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# Thai chillies spark terror scare
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/thai-chillies-spark-terror-scare/
- Published: 2007-10-03T18:10:20.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:57:12.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:46

**Thai chillies cause London terrorism scare**

A noxious cloud emitted from a[ five kilo pot of smouldering chillies](http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/04/headlines/headlines%5F30051220.php?ref=opendemocracy.net) in the kitchen of a Soho Thai restaurant sparked fears of a chemical gas attack in central London. Chalemchai Tangjariyapoon, the head chef at the Thai Cottage restaurant, was surprised to find himself centre of a terrorism alert, as British security forces sealed off the area and raided the restaurant. 

**Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.** 
  
**Sign up to receive toD's daily security briefings via email by clicking** [**here**](mailto:kanishk.tharoor@opendemocracy.net?subject=Subscribe&body=Please%20add%20me%20to%20the%20toD%20security%20briefing%20list.%20Thanks.)**Agreement reached with North Korea**

Joint six-nation talks have concluded with North Korea agreeing to [dismantle all its nuclear facilities by the end of the year](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/world/asia/04diplo.html?ex=1349150400&en=7c59c4f3d09537c1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&ref=opendemocracy.net). In exchange, Pyongyang will receive 950,000 metric tons of fuel, or its equivalent in economic aid. 

**Polish ambassador wounded in Iraq**

In an apparent assassination attempt, [Poland's ambassador to Iraq ](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E2E92F8B-EDEF-4230-9F3F-6F20C50344D6.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net)was when a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad, killing a bystander and one of the ambassador's bodyguards. Polish spokesmen reaffirmed Warsaw's commitment to supporting American action in Iraq and dashed any suggestions that it would consider withdrawing its 2,500-strong force from the country. 

US officials have defended the White House's role in the failure of the Iraqi government to meet certain benchmarks set by Congress by stating that ["Iraq is a sovereign country"](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B2652674-8400-437B-B03E-1A21E7341E79.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net), and that there is only so much the Bush administration can do to prod Baghdad in the right direction. 

At the request of Iraqi officials, Iran has connected its [power grid](http://www.payvand.com/news/07/oct/1018.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) to Iraq's. Iran also has plans to build power plants in the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf. Iraq is still suffering from a massive electricity shortfall. 

**Little hope ahead of Olmert-Abbas meeting**

Palestinians expect little from [upcoming negotiations](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/49090AEC-60B3-43E1-A411-75DFDD57DB4E.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) between President Mahmoud Abbas and his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert. The two leaders have met a number of times in recent months, and this week's talks will be targeted at smoothing over major differences ahead of the Bush-planned "peace conference" in November. However, with Palestinian society and politics in a state of profound division and crisis, many Palestinians don't believe that such peace talks will lead to any concrete change in their lives. 

Three people were killed when a car exploded outside a [Hamas police building](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0E151E31-E1BE-4834-95D2-4C02C0C10DA5.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) in Gaza city. 

**Musharraf names military successor**

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has named [Lieutenant-General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/EEBFE417-6E68-40A1-ABC5-892A9828A5BC.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) as his successor as commander-in-chief of the country's military forces, while his government granted former prime minister Benazir Bhutto pardon as part of a deal struck between the political rivals that will allow Musharraf to run for another term as president. 

Ten pro-Taliban militants were killed when they attacked a military check post in [North Waziristan](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL20275.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net), in the restive regions bordering Afghanistan.

Two Indian army officers and nine militants were killed in the bloodiest clash between security forces and separatists in months in the disputed state of [Kashmir](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL326348.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net).