Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• HC-5 det returns to Guam after supporting war against terrorism Seventh Fleet 08 Jul 2003 -- Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Rodrigo Cunha could not hold back the tears as he held his three-month-old son for the very first time.
• Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group to Return to San Diego Navy NewStand 08 Jul 2003 -- After six months, thousands of nautical miles, one war, and several times in the national spotlight, more than 4,000 Sailors and Marines aboard the three San Diego-based ships of the USS Tarawa (LHA 1) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) will return home.

• AFGHAN PROTEST VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- Pakistan has closed its embassy in Afghanistan after a group of Afghans attacked and ransacked the premises. Afghanistan government officials have condemned the attack and President Hamid Karzai has called Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to apologize.
• Afghanistan: Government Prepares To Launch Nationwide Demilitarization Plan RFE/L 08 Jul 2003 -- Kabul this month is due to launch a two-year demilitarization program aimed at disarming regional fighters and reintegrating them into Afghan society. Skeptics say the plan will be difficult to implement, particularly in cities like Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. The northern region is firmly under the control of local commanders loyal to Abdul Rashid Dostum and Muhammad Atta -- two of the country's most powerful warlords and bitter rivals. Recent clashes between armed forces loyal to Dostum and Atta have ended in an unsteady truce. Many Afghans doubt that either the truce or the demilitarization are likely to succeed.
• Afghanistan: Pakistan Closes Kabul Embassy After Attack RFE/L 08 Jul 2003 -- Pakistan closed its embassy in Kabul today after it was attacked by a crowd protesting alleged incursions by Pakistani forces into Afghanistan.
• Pakistan Closes Embassy in Afghanistan Amid Protests, Unrest VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- Pakistan has closed its embassy in Afghanistan after a group of Afghans attacked and ransacked the premises. Afghanistan government officials have condemned the attack and President Hamid Karzai has called Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to apologize.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 3rd PERSONNEL GROUP TO DEACTIVATE AT FORT HOOD III Corps Release 08 Jul 2003-- The 3rd Personnel Group will formally deactivate in a 9 a.m. ceremony Wednesday (July 9) at Fort Hood.
• 8th FW supports Commando Sling PACAF Release 08 Jul 2003-- Seventy-five people and six F-16s from the 8th Fighter Wing deployed to Singapore for Exercise Commando Sling July 2.
• Wolf Pack F-16 drops the bomb PACAF Release 08 Jul 2003-- A new precision weapon capability was introduced to the 80th Fighter Squadron today when an F-16C dropped two joint direct attack munitions over Chik-Do Island, Republic of Korea.
• U.S.: General Franks Retires After Directing Afghan, Iraqi Wars RFE/L 08 Jul 2003 -- General Tommy Franks, the U.S. commander for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, retired from service this week amid widespread praise of his military record. At a ceremony yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld called Franks a "soldier's soldier" and one of the country's best military leaders. But it remains unclear why Franks, age 57, decided to retire now rather than assume the U.S. Army's top position as chief of staff.
• Abizaid takes reins of CENTCOM Army News 08 Jul 2003 -- Gen. John P. Abizaid assumed command of U.S. Central Command from Gen. Tommy R. Franks July 7 during a ceremony at the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa.
• Keane: Army has more world policing to do Army News 08 Jul 2003 -- Acting Chief of Staff Gen. John Keane, told soldiers who want to know when they are going home, that there is much work in the world to do to get rid of tyrants and thugs.
• CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICES FOR ARMY, ARMY RESERVE MERGE Army News Release 08 Jul 2003 -- The Chief Information Offices for the Army and Army Reserve merged into one organization in late June when Lt. Gen. Peter M. Cuviello, then-Army CIO/G-6 and Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly, chief, Army Reserve, formalized a memorandum of agreement between the two Army service components.
• Navy Secretary Announces Carrier Donation US Dept. of State 08 Jul 2003 -- Acting Secretary of the Navy Hansford T. Johnson announced today that the historic aircraft carrier Midway will be donated to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum., a qualified non-profit organization.
• PEO IWS Dedicates New OA Test Facility Navy NewStand 09 Jul 2003 -- The Navy's Open Architecture (OA) Test Facility opened July 2 at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren.
• USS Nicholas Concludes Visit to St. Petersburg Navy NewStand 09 Jul 2003 -- With a Russian Navy Band playing music at the pier, guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) departed St. Petersburg, Russia, July 7 after spending four days celebrating the 300th anniversary of the beautiful port city.
• Reservists Reinforce Rota Hospital Navy NewStand 09 Jul 2003 -- Throughout this year approximately 100 Reservists, a diverse group of surgeons, family practitioners, physical therapists, clinical dieticians, operating technicians and more, will serve at U.S. Naval Hospital Rota, Spain ensuring patients receive the continuous quality care they need.
• AEC, RTA Revolutionizes Training in Med Region Navy NewStand 09 Jul 2003 -- Training at Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG) and the Mediterranean region has taken a big step forward with the recent establishment of an Advanced Electronic Classroom (AEC) and a Regional Training Authority (RTA).
• Navy Knowledge Online Expands Accessibility Navy NewStand 09 Jul 2003 -- It's a phrase that is heard everyday. Now, Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) can say it too. NKO, Sailors' one-stop shop for career management, is now available on Secure Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNET).
• USS Florida: An End and a Beginning Navy NewStand 09 Jul 2003 -- On June 27, USS Florida (SSBN 728) arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for the start of a process that will change the submarine from a ballistic missile carrier into the Navy's latest and most awesome conventional weapon, the guided-missile submarine (SSGN).

• Text: Powell Certifies Colombia as Meeting Criteria Related to Human Rights Washington File 08 Jul 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell has certified to Congress that the Colombian government and armed forces are meeting the statutory criteria related to human rights and are severing ties to paramilitary groups responsible for much of the violence that plagues Colombia, according to the State Department.
• US Says Colombia Fulfilling Human Rights Criteria for Aid VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- The Bush administration certified Tuesday that the human rights performance of the Colombian military is good enough to merit the release of more than $31 million in U.S. military aid. The conclusion came under immediate criticism from human rights groups.
• U-S / COLOMBIA AID VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- The Bush administration certified Tuesday that the human rights performance of the Colombian military is good enough to merit the release of more than 31-million dollars in U-S military aid. The conclusion came under immediate criticism from human rights groups.

Defense Industry

• BAE SYSTEMS Australia To Equip RAAF F-111 Aircraft With Oxley Night Flying Lighting System BAE Systems 08 Jul 2003 -- BAE Systems Australia has been awarded a contract by Oxley Avionics of the UK to perform a trial modification of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 cockpit and external lighting system to be night vision goggle compatible.
• BAE SYSTEMS To Build More QF-4 Aerial Targets For U.S. Air Force BAE Systems 08 Jul 2003 -- BAE Systems has received a $17.3 million U.S. Air Force contract to produce 24 QF-4 aerial targets. QF-4 aerial targets are F-4 fighter aircraft modified into full-scale drones. The remotely piloted aircraft are used by the military as realistic targets in test and training exercises.
• U.S. Navy MH-60R Helicopter Completes Significant Developmental Test Phase Lockheed Martin 08 Jul 2003 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], the prime systems integrator for the MH-60R helicopter, completed a significant developmental test phase in June, which qualifies the aircraft to enter technical evaluation in October 2003.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 08 Jul 2003
• PRESS CONFERENCE ON SMALL ARMS SURVEY 2003 United Nations 08 Jul 2003
• Illicit Trade in Small Arms, Light Weapons a Serious Threat Washington File 08 Jul 2003 -- The "illicit trade in small arms and light weapons" is a serious threat to security and stability in the Western Hemisphere as well as other parts of the world, according to Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lincoln Bloomfield.
• U.N. Reviewing Effort to End Illicit Small Arms Trafficking Washington File 08 Jul 2003 -- The first meeting to review progress and exchange information on ending the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons opened at U.N. headquarters July 7, two years after an international conference adopted a plan of action to eliminate the weapons that are responsible for more than 1,000 deaths a day.
• Study: Illicit Small Arms Trade is Flourishing VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- An independent research group says the international stockpile of small arms continues to grow. The group released its findings during a United Nations conference on the illicit small weapons trade.
• U-N / SMALL ARMS VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- An independent research group says the international stockpile of small arms continues to grow. The group released its findings during a United Nations conference on the illicit small weapons trade.
• 'Small Arms Survey' launched, as UN panel reviews curbing illicit weapons trade UN News Centre 08 Jul 2003 -- The 2003 edition of the World Small Arms Survey - focusing the spread of small arms and human development - was launched today at United Nations Headquarters in New York where government representatives are meeting for the first time to consider implementation of a UN Action Plan for eradicating the illicit small arms trade.

• Liberia: UN prepares rescue ship for second evacuation run as more refugees converge on Monrovia UN News Centre 08 Jul 2003 -- As the United Nations readies the rescue ship Overbeck for a second roundtrip voyage ferrying Sierra Leonean refugees from Monrovia home to Freetown, humanitarian workers are still struggling to help thousands of other desperate refugees and displaced people stranded in makeshift camps throughout the besieged Liberian capital.
• Bush Says U.S. Will Support Actions in Liberia AFPS 08 Jul 2003 -- President Bush said during a quick media opportunity in Senegal that the United States will participate with the Economic Community of West African States and the United Nations in any humanitarian mission to Liberia. "We're now in the process to determine the extent of our participation," Bush said.
• LIBERIA / WARNING VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- A leading humanitarian group is warning of potential chaos in Liberia, should president Charles Taylor step down before international peacekeepers move in. The International Rescue Committee is concerned Mr. Taylor's army might run amok.
• CONGRESS/ LIBERIA VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- As President Bush considers whether to send U-S troops to serve in a peacekeeping force in Liberia, members of Congress are pressing the administration about the aim and the duration of such a mission. U-S officials are briefing lawmakers about the matter this week.
• Liberia: Friendly Crowds Mob US Military Experts VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- Crowds of Liberian civilians have welcomed a U.S. military assessment team on the first full day of its mission in the capital, Monrovia.
• US Team Blocked in Liberia; Decision on Sending Troops Pending VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- Pro-government soldiers in Liberia have prevented a U.S. military assessment team from visiting a refugee camp on the outskirts of Monrovia. Meanwhile, President Bush has not announced whether he will send U.S. peacekeepers to Liberia.
• Liberian Forces Turn Away US Military Experts VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- Forces loyal to Liberian President Charles Taylor have prevented a team of U.S. experts assessing humanitarian and security needs from entering a refugee camp near Monrovia, the capital.
• LIBERIA: US assessment team to visit displaced people IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- A day after arriving in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, the 32-man United States military and humanitarian assessment mission prepared on Tuesday afternoon to drive out in an eight-vehicle convoy to visit camps for displaced people in the Brewersville suburbs, west of the city.
• SUDAN: Tentative pathway towards peace in Upper Nile IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- A peace conference held in North Bor County, Upper Nile, attended by over 500 delegates, has proposed "a pathway" for peace in the region.
• SUDAN: US must engage more in peace process, says think-tank IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- The US must make a clear commitment to its relationship with Sudan and to remaining closely involved in a post-agreement phase involving the government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), says leading think-tank, International Crisis Group (ICG).
• SUDAN: Gov't, rebels meet to discuss aftermath of war IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- A two-day meeting is due to begin on Wednesday in Washington to continue planning for a post-war period in Sudan, when expanded humanitarian assistance will be available to the country.
• UN envoy strongly condemns Palestinian suicide bombing in Israel UN News Centre 08 Jul 2003 -- The top United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process strongly condemned last night's suicide bombing in central Israel, which killed a 65 year-old woman, and called for political and security talks to continue at full speed.
• Palestinian Militants Claim Responsibility for Suicide Bombing VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- A faction of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed an elderly Israeli woman Monday. But Islamic Jihad's spokesman in the Gaza Strip said his group is committed to honoring the ceasefire it agreed to two weeks ago.
• Abbas Cancels Meeting with Sharon VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has cancelled his Wednesday meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- faction of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed an elderly Israeli woman Monday. But Islamic Jihad's spokesman in the Gaza Strip said his group is committed to honoring the ceasefire it agreed to two-weeks ago.

• DRC: War is international, not just local, says rights group IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- Fighting in Ituri District of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been misdescribed as a local ethnic rivalry when in fact it represents an ongoing struggle for power at the national and international levels, international NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released on Tuesday.
• Text: U.S. Denounces "Climate of Impunity" in Democratic Republic of Congo Washington File 08 Jul 2003 -- Both the international community and the leaders of the factions fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been faulted by the United States for failing to take steps to stop the brutality reported to be occurring during the conflict in that country.
• DR of Congo: New Mission chief discusses security, humanitarian concerns in Bunia UN News Centre 08 Jul 2003 -- The new head of the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has met in Bunia with the commander of the multinational Force, local relief workers and regional leaders, to discuss a range of ongoing security and humanitarian concerns aimed at preventing chaos when the force pulls out in September.

• IVORY COAST/PROTESTS VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- Police in Ivory Coast have started a crackdown on protests against a national unity government that is slowly trying to establish itself. The crackdown follows last week's agreement between the army and northern-based rebels to formally end the country's nine-month civil war.

• Aceh Offensive Highlights Military's Political Role in Indonesia VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- The Indonesian military is continuing its offensive against separatist rebels in Aceh province. At least 400 people have died and thousands have been left homeless. The military operation has implications for coming elections.
• INDONESIA/ACEH VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- The Indonesian military is continuing its offensive against separatist rebels in Aceh province. At least 400 people have died and thousands have been left homeless. The military operation has implications for coming elections.

• CONGO: Govt hopes to have Pool IDPs home by end of July IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- With the resumption of administrative activities across the troubled Pool Region in the Republic of Congo, the government has expressed hope that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) would be back in their homes by the end of July.
• BURUNDI: Thousands displaced in latest rebel attack on Bujumbura IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- Thousands of civilians were displaced when heavy fighting erupted again on Tuesday between the army and fighters loyal to Agathon Rwasa's faction of the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) in the southeastern part of the Burundian capital, Bujumbura.
• SENEGAL: Bush discusses Liberia with West African leaders IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- United States President George Bush discussed the crisis in Liberia with seven West African leaders in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, on Tuesday before visiting the former slave gateway island of Goree.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Police officers asked to report to stations countrywide IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- In efforts to restore security in the Central African Republic, Public Security Minister Col Paulin Bondeboli has directed police officers to report to their duty stations across the country immediately.
• NIGERIA: Niger Delta moving from agitation to rebellion? IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- On a street by the river port in the oil town of Warri, dozens of Nigerian soldiers and marines shelter behind sandbags, pointing their machine guns towards an unseen enemy. They are mounting a 24-hour watch on the southern approaches of the Warri River.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 08 Jul 2003 -- NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe praised Hungary's military reforms and its plans for a professional army / Kosovo Serb leader criticizes new criminal law imposed by outgoing UN official / Retiring Gen. Franks repeats President Bush's "bring it on" taunt / Coalition forces must be better prepared for "friendly" fire and peacekeeping efforts, Britain says / Iran confirms test firing missile capable of reaching Israel / President Putin warns of "chaos" if unilateralism becomes the norm in international relations
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 08 Jul 2003 -- Gen. Jones' trip to Hungary noted Report: Gen. Jones seeks to ease tensions with Turkey / Afghan official: NATO-led peacekeepers aim to ensure security, stability / Further call for internationalization of country's occupation / Pentagon freezes plan to shut peacekeeping entity / Belgium: Deal clinched to set up new coalition government

• Sudan Blames US Sanctions for Plane Crash VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- The Sudanese foreign minister says Tuesday's plane crash in Sudan, which killed at least 115 people, was the direct result of U.S. sanctions.
• ITALY / GERMANY / E-U VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- The head of the European Parliament says Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has expressed regret to the assembly for comparing one of its German members to a Nazi concentration camp guard. The Italian government also tried to distance itself from the comments of a junior minister who insulted Germans.
• S-A-F / BUSH ARRIVES VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- President Bush has arrived in South Africa on the second leg of a five-nation African tour. Mr. Bush is scheduled to meet early Wednesday with South African President Thabo Mbeki.
• SAF/BUSH VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- President George Bush arrives in Pretoria later (Tuesday) on a visit to South Africa, one of five countries on his first tour to the African continent.
• VENEZUELA / CUBANS VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- The launch of a Cuban-inspired literacy campaign in Venezuela, together with the arrival of hundreds of Cuban doctors to set up consulting rooms in poor districts of the capital, Caracas, have brought fresh accusations that the government of President Hugo Chavez is seeking to "cubanize" Venezuela.
• ZIMBABWE / POLITICS VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- In Zimbabwe, the mayor of Harare, Elias Mudzuri, has been arrested. This is the second day in a row that the mayor, a member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, has been detained by police.
• Italian PM Expresses Regret for Inflammatory Comment VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- The head of the European Parliament said Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has expressed regret to the assembly for comparing one of its German members to a Nazi concentration camp guard. The Italian government also tried to distance itself from the comments of a junior minister who insulted Germans.
• Child Survives Crash of Sudan Jet; 115 Dead VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- A Sudanese airliner has crashed near the northeastern city of Port Sudan, killing at least 115 people. Only one survivor was reported.
• Nigerian Labor Union Reaches Deal with Government, Ends Strike VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- The main labor union in Nigeria has called off an eight-day strike over a fuel price increase, after reaching a compromise with the government.
• 115 Die in Crash of Sudan Airliner VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- A Sudan Airways plane on a domestic flight crashed early Tuesday near the Red Sea town of Port Sudan, killing at least 115 passengers and crew.
• NIGERIA / STRIKE VOA 08 Jul 2003 -- The main labor union in Nigeria has called off an eight-day strike over a fuel price increase, after reaching a compromise with the government.
• China OKs Delay of Vote on Hong Kong Security Laws VOA News 08 Jul 2003 -- A top Chinese official says the mainland government accepts Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa's decision to delay a vote on controversial anti-subversion laws. The laws sparked mass protests and cast a shadow over Mr. Tung's leadership.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Foreign minister holds meeting with Patasse in Lome IRIN 08 Jul 2003 -- The Central African Republic foreign minister, Karim Meckassoua, held a meeting on Monday with former President Ange-Felix Patasse in Lome, the capital of Togo, Radio France Internationale reported.