HOTSPOTS 2/2/11 Big Winds and NWO Flatulence

AMERICAS

Mexico (Security threat level - 4): Several incidents of cartel-related violence occurred during the night of 1-2 February 2011 in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, involving attacks with grenades and Molotov cocktails, shootouts and narcoblockades. One person was injured and five were arrested; there were no reports of fatalities. One of the most serious incidents occurred at approximately 2100 local time on 1 February in the southeastern area of Tonala, where assailants threw a grenade at a security facility, located on the Guadalajar-Zapotlanejo road. In separate incidents, gunmen threw Molotov cocktails and fired on vehicles in various locations. At least three narcoblockades were staged, including on the Altos de Jalisco tollroad. A state official stated that the violence was perpetrated by members of a factional criminal group that split off from the cartel Los Valencia. There are no reports of ongoing violence in the city.

AUSTRALASIA

Australia (Security threat level - 2): On 2 February 2011 airports in northern Queensland state closed as Cyclone Yasi -- now a dangerous Category 5 storm -- headed toward the coast. Airlines rerouted flights to other locations as Cairns (YBCS/CNS), Townsville (YBTL/TSV), Whitsunday Coast (YBPN/PPP) and Great Barrier Reef (Hamilton Island) (YBHM/HTI) airports all halted operations. Yasi is forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 or 5 storm at approximately 0000 local time on 3 February (1400 UTC on 2 February). Authorities were working to move thousands of tourists and coastal residents to shelters after ordering evacuations for the areas in the storm's path. Reports indicate that overcrowded evacuation centers were forced to begin turning away residents. Emergency officials warned that the cyclone was powerful enough to destroy cyclone-proof homes in the region.

NOTE: So begins the WINDS I alluded to.  This is serious business here and I fear for our comrades down under.

EUROPE

Germany (Security threat level - 2): Police officers evicted squatters from a building in Berlin (known as Liebig 14) on 2 February 2011. The building is located in the eastern district of Friedrichshain. Left-wing activists had long opposed the eviction, and clashes occurred during the eviction operation between officers and activists, who threw rocks and other objects. The violence occurred both in the immediate vicinity of the building and on nearby streets. Several police officers were injured, and nine people were arrested. An activist website has called for protesters to gather at Berlin's Boxhagener Platz at 1900 local time to protest the eviction. There is a potential for violence during that rally. In addition to the disturbances earlier on 2 February, a rally on the same issue on 29 January ended in clashes between police officers and protesters. Approximately 40 police officers and journalists sustained injuries after being hit by rocks thrown by protesters.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Egypt (Security threat level - 3): The situation on the ground in some areas of Egypt has become increasingly tense as of 2 February 2011 in light of a speech delivered by President Hosni Mubarak late on 1 February. Mubarak stated that he will not run for re-election in the presidential election of September 2011 but added that he intends to remain in office until then. Anti-government protests are ongoing, and in a newer development pro-government supporters -- likely emboldened by Mubarak’s speech -- have taken to the streets in at least Cairo, Alexandria and Suez. Clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters erupted late on 1 February and continue to occur in both cities on 2 February. Violent clashes appear to be escalating at Tahrir Square in Cairo, which has been the focal point of demonstrations in the capital, as well as in the side streets surrounding the square; reports indicate that as many as 15,000 pro-Mubarak supporters may be in the area, where rival protesters have thrown stones and other projectiles at each other. Injuries have been reported, and many weapons (mostly knives and sticks) have been confiscated. Anti-government demonstrators have also alleged that plainclothes police officers may be among those instigating violence. Large demonstrations are being reported in Alexandria, and clashes between rival supporters have also been reported in central Suez.

The military has not directly engaged any protesters and is not reported to be deployed inside Tahrir Square; unconfirmed reports indicate that at least two tanks have moved onto nearby streets to Tahrir Square, but it is unknown if the military will attempt to stop the clashes or prevent them from spreading outside the immediate area. It is also unconfirmed whether regular police forces have been deployed in an effort to restore order.

These developments follow Mubarak’s televised address as mentioned earlier; Mubarak has stated that he intends to remain in office for the time being to meet the demands of protesters and to ensure a peaceful transition of power. He will not seek another term when presidential elections are organized; they are currently slated for September 2011 but could be moved up in light of ongoing developments. As expected Mubarak’s remarks have failed to satisfy anti-government demonstrators, who continue to demand his immediate resignation. Anti-government protesters have stated their intention to continue demonstrating and are calling for massive protests across Egypt on 4 February. The armed forces, meanwhile, are now calling on anti-government protesters to end their street demonstrations and allow normalcy to return. The army has stated that the protesters have legitimate grievances but should now clear the streets, because they have now made their issues known and received a response by the president.

The army has previously stated that it would not open fire on any protesters, and while it did not threaten any such action during its calls for protests to end, the combination of these developments has raised tensions and may set the stage for a more vigorous army intervention if protesters do not heed the military’s calls. There is also a high likelihood that clashes between rival protesters will continue to occur in the coming days. It remains to be seen whether the opposition, which has long been fractured but has of late attempted to better align, will remain united and maintain the current protest momentum or whether there will be divisions regarding how to proceed in response to developments since 1 February.

The military remains deployed in certain areas, including more prominently near the presidential palace in Cairo’s Heliopolis area (located northeast of central Cairo). Given intentions to stage further anti-government protests, the area around the palace may be an intended target of anti-government protesters. The status of all military deployment areas is not fully known at present. The closure of all roads leading to and from Cairo, Alexandria and Suez (imposed in preparation for the massive protests on 1 January) has reportedly been lifted, but disruptions along those arteries may. It remains unknown to what extent transport links such as rail services have resumed, but most public transportation in the major cities remains halted. Most economic activity also remains halted on 2 February. Supplies continue to be diminishing. Neighborhood watch groups also remain in place in many areas of Cairo and other cities to maintain order and prevent criminal activity. Airports remain operational, but difficulty reaching airports persists. Meanwhile, the government has relaxed the curfew, which is now in place from 1700-0700 local time. Communications are also becoming increasingly available; landline and cell phone services are more consistent and the Internet has been restored. The status of text messaging services is not known.
 

Syria (Security threat level - 3): On 1 February 2011 Syria’s opposition parties announced a planned demonstration in Damascus on 5 February in support of the protesters in Egypt. The demonstrations will be held outside the Parliament building in the capital, and a similar demonstration is being planned in the city of Homs. The government has not indicated that it will block the protests but has warned the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in both Egypt and in Syria, against attempting to recruit members during the demonstrations. President Bashar al-Assad, who inherited power in 2000 from his father, has promised to enact reforms, likely in an attempt to avoid a massive protest movement such as those in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen.

NOTE: NEW WORLD ORDER parading as progress. This is going to heat up the Israeli-Iranian showdown

Yemen (Security threat level - 4): Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced on 2 February 2011 that he will leave office at the end of his current presidential term in 2013. Saleh also stated that his son will not succeed him. Saleh's announcement came before an anti-government rally scheduled to take place in Sanaa on 3 February. Following the announcement, opposition leaders stated that the rally will take place as scheduled.

NOTE: Discretion being the better part of valor..or is that value? 

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Mauritania (Security threat level - 4): Security forces foiled a terror attack on 2 February 2011 on the immediate outskirts of Nouakchott, the capital. Military forces engaged in a firefight with suspected al Qaeda terrorists and detonated the latter's explosives-laden vehicle as it sped toward the city. The incident occurred approximately 8 mi/12 km from the southern entrance to the capital. The explosion killed three suspected terrorists and injured nine soldiers; the bombs impact was reportedly felt in several districts of the city. Since 29 January authorities have been searching for several vehicles believed to be part of intended terrorist plots. On 29 January a speeding vehicle was fired on outside of military barracks in the southeastern city of Nema, prompting the vehicle to flee the scene. On 1 February three men were arrested after being found inside a vehicle full of explosives. Authorities have been searching for a third vehicle. The regional group al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is believed to be behind the attempted attacks. AQIM has carried out high profile attacks in Mauritania, including Nouakchott, in the past. Authorities continue to periodically uncover plots and/or foil attempted terrorist attacks in the country.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Egypt (Security threat level - 3): On 1 February 2011 the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning that reads in part as follows: "On February 1, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Egypt. This replaces the Travel Warning for Egypt dated January 28, 2011. The U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt at this time U.S. citizens should consider leaving Egypt as soon as they can safely do so, due to ongoing political and social unrest. Large-scale demonstrations with the potential for violence continue in several areas of Cairo, Alexandria, and other parts of the country, and rail and road travel has been disrupted between cities, and between city centers and airports. Disruptions in communications, including internet service, also continue.The Government of Egypt may also disrupt mobile phone service during future demonstrations. The Government of Egypt modified the curfew times and locations; now 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. throughout Egypt until further notice. U.S. citizens should obey curfew orders and remain indoors during curfew hours.

"U.S. citizens currently in Egypt should monitor international and local media to stay abreast of announcements from the embassy. Due to the fluid nature of the situation and the volume of phone calls to the embassy, U.S. citizens should not wait for a reply from the embassy or the Department of State before traveling to the nearest airport.Cairo airport is open and operating, but flights may be delayed or canceled, and transport to the airport is disrupted, due to the protests. Travelers should remain in contact with their airlines or tour operators concerning flight schedules, and arrange to arrive at the airport well before curfew hours.

"The U.S. Department of State is making arrangements to provide charter air transportation to safe haven locations in Europe of U.S. citizens and eligible dependents who wish to depart Egypt. This assistance will be provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by U.S. law. U.S. citizens who travel on U.S. Government-arranged transport will be expected to make their own onward travel plans from the safe haven location; currently: Larnaca, Cyprus; Istanbul, Turkey; Frankfurt, Germany; and Athens, Greece. Flights to evacuation points began departing Cairo on Monday, January 31. There will be a limited number of seats available on future evacuation flights. Priority will be given to persons with medical emergencies or severe medical conditions. Persons interested in departing Egypt via U.S. Government-arranged chartered transportation should proceed to one of the airports in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, or Aswan.

"U.S. citizens with a valid passport wishing to depart from Cairo may proceed to the Hajj Terminal/VIP Hall (Terminal 1, Hall 4) of the airport after curfew is lifted, currently 8:00 a.m. For U.S. citizens attempting to depart via Alexandria, airports are all open and there are commercial flights available to U.S. citizens.If traveling from Luxor, Alexandria, or Aswan airport, be sure to have a confirmed ticket and know the terminal you need before traveling to the airport. There are two operational airports in Alexandria:

"Primary airport: Borg El Arab - two terminals:

"One newer where commercial flights are departing.

"Older terminal where chartered flights are departing and some commercial flights.

"Secondary airport: El Nouzha – older, under reconstruction

"Passengers must have a ticket in hand, or arrange to purchase a ticket via cell phone or internet. Tickets are NOT being sold at the airport.

"Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S. citizens must be documented for entry into the safe haven country and/or the United States, if that is their final destination. Travelers who are not U.S. citizens but are accompanying a U.S. citizen immediate family member (child, spouse, parent of minor child) should have a valid passport. U.S. citizens seeking evacuation should be prepared for a substantial wait at the airport. Travelers are advised to bring food, water, diapers, and other necessary toiletries with them to the airport. Travelers will not be able to choose their destination, and they are permitted only one piece of luggage per person. Travelers may not bring pets.

"In the event of demonstrations, U.S. citizens in Egypt should remain in their residences or hotels until the demonstrations subside. Security forces may block off the area around the U.S. Embassy during demonstrations, and U.S. citizens should not attempt to come to the U.S. Embassy or the Tahrir Square area during that time. Demonstrations have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in injuries and extensive property damage. While demonstrations have not been directed toward Westerners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. If caught unexpectedly near a demonstration, U.S. citizens should obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as possible. U.S. citizens resident in Egypt should monitor local news broadcasts and U.S. citizen visitors should ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the locations they plan to visit. U.S. citizens should carry identification and a cell phone that works in Egypt. ..."

NOTE: Leave "Fluffy and pray the cell phone works