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STRATFOR.com
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THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
If it’s in the news, it’s too late...
Situation Reports
October 12, 2001
KPRC television in Houston, Texas, has reported that the ATF is having no luck in locating the 700 pounds of explosives that came up missing Oct. 10. The ATF has said there is no reason to suspect that it's terrorist related, but are not ruling out a connection.
1839 GMT 101201
British officials said that they believe the Taliban has over exaggerated the number of civilian casualties in the U.S-led air strikes on Afghanistan, saying that the United States and Britain "select our targets very carefully ... we do not target civilian populations." It was also reported that Britain authorized an additional $22 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, and $16 million for neighboring Pakistan affected by the influx of Afghan refugees.
1833 GMT 101201
The Bush administration released a list of 39 names and organizations Oct. 12 to have their assets frozen as part of its anti-terror campaign. Roughly $24 million in assets, including some belonging to Osama bin Laden, have been frozen in the United States and other countries since last month's attacks. The U.S. Treasury Department said that 102 countries have committed to joining the effort to disrupt terrorist assets, and 62 countries already have put blocking orders in force, AP reported.
1810 GMT 101201
The German insurance firm Axa and its partners pulled out of a deal to insure the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea due to a possible terror threat, the German daily Rheinische reported. Unless major insurance companies are found which are willing to share the risk, the 2002 World Cup could be cancelled.
1751 GMT 101201
Reuters reported that a mob angered by the U.S.-led air strikes on Afghanistan attacked the Pakistani consulate in the southwest Iranian town of Zahedan, shouting, "death to Pakistan" and "death to America." Before the police could bring them under control they broke some windows with stones and clubs, but no one was reportedly injured.
1745 GMT 101201
China is poised to become a member of the WTO on Dec. 10, the South China Morning Post reported, with Taiwan becoming a member the next day. The vote by WTO trade ministers, which is considered a "virtual formality," is expected to take place during the November 9-13 meeting in Qatar. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is expected to hold a special session the same day to ratify the terms.
1740 GMT 101201
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Situation Reports . . .