28 January 2003 Military News

Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

AFGHANISTAN / U-S / FIGHTING UPDATE VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- The Pentagon says combat operations have halted in southern Afghanistan following one of the biggest battles in months between rebel forces and U-S and Afghan troops.
Afghanistan firefight kills 18 enemy Army News 28 Jan 2003 -- In a joint effort, soldiers, airmen and coalition forces killed 18 enemy personnel after a small group of U.S. Special Forces came under fire last night.
AFGHANISTAN / U-S / FIGHTING VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- U-S and Afghan forces are engaged in a heavy battle with armed rebels in southern Afghanistan. The U-S military says at least 18 rebels have been killed in more than 24 hours of fighting
MOBILE, ALA.-BASED CUTTER ENFORCING TEXAS WATERWAY SECURITY ZONES, SUPPORTS OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM USCG 28 Jan 2003 -- Coast Guard crews from the CGC Cobia and a Marine Safety Office Port Arthur, Texas, small boat are performing escort duties today for the USNS Britton, a military cargo vessel, at the port of Beaumont, Texas, as it relocates military resources in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
Military cargo ships load in Corpus Christi Military Sealift Command 28 Jan 2003 -- Three civilian-crewed, non-combatant Ready Reserve Force cargo ships, MV Cape Taylor, MV Cape Texas and MV Cape Trinity, remain in Corpus Christi, all with U.S. Army cargo on board as part of the repositioning of U.S. forces in support of the global war on terrorism and to prepare for future contingencies as may be directed. MV Cape Taylor completed loading cargo and is awaiting sail orders, pending an improvement of the weather. The other two Ready Reserve Force ships continue to load Army cargo

Other Conflicts

Grossman Says Cyprus Settlement Can Be Reached by February 28 Washington File 28 Jan 2003 -- Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman has reiterated U.S. support for a plan to resolve the Cyprus dispute offered by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which calls for agreement by both sides no later than February 28
U-N / IVORY COAST VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan says he may recommend the Security Council dispatch military observers to the West African nation of Ivory Coast to help the country implement a French-brokered peace agreement reached with rebels earlier this month
Liberia: Security Council re-establishes panel to monitor compliance with sanctions UN News Centre 28 Jan 2003 -- The United Nations Security Council today decided to re-establish an expert panel to monitor compliance with international sanctions levied against Liberia
Cyprus: UN envoy in Ankara for talks with Turkish officials UN News Centre 28 Jan 2003 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, is scheduled to meet today in Ankara with senior officials of the Turkish Government
Security Council backs global certification scheme for rough diamonds UN News Centre 28 Jan 2003 -- Concerned by the link between the illicit trade in rough diamonds and the fuelling of armed conflicts around the world, the United Nations Security Council today gave its backing to a global certification scheme for the precious stones
IVORY COAST UNREST VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Hundreds of demonstrators marched throught the streets of Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan, Tuesday for a fourth day to protest the peace accord reached last week with rebel groups. The French-brokered agreement seeks to end a four-month rebellion by creating a power-sharing arrangement between the rebels and the government. But pressure is growing on President Laurent Gbagbo not to abide by the accord
FRANCE / IVORY COAST VOA28 Jan 2003 -- French President Jacques Chirac has called for Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to respect a peace plan he and others agreed to last week in Paris
PHILIPPINES/ COMMUNISTS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Philippine prosecutors have filed murder charges against the exiled leader of the Communist Party. The move comes day after Communist rebels rejected a government-drafted peace proposal to end 34 years of bloody conflict
IVORY COAST / UNREST VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- New protests broke out in Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan, Tuesday following the recent signing of a French-brokered peace agreement to end a four-month rebel war

Defense Policy / Programs

President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address Washington File 28 Jan 2003 -- "Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished citizens and fellow citizens: Every year, by law and by custom, we meet here to consider the state of the union. This year, we gather in this chamber deeply aware of decisive days that lie ahead"
Kitty Hawk Sailors maintain high readiness levels Seventh Fleet 28 Jan 2003 -- As the nation remains engaged in the global war on terrorism, the crew of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) conducts training to remain prepared for any possible tasking in support of America's efforts
F-14 Tomcat Crashes in Caribbean NNS 28 Jan 2003 -- A U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat aircraft operating from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) crashed in the Caribbean approximately 60 miles east of Puerto Rico just after 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Both the pilot and radar intercept officer were recovered safely.
Fletcher Crew Set to Return after First 'Sea Swap' NNS 28 Jan 2003 -- The crew of USS Fletcher (DD 992), a Pearl Harbor-based destroyer, will return from an Arabian Gulf deployment near the end of January after being away for six months
Text: Maritime Unit Activates 13 Cargo Ships for Afghanistan Duty Washington File 28 Jan 2003 -- The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has activated 13 reserve cargo ships to support U.S. military operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the agency says
4th MEB(AT) Marines conduct NBC Warfare training USMC News 28 Jan 2003 -- Marines of headquarters platoon, Task Force Kabul, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism), participated in nuclear, biological and chemical warfare training, at the United States Embassy, here, recently
Flight of the simulator USMC News 28 Jan 2003 -- Performing duty to perfection is what service members strive to achieve. The thought of something going wrong and that other people's lives and safety are at risk is always in the back of people's minds. Training is a very important part of achieving this goal of perfection.
23rd FG exercise prepares troops for deployment AMCNS 28 Jan 2003 -- In preparation for possible upcoming deployments, the 23rd Fighter Group conducted a Phase II exercise Jan. 14 to 17.

News Reports

SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 28 Jan 2003
SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 28 Jan 2003
CONGRESS / DEMOCRATS RESPONSE VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- (Opposition) Democrats have responded to President Bush's State of the Union address
ISRAEL / ELECTIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- According to initial, unofficial results, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his right wing Likud party won a sweeping victory in legislative elections on Tuesday. But, Likud did not win an outright parliamentary majority and so Mr. Sharon now begins the task for negotiating with other parties to try to form a coalition government
U-S / Kazakhstan Trial VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- The United States is expressing concern about the conduct of the trial of a prominent Kazakhstan journalist sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on rape charges. The journalist, Sergei Duvanov, had been a critic of the government of President Nursultan Nazarbayev
U-N / HORN OF AFRICA VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- U-N aid agencies are warning that instability in the Horn of Africa could become more serious if donors do not respond quickly to aid appeals. Lisa Schlein has more from Geneva
ISRAEL ELECTIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Israeli television networks say incumbent Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his right-wing Likud Party have scored a substantial victory, and will lead the country's next coalition government. The network projections, based on voter surveys, were released as soon as the polls closed Tuesday evening
ZIMBABWE TORTURE VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Zimbabwe's pro-government Herald newspaper is calling for an end to the torture of prisoners, the first time a government publication has admitted that some detainees are tortured by police
ZIMBABWE ARRESTS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Two American journalists, from the Associated Press and National Public Radio, as well as a Zimbabwean freelance photographer, were arrested Tuesday in Zimbabwe's second city Bulawayo
ISRAEL ELECTIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Israeli voters are going to the polls to elect a new parliament, which will decide the make-up of the new government. Predictions are that incumbent Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his rightwing Likud Party are headed for victory, but will face the task of forming a coalition government
E-U / ZIMBABWE VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- European diplomats are working to find a compromise on sanctions against Zimbabwe, after European Union foreign ministers came to an impasse on the issue Monday
HAITI / U-S / DEPORTATIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- The United States has deported two former high-ranking Haitian military officers who were convicted in their native land of taking part in a massacre of civilians nine-years ago
EDITORIAL: CUBA'S FARCICAL ELECTIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Cuba's electoral system would be a joke if the consequences for the Cuban people were not so serious
ISRAEL ELECTIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Polls have opened in Israel, as four-point-three-million eligible voters go to the polls to select a new parliament that will -- in turn -- choose a new government
ISRAEL / ELECTIONS VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- For the third time in four-years, Israelis are voting to elect a new parliament. The Likud Party of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remains the clear favorite, in an election that appears to be attracting a low voter turnout.
ZIMBABWE TORTURE VOA 28 Jan 2003 -- Zimbabwe's pro-government Herald newspaper is calling for an end to the torture of government prisoners. This is the first time a government mouthpiece has admitted that some detainees are tortured by the police.