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PEACE & SECURITY REPORT
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
Clearing mines and hearts: Israel has finally passed legislation to clear landmines, thanks to the resilience of 12-year-old Daniel Yuval
By Jerry White, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Bologna 2011 Faculty
 
Daniel YuvalLast year, when 12-year-old landmine survivor Daniel Yuval said he wanted to do something to rid Israel of landmines, even he didn't expect his call to action to move a mountain of security. But Daniel's wounded innocence prevailed and Israel's Ministry of Defense is now poised to clear the country of deadly military debris.

On Monday, the Knesset passed unprecedented legislation to establish the first National Mine Action Authority responsible to remove up to 90 percent of Israel's outdated minefields. Within six months, Israel will implement a systematic national plan to clear nearly one million mines from the Golan Heights through the Jordan and Arava Valleys down to Eilat. The work of humanitarian deminers will take several years and up to $70-90 million. But it will save lives and limbs, while setting free valuable land held hostage for decades. READ FULL ARTICLE >>
Africa
NIGER: Opposition leader wins elections
Niger opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou won Saturday's presidential election with nearly 58 percent of the vote, defeating Seyni Oumarou, a party ally of ex-president Mamadou Tandja who was ousted by soldiers last year for outstaying his term in office.  The interim military junta said it wants the peaceful return to civilian rule to be a model for democracy across Africa and has pledged to step down by April. Comment: The election was overseen by about 2,000 observers from the AU, ECOWAS, the EU, and U.S. groups.  The observers commended Niger for its peaceful election and emphasized it as an example for Africa.  The EU announced Tuesday the successful vote is a "major step" towards restoring cooperation and development aid to the country. (BBC, Reuters, Bloomberg)
  
SOMALIA: Five pirates sentenced to life in prison
On Monday, five Somali men were sentenced to life plus 80 years in prison in a U.S. court for their involvement in last year's attack on a U.S. warship in the Indian Ocean.  The sentences are the longest ever given to pirates in U.S. courts and mark the first time in 190 years that a U.S. court has convicted a defendant of piracy.  Comment: The judgment illustrates the U.S's commitment to curbing the growing piracy issue, which in the last year has cost billions of dollars globally and resulted in 650 - 800 hostages.  (CNN, BBC, Aljazeera)
  
SUDAN: South and North agree to resume negotiations
On Thursday, the presidents of the North and South agreed to resume negotiations after the mediation efforts of South African president Thabo Mbeki. South Sudan suspended talks with the North last Saturday because they believed Bashir and his ruling National Congress Party (NCP) are plotting to overthrow the ruling SPLM   party.  The South also accused the NCP of funding and arming rebel militias involved in recent attacks and clashes with the southern army; a Saturday attack by rebel militias against Malakal, one of the South's main settlements, left 49 people dead.  In addition to suspending talks, the SPLM threatened to  bypass the North when exporting oil.  Comment: The NCP denied the accusations calling them "ridiculous" and stated they would still recognize the South when it declares independence on July 9.  The U.S. and other world powers pressured both sides to return to talks and "to restrain armed groups under their influence." (AFP, Aljazeera, Sudan Tribune)


Researched/Written
by Haja Kakay

Americas
COLOMBIA: FARC leader killed
Oliver Solarte, FARC's drug and weapons trafficking leader, was killed Tuesday.  The Colombian military carried out an operation, which was the culmination of a six-month investigation targeting FARC positions near the Ecuadorian border.  Earlier in the day, during a separate operation, the military killed six rebels and captured 12 more.  Solarte also acted as liaison between FARC and the Mexican drug cartels.  Comment: President Santos used this event to underline the government progress in combating FARC and to warn of continued efforts.  FARC lost many of its leaders in recent years and its numbers have decreased significantly.  Despite these changes, FARC still has thousands of members and is well-funded. (BBC, Bloomberg, El Tiempo)
  
CUBA: U.S. Contractor Sentenced
Alan Gross, an American contractor, was sentenced to fifteen years in Cuban prison on Saturday for distributing cell phones and laptops in Cuba.  Gross carried communications equipment to a group of Cuban Jews in December of 2009 and was accused of trying to cause unrest in the current regime.  This distribution of equipment was part of a USAID attempt to assist non-governmental groups in Cuba. Comment: Obama has acknowledged that Gross' continued detention is a sticking point in U.S.-Cuba relations.  U.S. officials believe Gross will be released on humanitarian grounds; he suffers from diabetes, and his 26 year-old daughter and 88 year-old mother are both receiving treatment for cancer.  It is believed that Cuba is using this opportunity to highlight the intrusiveness of USAID programs. (AP, AFP, Miami Herald)
  
MEXICO: U.S. drones provide support in drug battle
During the March 3 meeting between presidents Obama and Calderon, both parties agreed to formally extend the use of drones in Mexico's counter-narcotics efforts.  These unarmed drones are used as intelligence gathering devices.  In addition to agreeing to expand the use of drones, there will be a second fusion center created in Mexico in order to facilitate the joint efforts of U.S. and Mexican agencies in combating drug cartels.  Comment: Calderon and Obama spoke frankly about their grievances over the handling of Mexican drug cartels during the meeting this month.  The drones have been used for this purpose since February; however, this was kept a secret due to legal concerns and political sensitivities in Mexico.  The Mexican Constitution does not permit foreign militaries to operate in Mexico except under extreme circumstances.  There is also concern about corruption in security agencies. (Reuters, AFP, BBC 

  

Researched/Written by Michael Prather

East Asia
JAPAN: Nuclear crisis persists as recovery efforts continue 
Japanese efforts to quell the increasingly dire crisis at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant continued Thursday as workers attempted to cool overheating reactors with aerial water drops and high-powered firehouses while engineers worked to reconnect the plant to the electrical grid. Ongoing operations at the Fukushima nuclear plant and fluctuating radiation levels continue to complicate recovery efforts around the plant. In the meantime, the death toll from the earthquake and tsunami reached 5,692 while 9,522 remain missing, with Miyagi prefecture experiencing the heaviest casualties. Comment: Information regarding the status of the Fukushima nuclear facilities is inconsistent, with Japanese and international reports differing over the severity of the crisis. The international community recently stepped up efforts to protect and evacuate expatriates in Northern Japan and Tokyo. (Reuters, New Zealand Herald, Los Angeles Times)
  
KOREA: Pyongyang agrees to partial repatriation of stranded North Koreans
After more than a week of wrangling over the fate of four of the 31 North Koreans stranded in South Korean waters aboard a malfunctioning fishing ship in early February, North Korea agreed to repatriate the 27 who wanted to return Thursday. Pyongyang initially accused Seoul of coercing the four defectors to stay and refused to allow a partial repatriation of the group. Although plans to send the returnees back were delayed Thursday when the engine on the returning boat stopped working, South Korean officials reaffirmed that the repatriation plan will proceed as soon as possible. Comment: There was some speculation after the delay of return was announced by Seoul that some of the returnees made last minute bids to defect, although Seoul flatly denied these claims. The repatriation row is the latest in a series of conflicts between the two sides over the past 9 months. (The Korea Times, The Chosun Ilbo, AFP)
  
MALAYSIA: Authorities seize ship suspected of carrying bomb-making equipment
A cargo ship seized ten days ago at a Malaysian port is currently under investigation by Malaysian authorities with assistance from Interpol after the discovery of two containers with materials used in nuclear devices. The Iran-bound ship originated in China and was seized  by Malaysian police under the Strategic Trade Act 2010, which Malaysia adopted in an effort to curb proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Authorities removed the two containers under investigation, and the ship's crew is being questioned. Comment: The seizure comes as concerns mount over an influx of weapons to the Middle East in the midst of recent upheavals. Malaysia's actions are also notable because the maritime sea lanes of Southeast Asia are some of the most heavily trafficked in the world, including illegal arms shipments. (The Star, BBC, AFP)

 

Researched/Written by Paul Rothman

Europe & Central Asia
BELGIUM: EU convenes emergency meeting to review nuclear safety policies
On March 17, EU energy officials met in Brussels to discuss the future of Europe's nuclear safety policies in light of the events in Japan.  Germany announced they will shut down seven of their 17 nuclear reactors to test safety and security measures.  Germany recently decided to extend the lifespan of their nuclear power plants by 17 years; a decision that was unpopular with German citizens and will likely come under review.  France and Great Britain, however, have had mild reactions, stating there are few parallels between Europe and Japan as Europe is not in a seismically active region.  The Japan earthquake was 130,000 times stronger than the largest earthquake in British history.  Comment:  Europe's anti-nuclear advocates have used the occasion to highlight the importance of moving away from nuclear energy.  Eastern Europe's poorer countries however, such as Poland and Romania, have been attempting to develop their own nuclear power stations in order to reduce dependence on Russian oil.  These countries stress their plants will be built to the highest safety standards, and like the UK, do not have a seismically-active history.  (Reuters, New York Times, Xinhua)
  
ITALY: Ferry carrying 1,800 refugees denied docking in Sicily
A ship sailing from Tripoli with 1,800 people, mostly Moroccan refugees, was denied entry into a Sicilian port to refuel.  The ship was originally bound for Malta, where it was also denied entry, and was blocked from entering Italian waters by the coast guard.  Several small vessels carrying refugees also sank in rough waters en route to Italy.  The Italian Coast Guard stated over 1,600 refugees in a 24-hour period. Comment: Italy has faced a flood of refugees fleeing the revolutions in northern Africa for the last several weeks.  The Italian government has been reluctant to take in such large numbers of refugees, although other EU nations have been critical of the Italian stance. (BBC, The Independent, CNN)
  
UZBEKISTAN: Human Rights Watch forced to close office
On March 15, Human Rights Watch (HRW) was expelled from their Tashkent office by the Uzbek government, giving no information why.  HRW reported the human rights situation in Uzbekistan was deteriorating rapidly, with more than a dozen journalists and political activists being held in jail.  According to HRW, the Uzbek government impeded many of their activities, including denying visas and accreditation, and demanded the EU and U.S. take a firmer stance on the issue.  Comment:  An EU spokesman implored the Uzbek government to change their decision; however, it does not appear they will reconsider.  Uzbekistan is a key staging point for the war in Afghanistan and currently exports a great deal of electricity to Afghanistan, so the U.S. and EU will likely tread lightly.  (Washington Post, The Independent, New York Times)

 

Researched/Written by Daniel Pechtol

Middle East & North Africa
BAHRAIN: Violent crackdown on protesters after Saudi troops enter Bahrain
After a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters that left six dead and 1,000 injured on March 16, Bahraini government forces arrested several opposition leaders and activists. Among those arrested were Abduljalil al-Singace, a leader of the Haq movement, and Hassan Mushaima, head of the Sunni-dominated Waad political society. The crackdown came two days after Saudi Arabia dispatched hundreds of troops to Bahrain, backed by tanks and helicopters, and the Bahraini government declared a three-month state of emergency. The UN human rights chief reported arbitrary arrests, killings, and beatings of protesters by security forces. Comment: The dispatch was part of a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) initiative to help protect government facilities in Bahrain. Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon condemned the violence on the Shia population. Over 60 percent of Bahrainis are Shia and complain of discrimination by the Sunni royal family, the al-Khalifa. Bahrain's Sunni monarchy is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and suspects Iran of encouraging the protesters. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Reuters, AFP)

LIBYA: Government declares ceasefire following UN-approved no-fly zone; NATO airstrikes likely
The Libyan government declared a unilateral ceasefire today in response to the UN Security Council's decision yesterday evening to authorize the use of "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya, including a no-fly zone and the interdiction of ships carrying supplies to Gaddafi's government.  On March 16, Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, warned of a military operation against the rebels ending in 48 hours but a high-level official moved the operation to Friday morning. On Thursday, pro-Gaddafi forces recaptured the rebel-held town of Misurata; and reportedly launched their first bombing raid on Benghazi, a heavily populated city, after recapturing the key town of Ajdabiya. Comment: The vote marked a dramatic turn in the world's response to the Libyan crisis after weeks of debate and reluctance by many to intervene, and it comes as rebel forces were said to be on the brink of defeat. Both France and the U.K., under the auspices of NATO, stated that they will likely begin airstrikes on Libyan defense systems and runways today. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Tripoli Post, Washington Post) 


PALESTINE: Palestinian leaders to hold unity talks
This week, Ismail Haniya, Hamas leader and Gaza prime minister, offered Palestinian President Abbas the possibility of starting reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas factions. During a speech to the central council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on March 16, President Abbas announced that he will not run for re-election and plans for fresh elections for both the presidency and parliament in six months; however, Abbas predicated elections on reunification of the West Bank and Gaza. Comment: On Tuesday, tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied for a national dialogue in Gaza and the West Bank.  People from both sides remain skeptical about national reconciliation following Hamas' recent brutal suppression of student demonstrations at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. (Al Jazeera, BBC, The Christian Science Monitor, AFP)

  

Researched/Written by Carla Avendano

South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: U.S./NATO emphasize long-term strategy
On March 15, U.S. General Petraeus told Congress that his forces are making enough progress to begin the gradual three year withdrawal process in July. However, while Petaeus emphasized the security advances made over the past year, he recognized that recent progress is also "fragile and reversible." The General recommended a 70,000 person increase in the size of Afghan security forces, bringing the total to 378,000; an administration decision is expected soon. Pentagon Police Chief Michelle Flournoy also testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee indicating that not all U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan after the transition of control in 2014. Flournoy expressed that complete withdrawal was a mistake in the 1990s and will not be repeated. Similarly, on March 11, Secretary Gates warned defense ministers from the nearly 50 nations with troops in Afghanistan that uncoordinated withdrawals or those motivated by political concerns, rather than security conditions, threaten security gains. NATO Secretary General Rasmussen asked allied partners for patience and determination in the effort for "durable and irreversible progress". Comment: Karzai is expected to announce the first round of districts and provinces that will transition to Afghan force control on March 21. Presidents Obama and Karzai are reported to be working out the deals of an "enduring partnership" beyond 2014. (Washington Times, Reuters, CNN)
  
MALDIVES: Press Secretary denies Al-Qaeda operations in Maldives
On March 14, media sources report that Maldivian Press Secretary Zuhair denied the existence of an Al-Qaeda base, calling the claims "a blatant lie." On March 10, Sri Lankan newspaper, "The Island," reported that Indian security agencies suspected a link between Somali militant group, al Shabab, and the al-Qaeda base set up in Maldives. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) responded to "The Island" article saying there are no Al-Qaeda bases on any of the islands of Maldives. According to news reports, Major Abdurraheem expressed concern that newspaper claims made by "a good neighboring country" threaten the security and safety of Maldives. The Major indicated that full aerial surveillance operations of the Maldivian seas were conducted with the help of the Indian Air Force and no terrorist operations were found. Comment: In a public statement, the MNDF Media Coordinator indicated that if "The Island" provided evidence of the location of alleged Al-Qaeda base, MDNF would investigate immediately. This week terrorist rumors circulated as Maldives witnessed the return and subsequent arrest of Iqbal Mohamed, a man who was believed to be living in Pakistan and is a suspect in the 2007 bomb attack of Male's Sultan Park. While secretary Zuhair indicated that Maldives was under increased security risk, reports that India and the Maldives were working on joint counter-terrorism measures last April sparked ongoing news reports about suspected terrorist threats. (The Island, Minivan News, Miadhu)
  
PAKISTAN: Raymond Davis released
On March 16, Raymond Davis, a U.S. CIA contractor arrested for shooting two men in January, was acquitted of murder charges and released by a Pakistani court after victims' families dropped charges in response to a deal to receive "blood money." The deal was reached just hours after Davis was indicted, ending a contentious diplomatic standoff between the United States and Pakistan. On March 17, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf parties staged small-scale protests in Karachi and Lahore; lawyers claim that families of the two dead men were coerced into accepting financial compensation in return for pardoning Davis. Pakistani media reported that families received 200 million rupees ($2.34m) while in Saudi Arabia; the deal was reportedly brokered by the Saudi Arabian government. Comment: Given the accordance with Sharia law, responses to the acquittal are mixed. While media reports indicate a "muted" public response, other sources say political parties are exploiting the issue for political gain. Following Davis' release, the judge handing down the decision went on leave for security reasons. According to one media source, all religious parties have announced protest rallies to take place on Friday.  (BBC, Times of India, Express Tribune) 

 

Researched/Written by Jennifer Clemens

March 18, 2011
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In This Issue
Featured Article
Africa
Americas
East Asia
Europe & Central Asia
Middle East & N. Africa
South Asia

 

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Dr. William Zartman

Dr. William Zartman, IPSI Chairman of the Board and Bologna 2011 Academic Coordinator, contributes to the following article:

Libya Eclipses Ivory Coast In The Media. 

 

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An Interview with John Marks, President and Founder of Search for Common Ground and Bologna 2011 Faculty, on his personal transformation into a peacemaker. 

 

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