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The information contained in this travel advisory has been selected from In=
ternational Security newsletters. The intent is to provide information on c= ountries where Enron has a temporary or longer term presence. Should you have questions, or be able to add to the substance of a report, = please let us know. Your suggestions on how these bulletins can be made eve= n more useful are solicited. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~ ** SPECIAL NOTICE ** Corporate Security invites you to review our Enron Intranet web site at htt= p://home.enron.com:84/epco/secure.htm. The site provides an overview of Cor= porate Security's services and easy access to country political and securit= y information, EI travel guidelines, and various links to internet security= sources. While there, check out the Enron Intranet version of this Security Bulletin= available at http://home.enron.com/resources/. Click on "bulletins" to vie= w the most recent edition. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~ ALBANIA -=09Grenade explodes in market, nine injured In an example of the lack of safety in Albanian public life, Albanian polic= e chief Bilbil Mema announced on Tuesday, May 29, that a grenade exploded i= n a central Tirana fruit and vegetable market. The Chinese-made grenade inj= ured nine people, two of them seriously. Although police have yet to determ= ine a motive for the attack, it is likely related to ongoing battles among = organized criminal elements in the country. Fueled by the active black mark= et for arms that grew during the breakup of the Yugoslav Federation, Albani= a over the past decade has become a hotbed for organized crime and a pictur= e of instability. The consequent turf battles and bombings in public spaces= that endanger innocent passers by makes safety a major concern when travel= ing to Albania. (Control Risks, May 31, 2001) ALGERIA -=09U.S. State Department Travel Warning The United States Department of State warns U.S. citizens to evaluate caref= ully the implications for their security and safety before deciding to trav= el to Algeria. Although considerably fewer terrorist incidents have taken p= lace in Algeria over the last three years, unpredictable attacks still occu= r in rural villages, on roadsides and public transport, and at night. The m= ost recent terrorist activity has occurred in rural areas in northern Alger= ia. At the height of terrorist violence in Algeria, many commercial airline= s cancelled service to and from Algeria. Since then, a number of carriers h= ave resumed service, including one western airline. Most official foreign t= ravel by U.S. Government employees and visitors is via chartered aircraft, = although commercial carriers are sometimes used. The Department of State st= rongly recommends that those Americans who travel to Algeria exercise maxim= um caution and take prudent measures. These include limiting use of regula= rly scheduled commercial flights and being met and accompanied by pre-arran= ged local contacts upon arrival and departure at airports. Nighttime and ov= erland travel should be avoided. Visitors to Algiers should stay only in t= he large, internationally recognized hotels where security is provided. U.S= . citizens should not move anywhere in Algeria unless accompanied by a know= n Algerian companion. This applies to walking the streets of Algiers and ot= her cities. U.S. Embassy personnel take all of the precautions mentioned ab= ove. In addition, embassy employees and official visitors are restricted to= the embassy compound or their hotels except as necessary to conduct offici= al business or limited personal business in the capital. All travel by offi= cial Americans in Algiers is by armored car with appropriate security. U.S.= oil companies operating in the desert region south of the Saharan Atlas Mo= untains have experienced no attacks in the past year. The Algerian governme= nt and the companies themselves take stringent security precautions to ensu= re their safety, including many of the measures described above. For furthe= r information on travel to Algeria, please consult the Department of State'= s latest Consular Information Sheet on Algeria at http://travel.state.gov. = This replaces the Travel Warning dated March 31, 2000, to address the chang= ing security conditions in Algeria. (U.S. State Department, May 31, 2001) -=09Protests in Algiers and Oran as unrest in Kabylie continues Peaceful protests took place in Algiers and Oran against the government and= in support of the Kabylie protesters on Monday, May 28. Riots and clashes = with security forces in the Kabylie region continued over May 25-28, notabl= y in Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia and Bouira, and unrest spread to the Boumerdes regi= on. The protests in Algiers and Oran were both against a restrictive draft = press law against the actions of the security forces in the Kabylie region.= The unrest in the Kabyle region is expected to continue in the short term.= There is a possibility that the cycle of mass protests, repression and unr= est could spread to Algiers and Oran. Personnel planning trips to the count= ry should monitor the situation closely and should postpone travel to Kabyl= ie until the region stabilizes. The unrest will not affect the oil-producin= g regions of Hassi Messaoud and Hassi R'Mel. (Control Risks, May 29, 2001) ARGENTINA -=09Protesters threaten to block international flights Members of the Aeronautic Workers' Association (APA) on Monday, May 28, att= empted to block Iberia flight 6844 out of Ezeiza International Airport, wer= e demanding payment of April salaries. Protesters threatened to block all i= nternational flights from May 29 if the national airline Aerolineas Argenti= nas continued to refuse to pay the salaries. This is likely to create delay= s, with particular focus on Spanish airlines SpanAir, Air Plur and Iberia. = However, all business travelers are advised to contact their airlines for t= he latest information and to establish whether alternative travel arrangeme= nts have been made. Furthermore, it is expected that disruption to Aeroline= as Argentinas flights and to those of its domestic subsidiary Austral will = continue. Personnel are advised to monitor the situation, expect demonstrat= ions and a heavy police presence at the airport and avoid all protests to m= inimize their exposure to incidental violence. (Control Risks, May 29, 2001= ) BAHRAIN -=09Heightened terrorist threat alert for US military=20 US military forces in Bahrain are on a higher state of alert after a weeken= d threat against American targets there, US officials reportedly said. The = roughly 1,400 US military personnel were ordered to move to the Pentagon's = second-highest state of alert after "a specific threat," the officials said= , and are meant to warn that some form of terrorist action is imminent; alt= hough, the particular target had not been identified. Pentagon officials to= ld media the alert is not related to the May 29 conviction in a New York co= urt of four terrorists believed by the US to be connected to terrorist susp= ect Osama bin Laden. The four were convicted of conspiracy in the 1998 bomb= ings of two US Embassies in East Africa in which 224 people died. US forces= in the Persian Gulf region were last ordered to Threat Condition Delta, th= e highest alert, after the October terrorist bombing of the destroyer USS C= ole in the Yemeni port of Aden that killed 17 US sailors and wounded 35 oth= ers. No equivalent warning has been issued by the US State Department; alth= ough, it cautioned of a sustained threat of possibly politically motivated = violence in Bahrain arising from continuing regional tensions. (Control Ris= ks, May 31, 2001) BANGLADESH -=09Islamist protests possible at conference in Dhaka on June 1-2 A conference entitled 'Fundamentalism and communalism in South Asia', which= is being held on Friday and Saturday, June 1-2, at the Osmani Memorial Aud= itorium in Dhaka, is expected to attract protests from conservative Islamic= organizations. Religious organizations in Bangladesh are extremely sensiti= ve to criticism and the authorities' efforts to restrict their role in soci= ety, and will object to the conference, which has been set up to discuss th= e ways in which the spread of religious extremism can be prevented in the r= egion. Personnel should avoid any protests that take place to reduce the ri= sk of being involved in any clashes between protesters and security force p= ersonnel. (Control Risks, May 31, 2001) BOLIVIA -=09Farmers' union threatens further action for July 1 Leader of the Bolivian Confederation of Rural Workers' Unions (CSUTCB) Feli= pe Quispe on Monday, May 28, warned of renewed direct action after July 1. = The warning comes over the government's inability to keep promises that it = made to end the previous round of protests that paralyzed much of the count= ry between April 9 and May 3. This inability will cause further protests an= d social unrest will remain high. If the main trades union confederation th= e Bolivian Workers Confederation (COB) fails to receive concessions from th= e government on its separate demands, protests are likely to once again mak= e travel and communication extremely difficult. The COB has shown recently = that it has the organizational power to cause major disturbances when it ch= ooses, though these are largely peaceful. Protests are likely to continue u= ntil a satisfactory solution can be found. (Control Risks, May 30, 2001) BRAZIL -=09Veteran political leader resigns from Senate, attacks government Veteran political leader and key government ally Ant?nio Carlos Magalh?es o= f the centre-right Liberal Front Party (PFL) resigned his Senate (Upper Hou= se) seat on Wednesday, May 30, rather than face expulsion over allegations = of breaking the secrecy of a Senate vote. The government hopes that such a = high-profile resignation will satisfy opposition parties who have been push= ing for a full congressional inquiry into high-level corruption allegations= . However, as corruption will become a key campaign issue, it remains to be= seen whether several key pro-business reforms that are currently before Co= ngress will be passed before campaigning begins in earnest. Magalh?es may n= ow be tempted to reveal his extensive knowledge of public corruption and he= is unlikely to back the coalition candidate in the 2002 presidential elect= ion. Travel Up to 50,000 people are expected to demonstrate on May 31 and J= une 1 in the central Lago de Pelourinho area of Salvador (Bahia state) in s= upport of Magalh?es. Business travelers should expect some disruption to tr= ansport and avoid demonstrations if possible, because of possible criminal = activity. (Control Risks, May 31, 2001) CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC -=09U.S. State Department Travel Warning The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to the Central = African Republic due to the uncertain security situation following an attem= pted coup in the capital city of Bangui. On May 28, military forces loyal t= o former President Kolingba launched an attack on a number of government an= d military installations. There are reports of sporadic fighting in Bangui = and its suburbs; other regions of the Central African Republic remain calm.= Bangui's international airport is under government control but is closed = to regularly scheduled commercial air service. Although the conflict does n= ot appear to be directed toward U.S. citizens or the general civilian popul= ation, the U.S. Embassy has advised U.S. citizens in Bangui to review their= personal security situations and to remain in their homes until the situat= ion stabilizes. The Embassy has temporarily suspended operations to the pub= lic, and its ability to provide consular assistance to U.S. citizens in the= Central African Republic is severely limited. American citizens needing em= ergency assistance should contact the Embassy by calling (236) 61-0200. For= further information on travel to the Central African Republic, consult the= Department's latest Consular Information Sheet for the Central African Rep= ublic available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. (U.S. State De= partment, May 30, 2001) -=09Nationwide curfew, military operations in southern Bangui follow attemp= ted coup President Ange Felix Patasse declared a curfew in the capital Bangui on Mon= day, May 28, following the suppression of an attempted coup. Reports on the= morning of May 29 suggested that automatic weapon fire was taking place am= id continuing military operations in southern Bangui. Personnel should main= tain a low profile and where possible remain indoors, observing the terms o= f a nationwide 6:00 am to 6:00 pm curfew. All visits to the south of the ca= pital, and to the vicinity of the presidential residence at which the coup = attempt took place, should be postponed until the level of uncertainty has = decreased. The possibility of further fighting and instability is credible.= The reports of shots being fired in southern Bangui on May 29 almost certa= inly reflect the security forces' efforts to eliminate the source of the co= up attempt. Business travelers scheduled to visit Bangui may wish to defer = travel until the situation stabilizes. (Control Risks, May 29, 2001) CHILE -=09Major crimes up sharply Serious crimes increased significantly in Chile during the first trimester = of 2001 compared to the same period in 2000. The number of reports of viole= nt assault rose 42.4 percent while cases of murder or rape rose 51 and 42 p= ercent respectively. Robberies rose by 10 percent while burglaries increase= d 18 percent. Overall, crimes against persons rose 43.6 percent, while crim= es against property rose by 12.9 percent. The year before, assaults had ris= en by 31.7 percent in 2000 over 1999. Santiago and its suburbs were the are= as hit hardest by the increases in crime. The number of arrests also rose, = but by smaller percentages. Chile remains one of the safest countries for v= isitors in Latin America. Nonetheless, as these statistics demonstrate, the= rate of crime is increasing in Chile. Victims who do not resist are usuall= y not harmed. Street crime is a problem in metropolitan Santiago in general= and specifically in the city center. In 1999, thirty-eight people were kil= led in robbery attempts; of these 23 were shot, 11 were stabbed, and four w= ere killed with blunt objects. (Pinkerton, May 30, 2001) COLOMBIA -=09Attack leaves eight dead On Wednesday, May 30, approximately eight people were killed in the norther= n village of Los Tupes when a group of armed men dressed in camouflage thre= w grenades at homes during an early morning attack. The region has a heavy = National Liberation Army (ELN) presence. (Air Security, May 31, 2001) -=09Small bomb attacks in Cali continue fears of urban terrorist campaign Two small bombs exploded in Cali in the early hours of Sunday, May 27, inju= ring one man. The first device exploded outside a suburban police station. = No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks though government and s= ecurity force installations are favored targets of leftist insurgent groups= . The spate of recent car bombings and attempted car bombings has raised fe= ars of an urban terrorism campaign similar to that mounted in the later 198= 0s and early 1990s by the large drug cartels. Consequently, security has be= en stepped up in Bogota, Medellin, Cali and other urban areas. Business per= sonnel face a credible risk of incidental exposure to such attacks. Personn= el should remain vigilant at all times and (especially in Cali and Medellin= ) may wish to limit their activities in central areas, above all in high-pr= ofile commercial and entertainment venues which appear to be favored target= s. (Control Risks, May 29, 2001) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC -=09Violent protests raise concerns of prolonged unrest Residents of Licey al Medio on Tuesday, May 29, used strike action and road= blocks to protest at the jailing of Victor Breton, spokesman for the Broad = Front for the Popular Struggle (FALPO), and other leaders from the northern= town of Naverrete. FALPO threatened to continue protests if the jailed lea= ders are not released. The protests follow demonstrations in the northern S= antiago region and renewed violence in the Capotillo suburb of Santo Doming= o. Deteriorating economic conditions are likely to provoke further protests= . Recurrent social unrest will raise concerns among foreign businesses oper= ating in the Dominican Republic and could deter investment. The escalation = of civil unrest comes as the government hopes to attract foreign investment= in the reopening of the Pueblo Viejo goldmine. While unrest is unlikely to= delay the project, political and economic instability could deter investor= s. (Control Risks, May 30, 2001) GABON -=09Consular Information Sheet update The U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet update for Gabon has b= een revised to update the sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Crime, Safet= y and Security, Medical Insurance, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Avia= tion Safety Oversight and to add the section on Currency Information, repla= cing the Consular Information Sheet dated June 23, 2000. (U.S. State Depart= ment, May 25, 2001) HONG KONG -=09Cathay Pacific pilots threaten strike action from July 1 Cathay Pacific pilots are scheduled to meet on June 20 to decide on whether= to take industrial action from July 1. Strike action in July is likely to = cause extensive disruption to the busy holiday air traffic. Personnel inten= ding to fly with the airline should monitor the situation and be prepared t= o change their flight arrangements. (Control Risks, May 31, 2001) INDONESIA -=09Legislators vote to impeach president Indonesian lawmakers voted on Wednesday, May 30, overwhelmingly to seek a s= pecial meeting of the Peoples' Consultative Assembly (MPR) that would have = the power to impeach President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). Security forces= were on full alert in Gus Dur's East Java stronghold, where thousands of l= oyalists have clashed with police and vandalized buildings linked to his op= ponents. Since the most likely date for the MPR to convene is early August,= these developments leave the current government in limbo. The most likely = scenario is that the MPR will vote to impeach the president and install Vic= e-President Megawati Sukarnoputri as his successor. Frustrated in their att= empt to stop the legislative vote, the president's supporters are likely to= step up the pressure on their political foes by engaging in more violent d= emonstrations, particularly in East Java. Although major instability is unl= ikely, foreign personnel should remain vigilant because events may lead to = an escalation in the security situation at short notice. Jakarta and East J= ava were tense but calm on May 31 following the impeachment. Protests remai= n likely in Jakarta and Gus Dur's heartland of Surabaya and other parts of = East Java over the next few days. Control Risks continues to advise that bu= siness personnel undertake essential travel only to these areas. (Control R= isks, May 31, 2001) ISRAEL -=09Palestinian extremists "kidnap" later release U.S. and British journali= sts A British photographer and an American journalist have been released after = being detained by Palestinian group calling itself the Fatah Hawks. The pai= r was held for five hours in south Gaza, along with a local translator and = driver. The group described the detention as a kidnapping, undertaken to pr= otest against the British and US governments, who they accuse of supporting= the Israeli government, as well against what they claimed was biased weste= rn media coverage of the Palestinians in their confrontation with the Israe= lis. The group also warned that other British and American citizens in Pale= stinian areas might be kidnapped or killed in the future. The official Fata= h movement has condemned the action and disassociated itself from the incid= ent. The photographer said he and his colleague, chief of Newsweek's Jerusa= lem bureau, had arranged an interview with the Fatah Hawks for midday on Ma= y 29 and after about an hour of talking they were informed they had been ki= dnapped. "They said the kidnap was largely symbolic," he said. "It was to s= end a message to Bush and Blair that they held them responsible for the sit= uation of the Palestinian people and once that message had been broadcast w= e would be released. Apart from the striking demonstration of ineptness in = dealing with western media, the incident is also indicative of the growing = radicalization of the Palestinians and the proliferation of ever more extre= me splinter groups. Palestinian Administration Chairman Yasser Arafat appea= rs increasingly unable to control both his own Fatah subordinates and these= young extremists effectively and for sustained periods. Arafat has obtaine= d no concessions from the Israelis who, under Prime Minister Sharon, have a= lso retracted key territorial concessions for an eventual Palestinian state= that had been offered by his predecessor Ehud Barak. Indeed, on May 29 the= Israelis announced approval of construction bids for 496 new housing units= in settlements outside Jerusalem. (Pinkerton, May 30, 2001) -=09Bomb placed on major Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway; Netanya again targeted= for bombing=20 On Tuesday night, May 29, a road maintenance crew discovered a bomb on the = major highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The bomb consisted of a gas c= anister that was connected to a timing device. The bomb exploded as police = officers were preparing to dismantle it, using a remote-controlled robot. A= uthorities had to close the highway temporarily. It was the first time that= a bomb had been placed along this highway and the incident represented ano= ther escalation in the violence related to the Palestinian uprising. On Wed= nesday, May 30, an explosion occurred in an industrial area located in the = eastern part of the city of Netanya. Two people were injured in the inciden= t, which, according to a police official, appeared to be a terrorist attack= . Netanya is located near the Palestinian-controlled town of Tulqarm and ha= s witnessed terrorist attacks in the past, most recently on May 18, 2001, w= hen a suicide bomber set off an explosion outside a shopping mall in the ci= ty. In two other separate incidents yesterday, Palestinian gunmen killed th= ree Jewish settlers in ambushes near Nablus, located in the northern part o= f the West Bank, and near Bethlehem. Both attacks occurred in areas of the = West Bank designated as Area C, meaning that they are under full Israeli co= ntrol. Elements on the right of the Israeli political spectrum are putting = renewed pressure on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to end the unilateral cease= -fire he declared last week and retaliate against the Palestinians. Thus fa= r, however, Sharon has insisted that he will continue to exercise restraint= . (Air Security, May 30, 2001) -=09Risk ratings reduced in West Bank, Gaza Control Risks has reassessed the travel and security risks in the West Bank= and Gaza and has reduced the risks from EXTREME to HIGH. Although the conf= lict between militant Palestinian activists and Israeli military forces con= tinues and is not expected to end in the foreseeable future, it is confined= to certain locations and does not generally affect foreign business person= nel in the occupied territories. Gun battles generally take place in areas = near Israeli settlements or roads leading to the settlements, and clashes s= ometimes take place at Israeli military posts near Palestinian refugee camp= s. Essential business travel to most Palestinian towns, including Ramallah,= Nablus, Jenin and Gaza City, is possible with appropriate planning, includ= ing co-ordination with contacts inside the towns to ascertain the current s= ituation at roadblocks and potential flashpoints. (Control Risks, May 29, 2= 001) NEPAL -=09Consular Information Sheet update The U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet update for Nepal has b= een revised to expand information on Safety/Security, Entry/Requirements, T= raffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Medical Insurance, replacing the Con= sular Information Sheet for Nepal dated October 18, 2000. (U.S. State Depar= tment, May 31, 2001) NICARAGAUA -=09Protests over transport price rise to escalate Protests on Tuesday, May 29, caused widespread damage and travel disruption= in the capital Managua. Student and National Workers' Front (FNT) oppositi= on to transport union-mandated public transport fare increases prompted roa= dblocks. Eighteen buses were damaged, with one set alight. Negotiations bet= ween students and transport union representatives on May 29 resolved little= and protests are expected to continue. Business travelers are advised to a= void these areas and all demonstrations as the protests can be violent, and= should avoid using public transport because of the increased risk of petty= crime. There are likely to be travel disruptions in the city center. (Cont= rol Risks, May 30, 2001) NIGERIA -=09Doctors' strike =20 The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), who led the doctor= s' team in failed negotiations with the government over pay increases, anno= unced the beginning of a long-threatened and indefinite strike on Tuesday, = May 29. On May 30, doctors in federal health institutions formally joined t= he nationwide strike, and scores of patients reportedly were unable to rece= ive treatment at the Lagos University Teaching hospital (LUTH) and the Nati= onal Orthopedic Hospital (NOHL) also in Lagos. Public service salaries and = wages continue to be well below meeting basic living costs, prompting frequ= ent threats of strikes or actual strikes that usually are ended by governme= nt compromises entailing partial increases. The strikes point up the econom= ic problems confronting President Obasanjo. (Pinkerton, May 31, 2001) PAKISTAN -=09Mass redundancies at PIA likely to lead to flight disruptions The Board of Directors of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) approved pl= ans on Tuesday, May 29, to suspend trade union activities ahead of making a= n estimated 4,000 workers redundant in June. If the mass redundancies are f= ormally announced - a process that will take place on June 6 - it is likely= that industrial action will take place, causing disruption to domestic and= international PIA flights. Travelers should anticipate delays if the redun= dancy plan is implemented. (Control Risks, May 31, 2001) PHILIPPINES -=09Manila imposes news blackout on resort kidnappings On Tuesday, May 29, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo imposed a news blacko= ut on Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) operations against Abu Sayyaf G= roup (ASG) rebels who kidnapped 20 persons, including three Americans, from= the Dos Palmas beach resort off Palawan early May 27. She announced the bl= ackout at her weekly news conference just hours after the ASG threatened a = mass killing of the hostages if the military launched an assault on its bas= es in the south. The same day, a spokesman for the US Department of State c= alled for the unconditional release of all the hostages, including the thre= e Americans among them. Asked if Washington shared Manila's position of not= paying the kidnappers, and promising to use force to free them, the spokes= man said, "I think everyone is familiar with our policy, which is against p= aying ransom." (Pinkerton, May 30, 2001) -=09U.S. State Department Public Announcement A series of security-related incidents has made travel unsafe in certain ar= eas of the Philippines. Violence during recent political demonstrations, ki= dnappings of foreigners, and bombing incidents call for Americans to exerci= se extreme caution throughout the Philippines. A group of tourists, includi= ng Americans, were kidnapped from a resort on Palawan Island on May 27 by u= nknown gunmen using boats. A similar incident was foiled with the loss of s= everal Filipino lives at a resort on Samal Island, Davao del Norte on May 2= 2, 2001. While no one has claimed responsibility for these incidents, the A= bu Sayyaf terrorist group (ASG) has taken hostage a number of Filipinos and= foreign tourists since April 2000. Some of these hostages were killed by t= heir captors. In August 2000, the same group took credit for kidnapping a U= .S. citizen. There is concern that the ASG or other groups may take additio= nal actions against U.S. citizens and other foreigners. Americans should ex= ercise great caution when considering travel to resorts on Mindanao and Pal= awan. Violent political demonstrations on May 1 in the Malacanang area of M= anila reportedly left two police officers and several protesters dead. Alth= ough the violence has been brought under control, the possibility exists of= further such demonstrations. In late December 2000, a series of bombs expl= oded in the Metro Manila area, including the cargo terminal at Ninoy Aquino= International Airport (NAIA), on December 30, 2000, killing 18 people and = injuring 100. There have also been sporadic incidents of violence in southe= rn Mindanao, including bombings in General Santos City and at the Cotabato = Airport in Maguindanao Province, as well as bus hijackings on national high= ways. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front reportedly has claimed responsibili= ty for these actions. U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned to avoid all tra= vel to the southern and western areas of the Island of Mindanao, to include= Zamboanga City, due to incidents of terrorism and violence. U.S. citizens = should avoid travel to the islands of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo lo= cated in the Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines. = American citizens should exercise great caution when considering travel to = resorts in other parts of Mindanao as well as Palawan. For other informatio= n on terrorist activities in this region, refer to the Department of State'= s Public Announcement on Malaysia dated April 9, 2001. In view of these inc= idents, and the possibility of future attacks, Americans are also urged to = be particularly cautious in outdoor public areas and not approach or linger= in the vicinity of a bomb-related incident. Americans are cautioned not to= disturb suspicious objects or packages and should report any incidents to = local authorities. If you are involved in or observe a bomb incident, immed= iately notify the Embassy. For further general information on travel to the= Philippines, consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet fo= r the Philippines, which is available via the Internet at http://travel.sta= te.gov. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement of May = 3, 2001 to provide updated security information and it expires September 5,= 2001. (U.S. State Department, May 27, 2001) SOUTH AFRICA -=09Security, business revival foreseen in Johannesburg Central Business Di= strict Gauteng Province Finance and Economic Affairs representative Jabu Moleketi = on Tuesday, May 29, forecast that within three years Johannesburg's Central= Business District (CBD) would experience a boom in business and property v= alues. The city's business and security community cautiously endorses the p= rovincial government's optimistic forecast, which reflects a gradual decrea= se in crime levels in the CBD. Control Risks continues to advise that where= possible businesses should focus their operations in, and travelers should= stay in hotels in, the safer northern suburbs such as Sandton. However, th= e gradual reduction in the incidence of crime in the CBD, lower property pr= ices and problems with logistics and traffic circulation in the northern su= burbs means that a revival in business interest in central property is like= ly to take place gradually. (Control Risks, May 30, 2001) SWEDEN -=09U.S. State Department Public Announcement The city of Gothenburg in western Sweden will host two major international = summit meetings June 14 -16. Local authorities estimate that at least ten t= housand demonstrators may be present before and during the summit meeting p= eriod. As at past international meetings, there is a potential that some of= the demonstrators may become disorderly or violent. Local officials are wo= rking to minimize the potential for disruption. Access to certain areas of = the city, including some well-known tourist sites, will be closed to the ge= neral public. Travelers to Gothenburg may also experience delays due to res= tricted traffic movement through certain areas. U.S. citizens should exerci= se caution, avoid any crowds or demonstrations and monitor local media to k= eep informed. The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm is located at Dag Hammerskjolds= vag 31, telephone (46)(8) 783-5300, Fax: (46)(8) 660-5879 and after-hours t= elephone (46)(8) 783-5310. For further information regarding travel to Swed= en, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sh= eet, which is available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. This Pu= blic Announcement expires on June 19, 2001. (U.S. State Department, May 29,= 2001) TAJIKISTAN -=09US embassy reissues warning against travel The US on Wednesday, May 30, renewed its warning that US citizens should no= t travel to Tajikistan in the face of a possible attack from Islamic milita= nts. The warning underlines Control Risks long-standing advice about the ri= sks of travel to Tajikistan. Fighters for the Islamic Movement of Uzbekista= n (IMU) are currently preparing for annual summer attacks into Uzbekistan a= nd Kyrygzstan as mountain passes clear. Hence, Control Risks has raised the= security and travel risks in Tavildera district in central Tajikistan, whe= re the IMU is currently based, and the border areas with Kyrgyzstan to EXTR= EME from HIGH. The Garm district, where the IMU has long been based, and th= e Afghan border are also at EXTREME security and travel risk. Control Risks= continues to advise against travel to these areas during the coming months= . (Control Risks, May 30, 2001) -=09U.S. State Department Travel Warning The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all travel to Tajikist= an. Due to threats to Americans and American interests worldwide, instabili= ty in Tajikistan, and the limited ability to secure the safety of embassy p= ersonnel at the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe in their current facility, the Dep= artment of State suspended Embassy operations there and temporarily relocat= ed all American diplomatic personnel to Almaty, Kazakhstan in September 199= 8. Although the political climate has improved, the situation remains unpre= dictable. During the summer periods of 1999 and 2000, Tajikistan experience= d incursions of armed militants loyal to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan= (IMU), which the Secretary of State has designated as a foreign terrorist = organization. In both years, IMU forces took foreigners hostage. There have= been reports indicating an incursion by the IMU into Tajikistan may occur = again this year. Americans should in particular avoid areas along the borde= rs with Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, the Karategin Valley, and Tavildara Dis= trict. The "suspended operations" status of the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe ha= s been lifted, with U.S. Embassy American personnel currently residing in A= lmaty, Kazakhstan traveling periodically to Tajikistan. Consular services f= or Tajikistan are handled in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Almaty a= nd emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Tajikistan may be limite= d or unavailable. American citizens resident in Tajikistan are urged to con= sider their personal security and safety in view of this warning. For furth= er information concerning travel to Tajikistan consult the latest Consular = Information Sheet for Tajikistan, available on the World Wide Web at http:/= /travel.state.gov. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Taji= kistan issued August 30, 2000, to update the security situation. (U.S. Stat= e Department, May 29, 2001) VENEZUELA -=09Coup rumors circulating freely An anonymous ad in the conservative Washington Times on Thursday, May 24, h= as stimulated new rumors of a military coup d'etat against populist Preside= nt Hugo Chavez. The ad said that a "National Emergency Junta" was seeking C= havez's immediate resignation. It accused Chavez of being responsible for t= he high level of insecurity in the country, for the economic crisis, for ma= king military personnel work on civilian projects, for corruption, and for = supporting a covert Cuban communist intervention in the country. Since the = ad rumors of military plots have circulated so widely that Chavez, currentl= y on a visit to China, felt he had to address the country to denounce the r= umors. His Minister of Defense, widely unpopular with the military, said th= e government knew who was trying to destabilize the country, charging that = the plotters were counting on US government support, but he knew that Washi= ngton would never support a coup because it was not interested in "adventur= es" of this type. Local analysts state that there is clearly considerable a= nti-Chavez sentiment among various levels of the military and the upper cla= sses. Moreover, Chavez's recent talk of declaring a state of emergency, whi= ch would give him even greater powers, has provided additional ammunition t= o anyone disposed to a military takeover. However, one can safely presume t= hat Washington, despite its differences with Chavez, would not support any = effort to overthrow Venezuela's democratically elected president. (Pinkerto= n, May 31, 2001) WORLDWIDE CAUTION=20 -=09U.S. State Department Public Announcement The U.S. Government learned in early May 2001 that American citizens abroad= might be the target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links= to Usama Bin Ladin's Al-Qaida organization. In the past, such individuals = have not distinguished between official and civilian targets. As always, we= take this information seriously. U.S. Government facilities worldwide rema= in at a heightened state of alert. On May 29, the defendants in the case of= U.S. v. Bin Ladin were found guilty on a number of counts in connection wi= th the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar Es Salaam, = Tanzania. The U.S. Government is not aware of any specific threat in respon= se to the verdicts. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a hig= h level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their securi= ty awareness to reduce their vulnerability. Americans should maintain a low= profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and= packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. In addition, American cit= izens are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objec= ts, and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities. Vehicle= s should not be left unattended, if at all possible, and should be kept loc= ked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas have been advised to t= ake the same precautions. In addition, U.S. Government facilities have and = will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary = to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy. U.S. citizens pla= nning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public Anno= uncements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and regional trave= l brochures, all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet we= b site at http://travel.state.gov. We will continue to provide updated info= rmation should it become available. American citizens overseas may contact = the American Citizens Services unit of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulat= e by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. In= addition, American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telepho= ne the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting the Embassy or Con= sulate. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement - World= wide Caution of May 11, 2001 to inform Americans of the verdict in U.S. v. = Bin Ladin. This Public Announcement expires on August 29, 2001. (U.S. State= Department, May 29, 2001) WORLDWIDE TERRORIST THREATS -=09Embassy bombing convictions unlikely to lead to retaliation against bus= iness targets A New York (US) jury on Tuesday, May 29, found four men guilty of conspirin= g with Saudi-born Islamic extremist Osama bin Laden to bomb the US embassie= s in Nairobi (Kenya) and Dar es-Salaam (Tanzania) in 1998. Although all fou= r face life in prison without parole, two defendants may face the death pen= alty. Islamic extremist groups associated with bin Laden may plan retaliato= ry attacks in response to the verdicts. Should the two receive the death pe= nalty, their date of execution would provide a date around which attacks mi= ght be expected. The bin Laden networks focus on US and British military, d= iplomatic and defense company targets. Those facilities and personnel in th= e Arabian peninsula have faced a MEDIUM security risk since October 2000. H= owever, the networks are unlikely to target business interests in retaliati= on. Tourist targets are also unlikely to be targeted, with the exception of= tourist sites in Jordan. (Control Risks, May 30, 2001) ZIMBABWE -=09Departing travelers face currency confiscation The commissioner of the Zimbabwe Department of Customs and Excise Ranga Mun= yaradzi conceded on Wednesday, May 30, that a large amount of foreign curre= ncy has been seized from travelers leaving the country at both Harare inter= national airport and the Beitbridge land border crossing. A rarely publiciz= ed law relating to maximum cash removal is being enforced against all indiv= iduals attempting to depart with sums of cash in excess of $500 or its equi= valent in other foreign currency. Travelers are advised to take foreign cur= rency out of Zimbabwe in the form of traveler's cheques, which are not subj= ect to any limit. (Control Risks, May 31, 2001) PLANNING AHEAD - MAY 30 - 31 INDONESIA Leaders of 15 developing nations will hold their eleventh G-15 annual summi= t in Jakarta. Security levels will be increased around the city. Several in= terest groups seeking recognition and media coverage are expected to hold d= emonstrations and protests for the duration of the event. The summit coinci= des with the deadline for president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) respond to = the National Assembly's second censure motion, which is likely to increase = tensions around the city. Foreign visitors are strongly advised to avoid al= l rallies, protests and concentrations of security force personnel.=20 - JUNE 3-4 CHINA/HONG KONG Anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre (1989): security is increased in m= ajor cities to discourage demonstrations. - JUNE 3 PERU Second round of presidential elections scheduled. Disruption expected but v= iolence unlikely. - JUNE 3-5 COSTA RICA Protests are possible during an Organization of American States (OAS) meeti= ng in San Jose. Business visitors are advised to avoid all demonstrations t= o minimize their exposure to incidental violence.=20 =20 - JUNE 4 IRAN, LEBANON Death of Imam Khomeini (1989): demonstrations likely. - JUNE 4 UNITED KINGDOM A strike on London Underground (subway) will lead to severe congestion in c= entral London. - JUNE 6 INDIA Anniversary of storming of Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar (1984): increased= risk of Sikh terrorism in Delhi, Punjab. - JUNE 6 ISRAEL & GAZA/WEST BANK Anniversary of beginning of Six-Day War (1967), Israeli occupation of West = Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem: strikes, unrest in the occupied territori= es and East Jerusalem likely. - JUNE 6 UNITED KINGDOM A strike on London Underground (subway) will lead to severe congestion in c= entral London. - JUNE 7 UNITED KINGDOM Local and national general elections to be held in England and Wales. - JUNE 8 =20 IRAN Presidential elections scheduled. - JUNE 16 - 17 SLOVENIA US President George W Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Lju= bljana. Security will be tight as protests and disruption are likely. - JUNE 16 TURKEY Anniversary of general strike (1970): left-wing terrorist attacks on Turkis= h state targets possible. =20 - JUNE 17 BULGARIA General elections scheduled. - JUNE 19 PERU Leftist Shining Path (SL) prison riots (1986): terrorists may mark with ext= ra propaganda activity, occasionally with bombings. - JUNE 23 - 24 ZIMBABWE Mayoral elections in Bulawayo. Violence and intimidation likely up to and d= uring the polls.=20 =20 - JUNE 24 ALBANIA Parliamentary elections scheduled. Some disturbances are likely in the peri= od before and after the poll. Demonstrations could turn violent and could t= arget foreign representatives, who are perceived to be pro-government. - JUNE 24 CANADA Quebec's 'national' holiday St Jean Baptiste Day: Quebec nationalist demons= trations occasionally prompt disturbances in Montreal. - JULY=20 UK (Northern Ireland) The marching season: Protestant marches may provoke sectarian violence and = attacks on security forces, particularly on July 7 and 12. - JULY 1 BOLIVIA A farmers' union has threatened to stage further action. Business travelers= are advised to avoid protests and marches.=20 - JULY 1 CHINA, HONG KONG Anniversary of founding of Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Protests by outla= wed Falungong sect possible.=20 - JULY 7 TAIWAN Anniversary of founding of Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Protests by outla= wed Falungong sect possible.=20 - JULY 11 NIGERIA Court in Abuja to rule on distribution of oil revenue; protests likely in s= outhern oil-producing states. - JULY 20=20 CYPRUS Anniversary of Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus in 1974: demonstrations = likely in Greek-speaking Cyprus, particularly in Nicosia and along border. - JULY 20 - 22 ITALY G8 summit of eight leading industrialized nations in Genoa. Anti-globalizat= ion and anti-capitalism protests likely. - JULY 22 CHINA Anniversary of the banning of Falungong sect. Protests possible.=20 - JULY 25 SRI LANKA Anniversary of anti-Tamil rioting in 1983: Tamil attacks on government, mil= itary targets likely in north and northeast, possible in Colombo. - JULY 28 PERU Independence Day: terrorists may mark with extra propaganda activity, occas= ionally with bombings. - SEPTEMBER 23 POLAND Parliamentary elections scheduled.
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