Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

Other Conflicts

• UN, Afghanistan, Iran sign new pact on refugee returns UN News Centre 17 Jun 2003 -- The governments of Iran and Afghanistan have signed a joint agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees.
• Faced with insecurity and drugs, Afghanistan needs beefed up help - UN officials UN News Centre 17 Jun 2003 -- With insecurity threatening to derail Afghanistan's entire political process and the country's drug production turning the old Silk Road into a new "opium-paved road," two top United Nations officials called on the international community today to beef up deployment of security forces there and provide other vital assistance.
• Negroponte Says More Resources Needed in Afghanistan Washington File 17 Jun 2003 -- The international community "should do more, and we should do it better" to help Afghanistan end illicit opium production, U.S. Ambassador the United Nations John Negroponte said June 17.

• UN / PERU VOA 18 Jun 2003 -- The Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimates as many as 60-thousand people were killed or disappeared during Peru's 20-year war between leftist guerillas and state security forces.
• Liberia's Cease-Fire Deal Calls for Government Without Taylor VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Liberian government and rebel negotiators have signed a cease-fire agreement calling for a government that would not include President Charles Taylor.
• Liberian Rebels, Government Sign Cease-Fire; Pressure Mounts on Taylor VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Representatives of Liberia's government and two rebel groups have signed a cease-fire deal to end an insurgency that began in 1999. The deal could pave the way for a transitional government without President Charles Taylor, who has been in power since 1997.
• Palestinians Meet with US Envoy on Stopping Terrorism VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Palestinian leaders spent a day of separate talks with a top U.S. diplomat and senior militant leaders, but none of the parties report significant progress on a deal to stop terrorist attacks against Israel.
• EDITORIAL: HAMAS TERRORISM CONTINUES VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has called for more attacks, in its words, "to blow up the Zionist entity and tear it to pieces." The June 12th statement came a day after a Hamas suicide terrorist set off a bomb on a bus in Jerusalem. At least seventeen people were killed and more than one-hundred wounded.
• Liberian Government and main rebel groups sign ceasefire accord - UN UN News Centre 17 Jun 2003 -- The Liberian Government and the country's two main rebel factions have signed a ceasefire agreement paving the way for comprehensive peace talks and the proposed formation of a transitional administration in the hopes of ending the West African nation's bloody civil war, according to a top United Nations envoy.
• Divisions among Somali leaders persist as peace talks enter final stage - Annan UN News Centre 17 Jun 2003 -- Divisions among Somali leaders persist, even as the reconciliation process gears up for its third and final phase of negotiating the formation of an all-inclusive government, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report.
• UN successfully repatriates 2,700 refugees to Central African Republic UN News Centre 17 Jun 2003 -- Some 2,700 refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have returned home to the Central African Republic (CAR) in the last week, paving the way for the United Nations refugee agency to close its camp in the DRC's northeastern Equateur Province.
• U-S / LIBERIA VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The United States is welcoming the Liberian cease-fire accord and expressing hope that the deal which calls for the resignation of President Charles Taylor will lead to democracy in the west African state.
• COLOMBIA'S VIOLENCE SPREADS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Colombia's four decades of civil conflict have left the country's economy in tatters and forced some one-point-two million Colombians from their homes. In spite of a large out-flux of refugees, the violence remained inside the country's borders. Recently, however, Colombia's battle against the leftist insurgents has spilled across its borders.
• LIBERIA TALKS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Representatives of Liberia's government and two rebel groups have signed a ceasefire deal to end an insurgency that began in 1999. The deal could pave the way for a transitional government without President Charles Taylor, who has been in power since 1997.
• SOMALIA / TALKS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The president of Somalia's Transitional National Government is in Nairobi for talks with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on terrorism and other issues affecting their two countries. They will also be talking about the future of Somalia.
• U-N / LIBERIA VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- U-N aid agencies say health and security conditions in Liberia's capital are continuing to deteriorate. Thousands of people have streamed into Monrovia in recent weeks to escape fighting between government and rebel troops. Though both sides signed a peace agreement today, that will do little to ease the humanitarian crisis in the city
• Liberia Cease-Fire Deal Includes Taylor Resignation VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Liberian government and rebel negotiators, meeting in Ghana, have signed a cease-fire agreement that calls, among other things, for the resignation of President Charles Taylor.
• Kosovo: Four Years After NATO Intervention, Albanians And Serbs Ready To Start Talking RFE/L 17 Jun 2003 -- Kosovar Albanian leaders have not held direct talks with their Serbian counterparts since 1999, when NATO established a de facto protectorate in the province. Now Pristina and Belgrade look set to reopen dialogue -- but talks will focus on practical matters and avoid the contentious issue of Kosovo's final status.
• US Envoy Meets Palestinian PM in Effort to Advance 'Road Map' VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- U.S. President George W. Bush's Middle East envoy, John Wolf, met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday as part of renewed efforts to get the international "road map" peace plan back on track. The meeting follows failed efforts by Egyptian mediators to convince Palestinian militants to agree to a ceasefire.
• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- President Bush's Middle East envoy, John Wolf, met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas as part of renewed efforts to get the international "road map" peace plan back on track. The meeting follows failed efforts by Egyptian mediators to convince Palestinian militants to agree to a ceasefire.
• IVORY COAST/ RECONCILIATION VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The reconciliation government in Ivory Coast has called for all Ivorians, including politicians and journalists, to work for peace and ensure the success of a power-sharing peace deal with rebels.
• Wolf Meets with Palestinian, Israeli Officials Washington File 17 Jun 2003 -- Ambassador John Wolf, in charge of the U.S. coordination and monitoring mission for the Middle East roadmap, is in the Middle East and has already had a series of meetings with Palestinian and Israeli officials, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters June 17.

Defense Policy / Programs

• White House Ceremony to Mark 30th Anniversary of All-Volunteer Force AFPS 17 Jun 2003 -- For three decades, America's armed forces have served on a solely volunteer basis. The nation is about to mark the 30th anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force.
• 'Full Battle Rattle' Saving Lives in Iraq, Afghanistan AFPS 17 Jun 2003 -- Any TV news report from Iraq or Afghanistan shows American service members wearing "full battle rattle."
• Joint Civilian Orientation Conference Takes First Trip Overseas AFPS 17 Jun 2003 -- Even after six grueling days, 44 influential U.S. citizens remained jovial and vocally prideful of what they'd seen of U.S. military outfits in four countries.
• Bush Nominates Retired General for Army Chief of Staff AFPS 17 Jun 2003 -- President Bush has nominated retired Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker to be the next Army chief of staff.

• EU: Foreign Ministers Find Global Ambitions Difficult To Implement RFE/L 17 Jun 2003 -- The European Union yesterday unveiled the first few pages of its first-ever global "security strategy." The document was presented by EU security policy chief Javier Solana in Luxembourg at a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers. It brings the EU's security concerns broadly in line with that of the United States. The bloc now sanctions the use of force to fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. But it remains to be seen if the EU will be able to translate words into action on issues like Iran's nuclear program.
• Kazakhstan: Astana Puts New Emphasis On Military RFE/L 17 Jun 2003 -- Kazakhstan is planning not only to reform its armed forces but reshape them entirely and rebuild a Soviet-era military-industrial complex. Faced with growing regional tensions and hoping to become one of the world's biggest oil producers, Kazakhstan may well feel the need to bolster its military capability. But if successful, this process will change the balance of power in Central Asia and may leave neighbors to the south feeling threatened.
• EDS destroys 15 chemical rounds in D.C suburbs Army News Service 17 Jun 2003-- Working through weekends and one holiday over a 30-day period, the Army destroyed June 11 the last of 15 World War I-era chemical rounds found in a northwest Washington, D.C., suburban area known as Spring Valley about two years ago.
• `Land Warrior' takes Army from bayonets to body armor Army News Service 17 Jun 2003-- Visitors to the Army birthday celebration at the Pentagon June 13 had a chance to see some of the latest technology designed for soldiers.
• Seminar develops Joint Operating Environment Army News Service 17 Jun 2003-- The first actions to develop a shared vision of the world's future military environment for the United States armed forces were taken at a first annual Joint Operational Environment seminar in Williamsburg cohosted by the Joint Forces Command and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command June 3-5.
• CNO Says Navy Posturing to Give President Options Navy Newsstand 17 Jun 2003-- The Fleet Response Concept (FRC) will increase the Navy's operational availability by changing the way it deploys, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark told the Defense Writers Group at a recent breakfast meeting.
• NAVAIR clears Seahawks for 12,000 flight hours NAVAIR Release 17 Jun 2003-- In April, NAVAIR's Air Vehicle Engineering Department (AIR-4.3)cleared the in-service U.S. Navy Seahawk fleet of H-60B/F/Hs to continue flying to 12,000 hours. This milestone marks a major achievement for the numerous Seahawks currently supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as a variety of Counter Drug and Homeland Security Operations.
• Marines patrol night, Iraqis sleep safe Marine Corps News 17 Jun 2003-- On the dimly lit streets of northern Karbala, there is little to give the people a sense of safety, except I Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, which is driving back fear by driving back crime.
• Attackers wounded by own grenades in theft attempt Marine Corps News 17 Jun 2003-- Marines responded to calls for help on June 8 after criminals trying to steal cooking gas threw concussion grenades at a city mosque.
• U.S. planes filled with Iraqi fuel AFPN 17 Jun 2003-- For the first time in history, U.S. aircraft were refueled with captured Iraqi aircraft gas here June 14.
• Marine squadron expanding its UAV coverage Marine Corps News 17 Jun 2003-- Buzzing sounds ripple through the morning silence June 13 as Marines hurry back and forth on the dirt airstrip near the Euphrates River.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 17 Jun 2003 -- Troops from 19 nations begin joint exercises as part of NATO program / EU boosts Balkans aid to smooth road to membership / Britain sends UN Ambassador Greenstock to Iraq / U.S. forces detain hundreds in Iraqi raids / U.S. joint chief of staff arrives in Romania
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 17 Jun 2003 -- Gen. Jones-EUCOM-(continued) / Ivanov: NATO grateful for Russian offer of peacekeeping help in Afghanistan / Local authorities reportedly opposed to ISAF's deployment in Herat province / EU calls on Iran to open nuclear sites / Paris police target Iranian group / Peacekeepers kill two in Congo

• Somalia, Kenya Presidents Hold Talks on Terrorism, Refugees VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The president of Somalia's Transitional National Government is in Nairobi for talks with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on terrorism and other issues affecting their two countries. And they will also be talking about the future of Somalia.

• REFUGEES: FRANCE / CULTURE VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- France is the third most popular European destination for refugees, with Algerians and Turks accounting for two of the largest groups of refugee applicants. But many Muslims and Arabs head to France for economic, not political, reasons.

• Powell to Discuss North Korea, Burma at ASEAN Regional Forum Washington File 17 Jun 2003 -- North Korea, Burma, Aceh, and HIV/AIDS are the topics Secretary of State Colin Powell plans to highlight in his upcoming discussions with his counterparts at the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Regional Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• JORDAN/ELECTION VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Election officials in Jordan are tallying results of Tuesday's parliamentary election. Observers are watching closely to see how many seats the main Islamist party will win. And an unprecedented number of female candidates are waiting to see who will win the seats that, for the first time, are reserved for them.
• Central Asia: Leaders Converge In Tehran RFE/L 17 Jun 2003 -- The presidents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan's Transitional Authority are in Tehran for talks that are expected to culminate in the signing of an agreement on a transport corridor from Uzbekistan to the Persian Gulf.
• Japan Ties Relations with Burma to Release of Pro-Democracy Leader VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Japan says it will reconsider its relations with Burma if it does not release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• POWELL / BANGLADESH TRIP VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit Bangladesh on Thursday (June 19), for meetings expected to focus on stability in the South Asia region. Mr. Powell will be accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca
• Jordanians Hold Parliamentary Election VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Voters in Jordan are going to the polls to elect a new lower house of parliament. Turnout is expected to be relatively low, but election officials say they are pleased by the way things have gone.
• Kenyan Anti-Corruption Officials Investigating Moi VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Kenyan anti-corruption authorities want to question former President Daniel arap Moi about a scandal involving the disappearance of millions of dollars in public funds.
• TAIWAN SARS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The World Health Organization has removed its SARS-related travel advisory on Taiwan, but the advice to avoid visiting Beijing remains in place.
• JORDAN / ELECTION VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Voters in Jordan are going to the polls to elect a new lower house of parliament. Turnout is expected to be relatively low, but election officials say they are pleased by the way things have gone.
• ASEAN SUMMIT VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- Southeast Asian foreign ministers have ended a two-day meeting in Cambodia, formally asking the military government of Burma to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition politicians. The decision to press Burma breaks with the policy of non-interference long held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN.
• TAIWAN SARS VOA 17 Jun 2003 -- The World Health Organization has removed its SARS-related travel advisory on Taiwan, but the advice to avoid visiting Beijing remains in place.