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Military


08 August 2003 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

  • Transcript: Videoteleconference from Iraq with Col. Linnington 08 Aug 2003 -- "We'd like to introduce you to Colonel Michael S. Linnington. He is the commander of the 3rd Brigade, the Army's 101st Airborne Division, and he joins us live from downtown Mosul. Colonel Linnington will discuss his unit's operation in northern Iraq, and then when he's finished with a brief opening statement, I'll facilitate questions and answers."
  • SOLDIER DIES OF GUNSHOT WOUND CENTCOM 08 Aug 2003 -- An 82nd Airborne Division soldier died of a gunshot wound at approximately 9:45 pm on Aug. 7 while on guard duty in the Al Mansor District of Baghdad.
  • SOLDIER DIES IN SLEEP CENTCOM 08 Aug 2003 -- A 4th Infantry Division soldier died while sleeping at a base camp in the town of Kirkush on Aug. 8.
  • U.S. Commander Says Stabilization Efforts Are Flourishing in N. Iraq Washington File 08 Aug 2003 -- U.S. Army Colonel Michael Linnington says stability and support operations carried out by soldiers under his command in northern Iraq have flourished as a result of the more secure environment that they have provided.
  • 'Screaming Eagles' Brigade Commander Praises Troop Conduct AFPS 08 Aug 2003 -- Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade are "doing a better than great" job providing security across northern and western Iraq, the brigade's commander said today.
  • IRAQ / ATTACK VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The day after a powerful bomb blast in Baghdad that killed at least 17 people, U-S military officials say soldiers killed two Iraqis and wounded two others who were dealing in explosives and other weapons in Saddam Hussein's hometown, Tikrit. In Baghdad, an American soldier died of a gunshot wound received while he was on guard duty.
  • Iraq: Will Hussein's Capture Be Enough To Bring Security? RFE/RL 08 Aug 2003 -- As daily outbursts of violence continue in Iraq, some U.S. officials say they still believe the capture or death of Saddam Hussein will bring stability and greater cooperation with American troops. But others say resistance to U.S. soldiers will mount unless Washington takes steps to modify its strategy in Iraq.
  • Iraq: U.S. Soldiers Kill Suspected Arms Dealers At Tikrit Market RFE/RL 08 Aug 2003 -- U.S. soldiers reportedly shot and killed at least two men and wounded at least two others today at a market in the Iraqi city of Tikrit.

  • Afghanistan: The Ill Confront Misery Of Medical Care In Remote Ghor Province RFE/RL 08 Aug 2003 -- Access to health care in Afghanistan is among the worst in the world. RFE/RL correspondent J.M. Ledgard traveled to one of the country's most isolated provinces to look at what it means to be sick in Afghanistan.

  • Temporary Protected Status Extended for Liberians in U.S. Washington File 08 Aug 2003 -- The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Status (BCIS) announced August 7 that the Secretary of Homeland Security has granted temporary protected status to certain Liberian citizens now in the United States. The status allows these visitors to remain in the United States in view of the dangers they would face in returning to the ongoing armed conflict in their country.
  • LIBERIA/VICE PRESIDENT VOA 09 Aug 2003 -- The man Liberian President Charles Taylor has chosen to replace him as interim leader on Monday says he will appeal to rebel groups to create a unified post-Taylor government. Vice President Moses Blah is under pressure by rebel groups to leave the country with Mr. Taylor.
  • LIBERIA / REBELS VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The leaders of Liberia's main rebel group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy or LURD, say fighting could resume in the capital, Monrovia, if Liberian President Charles Taylor's vice president is installed as the next leader on Monday.
  • LIBERIA / REFUGEES VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The presence of West African peacekeepers in the Liberian capital, Monrovia is expected to give humanitarian aid groups a chance to bring food and medicine into the war-weary city. But ongoing political wrangling in Liberia may delay aid from reaching hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians.
  • LIBERIAN CRISIS VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Hundreds of Nigerian peacekeepers continue to stabilize Liberia as part of a West African effort to bring an end to the country's long-running civil war. As the country remains on the brink of chaos, there are questions as to what will happen after Liberia's president Charles Taylor is gone.
  • Liberia: peacekeepers patrol capital, UN relief envoy heads to the region UN News Centre 08 Aug 2003 -- As war-weary civilians lined the streets of Monrovia to cheer West African peacekeepers at last patrolling the Liberian capital's devastated city centre, a top United Nations relief official is on her way to the country to help strengthen the world body's response to the deepening humanitarian crisis.
  • UN rights chief says human rights violations in Liberia must not go unpunished UN News Centre 08 Aug 2003 -- In a strongly worded emergency report spotlighting the dire situation in war-ravaged Liberia, the Acting United Nations rights chief said today that Liberian government and rebel leaders should not be allowed to escape responsibility for ''gross violations of human rights.''
  • EDITORIAL: BRINGING PEACE TO LIBERIA VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Nigerian troops have arrived in Monrovia, Liberia. They are the first element of a multi-national force led by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. U.S. military officers are working with them to restore security so that humanitarian assistance can be provided to the Liberian people.
  • LIBERIA / HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- A United Nations report accuses both government and rebel forces in Liberia of committing gross violations of human rights against civilians. The U-N is calling for punishment.
  • LIBERIA/FIGHTING VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Nigerian peacekeeping troops, who moved into government-held parts of the Liberian capital, Monrovia, on Thursday, are looking to move into rebel-held areas as soon as possible. But concerns over President Charles Taylor's plans are complicating the situation.
  • THE CRISIS IN LIBERIA VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- As the first waves of West African peacekeepers arrive in war-torn Liberia, most analysts say that the prospects for an immediate peace may be in doubt. The country's long-time president, Charles Taylor, who is often accused of fomenting Liberia's civil war, says he has accepted an offer of political asylum in Nigeria. But it's unclear when he will step down.
  • LIBERIA: Taylor will leave for exile on Monday - diplomats IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- Charles Taylor has agreed to fly out of Liberia on Monday shortly after resigning as president in the presence of several African heads of state, diplomatic and Liberian political sources said on Friday.

Defense Policy / Programs

  • B-2 drops 80 test bombs AFPN 08 Aug 2003-- In an effort to increase the B-2 Spirit's operational capability, a test force here conducted an airborne release of 80 Joint Direct Attack Munitions separation test vehicles. The separation test vehicles are inert weapons used to collect data.
  • First ESG Ready for Deployment Navy Newsstand 08 Aug 2003-- The Navy's first Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) recently completed its Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the coast of Southern California.
  • Enhancing Rocket System Capability with Smart Launchers NAVSEA News Wire 08 Aug 2003-- Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (IHDIV) is answering the call for rocket launchers that are more capable, more flexible, and more easily integrated onto airframes by developing the electronics that make them "smart."
  • Combat Shadows helping with Liberia AFPN 08 Aug 2003-- Airmen from the 398th Air Expeditionary Group embarked on a refueling flight Aug. 6 in an MC-130P Combat Shadow, originally from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, now supporting operations in Liberia.
  • First production Global Hawk rolls out AFPN 08 Aug 2003-- The first production RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle rolled out in ceremonies held Aug. 1 at prime contractor Northrop Grumman's Antelope Valley Manufacturing Center at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif.
  • Joint Training on the Way for Joint Fighters AFPS 08 Aug 2003 -- A Marine unit facing combat runs into opposition. The call goes out for fire support. In the past, the call would likely have gone to a Marine artillery unit or air asset.
  • 7th Fleet, Blue Ridge team arrives for Pyongtaek visit 7th Fleet Release 08 Aug 2003-- The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet command and control ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and the embarked Commander, 7th Fleet staff, arrived here Aug. 8 for a regularly scheduled port visit.
  • Blue Ridge ready for sea after summer maintenance 7th Fleet Release 08 Aug 2003-- After months of painting, chipping and grinding during a ship's restricted availability (SRA) period, the 7th Fleet amphibious command and control ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and her crew are ready to continue their watch on the Pacific Rim.

  • Compliance Diplomacy Takes on Greater Emphasis in Arms Control Washington File 08 Aug 2003 -- The United States views the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a bedrock of its nonproliferation efforts, says Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance Paula DeSutter.

  • Joint Statement on U.S.-India Defense Policy Group 08 Aug 2003 -- The U.S.- India Defense Policy Group (DPG) met Aug. 6-7, 2003 in Washington, D.C. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith hosted the meeting and Defence Secretary Ajay Prasad led the Indian delegation.
  • U.S., Indian High Technology Will Benefit Through Cooperation Washington File 08 Aug 2003 -- India and the United States stand to benefit from partnerships to foster trade and innovations in high technology, according to speakers at the July 1 meeting of the U.S.-India High-Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) in Washington.

  • NATO to assume command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul on Monday, 11 August 2003 NATO Press Release 08 Aug 2003 -- Following a change of command ceremony on Monday, 11 August 2003 in Kabul, NATO will assume strategic command, control and coordination of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), currently under leadership of Germany and The Netherlands.
  • Afghanistan: Commander Says ISAF Needs More Troops RFE/RL 08 Aug 2003 -- The outgoing commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan says the force needs another 10,000 soldiers, and that its mandate should be extended beyond Kabul.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

  • DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 08 Aug 2003

  • Rice Calls for "Generational Commitment" to Mideast Transformation Washington File 08 Aug 2003 -- The U.S. has an "obligation" and, indeed, a "moral mission" to help bring freedom and security to the people of the Middle East, said National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in an August 7 address to a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists in Dallas.
  • MIDDLE EAST-VIOLENCE VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Palestinian militants are warning that a deadly raid on a West Bank refugee camp could mean the end for a six-week old cease-fire. At least four Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in the raid.
  • Annan urges restraint after shooting from Lebanon across withdrawal line UN News Centre 08 Aug 2003 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today he was "very concerned" at the exchanges of fire across the line of withdrawal in Southern Lebanon, initiated from Lebanese territory - with a barrage at Israeli army posts - and urged the parties involved to avoid increasing tension there.
  • U-S-Lebanon-Hezbollah VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The United States has renewed calls on Syria and Lebanon to restrain Hezbollah guerrillas after attacks by the pro-Iranian group on Israeli army posts at a disputed enclave near the Israel-Lebanese border. The State Department called the Hezbollah action a "provocative escalation" of the border situation.
  • U-N / ISRAEL HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The United Nations committee that monitors compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is accusing Israel of several violations.
  • ISRAEL / PALESTINAINS VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Palestinian militant groups are warning of new violence in the wake of Israeli military operations in the West Bank, and admit they are using a temporary cease-fire to re-arm. The warnings come amid fears that the cease-fire, which went into effect in late June, could collapse.

  • U.S. Designates Chechen Rebel Leader as Terrorist Washington File 08 Aug 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell has designated Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev a threat to U.S. security and citizens.
  • U-S / CHECHNYA VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The State Department has designated Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev a threat to U-S national security, and imposed financial sanctions against him. Three Chechen rebel groups linked to Mr. Basayev were penalized by the United States earlier this year.
  • RUSSIA/ CHECHNYA VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Police in the Russian republic of Ingushetia are searching for the unidentified gunmen who killed six Russian soldiers and wounded seven Thursday near the border with the volatile republic of Chechnya.

  • PRESS CONFERENCE ON RWANDA TRIBUNAL United Nations 08 Aug 2003
  • UN / RWANDAN COURT VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The U-N Security Council met today (Friday) to debate whether or not to appoint a separate chief prosecutor for the Rwanda war crimes tribunal. Carla del Ponte, the current chief prosecutor for courts investigating war crimes in both Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia argued against the split.
  • RWANDA: Security Council meets on UN tribunals IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- The UN Security Council is due to hold a private meeting on Friday to discuss whether the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) should each have a separate prosecutor, UN News reported.

  • DRC: NGO warns of evolving instability in Manono, Katanga IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- International relief NGO GOAL has warned of evolving instability in Manono, the north-central Katanga Province of southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where six different armed groups now occupy the town.
  • DRC: Hundreds of thousands face severe hunger in the east, WFP says IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- Some 500,000 people face severe hunger in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday when it reported that its appeal to donors for US $38 million had gone "largely unanswered".

  • COLOMBIA / BOMB VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Suspected rebels set off a car bomb in eastern Colombia early today (Friday), killing three adults and two children.
  • SOLOMONS HOSTAGES VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Six Anglican missionaries held hostage by rebels in the Solomon Islands since April have been killed. The leader of the Solomons' main rebel group admitted the killings to the head of an Australian-led contingent sent to restore order in the island nation.
  • SRI LANKA TAMILS VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Sri Lanka's rebel Tamil Tigers have come under increasing criticism and are accused of using an 18-month old ceasefire in the country's civil war to assassinate and kidnap political opponents.
  • ETHIOPIA: Minister says Somalia should be united, denies interference IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- Ethiopia has rejected calls by the breakaway republic of Somaliland for international recognition by insisting that the region’s future lies within a united Somalia.
  • ERITREA: UN envoy in talks on closure of outreach centres IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- Eritrea’s United Nations representative has been urged to help quash demands by his government to close down two outreach centres run by the UN peacekeeping force.
  • ANGOLA: Further attacks could delay reconciliation, UNITA IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- Angola's former rebel group UNITA on Friday said investigations were under way following an attack this week on two of its regional offices in central Huambo province.
  • BURUNDI: Rebel group's proposals on power-sharing IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- The largest rebel group in Burundi, the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Force pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD) led by Pierre Nkurunziza, wants the post of parliamentary Speaker should the transitional government agree to its proposals on power-sharing, according to the group's spokesman, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe.

News Reports

  • SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 08 Aug 2003 -- NATO aides ponder Canadian successor to Lord Robertson / Czech parliament approves NATO enlargement / Serbia and Montenegro sacks Milosevic-era generals / Colin Powell wants stronger Arab support of Iraqi council / U.S. forces may 'stand back a little,' rely on local forces to maintain security
  • SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 08 Aug 2003 -- NATO's takeover of ISAF viewed against background of Gen. Jones' remarks on NATO transformation / German daily argues for expansion of Bundeswehr mission beyond Kabul / Minister: U.S. negotiating on possible base in Bulgaria / EU to beef up police training role in Balkans

  • Malaysia After Mahathir VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- In focus today: Malaysia's outspoken Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir is expected to step down after 22 years in office.
  • UN aiding flood victims in Sudan UN News Centre 08 Aug 2003 -- United Nations agencies and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners are bringing assistance to some 330,000 people left homeless by floods in northwestern Sudan.
  • ZIMBABWE / TRIAL VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- The Zimbabwe High Court has dropped treason charges against two senior opposition officials, but will continue the treason trial of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
  • BURMA / DEMOCRACY ANNIVERSARY VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Human rights groups marked the 15th anniversary of Burma's military suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations with peaceful protests Friday. The protests come as pressure continues on Burma's military government to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
  • Water and Soil Conditions Observed from Space EADS 08 Aug 2003 -- A European consortium with 28 members, lead by the German Infoterra GmbH, has now started work on one out of ten ESA GSE Service Elements, worth EUR 1.5 Mio each. First project milestones have been completed and results have been positively received by the European Space Agency (ESA) as the contracting authority and various national environmental authorities.
  • CAMBODIA POL VOA 08 Aug 2003 -- Official results have been released from Cambodia's general elections. As expected, the ruling party won, but fell short of a governing majority. The real politicking for forming a government now begins.
  • CENTRAL ASIA: Weekly news wrap IRIN 08 Aug 2003 -- An earthquake with a magnitude of four on the Richter scale hit Kazakhstan on Saturday, but no casualties or major damage were reported. Its epicentre was some 430 km north of the nation's commercial capital, Almaty, and 25 km east of Lake Balkhash.



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