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Military


13 March 2003 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

  • White House Daily Briefing White House 13 Mar 2003
  • Transcript: Force Health Protection Briefing 13 Mar 2003 -- "Today, we have a panel of experts, led by Assistant Secretary of Defense William Winkenwerder, to walk you through the important issue of force health protection."
  • U-S MILITARY / MEDIA VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The U-S Defense Department has allowed hundreds of journalists from around the world to live and travel with U-S military units in the Gulf region, as the units prepare for a possible war in Iraq. The so-called media embedding process is getting mixed reviews from both sides.
  • Policymakers visit 'Top of the World' AFSPC News 13 Mar 2003 -- Denmark's foreign minister and the Greenland Home Rule premier visited Thule March 10 as part of ongoing talks between Denmark and Greenland regarding a U.S. proposal to include Thule's radar in the U.S. missile defense initiative. "Missile defense has created concerns for the population of Greenland," said Greenland Premier Hans Enoksen. "But, we are willing to make it happen and make it a success. With continued cooperation, we can make this a win-win for all."
  • Commentary: Reshaping the force never an easy task AFSPC News 13 Mar 2003 -- Over the next seven years, Air Force Space Command will trim 1,125 manpower positions. That is our share of the more than 13,200 reductions the Air Force must make before the end of the decade.
  • Manpower reductions planned throughout AFSPC AFSPC News 13 Mar 2003 -- Air Force Space Command will trim 1,125 employee positions over the next seven years as part of an Air Force initiative to realign more than 13,000 active-duty and civilian manpower authorizations by 2010.
  • Wyoming missile successfully launches from Vandenberg AFSPC News 13 Mar 2003 -- An unarmed Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully launched March 12 at 1:29 a.m.
  • Free software helps protect AMC people, mission AMCNS 13 Mar 2003 -- A new license contract between the Defense Information Systems Agency and a leading software developer gives Air Mobility Command people more free options in protecting their personal home computers.
  • EOD tests handling of misfired ordnance safety procedures USMC News 13 Mar 2003 -- When new procedures were established by Training and Education Command concerning the handling of misfired ordnance for using units, the station Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit took an interest in what was being said.
  • And...Action!; Media take new place in fighting units USMC News 13 Mar 2003 -- From the heat of Vietnam and Kuwait, to the cold of North Korea, journalists have followed the Marines Corps everywhere it could carry guns. In the past, reporters had to find their own way to where the action was happening, whether by plane, train, or on the back of a water bull. A new Department of Defense policy allows reporters to embed into military units and report from the front lines.
  • Pay attention: FPCON levels, what they mean to you USMC News 13 Mar 2003 -- Due to the current terrorist threat facing our nation, security measures on nearly every military installation, including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar have been stepped up a notch.
  • Leaders discuss changes at Air Force Academy AFPN 13 Mar 2003 -- A special report by the Air Force general counsel on the recent rise in sexual assault allegations at the U.S. Air Force Academy is scheduled for release at the end of March
  • Packing a punch for combat power AFPN 13 Mar 2003 -- Laser and global positioning systems-guided munitions have taken a lot of the guesswork out of bombing so the accuracy and precision of putting bombs on target gets better and better.
  • Renegades Work With USS Mount Vernon During Northern Edge 2003 Navy NewStand 13 Mar 2003 -- Among the many challenges military members face during a joint exercise like Northern Edge 2003 is the challenge of working with a sister service and overcoming the differences between methods of operation.
  • Northeast icy blast fails to chill air bridge pace AFPN 13 Mar 2003 -- Subzero temperatures and a dusting of 4.2 inches of snow March 7 failed to slow the Patriot Wing's support of U.S. military deployments to Southwest Asia.
  • Combined security keeps Ganci safe AFPN 13 Mar 2003 -- Keeping people out of harm's way and protecting resources at Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, is the job of an elite group of professionals who tote radios, weapons and ride in vehicles equipped for rugged terrain.
  • Eberhart briefs Congress on U.S. Northern Command AFPN 13 Mar 2003 -- The commander of America's newest combatant command briefed members of Congress on March 13 about the progress his unit has made since its inception less than six months ago.
  • Program offers electronic deployment information AFPN 13 Mar 2003 -- A Web-based, user-friendly software program Air Force Materiel Command experts here are testing promises warfighters instant access to deployment information. Plus, it will save the Air Force nearly $79 million during a five-year period.
  • Bush Establishes Medals for Global War on Terror AFPS 13 Mar 2003 -- President Bush has issued an executive order establishing two military awards for actions in the global war on terrorism.

  • NATO OPERATION DISPLAY DETERRENCE SET TO BEGIN IN TURKEY NATO AFSOUTH 13 Mar 2003 -- The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General James L Jones, US Marine Corps, has today approved the plan for Operation DISPLAY DETERRENCE, NATO's selective defence of Turkey and Allied forces in Turkey.

Defense Industry

  • Lockheed Martin Delivers Sniper XR Targeting POD to U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin 13 Mar 2003 -- Lockheed Martin ceremonially delivered its Sniper® XRTM's (eXtended Range) Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) to the U.S. Air Force Wednesday in Orlando. Maj. Gen. Donald Wetekam, Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. was keynote speaker for the ceremony.
  • CACI to Provide Intelligence and Information Operations Support to U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command CACI 13 Mar 2003 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been selected by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) of El Segundo, Ca. to be a major subcontractor in support of the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command's (CECOM) Rapid Response (CR2) program. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a two-year base period with three two-year options. CACI estimates the value of its subcontract to be approximately $50 million over eight years, and anticipates delivering solutions in its core business areas of homeland security, intelligence, information assurance, systems integration, and engineering.

Other Conflicts

  • DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 13 Mar 2003

  • SOUTHERN AFRICA: War could divert attention from regional crisis IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- A possible war against Iraq could divert attention from the many humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa, aid groups warned on Thursday.
  • AFRICA: SPECIAL REPORT - Policy makers urged to examine ecological sources of conflict IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- African policy makers should move beyond "traditional" methods of conflict management, that have so far failed to produce tangible solutions to conflicts in the region, researchers argue.
  • AFRICA: Wars costing US $15 billion per year IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Emergencies caused by wars, civil strife and natural disasters constitute some of the most serious threats to health in Africa, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Dr Ebrahim Samba, speaking in the Republic of Congo capital, Brazzaville.

  • DR of Congo: UN panel on illegal exploitation of resources set to restart work UN News Centre 13 Mar 2003 -- An expert panel investigating the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York for consultations before heading to the Great Lakes region to begin its work.
  • DRC: MONUC in peace talks with Ituri belligerents and others IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- A team from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has held talks with Ugandan army commanders and with representatives of the Union des patriotes congolais (UPC), of civil society and of different communities in Ituri District on the possibility of ending hostilities in this part of the country, UN spokesman Hamadoun Toure said on Wednesday.

  • POWELL-MIDEAST VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell conceded Thursday the United States would probably have more international support on Iraq if it had been able to make progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace-making. But in Congressional testimony, he insisted the Bush administration remains engaged with both sides and is looking for the "right time" to launch a so-called "roadmap" for peace.
  • HEBRON SHOOTING VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Two security guards from a West Bank Israeli settlement were killed Thursday in an apparent accidental shooting by Israeli troops, who fired on a car.
  • HEBRON SHOOTING VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Two security guards from a West Bank Israeli settlement were killed Thursday in an apparent accidental shooting by Israeli troops.

  • LIBERIA: ECOWAS parliamentarians urge president to accept peace plan IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Parliamentarians from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have urged Liberian President Charles Taylor to accept recommendations made by the International Contact Group on Liberia with a view to ending the fighting between government fighters and the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).
  • LIBERIA: IOM appeals for US $1.5 m to evacuate third-country nationals IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has appealed for US $1.47 million to evacuate some 10,000 third country nationals (TCNs) who fled conflict in Cote d'Ivoire and are trapped in Liberia. They include 6,700 Burkinabes, 1,500 Guineans, 1,650 Malians and 150 others.

  • The Horn of Africa: How Does Somaliland Fit? Washington File 13 Mar 2003 -- Former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia David Shinn delivered a paper on the current status of Somaliland at a Conference in Umea, Sweden on March 8.
  • SOMALIA / PEACE TALKS VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The mediator heading peace talks to end more than a decade of anarchy in Somalia has denied that the talks are near collapse. His comments follow reports of mounting tensions in the region. A monitoring team will visit the Somali capital, Mogadishu, within the next two weeks to investigate cease-fire violations.
  • SOMALIA: Security Council condemns violence IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- The UN Security Council has condemned the continuing fighting in Somalia, and called for an immediate end to all acts of violence and for safe access to humanitarian personnel.

  • ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia "jeopardising" peace process, says Asmara IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Eritrea has warned that the entire peace process with Ethiopia could be in danger following recent calls by Addis Ababa for changes to their common border which was delimited last year.
  • ETHIOPIA: Government denies troop presence in Somalia IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- The Ethiopian government has denied accusations by the Transitional National Government (TNG) of Somalia that Ethiopian forces have invaded Somali territory.

  • IVORY COAST / GOVERNMENT VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Ivory Coast has a new unity government. The cabinet has met for the first time, but without the participation of two key groups.
  • COTE D'IVOIRE: New government formed in absence of rebels, opposition party IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Cote d'Ivoire's much-anticipated national reconciliation government was unveiled on Thursday in the Ivorian administrative capital, Yamoussoukro. However its announcement and first cabinet meeting occurred in the absence of the country's main opposition party and rebel groups.

  • INDIA/KASHMIR VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- In Indian Kashmir, an explosion on a passenger bus has killed four people, and left nearly 20 others injured.
  • RWANDA: Kigali ready to defend its security, Kagame says IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Returning from an official visit to the United States, President Paul Kagame reacted to the fighting in Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by saying that Rwanda would defend its security interests "without provoking anybody", Radio Rwanda reported on Tuesday.
  • UGANDA: Rebels fail to meet gov't peace team IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group failed on Wednesday evening to attend a planned meeting with the government peace team, led by Salim Saleh, saying it was too late and that they could not identify each other in the dark.
  • CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: President orders army to ease up on offensive IRIN 13 Mar 2003 -- Ange-Felix Patasse said on Wednesday that he had ordered his army ease up on the war against rebels so as to create an atmosphere conducive to a national dialogue on the country's ongoing political crisis.

News Reports

  • SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 13 Mar 2003
  • SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 13 Mar 2003
  • U.S.-European Relations Called Strong Despite Iraq Debate Washington File 13 Mar 2003 -- "While we are seriously concerned by differences between the U.S. and some European countries on the best way to achieve our agreed goal of Iraqi disarmament, it is also fair to say there are many areas in which the U.S.-European relationship is as strong as ever," Assistant Secretary of State Beth Jones told Congress March 13.
  • EDITORIAL: TURKMENISTAN HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The human rights situation in Turkmenistan has deteriorated sharply since the November 2002 attack on President Saparmurat Niyazov's motorcade. Most recently, a Turkmen court convicted environmental activist Farid [fah-reed] Tukhbatullin [TOOK-bah-too-LIN] of illegally crossing into Uzbekistan and of allegedly concealing a crime. Prosecutors say his crime was to participate in a November 2002 human rights meeting in Moscow, where, according to the Turkmenistan government, the November 25th attack against President Niyazov was discussed. No foreign or diplomatic observers were allowed to attend the trial. According to local observers, the court refused to allow the introduction of evidence that supported Mr. Tukhbatullin's innocence. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
  • SERBIA/ASSASSINATION VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Newspapers around the globe are focusing their editorials on the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
  • SOMALIA / PEACE TALKS VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The mediator heading peace talks to end more than a decade of anarchy in Somalia has denied that the talks are near collapse. His comments follow reports of mounting tensions in the region. A monitoring team will visit the Somali capital, Mogadishu, within the next two weeks to investigate cease-fire violations.
  • The Democrats and Foreign Policy VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The Democratic Party suffered a huge setback in the U.S. midterm election of 2002. They not only lost their one seat advantage in the Senate, but they also failed to gain control of the House of Representatives. As Carol Castiel reports in this edition of Dateline, the Democrats hope to turn their recent legislative loss into a presidential gain in 2004 by emphasizing their differences with the president, particularly in the field of foreign policy.
  • TURKEY / KURDS VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Turkey's constitutional court on Thursday banned the country's largest pro-Kurdish party -- known as HADEP -- on charges of acting as the political wing of a banned separatist rebel group.
  • VENEZUELA/CONFLICT VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- In Venezuela, opponents of President Hugo Chavez continue their efforts to remove him from power, but the embattled leader appears stronger than ever after surviving a coup attempt nearly a year ago and a two-month general strike that ended in early February. As V-O-A's Greg Flakus reports from Caracas, commercial life has returned to the city, but the underlying political conflict rages still.
  • SERBIAN P-M VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The assassination of Serbia's pro-democracy prime minister is producing outraged editorials in North American dailies.
  • INDIA/BOMB BLAST VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- A bomb blast has ripped through a train in the Indian city of Bombay, killing at least nine people and wounding nearly 50 others. It is the latest in a string of blasts to hit the city in recent months.
  • ZIMBABWE / CLERGY VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- As the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe deepens, a new mediation initiative was launched this week by South Africa's top religious leader. There is hope within Zimbabwe that the effort will help end Zimbabwe's political and humanitarian crisis.
  • SERBIA / ASSASSINATION VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Serbian police are conducting a wide-ranging manhunt for the killers of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, and have arrested several people linked to a crime syndicate, known as the Zemun gang, which the government says is behind Mr. Djindjic's assassination. The search for underworld figures comes as Serbs mourn the man many hoped would integrate their country into the European mainstream.
  • CHINA APPOINTMENT VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- China is appointing an official who was involved in the worst corruption case in Chinese Communist history as head of the advisory body to its legislature. The official is a close ally of retiring President Jiang Zemin, who many believe insulated him from graft allegations.
  • ASIA FLU VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- The World Health Organization has issued a worldwide warning to health authorities about a flu-like illness that has spread quickly among health workers in Hong Kong and Vietnam. At least two health workers in mainland China are being closely monitored.
  • CAMBODIA TRIBUNAL VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- A United Nations delegation has arrived in Phnom Penh to resume negotiations on setting up a court to try senior Khmer Rouge leaders for human rights abuses. U-N diplomats have called the negotiations Cambodia's last chance to bring to justice surviving leaders of the bloody regime.



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