December 2006 - Iraq Special Weapons News

20 December 2006 - Iraq Special Weapons News

Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Gates from Iraq 20 Dec 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace, Commander U.S. Central Command Gen. John Abizaid and Commander Multinational Force-Iraq Gen. George Casey
CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 20 AFPN 20 Dec 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 20.
Forces Capture Suspects; Terrorist Detonate Car Bombs AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces captured suspected terrorists and contraband during operations in Iraq over the past three days, and terrorists continued killing and wounding civilians with car bombs.

Press Conference by the President The White House 20 Dec 2006
Bush Says United States Remains Clear About Its Purpose in Iraq Washington File 20 Dec 2006 -- President Bush says violent sectarian extremists in Iraq have damaged national reconciliation efforts and hurt efforts to rebuild the country, but the United States remains committed to the goal of an Iraq “which can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself.”
Bush Predicts Tough Year in Iraq VOA 20 Dec 2006 -- President Bush is predicting another tough year ahead in Iraq

Gates Arrives in Baghdad for Talks With Military, Iraqi Leaders AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here today on a surprise pre-Christmas visit to meet with troops, generals and Iraqi leaders in order to assess the situation on the ground.
Bush Says Victory in Iraq ‘Achievable’ AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Victory in Iraq is achievable, and retreat from Iraq is not an option, President Bush said today during a White House news conference.
Bush Looks to Gates for ‘Fresh Perspective’ in Charting Way Ahead in Iraq AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- President Bush said today he’s counting on new Defense Secretary Robert Gates to bring a fresh perspective to the Pentagon, and he vowed to continue ensuring U.S. troops have what they need to accomplish their mission.
Gates: Nothing More Important Than Succeeding in Iraq AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Succeeding in Iraq is the Defense Department’s top priority, newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, said here today.

CENTCOM’s Abizaid Plans Spring Retirement AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command, plans to retire from the Army in the spring, he said during a Baghdad press conference today.

Iraq.: Key U.S. Democratic Leader Outlines His Strategy On Iraq RFE/RL 20 Dec 2006 -- The November 7 legislative elections gave the U.S. Democratic Party majorities in both houses of Congress.

Iraq Officials Assume Control in An Najaf AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Iraqi officials in An Najaf assumed security control of the province today during a ceremony in the holy city of Najaf.
Iraq: Vice President Appeals For More Coalition Troops RFE/RL 20 Dec 2006 -- Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi has said he remains optimistic about his country's future, despite the spiraling wave of violence, which some already consider a civil war.
Iraq Weekly Status Report US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2006 [PDF]

Iraqi vice-president stands by charge Bush "brainwashed" Blair IRNA 20 Dec 2006 -- Iraqi Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi Wednesday stood by his charge that US President George W Bush had "blackmailed" British Prime Minister Tony Blair with his refusal to announce a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
Al-Qaida Deputy Says US Talking to Wrong People in Iraq VOA 20 Dec 2006 -- Al-Qaida's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahri, has vowed continued terrorist attacks and says the United States is negotiating with the wrong people in its quest to end the violence in Iraq