirit in the discussions between Russia and the United States today,” de Hoop Scheffer said.

He said Russia has not only acknowledged the threat of missile use by rogue nations, but has taken a proactive approach in easing tensions within the alliance.

Gates said the missile defense system proposed for central Europe is intended to complement NATO’s overall capability and mission. “We are going to continue discussing the complementarity of systems and how U.S. and NATO systems will work together,” he said.

“I told representatives that I appreciate (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s recognition of potential missile threats in the Middle East and welcomed his proposal to share radar data in Azerbaijan,” Gates said.

Putin expressed dissatisfaction in early June with a U.S. proposal for the radar system and interceptor missiles. During the G-8 meetings in Germany last week, Putin proposed to President Bush that the two countries combine efforts for the European missile defense radars in Azerbaijan.

Allies are beginning to understand the benefit of having sites in both Poland and the Czech Republic, as well, a senior U.S. defense official said. “As we protect ourselves, we see the need to protect our allies, as well,” the official said.

The defense official said the United States will lead the effort in developing a long-range missile system, while allies will focus on short- and mid-range threats from Iran.

NATO has launched a theater missile defense program for the development of a capability to protect deployed troops against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. The contract is slated for completion by 2010. It will have a capability against aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other aerial threats.

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php
ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT

http://www.icc-ccs.org/main/news.php?newsid=90

“IMB launches Maritime Security Hotline

London, 13 June 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Maritime Security Hotline is a confidential communication procedure that will enable seafarers and others in the shipping industry to report any suspicious information regarding maritime crime, including terrorism, to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. This service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be accessible from any location worldwide.

The number for the IMB Maritime Security Hotline can be contacted via telephone on +603 2031 0014 or e-mail on imbsecurity@icc-ccs.org.uk.

http://www.icc-ccs.org/main/news.php?newsid=89

“Piracy conference urges international intervention to protect shipping off Somalia”
London, 13 June 2007

A panel discussion on Somalia was followed by questions from the floor
Somalia has been identified as the area with the highest piracy risk in the world by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Speaking at the 6th tri-annual Conference on Piracy and Security Conference, in Kuala Lumpur, Captain Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB stated: “In 2007 to date there have been 15 reported attacks on vessels in or near Somali waters. This exceeds the total of 10 which occurred in the entire year of 2006.”

Captain Mukundan added: “In the absence of any effective law enforcement in Somalia, the only forces able to assist vessels under attack are the navies of the international coalition. We request that they interrogate suspicious craft in international waters off southern Somalia and prevent hijacked vessels from being taken into Somali waters. If these acts of piracy continue unchecked, commercial shipping in this region will remain threatened.””

http://www.icc-ccs.org/main/news.php?newsid=88

“IMB conference addresses piracy concerns”
London, 12 June 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Against a backdrop of hijackings and abduction of crew in Somalia and Nigeria, the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) 6th Tri-annual Conference on Piracy and Security is underway in Kuala Lumpur.

The conference, held in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Police, has attracted over 200 delegates representing 38 countries and 13 international organizations,

IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan stated: “This international event allows key players in the areas of law enforcement, government maritime policy and commercial shipping to focus on addressing their common challenges with respect to piracy and security.” “

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

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1850328/posts

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://republicans.armedservices.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=260

Hunter Opening Statement for Hearing on Recent Chinese Security and Military Developments

June 13, 2007

Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226.3988

Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today released the following opening statement from the committee’s hearing on recent security and military developments in the People’s Republic of China:

“Thank you to my good friend, Ike Skelton, for holding today’s hearing on recent security developments involving the People’s Republic of China. Today, we take a look at China’s military capacity, the pace and scope of its military modernization; and China’s near- and long-term strategic aspirations in the region and around the world. The Pentagon’s 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review Report (QDR) noted that China is at a strategic crossroads with the ‘greatest potential to compete militarily with the United States.’ While much of the public’s attention is focused on ongoing military operations in the Middle East, it is important for this Committee to remain focused on all U.S. security interests throughout the world.

“I would like to welcome our witnesses—Mr. Richard Lawless, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Asia-Pacific Affairs and Major General Philip M. Breedlove from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We look forward to your testimony and your perspectives on China’s military modernization ambitions and their impact on the United States and our allies in the Asia Pacific region. We are also interested in hearing about possible areas of cooperation between China and the United States, as well as how we are preparing to deter and prepare for potential unexpected security challenges in the region. This is a timely hearing and we appreciate your appearance here this morning.

“During the last year, China demonstrated its resolve to transform and evolve its military into one that can challenge its regional neighbors first and then into a force that can conduct offensive operations globally.

“In October 2006, a Chinese SONG-class diesel submarine surfaced near the USS Kittyhawk—demonstrating a deep-water capability; on January 11, 2007, China conducted a direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) test—a provocative act signaling the country’s indisputable capability to challenge the United States in space. In March 2007, China continued a fifteen-year trend of double-digit increases in defense spending, announcing that it would increase its annual defense budget by 17.8 percent over the previous year to $45 billion. If you include categories of spending such as foreign acquisitions and military-related research and development, this figure could be as much as $85 to $125 billion.

“Such increased defense spending has contributed to improved capacity and capabilities for the Chinese military. Today, China continues to transform from a coastal navy to a fleet centered on anti-access and area denial. This fleet includes the Russian-purchased SOVREMENNY II guided missile destroyers fitted with anti-ship cruise missiles; nuclear attack and diesel submarines, including twelve KILO-class submarines delivered by Russia, and the Chinese-produced LUYANG II class destroyer with a vertical launch air defense system.

“Additionally, China is modernizing its offensive air capabilities—deploying the F-10 multi-role fighter aircraft to operational units; co-producing the multi-role SU-270 MK/FLANKER fighter with Russia; and arming its tactical aircraft with precision weaponry.

“Lastly, China’s strategic force ambitions remain strong. China has at least ten varieties of ballistic missiles deployed or in development and is updating some of its older systems with improved range, mobility, and accuracy—this includes about 900 CSS-6 and CSS-7 short-range ballistic missiles deployed to garrisons opposite Taiwan. China’s road-mobile DF-31 and its longer variant, DF-31A, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) reached initial threat availability in 2006 and are expected to achieve operational status in 2007. Make no mistake about it, these missiles could target and reach the United States.

“The basis for China’s military modernization efforts and emergence as a regional and global power is its economic engine. During the last ten years, I have watched China become the world’s third largest trading power by devaluing its currency to achieve an export advantage over its trading partners. In 2006, China’s trade surplus with the United States grew to more than $200 billion—a 25 percent increase from 2004. I continue to be very concerned about the Yuan, which remains undervalued by approximately 40 percent and the Chinese use of American ‘greenbacks’ to purchase its ships, planes, and missiles.

“If you look around the world, there is growing evidence that China is pursuing economic relations and military cooperation beyond Asia, including in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. As China’s demand for energy and natural resources increases, it is partnering with obstinate states such as Iran and Venezuela. In Sudan, China is the country’s number one consumer of oil. In return, China continues to be a major supplier of Sudanese arms, although it has declared its intentions to restrict arms sales to uses outside of Darfur.

“There is certainly positive potential for cooperation between the United States and China. The former commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral William Fallon, testified at the February 2007 PACOM posture hearing that he is optimistic about the future of U.S.-China relations after two years in command and that ‘military-to-military activities… such as exercises, port visits, and mid-level officer exchanges can over time reduce the potential for misunderstanding and provide the opportunity to positively influence future People’s Liberation Army leaders.’ In addition to military exchanges and exercises, the United States and China are cooperating diplomatically in the Six Party talks focused on a denuclearized North Korea.

“Despite these opportunities, questions remain, such as: What are China’s ‘true’ military intentions and military capabilities—from military contingencies in the Taiwan Straight to other regional contingencies? Will China emerge as a responsible global partner?

“China’s rapid economic growth, double-digit defense spending, investments in military modernization with a focus on power projection and its strategic forces, and increasing presence around the world require a policy employed by one of America’s great leaders, Ronald Reagan—‘Trust, but verify.’ This committee will continue to try to do just that.”

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http://Republicans.ArmedServices.House.Gov/

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