Open Source Daily INTSUM: Monday, Nov. 14, 2005

[Airbornelawyer]

From Various Sources:

Middle East

Security incidents in Iraq, Nov 14 (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14594277.htm) (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
New phase of Steel Curtain begins (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Releases/Nov/051114a.htm) "Iraqi Army soldiers and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team –2 began a new phase of Operation Al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) today by entering the town of Ubaydi. Ubaydi, located on the banks of the Euphrates River, is only 20 km from the Syrian border, and was the site of Operation Matador last May. …" (Source: Multi-National Force Iraq (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/))
Ongoing operations (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/releases.htm) – Other miscellaneous releases from Multi-National Force Iraq (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/).
Israeli Troops Kill Senior Hamas Militant (http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-11-14-voa23.cfm) "Israeli troops have shot and killed a senior commander of the Islamic militant group Hamas. Hamas has vowed to avenge the killing. Amjad Hanawi the commander of the armed wing of Hamas in the northern West Bank was killed as he tried to escape Israeli forces who were raiding a home in the West Bank city of Nablus. …" (Source: Voice of America (http://www.voanews.com))
Iraq's National Security Advisor: Most Al-Qaida Suicide Bombers are Saudi Nationals Crossing Through Syria (http://counterterror.typepad.com/the_counterterrorism_blog/2005/11/iraqs_national_.html) "In a meeting with journalists in Cairo, Iraq's National Security Advisor Muwafaq al-Rubaie confirmed there is not "the least doubt that nine out of 10 of the suicide bombers who carry out suicide bombing operations among Iraqi citizens ... are Arabs who have crossed the border with Syria... Most of those that blow themselves up in Iraq are Saudi nationals." Al-Rubaie's comments seem to further undermine the shaky conclusions presented by Anthony Cordesman and Nawaf Obeid in their recent CSIS report on the role of Saudi fighters in Iraq. …" (Source: The Counterterrorism Blog (http://counterterror.typepad.com)). Also see the commentary and links there relating to the Saudi Interior Minister's response to the Iraqi statements.
United States asks for more European help in Iraq (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14734154.htm) "Germany and other European countries that opposed the war in Iraq should do more to help there and recognise the Iraqi leadership as a legitimate and democratic government, a senior U.S. official said on Monday. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried said Washington did not expect Germany to send troops to Iraq, but he urged Europe to provide more support for what he described as "one of the most democratically constituted regimes" in the Middle East. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
GSDF pullout eyed for September (http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200511120138.html) "Japan's exit policy in Samawah is pointing toward a complete troop withdrawal by September 2006, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is scheduled to step down as the nation's leader, sources said Friday. …" (Source: Asahi Shimbun (http://www.asahi.com))

South & Central Asia

Afghan blasts kill German soldier, two civilians (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL158984.htm) "Taliban fighters killed a German peacekeeper and two civilians in two suicide car bomb attacks in the Afghan capital on Monday, officials and witnesses said. The blasts came close to an hour apart on the same stretch of road east of Kabul. On each occasion the attackers rammed a car into a vehicle belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Bomb kills two Bangladeshi judges (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP146739.htm) "Two Bangladeshi judges were killed on Monday when a suspected Islamic militant threw a bomb at their car, triggering widespread protests, police and witnesses said. Two Bangladeshi judges were killed on Monday when a suspected Islamic militant threw a bomb at their car, triggering widespread protests, police and witnesses said. One was killed instantly. The other died on the way to hospital. Police detained two men at the scene, including one who was wounded in the blasts. They said they recovered a crude unexploded bomb at the roadside. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Blast, gunbattle in Indian Kashmir kill 4 (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL194174.htm) "At least four people were killed and nearly a dozen wounded on Monday when suspected Muslim militants threw a grenade at a police post in a crowded market in Indian Kashmir's main city and exchanged fire with policemen. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Sri Lanka: Security Situation Report (http://www.army.lk/news/index.html). (Source: Sri Lanka Army (http://www.army.lk))
South Asia Terrorism Update (http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news.asp?date1=11/14/2005) (Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal (http://www.satp.org))

East Asia & the Pacific

Warden Message for November 13, 2005 (http://www.usconsulate.org.hk/consular/acs/warden2005111301.htm): "The United States Government has received credible information that a terrorist threat may exist against official U.S. Government facilities in Guangzhou. This threat also may exist for places where Americans are known to congregate or visit, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events. …" (Source: U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong (http://www.usconsulate.org.hk))
Special operations teams target southern insurgents (http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=61867) "The government announced today it has sent special intelligence teams to the South to gather information and target insurgents and criminal gangs from a number of different directions. Official Thai News Agency, quoting Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya, said the working teams will be headed by National Intelligence Agency director Pol GenChumpol Munmai. The working teams will not only confront insurgents but are also charged with seeking out those who may be financially supporting them, such as drug dealers, extortionists and other outlawed influential figures. The special intelligence teams come from a number of government agencies and security forces, including the Department of Special Investigation, the Anti-Money-Laundering Office, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Royal Thai Police and the Revenue Department. …" (Source: Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.net))
Fighting spreads in Philippine south, toll rises (http://in.today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-11-14T170804Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-223438-1.xml) "Fighting between Philippine troops and suspected members of an al Qaeda-linked militant group spread to other areas of the southwestern island of Jolo, an army spokesman said on Monday, as fresh casualties were reported. Colonel Domingo Tutaan, a spokesman for the army's Southern Command, said Muslim rebels from the Abu Sayyaf group attacked a military detachment in another part of Jolo, firing several mortar rounds at marines based in Panamao town. "This seems to be a diversionary attack to ease pressure on their colleagues in Indanan town," Tutaan told reporters, adding one soldier was wounded in the latest attack. Fighting in the town of Indanan erupted on Friday when soldiers on a mission to find and capture a one-armed, horse-riding Abu Sayyaf commander ran into a large group of militants near a rebel hideout. On Sunday, the army said four soldiers had been killed and 22 wounded in battles in three villages around Indanan. Nineteen suspected militants were reported killed by the army but only three bodies were found at the scene. …" (Source: Reuters India (http://in.today.reuters.com))
Death Toll Hits 27 as Fighting in S. Philippine Island Enters 3rd Day (http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=73160&d=14&m=11&y=2005&pix=world.jpg&category=World) "Fierce fighting between Abu Sayyaf militants and government troops in the southern island of Jolo entered its third day yesterday and officials said the death toll has risen to 27. …" (Source: Arab News (http://www.arabnews.com))

[Airbornelawyer]

The Americas

USSOUTHCOM Headline News (http://www.southcom.mil/pa/News/AOR%20News/Today's%20News.doc) (Microsoft Word format)
Uribe replaces head of antirebel program (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/13154214.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp) "President Alvaro Uribe is replacing the army commander overseeing a massive U.S.-backed offensive against leftist rebel strongholds in southern Colombia amid a failure to kill or capture top guerrilla leaders. Gen. Carlos Alberto Fracica will be replaced by Gen. Gilberto Rocha, Uribe's office said in a statement late Friday, without elaborating. …" (Source: AP via Miami Herald (http://news.bbc.co.uk/))
Mexico Demands Apology for Venezuelan President's Comments (http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-11-14-voa19.cfm) "Mexico is threatening to break diplomatic ties with Venezuela over comments made by its president about his Mexican counterpart. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez criticized Mexico's Vicente Fox for supporting the U.S. proposal for a hemisphere-wide free trade zone during the recent Summit of the Americas in Argentina. After the summit, Mr. Chavez said Mr. Fox had acted like a "puppy" of the United States. During his weekly television show Sunday, Mr. Chavez continued the verbal attack against the Mexican president, saying "don't mess with me, sir, because you'll get pricked [hurt]." Mexico's foreign ministry says the comments insult the dignity of the Mexican people and government. It says it will recall Mexico's ambassador to Caracas, and ask that Venezuela withdraw its ambassador from Mexico, if the Venezuelan government does not apologize Monday." (Source: Voice of America (http://www.voanews.com))

Africa

Four attackers killed in assault on Chad army camps (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14736794.htm) "Security forces in Chad killed four gunmen and arrested 15 others as they attacked and tried to steal weapons from two army bases in the capital N'Djamena on Monday, Communications Minister Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor said. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))

Europe

Spain says ETA truce rumours weaken war on terror (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14500236.htm) "Spain called on Monday for a halt to rumours that the armed Basque separatist group ETA might declare a ceasefire, saying they weakened the state's fight against terrorism. ... Interior Minister Jose Antonio Alonso urged an end to the rumours, which he said harmed police efforts to defeat the group, which Spain, the European Union and the United States consider a terrorist organisation.…" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))

[Airbornelawyer]

From the RFE/RL Newsline (http://www.rferl.org/newsline/):

Russia

DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS MOST MILITARY DEPARTMENTS AT UNIVERSITIES WILL CLOSE BY 2008...
Sergei Ivanov said on 13 November that most of the 229 military faculties at Russian universities will be abolished by 2008, Russian news agencies reported the same day. Ivanov said that just 35 military faculties at civilian universities will remain open and an additional 33 will be transformed into military training centers. The remainder will be closed, but not until all students currently enrolled in them graduate. "Military faculties will not be closed tomorrow," Ivanov said in an interview with Channel One television and reported by RIA-Novosti. "They will keep working until the last graduate leaves the premises." Approximately 170,000 students are taking military training programs at 229 civilian universities in Russia. President Vladimir Putin said on 9 November that military conscription will be reduced from two years to one by 2008.
...AND SAYS THAT SOME DEFERMENTS WILL BE ABOLISHED
In the same interview with Channel One television, Ivanov said several deferments will be abolished in order to facilitate the one-year draft in 2008, RIA-Novosti reported on 13 November. "Only 9 percent of young people are currently drafted," Ivanov said, adding that only 140,000 Russian draftees will join the military this fall. "However, when we make the transition to a 12-month draft, we will need twice as many soldiers, which means about 400,000 draftees, counting two drafts per year. Therefore, we will definitely have to abolish some of the deferments," he added. "I would like to reiterate that students will not be drafted during their studies, although graduates of many universities will have to serve one year in the military."
JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER HOPES FOR PROGRESS ON TERRITORIAL DISPUTE
Speaking on Russian television on 13 November, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said resolving the 60-year-old dispute over the Kurile Islands would "open the way to a tremendous strengthening of relations" between Tokyo and Moscow. "In principle, I am optimistic, but not to the extent of hoping to solve this question during a single meeting," Koizumi said in an interview on Rossiya television's "Vesti Nedeli" program. President Putin will visit Tokyo on 20 November. "Obviously, one would like this meeting [with Putin] to allow things to move forward a step or two. I am not saying that we should not develop bilateral relations before the territorial problem is sorted out." The Soviet Army seized the Kurile Islands -- called the Northern Territories by Japan -- after Tokyo's surrender in World War II. The dispute has prevented Russia and Japan signing a peace treaty formally ending hostilities.


Transcaucasus and Central Asia
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ENVISAGES PROGRESS ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT IN 2006
Meeting in Athens during an official visit to Greece with members of that country's Armenian community, Robert Kocharian said that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen are urging a meeting in January 2006 between himself and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported. Kocharian said now the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections are over, the co-chairs perceive a window of opportunity for resolving the Karabakh conflict, a window that will again close in 2007-2008 when parliamentary and presidential elections are due in Armenia. He referred to a "favorable option for the conflict settlement," but did not elaborate. U.S. Minsk Group co-Chairman Ambassador Steven Mann met on 8 November in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to discuss how Turkey could contribute to the Karabakh peace process, according to the "Turkish Daily News" on 10 November as cited by Groong. Mann too spoke of a "window of opportunity," noting that the settlement process is "moving in the right direction."
ARMENIAN PREMIER SKEPTICAL OVER DEPLOYMENT OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS
Andranik Markarian said on 11 November that he thinks any discussion of the deployment of NATO peacekeepers to conflict zones in the South Caucasus is premature, according to Arminfo and Mediamax as cited by Groong. Speaking at a conference in Yerevan two days earlier, Romualds Razukas, who is NATO's Communications Officer in the South Caucasus, said the alliance "is ready to deploy its peacekeeping forces in the South Caucasus," and that in that context, cooperation between NATO and the OSCE is "very important," according to Mediamax as cited by Groong.
SOUTH OSSETIA ACCUSES GEORGIA OF INFORMATION WAR
The press service of the government of the unrecognized Republic of South Ossetia issued a statement on 11 November accusing the Georgian authorities of beginning a campaign of "psychological warfare" with the help of unnamed Western intelligence services, Caucasus Press reported. The statement accused the Georgian authorities of using a television channel called Alania to propagate "ethnic hatred, sex, and violence." It further accused that channel of insulting the population of South Ossetia and of undermining efforts to build confidence between conflicting sides in order to expedite a peaceful settlement. In an interview with Ekho Moskvy on 12 November, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili accused Moscow of sabotaging his efforts to persuade the leadership of South Ossetia to accept his successive proposals for resolving the conflict, Caucasus Press reported.
ONE GEORGIAN KILLED, ANOTHER WOUNDED IN CONFLICT ZONE
One Georgian resident of the village of Chuburkhindji was killed and a second wounded in a 13 November attack by several dozen armed Abkhaz and members of the Russian peacekeeping force deployed in the Abkhaz conflict zone, Caucasus Press and rustavi2.com reported. The attackers reportedly said they sought to punish those Georgian residents of Abkhazia's southernmost Gali Raion who declined Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh's ultimatum to accept citizenship of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia or leave Gali for Georgia. On 14 November, Georgian media reported that two Georgian brothers have disappeared while returning home after attending the funeral of their uncle in the village of Pichora in Gali Raion.
KAZAKH OPPOSITION FIGURE FOUND DEAD
Former Emergency Situations Agency head Zamanbek Nurkadilov was found dead in his home in Almaty on 12 November, "Kazakhstan Today" reported. The body was discovered by Nurkadilov's wife, Makpal Zhunusova, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Serikkali Musin, a lawyer representing Nurkadilov's wife, told journalists in Almaty on 13 November that Nurkadilov died as a result of three bullet wounds, two to the chest and one to the head, Kazinform reported. Referring to a 12 November Interfax report that cited an anonymous source as saying that Nurkadilov's death might have been a suicide, Musin stressed that the three gunshot wounds rendered such an interpretation "highly problematic." Major General Moldiyar Orazaliev, head of the Interior Ministry for Almaty, told reporters on 13 November that Nurkadilov's home was protected by an extensive video surveillance system, Kazinform reported. Orazaliev said the system was functioning at the time of Nurkadilov's death. He added that police are questioning everyone who was present in the house. A onetime ally of President Nursultan Nazarbaev, Nurkadilov joined the opposition in 2004. For his part, Nazarbaev expressed his condolences to Nurkadilov's family and called for a thorough investigation, Kazinform reported.

Southwestern Asia And The Middle East
IRAN AGAIN ACCUSES U.K. IN AHVAZ BOMBINGS
Intelligence and Security Minister Hojatoleslam Gholam Hussein Mohseni-Ejei said on 11 November that British involvement in the 15 October bombings in Ahvaz has been proven, Mehr News Agency reported. However, "Siyasat-i Ruz" daily reported on 9 November that Mohseni-Ejei has failed to provide the documented proof he promised almost two months ago. Fifty-six days earlier, the daily reported, Mohseni-Ejei came to the legislature and said, "When the documents are given to the media, you will realize that it is true." Meanwhile, "Siyasat-i Ruz" continued, the United Kingdom has accused Iran of interfering in Iraqi affairs.

[CoLawman]

[list] Iraq's National Security Advisor: Most Al-Qaida Suicide Bombers are Saudi Nationals Crossing Through Syria (http://counterterror.typepad.com/the_counterterrorism_blog/2005/11/iraqs_national_.html) "In a meeting with journalists in Cairo, Iraq's National Security Advisor Muwafaq al-Rubaie confirmed there is not "the least doubt that nine out of 10 of the suicide bombers who carry out suicide bombing operations among Iraqi citizens ... are Arabs who have crossed the border with Syria... Most of those that blow themselves up in Iraq are Saudi nationals." Al-Rubaie's comments seem to further undermine the shaky conclusions presented by Anthony Cordesman and Nawaf Obeid in their recent CSIS report on the role of Saudi fighters in Iraq. …

Maybe I'm missing the boat here. This news item, as well as Operation Steel Curtain press releases, point to extensive terrorist entries via Syria. This is where I get confused. If 9 out of 10 suicide bombers are Saudi..........what the heck are they doing going through Jordan and into Syria for. Saudi shares a massive border on Iraq's south. The only way for all of these terrorists to get to Syria is through Saudi Arabia or Jordan. Yemen, Somalia, and the UAE are all south of Saudi.

Another observation.........
Haven't seen any Iranian suicide bombers!

If someone has an answer, would certainly appreciate knowing it.:munchin