In case anyone is interested... HOT SPOTS Snapshots of Today's Events Thursday, January 6, 2005 IN TODAY'S ISSUE AMERICAS Argentina Bolivia Mexico ASIA Brunei EUROPE Austria France (Corsica) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Kuwait Yemen SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Zambia
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS Palestinian Authority AMERICAS Argentina (Country threat level - 3): The families of the victims of a fire inside a Buenos Aires nightclub that killed 188 people on 31 December 2004, along with civil organizations and picketing groups, will march on 6 January 2005 in Buenos Aires to demand justice and punishment of the people responsible for the fire. The march is scheduled to depart at 2000 local time from Miserere (Once) Square and proceed to the seat of the local government. A related demonstration on 3 January ended in violence. Bolivia (Country threat level - 4): Transport workers in Santa Cruz launched at 1900 local time on 5 January 2005 an indefinite strike and road blockage. Earlier approximately 3,000 marchers attacked the headquarters of the Transportation Federation and the prefecture to protest against an increase in bus fares, which came into effect after the government unexpectedly increased fuel prices. Anti-riot police officers used tear gas to control the angry demonstrators. In a related story, demonstrators in Cochabamba forced their way into the town council and threatened to radicalize their protest if the increase in fuel prices is not frozen immediately. Mexico (Country threat level - 3): Four police officers were attacked and three others were briefly taken hostage in Santiago Atlatongo, located north of Mexico City, on 5 January 2005, while attempting to arrest four people, including a local judge. Local residents began throwing trash and rocks at the police officers, claiming that they had no authority to make the arrests. More than 400 police officers arrived in the city to control the violence as residents blocked major highways and set up barricades of burning tires. ASIA Brunei (Country threat level - 2): Flash flooding due to heavy rains inundated areas of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, on 6 December 2004. Low-lying areas of the capital (mainly in the outskirts) experienced flooding as high as 4 ft/1 m, disrupting transportation and daily life in general. EUROPE Austria (Country threat level - 2): Austrian aviation authorities shut down Innsbruck Airport (LOWI/INN) on 6 January 2005 due to a layer of black ice that developed on runways overnight, making landings and takeoffs dangerous. Passengers are being shuttled to the airport in Salzburg for alternate flights. A section of the A12 highway was also closed due to icy conditions. Officials expect the airport to reopen later on 6 January. France (Corsica) (Country threat level - 3): In a statement issued to a Marseille media office on 6 January 2005, the Army of the Corsican People (APC) warned that there will be "radical actions in the days to come" against "a representative of the occupation" and gave a one-month deadline to avoid such action. The group allegedly wants to negotiate an end to violence in Corsica. The APC has claimed responsibility for the 28 October 2004 bombing of the city hall tax offices in Bordeaux. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Kuwait (Country threat level - 4): Kuwaiti authorities have charged two soldiers with planning to attack U.S. troops in the country. Authorities arrested several members of the armed forces in connection with the plot on 3 January 2005, but subsequently released most of them. The two remaining soldiers will appear before a military court, but no date has been announced. Yemen (Country threat level - 4): The British Embassy in Sanaa closed on 5 January 2005 because of "specific information that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks" targeting British and other Western interests in Yemen, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is not known when the embassy will reopen. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Zambia (Country threat level - 4): Approximately 3,000 protesters marched through Lusaka to Freedom Square on 6 January 2005. The aim of the protest, which had been announced previously, was to demand the adoption of a new constitution before the presidential and parliamentary elections that are scheduled for 2006. No violence was reported. GOVERNMENT WARNINGS Palestinian Authority (Country threat level - 5): The U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement on 5 January 2005: "This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to security concerns during the upcoming Palestinian elections, especially in the West Bank and Gaza. This Public Announcement expires on January 18, 2005. "In light of the existing travel warning and the continuing unsettled security situation in the West Bank and Gaza, the Department of State remains concerned for the safety of Americans traveling in the West Bank and Gaza and continues to warn U.S. citizens to depart Gaza immediately and to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. We are particularly concerned that some Palestinian extremist elements, especially in Gaza, may attempt acts of violence against international election observers in an effort to undermine the Palestinian Authority's ability to conduct free and fair elections on January 9, 2005. American citizens are urged to carefully review the existing travel warning for those areas. ..." SIGNIFICANT DATES 6 January Worldwide: Epiphany or Three Kings Day (Commemorates the three wise men's visit to the Christ child). Sometimes celebrated the first Sunday after 2 January. Observed as a Public holiday in some countries. These include Austria, Dominican Republic, Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt), Greece (Most government offices and many business establishments close), Italy, Mexico (Elementary schools close), Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania and Spain. Zambia: Opposition parties to hold nation-wide protest. 7 January Japan: Death of Emperor Hirohito (1989) 9 January Panama: Martyr's Day (Anti-U.S. government protests possible. Marks 9 January 1964 incident in which U.S. Canal Zone police officers engaged in a shootout with students, sparking a series of riots. Panamanian government continues to support the recognition of the anniversary.) 10 January Benin: Traditional Religions Day Dominican Republic: Three Kings Day (Government offices, businesses and schools close. The U.S. Embassy is closed.) Indonesia: Anniversary of Formation of Indonesia Democratic Party (PDI) 11 January Morocco: Independence Manifesto Day Puerto Rico: Eugenio Marķa de Hostos' Birthday 12 January Tanzania: Revolutionary Day 13 January Hinduism: Makar Sankranti ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS 1 - A minimum threat of physical harm. Petty crime is the most common threat. 2 - A low threat of physical harm. Petty crime and infrequent demonstrations are the most common threats. 3 - A medium threat of physical harm. Petty crime and demonstrations are common and violent acts do occur. 4 - A high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, demonstrations or terrorism. 5 - A very high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, terrorism, demonstrations or war. HOT SPOTS is also available in MS-Word format. Reply to this message or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> to begin receiving HOT SPOTS as an MS-Word document. For any comments or questions regarding the content of HOT SPOTS, please contact us at 713-430-7300 or via email at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> AIR SECURITY International, L.P. World Headquarters 2925 Briarpark, 7th Floor Houston, Texas 77042 (800) 503-5814 (713) 430-7300 www.airsecurity.com <http://www.airsecurity.com> Copyright © 2005. Air Security International, L.P. 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