Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• AFGHAN / ATTACKS VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- The commander of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan says attacks against foreign and local troops have increased during the past five months.
• Attacks Increasing Against Afghan Troops, Foreign Peacekeepers VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- The commander of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan says attacks against foreign and local troops have increased during the past five months.
• Courts in Karbala making progress USMC 02 Jul 2003 -- In the main courthouse where many judicial records of were burned by looters, the interim judiciary system is facing a number of challenges head-on with the help of Marine and Army forces.
• Army's top surgeon visits soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan Army News 02 Jul 2003 -- Surgeon General of the Army Lt. Gen. James Peake visited soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan last week to observe first-hand the soldiers' living conditions, and assess the quality of medical support being delivered in the two areas of operation.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Abizaid Set to Supplant Franks As CENTCOM Commander AFPS 02 Jul 2003 -- Army Lt. Gen. John P. Abizaid is set to receive his fourth star and to take over U.S. Central Command from outgoing commander Army Gen. Tommy R. Franks at ceremonies in Tampa, Fla., July 7.
• Commo up! USMC 02 Jul 2003 -- Communications are the eyes and the ears for the unit in the field. Helicopters won't fly, convoys won't roll, troops won't move and commanders will be at a loss without communications at every level of command and control, from the squad leader to the battalion commander.
• Luke officials ground F-16s AFPN 02 Jul 2003 -- Officials here grounded F-16 Fighting Falcons with certain type of engine July 2 after investigators of a June 10 crash found a fleet-wide engine-related problem.
• White House Ceremony Marks 30 Years of All-Volunteer Force Navy NewStand 02 Jul 2003 -- With right hands and voices raised, 30 military personnel from each branch of the armed forces repeated the oath of reenlistment in the White House East Room July 1.
• Class 123 graduates from Test Pilot School NAVAIR 02 Jul 2003 -- The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School held graduation ceremonies for class 123 in the Cedar Point Officers' Club here June 13. Thirty-three students completed the intense 10-month course and were designated as test pilots, test naval flight officers and test engineers.
• Trail of Tears tests Marines' limits NAVAIR 02 Jul 2003 -- No, they're not testing the limits of the newest aircraft. They're not aviators. They're receiving martial arts training in a unique way - the Trail of Tears - and testing their physical limits.
• NAVAIR provides Navy's newest trainer aircraft to first class of students NAVAIR 03 Jul 2003 -- Class began June 30 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. for the first group of naval flight officer students to train with the T-6A Texan II, the Navy's newest trainer aircraft.

• Transcript of the PRESS CONFERENCE of EU, NATO and OSCE held on 2 July 2003 NATO Release 02 Jul 2003 -- What has been going on this week in the EU, well, obviously the visa ban list has been announced but that does not affect anybody from Macedonia, and then there is obviously the International Criminal Court, but, I am basically here to answer any questions that you may have, so that is it.

• U.S. Restrictions on Military Aid Will Have Minimal Impact on Colombia Washington File 02 Jul 2003 -- President Bush's decision to suspend military aid to countries that have not agreed to exempt U.S. soldiers from prosecution by the International Criminal Court will not affect the bulk of U.S. aid to Colombia, according to State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.
• U.S. Allows Continuing Military Aid to Some ICC Signatories Washington File 02 Jul 2003 -- President Bush has issued waivers allowing continuing military aid to 22 countries that signed the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), and subsequently signed Article 98 agreements exempting U.S. personnel from war crimes prosecution.
• World: U.S. Allies Express Disappointment With Immunity Policy RFE/L 02 Jul 2003 -- The United States has suspended nearly $50 million in military assistance to 35 nations that refused to sign bilateral immunity accords exempting U.S. nationals from prosecution by the new International Criminal Court in The Hague. America's allies in Central and Eastern Europe are disappointed with the decision.

• Germany to Resume Sales of Military Supplies to Pakistan VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says Germany has agreed to lift a ban on the sale of military parts, allowing for imports of air force radar components. The move is the latest chapter in Pakistan's struggle for a military edge over rival India.
• PAKISTAN GERMANY ARMS VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says Germany has agreed to lift a ban on the sale of military parts, allowing for imports of air force radar components. The move is the latest chapter in Pakistan's struggle for a military edge over rival India.
• SOLDIERS OF 96TH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY RETURN FROM IRAQ III Corps Release 02 Jul 2003-- Approximately 200 soldiers of the 96th Transportation Company are scheduled to return to Fort Hood Thursday evening (July 3).

Defense Industry

• ACTUS is short-listed for Ministry of Defence DII contract BAE Systems 02 Jul 2003 -- IBM, BAE Systems and Steria team joined by Computacenter, NTL and Echelon to form ACTUS for next phase of procurement process
• Weapon System Simulation in Flight (WaSiF) gets airborne EADS 02 Jul 2003 -- End of June 2003 the first flight of WaSiF, the on-board embedded weapon system simulation for the training of aircrew against simulated adversaries, got airborne at the Venegono airfield in Italy. WaSiF is a Research Technology Program (RTP11.12) funded by the Ministries of Defense of Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey under the framework of the EUCLID MoU.
• Lockheed Martin Joins DD(X) National Team, Receives $175 Million Contract Lockheed Martin 02 Jul 2003 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has formally joined the DD(X) National Team with the signing of a $175 million subcontract with Raytheon, the lead systems integrator. Lockheed Martin will leverage its naval systems experience and domain expertise in total ship systems engineering, command and control, Integrated Undersea Warfare (IUSW), weapons control, and phased array radar for the design of Engineering Development Models (EDMs) for DD(X).
• Lockheed Martin Discusses Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range Development Contract, Strong Test Record Lockheed Martin 02 Jul 2003 -- Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] recent $9.6 million contract award from the U.S. Air Force for Phase 1 of the Preplanned Product Improvement (P3I) of the baseline Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) was a primary topic of discussion Wednesday at the National Press Club, as was JASSM's outstanding test record.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract For Work on USS Enterprise Northrop Grumman 02 Jul 2003 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that the U.S. Navy has awarded the company a contract for the planning of an extended selected restricted availability on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector is the prime contractor for this award.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded $48 Million Contract to Train New Iraqi Army Northrop Grumman 02 Jul 2003 -- Vinnell Corporation, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has been awarded a $48 million contract to train the nucleus of a new Iraqi Army.
• STN Atlas and SAGEM: The Europe of UAVs is taking shape Rheinmetall Defence 02 Jul 2003 -- SAGEM and STN Atlas Elektronik have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of UAVs. The first aim of this agreement is to develop full interoperability between the two companies' UAV systems, more particularly between SAGEM's SPERWER and STN Atlas' KZO/ TAIFUN.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 02 Jul 2003
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT United Nations 02 Jul 2003
• Slovenia International Trust Fund Promotes Balkans Demining Efforts Washington File 02 Jul 2003 -- Following is a fact sheet on the Republic of Slovenia International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance issued July 2, 2003 by the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which says the ITF has established an "excellent reputation" with international donors since commencing operations in December 1998
• U.S. Demining Program Focuses on World's Landmine Problem Washington File 02 Jul 2003 -- Following is the text of a Department of State fact sheet, issued July 2, detailing the U.S. humanitarian demining program and the landmine problems facing more than 100 countries

• Serbia: Authorities Transfer Colonel Wanted For Atrocities RFE/L 02 Jul 2003 -- Serbian authorities have handed over to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague a colonel wanted for the massacre of 200 people in 1991.
• Former colonel in Yugoslav army transferred to UN tribunal UN News Centre 02 Jul 2003 -- A former colonel in the Yugoslav Peoples Army (JNA) has been transferred to the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) detention unit where he awaits trial for crimes against humanity and other war crimes, including the murder of at least 200 non-Serbs.

• Bush Renews Call for Liberia's Taylor to Leave Washington File 02 Jul 2003 -- During questioning from reporters July 2, President Bush reiterated his June 26 statement that President Charles Taylor of Liberia must leave in order for peace to take hold in that war-torn country.
• LIBERIA WRAP UPDATE VOA 03 Jul 2003 -- President Bush is urging Liberia's embattled leader, Charles Taylor, to leave his country, possibly with help from one of Liberia's neighbors, in order to bring an end to the West African nation's civil war. The White House could decide as early as Thursday (today) what steps the United States is prepared to take to restore peace to the country founded by freed American slaves -- including the possible deployment of U-S troops.
• POWELL-LIBERIA VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the Liberian situation with U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan again Wednesday as the Bush administration considered whether to send troops to the west African country to help restore order. Mr. Powell says no decision on U-S action has yet been made.
• Liberia: Some humanitarian activities resume amid relative calm in Monrovia UN News Centre 02 Jul 2003 -- Though hampered by and uncertain security environment and a shortage of supplies, United Nations and other humanitarian agencies took advantage of a relative lull in the fighting in and around the Liberian capital of Monrovia to resume some basic relief activities today.
• Powell, Annan Discuss Liberia VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the Liberian situation with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan again Wednesday as the Bush administration considered whether to send troops to the west African country to help restore order. Mr. Powell says no decision on U.S. action has yet been made.
• Bush May Decide on Troops for Liberia Shortly VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Bush administration officials say the White House may make a decision shortly on sending U.S. peacekeeping troops to help end Liberia's deadly civil war.
• US Marines on Standby for Deployment to Liberia VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- The Pentagon has put a special team of Marines on standby to protect Americans in the war-torn West African state of Liberia.
• West Africa: Security Council mission briefed on Liberian peace talks UN News Centre 02 Jul 2003 -- A United Nations Security Council delegation on a seven-country assessment mission in conflict-plagued West Africa, arrived in Ghana today for a briefing on the status of the Liberian peace talks underway in Accra.
• Liberia's 'Charles Taylor Needs to Leave Now', says Bush VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Just days before his first trip to Africa, President Bush is under increasing pressure to send U.S.troops to Liberia.
• BUSH / LIBERIA VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Just days before his first trip to Africa, President Bush is under increasing pressure to send U-S troops to Liberia.
• Liberia's Taylor Rejects Nigerian Offer for Safe Haven VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- U.N. officials say Liberian President Charles Taylor has rejected a Nigerian offer of safe haven if he were to agree to step down as leader of the war-torn country.
• LIBERIA: US decision on Liberia awaited in Monrovia IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Thousands of war-weary Liberians awaited a decision by the United States government on whether it would send troops to intervene in an ongoing conflict between President Charles Taylor and rebels, as international pressure continued on Washington to deploy a "robust force" to the West African country.
• Security Council welcomes DR of Congo agreement on new government, transition UN News Centre 02 Jul 2003 -- The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the announcement that President Joseph Kabila has signed a decree setting up a new power-sharing government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• DRC: Rebel troops begin withdrawal from Lubero, says MONUC IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Forces of the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) rebel movement have begun to withdraw from the town of Lubero of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in accordance with a recent North Kivu Province ceasefire agreement, the UN Mission in the country, known as MONUC, reported on Wednesday.
• DRC: Thousands of residents returning to Bunia IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Thousands of residents who fled inter-militia fighting in the town of Bunia in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have begun returning to their homes, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, known as MONUC, reported on Tuesday.
• DRC: Formation of transitional government praised IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- The EU, the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan have welcomed the formation of a transitional government in the country, and called on all parties to end nearly five years of war.
• Powell Sees Hopeful Signs in Mideast, But Terrorism Still a Threat Washington File 02 Jul 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell says there are hopeful signs of progress toward peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
• BUSH / MIDEAST VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- President Bush says he is pleased with the latest developments in the Middle East but warns there are still militant groups that want to wreck the peace process.
• Israeli Troops Leave Bethlehem; Palestinians Now Responsible for Security VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Israeli patrols have left the West Bank town of Bethlehem, leaving responsibility for security in the town to the Palestinian Authority.
• PALESTINIAN ISRAELI TRUCE VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- At midweek, the truce between Palestinian terrorists and the Israeli Army appears to be holding. The United States press is watching and holding its breath, wary because of so many failed cease-fires in the past. However most papers remain cautiously optimistic in their editorials.
• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Israeli patrols have left the West Bank town of Bethlehem, leaving responsibility for security in the town to the Palestinian Authority.
• Palestinians Prepare to Patrol Bethlehem VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Palestinian police are preparing to resume patrols in the West Bank town, Bethlehem, as the next step in the implementation of the "road map" peace plan. The transfer of authority does not require any redeployment of Israeli troops, because they had no fixed presence in Bethlehem. However, with Palestinian police on the street, Israeli troops will not be free to enter the city to arrest wanted militants as they have often done in the past.

• IVORY COAST / U-N VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- A U-N Security Council delegation, on a mission to west Africa, has called on all sides involved in Ivory Coast's civil war to fully implement a peace agreement mediated by France.
• UN Delegates Urge Implementation of Ivory Coast Peace Plan VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- A United Nations Security Council delegation, on a mission to west Africa, has called on all sides involved in Ivory Coast's civil war to fully implement a peace agreement mediated by France.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Rebels back away from threat to quit government IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- The rebel movement in Cote d'Ivoire watered down its threat to withdraw from a three-month-old government of national reconciliation on Wednesday.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Former Monrovia warlord held in Abidjan IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Roosevelt Johnson, a former Liberian warlord with close links to Nigeria, was picked up by armed men from a hotel in Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital, Abidjan, earlier this week, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.
• ANGOLA: First official refugee returns from Namibia IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- A group of 150 Angolan refugees arrived in the border town of Katwitwi on Wednesday in Angola's southern province of Kuando Kubango following decades of exile in Namibia, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said.
• ANGOLA: UNITA opts to stay in interim government IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Angola's former rebel group UNITA on Wednesday said it would achieve more by remaining in the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation (GNUR) until the country's next elections are held.
• SIERRA LEONE: Two plead not guilty at Special Court IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Two officials of Sierra Leone's former pro-government militia group the Civil Defence Forces (CDF), whose fighters were known as the Kamajors, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to eight counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the country's Special Court in the Sierra Leonean island of Bonthe.
• SOMALIA: Ethiopia denies backing possible attack on Kismayo IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- The chairman of the pro-interim government Juba Valley Alliance [JVA] militia based in Kismayo, Col Barre Adan Shire Hirale, has said his rival Gen Muhammad Sa'id Hirsi Morgan is preparing to attack the southern Somali port city.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 02 Jul 2003 -- Poland announces -1.6 billion package for domestic arms firms under deal for Finnish troop carriers / Experts say U.S. needs foreign help in Iraq / Former U.S. army chief warns of long haul in Iraq / United States suspends aid for 35 nations in war crimes tribunal dispute¨ Pentagon developing system to track every vehicle in a city
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 02 Jul 2003 -- Pacifists announce "bombspotting" demonstration at Casteau / UN envoy: NATO may spur expansion of Afghan force / Afghan renegade urges attack on foreign troops / Polish minister views establishment of NATO center in Poland / Morocco calls for reflection on NATO-South Mediterranean Cooperation / UN requests U.S. peacekeepers in Liberia

• Algeria Releases Islamic Salvation Front Detainees VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Algerian authorities have freed two leaders of the country's banned Islamic Salvation Front. The men were detained for more than a decade for allegedly threatening state security.
• Controversy Dogs Berlusconi at EU Debut VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has laid out his country's plans for the European Union during its tenure in the EU presidency. His comments came in a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. But the Italian leader might have detracted from his own message when he suggested that one of his parliamentary critics take on a motion picture role as a Nazi concentration camp commander.
• EDITORIAL: THE U.S. AND AFRICA VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- On July 7th, President George W. Bush will leave for Africa where he will visit Botswana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda. The message that Mr. Bush will take to the people there is that the United States is committed to helping them make peace, fight disease, and improve their lives
• Developments in Africa, post-war Iraq, key issues for Security Council in July - President UN News Centre 02 Jul 2003 -- The President of the United Nations Security Council for July said today that while tackling volatile developments in Africa would be a major focus throughout the month, the 15-nation body was also set to hold the first review of the implementation of its resolution on arrangements for post-war Iraq.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Moved From Prison VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Published reports say Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved out of the country's most infamous prison to a new, undisclosed location.
• Nigeria: Police Trigger Stampede During Third Day of Nationwide Strike VOA News 02 Jul 2003 -- Police in Nigeria triggered a mass stampede in the capital, Abuja, Wednesday after firing tear gas and live bullets in an attempt to break up protests against fuel prices.
• EU: Berlusconi Outlines Agenda For Europe's Presidency RFE/L 02 Jul 2003 -- As Italy takes over the EU presidency from Greece, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi spoke to the European Parliament and outlined the country's agenda for the presidency.
• NIGERIA/STRIKE VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Violence has escalated in Nigeria on the third day of a strike to protest a massive fuel-price increase. Dozens of people have been injured in clashes involving civilians and security forces. Union leaders have complained of excessive force used on protesters.
• W-H-O/SARS VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared Toronto to be clear of the SARS virus. It says it expects Taiwan, the only area in the world still on a list of areas with recent local transmission of the disease, to be cleared on Saturday if there are no new cases between now and then.
• BURMA / JAPAn VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- senior Burmese official is preparing to head to Tokyo to discuss the new freeze in Japanese aid to Burma. The aid was halted to protest the detention of Burma's foremost democracy activist, Aung San Suu Kyi. There are reports that the conditions of her detention may have improved.
• LAOS / JOURNALISTS DIPLOMACY VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Western diplomats have met with Lao officials in an effort to secure the release of two European journalists and an American pastor, who have been sentenced to 15 years in jail.
• NIGERIA STRIKE VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Negotiations are under way in Nigeria to end a three-day strike over a massive fuel price increase. Union leaders have also complained of police brutality against protesters.
• INDIA TRAIN WRECK VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- In southern India, at least 15 people were killed when a passenger train plunged off a bridge. It is the latest in a series of train accidents in the country, which has one of the world's most extensive rail networks.
• HONG KONG PROTEST/REACT VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- Hong Kong's top official is promising to be more responsive to the community following a massive protest over proposed anti-subversion laws. But its critics say that if the government does not postpone action on the legislation, the stage may be set for another show of public frustration.
• HONG KONG PROTEST VOA 02 Jul 2003 -- After a massive protest on Tuesday, Hong Kong's top official is promising to be more responsive to its people, but the legislation that sparked the protest appears headed for approval.
• RWANDA: Rival parties back Kagame for presidency IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Even before gaining his own party's nomination, Rwandan President Paul Kagame seems to be emerging as the compromise candidate for several key parties in the transitional government of national unity.
• AFRICA: Hopes for establishing PAP at AU summit IRIN 02 Jul 2003 -- Ahead of the second African Union (AU) summit in Mozambique next week, senior parliamentarians urged their governments to step up efforts to establish the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).