Hot Spots

[AMERICAS]

United States (Country threat level - 3): On 20 May 2003, the U.S. government announced a rise in the domestic threat level, from yellow ("elevated") to orange ("high"), or one step below the highest condition of terror alert ("severe," or red). On 21 May 2003, the U.S. armed forces raised their alert level as well. These alerts follow bombings during the past week in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, and warnings by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security that al-Qaeda could be planning attacks in the United States or against overseas U.S. interests. During a White House briefing on 20 May 2003, presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer stated, "We have concerns about whether or not there are threats that go beyond Saudi Arabia, and discussions are under way... This is part of the daily review that takes place involving the texture, the quality, the quantity of what is often referred to as the chatter that we hear in the system, so these matters are being looked at as we speak. !

We do have concerns about terrorists doing what they can to continue to inflict harm."

Security has been increased in several U.S. cities, particularly at key infrastructure sites. The FAA announced new flight restrictions beginning on 21 May. Earlier on 20 May 2003, officials in New York City announced that they were stepping up security measures, stationing uniformed and plainclothes police officers at sensitive locations, and introducing more checks at the city's bridges and tunnels.

Within the United States, heightened security at some buildings could cause delays for special events. Additional protective measures could include greater perimeter security in and around airports; customs, immigration and agriculture inspectors questioning travelers more closely at land borders or international airports; Search and Rescue teams on standby; additional checks by airport personnel of hand-carried items and more searches of vehicles on a random basis; and more U.S. Coast Guard patrol operations.

Uruguay (Country threat level - 2): On 20 March 2003, a "march of silence" demanding justice for individuals who disappeared during the 12-year dictatorship in Uruguay took place in downtown Montevideo, the capital. Unconfirmed reports from organizers state that approximately 20,000 people participated in the march, which has been held annually since 1996.

[ASIA]

India (Country threat level - 3): Workers throughout New Delhi are gearing up for a large-scale general strike on 21 May 2003. The strike will include trade-union members from the banking sector, ports and mining. There are concerns that the strike will trigger rioting after several days of power and water shortages near Sangam Vihar, Ameedkar, Nagar, Madangir and other areas in New Delhi that have been heavily affected.

Myanmar (Country threat level - 4): At approximately 0300 local time on 21 May 2003, a wave of explosions occurred, killing four people in the border town of Tachilek, in Myanmar, located approximately 519 mi/835 km north of Bangkok, Thailand. The Mae-Sai-Tachilek border crossing was temporarily closed. An investigation is underway to determine the source and nature of the explosions.

[MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA]

Saudi Arabia (Country threat level - 4): On 19 May 2003, Saudi security officials arrested three people who allegedly planned to hijack an aircraft at Jeddah's airport and crash it into a building in downtown Jeddah in an 11 September-style attack, Saudi authorities stated on 21 May 2003. The three men aroused the suspicion of immigration authorities while undergoing passport checks and were arrested. They were armed with knives and attempted to board a Saudia (the Saudi national carrier) flight to Sudan. Saudi authorities stated that the suspects were al-Qaeda members and belonged to the same cell that carried out the Riyadh bombings, although they were not necessarily involved in those attacks.

Saudi Arabia (Country threat level - 4): On 20 May 2003, amid rising concerns of an imminent terrorist attack the United Kingdom and Germany temporarily shut down all of their embassies and consulates throughout Saudi Arabia. The U.S. government had announced a similar step, and Italy reportedly also decided to close down its embassy in Saudi Arabia on 21 May 2003.

[SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA]

Côte d'Ivoire (Country threat level - 5): The Young Patriots movement, which supports President Laurent Gbagbo and has staged violent protests in recent months, has called demonstrations for 22 and 24 May 2003 in Abidjan, to press for the "immediate disarmament" of rebels in the country. The demonstration on 22 May 2003 will be a sit-in on the tracks of the railway that links Abidjan and Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital. There are no details available regarding the form of demonstration planned for 24 May 2003.

Ethiopia (Country threat level - 3): On 20 May 2003, at least eight people were seriously injured in a suspected grenade attack on a hotel in the border town of Moyale, located approximately 435 mi/700 km south of Addis Ababa, the capital. No further details were made available.

[WORLD]

Worldwide: On 21 May 2003, the Qatari-based al-Jazeera television station aired an audio tape that contained a message allegedly from Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden's top aide. The message urged Muslims throughout the world to intensify the struggle against "the Americans [and] the Jews" and attack the embassies and economic interests of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Norway throughout the world. The tape also referred to the struggle of Iraqis against occupation and pledged support for Iraq.

[SIGNIFICANT DATES]

21 May

France: Cannes Film Festival

Cameroon: Sheep Festival

Chile: Navy Day (Celebrated Naval Battle of Iquique. Public holiday: Celebrations occur)

22 May Haiti: Sovereignty Day Yemen: National Day (Commemorates the unification of North and South Yemen in 1990. Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close) France: Cannes Film Festival

23 May

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

Morocco: National Day

France: Cannes Film Festival

24 May

Eritrea: Independence Day (Everything closes)

Ecuador: Anniversary of Battle of Pichincha (1822) Public holiday

France: Cannes Film Festival

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

Macedonia: Sts. Cyrilus and Methodius Day

Bulgaria: Cyril and Methodius/Slavic Heritage Day (Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close)

25 May

Argentina: Presidential inauguration

Lebanon: Resistance and Liberation Day (Most government offices close)

Sudan: May Revolution Anniversary

Uzbekistan: Victory Day (WW II) (Not a holiday) Argentina: National Day (Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution) (Public holiday: Most government and business offices close. Demonstrations may occur)

Jordan: Independence Day (Public holiday: Most government and business offices close)

France: Cannes Film Festival

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June) Africa: Africa Day. Marked throughout

Africa. (Observed as a public holiday in Chad, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

26 May

Canada: Victoria Day

Ukraine: Victory Day (WW II)

Georgia: Independence Day

Buddhism: Buddha Purnima (Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and literally means the "full moon day of Buddha." In Indonesia, this holiday is celebrated as Waisak or Vesak. It falls on the first full moon in May, except in a leap year when the festival is held on the next full moon, which may fall in June.)

Guyana: Independence Day

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

27 May

Ukraine: Victory Day (WW II)

United Kingdom: Bank Holiday

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

28 May

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

Ethiopia: Overthrow of the Dergue Regime Day

Azerbaijan: Independence Day - 1918 (All government offices, businesses and shops close)

29 May

Nigeria: Anniversary of return to democracy (Public holiday)

Israel: Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalaim)

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

Christianity: Ascension (Public holiday in some countries, including Austria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African

Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal and Senegal)

24 May

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

Nicaragua: Mothers' Day

Croatia: Statehood Day (Commemorates declaration of independent Croatia in 1990. Public holiday. Offices and businesses close)

Malaysia: Harvest Festival (Public holiday in Sabah and Labuan)

Christianity - Orthodox: Ascension

31 May

Puerto Rico: Memorial Day (Government offices, banks and many businesses close; retail stores open)

Russia: St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebrations (Heavy VIP presence expected. Hotels and transportation fully booked. Airport closed 29 May-1 June)

Malaysia: Harvest Festival (Public holiday in Sabah and Labuan)

South Africa: Union Day

[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.