10 February 2003 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

AFGHANISTAN / ISAF VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Germany and the Netherlands have taken command of the 22-nation International Security Assistance Force, known as ISAF, that is responsible for maintaining security in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
V Corps Units In Receipt of Deployment Orders to the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility 10 Feb 2003
Truman Visits Slovenia Navy News Stand 10 Feb 2003 -- With picturesque, snow-capped mountains and a crisp blue sky for a backdrop, more than 5,500 Sailors and Marines assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and Carrier Air Wing 3 enjoyed a port visit to Koper, Slovenia, and surrounding towns.
24th MEU (SOC) faces changing circumstances USMC 10 Feb 2003 -- The possibility of an extended deployment, fewer port visits, and increased force protection measures - along with the Marine Corps's new stop loss/stop move policy - are some of the circumstances the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is facing in addition to the threat of war against Iraq.
Senior Marine leaders stop briefly at Bagram USMC 10 Feb 2003 -- The 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, and the 14th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael visited Bagram Feb. 6 as part of a whirlwind tour to visit deployed Marines around the world.
Mess Hall Enduring Freedom Opens in Kuwait USMC 10 Feb 2003 -- Mess Hall Enduring Freedom opened its tent flap to all service members and government employees aboard the air base Feb. 1.
DoD Activates Commercial Airlift Reserves for Troops AFPS 10 Feb 2003 -- Commercial airlines have been enlisted by DoD to transport troops and equipment as part of the buildup for possible war with Iraq.
Civil reserve air fleet stage I activation announced AMCNS 10 Feb 2003 -- The Secretary of Defense has given authority to the commander, U.S. Transportation Command, to activate Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet to provide the Department of Defense additional airlift capability to move U.S. troops and military cargo.
Bataan Deploys on Short Notice Navy NewStand 10 Feb 2003 -- Crew members of USS Bataan (LHD 5) were enjoying the holidays when they got word they might deploy. Although the multipurpose amphibious assault ship had recently returned from Operation Enduring Freedom and had barely been out of the yards three months, plans to get underway kicked off immediately.
3rd LAAD ensures high readiness with low altitude air defense USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- Marines from 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, who are attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (Rein), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) practiced the firing procedures of engaging live targets with a simulated Stinger missile system Jan. 22.
Biological agents - the unseen enemy USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- With the recent build up of service members in the Middle East, it is important for military members to be educated on what they should do in case they come in contact with a biological agent.
Steaming ahead with eyes wide open USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- The American flag flies in very few places where you can't order a pizza. The USS Boxer, under way in the Pacific Ocean, is one of them.
Coast Guard admiral visits PSU 309 as they prepare to deploy USCG News 10 Feb 2003 -- Port Security Unit (PSU 309) is hosting a media availability day, Tuesday Feb. 11 between 10-11 a.m. Rear Admiral Ronald Silva, Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District (the Great Lakes), will visit PSU 309 as the unit prepares to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
AFGHANISTAN: New ISAF command IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- German Defence Minister Peter Struck announced on Monday that the new German-Dutch led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan had many challenges ahead. ISAF, for more than a year now, has played an important policing/security role in the capital Kabul only, despite pleas from the government and NGOs that its mandate be extended to other parts of the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

Joint Military Exercise Called Example of New U.S-India Ties Washignton File 10 Feb 2003 -- The U.S.-Indian relationship has undergone a powerful transformation in the past two years under the leadership of President Bush and Prime Minister Vajpayee, said U.S. Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill February 10 at the United Service Institution of India in New Delhi, India.
Air Force joins Navy, NATO, allied forces for exercise in Puerto Rico AMCNS 10 Feb 2003 -- When the Prowler pilot squawked "joining on your starboard wing," KC-135 pilot Derek Salmi figured out quickly what "starboard" meant when he saw the jet appear on the right wing of his flying gas station over Vieques Island, Peurto Rico.
America's Global Mobility - a total team effort AMCNS 10 Feb 2003 -- "One team, one fight" is the rallying cry for all mobility warriors who make up the total force team. And nowhere is it more evident than at an Air Force Reserve base and two Air National Guard units that are key elements of the airlift and tanker airbridge over the Atlantic Ocean.
RestOps gives Osan ability to 'bounce back from attack' AMCNS 10 Feb 2003 -- Exercise Beverly Bulldog 03-01 for Osan is not only a test of its ability to receive forces, defend the base and take the fight north. It also serves as a test bed for an advanced concept technology demonstration known as Restoration of Operations, or RestOps.
731st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tests AMC offload/exchange zone procedure AMCNS 10 Feb 2003 -- After shutting down the engines after a two and a half hour flight, the C-130 crew opened the hatch to offload the cargo and passengers destined for Osan.
Special Operators put power behind Piston PACAFNS 10 Feb 2003 -- Senior Airman John Butterbaugh, an aircraft electrician with the 353rd Maintenance Squadron, enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame at Balance Piston Friday.
Rest Ops final demonstration yields informative assessment PACAFNS 10 Feb 2003 -- Upon his arrival here, the Pacific Air Forces Restoration of Operations operation's manager stated he didn't want his team's efforts to impede those of the 51st Fighter Wing and would do everything to minimize their impact on the exercise.
USTRANSCOM awarded Joint Meritorious Unit Award TRANSCOM 10 Feb 2003 -- The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, has awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to Headquarters United States Transportation Command for exceptionally meritorious achievement. USTRANSCOM subordinate joint units receiving the JMUA include the Joint Transportation Reserve Unit, the Global Patient Movement Requirements Center, and the Joint Intelligence Center.
Mishaps provide source of information for NAVAIR NAVAIR 10 Feb 2003 -- When a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat pilot and his radar interceptor were forced to eject from their aircraft into the Caribbean late last month, they probably didn't know how valuable their experience was to a small group of men and women at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) facility in Patuxent River, Md.
Bataan Recognized for Ship's Store Excellence Navy NewStand 10 Feb 2003 -- The ship's store aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) has something that only three other ships in the Atlantic Fleet have achieved this year-- the Ship's Store Retail and Service Excellence Award.
Engaged in combat scenarios...Corpsmen stay afloat during Vernal Tide USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- The buildings that stand erect throughout Combat Town in the Central Training Area near Camp Hansen host many training events throughout the year. Marines engaged in firefights is a common site.
1st Force Recon jumps ship to train in Hawaii USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- detachment of Marines from 3rd platoon, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, and Marines from 1st Platoon, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Battalion Landing Team 2/1, both attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) recently trained at Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, to enhance their war fighting techniques.
Maritime Special Purpose Force raids USS Duluth during VBSS USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- Waking up before the sun peeked over the horizon, Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's (Special Operations Capable) Maritime Special Purpose Force, were preparing their gear to conduct a Visit Board Search and Seizure exercise Jan. 28.
Artillerymen train for combat readiness: Marines brave cold during exercise at Fuji USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- Nearly 200 Marines of S Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, are currently deployed here for an artillery relocation exercise.
A team effort: IPAC sets high standards for MCAAT USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- The Installation Personnel Administration Center here recently achieved the highest score, 97.85, throughout all of Japan for the Marine Corps Administration Analysis Team inspection.
Shooting for perfection: New pistol range opens on Camp Hansen USMC News 10 Feb 2003 -- Numerous guests were present to witness the recent opening of the new pistol range here.
Official Gives Background Briefing on Rumsfeld Meetings in Munich Washignton File 10 Feb 2003 -- A senior Defense Department official briefed reporters in Munich February 8 on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's bilateral meetings during the Conference on European Security Policy.
Qatar Support in Terror War Called "Outstanding" Washignton File 10 Feb 2003 -- State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher praised Qatar's support in the war on terrorism and denied allegations accusing the royal family of harboring terrorists.
State Department Details World Military Expenditures, Arms Transfers Washignton File 10 Feb 2003 -- The following fact sheet on "Military Expenditures and Arms Transfers 1999-2000" was issued by the U.S. State Department on February 6.
NATO CRISIS VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Defense experts say it could take NATO a long time to recover from the divisions over how to deal with Iraq between the United States and Britain on one side, and France and Germany on the other.
PENTAGON/NATO VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says Belgium, France, and Germany made a mistake by blocking NATO plans for defending Turkey in the event of a war with Iraq.
TURKEY / NATO / IRAQ VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Turkish leaders are seeking to play down a dispute within the NATO alliance over preparations to defend the country against Iraqi attack in case of a war.
NATO / IRAQ VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- NATO has again failed to break a deadlock over whether the alliance should begin planning to defend Turkey in case of a war against Iraq.
PENTAGON/HORN OF AFRICA VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The Pentagon is moving forward to cement its military ties with countries in the Horn of Africa as an integral part of the global war on terrorism.
SUPSHIP San Diego Supports West 'Gator' Fleet Deployment NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) San Diego and its partners from the Navy maintenance community and private industry recently focused their efforts to support the accelerated deployment of several west coast amphibious ships.
NSWC Indian Head delivers New Training System to the Fleet NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division delivered two of three Integrated Maritime Portable Acoustic Scoring & Simulator (IMPASS) Systems to the fleet this past December, providing the Navy an entirely new capability to qualify navy gun teams and live-fire exercises without the use of land target ranges.
An Interview with Admiral Bowman NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- While talk of war grew louder, the Navy quietly began one of its most important projects recently. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard started work on the three-year refueling and conversion of the Trident submarine USS Ohio.
NAVSEA and PEO Realignment - Top Level Goals; Strategies and Alignments NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- NAVSEA's realignment, although primarily affecting the Headquarters and Program Executive Offices (PEOs), will impact all NAVSEA because it is the command's goal to function as one SYSCOM/PEO organization without unnecessary administrative boundaries. In these times of changing threat environments, decreasing budgets and advanced technology, NAVSEA cannot afford to work separately from one another.
Navy Command Seeks To Change With The Times NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says America is waging a "new kind of war." To help win it, the Admiral in charge of the Navy's weapons-buying command says he is looking to conduct business in new ways. Government auditors say the Navy still lacks many staples of a successful organization: adequate management controls, financial accountability, effective inventory systems, etc. And today's talk of reforming acquisition has been heard before over the years, though the rhetoric still has not produced anything near an efficient Defense Department.
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Rapidly Provides Supportable AT/FP Technical Solutions to America's War Fighter NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- There is no question that recent terrorist attacks and world events have brought about a heightened sense of urgency for protecting Navy personnel, equipment, installations, and high value assets from the asymmetric threat. It is also certain there is no "Silver Bullet" in existence today that will protect America's war fighter in any given situation. In fact, integrated solution sets are required to protect the Fleet providing a layered defense-in-depth coverage of areas of interest.
NSWC Indian Head Delivers New Training System to the Fleet NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head delivered two of three Integrated Maritime Portable Acoustic Scoring & Simulator (IMPASS) Systems to the fleet in December, providing the Navy an entirely new capability to qualify navy gun teams and live-fire exercises without the use of land target ranges.
NAVSEA Proposes Contract for New Anti-Air Warfare Missile NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- After surveying the market to determine sources for existing and potential new technologies to aid in the development of an extended range anti-air missile with active seeker capability, NAVSEA is proposing to award a sole-source development contract to Raytheon Missile Systems. This next generation Standard Missile would satisfy both the extended range and active seeker requirements. Raytheon is currently the sole producer of surface-to-air Missiles for the US Navy, including the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIB (a medium-range missile) and Block IV (an extended-range missile).
Divers' Ship Husbandry Techniques Save Money, Avoid Dry-docking NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- "Cannibalization" of a sonar array from the decommissioned destroyer Nicholson (DD 982) is allowing NAVSEA's Salvage and Diving professionals to recover valuable equipment for use on another ship while saving time, money and a trip to the dry dock. Divers are on-scene this week in Philadelphia under the direction of NAVSEA's Office of the Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) (or 00C as it is known in the Fleet). Led by LT Robert McClellan, a team of divers is cutting into the ship's sonar dome to remove the SQS-53 sonar transducers for re-utilization.
USS Nimitz Battle Group Successfully Tests Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) for Readiness NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- After several recent test events, the first west coast battle group to include Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), the USS Nimitz Battle Group, has been declared fully capable. A final flag panel was convened in Washington D.C. on January 28th and certified the effectiveness of the group's self-defense and detect-control-engage capabilities.
NSWC Port Hueneme completes Task Force Web Application NAVSEA 10 Feb 2003 -- Due to the efforts of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division's, Air Dominance Department, the AEGIS Combat System and Joint Battle Force Capabilities and Limitations (C&L) Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals are now a Task Force Web application aboard Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group ships.
Seabees Add Depth to Joint-Service Engineer Group Navy News Stand 10 Feb 2003 -- U.S. Navy Seabees and the U.S. Marine Corps have a storied history of working together in peace and in war. Now the two groups are demonstrating new versatility and forging stronger ties in their traditional relationship while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Navy Unveils New "Perform to Serve" Program Navy News Stand 10 Feb 2003 -- The Navy announced today the next step in shaping the force to improve combat readiness. The program, called Perform to Serve, encourages Sailors to reenlist for ratings with more advancement opportunity.
Guardians of the road USMC 10 Feb 2003 -- The Marines of 2nd Military Police Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, have another mission as they defend the massive amounts of military gear rolling down the Kuwaiti freeways as the military buildup in support of the war on terror continues.

Defense Industry

BAE SYSTEMS FIST Solution Would Create Long-Term Employment BAE Systems 10 Feb 2003 -- BAE Systems today revealed the long-term employment benefits to Britain that will accrue from its down-selection to fulfil the Assessment and Demonstration & Manufacturing phases of the UK Ministry of Defence's Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme.
LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS SHIP CONCEPT STUDY TO THE NAVY Lockheed Martin 10 Feb 2003 -- Lockheed Martin's Marine Systems division in Baltimore delivered today its Focused Mission Ship (FMS) Concept Study to the U.S. Navy. The report concludes that the Navy's platform requirements can be achieved within the required $220 million cost target. The Lockheed Martin Baltimore-led team was one of three study teams that Lockheed Martin supported. The study is the culmination of 90 days of intensive design and analyses conducted in collaboration with the Navy and Lockheed Martin partners.
Fire Scout Testing Continues with Envelope Expansion, Ground Control Station Integration Flights Northrop Grumman 10 Feb 2003 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Integrated Systems sector continued its successful flight testing of the U.S. Navy RQ-8A Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned system in January with the first flights of the second engineering and manufacturing development air vehicle (E-2); the first flight fully operated with the U.S. Navy S-280 ground control station, and a three-hour flight to demonstrate ship-landing approach profiles and wave-off maneuvers. All tests were conducted at the Webster Field annex of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

Other Conflicts

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 10 Feb 2003

UN envoy urges cooperation to halt 'epidemic of rebellion' in West Africa UN News Centre 10 Feb 2003 -- Urging the international community and West African leaders to work together to "halt the epidemic of rebellion" plaguing the region, the top United Nations envoy for the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire today ended her five-country tour of the area with a final stop in Mali.
'Dramatic change' in Angola since end of deadly conflict, Annan says UN News Centre 10 Feb 2003 -- Despite a history of unsuccessful attempts at achieving durable peace, Angola is now firmly placed on the path of political, social and economic recovery, according to a report by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan released today in New York.
ANGOLA: WFP conducts food airdrops IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- The World Food Programme (WFP) has performed its first food airdrops in Angola in 10 years in a bid to reach people cut off from road transport in Luvemba, in the central highlands.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Israeli forces have arrested three Palestinians in the West Bank who Israel says were on their way to carry out suicide bombings. One of them was carrying a 20-kilogram bomb.
SUDAN: Next round of talks to focus on disputed areas, says government IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- Peace talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), due to resume on 1 March, will focus on the three disputed areas of Southern Blue Nile, the Nuba Mountains (Southern Kordofan State) and Abyei (further south in Southern Kordofan), according to Muhammad Dirdeiry, the spokesman at the Sudanese embassy in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
SUDAN: Bring militia groups on board, says ICG IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- A think-tank, the International Crisis Group (ICG), has said much more attention needs to be paid to pro-government southern militia groups in Sudan in order for the peace process to work.

IVORY COAST VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- In Ivory Coast, a new prime minister has officially taken up his duties, marking the first concrete step toward the implementation of a peace accord with rebels.
COTE D'IVOIRE: West African leaders discuss post-Marcoussis peace process IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- West African leaders met on Monday in the Ivorian capital, Yamoussoukro, to discuss the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire following the acceptance by President Laurent Gbagbo of an agreement concluded on 24 January in Linas-Marcoussis, France, that paves the way for a government of national reconciliation.

SOMALIA: Peace talks to be moved to Nairobi IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- The Somali peace talks currently under way in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret are to be moved to the capital, Nairobi, by the end of this week, according to a source close to the talks.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: WFP unable to reach almost 5,400 IDPs IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- Due to insecurity in the northern Central African Republic, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it is unable to reach almost 5,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) targeted for emergency relief.
CONGO: EU grants €1.99 million to boost health services in conflict zones IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- The EU has given €1.99 million (US $2.16 million) to three NGOs in the Republic of Congo (ROC) to improve health services over a period of 18 months in zones affected by civil war, the EU announced on 7 February from the capital, Brazzaville.
LIBERIA: Displaced increase to 7,000 IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- The Liberian government said on Saturday that it was searching for land from private owners near the capital, Monrovia, to settle at least 7,000 people displaced by renewed fighting between its troops and rebels.

News Reports

SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 10 Feb 2003
SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 10 Feb 2003
U.S. Condemns Assassination of Senior Kurdish Military Commander Washignton File 10 Feb 2003 -- The United States condemns the assassination of senior Kurdish military commander by a group connected to al-Qaeda network and extends its "deepest condolences" to his family and colleagues, according to State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.
EAST AFRICA / FAMINE VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- U-S officials and humanitarian workers are warning that a severe drought in East Africa threatens to cause widespread famine in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The looming crisis could affect more than 15-million people. Officials say severe famine could cause political instability in a strategic region of the world.
Head of UN agency warns not to let aid for Palestinians suffer due to focus on Iraq UN News Centre 10 Feb 2003 -- The head of the United Nations lead agency for Palestinian refugees, Peter Hansen, today appealed to the international community not to let the West Bank and Gaza slide down its list of priorities as the world focuses on a potential conflict in Iraq.
SERBIA/MONTENEGRO VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The new state of Serbia and Montenegro is only one week old, but because of failed elections Sunday in Montenegro, neither of the two former Yugoslav republics has an elected president.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The United Nations, after a week-long selection process, assigned 18 judges to the International Criminal Court, a permanent tribunal dedicated to trying war criminals.
U-S/CHINA/TRIAL VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The United States is expressing deep concern over the case of a U-S-based Chinese dissident, Wang Bingzhang, given a life prison term Monday by a Chinese court on charges of terrorism and spying for Taiwan.
BURMA / HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Amnesty International has urged Burma's military government to release more than 12-hundred political prisoners, and to throw out many laws used to justify detaining them. But even as the group spoke in Bangkok, 12 pro-democracy activists were being arrested in Rangoon.
GARDEN/NATO VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The NATO alliance has plunged into crisis over a decision by France, Belgium, and Germany to block a U-S proposal for the alliance to make plans to defend Turkey in the event of war with Iraq. Tim Garden is a NATO specialist and professor in the Center for Defense Studies at King's College in London.
SAUDI ARABIA/HAJJ VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- About two-million Muslims have gathered at Islam's most sacred site to pray for forgiveness and guidance in what is the highlight of Islam's annual pilgrimage, the Hajj.
CUBA / U-S VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- Cuba is calling for the repatriation of four coast guardsmen who defected to the United States last week.
MONTENEGRO / ELECTIONS VOA 09 Feb 2003 -- The Balkan republic of Montenegro has once again failed to elect its president Sunday. Less than the required 50 percent of the voters turned up to cast their ballot.
HAJJ/ ID-AL ADHA VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The annual Muslim season of Hajj is under way. Every Muslim who is financially capable is enjoined by the Koran, the holy Muslim scripture, to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at the annual season of Hajj at least once in his or her lifetime. The culmination of the Hajj season is the "Id-Al Adha, " the festival of sacrifice, which this year falls on Tuesday, February 11th and continues until Friday.
ZIMBABWE/TRIAL VOA 10 Feb 2003 -- The Zimbabwe government issued a certificate of secrecy on Monday to keep a document out of the treason trial of three opposition leaders.
ZIMBABWE: Re-admission to Commonwealth a step closer IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- Zimbabwe could well be readmitted into the Commonwealth after a year-long suspension ends in March, news reports said on Monday.
NIGERIA: Court strikes out case against Obasanjo IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- A court in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Monday struck out a suit challenging President Olusegun Obasanjo’s nomination as the candidate of the ruling party.
TOGO: New code reduces mandate of independent electoral commission IRIN 10 Feb 2003 -- A new electoral code that transfers responsability for preparing and organising elections from Togo's Independent National Elections Commission (CENI - Commission électorale nationale independante) to the Ministry of the Interior was adopted by the Togolese parliament on Thursday.

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