The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was established in 1985 by the U.S. Department of State to foster the exchange of security related information between the U.S. Government and American private sector operating abroad. Administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture for effective security cooperation. Through OSAC, the American private sector, including colleges and universities, is provided timely information on which to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect their investment, facilities, personnel and intellectual property abroad. Want to know how to become an OSAC constituent? OSAC constituency and services are available to any American enterprise with overseas interests incorporated in the U.S. more    Private Sector Security Overseas Seminar (PSOS) for OSAC Constituents 5-6 February, 2004 This security training closely mirrors what is provided to Department of State employees embarking on overseas tours. The focus is on getting participants to identify security risks and develop strategies for dealing with them. Click here to find out more. Adobe Acrobat (180 Kb) Click here for Registration form. Adobe Acrobat (112 Kb) OSAC Non-Business Security Awareness Seminar 21 January, 2004 A half-day seminar exclusively designed for the non-business OSAC constituent will be held on January 21, 2004 at the Harry S. Truman Building, Washington DC. Topics will include Terrorist Operations and Countermeasures, Bomb Recognition, and Embassy Resources. Those non-business OSAC constituents interested in attending please call (571) 345-2223 for more information. Registration forms may be downloaded and faxed to OSAC on (571) 345-2238. Registration closes January 16, 2004. Click here for Registration Form. Adobe Acrobat (181 Kb) Highlights from OSAC's 18th Annual Briefing The Overseas Security Advisory Council's 18th Annual Briefing was held on the 13th of November, 2003. Praised as a success, this year's Annual Briefing was attended by more than 600 private sector personnel. OSAC is proud to include some highlights here for your review. Remarks from Secretary Of State Colin L. Powell Chairman & CEO - DuPont OSAC Hot Topics An exclusive service to our constituents. Get the most up to date OSAC perspectives on global security trends and issues. If you are having problems opening the document, try right-clicking on the link and download the document to your desktop.      Summary of OSAC Constituent Concerns/Consultations (August - October, 2003) As the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on New York approached, the State Department reissued the worldwide travel warning.... Click here to find out more. Adobe Acrobat (179 Kb)      Snapshot of Business and Legal Challenges in Russia. (29 August 2003) American companies have come to face obstacles when entering into business in Russia, especially where legalities are concerned. The following provides a synopsis of the current situation and some general tips. Click here to find out. Adobe Acrobat (124 Kb) Current Announcements OSAC Support for Global Events In 2003-2004, multiple events will take place around the world that may impact the operations of OSAC constituents, and may affect the security of Americans traveling in the region. As a service to its constituents, OSAC will provide regular security assessments and updates for all of these events. Below is a chronological listing of events and a summary of security concerns and actions OSAC is taking. more  There are currently no global events being supported. For Your Information The Overseas Security Advisory Council would like to highlight the links below in an effort to keep our constituency information on related programs within the U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is a unique organization which plays an essential role within the United States Department of State. The Bureau's personnel, who include special agents, engineers, diplomatic couriers, Civil Service specialists, and contractors, work together as a team to ensure that the State Department can carry out its foreign policy missions safely and securely. (http://www.state.gov/m/ds/) more  Rewards For Justice Program The Rewards for Justice Program is one of the most valuable U.S. Government assets in the fight against international terrorism. Under this program, the Secretary of State may offer rewards of up to $5 million for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. (http://www.rewardsforjustice.net) more  Calendar Events Want to know of potential significant events that could affect your travel or safety abroad? Look here for all the information you need to make the best decision. December 29, 2003. BANGLADESH AND WORLDWIDE. Biswa Ijtema, World Congregation of Muslims, to Be Held in Bangladesh Biswa Ijtema, the three-day annual World Congregation that is the second-largest Muslim gathering in the world after the Hajj, will be held December 27-29 on the banks of Turag River, 30 kilometers north of Dhaka in Bangladesh at Tongi, Gazipur. Organisers hope that about four million devotees from home and abroad will take part in the Ijtema this year. Last year, more than 3 million Muslim devotees from 52 countries gathered along the banks of the Turag, and it ended peacefully despite rumors that some international terrorist groups may have planned to disrupt the event.   January 4, 2004. GEORGIA. Presidential Election Georgia's Presidential election is to be held on January 4, 2004.   January 4, 2004. PAKISTAN. Association for Regional Cooperation [SAARC] opens in Islamabad. The Association for Regional Cooperation [SAARC] conference opens in Islamabad. The meetings will last through 6 January 2004. Members of SAARC include: BG, BT, IN, MV, NP, PK, and CE.   January 4, 2004. SOUTH ASIA. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, Held in Pakistan The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, delayed from last winter, will be held January 4-6, 2004, in Islamabad. SAARC was established when its Charter was formally adopted on December 8, 1985 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It considers itself "a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in Member States." The seven-nation South Asian summit was due to be held in January 2003 but host Pakistan postponed it after India hesitated to confirm its attendance. However, India and Pakistan last week reached a ceasefire over their borders in divided Kashmir and Monday agreed to resume flights between the two countries from January 1.   January 5, 2004. SOUTH ASIA. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, Held in Pakistan The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, delayed from last winter, will be held January 4-6, 2004, in Islamabad. SAARC was established when its Charter was formally adopted on December 8, 1985 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It considers itself "a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in Member States." The seven-nation South Asian summit was due to be held in January 2003 but host Pakistan postponed it after India hesitated to confirm its attendance. However, India and Pakistan last week reached a ceasefire over their borders in divided Kashmir and Monday agreed to resume flights between the two countries from January 1.   January 6, 2004. SOUTH ASIA. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, Held in Pakistan The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, delayed from last winter, will be held January 4-6, 2004, in Islamabad. SAARC was established when its Charter was formally adopted on December 8, 1985 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It considers itself "a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in Member States." The seven-nation South Asian summit was due to be held in January 2003 but host Pakistan postponed it after India hesitated to confirm its attendance. However, India and Pakistan last week reached a ceasefire over their borders in divided Kashmir and Monday agreed to resume flights between the two countries from January 1.   January 12, 2004. BURKINA FASO. Paris-Dakar Rally The Paris-Dakar Rally stops in Bobo-Dioulasso for the night of 12 January. Travelers in the area should be aware of heightened security, increased crowds and unavailable accommodations. For more information, visit www.Dakar.com.   January 13, 2004. MALI. Paris-Dakar Rally The Paris-Dakar Rally stops in Bamako for the night of 13 January. Travelers in the area should be aware of heightened security, increased crowds and unavailable accommodations. For more information, visit www.Dakar.com.   January 16, 2004. MAURITANIA. Paris-Dakar Rally The Paris-Dakar Rally stops in Nouakchott for the night of 16 January. Travelers in the area should be aware of heightened security, increased crowds and unavailable accommodations. For more information, visit www.Dakar.com.   January 17, 2004. BANGLADESH. Int'l Chamber of Commerce Conference on "Global Economic Governance and Challenges of Multilateralism" Bangladesh will host its biggest ever intrenational business conference; around 300 delegates and representatives of 29 countries are expected. According to the conference website, (http://www.iccbwbo.org/ibc.htm) there will be an Opening Plenary on the Governance and Multilateralism on Saturday, 17th January, 2004 and three Business Sessions on Sunday, January 18, on topics such as the multilateral trade regime post-Cancun, Cancun and the growing concerns of the developing countries, capacity building for investment promotion, and trade facilitation through dispute resolution. Want to see more? View our full list of key calendar events. Think we missed an event? Submit your event to us. We will review it and determine whether to list it for the constituency. more		Mail This Page to a Friend   Site Map   Send Us Comments!  Consular Affairs  Information Public Announcements. 23 December 2003. Ethiopia. 23 December 2003. Bahrain. Travel Warnings. 22 December 2003. Nepal. 19 December 2003. Colombia. View more information from Consular Affairs on their website located at http://travel.state.gov.  Latest News Cameroon German Missionary Killed more  This box reflects information last updated on 30 December 2003.  Deliverable Content Interested in newsletters? OSAC has made our newsletter delivery available for public consumption. more  Want a news ticker? Interested in learning how you can place our custom news ticker on your website? more