Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.N. Security Council to Visit Afghanistan Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- The Security Council will undertake a mission to Afghanistan at the end of the month to review security, humanitarian relief, reconstruction, human rights, and political activities in the country, U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte announced October 6.
• AFGHANISTAN PAKISTAN KARZAI VOA 06 Oct 2003-- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he is pleased with Pakistan's recent operation against militants believed to be staging cross-border attacks on Afghan target
• U.N. Announces $6 Million for Farm Development in Afghan Region Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has announced that the United Kingdom has pledged $6 million for agricultural development in Afghanistan.
• PAKISTAN / ARMITAGE VOA 06 Oct 2003-- Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has met with leaders in Pakistan on anti-terror efforts in neighboring Afghanistan and operations against suspected al-Qaida forces hiding in Pakistan
• NATO / AFGHANISTAN VOA 06 Oct 2003-- The NATO alliance has agreed to a limited expansion of its peacekeeping force in Afghanistan beyond the capital, Kabul.
• AFGHANISTAN: NATO takes step towards possible expansion outside Kabul IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), as head of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, announced on Monday it had taken the first step towards possible expansion of its peacekeeping mission in the country, outside the confines of the Afghan capital, Kabul.
• V CORPS ARTILLERY BATTALION SETS SIGHTS ON IMPROVING OLDEST HOSPITAL IN BAGHDAD NEIGHBORHOOD V Corps Release 06 Oct 2003-- The Al-Nuaman Hospital is the biggest and oldest public hospital in this city's Aadhamiya neighborhood district. During combat here the hospital remained operational, providing care to an overwhelming number of patients, even when the battle jeopardized supply routes. The hospital has endured many hardships.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S.: Military Probes Security At Base In Cuba After Three Arrested RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- The Pentagon is investigating security at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba after three men who worked there were detained with what are described as classified documents. Suspected Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters are being held at Guantanamo Bay, and one general says he hopes the three arrests do not mean the presence of a large terrorist cell at the base.

• USJFCOM Co-Sponsored Wargame Begins At Naval War College Navy Newsstand 06 Oct 2003-- The Navy and U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) co-sponsored wargame, Unified Course 04, kicked off Oct. 6 at the U.S. Naval War College here.
• Revised Helmet Patch Immortalizes World War II Troops AFPS 06 Oct 2003-- Clad in desert camouflage uniforms and modern battle gear, soldiers today look nothing like they did in World War II. But the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is slowly reviving the spirit of its lineage with the reinstatement of unit distinctive helmet emblems similar to those worn 60 years ago in Europe.
• CILHI, JTF-FA combines to form JPAC Marine Corps News 06 Oct 2003-- The U. S. Army's Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii and Joint Task Force- Full Accounting combined to form the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) in a ceremony Oct. 1 at the new Nimitz-MacArthur Pacific Command Center here.

• US CENTCOM chief meets Musharraf IRNA 06 Oct 2003 -- The commander of the US Central Command, Gen John P. Abizaid Monday met Pakistan`s President General Pervez Musharraf and discussed with him regional situation, official sources said.
• Pak conveys concerns to US over regional arms imbalance: spokesman IRNA 06 Oct 2003 -- Pakistan has raised the issue of conventional arms imbalance in the region during talks with the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said on Monday.
• US CENTCOM chief in Pakistan to discuss despatch of troops IRNA 06 Oct 2003 -- Commander of the US CENTCOM General John P. Abizaid who arrived here Sunday on a two day official visit is scheduled to call on Pakistan`s President General Pervez Musharraf.
• Pakistan: Top U.S. Envoy Discusses Antiterrorism Campaign With Musharraf RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is in Pakistan today for talks that focused on the campaign against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Armitage also discussed concerns about the stability of a 6-month-old peace initiative between Islamabad and India.

• White House Daily Briefing, October 6, 2003 Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- Israel and Syria, bombing/road map/terrorism, California election, leak allegations, Kenya, HB1 visas, U.N. resolution, Iraq support group, energy, Turkey
• State Department Briefing, October 6, 2003 Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- Syria, Israel/Palestinians, Iraq, Afghanistan, Department, Turkey, Russia, Venezuela, Burma, Greece, North Korea, Iran

Defense Industry

• BAE SYSTEMS Readies M777E1 Howitzer For Technical Test BAE Systems 06 Oct 2003 -- BAE Systems M777E1 Howitzers, complete with integrated Digital Fire Control System, are in final preparation for joint U.S. Army - U.S. Marine Corps technical evaluation. This critical stage in validating the M777E1 technical performance is seen as the next significant step forward to the Howitzers production.
• BAE SYSTEMS Laser Seeker Flight Test Hits Bullseye BAE Systems 06 Oct 2003 -- BAE Systems laser seeker successfully guided a 70mm rocket to a second bullseye on a small target nearly two miles from its launch point, Aug. 28. The flight test supports the U.S. Armys Advanced Precision Kill Weapons Systems (APKWS) System Development and Demonstration (SDD) flight test program.
• Sale of Boeing-built Apache Longbows to Kuwait Moves Forward Boeing 06 Oct 2003 -- The purchase of 16 Boeing [NYSE: BA] AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopters by the State of Kuwait took a step forward last week with the signing of an initial foreign military sales contract between The Boeing Company and the U.S. Department of Defense for the production of the aircraft.
• Lockheed Martin's Remote Minehunting System Completes Successful Trials Lockheed Martin 06 Oct 2003 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully completed initial testing of two key subsystems of a remotely-controlled, over-the-horizon minehunting system during sea trials of the Navy destroyer Pinckney in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Lockheed Martin Completes Delivery Of Live Fire Training Targetry Equipment To Sweden Lockheed Martin 06 Oct 2003 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has successfully completed deliveries of all targetry equipment under its WHIP (Weight, Hit Indication, and Planning) program with the Försvarets Materielverk, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.
• Australia agrees to purchase Raytheon-Lockheed Martin Javelin anti-tank weapon system for Project Land 40-1 requirement Lockheed Martin 06 Oct 2003 -- The U.S. Army has executed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) setting the stage for the sale of the Javelin anti-tank weapon system to Australia in support of its Project Land 40-1 requirement.
• Oerlikon Contraves awarded with contract for the delivery of an additional Ranger UAV system Rheinmetall Defence 06 Oct 2003 -- The Finnish Defence Forces has awarded Oerlikon Contraves AG, Zurich/Switzerland, with a supply contract for the procurement of an additional Ranger UAV system, designated as FDF Ranger 2 following almost four years after for the signing of the contract for the first Ranger UAV system. This supply contract was concluded on September 22, 2003.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 06 Oct 2003
• Russia: EU Issues Cautious Assessment Of Chechen Elections RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- The European Commission says it doubts yesterday's presidential elections in Chechnya were "free or fair."
• Chechnya: Elections Go According To Kremlin's Plan RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- Chechnya's presidential election yesterday went much as expected, with Kremlin-backed Akhmed-hadji Kadyrov -- running virtually unopposed -- raking in three-quarters of the votes. Russian authorities, eager to ensure that their candidate is seen as the legitimate winner, went to considerable effort to portray the ballot as free and fair. But critics continue to dismiss the vote as nothing less than a farce. RFE/RL Moscow correspondent Sophie Lambroschini reports on the election results and possible consequences for Chechnya.
• Russia: U.S. Criticizes Chechen Presidential Election RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- The United States has criticized the presidential elections in Chechnya, saying the weekend poll in the breakaway Russian republic did not meet international standards.
• CHECHNYA/ELECT VOA 06 Oct 2003-- Kremlin appointee Akhmad Kadyrov appears poised to win Sunday's presidential election in separatist Chechnya. Russian election officials say first results show Mr. Kadyrov has what they call an absolute and unbeatable lead
• U-S/CHECHNYA ELECTION VOA 06 Oct 2003-- The United States is expressing disappointment over Sunday's presidential election in Chechnya. The State Department says the contest, easily won by the Moscow-backed candidate, Akhmad Kadyrov, did not meet international standards for free and fair elections

• Middle East: Syria Seeks International Condemnation, World Leaders Express Concern After Israeli Raid RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- Syria late yesterday convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Israel bombed alleged Palestinian training camps on its territory. Israel justified the attack by saying the air raid was carried out in retaliation for a suicide bomb attack in Haifa that killed 19 people. It also accused Syria of sponsoring terrorism as part of an "axis of terror" that also includes Iran and the Palestinian Authority. World leaders are urging restraint by all parties.
• Middle East: Syria Calls Israeli Air Strikes 'Grave Escalation' RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- Syria yesterday said that Israeli air strikes launched on its territory overnight represent a "grave escalation" and a "flagrant violation by Israel of international laws."
• Security Council Takes No Action on Syrian Resolution Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- The Security Council did not act October 6 on a Syrian proposed resolution that would have condemned Israel for its attacks on alleged terrorist camps near Damascus.
• State's Burns Cautions Israel, Syria against Escalation of Hostilities Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns has called on Syria and Israel to "avoid actions which escalate tensions."
• Bush Says Israel Has Right to Defend Itself Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- President Bush, in comments October 6 following a deadly October 4 suicide bombing in Israel and an October 5 Israeli air strike against Syria, said he told the Israelis they have a right to defend themselves, but they should avoid steps that increase tension in the region.
• Transcript: Syria on "Wrong Side of War on Terrorism," U.S. Envoy Says Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Negroponte urged both Israel and Syria "to think carefully about the consequences of their actions" but said "Syria is on the wrong side of the war on terrorism."
• UN/SYRIA/ISRAEL VOA 06 Oct 2003-- A draft resolution condemning Israel's air strike on Syria is on hold at the U-N Security Council. The attack inside Syria followed a Palestinian suicide bombing Saturday at a restaurant in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, which killed at least 19 people
• U-S / SYRIA / MIDEAST VOA 06 Oct 2003-- The Bush administration Monday affirmed Israel's right to defend itself in the face of terrorist attacks, though U-S officials denied this meant giving Israel a so-called "green light" for operations like its air strike Sunday deep inside Syria
• ARAB LEAGUE / SYRIA VOA 06 Oct 2003-- The Cairo-based Arab League is calling for the U-N Security Council to put a halt to what it calls the Israeli state's organized terrorism against Arabs. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa says the region is in chaos due to what he says is Israel's illegitimate attacks on Palestinians and its recent attack on a suspected terrorist camp near Damascus
• PALESTINIAN/POLITICS VOA 06 Oct 2003-- Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has installed a new prime minister and cabinet by decree and declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian territories. The move is seen by some observers as an attempt to stop Israel from sending Mr. Arafat into exile, following a Palestinian suicide bombing that killed at least 19 people
• ISRAEL/LEBANON VOA 06 Oct 2003-- An Israeli soldier has been killed in an exchange of gunfire along the border with Lebanon. The soldier was shot dead Monday, one day after Israel took its war against terrorism to a new level by bombing Palestinian targets inside Syria.

• SUDAN: Administration unprepared for mass return IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- Sudan is unprepared for the expected return of half a million refugees and one million displaced people once a comprehensive peace deal has been signed, according to a new report.
• SUDAN: Unimpeded humanitarian access to be granted for Darfur IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- The government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) rebel group operating in Darfur have said they will guarantee humanitarian access to the region as part of their ceasefire agreement, according to the UN.
• BURUNDI/PEACE VOA 06 Oct 2003-- Talks aimed at reviving the flagging Burundi peace process resumed in Pretoria.
• BURUNDI: Power-sharing talks to resume IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- Talks between Burundi's leader and the country's largest rebel group are due to resume later on Monday on outstanding matters such as the distribution of power in the military and in the government, the South African news agency, Sapa, reported.
• D-R-CONGO/VIOLENCE VOA 06 Oct 2003-- Officials with the U-N mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo report a new massacre in the northeastern province of Ituri
• PAKISTAN/SHOOTING VOA 06 Oct 2003-- In Pakistan, unidentified gunmen have assassinated a prominent Sunni Muslim militant leader and member of parliament, Azam Tariq, along with four other people
• UGANDA: Army says over 850 abductees rescued from LRA rebels IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- The Ugandan army says it has rescued 876 abductees from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in the past two months.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Reconciliation commission recommends government shakeup IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- Central African Republic's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, meeting at the ongoing national reconciliation conference, has suggested that the head of state, Francois Bozize, enlarge his transitional government to allow for broader consensus in his administration.
• RWANDA: New ICTR prosecutor takes up his post IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- The newly appointed prosecutor of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Hassan Jallow, arrived on Friday at court headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, to begin his new assignment.
• ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: UN responsible for preventing new trouble, Ethiopia says IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- Ethiopia has said responsibility for averting renewed trouble with neighbouring Eritrea lies with the Security Council, after the UN body rejected its calls for a new entity to rule on the common border.
• LIBERIA: UNMIL Commander meets government and rebel representatives IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), General Daniel Opande on Monday met jointly with representatives of both the Liberian government and the two rebel groups, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), in the capital, Monrovia.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: 50,000 illegal guns still in circulation IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- Some 50,000 firearms are still circulating illegally in the Central African Republic (CAR), constituting a threat to the nation's stability and to general elections scheduled for January 2005, army General Xavier Yangongo told IRIN on Saturday.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 06 Oct 2003 -- Allied military and defence chiefs to study ways to use new rapid-reaction force in a crisis / Algeria to hold joint naval exercises with NATO / Former U.S. envoy warns of 'historic mistake' if troops withdrawn from Balkans / EU aims for Bosnia peacekeeping mission mid-2004 / Germany sees early decision on expanding Afghan peacekeeping force / EU narrows differences on defence, HQ plan withers
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 06 Oct 2003 -- Dutch hope to bridge EU-U.S. rift / Paris seeking EU 'gendarmes' for peace missions / NATO agrees to widen Afghan mission / President Karzai faces revolt in fragile coalition / Serbia will send troops and police to Afghanistan / New Battalion lifts Afghan army hopes / White House to overhaul Iraq and Afghan missions First Battalion of 700 troops completes its U.S. training / Kosovo offers police officers as peacekeepers, and is refused / Russia may ask to put off deadline for pullout from Transdniestra

• UN: Path To Reform Complicated By Differences On Iraq RFE/RL 06 Oct 2003 -- The latest UN General Assembly debate of government leaders was preoccupied more than usual with the issue of security threats. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan attempted to inject a sense of urgency about the organization's capability of dealing with the new threats posed by terrorism and weapons proliferation. But there was a sense that any major initiatives will remain on hold until the situation in Iraq is resolved.
• U-S / KENYA VOA 06 Oct 2003-- President Bush and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki met at the White House Monday to discuss joint anti-terror efforts
• Armitage, Musharraf Review U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Relationship Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said he reviewed the strategic relationship between the United States and Pakistan during discussions with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad October 6.
• Bush Reaffirms Strategic Relationship, Partnership With Kenya Washington File 07 Oct 2003-- President Bush welcomed Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to the White House October 6 declaring, "Today we affirm the growing strategic relationship between the United States and the African continent. And we continue the long-standing partnership between the United States and Kenya."
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Ex-President Kolingba returns from exile IRIN 06 Oct 2003 -- Former Central African Republic President Andre Kolingba returned home on Sunday after two years of exile in Uganda.