GRI Security Brief

AMERICAS
Ecuador (Country threat level - 3): Two low-power bombs exploded in the ministry of agriculture's office in Guayaquil on the night of 18 March 2003, injuring three people and causing damage to the building. Authorities found pamphlets at the explosion site on Avenidas Quito and Luis Urdaneta, in which the self-proclaimed Revolutionary Militias of the People (MRP) claimed responsibility and denounced the Ecuadorian government. The MRP, a previously unheard of group, has claimed responsibility for at least three low-power bombings in Ecuador in the past year.

MIDDLE EAST
Middle East And North Africa: Several airlines have announced flight cancellations and restrictions in the Middle East on 19 March 2003, as war fears increase. British Airways has decided to cancel service to Israel and Kuwait as of 20 March 2003, and will withdraw all staff from the region. Thai Airways is planning to stop service from Bangkok to Kuwait and Bahrain starting 21 March 2003. Swiss International Airlines will reduce Zurich-Cairo service to four flights per week, down from six flights per week, beginning 21 March 2003, due to "lack of interest". Israeli carrier El Al has announced cancellations of approximately 15 percent of its flights out of Tel Aviv. Several airlines have also cancelled flights into Lebanon, including Bulgarian Air and the Romanian air carrier Tarom. Egyptair will cut several flights between Cairo and New York due to low turnout. Several U.S. carriers are also suspending some flights. Continental has delayed and cancelled several trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights. American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines are reportedly considering cuts in overseas service.
Saudi Arabia (Country threat level - 4): On 18 March 2003, at approximately 1300 local time, an explosion occurred at a house in Riyadh's eastern district of al-Jazira. One unidentified man was killed in the explosion. Security forces stated that they found a cache of weapons in the house, including three hand grenades, 12 AK-47 rifles and highly explosive material. No further details have emerged thus far.

AFRICA
Côte d'Ivoire (Country threat level - 5): The Ivoirien government has extended a general curfew it imposed following the 19 September 2002 rebellion. The curfew is in effect through to 25 March 2003. It remains effective from 2200 to 0600 in Abidjan and all government-held areas. The government statement noted that in "war zones" (notably in western areas), the curfew runs from 1800 to 0800.
Meanwhile, opposition politicians who are slated to participate in a government of national unity arrived in Abidjan on 18 March 2003. In a separate development, an estimated 500 cases of cholera, of which 19 have been fatal, have arisen in recent days in the western town of Zuénoula, the central town of Tiébissou and in the Attiékoubé area of Abidjan.
Guinea Bissau (Country threat level - 4): On 19 March 2003, civil servants
in Guinea-Bissau continued a five-day general strike to press for the government to fulfill prior promises to pay salary arrears. Such strikes have plagued the country in recent months.
Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): On 18 March 2003, the federal government
deployed troops to troubled coastal villages south of the oil hub of Warri, in the Niger Delta region, to quell ethnic clashes that have killed a dozen people in the past week. While the unrest has collaterally affected employees of foreign oil companies, they do not appear to be particular targets in the strife, which has pitted ethnic Ijaws against ethnic Itsekiris. Royal Dutch/Shell has closed down a total of five oil pipeline stations and evacuated nonessential staff during the unrest, while a number of displaced persons have sought refuge at ChevronTexaco's main Escravos export terminal.
Zimbabwe (Country threat level - 4): A widely-observed 48-hour general strike, which the opposition party called to protest President Robert Mugabe's administration, entered its second day on 19 March 2003. Most businesses, including supermarkets and banks, stayed closed, especially in urban areas. Industrial sites were at a virtual standstill and most public transport companies did not operate after mobs burned and stoned several buses on 18 March 2003. Many people heeded the strike call, making this the most widely-followed protest action against Mugabe's government for years.
In the central city of Kadoma, located 85 mi/140 km west of Harare, officials of the police force (which is highly politicized) alleged that opposition activists had placed dynamite charges in various parts of the city, including bridges. There were no independent confirmations of the claim. Police officers have arrested more than 120 people in connection with the work stoppage, which the government declared illegal.

ASIA
Indonesia (Country threat level - 4): On 18 March 2003, supporters of the Islamic Youth Movement staged a peaceful anti-war demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy and the U.N. office in Central Jakarta to protest against a possible U.S.-led war against Iraq. At one point, a small group of demonstrators peacefully blocked customer access to a nearby McDonald's restaurant on Jl. MH. Thamrin street, but this ended 10 minutes after it began. No serious incidents of violence were reported at this demonstration, at which students burned tires and gave anti-war speeches. There have been several relatively small anti-war demonstrations in recent days. Indonesia (Country threat level - 4): On 19 March 2003, reports emerged that supporters of the Front Pembela Islam (FPI), a hard-line Islamic group, called on citizens of countries supporting a U.S.-led war against Iraq, especially Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, to leave Indonesia before U.S.-led forces enter Iraq. The group identified citizens of these countries as "infidel combatants," which apparently designates such persons as legitimate targets. The FPI's chairman warned that "the allies will face thousands of new Osama bin Ladens who will destroy U.S. interests around the world" after the war begins. He also said that citizens of these countries will be given warning to leave Indonesia, stating that "not all citizens (of these countries) are bad" as there is opposition in these countries. In the past, the FPI has made similar threats to conduct "sweeps" for foreigners, but they did not follow through with these. Regardless, many groups in Indonesia oppose war with Iraq, increasing the likelihood of anti-war protests and possible violence.
In a separate situation, the youth wing of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest moderate Islamic organization, stated that if war occurs, they would call on diplomats and companies from such countries to leave Indonesia. They also plan to launch a boycott against U.S. products.
Philippines (Country threat level - 4): On 19 March 2003, a spokesperson for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) stated that the group has ordered communist rebels in the country to launch sympathy attacks "to stop the aggression against Iraq and get even with the imperialist governments of George W. Bush of the U.S., Tony Blair of the U.K., Jose Maria Aznar of Spain and John Howard of Australia." He called on other groups around the world to do the same using "legal and illegal, armed and unarmed" measures.
In addition, he stated that Maoist rebels would step up their attacks against Philippine security forces as retaliation for the government "blindly supporting its imperialist masters."
South Korea (Country threat level - 3): Korean Air pilot union officials announced on 19 March 2003 that work slowdowns would begin on 23 March 2003 to protest working conditions. The slowdowns will likely affect the schedules of Korean Air and airlines with connecting flights. Further protest action is likely if negotiations fail.