20 February 2006 Military News

Iraq Attacks Kill At Least 19 RFE/RL 20 Feb 2006 -- At least 19 people were killed in Iraq this morning in three separate attacks.
Bombings Kill at Least 17 in Iraq VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- At least 17 Iraqis and a U.S. soldier were killed Monday in bombing attacks across Iraq.
Soldier Killed in Attack; Troops Nab Suspects, Weapons AFPS 20 Feb 2006 -- A U.S. soldier was killed in Iraq today, and coalition and Iraqi forces detained 42 suspected terrorists and discovered weapons caches, officials in Iraq reported today.

Joint Military Response to Mudslide Continues in Philippines AFPS 20 Feb 2006 -- The joint military response to a devastating Feb. 17 mudslide in southern Leyte in the Philippines continues today, much of it being provided by sailors, Marines and airmen who were already in the region for a joint multinational training exercise, Balikatan, officials reported.
Forward Deployed ARG Arrives in Leyte to Provide Humanitarian Assistance Navy NewsStand 20 Feb 2006 -- Sailors and Marines from the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Joint Task Force (JTF) Balikatan and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) arrived off the coast here Feb. 19 to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the victims of a wide-sweeping mudslide.
USS Essex, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Curtis Wilbur Arrive on Station to Help Philippine Mudslide Victims Navy NewsStand 20 Feb 2006 -- USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Joint Task Force (JTF) Balikatan arrived on station off the coast of Southern Leyte to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) Feb. 19 for victims of a recent mudslide there.

Talks on Kosovo's Status Open in Vienna VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- Ethnic Albanian and Serb delegations have begun U.N.-mediated talks on the future of the province of Kosovo
Hamas Opens Talks On Coalition Government RFE/RL 20 Feb 2006 -- The militant group Hamas is today beginning coalition talks to form a Palestinian government despite winning a clear parliamentary majority in January's elections.
Hamas Annuls Recent Palestinian Parliament Votes RFE/RL 20 Feb 2006 -- The new Hamas speaker of the Palestinian parliament today ordered a freeze on all decisions made by outgoing parliament last week.
Iranian Leader Calls On Muslims To Fund Palestinians RFE/RL 20 Feb 2006 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Muslims worldwide should provide money to the Palestinians.
Hamas Seeks Coalition Government VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is holding talks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on forming a new Palestinian government

SOMALIA: Fifteen killed as militias clash in Mogadishu IRIN 20 Feb 2006 -- At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds of families displaced in fighting that started on Saturday between rival militias in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses said.
NEPAL: The political context of the crisis in Nepal IRIN 20 Feb 2006 -- The 1 February 2005 takeover of executive powers by King Gyanendra has led to a new era of uncertainty in the tiny mountain kingdom of Nepal.
NEPAL: Overview analysis: A people’s war? IRIN 20 Feb 2006 -- Nepal’s brutal conflict between Maoist insurgents and security forces has exacted a heavy toll on the civilian population, especially those in contested hill districts, many of whom already live near or on the global poverty threshold.
Kosovo: Talks On Province's Future Begin In Vienna RFE/RL 20 Feb 2006 -- Serbian and ethnic Albanian negotiators began direct talks today on the future status of Kosovo
Militants in Nigeria's Oil Region Claim New Strike VOA 20 Feb 2006 -- Militants in Nigeria's volatile, but oil-rich, Niger Delta say they have struck again, just days after abducting a group of foreign oil workers

White House Briefing, February 20 Washington File 20 Feb 2006 -- Philippines, Mexico, immigration reform, alternative energy sources, Advance Energy Initiative

DRC: Congo gets new constitution, new flag IRIN 20 Feb 2006 -- President Joseph Kabila has promulgated the Democratic Republic of Congo's new constitution and new flag, a move that paves the way for the beginning of the country's electoral process, expected to end with presidential elections midyear.
GREAT LAKES: Regional ministerial meeting opens IRIN 20 Feb 2006 -- Foreign ministers from Africa's Great Lakes region began a meeting on Monday in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR) to finalise preparations for a heads of state summit due to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, later in the year.