Peru (Country threat level - ): On 27 July 2010 residents of the southern regions of Peru launched an indefinite strike to protest the government’s plans to export natural gas from the Camisea pipeline. The residents are also protesting the construction of the Inambari hydroelectric plant, which they claim will cause severe environmental damage. Protests and marches occurred in the cities of Cusco, Puno, Tacna and Arequipa; several clashes between security forces and demonstrators occurred in the Cusco region. In La Convencion province demonstrators used trees to block major thoroughfares; a driver was killed when a tree that protesters were cutting down fell on his vehicle. Protesters also blocked a bridge in the Canchis province, repelling a contingent of police officers by force. In the city of Cusco, residents mobbed a local police station after authorities arrested a student protest leader; police officers released the detainee under pressure from the crowd.

ASI Comment: The Camisea gas pipeline project has been especially contentious in southern Peru. Local residents, who often experience gas shortages, argue that the government should use the gas to meet domestic demand. In June 2010 protesters staged 24- and 48-hour strikes in the southern regions of Cusco, Arequipa, Madre de Dios and Puno to protest the decision, suspending public transportation services and closing down schools and businesses. Travelers to southern Peru -- including Cusco and the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu -- should prepare for transportation disruptions and should avoid all protests, which have a high potential for violence.

Cambodia (Country threat level - ): Police officers broke up a protest by thousands of striking garment workers in Phnom Penh on 27 July 2010; the workers launched the strike six days earlier after managers at their clothing factory in the Sen Sok district suspended a local union organizer. Reports indicate that approximately 50 anti-riot police officers used shields and batons to forcibly disperse a crowd of around 3,000 mostly female workers, who they claim were blocking traffic. Eyewitnesses stated that at least nine workers were injured in the clashes when police officers allegedly used electrified batons to shock some of the protesters. Security forces were deployed following a court order to clear the streets of Phnom Penh of any striking workers. The workers have indicated they will continue their strike, but factory management has given them a 29 July deadline to go back to work.

ASI Comment: The global economic downturn has led to a drop in demand for low-cost apparel from factories in Cambodia. Many garment workers fear for their job security, and massive inflation in Cambodia has diminished the value of the minimum monthly wage many garment workers receive.

China (Country threat level - ): On 28 July 2010 a chemical pipeline exploded in the city of Nanjing, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 300 others. The blast occurred at an abandoned plastics factory in the city's northern Qixia district at approximately 1000 local time (0200 UTC). The explosion damaged buildings and vehicles within a radius of approximately 300 ft/100 m. Firefighters worked for several hours to control the resulting fire, leading to severe transportation disruptions in the surrounding area. Investigators believe that the incident was the result of an ethylene gas leak.

China (Country threat level - ): Government authorities in eastern China announced on 27 July 2010 that a security operation has been launched in Suzhou following protests by local farmers. The farmers have staged several sporadic demonstrations in the Huqiu district of the city since 15 July to protest against a government action that forcibly seized farmland several years ago to build industrial factories. Reports indicate that hundreds of security personnel have been deployed to put an end to the protests, and many of the farmers claim they have been beaten while detained in jail.

ASI Comment: Such land rights protests occur frequently in China, as the communist regime seizes residents' property against their will for construction projects. Many Chinese citizens claim the government fails to adequately compensate landowners for the loss of their property. Travelers to Suzhou should avoid all protests and large crowds as the ongoing security crackdown raises the threat of violence at demonstrations in the city.

Pakistan (Country threat level - ): An aircraft operated by the privately-owned airline Air Blue crashed into the Margalla Hills, located northeast of Islamabad, on 28 July 2010. The Airbus 321 was traveling from Karachi's Jinnah International Airport (OPKC/KHI) to Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport (OPRN/ISB) with 146 passengers and six crew members on board when it lost contact with air traffic controllers at 0943 local time (0443 UTC). Emergency responders reported that there were no survivors. Authorities suspect that rainy weather conditions contributed to the crash.

Thailand (Country threat level - ): Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on 27 July 2010 that the government plans to maintain the current state of emergency for Bangkok to ensure public safety. Abhisit indicated, however, that the government will gradually lift the state of emergency over time as the security situation stabilizes. The emergency decree was imposed in Bangkok and several other provinces in April 2010 due to the protests by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The state of emergency has given a special government security agency the authority to ban public gatherings and arrest those suspected of planning opposition protests. UDD members claim that the emergency order allows the government to violate the basic rights of Thai political activists but there have been no reports of mass arrests or widespread abuse of power in the city.

ASI Comment: The decision to extend the state of emergency came just days after a bombing at a bus stop near a superstore in the Ratchadamri neighborhood of central Bangkok; one person was killed and several others injured. Even though some government authorities have speculated that the attack was not politically motivated, the incident has raised fears that civil unrest associated with the political crisis has not entirely subsided. Police investigators have vowed to bring the bombers to justice and to prevent renewed political violence.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Israel (Country threat level - ): Authorities are making final preparations for Jerusalem’s annual Gay Pride Parade, which will take place on 27 July 2010. The parade will commence at the city’s Independence Park at 1630 local time, from where the crowd is scheduled to depart at 1745 and march toward the Knesset (Parliament); the march will end at Wohl Rose Garden, where a large rally will take place. A large number of police officers will be on hand along the route to maintain order; although the parade -- which typically takes place in June but was moved back to commemorate the July 2009 shooting attack on a gay and lesbian youth center in Tel Aviv -- has taken place without major incident over the past several years, security incidents have occurred at the parade in the past. Some members of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community have called for protests against the parade, but it is not yet known if such actions will materialize. Transportation disruptions are expected to occur in the area where the parade will take place, and travelers and expatriates in Jerusalem should allow additional time for commuting.

Lebanon (Country threat level - ): On 28 July 2010 a percussion bomb exploded in an underground parking garage used by employees of the Engineers Syndicate in Beirut’s Bir Hassan neighborhood; reports vary as to whether the device was placed underneath a vehicle or whether it was hidden inside a plastic bag left in the driving area of the garage. A Syrian worker was injured in the blast, while at least four vehicles were damaged. The explosion reportedly caused panic in the area, which was quickly cordoned off by security forces that responded to the blast.

ASI Comment: An investigation is underway, but it is not known if the blast was motivated by political or personal reasons; it is suspicious, however, as this is the latest incident in the Beirut area in which a Syrian national was injured or killed, though there is no concrete evidence indicating that those nationals are being specifically targeted. Moreover, the incident comes just days before a tentative visit to Beirut by Syrian President Bashir al-Assad as well as amid a period of rising tensions in Lebanon over the forthcoming issuance of indictments in the investigation of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s 2005 assassination. The prosecutor is expected to announce indictments -- which may include members and/or supporters of Hizballah -- sometime between September and the end of 2010. Lebanon’s recent period of relative calm and stability will be put to the test depending on the identities and political affiliations of the indicted individuals.

Oman (Country threat level - ): On 28 July 2010 a Japanese oil tanker sustained damage as it traveled near the Strait of Hormuz en route to Japan's port of Chiba. There is uncertainty about the circumstances under which the incident occurred. Initial reports suggested that the damage may have resulted from an attack on the vessel, but later reports declared that the damage was caused by a freak wave that hit the ship. The incident involving the M. Star tanker, owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., occurred at approximately 0030 local time (2030 UTC 27 July) as the vessel was off the coast of Oman. At least one crew member suffered minor injuries. There were no reports of an oil spill after the blast, and the tanker sailed to the port of Fujairah in the UAE for a damage assessment.

Guinea (Country threat level - ): A Mauritanian Airways Boeing 737-700 overshot the runway at Conakry’s Gbessia International Airport (GUCY/CKY) in the capital on 28 July 2010. The aircraft -- which was carrying 97 passengers -- landed in the middle of the runway before skidding off the tarmac at approximately 0130 local time/UTC. At least 10 people were injured in the incident and have been transported to area hospitals. The flight originated in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Nigeria (Country threat level - ): A gang of robbers went on a rampage in Ibadan, Oyo state, which is located in southwestern Nigeria approximately 80 mi/130 km north of Lagos, on 27 July 2010. Reports indicate that the gang unsuccessfully attempted to rob banks and subsequently engaged in shootouts with security forces in several areas throughout the city, including in the Idi-Ape, Apata and Bakatari districts. The robbers fled in a stolen vehicle to neighboring Ogun state, where authorities engaged them in another gunbattle for more than one hour. Most businesses in both Ibadan and Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, shut down while the violence was ongoing. As many as five people were killed in the unrest, including three police officers and one gang member. Authorities recovered a large cache of arms when the suspects fled, including explosive materials and high-powered firearms.

Uganda (Country threat level - ): On 27 July 2010 the National Alliance for Free and Fair Elections (NAFFE) and the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party held demonstrations nationwide in order to bring attention to the inadequacies of the country’s electoral system. Reports indicate that protests were held in 13 cities across the country, including in Kampala, the capital. The protesters clashed with anti-riot police officers during many of the demonstrations. For example, in the Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda, authorities fired tear gas and pepper spray and arrested 21 participants. In Kampala, the demonstrators attempted to march from the FDC youth office to the electoral commission’s office, but security forces peacefully dispersed the crowd. The group later gathered at the Railway Grounds, where minor clashes took place. Unrest was also reported in the Bushenyi, Jinja, Busia, Hoima, Arua and Mbale districts. In total, at least 80 people were arrested during the demonstrations. Reports indicate that the NAFFE and the FDC submitted an application to hold the demonstrations, but authorities denied them permission, stating that all public gatherings have been banned for the time being while an investigation into the 11 July terrorist attacks in Kampala is ongoing. This was the first time that the opposition mobilized nationwide protests against the allegedly biased electoral commission.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Solomon Islands (Country threat level - ): On 27 July 2010 the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby issued a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby urges U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Solomon Islands to exercise caution due to elections scheduled to take place August 4, 2010, in Honiara and all Provinces. Ballot counting will take place August 5 - 7, 2010. Because past elections have led to disturbances in urban areas of Honiara, we urge U.S. citizens to exercise caution to ensure personal security. Please report any suspicious activity to your local police station (Phone 999 for Honiara). ..."

SIGNIFICANT DATES

28 July

Peru: Independence Day (Public holiday)
Ukraine: Day of Baptism of Kievan Rus (public holiday established in 2008)

29 July

Bangladesh: Shab-e-Barat (Government offices and businesses closed)
Peru: Independence Day celebrations (Public holiday. Military parades at Brasil Avenue in Lima.)

30 July

Morocco: Throne Day/National Day (Marks the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, who ascended to the throne in 1999. Public holiday; most government and business offices close.)
Vanuatu: Independence Day

31 July

Spain: Anniversary of Founding of ETA (Some demonstrations are expected. Higher level of activity in Basque region)

1 August

Angola: Armed Forces Day (Unofficial holiday, but widely celebrated)
Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago: Emancipation Day (Businesses, government offices and schools close. Gatherings expected.)
Benin: Independence Day (Public holiday)
China: Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Day
Democratic Republic Of Congo: Parents' Day (Public holiday)
Eritrea: Many Eritrean nationals living overseas return for vacation trips during July and August, placing a higher demand on hotel facilities.
France: Travelers visiting France for business purposes should be aware that the traditional holiday month is August, when most businesses and government departments keep only a skeleton staff at work.
Jamaica: Emancipation Day (Sunday before Independence Day)
Nicaragua: St. Dominic's Fiesta Day
Switzerland: National Day (Celebrated in major cities. All government offices and most businesses close. Some locations have celebrations the preceding night.)
Trinidad And Tobago: Emancipation Day (Public holiday)

2 August

Australia: Bank holiday in Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)/New South Wales/Northern Territory.
Canada: Civic or provincial holiday (First Monday in August)
Iceland: Commerce Day (Public holiday)
Ireland: Summer Bank Holiday
Kuwait: Anniversary of Iraqi Invasion (1990)
Macedonia: Ilinden (St. Elijah's Uprising) Day (National holiday)
Russia: Paratroopers Day (Not a public holiday, but disruptions and sporadic clashes may occur as former paratroopers gather on streets and in parks.)
United Kingdom: Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland only)

3 August

Equatorial Guinea: Armed Forces Day (Parades and public ceremonies likely.)
Niger: Independence Day (Public holiday; government offices and businesses close.)

4 August

Burkina Faso: Revolution Day (Public holiday)
Kenya: Referendum on proposed constitution (violence possible)
Zambia: Farmers’ Day

5 August

Burkina Faso: Independence Day (Government and business offices close.)
Colombia: Bogotá's Carnival (Anniversary of the founding of Bogotá. Parades and celebrations at Simon Bolivar Park. Street closures expected.)
Croatia: Homeland Thanksgiving Day (Commemorates the military operation "Storm 95" which resulted in the recapturing of portions of Croatian territory being occupied by Serb forces. Public holiday. Offices and businesses close. Military parade organized.)

6 August

Colombia: Bogotá's Carnival (Anniversary of the founding of Bogotá. Parades and celebrations at Simon Bolivar Park. Street closures expected.)
Bolivia: Independence Day (Public holiday; government and business offices close.)
Jamaica: Independence Day (Public holiday)

7 August

Colombia: Anniversary of the Battle of Boyaca (Anniversary of President Alvaro Uribe's inauguration. Public holiday; government and business offices close.)
Côte d'Ivoire: Independence / Republic Day (Public holiday)
United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan's Accession Day (Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close.)

ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS

1 - Security issues rarely affect individuals or organizations. These locations have an extremely low rate of violent crime.

2 - Locations may have several low-level security issues, but these generally have minimal physical impact on individuals and organizations.

3 - Incidents of violent crime, terrorism and/or extremist activity occur more frequently, but are still sporadic.

4 - Incidents such as armed robbery, carjacking, civil unrest, terrorism and/or extremist activity can occur frequently, and there is a greater risk that security issues could physically impact individuals and organizations.

5 - Locations can be affected by rampant violent crime, volatile situations of civil unrest, frequent terrorist extremist attacks and/or open military conflict.

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