March 2005 - Iraq Special Weapons News

16 March 2005 - Iraq Special Weapons News

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Mar 2005 [PDF]
Soldier dies of injuries sustained from IED explosion
Task Force Baghdad Soldiers detain two local nationals MNF-I/MNCI 16 Mar 2005 -- A Task Force Baghdad platoon detained two local nationals at 1 a.m. March 16 in east Baghdad.
Task Force Baghdad Soldiers discover weapons, ammunition MNF-I/MNCI 16 Mar 2005 -- On March 15, a Task Force Baghdad unit discovered a weapons cache which included rocket-propelled grenades and other ammunition.
Mortars impact in International Zone MNF-I/MNCI 16 Mar 2005 -- Two explosions were reported in the International Zone around 11 a.m. March 16.
Airmen keep Iraqi airways clear AFPN 16 Mar 2005 -- As 1st Lt. Damian Wanliss enters his cold, dark office, dimly lit by the green glare of the screen ahead, he takes a deep breath and anticipates another day of directing traffic in the chaotic Iraqi sky.

U.S. House Passes Supplemental Funding for Iraq, Afghanistan Washington File 16 Mar 2005 -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation March 16 that would provide $81.4 billion in emergency 2005 supplemental appropriations to fund continuing military operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S.: Bush Insists Iraq 'Coalition Of The Willing' Not Crumbling RFE/RL 16 Mar 2005 -- U.S. President George W. Bush held an unexpected news conference at the White House on 16 March in which he faced questions about the dwindling military coalition in Iraq, the European and American effort to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions and suspicions that the United States is sending suspected foreign militants to their home countries, where they might face torture during interrogations.
BUSH / ITALY / IRAQ VOA 16 Mar 2005 -- President Bush says Italy's decision to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq is not a blow to the international coalition supporting the formation of a new government in Baghdad. Italy is the latest member of that coalition to announce plans to start bringing soldiers home.
Coalition Buoyed by Iraqi People's Courage, Bush Says AFPS 16 Mar 2005 -- President Bush issued assurances today during a news conference here that the coalition in Iraq is not crumbling.

As new Iraqi assembly meets, UN hails seminal moment of unlimited hope UN News Centre 16 Mar 2005 -- The United Nations today hailed the convening of the new Iraqi Transitional National Assembly as a seminal moment with unlimited opportunities for the future of the war-torn country, pledging the world body's help in the tasks and challenges that lie ahead.

Iraq Police graduate 144 from basic training MNF=I/MNCI 16 Mar 2005 -- The Iraq Police Service graduated 144 new police officers from the Al Kut Regional Training Academy on March 16.
Iraq Holds Festive First Session Of Parliament RFE/RL 16 Mar 2005 -- Iraq's new parliament today convened in a festive atmosphere for its first session.
Iraq: Assembly Holds First Session, Without Government Deal RFE/RL 16 Mar 2005 -- Iraq's National Assembly held its first session on 16 March, six weeks after Iraq's first democratic elections and two years after the U.S.-led invasion. The session was largely ceremonial, as Shi'a Muslim and Kurdish politicians have not yet finalized a deal to form a new government.
Iraq National Assembly Meets For First Time RFE/RL 16 Mar 2005 -- Iraq's National Assembly met today in Baghdad for the first time since its 275 deputies were elected more than six weeks ago.
IRAQ / HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 16 Mar 2005 -- A senior Iraqi official has appealed for international support for his country's efforts to build a strong, democratic society. In a speech to the U.N. Human Rights Commission, the official told delegates from other countries that their security is closely linked with the security of Iraq.

Germany partners with Iraq, United Arab Emirates for training MNF=I/MNCI 16 Mar 2005 -- An agreement between Iraq, Germany and the United Arab Emirates to jointly train Iraqi military forces is clearing the way for the preparation and equipping of an Iraqi engineering unit.

Iraqi Media Monitoring UNAMI 16 Mar 2005
Analysis: Arab Media Contribute To Instability In Iraq RFE/RL 16 Mar 2005 -- Iraqis took to the streets this week in three days of protests against an 11 March article published in Jordan's "Al-Ghadd" newspaper that claimed the family of an alleged Jordanian suicide bomber celebrated their son's "martyrdom" in Iraq.