15 Jan 2001

As chosen by the ERRI/EmergencyNet News Editorial Advisory Board (not necessarily in order of importance)

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Intifada In Mid-East

Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Thursday, September 28, 2000-Vol. 6, No. 273

GAZA STRIP

Israeli Soldier Killed By Bomb

The Israeli army said on Thursday that an Israeli soldier was killed and another slightly hurt in a roadside bomb attack against a convoy of Jewish settlers' cars they were escorting along a Gaza road. The incident occurred on Wednesday night when the soldiers left their jeep to check whether any settlers in the convoy were hurt from a road-side bomb explosion. A second bomb exploded, killing the one soldier and wounding the other. The army said the convoy was traveling to the Jewish settlement of Netzarim in the southern Gaza Strip. The area near Netzarim has been particularly tense recently after eight Palestinians were injured when their vehicle and an Israeli car collided earlier in the week. The militant Islamic group HAMAS has threatened to attack Jewish settlers who live in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

ISRAEL

Police, Palestinians Clash In Jerusalem 

During a visit by opposition leader Ariel Sharon, Israeli police fired rubber-coated metal bullets on Thursday to disperse clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians at Jerusalem's most hotly contested holy site. Police said 25 of their men were hurt but only one was taken to a hospital after tensions built up and violence flared during the right-wing leader's controversial visit, which was condemned by Palestinian leaders as a provocation.

Israel Radio said at least four Palestinians were injured but that the clashes later died down at what Jews call Temple Mount and Muslims refer to as al-Haram al-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary. Police said they fired rubber-coated metal bullets in the air when violence spilled over as Sharon was leaving.

Witnesses said the Palestinians threw metal objects, chairs, stones and almost anything that came to hand at a line of security forces armed with rifles, batons and shields to prevent trouble during Sharon's visit. The crowd shouted the usual "God is Greatest" and lunged at Sharon during a heavily guarded one-hour tour with his Likud party parliamentary faction.

Reference: http://www.emergency.com/2000/intifada2000.htm

U.S.S. Cole Bombing

Instant Update: 10:00CDT-12 Oct 2000

YEMEN

U.S. Navy Ship Rammed In Aden, Yemen; Explosion Follows

The U.S. Defense Department said that at least four sailors were killed and at least 30 others were injured when a U.S. Navy  ship in port on the Arabian Peninsula was struck on Thursday by a small boat in what appears to be an apparent terrorist attack. Another sailor was reported missing. The registry of the boat was not immediately known, and no one has claimed responsibility.

The destroyer USS Cole, with a crew of about 350 sailors, was in port at Aden, Yemen, for refueling when it was rammed and an explosion followed...

Reference: http://www.emergency.com/2000/usscole-bomb.htm

Wildfires in Western USA

08 May 2000

NEW MEXICO:

Wildfire Affects Los Alamos National Laboratory

A wildfire burned 1,200 acres near the Los Alamos National Laboratory on Sunday. Firefighters are still battling to gain control of the blaze. The fire forced the evacuation of about 500 homes and closed the security-sensitive laboratory and other county agencies. The National Park Service had planned to burn about 900 acres in the area in a "controlled burn," but dry, windy conditions pushed it out of control on Friday. It was contained on Saturday, but shifting winds re-ignited the blaze on Sunday. The fire spread to Water Canyon on the lab's western boundary near a work site.

Reference: http://www.emergency.com/2000/wildfire2000.htm

The Love Bug, Denial of Service and Cyber-warfare

The "Love Bug," Asymmetric Warfare, and Other Computer Attacks; Future National Security Implications...

"Only civil virtue can bring peace to an empire; only martial virtue can quell disorder in the land. The expert in using the military has three basic strategies that he applies: the best strategy is to attack the enemies reliance on acuteness of mind; the second is to attack the enemies claim that he is waging a just war; and the the last is to attack the enemies battle positions." -- Sun-Tzu, The Art of Warfare (1)

Has anyone noticed that the only thing that spread more rapidly than the so-called "Love Bug Virus" was the proliferation of commentary about it. In fact, the talk dominated many forums for several days after the virus was first discovered. Given this level of interest that was demonstrated and the estimated BILLIONS of dollars of damage that was been done by this virus...one has to wonder what the intelligence and defense community of the United States is doing about taking a pro-active stance to protect our vital infrastructures??

References:

http://www.emergency.com/2000/compdefnse-implc.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/luvbugvirus.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/cybersec2000.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/dos2000.htm

Anti-capitalist Protests (Both Domestic and International)

UNITED KINGDOM:

MayDay 2K: In The "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" Department

By C. L. Staten, ERRI Senior Analyst

Even as the tear-gas settles from skirmishes in Washington, DC, "anti-capitalist" protestors are already gearing up for the next round of demonstrations and civil unrest. This time, the major action will be centered in London, England and the activities are scheduled to start on April 28th and culminating with the largest actions on 01 May 2000. The occasion this time is a holiday traditionally celebrated by Communists/Socialists... MayDay.

As with previous protests in London, Greece, Seattle and Washington, ERRI analysts are concerned about the possibility of violence and property damage associated with MayDay 2K activities. It is likely that protest activities will occur in other cities throughout the world. An alleged "anarchist" leader from Eugene, OR has already warned that there will be "an offensive in various places...it is going to be an interesting Spring."

References:

http://www.emergency.com/2000/S-26-CzechRep.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/S11-Australia.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/RNC_conv.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/mayday2k.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/a16-dc.htm
http://www.emergency.com/2000/polc_oped2000.htm

China/Espionage - Wen Ho Lee

WASHINGTON (EmergencyNet News) - According to U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, there is "no evidence" of additional espionage activity in the federal weapons laboratories. Richardson recently said: "With the measures in place and the counterintelligence presence that we have at the labs now, the polygraphs, the increased scrutiny ... we believe the problem is addressed."

The Secretary said counterintelligence programs have been beefed up at the labs and "there's no evidence of any more espionage cases. The growing national security controversy erupted after the Energy Department fired a Chinese-American computer scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he had been under FBI investigation since 1996.

Reference: http://www.emergency.com/1999/chinaspy.htm

Yugoslavia/Kosovo: Peaceful Coup

11:00CDT - 05 Oct 2000

Protestors Clash With Police In Attempt to "Storm" Belgrade Parliament Building

BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA (EmergencyNet News) -- According to reports from the scene, hundreds of thousands of people converged on the Yugoslav capital capital of Belgrade today, demanding that Slobodan Milosevic step down. A majority of police have responded with nightsticks and teargas, while a few others appear to be assisting the protestors or simply avoiding the clashes. Several people are believed to have been injured, although exact numbers and details remain sketchy at the time of this report. Unconfirmed reports suggest that an attempt to "storm" the Parliament building, and take it over, are underway...

Reference: http://www.emergency.com/2000/Yugotake-over.htm

Insurgency In Russia/Chechnya

10 Jan 2000

RUSSIA/CHECHNYA:

CHECHNYA: Russian forces battled on Tuesday to retake two key Chechen towns partially overrun by rebel fighters, while a top general admitted that mistakes had been made and tougher tactics will be used. The Russian military has been forced on the defensive in Chechnya with rebel fighters launching counterattacks and driving back federal troops in some areas. The rebel offensive caught the Russians by surprise, embarrassing senior commanders who had been predicting imminent victory. Russian artillery on Tuesday hit the towns of Shali and Argun, which were partly taken by Chechen rebels over the weekend.

Reference/Originally Appeared on: http://www.emergency.com/ennday.htm

(No Reference Available on the ERRI Web at this time)

Fuel Crisis/Infrastructure Failures

Reference/Originally Appeared on: http://www.emergency.com/ennday.htm

(No Reference Available on the ERRI Web at this time)

The Elian Gonzalez Immigration Case

08:00CDT - 22 Apr 2000

Elian Gonzalez Removed by INS Agents

Miami, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- Armed INS agents entered the "Little Havana" home where Elian Gonzalez was staying, at approximately 05:00EDT this morning. The boy was taken into custody, removed from the home, and is being flown to Andrews AFB, Maryland, according to federal sources. It is not presently known when Elian will be reunited with his father. So far, there have only been sporadic reactions by Cuban-Americans in Miami. Some arrests of demonstrators have been made, according to Miami officials.

10:00CDT - 22 Apr 2000

Father & Son Reunited At Andrews AFB

Washington, DC (EmergencyNet News) -- It is believed that Elian Gonzalez and his father have been reunited at an undisclosed location within Andrews AFB. Few other details are being disclosed in the interest of safety and security.

In the "Little Havana" area of Miami, intermittent acts of civil disobedience are being reported, but so far, no major disturbances have occurred. Protestors have set a few tires on fire and attempted to block streets. A additional contingent of police officers has been mobilized, to be dispatched, should violence break out. Miami police agencies say that the protestors have been generally peaceful and that they understand that some Cuban-Americans may be upset about the decision to remove Elian Gonzalez by force.

10:45CDT - 22 Apr 2000

Civil Disobedience Dramatically Increases in Miami

Miami, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- Eyewitnesses say that demonstrations in the area of "Little Havana" have become more violent in the past few minutes. Several small fires, involving dumpsters and other rubbish have been set in the middle of the street. Reportedly both fire and police vehicles have come under attack by protestors throwing rocks, bottles, and other debris. Reports from the scene say that a limited amount of tear-gas has been used in an attempt to control the surging crowds and that police have moved quickly to re-establish control. Police officials say that the protests are limited to a very small part of Miami and that most parts of the city are unaffected.

14:00CDT - 22 Apr 2000

Skirmishes Continue In Miami

Miami, FL (EmergencyNet News) -- Sporadic protest events continue in Miami. Police have been deployed to several intersections where angry protestors continue to attempt to block traffic and have been setting tires and debris on fire. Officials have expressed their concern that protests and vandalism may escalate as the day wears on and night falls in Miami. Additional police have reportedly been deployed to head-off any trouble that might develop. As many as 80 arrests have been reported so far today. According to witnesses, the protests are still limited to only a small part of the city.

Reference/Originally Appeared on: http://www.emergency.com/ennday.htm

(No Reference Available on the ERRI Web at this time)

© EmergencyNet News Service, 2000. All rights reserved. Redistribution or publication without the expressed permission of ERRI/EmergencyNet News is prohibited.

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