Re: [council] FW: [REGYCON] FW: March 2009 Meeting in Kenya - Warnings
Chuck, Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. Stéphane Le 9 déc. 2009 à 20:27, Gomes, Chuck a écrit : > The issues of safety and security in Nairobi were discussed today in the RySG > meeting. As a result, Jeff Neuman as Vice Chair of the RySG sent the > following message to Craig Schwartz, Chief Registry Liaison. I am sending > this to the full Council because I am sure that all of us considering > attending the meetings in Kenya have similar concerns and like to receive the > type of information that the RySG has requested. > > Chuck > > > From: Neuman, Jeff > Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 1:39 PM > To: Craig Schwartz > Cc: doug.brent@xxxxxxxxx; Kurt Pritz; greg.rattray@xxxxxxxxx; Neuman, Jeff > Subject: March 2009 Meeting in Kenya - Warnings > > Craig, > > On the RySG call this morning, a number of members of the RySG expressed > significant concerns about the meeting in Kenya and on what security measures > are being taken by ICANN to protect the attendees. This includes not only at > the Venue site, but also transportation to and from the airport to the hotels > as well as travel between the hotels and the venue site (since they are not > in the same location). We note that a number of countries including the > United States, Australia, Germany, the UK, Canada and New Zealand have all > issues incredibly strong warnings against travel to Kenya. See some excerpts > we have provided below. We also understand that ICANN intends on spending a > considerable amount of money on security measures, but to date, we do not > know what those are and whether those protections will be made available to > the attendees other than the ICANN Board and staff. A number of registries > have decided to either not attend or send a significant lesser number of > representatives to the meeting as a result of the travel warnings simply > because they do not have the resources to spend on the security measures that > may be required. > > We would appreciate a prompt response on this as we are all in the process of > making our decisions on whether to attend the meeting and making the > appropriate accommodations. > > Thanks. > > ********************************* > > > United States > The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to > Kenya. American citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya > should evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing > threats from terrorism and the high rate of violent crime. > > Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings and > home invasions/burglaries, can occur at any time and in any location, > particularly in Nairobi. As recently as June 2008, U.S. Embassy personnel > were victims of carjackings. In the short-term, the continued displacement > of thousands of people by the recent civil unrest combined with endemic > poverty and the availability of weapons could result in an increase in crime, > both petty and violent. Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter or > investigate such acts or prosecute perpetrators. American citizens in Kenya > should be extremely vigilant with regard to their personal security, > particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, > resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. > > > *CRIME:* There is a high rate of crime in all regions of Kenya, particularly > Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and at coastal beach resorts. > There are regular reports of attacks against tourists by groups of armed > assailants. Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" crimes on city > streets and near crowds. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, > but rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. > However, there have been reports of safes being stolen from hotel rooms and > hotel desk staff being forced to open safes. Walking alone or at night, > especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths, on beaches, and > in poorly lit areas, is dangerous and discouraged. > > Violent criminal attacks, including armed carjacking and home > invasions/burglary, can occur at any time and in any location, and are > becoming increasingly frequent, brazen, vicious, and often fatal. In early > 2007, two American citizens were killed and one critically injured in two > separate carjacking incidents. Nairobi averages about ten vehicle hijackings > per day and Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate > such acts. Matatus (public transportation) tend to be targeted since they > carry up to 14 passengers. > > Although these attacks are often violent, victims are generally not injured > if they do not resist. There is also a high incidence of residential > break-ins and occupants should take additional security measures to protect > their property. Thieves and con artists have been known to impersonate police > officers, thus Americans are strongly encouraged to ask for identification if > approached by individuals identifying themselves as police officials, > uniformed or not. > > Thieves routinely snatch jewelry and other objects from open vehicle windows > while motorists are either stopped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. > Vehicle windows should be up and doors locked regardless of the time of day > or weather. Thieves on matatus, buses and trains may steal valuables from > inattentive passengers. Americans should guard their backpacks or hand > luggage and ensure these items are not left unattended. Purchasing items from > street vendors is strongly discouraged – visitors should only use reputable > stores or businesses. Many scams, perpetrated against unsuspecting tourists, > are prevalent in and around the city of Nairobi. Many of these involve people > impersonating police officers and using fake police ID badges and other > credentials. > Nevertheless, police checkpoints are common in Kenya and all vehicles are > required to stop if directed to do so. > Highway banditry is common in much of North Eastern Province, Eastern > Province, the northern part of Coast Province, and the northern part of the > Rift Valley Province. These areas are remote and sparsely populated. > > Incidents also occur occasionally on Kenya's main highways, particularly > after dark. Due to increased bandit activity, air travel is the recommended > means of transportation when visiting any of the coastal resorts north of > Malindi. Travelers to North Eastern Kenya and the North Rift Valley Region > should travel with the police escorts or convoys organized by the government > of Kenya. > > There has been an increase in armed banditry in or near many of Kenya’s > national parks and game reserves, particularly the Samburu, Leshaba, and > Masai Mara game reserves. In response, the Kenya Wildlife Service and police > have taken some steps to strengthen security in the affected areas, but the > problem has not been eliminated. Travelers who do not use the services of > reputable travel firms or knowledgeable guides or drivers are especially at > risk. Safaris are best undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that > there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency. Solo > camping is always risky. > > > Australia > > > Crime > > The level of crime in Nairobi is high. Violent crime against Westerners, > including armed carjacking, kidnapping for ransom and home invasions, occurs > frequently and can be brazen and brutal. There have been fatalities. > Anecdotal evidence suggests that foreigners are increasingly being targeted > in homes, tourist areas and while travelling by road. > > You should avoid walking or travelling after dark or on isolated roads, > especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths or on beaches, > and remain vigilant during daylight hours. > > Muggings and burglaries are common, particularly after dark. Jewellery and > bag-snatching from open vehicle windows frequently occur while motorists are > either stopped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. When driving, you > should ensure that windows are up, doors are locked and valuables are out of > sight. > > * We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Kenya at > this time due to the high risk of terrorist attack, civil unrest > and high crime levels. > * We are receiving an increasing number of reports that terrorists > may be planning attacks against a range of targets in Kenya, > including Kenyan or Western interests. Western embassies, UN > premises, shopping areas frequented by Westerners, hotels, tourist > resorts, safari lodges and other places frequented by foreigners > may be particular targets. In planning your activities, you should > avoid the kinds of places known to be terrorist targets. > * Foreign embassies, hotels and commercial airlines in Kenya have > been targeted by terrorists in the past and remain potential > targets. See Safety and Security: Terrorism > > <http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Kenya#Safety_and_Security> > for details. > > > Canada > Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution because of the > potential of terrorist actions against Western interests throughout Kenya. > Attacks could occur at any time and could target areas frequented by > expatriates and foreign travellers. Canadians should be aware that the U.S. > embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed simultaneously in 1998. > > The potential for carjackings and robberies of tourists travelling to and > from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi, particularly at > night, continues to be of concern. Travellers arriving at JKIA should only > use transportation organized by reputable tour companies or well-marked > taxis. Currency should not be exchanged in the public areas of the airport. > Checked luggage may be pilfered at the airport. Travellers should store their > valuables in securely locked hand luggage and suitcases. > > > Nairobi and its surrounding regions have experienced an increase in violent > incidents in recent months. There has been a particularly high number of > incidents involving the Mungiki criminal gang and police forces, following > the death of several high-level members of the Mungiki sect in April 2008. > Although the majority of Mungiki-related incidents have been located in and > around Nairobi, this sect has spread its activities to other parts of the > country. In April 2009, fighting erupted between residents of the town of > Karatina in Central province and members of this gang. More than 20 people > were reportedly killed and several others injured. In recent months, foreign > nationals have been the victims of daytime carjackings and kidnappings in > neighbourhoods normally deemed safe during daylight hours. Travellers should > be vigilant and avoid heavily populated areas of major cities to minimize the > risk of being caught up in violent clashes. In Nairobi, travellers should > particularly avoid the Kibera, Mathare, Kasirani, and Eastleigh > neighbourhoods. > > > New Zealand > There is high risk to your security throughout Kenya and we advise against > all tourist and other non-essential travel due to the threat from terrorism, > civil unrest and violent crime. > Violent crime including car-jacking, home invasion and armed robbery is > increasing. These attacks can occur anywhere at anytime and can be fatal. New > Zealanders are advised to be extremely security conscious at all times and > avoid travelling at night. > > There is a high threat from terrorism in Kenya. Previous terrorist attacks in > Kenya have been against visibly Western targets. Particular care should be > taken in public and commercial areas known to be frequented by foreigners > including airports, hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs, tourist areas, > embassies, shopping areas, outdoor recreation events and expatriate housing > areas. > > UK > *There is a high threat from terrorism in Kenya. Attacks could be > indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign > travelers. Previous attacks have included a bomb attack on a hotel, which > resulted in significant loss of life, and an unsuccessful attempt to bring > down a civilian airliner in Mombasa, both in November 2002. > > Terrorism > > There is a high threat from terrorism in Kenya. Attacks could be > indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign > travelers. While there have not been any terrorist attacks in Kenya since > 2002, we know that Al-Qaeda has the potential to carry out attacks against > Western targets. The leadership of Al-Shabaab, a Somalia based Islamist > insurgency group, have publicly threatened to attack Kenya should the Kenyan > government provide support to the Somali Transitional Federal Government > (TFG). > > > Muggings and armed attacks by gangs can occur at any time, particularly in > Nairobi and Mombasa. > Do not carry credit cards or cash cards unless you must: people have been > forced by thieves to withdraw cash. Beware of thieves posing as police > officers; always ask to see identification. > > > Jeffrey J. Neuman > Neustar, Inc. / Vice President, Law & Policy > 46000 Center Oak Plaza Sterling, VA 20166 > Office: +1.571.434.5772 Mobile: +1.202.549.5079 Fax: +1.703.738.7965 / > jeff.neuman@xxxxxxxxxxx / www.neustar.biz > The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the use > of the recipient(s) named above and may contain confidential and/or > privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you have > received this e-mail message in error and any review, dissemination, > distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and delete > the original message. > Attachment:
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