Indonesia: On 9 March 2010 Indonesian authorities announced that police forces recently shot and killed a militant leader who was wanted over his role in the 2002 Bali bombings. Police officers reportedly killed the militant leader known as Dulmatin in a raid on an insurgent training camp in Pamulang in the Banten province. Investigators believe that Dulmatin was a key figure in the leadership of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group, which carried out the 2002 Bali bombings. Government officials have not yet positively identified Dulmatin as the person who was killed, but police officials stated that they are certain they killed the wanted man. It is likely to take several days for a positive identification to be made.

Thailand: The Thai government announced on 9 March 2010 that any migrant workers who attend upcoming political rallies will be fined and imprisoned. The harsh warning comes ahead of planned rallies by United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) activists. Employers of any migrant workers taking part in the demonstration could also face fines, as the Thai government holds them responsible for the behavior of their foreign workers.

Greece: Garbage collectors and tax workers staged a strike for the second consecutive day on 9 March 2010 and announced that they will extend the work stoppage through 11 March. The action -- which is being staged over economic austerity measures -- has already resulted in an accumulation of trash on city streets.

Meanwhile, a 24-hour nationwide strike will take place on 11 March as well; it is the second major strike in recent weeks. Civil servants and private sector workers will participate in the strike and related protest marches, causing significant disruptions, including to air and rail transportation. Unions have also announced plans for a third general strike on 16 March.

Ireland: According to reports on 9 March 2010, taxi drivers at major airports in Ireland have stepped up their protest action affecting Dublin Airport (EIDW/DUB), Cork Airport (EICK/ORK) and Shannon Airport (EINN/SNN). Taxi drivers have blocked parts of O’Connell Street, causing significant transportation delays in Dublin’s main city square. Taxi drivers in Tralee, Killarney and other large towns throughout the country have stopped work to protest the treatment of two taxi drivers protesting at the Regulators Office in Dublin.

Netherlands: Dutch authorities announced on 9 March 2010 that security has been increased at the duty free area of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (EHAM/AMS) after investigative journalists were able to successfully smuggle bottles of liquid onto passenger flights. Reports indicate that British journalists had found a loophole in the airport screening by buying bottles at the duty free shop, refilling them with other liquids, and then putting the resealed bottles into bags that were not checked by security screeners. Airport managers stated that additional security personnel will be assigned to monitor the duty free area and prevent passengers from boarding with unsealed bottles. Some businesses operating in the duty free area have also indicated that they will stop selling bottles of liquid altogether.

Turkey: On 9 March 2010 a security guard shot and wounded a man outside the Ukrainian Consulate building in Istanbul. Police officers stated that the man approached the main entrance to the consulate armed with a handgun and began firing shots into the air; he claimed to be carrying a bomb. A security guard posted outside the consulate building immediately returned fire. The wounded suspect was taken to a local hospital while a bomb squad was called in to examine a suspicious bag he was carrying. Authorities evacuated some homes and buildings in the surrounding Florya neighborhood as a precaution, but no explosives were found. Investigators claim that the suspect -- who is married to a Ukrainian woman -- had a personal grievance against consulate staff, and there was no political motive to the incident.

South Africa: Pretoria township residents are staging a second consecutive day of protests over poor service delivery on 9 March 2010. Protests in Mamelodi East, which is located just east of the Pretoria city center, began at 0800 local time on 8 March, and reports indicate that the unrest was still underway as of 0800 local time on 9 March. The protesters have reportedly blockaded several streets -- including Tsamaya Avenue at the corner of Mabena Avenue and Hans Strijdom Drive at the corner of Hector Peterson Street -- with burning tires and other objects. The protesters have also thrown rocks at police officers and have allegedly fired live ammunition at firefighters. Other smaller scale disturbances were also reported throughout the Pretoria metropolitan area on 8 March, including in Hammanskraal (north), Hebron (northwest) and Soshanguve (north). It is unclear if the protests have resulted in any serious injuries or arrests.

The protests were staged ahead of Pretoria’s annual State of the City address on 9 March. Reports indicate that the mayor will focus on the city’s service delivery “achievements” during the speech. Authorities have stated that, while the level of violence has subsided since 8 March, additional unrest cannot be ruled out during the speech, as the protesters have threatened to disrupt taxi, bus and train services.

Togo: Police officers fired tear gas as thousands of protesters gathered in Lome on 9 March 2010 to protest against Togo’s recent disputed presidential election. Despite an official government ban on all protest gatherings in Togo, thousands of supporters of opposition candidate Jean-Pierre Fabre rallied in Lome to protest against alleged election fraud. Fabre reportedly attempted to reach the protest and address the crowd, but police officers blocked him. Results from the election held on 6 March indicated that President Faure Gnassingbe had won with 60.9 percent of the vote. Yellow-clad opposition activists immediately condemned the national election and have since vowed to hold daily demonstrations against Gnassingbe’s government.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Togo: On 8 March 2010 the U.S. Embassy in Lome issued the following Warden Message: “Political demonstrations are scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 9, at 7 a.m. in the vicinity of the following Lomé neighborhoods: Bé, Boulevard Circulaire to the Fontaine Jeunesse, Freau Jardin (Semana Santos Square), and Palais du Congres. There have been, and will continue to be, periodic political demonstrations in reaction to the presidential election results announced on Saturday, March 6.

“Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Togo from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”

SIGNIFICANT DATES

9 March

Belize: Baron Bliss Day (Celebrates the memory of English benefactor Baron Edward Henry Ernest Victor Bliss; banks close.)

11 March

Chile: Anniversary of Return of Civil Government (1990) (Public demonstrations and/or rallies likely.)
Greece: Nationwide general strike planned
Lesotho: Moshoeshoe's Day (Public holiday with festivities; everything closes.)
Lithuania: Restoration of Lithuania's Independence (Public holiday)
Spain: Anniversary of 2004 terrorist attack on Madrid's public transportation network

12 March

Gabon: Renovation Day (Anniversary of the foundation of the Parti démocratique gabonais; public holiday.)
Italy: Nationwide general transportation strike
Mauritius: Independence/Republic Day (Public holiday)
Turkey: Kemal Ataturk's Birthday (Not an official holiday, but some stores close and some outdoor celebrations are organized.)
Zambia: Youth Day

15 March

Belarus: Constitution Day (Adopted in 1994. Public holiday; offices, shops and businesses close.)
Hungary: Revolution Day (Commemorates attempt to gain independence from Habsburg Empire in 1848. Offices and businesses close. Outdoor celebrations organized; the largest will be in front of the National Museum in Budapest.)
Liberia: Birthday of national figure J.J. Roberts (Public holiday)

16 March

Greece: Nationwide general strike planned
Indonesia (Bali): Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence (Bali's ports, including the airport, will not operate for 24 hours. In addition, most offices and businesses, excluding hotels, will close.)
Latvia: Legion memorial day (Commemorates Latvian veterans of the Waffen-SS; violent demonstrations in Riga and other cities possible.)

17 March

Argentina: Anniversary of the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires (Demonstrations may occur.)
Ireland: St. Patrick's Day (Public holiday; parades held in Dublin and other cities.)
United States: St. Patrick's Day (Parades may cause disruptions in various cities.)

18 March

Aruba: Aruba Day (Public holiday; businesses close.)

19 March

Colombia: Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day)(Public holiday)
Costa Rica: Feast of St. Joseph (San Jose only. Celebration of Catholic saint. Businesses, but not banks, close.)
Malta: Feast of St. Joseph (Public holiday)
Spain: Feast of San Jose (Public holiday)
Worldwide: Anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Anti-war protests possible worldwide. Iraq may experience an increase in attacks around this date.)

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