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Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• U-S/KOREA EXERCISES VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- The United States and South Korea are going ahead with annual military exercises, despite tensions over North Korea's nuclear programs. The news comes as Pyongyang declares it is ready to take on the United States in a nuclear war.
• Marines adapt to new environment USMC News 17 Feb 2003 -- The skyline portrait painted with a blue horizon, green palm trees and sandy, yellow beaches is fading from their memories.
• JTF-HOA Commanding General Visits Bataan Navy NewStand 17 Feb 2003 -- Major General John F. Sattler, Commanding General 2nd Marine Division, Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, visited USS Bataan (LHD 5) recently. He arrived by helicopter from the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) to speak with Bataan's Sailors and Marines.

Other Conflicts

• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Israeli commandos shot and killed the head of the military wing of Hamas in the Gaza Strip today (Monday). At least two other Palestinians were killed and a house demolished during the Israeli offensive against the militant Islamic group.
• IVORY COAST VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Rebels with Ivory Coast's main insurgent group say they will not resume attacks immediately, despite the expiration of an ultimatum that they issued to the government more than a week ago.
• U-N / AFGHANISTAN / PALESTINE VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- The United Nations has issued two reports on the environmental effects of years of conflict in Afghanistan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Blue Ridge Sailors Enjoy Otaru Port Visit, Ice Festival Navy NewStand 17 Feb 2003 -- Snowboarding, skiing, fresh seafood, world-class ramen and the 54th annual Sapporo Ice Festival tantalized the senses of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and 7th Fleet staff Sailors during the command ship's four day port visit here Feb. 8-11.
• E-U / NATO / IRAQ VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- European Union leaders are gathering at an emergency summit in Brussels in search of a common position on the divisive issue of Iraq, with Britain and Spain arguing for a military option and France and Germany insisting on diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis. The E-U meeting comes after NATO papered over its own differences on Iraq and hammered out an agreement that will allow the alliance to plan for the defense of Turkey in case of war.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 17 Feb 2003
• SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 17 Feb 2003
• ZIMBABWE / TRIAL VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Defense in the treason trial of Zimbabwe's leading opposition figures has obtained the transcript of an audio tape containing what the prosecution claims is highly incriminating evidence. The transcripts include conversation between the defendants and the prosecution's star witness in London.
• FRANCE / MUSLIMS VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- The French government's opposition to a war on Iraq is strongly supported by most people living in France. That includes some five million Muslims, many of them ethnic Arabs, who comprise almost 10 percent of the country's population. These Muslims -- along with France's long-standing interests in the Middle East -- may help explain President Jacques Chirac's call for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
• ISRAEL / TEMPLE MOUNT VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- A bulge has appeared in the southern wall of the Temple Mount, in the heart of the old city of Jerusalem. And like everything about this site -- holy to two religions -- it is controversial. Israelis and Arabs cannot agree on how dangerous the bulge is, or who should fix it, or how the site should be cared for.
• U-S / CHINA TRADE VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- U-S Trade Representative Robert Zoellick says China has done a good job of implementing World Trade Organization agreements since becoming a member 14 months ago. But Washington's top trade official is pushing Beijing to move faster to give U-S farmers and other exporters the market access they were promised.
• U-S / CHINA TRADE VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- U-S Trade Representative Robert Zoellick says China has done a good job of implementing World Trade Organization agreements since becoming a member 14 months ago. But Washington's top trade official is pushing Beijing to move faster to give U-S farmers and other exporters the market access they were promised.
• NIGERIA / OIL VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Oil company officials in Nigeria say a strike called by oil workers is not affecting output.
• ACEH TRUCE VIOLATIONS VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Ceasefire monitors in Indonesia's northern province of Aceh say both government forces and separatist rebels are violating the province's peace agreement. But monitors say the two sides are making progress on plans to lay down their weapons - and they are optimistic that the peace plan remains on track.
• ZIMBABWE / TRIAL VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- In Zimbabwe, the treason trial of the country's main opposition leader and two other opposition politicians is now in its third week. On Monday, the defense charged the government with failing to supply documents to back up evidence introduced in court by the state's main witness.