27 March 2005 Military News

I Marine Expeditionary Force transfers authority of Multi-National Force-West to II Marine Expeditionary Force MNF-I/MNC-I 27 Mar 2005 -- Lieutenant Gen. John F. Sattler, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, transferred authority of Multi-National Force-West to Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), during a ceremony here today.
Successful Security Force operations continue to stifle terrorists MNF-I/MNC-I 74 Mar 2005 -- Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) and Iraqi Security Forces detained a total of 18 suspected terrorist during operations in northern Iraq March 26 and 27.
Violence Continues In Iraq RFE/RL 24 Mar 2005 -- Reports say a suicide car bomber blew himself up today in the path of a U.S. military convoy in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Iraqi police say it is not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

THAILAND / MUSLIM UNREST VOA 27 Mar 2005 -- An armed attack on a train carrying police and troops in Southern Thailand has left more than a dozen people wounded. The attack appears to represent an escalation in the violent tactics used by separatists in the country's Muslim-dominated South.
ISRAEL-GAZA PULLOUT VOA 27 Mar 2005 -- Israel's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip this summer is set for implementation, after a key obstacle is removed. And Israel's embattled leader got an additional boost from the Bush Administration.

KYRGYZSTAN/ POL VOA 27 Mar 2005 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is dispatching three constitutional experts to Kyrgyzstan to help resolve a political crisis over two rival parliaments competing for power in the aftermath of protests over disputed elections.
Kyrgyz Election Body Recognizes New Parliament RFE/RL 24 Mar 2005 -- Kyrgyzstan's Election Commission today gave its stamp of approval to the country's newly elected parliament, which met for a brief session in Bishkek.
Pro-Akaev Protesters Demonstrate RFE/RL 24 Mar 2005 -- Reports say that protesters supporting ousted President Askar Akaev have blocked a main road linking his hometown with the Kyrgyz capital today.
Kyrgyz Leaders Facing Crisis Over Legitimacy RFE/RL 24 Mar 2005 -- In a statement late yesterday, the Kremlin said ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev has asked permission to visit Russia and that his request has been granted.