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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bush Honors Military for Sacrifices in War on Terror AFPS 05 Jul 2003 -- President Bush honored the U.S. military for its role in safeguarding freedom at home and providing freedom abroad during a speech at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, yesterday.
• BUSH/VETERANS VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- President Bush paid tribute to U-S troops this Independence Day holiday weekend, saying people around the world depend on their efforts to fight terrorism.

• US Smallpox Vaccination Plan Delayed by Fears of Side Effects VOA News 05 Jul 2003 -- After vaccinating nearly half-a-million American servicemen and women for smallpox, the Pentagon announced last week it has found the vaccine to be safe.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• O-S-C-E/AFGHAN-UZBEK VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says it intends to set up a security belt along the border between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to try to combat illegal trafficking in small arms. The topic is on the international agenda, and is to be discussed at the United Nations next week.

• U.S. Condemns Terrorist Attack in Moscow Washington File 05 Jul 2003 -- The White House issued the following statement following the July 5 terrorist attack in Moscow
• At Least 18 Killed in Moscow Suicide Bombing VOA News 05 Jul 2003 -- Two female suicide bombers killed at least 18 people, and injured numerous others, when they blew themselves up at a rock festival in Moscow on Saturday. Russian officials say Chechen rebels were to blame.
• Russia Blames Chechen Rebels for Suicide Bombing VOA News 05 Jul 2003 -- Russia says Chechen rebels are to blame for Saturday's suicide bombing attacks in Moscow that killed at least 18 people, including the bombers. Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov says Chechen separatists most likely carried out the attacks in response to President Vladimir Putin's decision Friday to hold Kremlin-run presidential elections in Chechnya in October. He says at least 20 people were injured in the blasts.
• Russia: Interior Minister Blames Chechen Separatists For Deadly Bombing RFE/L 05 Jul 2003 -- Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov blamed Chechen separatists for bombings at a rock concert outside Moscow today that killed at least 16 people and injured dozens of others.
• RUSSIA/BLAST VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- Two female suicide bombers killed at least 18 people, and injured numerous others, when they blew themselves up at a rock festival in Moscow on Saturday. Russian officials say Chechen rebels were to blame.

• ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- An explosion near a security checkpoint separating Israel and the Gaza Strip killed one Palestinian and wounded at least one other today (Saturday). The Israeli army also reported that Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon fired several volleys of anti-aircraft missiles into northern Israel, but caused no casualties.
• Explosion Kills Palestinian in Gaza VOA News 05 Jul 2003 -- An explosion near a security checkpoint separating Israel and the Gaza Strip killed one Palestinian and wounded at least one other Saturday. The Israeli army also reported that Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon fired several volleys of anti-aircraft missiles into northern Israel, but caused no casualties.

• Liberian President Sets Conditions For Leaving Power VOA News 05 Jul 2003 -- Liberian President Charles Taylor has renewed a pledge to leave office, but only if a U.S.-led peacekeeping force is deployed in the war-torn West African country. Mr. Taylor told church leaders Friday that an international force should be in place in Liberia before he steps down to ensure stability in the country.

News Reports

• Bush Says His Policies Demonstrate Africa's Importance to U.S. Washington File 05 Jul 2003 -- President Bush said that programs such as the Millennium Challenge Account, the new AIDS initiative, and continuing support for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) demonstrate the strong U.S. interest in and commitment to Africa's future.
• TAIWAN / SARS VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- World Health Organization has removed Taiwan from its list of areas affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. The W-H-O says the SARS outbreak has now been brought under control worldwide, but medical experts warn it is too soon to write the disease off completely
• BURMA/SUU KYI VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- The official Burmese press has run a commentary critical of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, indicating the government will continue to resist international pressure to set her free. The articles appear a day after two people gave graphic accounts of the violent attack on Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi's convoy that preceded her detention.
• HONG KONG / LAWS VOA 05 Jul 2003 -- In the face of massive public discontent and waning political support, Hong Kong's leader says he will soften controversial anti-subversion legislation that many in Hong Kong fear will damage civil liberties. A battle still looms over when the legislation will be voted on.
• Hong Kong Leader to Soften Controversial Anti-Subversion Legislation VOA News 05 Jul 2003 -- In the face of massive public discontent and waning political support, Hong Kong's leader says he will soften controversial anti-subversion legislation that many in Hong Kong fear will damage civil liberties. A battle still looms over when the legislation will be voted on.