Committee Hotspots

TruthOUT - Noam Chomsky: The Charade of Israeli-Palestinian Talks

SO MUCH FOR THE SETTLEMENT MORITORIUM

Israel (Country threat level - 4): A major forest fire that began on 2 December 2010 continues to burn in northern Israel on 3 December. The fire broke out shortly before 1200 local time in the Carmel Hill forest area, located south of the port city of Haifa, and quickly spread, prompting evacuations in nearby areas and villages. Firefighters continue to work to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading north to Haifa; there have thus far been no reports of major evacuations from the city, but some streets in Denya -- a neighborhood located in far southeastern Haifa -- have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Many roads in the vicinity of the fire remain closed on 3 December. The international community is also lending assistance to Israel, as aircraft from such countries as Bulgaria, Greece, the U.K., Jordan, Turkey, Cyprus and Russia have been dispatched. Israeli officials are hopeful that the fire -- said to be the largest forest fire to impact Israel -- will be contained by 4 December. There have been more than 40 fatalities, the majority of which occurred when a bus full of evacuees from a local prison overturned. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities have not ruled out arson.

NWO REALTY & PROPERTY

 Mexico (Country threat level - 4): Police officers clashed on the morning of 2 December 2010 in Mexico City's central Zona Rosa area with individuals who violently resisted an attempt by authorities to evict them from a building that they had been illegally occupying. Approximately 150 residents affiliated with the Assembly of Neighborhoods of Mexico City -- a non-governmental organization that concentrates on housing issues -- clashed with approximately 350 police officers who attempted to execute the eviction order at the building, which is located at the corner of Florenica and Hamburgo streets, not far from the Independence Monument. The residents wielded pipes and other objects, and one of them allegedly fired a weapon. Two people suffered injuries, and the protesters also burned one vehicle that was parked nearby and vandalized another; there were no reports of bystanders being affected. Police officers detained 70 people.



ELECTION FRAUD ALERT

Haiti (Country threat level - 4): Anti-riot police officers clashed with protesters in Port-au-Prince on 5 December 2010. Reports indicate that approximately 1,500 people gathered in the capital to demand new elections, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities in the 28 November general elections. Police officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd when protesters attempted to break through a barrier in front of the presidential palace. There were no reports of serious injuries. Analyst Comment: Protests condemning the 28 November elections are near-daily occurrences in Port-au-Prince. Several people have been killed in election-related unrest, including five people in the Grand-Ravine district, which is located just south of the capital. Preliminary results from the 28 November elections are expected to be released on 7 December, and final results are due on 20 December. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a second round, which is currently scheduled for 16 January 2011. Tensions and the possibility of an escalation in violence will likely remain throughout the electoral period. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B41PY20101205

ALERT ON WATER WARS

 Malaysia (Country threat level - 3): Security forces used tear gas and water cannons to forcibly disperse protesters at a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 5 December 2010. The protest rally drew at least 5,000 people and was held near the Masjid Negara national mosque complex. Opposition legislators organized the rally in an attempt to stop a government plan to privatize the water system in Selangor state. Security forces were called in to disperse the crowds as authorities had earlier issued a ban on large public protests. Eyewitnesses stated that the tear gas and water cannons caused many injuries, and some protesters were arrested. Worshippers inside the mosque were allowed to leave the area once the security operation had cleared the demonstration. http://current.com/green/92846658_malaysian-police-clash-with-protesters-over-water-privitization.htm

CIA-MOSSAD STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM

Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): Nigerian security forces clashed with members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect in Maiduguri, Borno state, in northern Nigeria on 4 December 2010. Reports indicate that sect members attacked security forces in the Kasurwar Shanu area of the city at 1945 local time, triggering a gun battle that lasted for approximately 30 minutes. At least two sect members were killed in the violence, while stray bullets killed three civilians who were traveling in a passing vehicle; six other civilians sustained injuries. Security forces have cordoned off the area where the shootout occurred and are currently searching for the sect members responsible for the attack. http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE6B502V20101206



Sri Lanka (Country threat level - 4): Approximately 500 people protesting outside the British High Commission in Colombo on 3 December 2010 attempted to push past police barriers and storm the building. The protests were held to counter pro-Tamil protests in London several days earlier, which marred Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit and forced the cancellation of his appearance at a debate at Oxford University. The protest in Colombo, led by a government minister, began peacefully but escalated as the crowd chanted angry slogans, accusing "white colonial" Britain of supporting the Tamil Tigers terrorist group, in part by allowing the anti-Rajapaksa and pro-Tamil protests to take place. http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/12/05/chaos-in-london-marks-p-r-disaster/