HOTSPOTS 1/27/11

 

 

 

 

_______________________________HAITI ALERT _______________________________

TARGET: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Dominican Republic (Security threat level - 3): On 26 January 2011 the police chief in Santo Domingo announced that more than 13,000 additional police officers will be stationed in the streets of the city in anticipation of protests over fuel and food staple price increases. The Alternative Social Forum (ASF) has announced several demonstrations that are intended to be peaceful but carry a risk of violence. As part of the planned protests, transport workers went on strike in Santo Domingo, bringing all bus traffic to a stop and leaving passengers stranded. One bus operator, Caribe Tours, did not take part in the strike, but the striking workers blocked the Caribe Tours buses and forced them to turn around. Thus far the protests have been relatively peaceful but they may turn violent without warning. Travelers should avoid Santo Domingo in the coming days.

______________________VOLCANO EARTHQUAKE WATCH _____________________



HAARP:TARGET: JAPAN

Indonesia (Security threat level - 4): Transportation disruptions were reported throughout the Indonesian resort island of Bali on 27 January 2011 amid the ongoing eruption of the Mount Bromo volcano. Airline managers canceled several flights in and out of Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (WADD/DPS) as the volcano has begun spewing a large ash cloud that could pose a danger to aircraft engines. Some inbound international flights have been diverted to the Australian cities of Perth, Brisbane and Sydney. The airport remains open, but transportation authorities are monitoring the situation closely and may shut down operations if the eruption intensifies. The large plume has reportedly reached as high as 18,000 ft/5,500 m and has spread with prevailing winds throughout the Java and Lombok regions. Mount Bromo began erupting in November 2010, prompting the Indonesian government to raise the volcano alert in the area to the maximum level. The alert was lowered when the rate of eruption subsided somewhat in early January. As the eruption and air quality conditions in Bali can change significantly with little warning, travelers should monitor local news reports and check with their airline to determine the extent of the ongoing transportation disruptions.

Switzerland (Security threat level - 2): A small explosion occurred at the Post Hotel Morosani in Davos on 27 January 2011. The blast was initially reported to have occurred in a storage room in the hotel’s basement at approximately 0900 local time (0800 UTC), but officials later indicated that it took place at the hotel’s back entrance. The blast caused minor damage but no injuries. The cause of the explosion has not been determined with certainty, but officials stated that it may have been caused by a firework.

The hotel is located approximately 1 mi/2 km from the main venue of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is taking place in Davos from 26 to 30 January. Initial reports indicated that the facility was being used by Swiss officials during the event, but Swiss authorities later corrected that information, stating that there were no officials at the facility. An investigation into the explosion is currently underway; it was disclosed that an anarchist group sent messages threatening to attack the hotel with fireworks prior to the beginning of the WEF. Following the incident, a left-wing group calling itself the Revolutionary Perspective claimed responsibility for the blast via an activist website; the group stated that it conducted a “firebomb” attack at the hotel as a statement to Swiss ministers and representatives of banking institution UBS who were staying there. However, the claim of responsibility has not been verified and it has yet to be confirmed whether the aforementioned were actually guests at the hotel.

There have been no reports of disruptions to the WEF event itself as a result of the incident, but authorities have likely bolstered their already heightened security posture. Security at the hotel has been stepped up, but there have been no reports of disruptions for guests and visitors to the facility

__________________________ASSASSINATION WATCH_____________________________

Egypt (Security threat level - 3): Security remains markedly bolstered in Cairo and other cities and towns in Egypt on 27 January 2011 amid ongoing tensions stemming from two days of protests and unrest in the country. According to reports, a massive security presence remains in Cairo, particularly in the downtown area, and despite reports of sporadic disturbances the situation is overall said to be a tense calm. Small groups of individuals have reportedly continued to defy a government-imposed ban on rallies and attempt to gather in central Cairo, but have been dispersed and/or arrested by security forces. No large-scale protest actions have been reported on 27 January, but smaller incidents are occurring, including in the northern Sinai Peninsula where a group of protesters blocked main roads in response to the 26 January death of a protester in the area. Hundreds of people also participated in a protest in Ismailia, located on the western bank of the Suez Canal in northeastern Egypt; clashes with security forces occurred during the demonstration. Unconfirmed reports also cite disturbances in the northern cities of Tanta and Alexandria.

As of 27 January social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as Gmail, remain blocked by the government in an effort to prevent opposition sympathizers and activists from communicating and mobilizing. However, these services reportedly remain available on mobile phones. Despite some calls for continued protests, the disturbances that continue to arise do not appear to be particularly organized or well-planned. Given the current levels of passion among protesters (particularly in light of the deaths of at least six protesters over the past several days) and feelings of emboldenment inspired by the recent events in Tunisia, disturbances and unrest are expected to continue occurring in various locations across Egypt for the time being. However, the likelihood that protests similar in size and intensity to those that occurred on 25 January will continue occurring is not particularly high given that opposition movements organized and mobilized support for those demonstrations for several weeks and security forces are now using strict measures to prevent rallies. Protests and disturbances are especially likely to occur on 28 January following Friday afternoon prayer services. Security measures will continue to be heightened throughout Egypt and arrests of suspected protesters will continue as well; reports indicate that as many as 1,000 people have been detained since 25 January.

Due to current levels of tension and anticipated continued sporadic outbreaks of protests and unrest, travelers and expatriates in Egypt should be especially vigilant; this includes minimizing exposure on the streets, avoiding any gatherings (and immediately leaving an area in which a protest arises), avoiding security checkpoints where security forces may be gathered and avoiding venues that are particularly prone to experiencing protests such as places of worship, government buildings and local squares. Security has reportedly been bolstered around hotels as a precaution.

Yemen (Security threat level - 4): Thousands of people gathered in Sanaa on 27 January 2011 to call for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign. The protesters rallied throughout the city, including Sanaa University, where at least 10,000 people assembled. A total of approximately 6,000 people protested in at least three other locations in the city. Reports indicate that participants made reference to the recent popular uprising in Tunisia. Several hundred people gathered for a separate pro-government rally. There were no reports of violence or arrests.

Lebanon (Security threat level - 4): The situation in Lebanon is reported to be calm on 26 January 2011, following two days of anti-Hizballah protests staged by Sunni supporters of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the March 14 political coalition. There have been no reports of further demonstrations as of 26 January, and the army is still heavily deployed in most major cities to ensure that roads remain open and passable. Since 25 January security forces have worked to clear debris and other barriers from many roads in the northern port city of Tripoli as well as Beirut, two cities that bore the brunt of the recent unrest. Schools and businesses that had closed down as a security precaution on 25 January have reopened on 26 January, and traffic levels are reported to be normal.

Meanwhile, the political situation that inspired the 24 and 25 January unrest has not been resolved. Newly appointed Prime Minister Naqib Mikati began the process of forming a new Cabinet on 26 January. Mikati is backed by the Hizballah-led opposition, and it remains unclear whether Hariri and his former ruling coalition will participate in the new government. Mikati has pledged to work with all parties, but deep divisions remain in the Lebanese political sphere. Although no major violence or demonstrations have been reported as of 26 January, for the time being there remains the potential for disturbances, demonstrations and attacks (including grenade attacks). Saudi Arabia has highlighted concerns about the situation with its 26 January issuance of an advisory against travel to Lebanon. There have been no reports of other governments altering their travel advice for Lebanon. The situation should continue to be closely monitored.

Tunisia (Security threat level - 3): Thousands of people took part in an anti-government demonstration in the central coastal city of Sfax on 26 January 2011, a day after a major union group located in the city called for a strike. Union representatives claim that approximately 50,000 people took part in the protest action. Local sources noted that “several thousand” protesters took to the streets to demand the dissolution of the interim government, which they claim is mainly comprised of former regime figures. There were no reports of any major incidents of violence during the protest.

In a similar development on 26 January, demonstrators clashed with police in another protest in Tunis, the capital, near the prime minister's offices. Tunisian police fired tear gas at the protesters when they attempted to breach security barricades. Daily demonstrations have taken place at the prime minister's headquarters over the last several days.