OSAC Activity Report: August 2006

Activity

Worldwide 7 Sep 2006

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Executive Summary

This month, the OSAC Executive Office welcomed a new Deputy Director, Special Agent Fred Stolper.  Special Agent Stolper served most recently as the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at U.S. Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan.  Prior to his tour in Baku, he served in Berlin, on the Secretary's Protective Detail and at Diplomatic Security's Washington Field Office.  As the new Deputy Director, Special Agent Stolper will be working on country council development issues with RSOs around the world and supporting a variety of OSAC initiatives.

At the end of August, the Executive Office met with the expanded OSAC Executive Working Group (EWG) to review the second year of the current OSAC Strategic Plan, coordinate planning for November's Annual Briefing, and cover a number of OSAC administrative issues.  Over the two-day session, hosted by Alumni Committee Chair Joe Petro of CitiGroup, the expanded EWG charted OSAC's course into 2007 and continued the drive towards completion of a fully successful two-year program.

OSAC's Research and Information Support Center (RISC) conducted 389 constituent consultations in August, a precipitous drop from July's enormous figures, but still the fifth-highest tally in RISC history.  The RISC region with most constituent interest in August was the Middle East, which registered 23% of RISC's total communication tally.  The individual country with the most constituent interest in August was India, attracting over 11% of all RISC consultations for the month.  For complete information on RISC-constituent interaction, please view the final section of this report.

Departmental Support for OSAC

OSAC was highlighted in an internal State Department report on advancing the policy of Transformational Democracy worldwide.  The objective of the policy, implemented via global repositioning of departmental personnel and funds, was defined in a January 18, 2006 speech at Georgetown University by Secretary Condoleezza Rice: "to work with our many partners around the world, to build and sustain democratic, well-governed states that will respond to the needs of their people and conduct themselves responsibly in the international system... We seek to use America's diplomatic power to help foreign citizens better their own lives and to build their own nations and to transform their own futures."  OSAC was lauded as being "an active partner of American businesses and universities, helping them to remain competitive and secure in a global environment through the dissemination of vital security-related information."  The report continued, noting OSAC is "expanding its constituency to encompass educational institutions and the non-profit and NGO communities."

OSAC On the Air

OSAC's Executive Director, Doug Allison appeared on an episode of The Rondeau Report, with host Don Rondeau, to discuss OSAC efforts. The program, associated with the International Association of Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, is described as a "comprehensive look at current Homeland Security related topics...  featur[ing] interviews with some of the most knowledgeable and respected members of the community."  Rondeau noted "OSAC has been immersed in conflicts around the world for some time. We can all learn a thing or two [about] how they collect, analyze and share information with the private sector. They are info-sharing pioneers." The full interview can be downloaded online at http://www.redteamone.com/images/RR4.WMV.

OSAC In the News

OSAC's work at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino was highlighted in an issue of the Security Director News, a monthly business publication with a readership of over 30,000 security directors, loss prevention professionals, security consultants and corporate executive managers.  The article included interviews with OSAC management and RISC staff, as well as a testimonial from an OSAC constituent helped by OSAC's Olympic coverage.

Hot Topic: Turkish Indigenous Terrorism

This spring, the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks/Falcons (TAK) issued five public statements reasserting their mission to undermine the Turkish state. The TAK statements, posted on the group's official website, warned that they would continue their campaign against government, economic and civilian targets in Turkey. In a statement issued on March 31, TAK declared that it would continue to target and intensify its actions against the tourism industry. 

Recently, TAK has reasserted this threat and has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks that have both directly and indirectly affected the Turkish tourism industry.  From August 25-28, several bombings rocked tourist areas throughout coastal Turkey, as the trend of targeting tourist spots continued.  The bombings, in Adana, Antalya, Istanbul and Marmaris, were responsible for several deaths and injuries, and also highlight the increased efficacy of a campaign by indigenous Turkish terror groups.  OSAC produced a PowerPoint presentation on the Turkish Coastal Bombings as well as an update of a report detailing Kurdish Terrorists Targeting Tourism, both of which can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Hot Topic: Racially-Motivated Violence in Eastern Europe

In the past year, reports of racially-motivated violence in Russia have made international headlines. According to Moscow-based NGO Sova, from January to June 2006, 18 people were killed and 147 were injured in these attacks. Amnesty International argues that the number of murders, attacks and incidents of discrimination attributed to racial hatred continues to grow, while Russian authorities believe that the problem is being blown out of proportion by the international press. Moreover, Russian officials claim that Russian nationals are also victimized, but that such attacks do not get the same publicity as those involving foreigners. Regardless of the rate increase, skinheads in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Hungary continue to target people that are non-white, Jewish or homosexual; many of these attacks have targeted foreign university students.

OSAC published a Hot Topic report to offer a general overview of recent attacks and the skinhead movement behind it. Although numerous types of skinheads exist, including non-racist skinheads and soccer hooligans, this report focuses specifically on racist skinhead groups. Motives for these attacks and best practices for U.S. organizations operating in this region are also discussed. Hate Crime and Skinhead Violence in Eastern Europe can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Hot Topic: Congo Election Violence

The Democratic Republic of Congo announced the results of its first democratic elections in 40 years on August 20.  From a field of more than 30 candidates, no single candidate attracted more than 50% of the vote.  Therefore, the top two candidates are scheduled to go head-to-head in a run-off vote on October 29.  The run-off candidates are President Joseph Kabila, who attracted approximately 45% of the initial vote, and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, who attracted approximately 20%.

As August 20 approached, many began to predict the announcement would bring unrest to Kinshasa, the capital and an opposition stronghold.  These predictions rang true, as unrest and general lawlessness flared from August 20-22.  The unrest came despite the presence of the largest UN peacekeeping mission in the world, MONUC, with over 17,500 peacekeepers stationed in the country.  Late on August 22, MONUC brokered a deal to end the unrest.  With international forces on the streets of Kinshasa, the violence has stopped, and the city has returned to business as usual.  However, it remains to be seen whether the high profile brokering that ended the August violence will have any lasting effect by staving off any potential return to hostilities during and after the October run-off. 

During the violence, American and international organizations remained in the country by necessity, as all means of egress were blocked.  Many of these same organizations are now considering their options for October, given the rapidity by which the security situation can change in Kinshasa.  OSAC published two Hot Topic Reports in August detailing the situation in Kinshasa: a Situation Report was produced on August 22, immediately after the ceasefire; one week later, an After Action Report was produced, looking ahead to the October 29 runoffs.  Both of these reports can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Hot Topic: Darfur Border Security

While the onset of the rainy season has greatly reduced vehicle movements, Chadian military forces appear to be beefing up their presence along its eastern border with Sudan. On the other side of the border, Chadian rebels are reported to be reorganizing their leadership structure. Ethnic tensions in the town of Guereda have caused some humanitarian organizations in the area to raise concerns of a possible violent conflict between ethnic groups in the local communities and refugee camps. Even though NGO groups in other camps have noted greater cooperation on security matters with local authorities, they highlight the continued lack of a strong gendarme presence to protect the refugee camps.  OSAC's Hot Topic Report, Darfur Border Security Update, details these and other issues important to NGOs in the region, and can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Hot Topic: UK Airline Terror Plot

On August 10, London's Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch and the United Kingdom's MI5 security service conducted raids and seized evidence culminating in the arrest of 24 individuals across London, High Wycombe, and Birmingham. The suspected terrorists were plotting to attack up to 12 aircrafts en route from the UK to the United States while in mid-flight. Police conducted the early morning raids because intelligence officials believe the plotters had moved from the planning to the operational stages and that an attack was imminent. The uncovering and foiling of the terrorist plot was the result of extensive cooperation among Pakistani, British and American intelligence agencies.  OSAC published a Hot Topic Report giving the latest information on the plot; the Update on the Foiled Airline Terror Plot can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Hot Topic: Nepal Overview

In April 2006, Nepal experienced unprecedented violence in the wake of popular political discontent. Throughout the month, Nepal's population suffered curfews at the behest of its king in an effort to stop calls for nationwide protests. King Gyanedra's actions came under harsh scrutiny by his people and the international community alike. While traveling through the region, RISC's South and Central Asia Regional Coordinator arrived in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, witnessing history. Citing instability, on April 24, the U.S. Embassy moved to Ordered Departure status, sending dependents and non-essential embassy staff out of the country. However, since then, Nepal has restored its constitutional monarchy. OSAC's Hot Topic Report Nepal: Historic Protests Bring Momentous Change? serves to capture this time period and offer a look at Nepal's future, and can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Country Council Focus: Libya

On June 30, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed the official notification of the rescission of Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Secretary Rice announced that the U.S. Government would resume full diplomatic relations with Libya due to "the historic decisions taken by Libya's leadership in 2003 to renounce terrorism and to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs." Most economic sanctions have now been lifted.

As Western investment returns to the country, the Qadhafi regime appears to be balancing the need to open Libya's market in order to gain stature and economic opportunity in the global community, with the desires of regime hardliners who fear that change could undo economic progress they have made. As evidenced by recent protest activity, a wide segment of the Libyan population holds lingering resentment against current economic conditions. This underlying dissatisfaction with the regime could help foster growing support for Islamist opposition movements, though they are strictly controlled.  In light of the change in U.S. policy toward Libya, as well as the domestic developments within the country, OSAC published a Hot Topic Report Libya: Open for Business, which examines these and other issues, and can be accessed on the OSAC website with an OSAC username and password.

Because of all of the interest in returning to the Libyan market, combined with the apprehension many businesses feel regarding security in the country and across the region, RSO Tripoli formed a steering group of U.S. private sector representatives to look at developing a Country Council for Tripoli this past April.  This month, the steering group ratified a charter and bylaws, inaugurating OSAC's newest Country Council.  The Tripoli Country Council will face issues different from nearly all other councils: entering or re-entering a newly re-opened market; operation in a country still filled with xenophobia and an extremely watchful government; attraction and retention of reluctant employees to a location tied closely with past acts of terrorism but returning to the modern industrial fold.  OSAC encourages organizations interesting in doing business in Libya to participate in this newest Country Council, as we continue working towards our goal of sharing the most, best information possible for the good of American private sector organizations worldwide.

RISC Travel

Two RISC Regional Coordinators visited five posts in Africa and South America during the month of August:

• BUJUMBURA: RISC's Regional Coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa traveled to Burundi to meet with several U.S. and international NGOs who are working to set up a new Country Council.  Considering the security environment there, the idea of a council should work well.  The small number of private sector organizations in-country may hinder progress at first; however, the interest level was high, as is RSO and embassy support, and a second meeting is likely to be scheduled for October.
• La PAZ: RISC's Regional Coordinator for the Americas traveled to Bolivia to meet with council members and provide a presentation to the country council there.  The La Paz Country Council has averaged two council meetings per year, with the August meeting drawing about 40 attendees.  Notably, at the end of the August meeting, council members participated in an interactive discussion about the incidents most recently suffered by their operations.  Concerns centered on street crime, breaking and entering, and other similar crimes.  Some council members also mentioned a number of express kidnappings reported by employees in recent months.
• LIMA: After a period of dormancy, the Lima Country Council is now counted as one of the most active councils in Latin America.  The group, newly injected with a sense of purpose and motivation by new leadership, has been meeting monthly with the support of the American Chamber of Commerce.  RISC's Regional Coordinator for the Americas traveled to Peru to deliver a presentation on the impacts of regional politics on security.  Meeting attendees numbered about 35.  Some of the security concerns raised by members included street crime and harassment by local labor syndicates.
• RIO de JANEIRO: RISC's Regional Coordinator for the Americas traveled to Brazil to present a threat briefing and discuss projected OSAC event coverage of the July 2007 Pan-American Games. Based on interviews with companies, operating conditions can vary widely from one outfit to another.  While Rio in general experiences high rates of street crime, if managers take certain precautions, in many locations, the threat profile can be lowered considerably.  However, some companies, simply due to their locations in the city, deal with staggeringly higher threat profiles.  This is mainly due to the threat posed by the numerous slums or "favelas" scattered throughout the city that in many cases are controlled by violent, feuding drug gangs.  In many cases, some slums are so dangerous and the drug gangs so well armed that police are unable to exert any presence.  In general, the violence associated with the slums is relegated to the slums, but in some cases the violence does spill over into other areas.  Some companies that have operations near these slums have been affected by stray bullets and gun battles between gangs and police emanating from the favelas. 
• SÃO PAULO: RISC's Regional Coordinator for the Americas traveled to Brazil's largest city to attend a meeting of the São Paulo Country Council.  Supplemented by a presentation provided by the US Consulate's Foreign Commercial Service Section, the program was well received by participants.  Council members' concerns centered chiefly on street crime and theft.  Many noted that while crime rates are high, the perception is that most crime only affects the poorest of areas and does not necessarily impact a large portion of the population.  While council members were very concerned about the recent gang violence that affected the state in May and July, most agreed that the only direct impact of the violence on their operations was problems with traffic and roadblocks.  Several companies also expressed cargo theft as a concern.

Upcoming Travel

Three RISC Regional Coordinators and several members of the OSAC Executive Office are planning on visiting 14 posts in the Middle East, Europe and Asia in September.  Additionally, RISC has several domestic speaking engagements.

• ALGIERS: Country Council meeting September 18
• ASHGABAT: RISC Coordinator available to meet September 20-21
• BISHKEK: Country Council meeting September 15
• COPENHAGEN: Country Council meeting September 8-9
• DHAKA: Country Council meeting September 12
• DUBLIN: Country Council meeting September 12
• JAKARTA: Country Council meeting mid-September, TBA
• JEDDAH: Country Council meeting September 14
• MANILA: Country Council meeting September 27
• MILAN: Country Council meeting September 26
• OSLO: Country Council meeting mid-September, TBA
• PHNOM PENH: Country Council meeting late September, TBA
• SAN DIEGO: Constituent speaking engagement, September 27
• SAN RAMON: Constituent speaking engagement, September 13
• THE HAGUE: Country Council meeting September 19
• TRIPOLI: Country Council meeting September 20

This list is by no means exhaustive in terms of Country Council meetings around the world; it only shows where OSAC representatives will be traveling.  OSAC encourages private sector participants to inquire about scheduling individual meetings with traveling RISC coordinators and/or attending available Country Council meetings, whether or not an OSAC representative will be attending.

RISC - Constituent Interaction

Below is a regional overview of RISC constituent interaction for the month of August follows, with descriptive breakdowns of the countries garnering the most constituent interest for the month:

Middle East & North Africa

RISC provided 89 constituent consultations in the ninth-busiest month ever recorded for any RISC region. The Middle East region has registered six of RISC's ten busiest months, all of them within the last seven months. (see table below)

• LEBANON: Constituents continued to be concerned for their employees and facilities in Lebanon, even after an Israeli ceasefire took hold.
• ISRAEL: Concern continues to rise for constituents in Israel following the strikes on Lebanon.  With Hezbollah rockets hitting inside Israeli territory, many are concerned about the safety of their facilities and personnel in Northern Israel, even though the U.S. Embassy has formally lifted travel restrictions it placed on official Americans earlier in the month.

RISC provided 82 constituent consultations in the second-busiest month ever recorded for this region.

• NIGERIA: Westerners continue to be abducted in the Niger Delta, although the newest trend is abduction from public places.  OSAC constituents in the country are nearly all at their highest security levels, and many are having difficult times filling expatriate positions.  Still, this latest round of kidnappings does not appear to have prompted any organizations to cease operations.
• DR CONGO: Violence in Kinshasa directly affected several OSAC constituents, whose personnel were located in vulnerable areas of the city.  OSAC worked with several constituents to communicate vulnerabilities to the U.S. Embassy, and to arrange for UN help in getting to safety.

Western Hemisphere

RISC provided 57 constituent consultations.

• MEXICO: The traditionally high level of interest in Mexico continued in August.  Despite the usual slow summer vacation period when consultation numbers usually dip, constituent interest in Mexico was piqued by a continuing blockade of major traffic arteries in Mexico City by the political opposition, and a Travel Warning advising against travel to Oaxaca due to protest activity there.

South & Central Asia

RISC provided 48 constituent consultations.

• INDIA: India's high level of constituent interest in August was the tenth-highest recorded level of interest for any country in any one month.  The heightened interest was due mainly to the increased reporting (on the part of both media and private security analysis) of rumored terrorist attacks. This is becoming a fairly common trend, but should not dissuade constituents from keeping abreast of India's ever-changing security situation.

East Asia & the Pacific

RISC provided 37 constituent consultations.

• CHINA: RISC received a significant number of constituent consultations on China this month. There is no one issue in particular that accounts for this interest, but rather several factors to include executive travel to the country and a few minor security incidents.

Western Europe

RISC provided 47 constituent consultations.

• UNITED KINGDOM: Constituents were concerned following police interruption of a plot to blow up numerous aircraft en route from the UK to the U.S.  Flights between London and the U.S. are among the most popular for American business travelers.

Eastern Europe

RISC provided 29 constituent consultations, the highest tally for this region in six months.

• TURKEY: Kurdish terrorism in Turkey's coastal cities intensified as seven bombings affected five cities in four days. Although the American private sector was not directly affected, tourists traveling with a western travel service provider sustained injuries.