World Hot Spots

On 17 March 2003, anti-war protesters stated that they would continue demonstrations in U.S. cities in the event of an attack on Iraq. Protest organizers are calling for demonstrators to increase civil disobedience such as paralyzing traffic, creating disruptions at financial institutions, blocking entrances to federal buildings, military compounds, city halls and state capitols.

Meanwhile, on 18 March 2003, British Airways became the first airline to announce that it will suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv as of the evening of 19 March 2003.

[ASIA]

Southeast Asia: Reports emerged on 18 March 2003 that the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore have increased security due to the possibility of domestic unrest and retaliatory attacks over a possible U.S.-led war against Iraq. In Indonesia, officials are bracing for possible protests and violence related to U.S. President George W. Bush's decision to declare war against Iraq should Iraqi President Saddam Hussein refuse to step down. In Malaysia and Singapore, authorities are concerned that militants may conduct sympathy attacks against targets in their countries. In the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reiterated the Philippine government's concern over possible "collateral sympathy attacks" from groups in the country.

[MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA]

Yemen (Country threat level - 4): An unidentified Yemeni gunman attacked and killed two oil workers (citizens of the United States and Canada) on an oil rig belonging to Hunt Oil on 18 March 2003, at approximately 1110 UTC. The oil rig is near the city of Safar (in Marib province). There is an unconfirmed report that the gunman killed another Yemeni citizen as well. The gunman turned his weapon on himself before he could be questioned. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack at this time.

[SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA]

Central African Republic (Country threat level - 5): On 17 March 2003, coup leader Francois Bozize stated on national radio that his fighters, who had seized control of Bangui, the capital, over the preceding two days, would be carrying out searches "to unmask the thieves and other looters, as well as their middlemen" who ransacked Bangui in the ensuing hours. International media reports, however, stated that on 18 March 2003, bands of armed men were still robbing homes in the outlying neighborhoods of Bangui and robbed those in the streets of vehicles and personal effects. Local residents are blaming some attacks on ousted President Ange-Felix Patasse's presidential guardsmen, many of whom took flight with their weapons during the coup. Fighters supporting Bozize do not hesitate to open fire on those whom they catch looting. Although the rebels met with little resistance in Bangui, at least 17 people died and destruction is widespread, from the city market to the outskirts.! Looters have sacked gas stations, making transport more difficult. Bozize called for more troops from member states of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) to stabilize the volatile situation in the coup-prone country. A CEMAC force of several hundred troops from Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea remains in the country following multiple coup attempts. On 17 March 2003, France deployed 300 soldiers to Bangui to assist in the evacuation of foreigners and control access to the airport. A French military aircraft evacuated 80 people, including 60 French nationals, to Gabon on 16 March 2003.

Niger (Country threat level - 4): On 16 March 2003, an estimated 1,000 people (mainly hardline Muslims) demonstrated peacefully in the streets of Niamey, the capital, against a potential U.S.-led war on Iraq. The protest began with a rally outside the Assemblée Nationale, and protesters then marched in the main avenues, chanting slogans decrying the United States and U.S. President George W. Bush, under a marked security presence.

Uganda (Country threat level - 4): After rebels failed to attend peace talks to end Uganda's 16-year civil war, saying they had not had enough time to prepare, Kampala extended a temporary cease-fire in the north, without announcing a new expiry date.

Zimbabwe (Country threat level - 4): Zimbabwe's opposition party has called for a week of protests, beginning with a peaceful 48-hour general strike on 18-19 March 2003, to protest President Robert Mugabe's administration. Contradicting state radio, which claimed that only white-owned businesses in Bulawayo were closed, international press sources reported that most factories and shops were closed in Harare and Bulawayo. Government offices and some banks remained open. International media reports stated that in central Harare, people appeared to be going about business as normal, although protesters erected barricades of rocks and poles across roads leading to the city center. State radio reported on 18 March 2003 that protesters in the low-income Harare suburb of Glen View hurled Molotov cocktails at a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) van outside a shopping center. Police officials stated that gangs of youths were roaming Harare in the early hours of the morning of 18 March 2003, hurling stones at passing motorists, blocking roads and burning at least one vehicle. There are unconfirmed reports that a mob attacked commuters at a train station in the township of Mufakose, near Harare. In the eastern township of Mabvuku, police officers fired tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered at a bus station and blocked the surrounding streets. Police officers arrested several people in Harare and in the eastern border city of Mutare. Police authorities declared the protest action illegal and stated that officers would forcibly repress protests.

[WORLD]

Worldwide: On 18 March 2003, reports emerged that several suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have been detected in Australia, Bahrain, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. (More than 10 countries have suspected cases to date, and most of them are in Hong Kong.) Authorities believe that the illness has killed at least four people and infected hundreds more since the recent outbreak began, and a majority of the infected are hospital personnel. As of 18 March 2003, more than 100 people are reported to be suffering from severe pneumonia compared to nearly 85 the day before. In one report, a Hong Kong doctor stated that the illness can cause pneumonia within five days of the onset of its flu-like symptoms. Health officials continue to work to identify the cause of the illness, and World Health Organization (WHO) officials do not believe that it will become a global pandemic.

According to the WHO: "The disease is spread from person to person but only through close contact with a case. To date, almost all reported cases have occurred in health workers involved in the direct care of reported cases or in close contacts, such as family members. There is no evidence to date that the disease spreads though casual contact...The speed of international travel creates a risk of rapid spread to additional areas. Because the clinical course and epidemiological behaviour of this disease are poorly understood, WHO is calling upon national health authorities to maintain close vigilance for suspected cases. There is no current justification for any restriction in travel or trade."

[GOVERNMENT WARNINGS]

Central African Republic (Country threat level - 5): On 18 March 2003, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade issued the following Travel Advisory for the Central African Republic. "This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level has changed. Australians should defer all travel to the Central African Republic and those already in the country should consider departing as soon as possible by commercial means. Conflict between rebel groups and government troops continues to worsen. The situation in the capital, Bangui, remains tense and dangerous with frequent attacks on civilians and irregular curfews being reported. Overland points of entry are closed to tourists and travel outside the capital, Bangui, is particularly dangerous. Banditry and crime are prevalent, especially in the northern and eastern regions. Australians who choose to travel to the Central African Republic despite this advice are strongly advised to avoid any large public gatherings and maintain a high level of personal security awareness. Australian travellers should be aware of the increased threat of terrorism globally and should consult the General Advice to Australian Travellers, available at http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General."

Côte D'ivoire (Country threat level - 5): On 18 March 2003, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade issued the following Travel Advisory for Côte d'Ivoire. "This advice has been reviewed and contains new information or advice. This travel advice should be read in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers, available at http://dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General. Australians are advised not to visit the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) until further notice. Australians in the Ivory Coast are advised to leave immediately. Following recent political events, the overall security situation has become extremely unstable. Demonstrations have turned violent and in some cases foreigners have been seriously threatened. Many foreigners have been evacuated and much property has been destroyed. Peace negotiations are currently being brokered with West African and French authorities to end the conflict, but the internal situation remains tense and dangerous. Curfews are in effect throughout the country but can change with little notice. Although flights are still operating they may be subject to disruption. The risk of violent crime, particularly in Abidjan, is high. Car and bus jackings are common and checkpoints and roadblocks may be encountered. The western area bordering Liberia remains unsettled and dangerous. Australian travellers should be aware of the increased threat of terrorism globally and should consult the General Advice to Australian Travellers, available at http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General. Australians are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. A violation of local laws may result in a gaol sentence, served in a local prison. Travellers should be aware of an outbreak of yellow fever in Abidjan."

Solomon Islands (Country threat level - 4): Late on 17 March 2003, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement for the Solomon Islands. "This Public Announcement is being issued to update information on safety and security in the Solomon Islands in light of continuing threats against members of the government and occurrences of lawless behavior in the capital region of Honiara and in Malaita Province. This replaces the December 20, 2002, Public Announcement and expires September 14, 2003. The arrival of a new Police Commissioner in late January 2003 has brought some improvements in the security situation in Honiara. However, the status of the three-year old political, economic, and security crisis in the Solomon Islands remains largely unchanged. In February 2003, a member of the National Peace Council and former Police Commissioner was assassinated in Auki, Malaita Province. The majority of lawless incidents are caused by police and militia bands seeking monetary compensation for their participation in police operations. Because the government has occasionally met these demands, we expect the incidents to continue. Americans planning to visit the Solomon Islands should contact the U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara or the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for updates on the security situation. All Americans in the Solomon Islands should register with the U.S. Consular agent in Honiara, as there is no U.S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands."

Turkey (Country threat level - 3): Late on 17 March 2003, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement for Turkey. "This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to increased security concerns in southeast Turkey, especially along the Turkey/Iraq border. In addition, this Public Announcement alerts U.S. citizens that the Department of State has authorized the departure of family members at the U.S. Consulate in Adana, Turkey, and the Department of Defense has authorized the departure of family members at Incirlik Airbase in Adana, Turkey, on a voluntary basis. The Embassy in Ankara and our Consulates in Istanbul and Izmir are not affected by this decision. U.S. citizens are warned to defer non-essential travel to southeast Turkey. U.S. citizens in southeast Turkey should consider departing. This Public Announcement expires on June 17, 2003. Due to heightened tensions and increased security concerns resulting from the current situation in the region, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to southeast Turkey. U.S. citizens in the southeast Turkey provinces of Sirnak, Diyarbakir, Van, Siirt, Mus, Mardin, Batman, Bingol, Tunceli, Hakkari, Bitlis, Adana, Adiyaman, Hatay, Elazig, Gaziantep, Kahraman Maras, Kilis, Malatya, Icel, Mersin, Osmaniye, Sanliufra and Antakya should consider departing. American citizens should not attempt to cross the border into Iraq. On March 17, 2003, the Department of State authorized the departure of family members at the U.S. Consulate in Adana, Turkey, on a voluntary basis. In addition, the Department of Defense authorized the departure of family members at Incirlik Airbase in Adana, Turkey. U.S. consular personnel throughout Turkey, including in Adana, remain available to provide emergency information and services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to southeastern Turkey despite this announcement are encouraged to register at the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, at the Consulate General in Istanbul, or the consulates in Adana and Izmir and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and security in Turkey. All Americans in Turkey should exercise caution and take prudent measures to ensure their security. U.S. citizens should ensure travel documents for all family members are current."

United States (Country threat level - 3): On 18 March 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following statement: "The Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the Homeland Security Council, has made the decision to raise the national threat level from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack or Level Orange. The Intelligence Community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and Coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S - led military campaign against Saddam Hussein. A large volume of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that Al-Qaida probably would attempt to launch terrorist attacks against U.S. interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the "Iraqi people" rather than Saddam Hussein's regime. While the March 1 arrest of senior Al Qaida operative, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad (KSM) has put the Al-Qaida senior leadership on the defensive - and will be debilitating in the long term -- the Intelligence Community believes that KSM's capture will not necessarily affect operations that are ready or nearly ready for execution. There are many recent indications that Al-Qaida's planning includes the use of chemical, biological, and/or radiological materials. Intelligence reporting also indicates that while Al-Qaida and those sympathetic to their cause are a principal threat, Iraqi state agents, Iraqi surrogate groups, other regional extremist organizations, and ad hoc groups or disgruntled individuals not connected to existing organizations or state agencies, may use this time period to conduct terrorist attacks against the U.S., or our interests abroad. In recent months, there have been reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure (bridges, dams, power generating facilities), and targets that are considered symbolic to U.S. power and influence. The discovery of ricin production in London raises the concern of the Intelligence Community that extremists are planning to follow through on longstanding threats of poison plots against U.S, British and Israeli interests - and possibly other targets in Europe. The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with numerous departments of the federal government has begun implementing increased protective measures under a comprehensive national plan to protect the Homeland: 'Operation Liberty Shield.' Operation Liberty Shield will increase security at our borders, strengthen transportation sector protections, enhance security at our critical infrastructure, increase public health preparedness and make sure all federal response assets can be deployed quickly. Tonight, I have spoken to the nation's Governors and asked them to deploy the National Guard or additional police forces to improve security at critical locations throughout their states. Other state, local and private sector leaders are also ! being contacted to engage their support to increase the nation's security. These heightened security measures will help deter terrorism and increase protection of America and Americans. In the meantime, as on the other occasions when the national threat level has been increased, we encourage members of the public to continue their daily work, family and leisure activities with a heightened awareness. Further information about this announcement may be obtained at the Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov or www.ready.gov . The Department of State continues to monitor security conditions overseas and, as always, will promptly disseminate information affecting the safety of Americans abroad through its consular information program. These documents are available on the Department's internet website at http://www.travel.state.gov , and can also be accessed through the website of the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia at http://usembassymalaysia.org.my ."

[SIGNIFICANT DATES]

18 March

Aruba: Aruba Day (Public holiday) businesses close.

India: Holi (Culminating day) (Inter-caste "festival of color." Boisterous celebrations include throwing colored water and powder at friends)

Israel: Purim

19 March

Colombia: San Jose

Costa Rica: Feast of St. Joseph (San Jose only. Celebration of Catholic saint. Businesses close except for banks) Spain: Feast of San Jose

20 March

Tunisia: Independence Day (Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close)

21 March

Nowruz (Persian New Year. Occurs on the vernal equinox, on 20, 21 or 22 March each year)

Mexico: Benito Juarez's Birthday. Celebration of Mexican president's birthday. Public holiday, businesses close.

Namibia: Independence Day (Everything closes)

South Africa: Human Rights Day (anniversary of 1961 protests when police opened fire, killing 69 people) (Public holiday - Government offices close)

Tunisia: Youth Day (Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close) Japan: Vernal Equinox (Shunbun no Hi)

Turkey: Kurdish New Year (Authorities often increase security measures in the southeast and other areas with a Kurdish population. Kurdish demonstrations are possible and may turn violent)

22 March

Puerto Rico: Emancipation Day (Commemorating day slaves on the island were freed. Some businesses and schools close)

23 March

Pakistan: Constitution Day (Government and business offices close) Parades are held in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta)

25 March

Cyprus: Greek Independence Day (Observed as a public holiday when falling on a weekday. Parades organized)

Greece: Independence Day (Commemorates independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. Offices and businesses close. Parades organized throughout the country. May be observed on the following Monday if it falls on a weekend)

Christianity - Orthodox New Calendar: Annunciation

26 March

Bangladesh: Independence Day (Government and Business offices close)

27 March

Angola: Victory Day (unofficial holiday, widely celebrated)

28 March

China: Anniversary of Deposing of Dalai Lama

[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.