![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.75in" height="1.5708333333333333in"}

**[EXECUTIVE SUMMARY]{.underline}**

March was a busy month for the Executive Office. OSAC's Executive
Director, Todd Brown, met with the Deputy Director General of the
Foreign Commercial Service to discuss partnership initiatives and issues
of mutual concern.

OSAC hosted the Country Council Co-Chair from Guatemala to discuss the
upcoming OSAC conference in Guatemala City, to be held in June. This
will be the third Central America/Mexico regional conference OSAC has
hosted in Guatemala.

Mr. Brown also traveled to Bangkok to co-host the OSAC/ISMA/SISBO
conference which concluded on April 1. Over 200 people attended the
conference and participated in discussions on topics including
terrorism, intellectual property rights protection, crisis management,
and a regional overview of Asia.

OSAC's Deputy Director, Fred Stolper, and RISC's Regional Coordinator
for Europe traveled to Chicago, where they addressed the topic of animal
rights activism and overall security trends of 2007 to local companies.

Finally, the Executive Office continued its support of the DS Training
Center by providing a briefing to outgoing RSOs.

During the month of March, analysts conducted 366 constituent
consultations, the highest number of consultations since August 2006.
This month, the Western Hemisphere was the RISC region with most
constituent interest, while China was the top country of interest. For
complete information on constituent interaction, please view the final
section of this report.

New RISC Portfolio Coverage

(for phone numbers, please log into the website)

-   Central and North America: [Maureen
    Russell](mailto:russellmk@state.gov)

-   Central and West Africa: [Lauren
    D'Amore](mailto:d'amorele@state.gov)

-   East Asia/Pacific: [Elena Carrington](mailto:carringtonea@state.gov)

-   East and Southern Africa: [Valerie
    Schaeublin](mailto:schaeublinva@state.gov)

-   Europe: [Laura Simmons](mailto:simmonslk@state.gov)

-   Information Security: [Ryan Garvey](mailto:garveyrw@state.gov)

-   Middle East/North Africa: [Brent
    Heminger](mailto:hemingerbg@state.gov)

-   South America: [Monica Ortiz](mailto:ortizmr@state.gov)

-   South/Central Asia (including Russia): [Sam
    Schwabe](mailto:schwabest@state.gov)

-   Special Events: [Marc Solomon](mailto:solomonmb@state.gov)

**[Senior Coordinators]{.underline}**

-   Middle East/North Africa: [Mary Hackman](mailto:hackmanm@state.gov)

-   Special Events: [Chris Medeiros](mailto:medeiroscj@state.gov)

-   Threats Coordinator: [Greg Hoobler](mailto:hooblergd@state.gov)

**[SPECIAL EVENTS]{.underline}**

OSAC Webcast: Cargo Security in Mexico

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.1347222222222224in"
height="1.3965277777777778in"}On March 5^th^, RISC's Regional
Coordinator for Central and North America hosted a webcast on Cargo
Security in Mexico. Over 50 people tuned in to view the webcast and
participated in a question/answer session afterward. Topics discussed
included what Mexico has done to address drug smuggling (often related
to cargo security), whether some industries were targeted more
frequently than others, and whether the U.S. plans to address cargo
security issues through NAFTA. To listen to the audio version of the
webcast, please use [this link.](../this%20link.)

# OSAC College and University International 

# Health, Safety, and Security Seminar: Paris, France 

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="1.1041666666666667in"
height="1.46875in"}On March 28, OSAC sponsored a College & University
Health, Safety, and Security Seminar in Paris, France.  OSAC has held
similar events throughout the United States; this was the first time the
organization hosted this type of event abroad.  Over 90 security
managers of study abroad programs throughout Europe attended the event
and were treated to lively presentations and discussions on a host of
topics, including legal and policy issues relevant to study abroad
programs, the various mental health issues students face when abroad,
and how OSAC can assist study abroad programs in times of crisis.

OSAC's academic outreach initiative was sparked by U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice, who came to the government after her tenure at
Stanford University.  Dr. Rice asked OSAC to expand its academic
constituency, and OSAC responded by creating its domestic Health and
Safety Seminars.  The event received very positive feedback and OSAC has
already been asked to stage a similar seminar next year in Istanbul,
Turkey. 

If you would like more information on OSAC's academic initiatives,
please contact RISC's [*Academia Outreach
Coordinator*](mailto:carringtonea@state.gov).

Private Sector Security Overseas Seminar (PSOS)

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.1875in"
height="1.5104166666666667in"}OSAC encourages all interested
constituents to register for the Private Sector Security Overseas
Seminar (PSOS) on April 24-25 at the Foreign Service Institute in
Arlington, Virginia. This security-training seminar has been widely
popular with private sector employees and family members preparing for
overseas assignments. The two-day seminar includes intensive security
awareness briefings and comprehensive discussions of services provided
to private U.S. citizens overseas. This is the same security training
that is required for all official U.S. Government employees.

The U.S. Department of State is providing this training at cost to help
maintain a safe international working environment for American
businesses, educational institutions, and non-governmental
organizations. Registration is limited. Please go to the [OSAC web
site](https://www.osac.gov/Events/event.cfm?contentID=76830) for further
information, registration instructions, and a course participant
information sheet.

NGO-Academia Event, April 17-18

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="2.3333333333333335in"
height="1.0520833333333333in"}On April 17 and 18, OSAC will present a
seminar on overseas safety and security for university study abroad
programs, non-government organizations (NGOs), and faith-based
organizations. This seminar will be hosted by Georgia Institute of
Technology in Atlanta, GA. Topics will include U.S. government resources
for assistance overseas, mental health issues, emergency preparedness,
and crisis management. This seminar represents the ongoing OSAC
initiative to engage the academic, non-profit, non-governmental and
faith-based communities regarding their needs for overseas safety and
security resources. For more information, please contact RISC's
[Regional Coordinator for West and Central
Africa](mailto:d'amorele@state.gov) and RISC's [Regional Coordinator for
East Asia/Pacific](mailto:carringtonea@state.gov).

Pan-Asia Regional Council (PARC)

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="2.53125in"
height="1.0833333333333333in"}In April, OSAC will launch its newest
Common Interest Council, the Pan-Asia Regional Council (PARC). The
design of the PARC will closely mirror OSAC's successful Latin America
Regional Council (LARC). The PARC will be based in San Francisco and
will cater to the multinational companies, academic institutions, and
NGOs primarily in the Bay Area that have economic, personnel, and
branding interests in Asia, particularly China and India. The PARC will
address the challenges the region poses, including general crime and
safety, passport fraud, intellectual property rights enforcement, supply
chain security, crisis management, pandemic planning, brand protection,
counterfeiting, information security, cyber crime, background
investigations, and due diligence.

The PARC will operate as a joint venture between private security
representatives and U.S. government officials. Diplomatic Security's San
Francisco Field Office will partner with local OSAC constituents to
provide the initial outreach and form a steering committee. The private
sector has offered to host the initial meeting to determine the steering
committee and private sector co-chair this Spring. If you would like
more information on the PARC, please contact RISC's [Regional
Coordinator for East Asia/Pacific](mailto:carringtonea@state.gov).

2008 Global Security Conference, Center for International Business
Education and Research, University of Maryland

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="3.563888888888889in"
height="1.0048611111111112in"}

The **2008 Global Security Conference** (June 16-17) will bring together
thought leaders, policymakers, scholars, corporate and government
executives, and venture capitalists for an examination of security
issues at both corporate and national levels -- addressing some of the
most important challenges (and opportunities!) facing business and
government today. Topics discussed will include global security,
enterprise resilience, and international competitiveness, as well as
defenses against data security and cybersecurity threats. The conference
is taking place at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington, D.C. For
more information, please see the event website,
<http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/ciber/globalsecurity2008/>.

Getting to Know Your RISC Analysts: Brent Heminger

Brent Heminger is originally from Toledo, Ohio and he completed his
undergraduate studies in International Affairs at Miami University.
While completing his undergraduate degree, he attended Drew University
and participated in a United Nations study program, where he wrote an
analytical thesis on sustainable development. After graduating, Brent
worked for the Terrorism Research Center (TRC) in Arlington, Virginia.
During his time at TRC, Brent acted as both a Latin America desk analyst
and team leader for the 24/7 global fusion center. As team leader for
TRC's global fusion center Brent directed the formation of the center
and managed five analysts responsible for the center's analytical
output.

Brent is currently overseeing the re-launch of the Baghdad OSAC Country
Council and is requesting the assistance of OSAC constituents that have
business operations in Iraq.

If you have any questions regarding the Middle East and North Africa
portfolio, please contact RISC's [Regional Coordinator for the Middle
East and North Africa.](mailto:hemingerbg@state.gov)

**[OSAC MARCH REPORTS]{.underline}**

The following list shows [OSAC.gov](http://www.osac.gov/)'s ten
most-viewed OSAC reports for March. This month, five of the ten
most-viewed reports were OSAC original reports.

**[RISC Analytical Reports in March]{.underline}**

[*Serbia and Kosovo Benchmarking Survey
Report*](https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=80782)

[*Terrorist Tactics: Concealed
Weapons*](https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=80862)

[*Cargo Security in Mexico
Webcast*](https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81024)

[*Beijing Olympics Preliminary Crime and Terrorism Threat
Assessment*](https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81162)

[*Zimbabwe Elections
2008*](https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=81965)

**[RISC TRAVEL]{.underline}**

Seven RISC coordinators visited seven posts in Europe, North America,
South/Central Asia, and East Asia/Pacific.

Here is a brief overview of RISC travel in March:

Europe

-   **Paris:** OSAC sponsored a study abroad conference, attracting over
    90 participants. Topics discussed included crisis management, roles
    of embassy staff, and health and safety issues for students.

North America

-   **Vancouver and Toronto:** For more details, please see the Country
    Council Focus section in this report.

South/Central Asia

-   **Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kathmandu:** RISC Coordinators attended
    Council meetings in India and launched the Kathmandu Country Council
    in Nepal. Discussion topics included private sector operating
    concerns in South Asia, particularly terrorism in Pakistan,
    political violence in Nepal, and document fraud in India.

East Asia/Pacific

-   **Bangkok**: For more details, please see the Executive Summary of
    this report.

Nine RISC regional coordinators plan to visit 14 posts in East
Asia/Pacific, Western Europe, South Central Asia, and the Western
Hemisphere over the next 60 days.

-   ATLANTA: [NGO/Academia
    Event](https://www.osac.gov/Events/event.cfm?contentID=81439), April
    17-18

-   DOUALA: [Country Council Meeting](http://cameroon.osac.gov/), April
    6

-   GUATEMALA: OSAC Regional Conference, May 22-23

-   JOHANNESBURG: [Country Council
    Meeting](http://johannesburg.osac.gov/), May 13

-   LAGOS: [Country Council Meeting](http://lagos.osac.gov/), April 1

-   LUANDA: [Country Council Meeting](http://luanda.osac.gov/), TBA
    (May)

-   PARIS: [Country Council Meeting](http://paris.osac.gov/), April 9

-   MILAN: [Country Council Meeting](http://italy.osac.gov/), April 21

-   NAIROBI: [Country Council Meeting](http://nairobi.osac.gov/), TBA
    (May)

-   VIENNA: [Country Council Kick-Off Meeting](http://vienna.osac.gov/),
    April 17

-   WASHINGTON, D.C.: InterAction Forum, May 6-9

-   YAOUNDE: [Country Council Meeting](http://cameroon.osac.gov/), April
    8

OSAC encourages all private sector representatives to make every effort
to attend these meetings personally, or at the very least to ensure a
staff member represents your organization at each meeting. More
information for each of the meetings and the respective councils can be
found on the [OSAC website](http://osac.gov/), as well as at the
individual hyperlinks in each listing.

**[COUNTRY COUNCIL FOCUS: Vancouver and Toronto Country
Councils]{.underline}**

In support of Canada's Country Council growth and development, RISC's
[Regional Coordinator for Central and North
America](mailto:russellmk@state.gov) and [Deputy Major Events
Coordinator](mailto:solomonmb@state.gov) recently attended two Country
Council meetings: Vancouver and Toronto.

Held at the Vancouver Pinnacle Marriott, the kick-off meeting for the
Vancouver County Council included representatives from the hotel and
manufacturing sectors, as well as local law enforcement officials. The
U.S. Consul General for Vancouver gave opening remarks on the benefits
of OSAC, especially as Vancouver prepares for the Winter Olympics and
Paralympics in 2010. RISC's Deputy Major Events Coordinator briefed the
audience on OSAC's Olympics coverage and the assistance it provides to
the private sector. The Vancouver Council is currently looking for
private sector leadership. Please contact RSO Eric Miller at
604-642-6670 if you are interested in joining the Vancouver Country
Council.

During the Toronto Country Council meeting, which attracted over 20
participants, RISC's Regional Coordinator for Central and North America
presented on current private sector global security concerns and RISC's
Deputy Major Events Coordinator briefed on Olympics coverage. After the
presentation, constituents discussed how to further develop the Toronto
Country Council and network with Toronto law enforcement.

 

The Toronto Country Council has had seven quarterly meetings since 2004.
The private sector leadership has established multiple goals for the
Council over the next year, including more private sector information
sharing, better attendance at meetings, and greater relationships with
local law enforcement. To that end, the next Toronto Country Council
meeting will feature representatives from Canadian law enforcement in
order to foster better working relationships. The next meeting of the
Toronto Country Council will be in June. The Toronto Country Council is
also looking forward to supporting the new Vancouver Country Council
throughout the next year. Please contact RSO Mark Malhoyt at 416 595
1700 x 257 if you are interested in joining the Toronto Country Council.

**[Country Council Requests for Action]{.underline}**

-   *U.S. Embassy Kyiv is looking for experts in avian influenza to
    participate in an upcoming conference; if interested, please contact
    RISC's [Regional Coordinator for
    Europe.](mailto:simmonslk@state.gov)*

-   *The Vancouver Country Council is looking for private sector
    leadership; if interested, please contact RISC's [Regional
    Coordinator for Central and North
    America.](mailto:russellmk@state.gov)*

-   *The Tunis Country Council is holding a kick-off meeting on
    April 16. If interested, please contact RISC's [Regional Coordinator
    for the Middle East](mailto:hemingerbg@state.gov).*

-   *The Baghdad Country Council is re-establishing itself and planning
    on hosting a steering committee meeting in late May. If interested,
    please contact RISC's [Regional Coordinator for the Middle
    East](mailto:hemingerbg@state.gov).*

-   *The Toronto Country Council is looking for a private sector speaker
    on hotel security for a Council meeting in June. If interested,
    please contact RISC's [Regional Coordinator for Central and North
    America](mailto:russellmk@state.gov).*

**[CONSTITUENT INTERACTION]{.underline}**

Below is a regional overview of RISC constituent interaction for the
month of March, with descriptive breakdowns of the countries garnering
the most constituent interest for the month:

![](media/image8.wmf){width="5.114583333333333in"
height="2.9583333333333335in"}

[**Americas**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=3)

RISC provided 102 constituent consultations.

-   [COLOMBIA](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=178): On
    March 1 the Colombian military raided a camp in Ecuador of the
    Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, killing a key rebel
    leader and 24 others. This incident caused Ecuador and Venezuela to
    break diplomatic relations with Colombia. Constituents expressed
    concern over the possibility of retaliation towards civilians within
    Colombia, and the halt of trade relations among the three
    countries. 

[**Middle East & North
Africa**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=4)

RISC provided 75 constituent consultations.

-   [ALGERIA](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=143): The
    threat of al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) continues to
    concern constituents operating in Algeria. In late February, AQIM
    kidnapped two Austrian tourists that were traveling in southern
    Tunisia, near the Algerian-Tunisian border, prompting constituent
    concerns that AQIM is expanding its terrorist activities outside of
    Algeria. Consultations for Algeria were also sparked by
    the re-issuance of the U.S. State Department [[Travel
    Warning]{.underline}](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_929.html)
    for the country. The warning states that terrorism in many areas of
    Algeria continues to pose a significant security risk and that
    Americans who reside in or travel to Algeria should take prudent
    security measures while in Algeria.

[**Sub-Saharan Africa**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=5)

RISC provided 59 constituent consultations.

-   [NIGERIA](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=88):
    Constituents expressed concern over the significant spike in armed
    criminal attacks against residential compounds in Lagos during late
    February through early March. While the number of attacks decreased
    in the later half of the month, security managers remain concerned
    with reports of increasingly violent methods and sophisticated
    surveillance tactics by criminals in Lagos. Please see the recent
    [U.S. Mission Nigeria warden
    message](https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=80368)
    for further information.

[**East Asia & the
Pacific**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=7)

RISC provided 54 constituent consultations.

-   [CHINA:](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=1003)
    Corporate interest in the Olympic Games continues to increase. 
    Recent events in China, including riots in Tibet, a hostage-taking
    incident in Xi\'an, and an alleged attempted hijacking of a China
    Southern flight in March contributed to growing concerns over the
    security of the Olympic Games this summer.  While Chinese security
    forces will emplace a substantial security presence to ensure a
    secure Olympic Games, companies continue to communicate with OSAC to
    ascertain the nature of various potential threats to the summer
    Olympics.

[**Eastern Europe**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=2)

RISC provided 34 constituent consultations.

-   [TURKEY](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=38): On
    March 9, 2008, Turkish authorities arrested three suspected members
    of a leftist militant group during a raid conducted in the
    Kucukcekmece district of Istanbul. A list of three U.S. companies
    was reportedly found during the operation, raising concerns that the
    militants intended to carry out bombings on U.S. firms. A
    remote-controlled toy car fitted with a bomb mechanism, along with
    weapons and other bomb making components, were also seized during
    the raid. Local sources indicated that the suspects are members of
    the DHKP-C.

[**South & Central
Asia**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=1)

RISC provided 23 constituent consultations.

-   [PAKISTAN](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=91):
    Incidents of terrorism and political unrest were major sources of
    significant constituent concern in Pakistan. Most noteworthy this
    month was the election of a new Prime Minister from the Pakistan
    People\'s Party and the bombing of an Italian restaurant popular
    with expatriates in Islamabad. There was also an increased interest
    in general travel safety with the private sector planning numerous
    trips in the coming weeks.

[**Western Europe**](http://www.osac.gov/Regions/index.cfm?region=2)

RISC provided 19 constituent consultations.

-   [UNITED
    KINGDOM](https://www.osac.gov/Regions/country.cfm?country=44): The
    United Kingdom remains a heavily traveled destination for
    constituents, as well the primary European base for a sizeable
    number of U.S. companies.