IntelligenceBrief July 10, 2013 | Page 4

set up during Abe ' s first 2006-7 term recommended that the ban be lifted in certain cases , such as intercepting ballistic missiles bound for the United States . A new committee of advisers is expected to reach similar conclusions .
China ' s top official in charge of religious groups and ethnic minorities vowed on Tuesday to step up the fight against exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama , as a rights group reported police shootings of monks marking his birthday . The comments by Yu Zhengsheng , number four in the ruling Communist Party ' s hierarchy , appear aimed at thwarting speculation that China ' s new leadership could take a softer line on the Dalai Lama . Beijing considers the Dalai Lama , who fled China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule , a violent separatist . The Dalai Lama , who is based in India , says he is merely seeking greater autonomy for his Himalayan homeland . Visiting a heavily Tibetan area of the western province of Gansu , Yu told local officials and religious leaders that the Dalai Lama ' s separatist activities ran counter to the country ' s interests and to Buddhist tradition . Yu repeated that ties with the Dalai Lama could only improve if he openly recognized that Tibet has been a part of China since ancient times and abandoned his Tibetan independence activities . Speculation China would take a softer line towards the Dalai Lama had been fuelled in part by an essay written by a scholar from the Central Party School , who said that China could take some steps toward resuming talks with the Dalai Lama ' s representatives , which broke down in 2010 . Rights groups also say there has been some discussion about lifting restrictions on public displays of the Dalai Lama ' s picture in Qinghai province , where the monk was born . Despite a heavy security presence , protests and resistance against Chinese rule in Tibetan areas have continued . Police in a restive Tibetan part of Sichuan province opened fire on a group of monks and others who had gathered to mark Dalai Lama ' s birthday over the weekend , seriously injuring at least two . While Chinese security forces often use heavyhanded tactics to stop protests in Tibetan regions , they rarely use guns . China ' s Foreign Ministry said it was unaware of the reports , but said the Dalai Lama was using the opportunity of his birthday to promote his separatist agenda .
Latin America Brazilian media claimed that the US National Security Agency has targeted most Latin American countries in its spying programs , with Colombia , Venezuela , Brazil and Mexico ranking among those of highest priority for the US intelligence agency . Citing documents leaked by Edward Snowden , the fugitive former American intelligence contractor , O Globo newspaper said the NSA programs went beyond military affairs to what it termed " commercial secrets ." These included petroleum in Venezuela and energy in Mexico , according to a graphic O Globo identified as being from the NSA and dated February of this year . Also swept up in what O Globo termed as US spying were Argentina ,
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