This daily briefing is prepared for your information from various public sources. AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE Philippine airport tightens watch over poultry products On 22 February, Ninoy Aquino International Airport authorities began strictly monitoring of flights from the United Kingdom to ensure that no live birds, live poultry, and poultry products from that country will enter the Philippines. The Department of Agriculture issued an importation ban last 20 February. EAST ASIA REPUBLIC OF KOREA South Korean Prime Minister offers to resign South Korea's Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook has offered to resign on 22 February to join the race for the country's next president on 19 December. The Prime Minister will return to the ruling Uri Party but she will remain on her position until 6 March, when the President formally quits from the party and the special National Assembly session ends. South Korea issues yellow dust warning The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued a yellow dust warning on 22 February as a storm is expected to have an impact throughout South Korea. According to the warning, the dust from the east, mixed with light rain and accompanied by strong winds, will likely continue through 23 February. Yellow dust has caused flight delays at Incheon International Airport along the west coast and at Gimpo International Airport on the outskirts of Seoul. CENTRAL AND WEST ASIA AFGHANISTAN UN restricts travel in Kabul on 23 February ahead of planned protests Large protests are anticipated in Kabul on 23 February. Violence associated with these protests is possible. As a precautionary measure the UN has restricted all UN travel within Kabul on 23 February. All UN international staff have been ordered to proceed to their assigned concentration points until further notice. NATO expects fierce Taliban fight in spring NATO-led forces expect to face fierce fighting this spring in the areas of Uruzgan, Kandahar, Helmand and the southwestern provinces of Farah and Ghor, where the Taliban is gearing up for increased suicide and roadside bomb attacks. The insurgents, who allegedly deployed more than 6,000 fighters, will focus their efforts on reducing Afghan public support for the government. Australia likely to double troop numbers in Afghanistan The Australian Cabinet National Security Committee has approved the government's initial planning of doubling its troops to Afghanistan. The plan includes sending a special force task group to Uruzgan Province and additional air support. However, Australian defense officials refused to confirm the report but said a study group would be sent to Afghanistan to determine if a larger commitment is needed to curtail a resurgent Taliban, amid concerns that it could stage offensives in the near future. Taliban commander captured in east Afghanistan; warlords plan pro-amnesty law demonstration Afghan security forces backed by NATO-led troops captured a Taliban commander and one of his associates in Gayan district, Paktika Province on 21 February. An unknown number of militants who resisted the capture fled the area and security forces were chasing them into nearby mountains. Separately, Afghan warlords on 22 February announced plans for a demonstration in Kabul in support of a controversial bill that would give amnesty for crimes committed during the country's years of conflict. PAKISTAN Taliban plan more suicide attacks in Pakistan Intelligence agencies report that Taliban commanders plan to carry out 12 suicide attacks in various parts of Pakistan including Islamabad, Sargodha, Lahore, Dera Ismail Khan, Bahawalpur region and Rawalpindi. Another report says that the current wave of suicide attacks in the country indicates that terrorists are targeting senior security officials and politicians who support the President. Bomb attack in Tal; Pakistan minister escapes attack A bomb exploded near a Pakistan army convoy near the Afghan border in Tal, southwest of Peshawar, on 22 February injuring one soldier. Separately, a Pakistan minister in Balochistan Province survived an attempt on his life after suspected Baloch nationalists attacked his convoy in Bolan district of the province. PACIFIC TIMOR-LESTE UN Security Council extends peacekeeping mission The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the current peacekeeping mission of more than 1,000 police in Timor-Leste until February next year, following a recent upsurge in gang violence. The council also authorized an extra 140 police for the country, ahead of presidential elections in April, and Parliamentary elections in June. Tensions high in Timor Leste; UN restricts movements in Dili UN and international security forces have strengthened their deployments throughout Dili in efforts to contain continued outbreaks of violence there. The UN assessment is that the current overall situation in Timor Leste is stable although the situation in Dili remains potentially volatile. Political and social uncertainties continue to fuel public tension and concern in the country. Some government facilities and vehicles have been attacked by gangs over the past several days. And, the UN reports stoning attacks against more than 50 vehicles belonging to the UN and UN staff members over the past few days. As a precautionary measure, the UN has cautioned UN staff to avoid protest areas and to restrict movements. SOUTH ASIA BANGLADESH Bangladesh Nobel winner launches political party Bangladesh's Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus formally launched his "Citizens' Power" Party on 22 February, confirming his plans to join active politics. The party would contest the next parliamentary election, the date for which has yet to be set after being postponed from last month. Rival groups clash in Bangladesh Rival groups clashed over a land dispute on 21 February in a coastal village in southern Bangladesh, killing at least three people and injuring several others. The authority brought the situation under control. The police have arrested five people and launched an investigation. INDIA Indian police cover three states to probe train blast Police teams were sent out to Bikaner (Rajasthan state), Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to round up people for questioning in connection with the blasts that killed 68 passengers on a train to Pakistan on 18 February. Investigators are also probing links to a Pakistan-based militant outfit. Meanwhile, whatever information gathered will be tackled at the first meeting of a new India-Pakistan anti-terror panel starting 6 March. NEPAL Strikes continue to paralyze the country The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities called for a strike on 22 February in the Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones of western Nepal. Transportation services were paralyzed while markets, educational institutions and government offices remained closed in the regions. Another strike was called by the Chamber of Commerce in Nuwakot against a decision on banning alcohol trading in the region. Transportation services and businesses were particularly affected. Reports also indicated protesters vandalized a police check post in the district headquarters in Bidur. Meanwhile, various districts of the eastern Terai region remain affected by a three-day strike called by the Janatantrik Terai Liberation Front. SRI LANKA Sri Lanka's Tiger rebels to resume freedom struggle Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels announced a resumption of their freedom struggle after declaring that a truce arranged by peace broker Norway five years ago had collapsed. They warned that Colombo's military drive against them would only add to the bloodstained pages of the island's history. The statement came as Sri Lanka's navy said it sank two suspected Tiger boats off the island's north-western coast, killing at least nine people. Meanwhile, security forces also launched ground attacks against Tiger rebels on 22 February as the guerrillas said thousands of civilians in the north fled their homes in fear of an upsurge of fighting. Colombo to face water cuts due to drought The Sri Lanka Water Supply and Drainage Board says that the water level of the Kelani River has declined due to the drought condition that prevails in the country causing severe problems to the water supply to Colombo and suburbs. Interruptions to the water supply will reportedly continue in the coming weeks if the drought would prevail. SOUTHEAST ASIA INDONESIA Mudflow victims protest in East Java More than 1,000 residents of Sidoardjo regency in East Java demanded on 22 February fair compensation for their destroyed homes, which had been completely inundated by mud flowing from a gas field. The demonstration caused severe traffic problems as hundreds of vehicles, both from Sidoardjo and Surabaya, were trapped in a gridlock. Indonesian air carrier grounded until safety tests Indonesias government has grounded six planes of budget carrier Adam Air for safety checks after one of its aircraft sustained damage during a hard landing. The planes will not fly until they have passed the safety inspection from the government. MYANMAR Rare protest in military-ruled Myanmar A group of protesters staged a rare demonstration on 22 February in downtown Yangon, calling for lower prices and improved health and education. Three local journalists, including two working for Japanese media, were released hours after being detained by police while covering the protest. The protest was one of the first to challenge the junta's competence. PHILIPPINES Anticipate heightened security, demonstrations during people power anniversary celebrations The country on 22-25 February will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the people-power revolt that helped to overthrow former President Ferdinand Marcos. Travelers are advised to anticipate considerable disruption to vehicular and pedestrian access in various city-center areas because of scheduled commemorative events. Security at these locations is likely to be heightened and travelers who are in the vicinity should anticipate security checks. Police chief orders accounting of inmates The Philippine National Police chief ordered on 22 February all police commanders down to the station level nationwide to coordinate with jail guards to make sure all prisoners are accounted for to prevent them from being used as hired goons for the May elections. He also directed his commanders to intensify the perimeter security of all provincial jails nationwide especially in provinces recently identified as Election Areas of Concern to prevent incidents of jailbreaks and terrorist attacks. Government vows action over political murders The Philippines vowed on 22 February to take action against rogue elements in the military involved in extrajudicial killings, as the government released an internal inquiry into the murders. The report was made public a day after a UN investigator blamed the military for many of what rights groups say are more than 800 political assassinations since President Gloria Arroyo took office in 2001. THAILAND Travel can continue despite fears of possible insurgent attacks Thailands Defense Minister on 22 February warned that Islamic insurgents might be expanding their activities to Bangkok. Nevertheless, such attacks are usually not designed to cause mass casualties or targeted at foreign nationals. Normal travel to Bangkok can continue, provided that travelers continue to exercise vigilance and minimize time spent at crowded public places. Violence in south continues A close confidante of Queen Sirikit, along with a police officer, were injured on 22 February when suspected insurgents attacked the confidante's convoy at Ban Kuan Dindan in Yala's Krong Pinang district. Meanwhile, a bomb exploded near a military vehicle escorting teachers on 22 February in Pattani's Sai Buri district, injuring at least three soldiers. Additionally, two people were killed in Narathiwat. Malaysian link to Thai bombings Forensic experts investigating a coordinated series of bombings in Thailand at the weekend said that the chemical tests on defused bombs showed they contained an explosive compound sold in Malaysia, the same explosives found in a rubber plantation in Thailand's Narathiwat Province last year. If a Malaysian link to the bombings is confirmed, it may encourage Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to cooperate in resolving southern Thailand's separatist insurgency. WORLDWIDE AUSTRALIA Protesters clash with police as US Vice-President heads for Australia Hundreds of protesters demonstrating against a visit to Australia by US Vice-President Dick Cheney clashed with police in downtown Sydney ahead of his arrival on 22 February. Scuffles broke out and ten protesters were arrested as ranks of officers and mounted police tried to prevent more than 200 people marching down central George Street to the US Consulate.
Louie Domingo Director, e (+63919) 6138210 (+63922) 5270767 --------------------------------- No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.
