21 January 2003 Military News

Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

Military Cargo Ships Load In Wilmington, N.C. Military Sealift Command 21 Jan 2003-- Two U.S. military cargo ships USNS Regulus and USNS Denebola arrived at the Port of Wilmington today to load U.S. Marine Corps cargo as part the repositioning of U.S. forces in support of the President's war on terrorism.
2nd MEB departs USMC 21 Jan 2003 -- Packed and ready to rock, Boaster and approximately 3,500 Marines and sailors attached to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade departed for the Middle East and surrounding region Jan. 11
Soldiers alerted for deployment Fort Lewis PAO 21 Jan 2003 -- Approximately 1200 Fort Lewis soldiers have received deployment orders to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operation to support the global war on terrorism and to prepare for future contingencies as may be directed.

Other Conflicts

FRANCE/IVORY COAST VOA 21 Jan 2003-- French mediators at the Ivory Coast peace talks being held near Paris say progress continues and there is a chance that an agreement will be reached before the talks are scheduled to end on Friday. The French president, Jacques Chirac, is urging the delegates to the talks to end the four-month-old civil war in Ivory Coast, which Mr. Chirac has called a grave crisis
SOMALIA TALKS VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- The man who was recently appointed to mediate the peace talks on Somalia says he believes the political will exists to bring peace to the war-torn country, which has been without a central government since 1991
ISRAEL / LEBANON VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon have attacked Israeli military positions in a disputed border area, provoking swift Israeli retaliation
Western Sahara: Annan recommends 2-month extension for UN mission VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- With his Personal Envoy having just gone to the region to present a new plan to settle the conflict over Western Sahara, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended a two-month extension of the United Nations mission in order to give the parties time to consider the proposal

Defense Policy / Programs

White House Daily Briefing White House 21 Jan 2003
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE STATEMENT ON THE DRAFT 21 Jan 2003 -- "During a recent press briefing at the Pentagon, a reporter asked my views on the old military draft system (...) The last thing I would want to do would be to disparage the service of those draftees. I always have had the highest respect for their service, and I offer my full apology to any veteran who misinterpreted my remarks when I said them, or who may have read any of the articles or columns that have attempted to take my words and suggest they were disparaging."
AF cancels B-1 defensive upgrade AFPN 21 Jan 2003 -- Air Force officials recently announced that the service was canceling the B-1B Lancer's Defensive System Upgrade Program because of cost overruns and schedule slips, but remains committed to improving the aircraft's combat capability.
Eighth Army stands down for safety Army News Service 21 Jan 2003 -- Eighth U.S. Army held a stand-down dubbed "New Horizons Day" earlier this month, command officials said, in order to teach, educate and inform soldiers about principles to help ensure mission readiness, training safety, and foster good relations with the people of Korea
V-22 Completes At-sea Period NAVAIR 21 Jan 2003 -- Osprey No. 10's initial approach to the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) demonstrated how the V-22 differs from the platforms it's designed to replace: With the nacelles fully forward, the Osprey flew up the starboard side of the ship at 220 knots before rolling left and performing a 180-degree, three-G level turn
New NATO Commander Stresses Transformation of Alliance Washington File 21 Jan 2003 -- U.S. Marine General James L. Jones assumed command of NATO forces January 17 at a ceremony at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. He succeeds U.S. Air Force General Joseph Ralston
Determination, political will can revitalize stalled disarmament forum - Annan VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- Escalating debate on serious international peace and security issues has made it crucial for the world's sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations to overcome years of stalled talks and resume its substantive work, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message

News Reports

SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 21 Jan 2003
SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 21 Jan 2003
AFGHAN / COURT CABLE RULING VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- Afghanistan's chief justice has imposed a ban on cable television in Kabul and other parts of the country for broadcasting "un-Islamic" programs
Pro U.S. rally held at Kunsan PACAF News Service 21 Jan 2003 -- About 350 South Koreans gathered outside the Kunsan Air Base main gate Tuesday to show their support for United States Forces Korea troops.
NEPAL/POLITICS VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- Nepal's King Gyanendra appointed an interim administration 100-days ago after firing the country's elected government. But promises to restore democracy and quell a Maoist rebellion in the country remain unfulfilled
VIETNAM / HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- A human rights group has accused Vietnam of persecuting Protestant Christian minorities in its Central Highlands region. The group, Human Rights Watch, says more than 100 minority Protestants were arrested last year
TERRY MCCOY/CUBA ELECTION VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- Cuban officials say the one-party election Sunday was a success for the Communist party given that 97-percent of all eligible voters cast ballots. Government opponents urged voters to leave their ballots blank or to incorrectly mark them to the opening of the Conference on Disarmament
Search for next chief of UN health agency narrowed to five candidates VOA 21 Jan 2003 -- The Executive Board of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today said that it has narrowed to five the list of candidates to replace outgoing Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland