Peru (Country threat level - 3): Five armed robbers reportedly boarded a bulk-carrier ship at the port of Conchan on 27 September 2004 at approximately 0130 local time. The robbers assaulted and took hostage the security guard. A shore security patrol exchanged gunfire with the criminals, who managed to escape with some stolen commodities in a speedboat. No further details are available at the moment.

[ASIA]

Kyrgyz Republic (Country threat level - 4): On 27 September 2004, authorities announced the detention of two men in Bishkek over their suspected involvement in a plot to sell 60 small containers of plutonium-239. The material could be used to make a non-fissionable radiological explosive device (or "dirty bomb") or in the manufacture of atomic weapons. The arrests were made at an unspecified point during the past week, though reports of the arrests were not immediately released. The suspects were arrested when Kyrgyz security forces posed as buyers for the material in a sting operation. Authorities claim that plutonium-239 is not a material available in Kyrgyz Republic, and that it must have been brought into the country from Russia or a neighboring country.

Nepal (Country threat level - 4): On 28 September 2004, Maoist rebels enforced the second day of a two-day general strike called to protest the government's killing of two rebel leaders earlier in the month. Rebels burned several cars in the Dhading district near Kathmandu as part of a campaign to intimidate residents into observing the general strike. A small bomb was also detonated at a bank in the Kathmandu suburb of Lalitpur, though no casualties occurred. Public transportation continued to operate in the city, though most private vehicles stayed off the roads. Shops and schools were closed throughout the capital. There have been no reports of violence during the strike.

Sri Lanka (Country threat level - 4): Further clashes between Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) combatants and rival faction members were reported on 28 September 2004 in the Batticaloa area of eastern Sri Lanka. At least seven people were killed in the fighting, as tensions continue to grow over the dispute between the two sides. In recent months, LTTE rebels and suspected supporters of an ousted LTTE commander have been conducting tit-for-tat attacks against each other's forces in various areas of the country. There is concern that the recent incidents may provoke an escalation in fighting between the two sides. No further information is currently available.

Thailand (Country threat level - 4): According to reports on 28 September 2004, authorities in Thailand believe that a woman may have contracted avian influenza (H5N1) from her daughter. If confirmed, this would be the first case of human-to-human transmission reported in the current outbreak of the virus in Thailand. Both the woman and her daughter succumbed to the illness approximately one week ago. In most cases, humans have contracted the illness due to prolonged exposure to infected poultry. This case, if verified, heightens fears that the current virus may mutate to a more virulent strain after exchanging genetic material with a human flu strain. World Health Organization (WHO) officials are investigating this current incident. Current outbreaks of avian influenza have also been reported in Cambodia, China, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

[EUROPE]

Greece (Country threat level - 3): Residents of the city of Lamia - located approximately 90 mi/150 km northwest of Athens -- blocked the major E75 north-south highway on 28 September 2004 in a protest related to a bus crash on the highway that killed seven high school students the previous day. Reports did not specify how long the blockade lasted or the degree of disruption it caused.

The crash occurred when truck traveling in the opposite direction of the bus slid into oncoming traffic, hitting the bus. Authorities have yet to determine what caused the truck to lose control. The protesters complained about the lack of adequate safety measures along the stretch of highway where the accident occurred.

Norway (Country threat level - 2): Thousands of passengers remained stranded at Oslo's Gardermoen Airport on 28 September 2004 due to an air traffic controllers' strike that began on 27 September 2004. Although most controllers returned to work, operations at the airport were running at 50 percent capacity, causing delays and cancellations for a second day. Further delays and cancellations are expected, as airline companies reposition aircraft rerouted due to the strike action and deal with passengers who missed flights.

Sweden (Country threat level - 2): On 28 September 2004, Scandinavian Airlines Systems AB (SAS) issued a warning of a possible strike by Swedish transport workers following the breakdown of talks between SAS management and union officials. The warning states that transport workers may strike on 11 October 2004. If the strike takes place, aviation authorities estimate that it will cause a near-total halt to air traffic in Sweden on that day. It remains unclear if air traffic controllers will participate in the strike.

[SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA]

Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): Representatives of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, based in the River State in southern Nigeria, warned foreign oil companies on 28 September 2004 to cease production and operations in the area by 1 October 2004, or face "all out war" from the militia. Militia leaders threatened to begin targeting workers from oil companies as collaborators withtheNigerianstate.Localandnationalgovernmentauthoritiesclaimthatsecurityforceswillbecapableofprotectingalloilinstallations,andtheNigerianmilitaryhasincreaseditspresencearoundthesefacilities.Thislateststatementisanescalationofthreatstherebelsissuedearlierintheweek.

Royal Dutch/Shell and Agip, two of the oil companies present in the area, have not curtailed operations in response to the latest threat, although they have evacuated some personnel. ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco and Total are also active in the Niger Delta, however, there is currently no word on how these companies are reacting to the latest threats.

[SIGNIFICANT DATES]

28 September

Greece: Paralympic Games in Athens

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

United States: ASIS annual seminar in Dallas.

Czech Republic: Czech Statehood Day.

Taiwan: Teachers' Day; Confucius' birthday

29 September

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

United States: ASIS annual seminar in Dallas.

Bangladesh: Opposition Awami League has called for rallies on this day (Violence may occur)

Paraguay: Battle of Boqueron.

30 September

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

United States: ASIS annual seminar in Dallas.

Botswana: Botswana Day (National Independence day - government and businesses offices close)

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

1 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

Australia: Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)/New South Wales/South Australia: Labor Day.

Bolivia: Pando Local Festival.

China: Founding of People's Republic of China.

Cyprus: Independence Day (Public holiday. Most offices and businesses close. Parade organized in Nicosia.)

Indonesia: Pancasila Sanctity Day.

Nigeria: Independence Day (Public holiday).

2 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

China: National Day (Public holiday - commemorates the founding of People's Republic of China).

Guinea: Republic Day.

India: Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday.

3 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

Brazil: Regional elections (First round)

Germany: Day of German Unity - Tag der Deutschen Einheit - Anniversary of German Reunification - 1990 (All stores, banks, government offices close).

Honduras: Birth of Morazan (Commemorating the birth of Honduran leader, Francisco Morazan, in 1792. Government offices, schools and businesses close throughout the country).

South Korea: National Foundation Day.

South Korea: South Korea: Armed Forces Day

4 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

Australia: Queen's Birthday (West Australia only. Celebrated on Monday nearest to 30 September).

Italy - Bologna: Feast of St. Petronius, patron saint of the city.

Lesotho: Independence Day.

5 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

Indonesia: Armed Forces Day.

Portugal: Republic Day.

6 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Judaism: Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Begins at nightfall on 29 September and lasts until nightfall on 6 October. In Israel businesses are closed for half the day.

Egypt: Armed Forces Day (Commemorates anniversary of 1973 October War. Military parades and other outdoor activities may be organized).

Syria: Anniversary of October War.

7 October

Chile: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago. Protests expected

Libya: Evacuation Day (Italian).

8 October

Haiti: Anniversary of the death of Henri Christophe.

Israel: Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law)

Peru: Battle of Angamos/Navy Day.

[ASI THREAT LEVEL DEFINITIONS]

1 - A minimum threat of physical harm. Petty crime is the most common threat.

2 - A low threat of physical harm. Petty crime and infrequent demonstrations are the most common threats.

3 - A medium threat of physical harm. Petty crime and demonstrations are common and violent acts do occur.

4 - A high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, demonstrations or terrorism.

5 - A very high threat of physical harm due to violent acts associated with crime, terrorism, demonstrations or war.