internationalsos.com - Press releases
Hard-line Picketers in Buenos Aires; First Appearance of A/H5N1 Bird Flu in Bosnia01 March 2006Philadelphia
International SOS, the world's leading provider of medical and security assistance services, international healthcare, and outsourced customer care, offers travel alerts to members traveling overseas to warn them of security risks or medical problems they may encounter at their destinations or en route. The following is a sample of locations that may represent current security and medical risks for global travelers.
Argentina - February 28, 2006 - Hard-line Picketers to Demonstrate Today in Buenos Aires At 10:30 local time, groups will rally in the Plaza Constitucion and have called for spontaneous roadblocks and other demonstrations elsewhere in the city throughout the day. In particular, picketers threatened to block a bridge linking the downtown area with the Conurbano, or greater metropolitan area, and the Plaza de Mayo. Hardline unemployed picketing groups have a tendency to use violence and vandalism as a means to express their demands. Most recently, hardline picket factions were blamed for inciting violence during an oil worker protest in Las Heras that left one person dead. Foreign travelers face no specific risk from these protests but should be alert for any indiscriminate violence that may result. International SOS members are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations, even those that appear to be peaceful. Travelers should not attempt to challenge roadblocks set up by these groups as violence has resulted. Thailand - February 28, 2006 - Protestors Demand Prime Minister's Resignation by March 5 On Monday, protestors demanded his resignation by March 5. They warned of street protests if Shinawatra refuses to resign by Sunday. Protestors gathered at the Sanam Luang grounds and marched toward the Democracy Monument. There were no reported incidents of violence during the rally and march. The opposition Democratic Party has also announced it will boycott the snap elections that have been set for April 2 after Shinawatra dissolved parliament on February 24. Shinawatra today indicated that the snap polls may be postponed to a later date. Shinawatra's critics have rejected the scheduled snap polls and are instead demanding Shinawatra's resignation due to perceptions that his Thai Rak Thai (TRT) is likely to win the elections and he is likely to remain in power. The dissolution of parliament is widely believed to be a political manuever that is intended to appease the prime minister's critics but is still, in effect, unlikely to change Thailand's leadership structure. The demonstrations alone are unlikely to force Shinawatra's resignation. However, recent public statements by a military official saying that the military may intervene to avert a crisis if it threatens national security may complicate the current situation. At this stage, the protest actions are unlikely to pose a threat to the security of foreigners in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand. However, these protests are disruptive and are likely to affect local travel. International SOS members are advised that travel to Thailand can proceed. Bosnia - February 27, 2006 – A/H5N1 Detected for First Time among Birds The avian influenza A/H5N1 strain has caused outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. Ukraine, Iraq, Cyprus, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Indonesia, and Romania have all reported outbreaks in January 2006. For further information, see the International SOS Pandemic Preparedness Website. There, you can access the latest news, detailed information on flu-affected countries and pandemic preparedness planning information. |
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