News

28 May 2003 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

WOMEN / AFGHANISTAN / IRAQ VOA 28 May 2003 -- As post-war work continues in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U-S government is teaming up with advocates of women's rights to try to raise the status of women in the two countries.
Afghanistan: U.S. Forces Come Under Attack In Separate Incidents RFE/L 28 May 2003 -- The U.S. military today said unidentified attackers set off a remote-controlled bomb near a vehicle carrying U.S. special forces along Afghanistan's eastern border with Pakistan.
Afghanistan: Women Still Struggling For Right To Education, Work RFE/L 28 May 2003 -- At Five in the Afternoon," a movie by the young Iranian filmmaker Samira Makhmalbaf, brought devastating images of Afghanistan and the plight of Afghan women to the recent Cannes film festival, where it took the Grand Jury prize. Afghan experts agree that the film, about a Kabul woman who dreams of someday becoming president, is an accurate reflection of the country's current reality. A year and a half after the Taliban's ouster, many Afghan girls and women are still deprived of education and work opportunities. Observers say Afghanistan's conservative traditions are still presenting an obstacle to greater rights and freedoms for women

Defense Policy / Programs

Guard Transformation of Command Structure Seen As Important Chapter AFPS 28 May 2003 -- National Guard transformation took a big leap forward when leaders from the 54 states and U.S. territories supported the historic initiative for changing their organization's command structure earlier this month.
Pacific soldiers train with Thai counterparts Army News Service 28 May 2003-- More than 7,000 Pacific-based military service members deployed to Thailand to strengthen the ties between the Royal Thai armed forces and all four branches of the U.S. military.
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies opens Army News Service 28 May 2003-- The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, a joint research collaboration between the Army and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, formally opened during a ceremony in Cambridge, Mass., May 22.
Tarawa Sailors Visit Bahrain Navy Newsstand 28 May 2003-- Until recently, the experience of seeing Bahrain has eluded Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Phil Covill, whose only other visit to the region in 2000 was limited to the Naval Support Activity here following the attack on USS Cole (DDG 67). So, during his most recent port visit, this crew member of USS Tarawa (LHA 1) finally had his moment and seized it.
Demobilization of Reservists Underway Navy Newsstand 28 May 2003-- The Navy is demobilizing 3,000 Reservists in May; 1,900 in June; 1,716 in July; 877 in August; and 1,720 in September, said Lt. Cmdr. Tom Lattomus, perspective director of Commander, Naval Reserve Forces (COMNAVRESFORCOM) Mobilization Center.
USS Charlotte (SSN 766) returns from sea COMSUBPAC Release 28 May 2003-- USS Charlotte (SSN 766) recently returned from sea after completing an operational evaluation for the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) after many months of at-sea training.
Air traffic controllers get job done in Albania Marine Corps News 28 May 2003-- Some of the first naval assets to land in Albania at the beginning of a two week bilateral training exercise last week were Marines from the Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), along with their Navy counterparts from Tactical Air Control Squadron-22 (TACRON-22), Amphibious Squadron-6 (PHIBRON-6).
Joining forces... LF CARAT loads up, ships out Marine Corps News 28 May 2003-- More than 400 Marines and Sailors from III Marine Expeditionary Force departed here May 28, to take part in the ninth Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise.
Storming the beaches... 'India' Company dives into LF CARAT Marine Corps News 28 May 2003-- In the movie Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks' company of Army Rangers travels rough seas in an open-air Higgins Landing Craft to land on Normandy Beach. The soldiers then battled their way through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire to capture the beach and begin taking back Europe.
6th ESB mechanics fight fatigue, blowing sand to keep battalion rolling Marine Corps News 28 May 2003-- Working long hours is nothing new to Marine mechanics. But working long hours during blinding sandstorms in 110-plus degree weather under combat conditions can test anyone's ability and dedication.
24th MEU returns home after extended deployment Marine Corps News 28 May 2003-- After being extended twice and participating in exercises and operations in places ranging from the snow-capped mountains of Kosovo, the jungles of Kenya and the deserts of East Africa and Iraq, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) finally returned home to North Carolina Memorial Day May 26, wrapping up a nine-month deployment that will surely be talked about for years to come
New installation titles reflect joint use AFPN 28 May 2003-- This summer, nine Air Force Reserve Command installations will be re-designated joint bases or stations to reflect the multiservice use of the facilities.
Deployed tanker makes maintenance 'pit stop' in Germany Air Mobility Command News 28 May 2003-- A KC-135 crew from the 321st Expeditionary Airlift Squadron brought a team of six maintenance specialists with them from their forward operating location in the desert for a May 10 pit stop here so they could perform in-tank fuel system maintenance away from their normally harsh environment. The 726th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron team at Rhein-Main gave the visitors a helping hand with the process.
Guardsmen open Baghdad aeromedical staging facility Air Mobility Command News 28 May 2003-- The 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron has opened a 10-bed mobile aeromedical staging facility at Baghdad International Airport beside the military flight line to conduct joint service, coalition and civilian air evacuation missions.
Communications key to Special Operations success PACAF News 28 May 2003-- More than 200 Batcats are scattered throughout Thailand for Cobra Gold 2003, a multi-nation, multi-service exercise designed to ensure regional peace, strengthen the ability of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and demonstrate U.S. resolve in the region.
Japanese fighters join Cooperative Cope Thunder Exercise PACAF News 28 May 2003-- Fighters from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force touched down May 27 on North American soil for the first time for an exercise as they prepare for Cooperative Cope Thunder, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored air combat training exercise set for June 5-20.

Defense Industry

U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $13 Million Contract for Mine Sweeping Equipment Lockheed Martin 28 May 2003 -- The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $13 million firm-fixed-price contract for seven AN/AQS-232 Airborne Mine Neutralization Systems (AMNS) for MH-53E helicopters. The contract includes support equipment, shipboard containers, expendable neutralizers, training and minor engineering changes. Work is scheduled to be completed by early 2004. A
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates New Radar Capabilities, Marks Radar Day Lockheed Martin 28 May 2003 -- Following the theme "The Future is Now," Lockheed Martin today showcased its newest radar capabilities to U.S. Navy officials, legislators and international customers. Lockheed Martin's Moorestown facility is world-renowned for its advanced naval radars, especially its SPY-1 phased array radar.
EADS The cornerstone of European reorganisation in Space EADS 28 May 2003 -- EADS, in the aftermath of the key meeting of the ministerial conference of ESA members, noted with satisfaction the decisions concerning two major programmes, namely Ariane 5 and Galileo, the cornerstones of strategic independence for European space.

Other Conflicts

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 28 May 2003

Bush Believes Visit to Mideast Can Give Impetus to Peace Process Washington File 28 May 2003 -- White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice says President Bush believes the time is right to try to help the Israelis and the Palestinians move toward peace, and that is why he decided to go to the Middle East directly following his May 30-June 2 visits to Poland and Russia and attendance at the annual G-8 meeting of leading industrial nations in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Bush Looks Forward to Planned Meeting with Sharon, Abbas Washington File 28 May 2003 -- After announcing that President Bush would travel to Aqaba, Jordan, on June 4 for a meeting, "conditions permitting," with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the White House called the prospect of the meetings "a positive development."
Bush Hopes to Gain Arab Support for Roadmap at Sharm al-Sheikh Washington File 28 May 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said President Bush hopes Arab leaders will express support for the roadmap for Middle East peace and will condemn organizations that support terrorism at a meeting in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt June 3.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS VOA 29 May 2003 -- The Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers are to hold talks Thursday, as part of preparations for a summit next week with President George W. Bush.
BUSH / MIDEAST UPDATE VOA 28 May 2003 -- President Bush will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Jordan next month. It is the president's first visit to the Middle East and his first face-to-face meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.
BUSH/MIDEAST VOA 28 May 2003 -- The White House says President Bush will soon make a major foray into personal Middle East diplomacy. Mr. Bush, after his trip to Europe starting later this week, will meet with Arab leaders in Egypt and then see the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers in Jordan to try to advance the so-called international "road map" to peace.
PALESTINIANS / ABBAS INTERVIEW VOA 28 May 2003 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas says he is ready to test Israel's commitment to the latest peace plan for the Middle East, known as the Roadmap.
MIDEAST SUMMITS VOA 28 May 2003 -- Amid a flurry of diplomatic maneuvering and political infighting a series of high level meetings to discuss the latest international peace plan for the Middle East seems to be taking shape. While definite dates have not yet been confirmed, the meetings are seen as vital to get the peace plan off the ground.
CHINA MIDEAST VOA 28 May 2003 -- China's special envoy to the Middle East is calling on the United Nations to play a bigger role in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. China says it may host a peace conference to help make that happen.
U.N. Security Council Agrees on Peacekeeping Force for Congo Washington File 28 May 2003 -- The U.N. Security Council was expected to authorize within 48 hours a multi-national peacekeeping force for the northeastern section of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to stop the fighting and provide protection for civilians, diplomats said May 28.
Security Council mulls sending emergency force to northeastern DR of Congo UN News Centre 28 May 2003 -- In strong support of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call for "decisive action," the Security Council is expected to take action on a draft resolution - possibly as early as Friday - to deploy an emergency force to help stabilize the volatile situation in the town of Bunia, in the north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
DR of Congo: UN reports situation remains tense in Bunia with sporadic fighting UN News Centre 28 May 2003 -- While the situation in troubled north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains tense - with sporadic fighting reported in around the town of Bunia - a senior United Nations humanitarian official said today the only way to quell the violence is to send a multinational force to the region to pressure rival factions to reopen peace talks.
U-N / CONGO VOA 28 May 2003 -- The U-N Security Council Wednesday moved a step closer to sending troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo as a top U-N relief official described the extent of ethnic violence in the northeastern province of Ituri.
DRC: Interview with UN humanitarian official Carolyn McAskie IRIN 28 May 2003 -- Carolyn McAskie, the deputy emergency relief coordinator for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), visited eastern and northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 22 to 26 May, touring the two zones where fighting has continued despite a comprehensive peace agreement reached between all parties to the inter-Congolese dialogue on 2 April in Sun City, South Africa, and despite numerous local ceasefire agreements.
DRC: MONUC condemns UPC threats against civilians IRIN 28 May 2003 -- The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has condemned threats against civilians made over a local radio on Tuesday by the Union des patriotes congolais (UPC) in the northeastern city of Bunia.
CONGO / POLITICS VOA 28 May 2003 -- A new transitional government for the Democratic Republic of Congo was to be sworn in Thursday. But the ceremony has been postponed indefinitely. The delay stems from disagreements between the government and the country's most powerful rebel group, known as R-C-D (Rally for Congolese Democracy) - Goma.
POWELL / SUDAN VOA 28 May 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell met Sudanese rebel leader John Garang Wednesday as part of an ongoing U-S effort to help get a settlement of that country's 20-year-old civil war. U-S officials say they hope to see a peace accord between the Khartoum government and the rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, the S-P-L-M, by the end of June.
SUDAN: Monitoring team to begin work IRIN 28 May 2003 -- A team mandated to monitor the cessation of hostilities accord between the Sudanese government and rebels aims to have a permanent presence in the country by early next month.

PHILIPPINES MUSLIMS VOA 28 May 2003 -- The Philippine government is welcoming a unilateral cease-fire declared by rebels in the southern island of Mindanao. President Gloria Arroyo's administration is ready to respond with an offer for a permanent peace agreement.
LIBERIA: Taylor to only attend opening of peace talks IRIN 28 May 2003 -- A week to proposed talks between the Liberian government and rebels in Ghana, President Charles Taylor has said he will only attend the formal ceremony and named a junior minister as the government's chief negotiator.
BURUNDI-DRC: Security Council to send mission to Bujumbura, Kinshasa IRIN 28 May 2003 -- The UN Security Council will send a mission to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 7 and 16 June to urge all parties in the region to "continue pressing for peace", UN News reported on Tuesday.
BURUNDI: UN Security Council praises peace process IRIN 28 May 2003 -- The UN Security Council held consultations on Burundi on Tuesday and welcomed recent "positive steps" taken in the country's peace process, UN News reported.
RWANDA: ICTR elects new president and vice-president IRIN 28 May 2003 -- The UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Monday appointed former ICTR vice-president Judge Erik Mose of Norway as its new president. Judge Andresia Vaz of Senegal was elected vice-president, the ICTR said.
BURKINA FASO: Top security officials discuss reopening border IRIN 28 May 2003 -- Security officials from Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire have began a two-day meeting in the Burkinabe capital, Ouagadougou, to set out modalities for reopening their common border, which has been closed for eight months as a result of crisis in Cote d'Ivoire.
WESTERN SAHARA: Annan proposes two-month extension for MINURSO IRIN 28 May 2003 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed a two-month extension of the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to give more time to the mission, Morocco and the POLISARIO Front to implement a new peace plan, the UN reported on Tuesday.
COTE D'IVOIRE: More refugees continue to arrive in southwest, UNHCR says IRIN 28 May 2003 -- A significant number of people fleeing war-torn Liberia has continued to arrive in the southwest of Cote d'Ivoire through 13 border crossing points, bringing the number of those who have crossed to at least 15,000 in the past week, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday.

News Reports

SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 28 May 2003
SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 28 May 2003
EU: Draft Constitution Unveiled, But Not Necessarily Hailed RFE/L 28 May 2003 -- The shape of the European Union's new constitution is becoming clearer, and is provoking strong reactions among the various factions seeking more or less integration among member states. One European parliamentarian, Elmar Brok of Germany, says a "grand game" is going on behind closed doors in which the big states are arranging things to their own advantage at the expense of the smaller states. Valery Giscard d'Estaing, who is chairing the convention drawing up the draft constitution, is accused of ignoring the 1,500 amendments tabled for the key draft articles on institutions and foreign policy.
EAST EUROPEAN DILEMMA VOA 28 May 2003 -- A leading expert on post-communist societies in Europe, University of Maryland political scientist Vladimir Tismaneanu, says the east European countries wanting to join NATO and the European Union dislike having to choose between being pro-American or pro-European.
AMNESTY / RUSSIA VOA 28 May 2003 -- Human rights group Amnesty International says it has documented a number of human rights abuses in eastern Europe and central Asia, including Russia and the Balkans.
AFRICA SUMMIT VOA 28 May 2003 -- African leaders are meeting in Nigeria to discuss ways to boost peacekeeping capabilities and increase regional economic development.
G-8 / PROTESTS VOA 28 May 2003 -- On the eve of a summit meeting of leaders from the Group of Eight countries in Evian, France, non-governmental organizations are launching a series of protests and counter-meetings near where the summit is taking place. The alternative summit has become as much of an institution as the formal G-8 gathering.
G-8 / SECURITY VOA 28 May 2003 -- The three-day G-8 meeting of leaders of the world's main industrialized nations -- France, the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, Italy, Canada, and Russia -- begins Sunday in the French lakeside town of Evian, famous for its mineral waters. But the summit is causing major upheavals in Swiss towns just across the border from Evian.
ZIMBABWE / OPPOSITION VOA 28 May 2003 -- Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, has called for mass protests starting June 2nd. While the action is widely viewed as an effort to push President Robert Mugabe out of office, the primary goal of the organizers is to force Mr. Mugabe to the negotiating table.
ASIA SARS VOA 28 May 2003 -- The World Health Organization says it is now convinced China is using accurate reporting methods on the number of cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. And the U-N agency says it will use new powers to help stem the spread of future disease outbreaks.
RUSSIA / SARS VOA 28 May 2003 -- Russia has confirmed its first case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
ZIMBABWE / POLITICS VOA 28 May 2003 -- Zimbabwe's opposition says it will not accept a power-sharing arrangement with the ruling party, and called for the immediate and unconditional resignation of President Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai continues planning for mass protest action due to begin next week.
ALGERIA / QUAKE VOA 28 May 2003 -- Algeria is reporting powerful earthquake aftershocks hitting its northern coastal area. Up to nine people were feared killed Tuesday and some 200 others were injured.
THAILAND / UN REACT VOA 28 May 2003 -- Thailand's prime minister says a U-N envoy's criticism of his country's human-rights record is unjustified. The Thai government is especially sensitive to criticism because of its recent crackdown on drug dealers.
PERU / EMERGENCY VOA 28 May 2003 -- Responding to a wave of strikes by teachers, farmers and state health workers, Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo has declared a nationwide state of emergency, suspending some civil rights and declaring the nationwide teachers shutdown illegal.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Ex-ministers still in hiding, despite Bozize pledge on security IRIN 28 May 2003 -- Former Central African Republic (CAR) ministers Martin Ziguele and Gabriel Jean Edouard Koyambounou are still in hiding in embassies in the capital, Bangui, despite a pledge by new CAR leader Francois Bozize to all officials linked to former President Ange-Felix Patasse that their security is guaranteed if they return to their homes.
RWANDA: Elections to be held in August and September IRIN 28 May 2003 -- Rwandan president Paul Kagame said on Tuesday that presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in August and September respectively, the Rwanda News Agency (RNA) reported.
TOGO: Security personel to vote on Thursday instead of Sunday IRIN 28 May 2003 -- Togo's state security personnel including the army and the para-military gendarmerie, will cast their votes for the country's next president three days ahead of millions of other Togolese, officials said. Their ballots will only be counted after Sunday polls close, officials added.
NIGERIA: Obasanjo readies for oath amid tight security IRIN 28 May 2003 -- Activities leading to President Obasanjo's inauguration for a second term in office got underway in Nigeria on Wednesday, amid tight security after the court of appeal rejected opposition demands to stop the swearing-in.

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