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South American drug cartels target GCC
South American drug cartels target GCC Allan Jacob / 25 February 2014 Narco-terrorists have established routes through West Africa to emerging markets in the region and Asia. The death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman from suspected heroin overdose may have thrown the spotlight on drugs, but narco-terrorism is the larger concern for security agencies around the world, including the UAE and other GCC countries. A leading security expert has revealed that Latin American cartels entrenched in Africa are eyeing the GCC for supplying and trafficking in narcotics. They also seek to launder their dirty money from the drug trade in the region as the zero tax regime aids their operations. Narco-terrorism refers to the nexus between drug cartels, transnational criminal organisations and terrorist groups. “In the last 10 years, drug cartels from South America have increased their presence and operations in West Africa to secure the movement of drugs (mostly cocaine) to markets in Europe, and the emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East,” said Johan Obdola, President of the International Organisation for Security and Intelligence, which advises governments on how to tackle the scourge. Latin American drug cartels and terrorist groups, including Colombia’s Farc rebels, Mexican drug organisations like ‘Zetas’ and El Chapo Guzman are actively involved in Africa, mainly in West Africa. He said these cartels were hoping to establish themselves in the Middle East and Asia. “We are identifying the new routes that narco-terrorist groups are developing and operating between South America — specifically Brazil and Argentina — to the GCC region, mainly Qatar, with ramifications in the UAE,” said Obdola, a former Venezuelan police commissioner, who now lives in Canada. He said these organised groups were already in “their second stage of their operations”. They are keen to use the UAE as a hub for drug trafficking and money laundering. The bigger concern was that they were working on all fronts to establish a demand for their products in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, he said. “Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Currently, Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago are nations where well-organised narco-terrorist groups are developing their routes to the GCC region and Asia,” he said. Last week, Colonel Saeed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the UAE’s Federal Anti-Narcotics Agency in the Ministry of Interior, said 11 tonnes of narcotics were seized in 2013. The Ministry of Interior also said assets and money of those involved in the sale of drugs and associated with money laundering would be confiscated. There is no evidence that the banned Muslim Brotherhood is benefiting from the drugs trade, but Obdola added that Al Qaeda was spreading its tentacles in Latin America. “There are confirmed operatives in Brazil, Colombia and other nations, including some countries in Central America (Honduras and Mexico). Al Qaeda members are also doing business with Colombian drug cartels and the Farc rebels.” Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Hezbollah and other groups are increasingly active in Latin America and Mexico, and cocaine trade is a very important financial support. Obdola said the GCC and UAE have two main fronts in the fight against narco-terror emerging from Latin America via Africa, and from Afghanistan. “The narcotics industry, with the involvement of organised criminals, drug cartels and terrorist groups are establishing a strategically sound alliance for financial and even political gain,” he said. Latin American drug networks are structured for money laundering and local consumption of drugs based on demand. These cartels also have the discreet ability and financial heft to spark off corruption and infiltrate private corporates, and transport, logistics, and security units. Investments are made in real state, front businesses, transportation and other sectors as well. The UAE police and security agencies have done good work in the areas of enforcement and intelligence to counter the illegal drug trade. They are engaging with communities to gather local intelligence and are also working with agencies globally to provide the best response against the phenomenon. allan@khaleejtimes.com The Latin American connection Amira Agarib Security officials in the UAE have confirmed the South American link to narcotics smuggling and established crime in the region. Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Security in Dubai, speaking to Khaleej Times, said there has been an increase in drug-related activity from Latin America where traffickers exploit Africans and Asians, including women. According to Dubai Police statistics, there has been an increase in smuggling of cocaine and heroin from Latin America to Africa, GCC and other countries via the Dubai International Airport. The drugs haul represents 75 per cent of all drug seizures at Dubai Airports. “Drug traffickers not only break anti-drug laws but also laws governing financial institutions. It’s an established network where they rope in local criminals and anti-social elements — bribery and blackmailing are common in their modus operandi,” he said. Investigations have shown that drug traffickers are actively targeting countries facing political unrest to channel their illegal substances. He said youth unemployment has become a concern and many young people are taking to drugs to escape from their misery. “People are exploited because of their circumstances by these large cartels who use closer geographical locations, porous borders and lack of effective legislation to promote drugs.” “There is a relationship between international drug smuggling and the growth of money laundering which is then channelled into other nefarious activities,” Lt-Gen Khalfan said. He called it a vicious cycle where high demand for substances led to increased production which, in turn, creates more markets. 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Confusion over admission age for KG1 children
Confusion over KG1 admission age for kids prevails Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 25 February 2014 According to the new rules by the MoE the new admission age for KG1 should be four years, KG2 is five years and Grade 1 is six years. While the admission age for new students was already made clear to schools across the UAE, many private schools, however, are still waiting to hear from their respective education zones. “Till now we did not receive (a circular) from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and so we will inquire about this from the MoE. I know they already sent a letter to some areas,” said Said Al Najjar, principal of the Elite American Private School in Umm Al Quwain. Classes at the school are still ongoing and registration for the new academic year has yet to commence. The Elite currently accepts three year olds by September 15 for its KG1. “We are not registering (new students) yet. But once we receive the circular, we will apply the rule,” he affirmed. The Modern Indian School, Dibba Branch, has started accepting registration for their new academic year in April, but has yet to receive word from the Fujairah education zone if they need to abide by the new admission age of four years old for KG1. “We are accepting three years old for KG1 for now but we are still waiting. We didn’t receive any circular and we already inquired with the Fujairah education zone but they said they will get back to us,” said a school staff. The St Mary’s Catholic School, which offers the Indian and British curricula in Fujairah, also said they have not received any circular on this regard. “We have followed-up so many times with the MoE Fujairah but have received no circular, so we will go ahead as usual,” said Layla Mohammed, the Arabic secretary at the school. The school accepts 3.5 years for KG1. Its CBSE curriculum starts in April while classes at the British curriculum commences in September. According to the new rules by the MoE, which is now enforced in public and private schools in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, the new admission age for KG1 (or Foundation Stage 2) should be four years, KG2 (or Year 1) is five years and Grade 1 (or Year 2) is six years. Students should reach the minimum age by the end of April for those joining the Bangladesh schools in January, by July 31 for Asian and Indian schools commencing classes in April and by December 31 for other curricula that starts their school year in September. The new admission age takes effect this 2014-2015 academic year. This applies only to new students and will not affect those currently studying. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed last week that the new rules do not apply to private schools in Dubai and that “the minimum age is determined by each school/curricula.” According to Dr Haleemah Sadia, principal of the Indian International School Sharjah, her school has already registered new students prior to receiving the circular in January. “We have 150 admissions from the early registration but now we have stopped and are registering as per the new age criteria. We are now in the process of trying to get approval from the MoE for them (early admissions),” she told Khaleej Times. The school previously accepted three year olds for KG1. The Gulf Asian English School in Sharjah and the Indian School in Ras Al Khaimah also confirmed that its new admission age for KG1 is now four years by July 31. The Ajman Modern School, meanwhile, has already set its admission age at four years for KG1 and five years for KG2 by December 31. The American school previously accepted 3.3 years for KG1. Parents from across the country expressed their concern, especially those whose kids are affected by the cut-off. Anitta Joy, a mother from Abu Dhabi, said that her daughter will be four years by August 12, and just 12 days shy of the minimum admission age for the Indian school. Asiya Shaikh has applied at two schools in Ras Al Khaimah for her daughter but was denied admission as she did not reach the age requirement by 19 days while Lakshmi, from Sharjah, said that her daughter is a month less. All mothers are hoping to get special approval from their respective education zones. “This new rule has made a whole lot of mess and has put lot of parents under stress,” complained Lakshmi. Santhosh Joseph from Abu Dhabi is in the same boat. He has been told that his child is four days less than the minimum age requirement and should apply only next year as per the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) rule. “What can we do, we have to wait for one year as there is no chance. My wife and I are just worried that there is an age limit for KG1 and she will be overage at 4.7 years next year,” he pointed out. According to the Adec’s Private School and Quality Assurance (PSQA) sector, there is “no exemption” to the new age rule even if a child is a day short of the cut-off dates. It added that there is also no age ceiling for KG1 and that a child of 4.7 years can still enrol next year. Continuing students Swapna Edward’s son is finishing KG1 in India this March and she plans to bring him to Abu Dhabi to continue his studies. She approached the Indian schools here but was told that he is two months short for the KG2 admission age. “Many Indian schools informed us if the transfer is from India, the ‘new age rule’ will be followed, (but) if he is studying in the UAE, then they can consider. So I approached the Adec directly and got a positive reply that he can continue in KG2. They informed me that ‘there is no separate rule for transfer from India’,” Edward said. The Adec confirmed that once a child has a certificate showing he finished KG1, his studies will not be disturbed and he can continue his studies here similar to other continuing students, regardless of the age. In a circular sent to schools by the Adec in December 2013, it noted that the new enrolment ages do “not apply to any current or transferring students”. olivia@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Third child dies in Thai protest violence
Third child dies in Thai protest violence (AFP) / 24 February 2014 The girl died from wounds after a grenade attack on Sunday afternoon on a busy Bangkok shopping district, near a rally by demonstrators trying to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Anti-government protesters pray near the site of a bomb blast. -Reuters A six-year-old girl on Monday became the third child to die in recent days in Thailand’s political unrest, as the army chief warned the country could collapse if violence continues. The girl died from wounds after a grenade attack on Sunday afternoon on a busy Bangkok shopping district, near a rally by demonstrators trying to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Her four-year-old brother and a women also died in the blast, which left blood splattered on a main road lined by street stalls, several top-end hotels and a major shopping mall. Police said the grenade was fired into the crowd by unknown attackers from an M79 shoulder-held launcher. They said an officer also died on Monday, nearly a week after being shot in the head in a gunbattle with protesters. Six people — including two officers — were killed in that incident in Bangkok’s historic heart, a stone’s throw from the city’s backpacker zone. Twenty-one people have now been killed and more than 700 wounded in violence linked to almost four months of anti-government demonstrations. Attacks have mainly been mounted in Bangkok, although a drive-by shooting late Saturday on a protest rally in the eastern province of Trat killed a five-year-old girl. The current unrest is the worst in the bitterly divided kingdom since protests by “Red Shirts” — allied to Yingluck’s older brother Thaksin — against a previous government in 2010 sparked clashes and a military crackdown that left more than 90 people dead. “As days go by, there will be more violence until it cannot be controlled,” army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha warned in a rare televised live speech. “If losses continue, the country will collapse for sure and nobody will win or lose,” he said. Prayut urged reconciliation and talks. He said troops are “ready to do their duty” but “do not want to use force and weapons to unnecessarily fight with the Thai people”. He did not elaborate. The army has staged numerous coups — with the most recent one ousting Thaksin from office in 2006 — and the army chief’s comments are closely scrutinised for signs of possible intervention. The head of the government’s security response to the protests also predicted more unrest. “From now on violence will keep happening, for sure, so anyone who is not involved in the protests should not go to them,” said Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. “I accept that it is hard to control.” The government says it has been hamstrung by a court ruling last week banning it from using force to disperse peaceful protesters. Authorities say high-calibre weapons fired at them last week indicate the protesters have heavily armed support, while television footage has shown apparent protesters firing handguns in clashes. The shocking death of the three children earned swift condemnation from UN chief Ban Ki-Moon. Prime Minister Yingluck labelled them “terrorist acts”. The UN children’s fund UNICEF called on protesters to keep children away from the rallies, which have for many weeks been treated as boisterous family occasions. Yingluck spent Monday inspecting local produce in a province 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Bangkok, in a move seized on by her opponents as a sign she is on the run. But a government spokeswoman told AFP she would return to Bangkok by the evening. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who as deputy premier at the time oversaw the 2010 crackdown on the Red Shirts, said the government bore responsibility for the weekend violence. “We use peaceful tactics, we are empty-handed. In past four months, we have never created any violence,” he told a rally. Hatred for Thaksin, who lives in exile to avoid prison over graft charges, is at the heart of the anti-government movement. Protesters allege he still runs the government through Yingluck and has fostered widespread corruption. But Thaksin and his sister enjoy strong support in the rural north and northeast. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
