February 2006 Security News

Al-Qaida Leadership Seen as Depleted but Still a Danger Washington File 28 Feb 2006 -- Al-Qaida’s leadership has been depleted significantly but its top priority remains the planning and execution of attacks within the United States, against U.S. interests overseas and against U.S. allies, members of the intelligence community told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Homeland Security Chief Touts Work with Standards Groups Washington File 28 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security protects the United States in part by ensuring compliance with international transportation standards, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff tells a Senate panel.
Department to Release Uncensored Detainee Hearing Transcripts AFPS 28 Feb 2006 -- The Defense Department is preparing to release detainee hearing transcripts containing the names of persons held at the detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a senior Pentagon official said here yesterday.
DoD to Join Re-review of Ports Issue, Official Says AFPS 28 Feb 2006 -- The Defense Department will participate in a re-review of a slated acquisition of shipping terminal operations at six major U.S. ports by a United Arab Emirates-owned firm, a senior Pentagon official said here today.
Bird Flu: Migratory Birds Returning North Could Spread Virus RFE/RL 28 Feb 2006 -- Migratory birds are just beginning their annual spring voyage back to Northern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia from their wintering grounds in Africa and southern Asia
Pakistani President Asserts 'Nexus' Between Al-Qaida, Kashmiri Militants VOA 28 Feb 2006 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says al-Qaida terrorists, Taleban fighters and Kashmiri militants have a formed what he called a "very dangerous" nexus.
Commissions resume in Guantanamo Army News 28 Feb 2006 -- With commissions slated to resume March 1 for four detainees at Guantanamo Bay, and about 16 international media outlets expected to report on the proceedings along with several other organizations that will observe the hearings, officials said security will be nothing short of tight.
US Coast Guard Had Concerns About UAE Ports Deal VOA 28 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. Coast Guard had expressed concerns about the planned takeover of key operations at leading U.S. ports by a company based in the United Arab Emirates
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 28 Feb 2006
U.S. Government to Review Port Operations Transaction AFPS 27 Feb 2006 -- A United Arab Emirates-owned firm that's slated to take over shipping terminal operations at six major U.S. ports requested an extended U.S. government review of the transaction, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States announced in a news release yesterday.
Bird Flu Confirmed In Bosnia As Animal Health Experts Meet RFE/RL 27 Feb 2006 -- More cases of avian influenza have been discovered in birds, from the Balkans to Africa.
U.S. Officials Praise China for Efforts To Combat Bird Flu Washington File 27 Feb 2006 -- U.S. government officials and experts praised China before a high-level congressional commission February 24 for that country's efforts to combat the deadly H5N1 virus that has infected hundreds of millions of birds and could cause a pandemic if it becomes contagious among humans.
Trial Begins for Paris Metro Bombing Suspect VOA 27 Feb 2006 -- An alleged Islamic radical is on trial in France after a 10-year battle to extradite him from London.
White House: New Port Review Should Dispel Concerns VOA 27 Feb 2006 -- The White House has welcomed a Dubai company's request for a new security review of its planned take-over of some operations at six American ports.
Five Suspected Al-Qaeda Fighters Killed In Riyadh Seige RFE/RL 27 Feb 2006 -- Saudi security forces killed at least five suspected Al-Qaeda militants after besieging a villa in a Riyadh suburb today.
Georgia Imposes Emergency Bird-Flu Measures RFE/RL 27 Feb 2006 -- Officials in Georgia's semiautonomous region of Adjara have begun implementing safety measures in an effort to prevent the possible spread of avian flu from birds to humans.
Saudi Forces Kill 5 Suspected Militants in Riyadh VOA 27 Feb 2006 -- Saudi Arabia says its security forces have killed five men wanted for last week's failed attempt to bomb a massive oil processing plant.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 27 Feb 2006
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report (2) 27 Feb 2006
US Military Agrees to Release Identities of Guantanamo Detainees VOA 26 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. Defense Department says it will comply with a federal judge's order to release the identities of hundreds of terror suspects being held at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
US Lawmakers Seek Compromise Over Ports Deal VOA 26 Feb 2006 -- U.S. lawmakers are working on a compromise deal over a controversial decision by the Bush administration to allow a Dubai-owned company to take over management of six major ports in the United States.
Dubai Firm to Seek Second Review of US Port Deal VOA 26 Feb 2006 -- The state-owned United Arab Emirates company that is set to take over management operations at six U.S. ports is requesting a 45-day review from the U.S. panel that approves foreign investment in the United State
Bird Flu: Governments Increase Measures To Stop Spread Of Virus RFE/RL 26 Feb 2006 -- Countries across the world are stepping up measures to contain the bird-flu virus, which continues its spread
Russian Duma Passes Sweeping Antiterrorism Bill RFE/RL 26 Feb 2006 -- Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has overwhelmingly approved a bill setting out a range of procedures for counterterrorist operations.
China Reports New Human Bird-Flu Cases RFE/RL 25 Feb 2006 -- The Chinese government today reported two new human cases of the potentially deadly H5N1 strain of the bird-flu virus.
U.S. Coast Guard Defends Against Terrorism Locally, Globally AFPS 24 Feb 2006 -- As it has for more than 200 years, the U.S. Coast Guard is carrying on its wartime service in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
White House Supports Delay in U.A.E. Firm's Control of U.S. Ports Washington File 24 Feb 2006 -- The White House welcomed the decision by a Dubai-based seaport-management company to delay taking over management of terminals in six U.S. seaports.
Third Suspected Human Bird Flu Case in Iraq VOA 24 Feb 2006 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a possible third human case of bird flu in Iraq following the deaths of two people from the disease in the northern part of the country last month
European authorities threaten El Al with landing ban over anti-missile system IRNA 24 Feb 2006 -- European aviation authorities have threatened Israel's national airliner El Al with a landing ban for installing an anti-missile system on all its passenger aircraft, the online site of er Spiegel news magazine reported Friday.
U.S Government Won't Appeal Guantanamo Court Order RFE/RL 24 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. government has indicated it does not plan to appeal a federal judge's order to release the identities of hundreds of detainees at the American naval base in Guantanamo Bay.
Port Deal Strains Bush Ties to Conservatives VOA 24 Feb 2006 -- The controversy over the Bush administration's decision to allow a company from the United Arab Emirates to manage shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports has strained ties between the president and some of his strongest supporters, conservative Republicans.
Guantanamo Officials Say They Use Friendly Tactics in Interrogations VOA 24 Feb 2006 -- There has been renewed controversy during the past week about conditions at the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay
U.S. Judge Orders Government To Identify Guantanamo Detainees RFE/RL 24 Feb 2006 -- A federal judge in the United States has ordered the U.S. Defense Department to release the identities of hundreds of detainees at Guantanamo Bay by 3 March.
South Korea Says 4 People Infected with Avian Flu Never Became Ill VOA 24 Feb 2006 -- South Korean officials have announced that four poultry workers were infected with avian flu more than two years ago, but have never become ill
Dubai Company Agrees to Postpone US Port Takeover VOA 24 Feb 2006 -- A Dubai-based maritime company has offered to postpone its plans to take over management of six U.S. ports.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 24 Feb 2006
Military Has Tools to Respond to Domestic Disasters, Report Says AFPS 23 Feb 2006 -- The federal response to Hurricane Katrina demonstrated that the Defense Department is one of the only federal departments capable of playing a critical role in the nation's response to catastrophic events, a government report released today stated.
Bush Says Katrina Lessons Learned VOA 23 Feb 2006 -- President Bush says the federal government has learned lessons from the mixed response to last year's killer hurricane along America's Gulf Coast.
Lawmakers Press US Officials on UAE Ports Deal VOA 23 Feb 2006 -- U.S. officials testifying in an open congressional hearing have told Congress the sale of a British shipping management company to a company based in the United Arab Emirates does not pose risks to national security.
France Seals Off Farm; Germany, Greece Report Higher Bird Flu Totals VOA 23 Feb 2006 -- French authorities have set up a three-kilometer zone around a turkey farm in the southeast of the country because the deadly strain of the bird flu virus may have infected poultry there.
Bush Defends Port Deal VOA 23 Feb 2006 -- President Bush is defending a deal that would allow a company owned by the United Arab Emirates to manage commercial shipping operations at six major U.S. ports.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 23 Feb 2006
U.S. Officials To Attend Anti-Money Laundering Conference Washington File 22 Feb 2006 -- A number of U.S. officials will participate in an international conference on combating money laundering, to be held March 15-17 in Hollywood, Florida.
Government well equipped to handle bird flu: Indian minister IRNA 22 Feb 2006 -- Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss has issued a fervent appeal to the public not to panic at the arrival of bird flu in India as the government was well equipped to handle any eventuality.
EU: Limited Bird Vaccinations To Start RFE/RL 22 Feb 2006 -- Veterinary experts today confirmed the first case of bird flu (avian influenza) in a chicken on farm in the EU, as they approved requests from France and the Netherlands to vaccinate limited populations of domestic birds against the H5N1 strain of the bird-flu virus.
U.S.: Critics Say Pending Ports Deal Is Far From Shipshape RFE/RL 22 Feb 2006 -- A state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates is buying a British-based company, P&O, that operates cargo terminals around the world, including along the East Coast of the United States.
3 Men in US Charged with Conspiring to Commit Terrorist Acts Plead 'Not Guilty' VOA 22 Feb 2006 -- Three men have pleaded not guilty in the midwestern U.S. state of Ohio to charges of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism against U.S. military forces in Iraq and other countries.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 22 Feb 2006
Justice Department Indicts Three Men on Terrorism Charges Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- Two American citizens and a legal U.S. resident, all living in Ohio, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on terrorism charges, the Justice Department says.
3 Ohio Men Charged in Terror Plot VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- A federal grand jury in Ohio has indicted three men on terrorism and conspiracy charges for allegedly planning attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and elsewhere.
Attorney General: Indictments Emphasize Need for Vigilance AFPS 21 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. attorney general called today's indictment of three Ohio men who conspired to kill U.S. citizens overseas, particularly military forces in Iraq, another indication that the United States must remain vigilant in fighting terrorism.
Prepared Remarks for Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the Ohio Terrorism Indictments Press Conference US Dept. of Justice 21 Feb 2006
United States Arrests Four Colombians for Alleged Drug Conspiracy Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- U.S. authorities have arrested four Colombian nationals off the coast of Panama on charges of engaging in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine with a street value of more than $90 million, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency announced.
Pace of Bird Flu Spread Accelerating Washington File 21 Feb 2006 -- The spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has affected more countries in the month of February than in any similar period in the more than two-year-old epidemic.
3 in US Charged With Conspiring to Commit Terrorist Acts VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Three men in the midwestern U.S. state of Ohio have been charged with planning attacks on U.S. military forces in Iraq and other countries.
Rumsfeld Has No Problem with UAE Company Running US Ports VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he has no problem with the U.S. government decision to allow a company from the United Arab Emirates to take over a contract to operate six major American sea ports
Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Hungary VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- A Hungarian government spokesman says the deadly strain of bird flu virus has been found in southern Hungary.
Britain Says Guantanamo Closure is Bush's Decision VOA 21 Feb 2006 -- Britain says it is up to the United States to decide whether to continue holding suspected terrorists at a camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 21 Feb 2006
Nigeria Confirms Bird Flu Cases in Two More States VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- Nigeria Monday confirmed that tests carried out on poultry samples from two states as well as some tests taken in the city of Abuja have confirmed the presence of the deadly H5N1 virus.
Germany Dispatches Troops, India Slaughters Chickens in Attempt to Stem Bird Flu VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- Germany has dispatched troops to a northern island to clear away dead birds, as Indian officials are slaughtering hundreds of thousands of chickens in a massive effort to control that country's first outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Indian Health Minister: Bird Flu Outbreak Under Control VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- Indian officials say the country's first outbreak of bird flu is under control, as government teams continued to cull chickens in the western state of Maharastra
Indonesian Government to Take Steps to Stop Spread of Bird Flu VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- The Indonesian government says it will take firm action to stop the spread of bird flu, including culling sick poultry and vaccinating birds near outbreak areas
US Security Chief Says UAE Ports Deal is No Threat VOA 19 Feb 2006 -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is defending a deal giving a company in the United Arab Emirates control over terminals at key U.S. ports
Cases of Deadly Strain of Bird Flu Reported in India VOA 19 Feb 2006 -- India has begun mass culling of chickens in a western state, after authorities confirmed the country's first outbreak of deadly bird flu there.
France Confirms First Case of Deadly Bird Flu Virus VOA 19 Feb 2006 -- French officials have confirmed the first case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in their country.
Iran, India, Austria Confirm Bird Flu RFE/RL 18 Feb 2006 -- Iran today confirmed that a batch of 135 dead swans found in the northern province of Gilan have tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Bird Flu: East And West React To The Spreading Virus RFE/RL 18 Feb 2006 -- In Turkey, Siberia, and parts of the Caucasus they're slaughtering birds. In the European Union they're bringing their chickens indoors or setting up quarantine zones. East and West, it seems, are dealing with bird flu in quite different ways.
Army robots help secure Super Bowl XL Army News 17 Feb 2006 -- With thousands of fanatic football fans flocking to Detroit to experience the excitement of Super Bowl XL, security had to be stepped up more than a few notches for the big game so the Army answered the call.
Egypt Confirms First Case Of Lethal Bird Flu RFE/RL 17 Feb 2006 -- Egypt today confirmed its first cases of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu
Leaving Tanzania, UN counter-terrorism official urges national prevention efforts UN News Centre 17 Feb 2006 -- Building the ability of States to fight terrorism is crucial in the struggle against the scourge, the United Nations top counter-terrorism official said today at the end of a weeklong visit to Tanzania as part of the Security Council's technical assistance efforts.
U.S. Signs Protocols To Combat Terror on the High Seas Washington File 17 Feb 2006 -- The United States has signed two new agreements to combat terrorism and crime in international waters and to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Biosecurity Urged as Bird Flu Spreads Washington File 17 Feb 2006 -- A potentially deadly form of avian influenza makes its appearance in a sweep of new countries over the last week, and prompts a new round of questions – how does it happen? and what do we do?
Rumsfeld Rejects Calls to Close Detention Center at Guantanamo Bay VOA 17 Feb 2006 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says those who call for the closure the detention center at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are just flat wrong.
US Military Adding New Construction at Guantanamo VOA 17 Feb 2006 -- A report issued by the UN's Human Rights Commission on Thursday called for the closing of the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay.
Nigeria Braces for Human Infection of Bird Flu VOA 17 Feb 2006 -- Health authorities in Nigeria say they believe the transmission of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus to humans is very likely
US Senator Wants FEMA to Become Independent Agency VOA 17 Feb 2006 -- U.S. Senator Trent Lott has introduced a bill to re-establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an independent group reporting directly to the President.
Russia: Putin Orders New Counterterrorism Committee RFE/RL 17 Feb 2006 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on 16 February created by decree a National Counterterrorism Committee (NAK), a new government body tasked with coordinating all federal-level antiterrorism policies and operations
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 17 Feb 2006
Bird Flu: As Europeans' Worries Grow, Some See Benefits In Alarm RFE/RL 16 Feb 2006 -- Every day, it seems, brings a new bird-flu story to alarm Europeans. Germany today became the latest EU country to confirm the presence of the deadly H5N1 strain in wild swans, following similar announcements by Italy and Greece
UN Experts Call for Guantanamo Closure VOA 16 Feb 2006 -- U.N. human rights investigators are calling for the immediate closure of the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Nigeria Steps Up Public Education on Bird Flu VOA 16 Feb 2006 -- Nigerian authorities are being criticized for not doing enough to educate the public about the dangers of the bird flu virus.
Situation of detainees at Guantánamo Bay United Nations Comission on Human Rights 16 Feb 2006 -- The present joint report is submitted by five holders of mandates of special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights who have been jointly following the situation of detainees held at theUnited States Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay since June 2004.
HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS ISSUE JOINT REPORT ON SITUATION OF DETAINEES IN GUANTANAMO BAY United Nations 16 Feb 2006 -- Five independent investigators of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights are calling on the United States to close immediately the detention centre in Guantánamo Bay and bring all detainees before an independent and competent tribunal or release them.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 16 Feb 2006
U.S. Officials Call Draft U.N. Detainee Report Flawed, Unbalanced Washington File 15 Feb 2006 -- The draft of a United Nations report on detainees in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba is flawed, unbalanced, and should be viewed with skepticism, says a top State Department official.
No human infected by H5N1 bird flu in northern Iran: official IRNA 15 Feb 2006 -- No cases of human infection by the H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Iran's northern province of Gilan where a number of wild migrant swans were found dead by the disease, said a health ministry official on Wednesday.
Guantanamo Detainees Being Held Legally, Official Says AFPS 15 Feb 2006 -- Detainees at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are being held in accordance with the laws of armed conflict, John Bellinger, a State Department legal adviser, said here today.
Lethal Strain Of Bird Flu Found In Daghestan RFE/RL 15 Feb 2006 -- Russian health authorities today confirmed that the lethal H5N1 bird flu has been discovered in the southern republic of Daghestan.
Q&A With Andy Musgrove Of The British Trust for Ornithology RFE/RL 15 Feb 2006 -- Bird flu continues to spread across Europe. Germany said today preliminary tests detected the H5N1 virus in two birds on an island in the Baltic Sea
Bird Flu: Black Sea, Caspian Countries Step Up Measures RFE/RL 15 Feb 2006 -- Bird flu (avian influenza) has been detected in the Caspian and Black Sea regions, both located along major migratory routes for birds traveling from Russia and Asia
Additional European Countries Report Bird Flu Washington File 15 Feb 2006 -- The appearance of avian influenza in wild birds has been confirmed in several European nations in recent days. Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Bulgaria and Greece all confirm reports of a disease that has traveled from Southeast Asia.
US Homeland Security Chief Admits Mistakes in Hurricane Response VOA 15 Feb 2006 -- In Washington, the head of the Department of Homeland Security has acknowledged mistakes in the government's response to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the U.S. Gulf coast region last year.
Blair Wins Victory on Anti-Terror Law VOA 15 Feb 2006 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has won a key vote in the Parliament, which has approved a government-backed bill to outlaw the "glorification" of terrorism
Health Experts Gather to Plan Response to European Bird Flu Outbreaks VOA 15 Feb 2006 -- Experts meeting in Brussels Wednesday and Thursday are promoting a series of measure to fight the spread of bird flu in the European Union
Report: 325,000 Names on US Terror Suspect List VOA 15 Feb 2006 -- The Washington Post newspaper reports Wednesday that the U.S. government database of alleged international terrorism suspects and their associates now contains 325,000 names.
British Court Approves Extradition for Terror Suspect VOA 15 Feb 2006 -- Britain's High Court has cleared the way for a Tunisian terror suspect to be extradited to Spain to face charges of helping the September 11 hijackers.
Blair Defends Anti-Terror Law VOA 15 Feb 2006 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair is defending legislation that would outlaw the "glorification" of terrorism from critics who say it is an unneeded curb on free speech.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 15 Feb 2006
U.N. Inspectors Declined Guantanamo Visit, Officials Say AFPS 14 Feb 2006 -- The authors of an upcoming U.N.-sponsored report that alleges torture was committed against detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, had declined an offer to observe operations at the facility, Defense and State Department officials said.
Judge Bars Moussaoui from Courtroom During Jury Selection VOA 14 Feb 2006 -- A U.S. federal judge has barred confessed al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui from a Virginia courtroom during jury selection for the sentencing phase of his trial.
Official Announces Overhaul of US Disaster Response Agency VOA 13 Feb 2006 -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has unveiled a plan to overhaul U.S. disaster response operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated vast stretches of the U.S. Gulf Coast last August.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 14 Feb 2006
U.S. Specialists To Help Nigeria Fight Bird Flu Outbreaks Washington File 13 Feb 2006 -- U.S. specialists in human and animal health are heading to Nigeria to assist the West African nation contend with outbreaks of avian influenza in commercial poultry operations.
US Dismisses UN Guantanamo Report as Hearsay VOA 13 Feb 2006 -- The Bush administration said Monday a draft United Nations report critical of U.S. policies at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center for terrorism suspects is based on hearsay and assertion
Rumsfeld Says Terrorists Unlikely to Gain Foothold in North Africa VOA 13 Feb 2006 -- After meeting with the top officials of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco in recent days, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says he does not see much likelihood of international terrorist organizations gaining a foothold in any of those countries.
World: Bird Flu Continues To Spread, Raising Risk Of Human Pandemic RFE/RL 13 Feb 2006 -- New outbreaks of bird flu (avian influenza) have been detected in several countries, including Azerbaijan, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, and Nigeria
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 13 Feb 2006
In Algeria, Rumsfeld Welcomes Counter-Terrorism Cooperation VOA 12 Feb 2006 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited Algeria Sunday, in what his aides believe was the first such visit by anyone in his position.
WHO Confirms Two Bird Flu Deaths in Indonesia VOA 12 Feb 2006 -- The World Health Organization has confirmed two more human deaths from bird flu in Indonesia, bringing the country's death toll from the virus to 18.
Italian Authorities Meet on Bird Flu Cases VOA 12 Feb 2006 -- Italian veterinary officials were meeting Sunday, after the country's first confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus were discovered in wild swans in southern Italy.
Katrina Survivors Take Protest to Capitol Hill VOA 11 Feb 2006 -- Hundreds of survivors of Hurricane Katrina -- frustrated with the pace of reconstruction efforts in New Orleans and along the devastated Gulf Coast -- came to Washington this week (February 8-9), to press Congress for needed funds to rebuild their homes and their lives.
US Conducts First Full-Scale Cyber Security Exercise VOA 11 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. government's efforts to prevent terrorist attacks are not limited to air and land security. This week in Washington, officials conducted the first full-scale cyber security exercise, aimed at protecting the nation's information technology systems
Bird Flu, Not Olympics, Steals Spotlight in Italy VOA 11 Feb 2006 -- It's the first day of the Winter Olympics in Italy but an outbreak of bird flu could be the cause for significant distraction from the Games
U.N. Health Agency Offers Help for African Bird Flu Outbreak Washington File 10 Feb 2006 -- In response to the first confirmed incidence of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry on the African continent, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Lee Jong-wook said the situation “is a cause for great concern and demands immediate action.”
Former US Disaster Official Defends Role in Hurricane Katrina VOA 10 Feb 2006 -- A former federal disaster chief says he warned President Bush and other administration officials about Hurricane Katrina before the storm struck the Gulf Coast last year
First Avian Flu Outbreak Hits Africa VOA 10 Feb 2006 -- The World Health Organization says this week's outbreak of the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus in Nigeria demands immediate action and officials are warning the disease could easily spread to neighboring countries.
Scope of Los Angeles Terror Plot Remains Murky VOA 10 Feb 2006 -- On Thursday, President Bush revealed some new details of what he described as a terrorist plot against a target in California.
Bird Flu In Wild Birds Confirmed In Azerbaijan RFE/RL 10 Feb 2006 -- A senior Azerbaijani health official says a British laboratory has confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in dead migrating birds from the country's Caspian Sea coast.
International Community to Help Nigeria Deal with Bird Flu VOA 10 Feb 2006 -- An increasing number of foreign governments and international organizations have pledged support to Nigeria as it grapples with the deadly bird flu virus.
LA Mayor Says Terrorist Plot Shows Need for More Security Funding VOA 10 Feb 2006 -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he is not surprised to learn of a foiled terrorist plan to attack his city.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 10 Feb 2006
Leaders Assess Katrina Successes, Lessons Learned AFPS 09 Feb 2006 -- The Defense Department is applying lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina to build its capabilities to respond to similar or even bigger catastrophes within the United States, defense and military leaders who oversaw the military response told Congress today.
Los Angeles Skyscraper Was Terrorist Target, Bush Says AFPS 09 Feb 2006 -- Al Qaeda terrorists were planning to fly a plane into the tallest building on the West Coast not long after they'd launched the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York City and Washington, President Bush said here today.
Fighting Terror Must Be International Effort, Bush Says AFPS 09 Feb 2006 -- After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, some people doubted that the world's nations would unite to prosecute a forward-leaning global war against terrorism, but, in fact, that's just what has occurred, President Bush said here today.
U.N. Health Agency Confirms Avian Influenza in Birds in Nigeria Washington File 09 Feb 2006 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed February 8 that domestic birds on a large commercial farm in northern Nigeria are infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Bush Says Muslims Turning Against Terrorists Washington File 09 Feb 2006 -- The number of U.S. allies in the global War on Terror is growing and Muslims are turning against terrorists, whose tactics usually kill and maim innocents and fellow Muslims, President Bush says.
Pentagon Announces Release of Seven More Detainees Washington File 09 Feb 2006 -- After completion of the first round of Administrative Review Board hearings, seven detainees held in custody by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were released to Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced February 9.
West African Countries Brace Against Bird Flu VOA 09 Feb 2006 -- As Nigeria and international health officials try to contain the bird flu epidemic within Nigerian borders, nearby West African countries are also taking measures to prevent the virus's spread.
Transcript: Press Briefing on the West Coast Terrorist Plot by Frances Fragos Townsend, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism The White House 09 Feb 2006
Task Force Assisting Yemenis in Hunt for Escaped Terrorists AFPS 09 Feb 2006 -- The Dutch-led coalition of maritime Combined Task Force 150 is supporting the efforts of the government of Yemen to recapture suspected terrorists who escaped from a Yemeni prison Feb 5.
Transcript: President Discusses Progress in War on Terror to National Guard The White House 09 Feb 2006
Bush Says Terrorist Attack On Los Angeles Thwarted RFE/RL 09 Feb 2006 -- U.S. President George W. Bush said the United States and partner countries thwarted an Al-Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building in Los Angeles in 2002.
Bush Praises Global Cooperation in Terror War VOA 09 Feb 2006 -- President Bush says international cooperation is vital to winning the war on terrorism. In a Washington speech, Mr. Bush detailed the global effort that foiled a plot to use hijacked planes to attack Los Angeles.
Guantanamo Bay Detainee Administrative Review Board Decisions Completed 09 Feb 2006 -- The Department of Defense announced today the completion of the first round of Administrative Review Board (ARB) decisions.
Detainee Release Announced 09 Feb 2006 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it released seven detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Afghanistan.
Detainee Release Announced 09 Feb 2006 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred four detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
US Senate Building Evacuated After Alarm for Possible Nerve Agent VOA 09 Feb 2006 -- A U.S. Senate office building was evacuated late Wednesday after sensors detected the possible presence in the air of what was initially described as a nerve agent.
Sensors Detect Possible Nerve Agent At US Senate Office Building VOA 09 Feb 2006 -- Several U.S. Senators and their staffers were evacuated from an office building near the U.S. Capitol Wednesday evening, after sensors detected traces of a chemical or biological nerve agent.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 09 Feb 2006
Wisconsin and Nebraska Civil Support Teams Certified 08 Feb 2006 -- The Department of Defense notified Congress today that Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CST) of the Wisconsin and Nebraska National Guard are now certified
United States Releases Plan To Combat Illegal Drug Use in America Washington File 08 Feb 2006 -- The 2006 White House National Drug Control Strategy calls for a balance between reducing the demand and supply of illegal drugs in the United States -- and also outlines proven programs to combat substance abuse, according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
Treasury Designates U.K. Residents with Libyan Terror Ties Washington File 08 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. Treasury Department February 8 announced a formal "designation" of five individuals and four organizations as financial supporters of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), an organization with links to al-Qaida.
Nigeria Reports Deadly Bird Flu VOA 08 Feb 2006 -- Nigeria has confirmed an outbreak of bird flu virus in its poultry stock.
U.K.: Muslim Extremist Preacher Gets Seven Years In Jail RFE/RL 08 Feb 2006 -- Abu Hamza al-Masri, Britain’s most notorious Muslim extremist preacher, has been sentenced to jail for seven years
New Bird Flu Vaccines 100 Percent Effective in Animal Studies VOA 08 Feb 2006 -- Scientists in the United States report developing revolutionary experimental vaccines that offer hope of blocking the spread of bird flu among people.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 08 Feb 2006
Juror Selection Begins for Sentencing of 9/11 Terrorist Washington File 07 Feb 2006 -- More than 500 potential jurors in the sentencing trial of Zacarias Moussaoui began filling out questionnaires in an Alexandria, Virginia, federal courtroom on February 6.
British Jury Convicts Muslim Preacher of Soliciting Murder VOA 07 Feb 2006 -- A British jury has convicted a radical Muslim cleric of soliciting the murder of non-Muslims and a judge has sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Guantanamo Hunger Strike Dwindles Amid Controversy VOA 07 Feb 2006 -- According to the U.S. military the number of hunger strikers among detainees at the Guantanamo detention facility has fallen to just four, from a high of 84 in late December
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 07 Feb 2006
Homeland Security Activities Would Receive 6 Percent Increase Washington File 06 Feb 2006 -- The fiscal year 2007 homeland security portion of the proposed federal budget has been designed to help enhance the security of the nation's borders and improve the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, according to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Fighting War on Terror a Priority for U.S. Treasury Department Washington File 06 Feb 2006 -- Fighting the financial war on terror is a top priority of the proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2007, according to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DoD Uses Katrina Lessons to Improve Response Capability AFPS 06 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. military performed admirably as it responded to Hurricane Katrina during the largest, fastest civil support mission in U.S. history - but it needs to do better in the future, according to the Pentagon's chief of homeland security.
Interpol Launches Global Alert for Escaped Terrorists AFPS 06 Feb 2006 -- The International Criminal Police Organization, known as Interpol, issued a worldwide alert yesterday for 23 prison escapees, including 13 convicted al Qaeda terrorists, according to an Interpol news release.
Bush Seeks $2.3 Billion for Flu Protection Programs in 2007 Washington File 06 Feb 2006 -- President Bush has requested $2.3 billion in the fiscal year starting October 1 (fiscal year 2007) for protecting against a potential influenza pandemic.
U.S.-Mexico Operation Results in Arrest of Mexican Drug Lord Washington File 06 Feb 2006 -- A joint U.S.-Mexico operation has resulted in the arrest of a major Mexican drug kingpin who headed a violent criminal cartel responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States.
9/11 Terrorist Expelled From US Court VOA 06 Feb 2006 -- The only man tried and convicted in connection with the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States had to be removed from a federal courtroom Monday as jury selection began in the penalty phase of his trial.
World: Al-Qaeda Suspects Escape Yemeni Jail RFE/RL 06 Feb 2006 -- The international police organization Interpol has issued a worldwide alert following the escape of 23 detainees -- including 13 Al-Qaeda members -- from a prison in Yemen.
Iraq: Officials Scramble To Prepare For Bird Flu RFE/RL 06 Feb 2006 -- The confirmation late last month of the arrival of bird flu to Iraq has raised concerns about the government's ability to handle an outbreak of the disease
Jury Selection Begins in Moussaoui Sentencing Phase VOA 06 Feb 2006 -- Jury selection begins Monday in the sentencing phase of the trial of the only person prosecuted in the United States for the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Amnesty International Criticizes US Over Guantanamo VOA 06 Feb 2006 -- The London-base human-rights group, Amnesty International, has issued a new report condemning what it calls the "unlawful detentions" of about 500 men at the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 06 Feb 2006
Russia Calls For International Front Against Terrorism RFE/RL 05 Feb 2006 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told an international security conference in Munich on 5 February that Russia believes there is an urgent need for an international front against international terrorism under the aegis of the United Nations.
Interpol Alert: Al-Qaida Terrorists Escape Yemeni Prison VOA 05 Feb 2006 -- Interpol has issued a worldwide alert after 23 accused al-Qaida members escaped from prison in Yemen.
McHale: Homeland Defenses Deterring al Qaeda Attacks AFPS 03 Feb 2006 -- Reinforced defenses within the United States, coupled with extensive antiterrorism operations overseas, have hampered terrorists' ambitions to launch a follow-up attack against the country since Sept. 11, 2001, according to the Pentagon's homeland defense chief.
United States Approves New Test To Identify Bird Flu in Humans Washington File 03 Feb 2006 -- A new test to detect the H5 avian influenza virus in patients has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency announced February 3.
Rumsfeld Warns of Increasingly Dangerous Terrorists VOA 03 Feb 2006 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he cannot predict when the global war on terrorism will end, but he says it will end when enough countries provide their people with alternatives to radicalism
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 03 Feb 2006
Negroponte Says Terrorism Tops U.S. List of Threats Washington File 02 Feb 2006 -- The director of U.S. national intelligence calls terrorism "the pre-eminent threat to our citizens, to our homeland and to our interests abroad."
U.S.: Rumsfeld Warns Not To Underestimate Terror Threat RFE/RL 02 Feb 2006 -- There has been no terrorist attack inside the United States since 11 September 2001, but U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on 2 February that there is no reason to think Americans are safe from further violence.
Military Reorganization Continues After Hurricane Katrina AFPS 02 Feb 2006 -- Organizational changes in the military continue in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina response, the Army general who was second in command of the military's Katrina task force told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee here yesterday.
U.S. Says 22 Colombians Arrested on Heroin-Smuggling Charges Washington File 02 Feb 2006 -- U.S. law authorities have announced the arrests on heroin-smuggling charges of 22 Colombian nationals, whose smuggling methods included surgically implanting heroin packets into puppy dogs.
US Intelligence Official: Al-Qaida Remains Top Threat VOA 02 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. National Director of Intelligence says the al-Qaida terrorist network remains the top concern of the intelligence community, followed closely by the nuclear activities of Iran and North Korea.
EU Anti-Terror Head Urges Vigilance in Malacca Strait VOA 02 Feb 2006 -- The EU counter-terrorism chief is warning that Southeast Asian countries must increase their vigilance in the Malacca Strait to keep the strategic waterway safe from terrorist attacks.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 02 Feb 2006
NORTHCOM Prepares for Possible Pandemic AFPS 01 Feb 2006 -- U.S. Northern Command recently hosted representatives from more than 40 international, federal and state agencies for an exercise designed to provoke discussion and determine what governmental actions, including military support, would be necessary in the event of an influenza pandemic in the United States.
US Oversight Agency Criticizes Homeland Security for Hurricane Response VOA 01 Feb 2006 -- The U.S. Government Accountability Office says the federal response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was poor partly because officials never implemented GAO recommendations made after Hurricane Andrew more than a decade ago.
Review Boards Resume for Guantanamo Detainees VOA 01 Feb 2006 -- This week, the U.S. military is starting a second round of hearings at the Guantanamo detention center to determine whether any of the detainees can be released or transferred to the custody of their home countries.
Terror Expert: Groups Imitating al-Qaida Multiply VOA 01 Feb 2006 -- An expert on global terrorism says there are now up to 40 groups around the world trying to imitate al-Qaida and virtually all of them are intent on attacking the United States and its allies.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 01 Feb 2006

Homeland Security

February 2006 Security News