US raises security alert for Americans

Citing the “uncertainty and volatility of the current situation” following the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, the US Department of State has issued a global alert warning American citizens against a possible outbreak of anti-US violence worldwide.

“The US Department of State alerts US citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counterterrorism activity in Pakistan,” the agency’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (BCA) said in a May 1 advisory.

Australia issued a similar warning. In countries with significant Muslim populations, international schools, embassies and other potential targets were putting extra security measures in place in case of reprisals.
Britain confirmed it was taking extra precautions at its embassies around the world and its military bases were on heightened alert.

The global police agency Interpol also called for increased security measures, warning that the death of Bin Laden could provoke reprisal attacks around the world.

Supporters of Bin Laden’s violent campaign took to militant Internet sites to vow revenge.
“The lions will remain lions and will continue moving in the footsteps of Osama. O Allah, America will not enjoy safety and security until we live it in Palestine,” one user wrote on the Shumukh al-Islam forum.
“The celebrations are amusing. Cheer all you want infidel, you only have a limited amount of time in this life in which to do it,” another wrote.

While some experts said that Bin Laden’s death would damage al-Qaida’s brand image, and perhaps lead the organization to fracture still further along geographical lines, most predicted attacks would continue.

“The United States will unfortunately suffer, because jihadists have a tendency to avenge their slain chiefs,” warned Matthieu Guidere, a French academic who specializes in the Arab world.
After the death of the leader of al-Qaida’s group in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarkawi, in April 2006, his successor launched a wave of suicide attacks against US and Iraqi targets, Guidere noted.

And although the figurehead of the operation has died in a plush Pakistani mountain resort and garrison town north of Islamabad, al-Qaida militants in the field have long been acting independently.
“On a tactical level, the death of Bin Laden is not a decisive victory, as for many years he has not been an operational leader and the power has been in the hands of local commanders,” Guidere said.




Lost brand label
Jean-Pierre Filiu, a professor at the Sciences-Po school in Paris and author of a book on al-Qaida, said Bin Laden’s death would accelerate the group’s existing division into separate fighting entities.
“Osama bin Laden’s leadership was in truth ideological. He was the only one able to unite all the disparate groups around the world,” said antiterrorist judge Marc Trevidic, saying al-Qaida had lost a brand label.
Nevertheless, Frank Faulkner, a senior lecturer in sociology and terrorism studies at the University of Derby in Britain, said that revenge attacks were inevitable.
“It’s just a case of when and where,” he said.




Extra vigilance
Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble urged “extra vigilance” from “law enforcement authorities to a heightened terror risk from al-Qaida affiliated or al-Qaida inspired terrorists as a result of Bin Laden’s death.”
“The world’s most wanted international terrorist is no more,” Noble said in a statement issued by his office.
“But the death of Bin Laden does not represent the demise of al-Qaida affiliates and those inspired by al-Qaida, who have and will continue to engage in terrorist attacks around the world,” he said.
“We therefore need to remain united and focused in our ongoing cooperation and fight, not only against this global threat but also against terrorism by any group anywhere,” he added.
Noble said Interpol, a global coordinating body based in France that works with national police forces in 188 member states, was “on full alert for acts of retaliation should al-Qaida try to prove they still exist.”




Limit travel, avoid rallies
The BCA strongly urged Americans “in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.”
US citizens should also “stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings … US citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest US embassy or consulate,” said the travel alert, which expires on Aug. 1.
It noted that “media coverage of local events may cause family and friends to become concerned for their loved ones traveling and residing abroad.”
“We urge US citizens to keep in regular contact with family and friends,” said the BCA.
The state department said US embassy operations in affected areas would continue to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation.
“US government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, US embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to US citizens,” it said.
On Monday, Rebecca B. Thompson, spokesperson of the US embassy in Manila, did not comment on the travel alert.
Instead, Thompson referred the Philippine Daily Inquirer to the BCA website —www.travel.state.gov— which she said “has the most up-to-date information.”




NAIA alert
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has placed four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) under “heightened alert” status following Bin Laden’s death.
In a May 2 memorandum, Vicente Guerzon Jr., MIAA assistant general manager, said the move was necessary “as a precautionary measure to ensure the security and safety of airport users, as well as protect airport infrastructure.”
Guerzon said the following security measures shall be immediately implemented at NAIA Terminals 1 to 4:
• Strict access control procedures for both personnel and vehicles.
• Rigid inspection of airline passengers and cargo at security checkpoints.
• Intensified police visibility as well as K-9 paneling at the terminals.
• Maximized deployment of patrol vehicles at aircraft movement areas and airport perimeter.
• Intensified intelligence and monitoring operations as well as networking with other security units.
Guerzon said “matters that may affect smooth airport operations must be brought to the immediate attention of MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado.”


Source : Inquirer
 [tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Peninsula Manila Hotel Evacuated & Sealed Off by Police

Two escaped coup plotters associated with a failed 2003 coup attempt have taken over the second floor of The Manila Peninsula Hotel here.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, elected to office while in jail for heading the failed military mutiny at Oakwood Suites in Makati several years ago, and Brigadier General Danilo Lim, who faces court marshal proceedings for a failed uprising in February this year, walked out from a hearing at a Makati City courtroom this morning. Accompanied by uniformed military men and tailed by members of the press, the two forcibly entered the Manila Peninsula Hotel and have taken over a portion of the hotel’s second floor after holding a press briefing at the hotel lobby. The two are calling on the Filipino people to withdraw support from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The President has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest Trillanes and Lim. The PNP has asked the hotel to evacuate hotel guests and staff by 3pm today to secure their safety should negotiations with the plotters fail.

Mariano Garchitorena, head of public relations at the Peninsula has said that the hotel would be cooperating with the police. The hotel is currently on 85 percent capacity. None of the hotel guests and staff had been harmed in the ongoing incident. Guest evacuations have begun at press time.

***

Police and military forces, backed by armor, have sealed off the area around the Manila Peninsula and the approaches to the hotel in Makati City as the standoff with a group of accused coup plotters, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, continues.

Some 20 policemen have been deployed by the entrance to the hotel’s lobby while police lines have been set up near the gates to prevent people from entering.

The security forces are backed up by a number of armored personnel carriers, including two at the intersection of EDSA and Ayala Avenue and two more at the intersection of Ayala and Makati Avenues

The Peninsula Manila Hotel - http://manila.peninsula.com/

Source : TravelWeekly Inquirer
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels peninsula coup news travel tourism travel manila]

Tune Hotels Buidling 30 Hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines & Singapore

Istithmar has revealed plans to establish a $50 million joint venture company to roll out limited service hotels in Asia.

The new company, formed in partnership with Tune Hotels.Com and City e-Solutions is expected to build some 30 Tune Hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore over the next three years.

"We have been building our hotel portfolio across many different markets and I am excited that we are able to reach into the Asian budget accommodation market with this innovative, fast growing brand," said Joe Sita, chief executive of Istithmar Hotels FZE, a division of Istithmar PJSC.

"It gives us an opportunity to invest in a segment that is poised for tremendous growth in the years ahead and touches on several key themes such as the increased demand for travel by the rising middle class in Asia and rapid growth of low cost carriers (LCCs) in the region."

Tune Hotels.Com is a no-frills limited-service concept created by the founders of Air Asia - Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun - to address the need for affordable, quality accommodation in Southeast Asia.

Rapidly growing regional economies, coupled with the exponential growth of LCCs, have generated an unprecedented volume of value-based travellers.

"The hotels sector is crying out for clean, safe branded budget accommodation in major cities," said Richard Johnson, managing director of Istithmar Real Estate, another division of Istithmar PJSC.

"The Tune Hotels.Com brand will deliver that need in destinations across Asia.

"Customers can be sure of a quality ‘sleep and shower' experience, in a clean and safe environment, and can then choose which other items they want on top. It's a really exciting model and we're looking forward to rolling it out across the region."

Istithmar Hotels has already announced one venture in the budget hotels sector this year; a deal with UK-based easyHotel to build and manage easyHotels in the Middle East.

Tune Hotels.Com claims to offer "a five-star sleeping experience at a one-star price", with rooms expected to start from as little as $3 for customers who book in advance though the website.

Rooms in Tune Hotels will include a luxury bed, en-suite bathroom, and an electronic key card entry system in a "space-efficient" room of approximately 10m².

Each hotel has an outsourced 24-hour convenience store, a branded F&B outlet, on-site 24 hour guarded security and CCTV cameras throughout the public areas of the properties.

Tune's no-frills model means that certain items such as air conditioning, towels and bathroom amenities are available for small additional charges.

Vincent Yeo, chief executive officer of City e-Solutions, a listed subsidiary of CDL, said that the deal was important for the region and would bring a new model to the market.

The first Tune Hotel opened in Kuala Lumpur in April and has enjoyed 91% occupancy since opening.

Additional properties are set to open in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.



Source
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

New flight to Philippines from Sandakan

A new flight between Sandakan and Zamboanga City is set to pick up pace to promote tourism and trade in the East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

The first flight of the Asian Spirit was inaugurated on Friday when the plane brought in airline officials to the welcome of local Sandakan folks led by Sandakan Municipal Council president Yeo Boon Hai.

The one-hour-forty-minute flight is introduced on Mondays and Fridays at a promotional fare of RM240 with the frequency expected to be increased to thrice weekly with an additional flight on Wednesdays.

Asian Spirt vice-president Meg Obejab said the YS11 aircraft could accommodate 60 passengers.

New destination: Asian Spirit which now flies twice weekly between Sandakan and Zamboanga City.

“We are confident that the air sector will grow in view of the volume of travel between people in the two areas,” he added.

In welcoming Asian Spirit, Yeo said the air link would further boost trade ties and tourism for both sides.

He said it was another milestone in bilateral ties between Zamboanga City and Sandakan.

“We in Sandakan and Zam-boanga are like brothers and sisters.

“This flight will enhance the relationship between the two sister cities,” added Yeo.

He said he was happy that Asian Spirit had decided to pick Sandakan as it latest international destination.

Asian Spirit is the latest airlines to fly the sector but earlier players have since seized operations due to high operating cost and permit problems.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

More Philippines-Malaysia air links

ASIAN Spirit has launched twice weekly services from Zamboanga, previously known as Western Mindanao, in the Philippines, to Sandakan in Malaysia. The frequency will be increased within the month to thrice weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The airline said the new service will enhance traffic movement within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

As Sandakan is not among the cities designated in the BIMP-EAGA memorandum of understanding to create an "open skies" environment, the Philippines has requested Malaysia to declare Sandakan as an additional entry point for air service. A recent BIMP-EAGA meeting added Manado and Tarakan in Indonesia, Labuan and Miri in Malaysia, and Puerto Princesa and General Santos City in the Philippines to the list of airports with fifth freedom traffic rights for passenger and cargo services.

Asian Spirit is the third airline to attempt to link Mindanao and Malaysia. Earlier services by South Phoenix Airways and Aero Mosphil did not prosper. Asian Spirit has requested Malaysian Airports to waive the airport tax, parking fees and landing charges at the Sandakan International Airport for the first two years of its operation.

The airline has also enhanced its Mindanao network by introducing thrice weekly flights each from Zamboanga to Jolo and to Tawi Tawi.


Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]