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International Security News "2 Bombs Explode in Spanish Resorts; No Injuries" Two small explosives went off at tourist resorts on the south coast of Spain on Aug. 17; however, no injuries have been reported. ETA, a Basque separatist group, is being blamed for the bombings, as it has previously attacked vacation spots during the summer months in an attempt to disrupt tourism. The fire department in the beach resort of Benalmadena received a call from a person who said he spoke in the name of ETA. The caller said that three bombs would explode in Guadalmar, Benalmadena, and on a highway connecting Malaga to the international airport. After the call was received and before the blasts, police shut down two roads and evacuated over 10,000 individuals from the resort harbor at Benalmadena. "Mexico Launches Anti-Kidnap Squad" Mexican authorities established an anti-kidnapping squad after news about the kidnapping and murder of a businessman's 14-year-old son prompted a national outcry, especially as it was revealed that some police offers were involved in the case. Five anti-kidnapping centers will be staffed by 300 officers around the clock. The federal government is also pursuing an anti-abduction deal with the 32 state governments and business chiefs. To further cut down on abductions, President Felipe Calderon recently called on lawmakers to approve legislation that would sentence kidnappers to life in prison without parole. Over 430 kidnappings were reported last year in Mexico, a 35 percent increase from 2006. "Russian Troops Push Into Georgia" Only hours after Russia consented to a cease-fire, Russian troops and irregular Ossetian militias penetrated Georgia, taking over the strategic city of Gori and setting up armored vehicles on the country's main highway that goes to the capital city of Tbilisi. Ossetian militias and Russian cossacks looted stores and houses, according to residents and Western sources. Some Georgians trying to flee stated they were informed by irregulars to leave their vehicles and valuables at gunpoint, and forced to travel on foot to Tbilisi. Georgian National Guard Lieutenant Guja Bichashvili stressed that the Russian army itself is not partaking in the looting. There are apparently no Georgian military on the highway between Tbilisi and Gori. On Wednesday, France announced it is pursuing support from its European Union partners to dispatch European peacekeeping monitors to help end the Russia-Georgia conflict. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner pointed out, though, that permission to deploy might first have to be received from Russia and Georgia. "Cease-Fire Proposed as Russia Bombs Georgia" Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili signed a cease-fire proposal on Aug. 11 in an effort to end the conflict with Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia. The proposal will be taken to Moscow by the French and Finish foreign ministers, who worked with Georgian officials to find a way to end the fighting. South Ossetia is inside the Georgian border, but has an autonomous government and Russia considers citizens of the region to be Russians. Over 2,000 people have been killed in the capital city of Tskhinvali since Georgia sent troops into the region Aug. 7 to fight separatists. Georgia began withdrawing its troops from the city on Aug. 10, but Russian officials say that the country has not shown any intent in stopping its military actions. Russia recently bombed a radar station near the Georgian capital, an airfield, and the port city of Poti. Although a Russian military official denied that troops had entered Georgian territory outside of South Ossetia, Saakashvili told reporters that Georgian troops had fought off a ground assault in the city of Gori. There are concerns that the turmoil in South Ossetia could lead to violence in Abkhazia, another breakaway province. "Early in the Games, Glimpses of China's Security Struggles" Violence has surrounded the initial two days of the Summer Olympics in Beijing, as an American was stabbed to death and his wife was severely injured on Aug. 9 when they visited a Beijing monument. Their Chinese guide was slightly wounded. In addition, a minimum of 11 other individuals were killed outside of the city and four were hurt on Aug. 10 as a result of confrontations between security officers and suicide bombers in a remote part of the troubled Xinjiang region in western China. President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders repeatedly had told Chinese security forces that keeping order during the Olympics was the most crucial job of the two-week Games, and the one most likely to impact China's image. But security forces appear to be having problems enforcing their ban on protests. Five foreign activists, including a pair of Americans, were arrested after raising Tibetan flags and unfolding a banner stating, "Tibetans are dying for freedom," according to Students for a Free Tibet. Several other foreign pro-Tibetan protesters have been thrown out of China for hosting related protests, including one the day the Opening Ceremonies took place. Security deployments have been increased at Olympic venues and throughout Beijing, on top of the 100,000 soldiers and police and the 1.7 million volunteer wardens already on the job. "Secret European Union Security Draft Risks Uproar With Call to Pool Policing and Give US Personal Data" A confidential European Union report calls upon EU members to consider entering into a personal data sharing agreement with the United States to help combat terrorism. The report argues that the 27 members of the EU needs to integrate its policing, intelligence-gathering, and policy-making in order to more effectively fight terrorism, organized crime, and illegal immigration. It recommends the creation of anti-terrorism centers, intelligence sharing between member states, and the implementation of a joint video-surveillance system. The data sharing agreement would require countries to transfer large amounts of personal information about their citizens to the United States. The European Commission and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have been working together to bypass privacy law conflicts. The report also calls for a larger role for the Joint Situation Centre, a Brussels-based intelligence agency that focuses on counter-terrorism. "Mexico Businesses Tighten Security Against Drugs" A raging drug war in Mexico has prompted businesses there to beef up security. Firms that export goods have been pulled into the war as drug gangs seek to hide narcotics in shipments. In May, troops inspecting the property of a subsidiary of Japanese electronics company Sharp Corp., which is close to Tijuana, discovered approximately 1.5 tonnes of marijuana concealed behind boxes containing TV screens on a truck headed to Canada. Carlos Castro, who heads up the national council of Mexico's "maquiladora" plants, which compile goods for export, remembers at least two more incidents where large firms had their security violated by drug gangs who hid narcotics in otherwise legal shipments. Such cases have spurred businesses to equip their premises with more video cameras and employ more security guards. A number of firms have also hired bodyguards and purchased bulletproof automobiles to protect their top employees. Some businesses near Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, which are plagued with violence, are also considering moving their operations to central Mexico. However, business lobbies maintain that no foreign firm has yet left Mexico due to worries about drug violence. "Police Prepare Terror Attack Warning for Restaurants and Cinemas" In the United Kingdom, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NCTSO) is drafting two protective security guidance booklets for hospitality and entertainment businesses as fears rise about terrorists attacking congested public areas. Owners of these companies will be advised to review their firm's weaknesses and draw up contingency plans for employees in case there is an attack. The police-led security office will also launch counterterrorism training exercises for these businesses. Though no threat has been made against any crowded public place, the NCTSO says it wants companies to be ready to handle the worst. "150,000 Hit by Brewer Data Theft" The theft of laptops from Anheuser-Busch has affected an estimated 150,000 people in the United States. The laptops, stolen in June from one of the company's St. Louis office buildings, contained personal information such as employee social security numbers, addresses, and dates of birth. The incident involves at least six states, though Anheuser-Busch has not disclosed exactly how many people are involved or how many states. While the personal data was password-protected and encrypted, the company is offering a year of free credit monitoring service to those affected.
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