Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• V CORPS HELPS TRAIN FIRST GRADUATES OF BAGHDAD POLICE ACADEMY V Corps Release 17 Jul 2003-- Units under V Corps command helped the effort to improve security in Baghdad reach another milestone this week as the first class of Iraqi policemen graduated from a three-week training course at the Baghdad Public Safety Academy.

• UN resumes full de-mining activities in Afghanistan UN News Centre 17 Jul 2003 -- All de-mining work has resumed along the Kabul to Kandahar road, one of Afghanistan's most important routes for commerce and relief aid and is proceeding at a fast pace thanks to a new technology after a nearly two-month long suspension following a rash of attacks, the United Nations said today.
• Karzai Calls on Loya Jirga to Convene in October on Afghan Constitution VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- Afghanistan's interim President Hamid Karzai has issued a decree to convene the meeting of a traditional grand council, a "loya jirga," in October that will approve a draft of the country's new constitution. But, Afghan officials fear the gathering might be delayed because consulting the public on the draft is taking more time than planned.
• AFGHANISTAN LOYA JIRGA (refile) VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- Afghanistan's interim President Hamid Karzai has issued a decree to convene the meeting of a traditional grand council, a "Loya Jirga," in October that will approve a draft of the country's new constitution. But Afghan officials fear the gathering might be delayed because consulting the public on the draft is taking more time than planned.
• AFGHANISTAN LOYA JIRGA VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- Afghanistan's interim President Hamid Karzai has issued a decree to convene the meeting of a traditional grand council, a "Loya Jirga," in October that will approve a draft of the country's new constitution. But Afghan officials fear the gathering might be delayed because consulting the public on the draft is taking more time than planned.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 2, Number 25 17 Jul 2003 -- NOT-SO-QUIET ON THE SOUTHERN FRONT / ASHES CONTINUE ALONG AFGHAN-PAKISTANI BORDER... / ...AS AFGHAN COMMANDER CLAIMS VICTORY AND PAKISTAN DENIES INVOLVEMENT. / ...BUT AFGHAN MINISTER CONFIRMS PAKISTANI INCURSION... / ...WHICH IS RECONFIRMED BY GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN... / ...WHO REJECTS REPORTS THAT AFGHAN GOVERNMENT WAS INFORMED OF THE MILITARY MOVES... / AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTER SENDS TOUGH MESSAGE TO PAKISTAN... / ...AS PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER DENIES INCURSION INTO AFGHANISTAN, NAMES THIRD-PARTY SPOILER / PAKISTANI OFFICIAL BLAMES AFGHAN 'MILITIA' FOR ATTACKS ON ITS BORDER POST... / ...DENYING CHARGES OF INTRUSION INSIDE AFGHANISTAN / ANTI-PAKISTAN MARCHES CONTINUE AFTER ATTACK ON EMBASSY... / ...AS ANTI-PAKISTAN RALLY IS REPORTED IN LAGHMAN PROVINCE... / ...WHILE PROTESTORS IN KANDAHAR CALL ON PAKISTAN TO WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS... / ...AND AFGHAN TRIBES ISSUE STATEMENT SUPPORTING KARZAI'S STANCE ON PAKISTAN / TRIPARTITE COMMISSION SET UP TO SOLVE BORDER DISPUTE / U.S. ENVOY WARNS UNIDENTIFIED THIRD COUNTRY NOT TO INTERFERE IN AFGHAN-PAKISTANI RELATIONS / NORTHERN AFGHAN WARLORD REJECTS FEDERALISM, EMPHASIZES ROLE OF ISLAM IN FUTURE CONSTITUTION / HEAD OF CRC SAYS ISLAM WILL FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN CONSTITUTION... / ...AS KANDAHAR PROVINCE TRIBAL, POLITICAL LEADERS DEMAND HIS RESIGNATION / AFGHAN LEADER ISSUES DECREE ON PROCEDURES OF CONSTITUTIONAL LOYA JIRGA / NASCENT AFGHAN CRICKET SEEKS HELP FROM INDIA / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY

Defense Policy / Programs

• Prime Minister's speech to Congress 10 Downing Street 17 Jul 2003 -- "But if our critics are wrong, if we are right as I believe with every fibre of instinct and conviction I have that we are, and we do not act, then we will have hesitated in face of this menace, when we should have given leadership. That is something history will not forgive."
• President Bush, Prime Minister Blair Discuss War on Terrorism The White House 17 Jul 2003 -- "The close partnership between the United States and Great Britain has been and remains essential to the peace and security of all nations. For more than 40 years of the Cold War we stood together to ensure that the conflicts of Europe did not once again destroy the peace of the world. The duties we accepted were demanding, as we found during the Berlin Blockade and other crises. Yet, British and American leaders held firm and our cause prevailed."
• Blair Delivers Impassioned Speech to US Congress VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has delivered an impassioned defense of the war in Iraq, saying history will forgive the United States and Britain if weapons of mass destruction are not found. His speech to a joint meeting of the U.S Congress comes amid controversy in London and Washington over questionable pre-war intelligence about Iraq's nuclear ambitions.
• Bush, Blair Defend Decision to go to War in Iraq VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have staunchly defended their decision to go to war in Iraq.
• CONGRESS BLAIR VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has delivered an impassioned defense of the war in Iraq, saying history will forgive the United States and Britain if weapons of mass destruction are not found. His speech to a joint meeting of the U-S Congress comes amid controversy in London and Washington over questionable pre-war intelligence about Iraq's nuclear ambitions.
• Blair Says Freedom, Liberty Best Weapons Against Terrorism AFPS 17 Jul 2003 -- The values of liberty and freedom are America's and Great Britain's best weapons against terrorism, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a joint meeting of Congress July 17.
• Bush, Blair Cite Progress Against Terror AFPS 17 Jul 2003 -- The United States and Britain are opposing the ideology of terrorism with a belief in freedom and liberty, President Bush said during a White House press conference today with his British counterpart.

• CONGRESS IRAQ - DEFENSE VOA 18 Jul 2003 -- The U-S Senate has approved a 367 billion dollar defense spending bill for the next budget year. Democrats used debate on the bill to challenge President Bush on Iraq

• 101st Airborne honors fighters of Iraq sulfur fire Army News Service 17 Jul 2003-- Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) took time away from fighting the huge sulfur-plant fire in Qayyarah today to attend a memorial service for an Iraqi firefighter killed and they honored those who fought bravely during the first days of the blaze.
• Army releases findings from 507th ambush Army News Service 17 Jul 2003-- The Army released a 15-page report today stating that members of the 507th Maintenance Company fought the best they could in Iraq until there was no longer a means to resist.
• Revolutionary New Illuminating Fire Hose Being Developed at NAVAIR Lakehurst NAVAIR News 17 Jul 2003-- It is estimated that about 37.5% of firefighter fatalities involve firefighters losing contact with their fire hoses and then running out of air. In most instances, the lifesaving hose line was only a few feet away.
• NAVAIR DESIGNS and BUILDS A MORE POTENT HELLFIRE WARHEAD NAVAIR News 17 Jul 2003-- Marine assault units in Operation Iraqi Freedom are packing Hellfire missiles equipped with a new metal-augmented-charge (MAC) warhead designed, developed, and built at NAVAIR China Lake.
• Goshawk gets first go on fixed cat NAVAIR News 17 Jul 2003-- The TC-7 catapult launched its first aircraft - a T-45 Goshawk - July 1, since unscheduled depot level maintenance on the system's launch valves forced its closure in February.
• Fleet Hospital 8 Heading Home Navy Newsstand 17 Jul 2003-- After caring for almost 1,400 inpatients and performing more than 250 surgeries, Fleet Hospital (FH) 8 has pulled up stakes and is heading home. The tents and equipment have been crated up and stowed into shipping containers for transit back to the United States.
• Crew Members in Helicopter Crash Identified Navy Newsstand 17 Jul 2003-- All four crew members are confirmed dead following a U.S. Navy helicopter crash, July 16, in Sicily. The fourth crew member was recovered from the crash site July 17 at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time (6:10 a.m. EST).
• FSSG to keep wartime structure Marine Corps News 17 Jul 2003-- Now that Camp Pendleton-based units are returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom, the commanders and staff of the 1st Force Service Support Group are considering leaving much of the wartime organizational structure intact ? a move they say would speed redeployment and forge stronger bonds between warfighters and those who support them.
• Engines put to utlimate test Marine Corps News 17 Jul 2003-- Marines not only need to ensure they are mission capable, but they also must make sure the equipment they use is serviceable and ready for action. This is especially important when dealing with aircraft.
• Harriers win the day for Marine Corps aviation during Operation Iraqi Freedom Marine Corps News 17 Jul 2003-- One of the biggest challenges for Marine Corps fixed-wing aviation during Operation Iraqi Freedom was the scarcity of airfields within the theater of operations.
• Moondogs depart after six-month UDP Marine Corps News 17 Jul 2003-- The Marines of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 will return home Sunday to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., after completing a six-month Unit Deployment Program here.
• Bats complete training down under Marine Corps News 17 Jul 2003-- An element of the Bats currently participating in Southern Frontier 2003 will swap out with the Lancers Thursday.
• 613th CRG: First responders for Pacific, Asia regions PACAF News 17 Jul 2003-- In days gone by, military commanders frequently looked at a deployment location and asked a question: "Who's going in first?"
• DoD Police Force Motorcycle Unit in Operation at the Pentagon AFPS 17 Jul 2003 -- BMW of North America has donated six BMW R 1100 RT-P ("P" for police) authority motorcycles to the Defense Department's police force, which enables the Pentagon law enforcement agency to create its first motorcycle unit.
• Military Professionals Know Mission Comes First AFPS 17 Jul 2003 -- "We can either fight this battle against terrorism at home, or we can fight it abroad," U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid said July 16. "Our soldiers have to know in their heart of hearts that they've got to fight it abroad."
• Defense Department Still Has Room to Grow, Abell Tells NAACP AFPS 17 Jul 2003 -- A top DoD official told the NAACP that DoD's "made great strides in the representation of African-Americans in our armed forces, but we recognize we still have room for growth, particularly in general and flag officer ranks."
• Navy Announces Contract Award for Design of Ship 17 Jul 2003 -- General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems - Surface Systems, Washington, D.C.; Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., are each being awarded a contract for the performance of flight littoral combat ship (LCS) preliminary design. Each contractor will perform a seven-month preliminary design effort to refine its proposed littoral combat ship concept.
• Volunteer Mililtary Force VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- What ended after the Vietnam War was not universal military service but the draft. Since nineteen-seventy-three, the United States military has been all-volunteer. Each person has chosen to join.

• NATO/SFOR: JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE NATO 17 Jul 2003

• U-S / IRAQ / SOUTHEAST ASIA VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- More than three months after the end of major combat in Iraq, U-S scholars and military experts are analyzing what impact that war had on Southeast Asia. One result is likely to be an increase in U-S military presence in the region.

• U.S./Turkey: Relations Still Racked By Mutual Distrust Despite Attempts To Mend Fences RFE/L 17 Jul 2003 -- U.S. and Turkish officials have expressed regret over the recent detention of Turkish soldiers by U.S. troops in northern Iraq. But neither side has officially apologized for the incident, and mutual distrust continues to simmer between the two NATO allies.

Defense Industry

• Boeing's 767 Tanker Aircraft Delivers More of Everything Boeing 17 Jul 2003 -- The Boeing KC-767 tanker stands ready to provide a quantum leap forward for the U.S. Air Force's air refueling capability, replacing the oldest KC-135E tankers, which have been in service for more than 40 years.
• Senator Rudman to Lead Independent Review of Boeing Boeing 17 Jul 2003 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that former Senator Warren B. Rudman will lead an independent review of the company's policies and procedures regarding ethics and the handling of competitive information, including any management or cultural factors that could affect how these policies and procedures are respected and enforced.
• EADS TELECOM NORTH AMERICA WINS USAF MATERIEL COMMAND CONTRACT FOR TACTICAL RADIO SYSTEMS EADS 17 Jul 2003 -- EADS TELECOM North America, a subsidiary of EADS North America, today announced that the company has been selected by the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command’s Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, to provide tactical line-of-sight (LOS) radio relay systems for a USAF foreign military sales program.
• General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Team Wins Preliminary Design Award for U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship General Dynamics 17 Jul 2003 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a $9 million contract to develop a preliminary design for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). With a focus on affordability, LCS will provide the Navy with the capability to defeat terrorist swarm boats, mines, and diesel submarines prevalent in coastal waters around the world.
• General Dynamics Awarded $5 Million Ammunition Contract General Dynamics 17 Jul 2003 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that the Department of the Army - Headquarters, TACOM-ARDEC, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., has awarded the company a sole-source contract with a potential value of $5 million to produce 40mm M1001 cartridges. This procurement represents the first production contract for the M1001 cartridge.
• General Dynamics-Rockwell Collins Team to Provide Computing Infrastructure for Army’s Future Combat Systems Program General Dynamics 17 Jul 2003 -- A General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems-Rockwell Collins team has been selected to enter negotiations toward a contract to provide the Integrated Computer Systems (ICS) for the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems will serve as the team lead and provide overall program management. Rockwell Collins will share approximately 50 percent of the program scope.
• Lockheed Martin Team Awarded $10 Million Littoral Combat Ship Preliminary Design Contract Lockheed Martin 17 Jul 2003 -- The U.S. Navy awarded the Lockheed Martin-led Littoral Combat Ship team a $10 million contract for preliminary design of this transformational naval combatant. The Lockheed Martin Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), named Sea Blade', is a fast, affordable, low-risk approach designed to dominate the shallow waters surrounding an enemy's shores - one of the greatest challenges facing the Navy.
• Northrop Grumman to Advance Design of Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft Northrop Grumman 17 Jul 2003 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Integrated Systems sector will begin the preliminary design phase of the unmanned combat armed rotorcraft (UCAR) program under a new funding agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The award strengthens the company's global leadership position in the development of advanced unmanned systems.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 17 Jul 2003
• World: War On Terror A Threat To Humanitarian Aid Operations RFE/L 17 Jul 2003 -- International antiterrorism efforts are posing ethical dilemmas that may threaten the legitimacy and work of humanitarian agencies. The "World Disasters Report 2003," released today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, says many humanitarian crises are being neglected as aid is increasingly targeting those countries and conflicts in the political and media spotlight.

• US Works to Restore Democracy to Sao Tome and Principe VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- The State Department says the United States is working diplomatically to try to restore the democratically elected government in Sao Tome and Principe, where military officers seized power in a coup Wednesday.
• U-S / SAO TOME VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- The State Department says the United States is working diplomatically to try to restore the democratically elected government in Sao Tome and Principe, where military officers seized power in a coup Wednesday.
• Nigeria Urges Sao Tome and Principe Coup Leaders to Return Power to Civilians VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- Nigeria is trying to convince the leaders of the military coup in neighboring Sao Tome and Principe to return power to civilians. The two countries share ownership of rich oil reserves in the Gulf of Guinea.
• SAO TOME / COUP VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- Nigeria is trying to convince the leaders of the military coup in neighboring Sao Tome and Principe to return power to civilians. The two countries share ownership of rich oil reserves in the Gulf of Guinea.
• SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: Toppled president negotiating with coup leaders IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Sao Tome and Principe's ousted President Fradique de Menezes, who soldiers toppled from power in the potentially oil-rich West African island nation on Wednesday, was trying to negotiate with the coup leaders to peacefully renounce their action, an official said.
• Bush Plans to Meet Israeli and Palestinian Leaders in Washington Washington File 17 Jul 2003 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon are scheduled to visit separately with President Bush in Washington in late July.
• Syria Willing to Resume Peace Talks with Israel, says UN VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- Top United Nations Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen confirmed Thursday that Syria has expressed interest in reviving peace talks with Israel.
• U-N / MIDEAST VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- Top United Nations Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen confirmed today (Thursday) that Syria has expressed interest in reviving peace talks with Israel.
• UN Middle East envoy denies account of his meeting with Syrian leader UN News Centre 17 Jul 2003 -- The top United Nations Middle East envoy today denied a report in an Israeli newspaper about his meeting with Syrian President Bashir al Assad with regard to the whereabouts of missing Israelis and to the United States.
• UN envoy calls on Israel, Palestinians to build peace momentum and mutual trust UN News Centre 17 Jul 2003 -- With recent progress in the Middle East peace process affording a glimmer of hope, both sides must now build momentum and mutual trust, with the Palestinians disarming terrorists, and Israel easing the daily lives of Palestinians and releasing more prisoners, the top United Nations Middle East envoy told the Security Council today.
• US Supplies Palestinians with Direct Funds VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- The United States has given $20 million to the Palestinian Authority for urgently needed infrastructure repairs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The money is to pay for roads and other public services damaged or destroyed by 33 months of violence.
• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- The United States has given 20 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority for urgently needed infrastructure repairs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

• SRI LANKA/PEACE VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- In Sri Lanka, the government has made fresh proposals to Tamil Tiger rebels to revive the stalled peace process in the country.
• New Sri Lanka Government Proposals Attempt to Revive Stalled Peace Talks VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- In Sri Lanka, the government has made fresh proposals to Tamil Tiger rebels to revive the stalled peace process in the country.

• PRESS BRIEFING BY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LIBERIA United Nations 17 Jul 2003
• U-N / LIBERIA VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- A high level U-N envoy to Liberia, veteran U-S diplomat Jacques Klein, says Liberian President Charles Taylor will go into exile the day that U-S peacekeepers arrive. But U-S officials continue to weigh whether to send troops to the troubled West African nation.
• Diplomats Say Taylor Agrees to Leave Liberia on Same Day US Peacekeepers Arrive VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- A high level U.N. envoy to Liberia, veteran U.S. diplomat Jacques Klein, says Liberian President Charles Taylor will go into exile the day that U.S. peacekeepers arrive. But U.S. officials continue to weigh whether to send troops to the troubled West African nation.
• LIBERIA / TAYLOR VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- Negotiators at Liberian peace talks say a U-S-backed plan could establish a transitional government without President Charles Taylor in early August. The negotiations are taking place in Ghana, as Liberians await international peacekeepers to end 15 years of nearly continuous civil war.
• LIBERIA: Peace talks at preliminary stage as deadline looms IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Thirty days after securing a fragile ceasefire amongst Liberian warring factions in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, West African mediators were still in the preliminary stages of securing a comprehensive peace agreement.
• LIBERIA: Rebels seize Kley Junction as clashes resume IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Liberian rebels seized the strategic town of Kley Junction, 37 km west of the capital, Monrovia, as fighting resumed between government troops and two rebel groups on three fronts, threatening a fragile 17 June ceasefire.
• Annan hails new power-sharing government in DR of Congo UN News Centre 17 Jul 2003 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed the historic swearing-in of the four Vice-Presidents who will head up the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) new power-sharing transitional government as a "milestone" in the war-weary country's search for lasting peace.
• D-R-C / GOVERNMENT VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- A new government has been installed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the swearing in of four vice presidents in the government of President Joseph Kabila. The government has two major goals: ending more than four years of war and guiding the country to democratic elections.
• DRC Rebel Leaders Officially Join New Powersharing Government VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- Two rebel leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been sworn in as vice presidents in a power-sharing government created to end nearly five years of war.
• Rebel Leader Azarias Ruberwa to Become One of DRC's Vice Presidents VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- The leader of the largest rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo has arrived in the country's capital, Kinshasa, after several days of uncertainty. He will take his place as one of four vice presidents in a new transitional government that is to be put in place on Thursday to end Congo's four-year war and plan elections.
• DRC: "No turning back" as vice-presidents sworn in IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- The four vice-presidents for the two-year transitional government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took their oath of office on Thursday in the capital, Kinshasa.
• DRC: International Criminal Court targets Ituri IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has selected Ituri District of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as "the most urgent situation" under its jurisdiction to be addressed, the court reported from The Hague on Wednesday.
• SOLOMONS INTERVENTION VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- The parliament of the Solomon Islands has passed a measure legalizing the deployment of an Australian-led peacekeeping force to the troubled South Pacific nation. The Solomon Islands has been plagued by economic and political chaos and is near collapse from years of violence.

• Security Council urges Ethiopia, Eritrea to cooperate with border demarcation UN News Centre 17 Jul 2003 -- The United Nations Security Council today welcomed Ethiopia's and Eritrea's acceptance as final and binding an agreement on the delimitation of the border between the two countries, and urged them to cooperation fully with the commission responsible for demarking the boundary.
• ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Asmara says it can exist without Ethiopia IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Eritrea has dismissed Ethiopia's assertion that relations cannot be normalised unless there is a "regime change" in Asmara as "tantamount to declaring aggression".
• ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia backs plans to combat border shootings IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Ethiopia’s armed forces have pledged “complete cooperation” in combating a spate of shootings on its far western border with Eritrea, the UN said on Thursday.
• ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Remains of Ethiopian soldiers to be repatriated this month IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- The remains of 164 soldiers slain during the bloody Ethiopia-Eritrea border war will be repatriated before the end of the month, the UN said on Thursday.
• SOMALIA: UN calls for lasting peace IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- The UN Security Council has called on Somali parties taking part in peace talks in Kenya to "sincerely pursue" efforts aimed at achieving peace and reconciliation.
• BURUNDI: Zuma arrives in Bujumbura as UN withdraws nonessential staff IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma arrived in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, on Thursday to discuss the peace process in the country, two days after the UN began withdrawing non-essential staff from the city because of fighting between rebel and government troops.
• WESTERN SAHARA: Diplomats urge parties to consider new peace plan IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Western diplomats have urged Morocco and Polisario to consider a new peace plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to advance the peace process in Western Sahara. The plan combines sections of a draft framework and a settlement plan, including suggestions from all parties to the conflict.
• GUINEA: Refugees asked to move out of Conakry IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees living in the Guinean capital, Conakry, run the risk of being "rounded up forcibly" and deported, if they fail to meet a 31 August deadline to go back to camps or opt to be repatriated back home.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Bangui in plea to Togolese leader over Patasse IRIN 17 Jul 2003 -- The Central African Republic (CAR) government has asked Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema to dissuade former President Ange Felix Patasse from destabilising the new administration of Francois Bozize, Foreign Minister Karim Meckassoua told a news conference in the capital, Bangui, on Wednesday.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 17 Jul 2003 -- NATO says to stand up new strike force in October / NATO warns of "tough" mission in Afghanistan / EU extends Macedonia (sic) mission, lead nation in doubt / NATO agrees to back extended EU Macedonia (sic) mission / Ex-Kosovo rebels jailed in first war crimes trial / U.S. open to discuss new mandate in Iraq
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 17 Jul 2003 -- NATO to assemble Response Force / Robertson says no plans for major NATO role in Iraq / Year-long tours an option for "guerrilla" war in Iraq / Lord Robertson says NATO's doors "still open" to Albania's membership / U.S. drafts Liberia troop plan / North Korea nuclear arms row is approaching critical mass

• ZIMBABWE / TRIAL VOA 17 Jul 2003 -- Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, and his two co-defendants will have to wait for more than a week to know if the High Court in Harare will dismiss the treason charges against them, or proceed with the trial.
• Annan Urges Burma's Military to Release Aung San Suu Kyi VOA News 17 Jul 2003 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told an envoy from Burma that the military government must quickly release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Hamilton Sundstrand Sensor Systems to supply key instrument for NASA mission to study carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Hamilton Sundstrand 17 Jul 2003 -- amilton Sundstrand Sensor Systems, based in Pomona, has been selected by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of the California Institute of Technology, to supply the science instrument for NASA’s new Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO). The instrument uses three infrared spectrometers to measure reflected sunlight in carbon dioxide and oxygen absorption bands.
• Cablevision Systems Corporation and Lockheed Martin Achieve Mission Success with the Launch of Rainbow 1 Lockheed Martin 17 Jul 2003 -- Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced that the Rainbow 1 telecommunications satellite was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas V rocket provided by International Launch Services (ILS), a Lockheed Martin joint venture. Cablevision Chairman Charles F. Dolan stated: