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IPSI's Peace & Security Report (PSR) is a concise weekly e-publication intended to keep busy students, academics, advocates, and practitioners in the conflict management community briefed on pertinent global news, events, and trends.  Meticulously researched and written by IPSI, the PSR empowers us all to take a step back from our immediate deadlines each Friday and gain a greater understanding of the week's global events.
Featured Article
John Prendergast at the 2010 Bologna Symposium
John Prendergast
Preparations for a vote on Sudan's border region are stalled
by John Prendergast
 
While plans for South Sudan referendum move forward, preparations for a vote on Abyei, a contested border region that could join South Sudan, are making little headway.
 
With the two referenda in Sudan a little more than 100 days away, the United States has recently taken the lead and made progress on critical negotiations regarding Abyei, a highly contested region on the country's North-South border. Direct engagement by the US is exactly what human rights and peace organizations have been asking for over the last year, to prevent renewed war and violence against civilians in Sudan.  READ MORE >> 
 
Originally published in the Christian Science Monitor on 10/01/2010
Africa
DRC: Rebel leader charged with rape arrested
Lt. Col. Mayele, of the Congolese rebel group Mai Mai Cheka, was arrested by UN peacekeepers and Congolese forces in Eastern Congo on October 5. Mayele is accused of orchestrating an August attack near a UN base in which over 300 women and children were raped. He was handed over by his superiors. Comment: Mass rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo is receiving increased attention from the UN and the international community in light of recent reports of hundreds of rapes taking place in the region. The UN is reviewing its mission to the Congo (MONUC) to find ways to better protect civilians. (AccraMail, AssociatedPress, RFI, TheGuardian, Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
 
NIGERIA: Independence celebration bombings
A bomb blast in Abuja disrupted the celebration for Nigeria's 50th anniversary of independence on October 1. The blasts killed 10 to 12 people, depending on reports, and Nigerian police made arrests within days. Government officials insist that the bombing was a terrorist act, not an act by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), as initially reported. Former MEND leader Henry Okah is being held in Johannesburg. Comment: Nigeria declared that immediate improvements to security infrastructure would be made after reports emerged the British and other foreign intelligence services warned of the blasts. Nigeria's State Security Services (SSS) admitted receiving the warnings and trying to disrupt the blasts. Other former leaders of MEND met with President Jonathan to condemn the attack and pledged to continue working peacefully. (DailyChampion, ThisDay, Leadership, RFI, ThisDay)
 
SUDAN: Referendum on South drawing nearer
The Carter Center deployed 16 observers to Sudan this week to monitor the buildup to the January referendum. The government of South Sudan also reached an agreement to allow the European Union to monitor the vote. The South is growing increasingly impatient with delays from Khartoum, saying they will hold the referendum even without cooperation from the North. South Sudanese President Kiir threatened a return to war if the referendum is delayed again. Comment: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in 2005, ended the war between Sudan and South Sudan. A breakdown of the CPA will almost certainly lead to a return to war. (Daily Nation, Reuters, Sudan Tribune, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
 
UN: Report on DRC release
A controversial report on atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was released on October 1. The release was delayed after protests by Rwanda. Rwanda -- along with its neighbors Uganda and Burundi -- come under attack in the report for alleged atrocities, possibly including genocide, in Eastern DRC. Rwanda and Uganda threatened to withdraw peacekeeping forces from Darfur and Somalia, respectively, but backed off those threats after names of alleged perpetrators were removed from the official report. Comment: The report sheds light on the horrific crimes committed between 1993-2003. Warnings of regional destabilization over the content of the report may ring hollow given the current lack of stability. It appears that comments by Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda are merely saber-rattling. (The Observer, CNN, The Guardian, Time LIVE, RFI)
 
Researched/Written
by Matthew Hughes
Americas
 
COLOMBIA: Seized computers unveil FARC's plans
The Colombian military seized 21 computers and 108 USB memory sticks during a raid on a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) camp on September 23. President Santos released an e-mail between top FARC leaders revealing their responsibility for a failed bomb attack in Bogota on August 12. The email also disclosed the FARC leaders' feelings of isolation and anger towards Cuba and Venezuelan President Chavez who they describe as "disrespectful and at times join behind the ideological struggle of the enemy to fight us." Comment: Other files revealed FARC's plan to assassinate former President Uribe. As a result, President Santos has guaranteed Uribe protection inside and outside the country. (El Nuevo Herald, El Tiempo, El Tiempo
 
ECUADOR: State of emergency extended
On October 5, President Correa extended the state of emergency in response to last week's police rebellion. At least eight people have died and close to 300 were reported injured in protests and looting. Comment: On October 4, the legislative cabinet passed a law cutting police bonuses and increasing the work period before receiving a promotion. Analysts report that the unrest was not an attempted coup, as suggested by Correa, but rather workers' unrest that spun out of control.  (El Nuevo HeraldEl Nuevo HeraldReutersChristian Science Monitor)
 
MEXICO: Indigenous women find justice at regional court
On October 4, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, a body of the Organization of American States (OAS), denounced Mexico's lack of protection of two Me'phaa Indian women raped by soldiers in 2002. In the court's released statement, the government was ordered to compensate both women, as well as reform its military justice code. Comment: This is the Inter-American Court's fourth condemnation of Mexico. Previously, the court issued rulings against the government for the unsolved killings of women in the 1990s and for massacres and killings during the country's "dirty war" in the 1970s. The regional court's rulings are binding and cannot be appealed. (IPS, AP, Latin American Herald Tribune)
 
U.S./GUATEMALA: Apology to Guatemala's infected victims
On October 1, President Obama apologized to Guatemalan President Colom and the 700 Guatemalans who were affected by an experiment conducted by U.S. public health researchers between 1946 and 1948. Professor Susan Reverby from Wellesley College stumbled upon archived documents revealing that hundreds of patients were infected with syphilis and gonorrhea without consent. Though no compensation has yet to be made, the U.S. promises to launch an investigation. Comment: The experiments were spearheaded by Doctor John Cutler, the same U.S. public health doctor who was involved in the Tuskegee experiments in the U.S. between 1932 and 1972. President Obama stressed the U.S.'s respect for the people of Guatemala and the importance of their bilateral relationship. (BBCLa HoraAFPSiglo XXI)
 

Researched/Written by Carla Avandano 

East Asia
CHINA: China, U.S. to resume military ties; defense chiefs scheduled to meet next week
China and the U.S. will resume high-level military talks next week signaling a warming of relations. Beijing broke military ties earlier this year in protest of a U.S.-Taiwan arms deal. Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will meet on the side-lines of the security forum of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Gates is also expected to visit Beijing to expand defense discussions. U.S. officials stated that expanding dialogue between both countries' armed forces is crucial to avoiding misunderstandings and reducing tensions. Comment: Military ties between the two countries were repeatedly stalled this year, with Beijing canceling scheduled visits to protest Washington's policies. China objected to U.S. military exercises with South Korea in the Yellow Sea this year. Relations also soured after President Obama held a meeting with the Dalai Lama in February. Gates had previously criticized China for suspending ties over the U.S. approach to Taiwan, saying a permanent dialogue was too important to be "held hostage" to Washington's weapons sales to Taiwan.  (CNN, AsiaOne, Deccan Herald)
 
INDONESIA: Indonesian President cancels Netherlands trip citing human rights case
Indonesian President Yudhoyono on Tuesday abruptly cancelled an official visit to the Netherlands. The cancellation was announced after news that a Dutch court was to hear a case charging Yudhoyono of human rights violations in Indonesia. The lawsuit was filed by activists of the Republic of South Maluku (RMS), an Indonesian rebel movement. On Thursday however, the Dutch court denied the separatist group's request to arrest the Indonesian President.. Yudhoyono said that the timing of the trial breached the "ethic and conduct of nation-to-nation relationships." The Dutch government, in an official statement, confirmed the immunity of the head of state and clarified Dutch legal proceedings. Yudhoyono has now announced that a new date will be set for the state visit. Comment: The members of the RMS who filed the human-rights case are exiles from the South Maluku Islands in Indonesia.  In the 1950s, they tried unsuccessfully to establish an independent state and were forced to flee to Indonesia's former colonial ruler, the Netherlands. The vice-president of the RMS said that the events of the past few days are, "a great victory for us, psychologically."  (Voice of America, Jakarta Post, BBC)
 
VIETNAM: Vietnam demands release of its fishermen
Vietnam, on Wednesday, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of nine fishermen that were detained by China last month near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry officials stated that the detention was "irrational" after a meeting with officials from the Chinese embassy in Hanoi. The demand comes as Vietnam prepares to host the first ever ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus, scheduled for October 11-13. The meeting will bring together the ten members of ASEAN, along with China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. Vietnamese officials on Thursday however, said that meeting would avoid the sensitive issue of Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. Comment: China's territorial claims over the South China Sea have led to escalating diplomatic tension with its South-East Asian neighbors. Vietnam's statements are close on the heels of the Sino-Japan spat that occurred last month over the same issue. Analysts point out that the timing of the demands may be a move to put pressure on China to become more flexible on the territory issue. (Epoch Times, Business Week, Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
 
Researched/Written by Megha Swamy
Europe & Central Asia
FRANCE: France arrests twelve suspects in terrorist plots
On October 5, French police arrested twelve with suspected terrorist ties in Marseilles, Bordeaux, and Avignon.  Their contact information was found in the cell phone of a French-Algerian man who was arrested in Italy with a bomb-making kit last week.  The arrests come a week after French officials warned of a growing terrorist threat, and Japanese and American governments issued travel advisories to Europe.  Comment: In recent weeks, France has evacuated the Eiffel Tower twice, increased their alert level to its second highest level, and sent troops to search for kidnapped citizens in Africa.  This could be the beginning of a new era in French counterterrorism. (The GuardianAPBBC) 
 
FRANCE: Burqa ban clears final legal obstacle
On October 6, the Counseil Constitutionnel, France's constitutional review board, declared the ban on burqas and other headscarves to be constitutional, ruling it did not infringe on fundamental liberties.  The law is likely to take affect in the next six months and imposes a 150 euro fine on those who defy it.  Opponents have said they will take the case to the European Court on Human Rights.  The Italian government has also made moves towards banning the veils.  Comment:  Earlier this year, the law passed in both houses of parliament and was followed by an uptick in terrorist threats. (APTelegraphThe Independent)
 
GERMANY: German militants killed in Pakistan
This week, five German citizens were killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan on a militant outpost.  The strike comes at a time where terrorism analysts are warning of possible al-Qaeda attacks using people holding western passports and when governments are warning of possible attacks on transit systems, hotels, and tourist attractions in Europe.  Comment: The U.S. has launched strikes in Pakistan on multiple occasions this week.  In July, U.S. forces captured a German militant of Afghan decent who provided intel on the early stages of an attack being planned in Europe. (AP, Daily Record, Deutche Welle)
Researched/Written by Daniel Pechtol
Middle East & North Africa
IRAN: Opposition leader calls for a referendum
Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said on October 5 that President Ahmadinejad's foreign policies are "destructive and his performance...should be judged in a referendum." According to Mousavi, President Ahmadinejad's actions have isolated Iran and worsened its oil-based economy. Comment: Mousavi ran against Admadinejad in last year's disputed elections and is head of the opposition movement of protesters, activists, and reformist politicians. He claims he won the 2009 elections but was robbed of his victory, resulting in mass protests that left more than 80 demonstrators killed and hundreds arrested. (AFP, Ynet NewsAFP
 
LEBANON/SYRIA: UN tribunal presses ahead
UN Secretary-General Ban said on October 6 that the UN tribunal set up in regards to the 2005 assassination of former Lebanon Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri will press ahead despite fears of instability, and has urged regional players not to interfere. On October 6, Syrian President al-Assad confirmed that a Syrian judge issued warrants for 33 people who falsely testified to investigators and assured the warrants were not politically motivated. The purported false accusations have damaged Lebanese-Syrian relations. Comment: Hizballah expects to be indicted by the court even though they deny killing Hariri. The case is led by Hariri's son, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, but Hizballah and its allies have pressured the Lebanese government to stop cooperation with the tribunal. Fears of violence have intensified over the impending indictments, and political leaders and analysts warn of a possible return to sectarian violence in Lebanon. (Al Jazeera, AP, Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera)
 
MOROCCO: Migrants left without food or water
Between August 19 and September 10, Moroccan police forces reportedly raided cities, arrested 600 to 700 people, and expelled hundreds of "illegal immigrants" to the Algerian/Moroccan border without food or water. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) released a statement on September 31 describing the deterioration of the humanitarian situation for sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco. MSF reported giving medical care to 186 patients who were victims of the expulsion. Comment: According to MSF, many of the victims had medical conditions, or were pregnant women or children,  despite Moroccan law that stipulates that vulnerable groups must not be expelled to the border. Morocco has long been a thoroughfare for migrants traveling to Europe from sub-Saharan Africa. (Medecins Sans Frontieres, AP, Africa News)
 
YEMEN: Attack on British diplomats
On October 6, a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at a motorcade of British diplomats and employees in Sana'a. Three Yemeni bystanders and an employee of the British Embassy were injured. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but British Minister of Middle East and South Asian affairs, Alistair Burt, insists al-Qaeda's presence should not be ignored. Comment: Two days prior to the attack, Yemini forces boosted security around embassies in Sana'a after receiving information of a probable attack by al-Qaeda. The U.S. has recently earmarked around $150 million in military assistance to Yemen in order to combat the deteriorating security situation. (Al JazeeraNews YemenAP)
 

Researched/Written by Carla Avandano 

South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Afghan officials, Taliban reportedly meeting for talks
Taliban representatives and officials from the Afghan Government have reportedly begun high-level talks over a negotiated end to the war.  It would be the first time that Taliban representatives are fully authorized to speak for the Quetta Shura, the Afghan-Taliban organization based in Pakistan, and its leader, Mohammad Omar. However, the Government on Wednesday denied reports of the secret high-level talks even as President Hamid Karzai opened the first session of the High Peace Council; the body recently set up to start a dialogue with the Taliban. Comment: Reports of negotiations with the Taliban should be understood against a backdrop of growing violence, particularly in Afghanistan's south. NATO forces are stepping up operations against Islamist insurgents. Analysts also believe that the Taliban may finally be feeling the pressure from NATO's military operations. President Obama and his national security team have reportedly long said the war would not be won by military means alone. (Wasington Post, BBC, LA Times)
 
NEPAL: Parliament fails for the eleventh time to elect a prime-minister
Nepal's parliament on Thursday failed for the eleventh time to elect a new prime minister in its latest attempt to appoint a figure to fill a three-month leadership void. The sole candidate, Ram Chandra Poudel, leader of the second-largest party in parliament, the centrist Nepali Congress, garnered only 104 votes. A simple majority of 301 votes is needed to form a government. The Maoist party chairman Pushpa Kama Dahal, known as Prachanda, was the front-runner in earlier votes, but withdrew after seven election rounds to pave the way for fresh talks on forming a national consensus government. Comment: The Maoists fought a decade-long civil war against the state before transforming themselves into a political party. They contested the 2008 elections, winning the largest number of seats in Parliament, but not enough to govern alone. Moreover, the Nepali Congress, which has 114 members in the Parliament, has ruled out the possibility of forming the next government under the Maoist leadership reportedly because the former rebels have not yet laid down arms and dissolved their youth paramilitary organization. The stalemate has halted work on the peace process that began when the civil war ended in 2006 and increased frustration among the public. (AFP, IANS, PTI)
 
PAKISTAN: Pakistan criticizes drone attacks, NATO supply route remains shut
Pakistan on Thursday criticized the increase in U.S. drone attacks, stating that they undermine Pakistan's efforts to win over the people in the country's tribal region, where most of the strikes take place. More than 150 people, militants and civilians, have died in drone strikes over the last month. Meanwhile, the U.S. tendered an apology for last week's NATO helicopter raid that killed 3 Pakistani border troops. However, the Torkham crossing, a vital NATO supply route which the Pakistan Government shut in protest of the attack, remains closed. Militants also set fire to 20 NATO trucks and tankers in Islamabad. Comment: Relations between the two countries are tense and the U.S. has continued to press Pakistan to aggressively act against militant safe havens on the Pakistani-side of the border. The Pakistani army has launched attacks in certain areas of the border but has not attacked the main militant strongholds in the North Waziristan tribal region.  (CNN, BBC, Voice of America, RTT)
 
Researched/Written by Megha Swamy
October 8, 2010
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Africa
Americas
East Asia
Europe & Central Asia
Middle East & N. Africa
South Asia
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