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An exclusive service to our constituents. Get the most up to date OSAC perspectives on global security trends and issues.
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Shift toward Small-Scale Attacks in Saudi Arabia
In the past month, the threat level in Saudi Arabia has continued its increase, with the attack on the al-Khobar compounds,
several targeted assassinations of Westerners and/or non-Muslims, and the kidnapping of an American employee of Lockheed
Martin (the first kidnapping of a Westerner in Saudi Arabia). Just in the past week, four violent attacks against Westerners
left three dead.
This report lists the recent attacks, highlighting modus operandi and trends, and then lists some guidelines for personal
security based on recent Consular Affairs Travel Warnings and Warden Messages.
Click here to find out more.
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OSAC Information Sharing Survey Analysis
This report focuses on ways to fulfill the need for an the sharing of information regime between the American public and
private sectors, looking at the needs of both parties as well as current practices. The proposed regime looks to fulfill
the current and growing information needs of both the public and private sectors, with the goal of implementing a system
that is both more accessible and more informative than that currently in place.
Click here to find out more.
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OSAC Activity Report: April 2004
The Research and Information Support Center (RISC) reported 278 consultations for the month of April, 26% above the current running 12-month RISC average. April also marked RISC’s fourth consecutive month registering more than 250 constituent consultations.
Click here to find out more.
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Terrorists’ Tactics – The Shift to Softer Targets Continues
In nearly a year since OSAC last addressed a noticeable shift by terrorists in the direction of softer targets, nearly all the
major terrorist attacks that have taken place were directed at facilities we would characterize as relatively soft. As we consider
the recent series of attacks on soft targets and attempt to anticipate where terrorists might strike next, we are concerned that a
number of our constituents may fall into the category of soft targets.
Click here to find out more.
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OSAC Activity Report: March 2004
The Research and Information Support Center (RISC) reported 418 consultations for the month of March, an amazing 49% increase in activity from February. For the third consecutive month RISC reports a record high in constituent consultations.
Click here to find out more.
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Iraq Kidnapping Report
OSAC is closely monitoring the recent kidnappings of private citizens working and residing in
Iraq. Although too early to identify specific trends, it is clear that some Iraqi insurgents
are using...
Click here to find out more.
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Sri Lankan Elections: Where to From Here?
Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections last week raised more questions than they answered. After
two and a half years of cohabitation, the President called these early elections to...
Click here to find out more.
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Madrid Bombing
On 11 March 2004, 10 explosive devices were detonated between 0730 and 0745 local time at three train stations in Madrid, Spain killing 199 people and wounding more than 1,450 other commuters. The first explosives, a total of three, detonated at 0739 on a commuter train that had already arrived at the Madrid Atocha Train station...
Click here to find out more.
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Automated Teller Machine Scams
The Overseas Security Advisory Council, courtesy of the Regional Security Office in London, would like to take this opportunity to review the various methods criminals are using at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Click here to find out more.
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Missionary Attacks in Europe
OSAC notes that there have been a significant number of incidents against representatives of religious organizations within the past two months in Europe. Out of the incidents reported, there were attacks of intimidation, physical assault, sexual assault, and vandalism.
Click here to find out.
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RISC 2003 Activity Summary
RISC reported 2161 consulatations with constituent organizations and 217 threats (both actual incidents and potential threats) to American interests abroad in 2003.
Click here to find out.
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Increase in violence toward missionaries
Since the beginning of the holiday season OSAC has been monitoring an increase in violence directed toward representatives of religious organizations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Click here to find out.
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Snapshot of Business and Legal Challenges in Russia.
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.
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OSAC Support for Global Events
In 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.
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2004 Summer Olympic Games
August 13-29 2004 Athens, Greece
From 13-29 August 2004 the Summer Olympic Games will be held in Athens, Greece. For further information on the event and Greece in
general, please visit the following websites:
For more information please visit the Athens Country Council site.
EU-US Summit, Ireland
June 25-26 2004 Co. Clare, Ireland
The European Union and United States Summit is scheduled to be held in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland on June 25 - 26, 2004. A
large contingent of high-profile American leaders, including President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary
of Commerce Don Evans, and National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice will be present to discuss a wide range of foreign policy
issues with the European Commission.
NATO Summit in Istanbul, Turkey
June 28-29 2004 Istanbul, Turkey
The NATO Summit takes place June 28 -29 , 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey and will be attended by Heads of State and Government of the now
26 NATO member countries, as well as senior representatives from partner countries, including United States President George Bush.
Potential threats to the Summit include demonstrations, violence by anarchist groups, crime and terrorism, particularly in light
of the British Consulate and HSBC bank bombings of November 2003, where 28 people were killed when two co-coordinated vehicle
improvised explosive devices were simultaneously detonated.
On May 3, 2004 nine alleged members of the radical Islamist group, Ansar al-Islam (which has been linked to al-Qaeda), were sent to
prison in connection with their alleged plans to attack the Summit. Police arrested at least 16 men. Nine men were charged and seven
were released. The suspects reportedly were also planning to attack a synagogue in Bursa and rob a bank to raise funds for the group.
To date more than 30,000 security forces are scheduled to provide security and logistics for the Summit.
For more information please visit the below websites or log into OSAC's constituent services to access the NATO Summit Global Security Concern
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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. |
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June 28, 2004.
TURKEY. NATO Summit Meetings
Meetings at the Heads of State and Government level of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and between NATO and Heads of State and Government of Partner Countries will be held in Istanbul on 28-29 June 2004.
July 5, 2004.
INDONESIA. Presidential Elections in Indonesia
Presidential elections will be held in Indonesia. If no presidential candidate wins the required majority during the July 5 election, there will be a runoff presidential election on 20 September.
July 24, 2004.
NIGER. Local Elections
Local elections will be held on 24 July throughout Niger. The elections will determine mayorships and municipal councilorships, and are a precursor to Parliamentary and Presidential elections that will be held later this year. As of posting date, there were no complaints from any groups within Niger regarding the date set for elections, nor were there any complaints regarding the handling of the elections by the Nigerien election commission. The elections will feature candidates from the 33 recognized Nigerien political parties, although only 5 are expected to have any major number of winning candidates. According to Nigerien law, 10% of all candidates must be female. The 24 July Date represents the third postponement of elections, although all were done according to rule of law and without substantial opposition.
August 13, 2004.
GREECE.
Olympic Games begin in Athens, and will last until August 29.
October 13, 2004.
CHAD. International Oil and Gas Conference
The leading names in the petroleum and finance sectors will meet in N'djamena from the 13 14 October 2004 to participate in the 1st International Oil and Gas Conference in Chad (CIOGC), organized jointly by the Ministry of Petroleum, Republic of Chad and ITE Group Plc. Over the course of two days, decisionmakers in oil, gas and finance industries will dsicuss topics covering the proposed construction and maintenance of a refinery as well as the services connected with the upkeep of the Chad Cameroon Pipeline and the fast developing upstream and downstream sectors.
The Chad-Cameroon Pipeline was officially inaugurated with an opening ceremony which took place in the South of Chad on October 10th 2003. The project was completed one year earlier than planned. The pipeline transports oil from Bolobo, Miandoum and the Kome fields, located close to Doba in Central Chad. It passes through eastern Cameroon to the port of Kribi on the Gulf of Guinea.
November 15, 2004.
NAMIBIA. General Elections
Namibia has set general elections for November 15 and 16 to select a successor to veteran President Sam Nujoma, who has been in office since independence in 1990. Namibia's SWAPO-dominated parliament altered the constitution to allow Nujoma to stand for a third term in 1999, but that term ends on March 21, 2005. Whoever is chosen is regarded as firm favorite to succeed Nujoma as president given the party's grip on power - it won three out of four votes in 1999 national elections. Namibia has also set regional council elections for November 29 and 30.
November 29, 2004.
NAMIBIA. Local Elections
Namibia has also set regional council elections for November 29 and 30. These polls follow by two weeks the general elections to choose a successor to President Sam Nujoma.
December 1, 2004.
MOZAMBIQUE. National Elections
Mozambique will hold its third multiparty Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on 1 and 2 December.
December 20, 2004.
MALAYSIA. Legislative Elections
The National Front [Barisan Nasional-BN] will attempt to maintain its coalition and dominance of Malaysia in the face of electoral challenges by PAS [Pan Malaysian Islamic Party].
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Consular Affairs
Information
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