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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 05 Oct 2004 [PDF]
• 13TH COSCOM SOLDIER KILLED
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• MARINES MAKE CONDOLENCE PAYMENTS IN NAJAF CENTCOM 05 Oct 2004 -- Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit distributed more than $200,300 today in condolence and collateral damage repair payments to demonstrate goodwill to Iraqis caught in the crossfire as multi-national and Iraqi security forces battled to free Najaf and its citizens from Muqtada al-Sadr and his fighters in August.
• IRAQI SECURITY FORCES AND MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES FOIL TWO ROADSIDE BOMBS CENTCOM 05 Oct 2004 -- Iraqi Security forces and Multi-National Forces from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) foiled two roadside bombs Monday in northern Iraq.
• IRAQI, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES LAUNCH OPERATION IN NORTHERN BABIL CENTCOM 05 Oct 2004 -- Iraqi and Multi-National forces today kicked off their most sweeping operation to date in Northern Babil, moving against multiple targets across the central Iraqi province in a continuing campaign to restore security and stability here.
• U.S. Planes Strike Baghdad Neighborhood RFE/RL 05 Oct 2004 -- U.S. warplanes bombed suspected insurgent positions in the Shi'a slums of Al-Sadr City in Baghdad overnight.
• 11th MEU Recon out in open in Iraq USMC News 05 Oct 2004 -- Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), isn't hiding in the bushes reporting back intelligence.

• Afghanistan: Election Officials, Security Forces Prepare For Presidential Poll RFE/RL 05 Oct 2004 -- The UN-Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body says it has completed most preparations for the 9 October presidential election. What remains is to deliver ballots and other election materials from provincial centers to the most remote polling stations. The UN's election security chief, John McComber, says security is also ready. The Afghan national police, army, and international forces are guarding against attacks by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. They also are keeping an eye on possible intimidation of voters by various militia groups that back different candidates.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement From Pentagon Spokesman Lawrence Di Rita 05 Oct 2004 -- Throughout Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld has relied upon the recommendations of the military commanders and the military advice of the Chairman and the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the basis for decisions regarding force levels.

• Statement of Chairman Duncan Hunter on the Rejection of the Democrat Sponsored Military Draft Bill US House Armed Services Committee/Chairman Hunter (R) 05 Oct 2004 -- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement upon the overwhelming defeat of the Universal National Service Act, HR 163 sponsored by New York Democrat Rep. Charles Rangel. The bill would require all young persons in the United States, including women, to perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of national defense and homeland security. The vote was 402-2 and the bill was defeated.

• Efforts speed up cargo shipments to warfighters AFPN 05 Oct 2004 -- America's warfighters are receiving necessary equipment and supplies more quickly and predictably, thanks to Defense Logistics Agency and Air Mobility Command officials' efforts to improve their processes for packaging and moving military cargo.
• AFRL technology flies on SpaceShipOne AFPN 05 Oct 2004 -- Cutting-edge technology developed by experts at Air Force Research Laboratory's human effectiveness directorate is being used with SpaceShipOne. The privately manned spaceship reached 328,491 feet (62.2 miles) for the second time in five days Oct. 4.
• Army tests blimp as eye in sky Army News 05 Oct 2004 -- The Army experimented last week with the capabilities of a free-flying mobile aerial reconnaissance platform over the Washington, D.C., area.
• Fitzgerald Joins FDNF in Yokosuka Navy NewsStand 05 Oct 2004 -- USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrived at its new forward-deployed port in Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 30.
• Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Successfully Completes COMPTUEX Navy NewsStand 05 Oct 2004 -- The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group successfully completed its 22-day Composite Training Unit Exercise, (COMPTUEX) Oct. 2 in the seas off the coast of Southern California.
• USS Nimitz Operational, Underway Navy NewsStand 05 Oct 2004 -- The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to Naval Air Station North Island Sept. 24 after a successful Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualification (FRSCQ) five-day underway period.
• New buildings to simplify missions for Marine Wing Support Squadrons USMC News 05 Oct 2004 -- Congress approved and funded a $7.1 million contract to R.A. Construction Inc. for a Miramar construction project that will improve training and mission accomplishment for two squadrons.
• Maritime Security Conference Brings Navies Together AFPS 05 Oct 2004 -- Leaders of 17 navies from West Africa, Europe and the United States met this week to discuss opportunities for cooperation and enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea region.
• Wolfowitz Praises Poland's Emergence as NATO Leader AFPS 05 Oct 2004 -- Though it's among NATO's newest members, Poland already has emerged as one of the alliance's leading nations, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said here today.

• State Department Noon Briefing, October 5 Washington File 05 Oct 2004 -- Israel/Palestinians, Saudi Arabia, Iran, terrorism, Cyprus, Poland, Iraq, Sudan, International Criminal Court, Department/Article 98 agreements, Department/country background notes

Defense Industry

• TNT Joins DLS For UK Logistics Bid BAE Systems 05 Oct 2004 -- TNT Logistics UK has agreed with the shareholders of Defence Logistic Solutions (DLS) to take a 20 percent shareholding in the consortium. DLS is bidding for the UK MoD Defence Logistics Organisations Future Defence Supply Chain initiative (FDSCi), a programme to streamline logistics for the UK armed forces.
• BAE SYSTEMS Awarded Contract Extension For Victoria Class Submarine Support BAE Systems 05 Oct 2004 -- The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded BAE Systems a one-year CDN $10.9M (4.5M) contract extension to support the Victoria Class submarines by providing in-country engineering and supply management.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract for Work on Nuclear-Powered Submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover Northrop Grumman 05 Oct 2004 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) was awarded a contract for the planning and execution of dry-docking work on the nuclear-powered submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709).
• Raytheon Awarded $7 Million Task Order by the Defense Microelectronics Activity to Upgrade GPN-22 Radars Raytheon 05 Oct 2004 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been selected to upgrade GPN-22 Precision Approach Radars for Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. The 30-month task order was awarded by the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) under the Advanced Technology Support Program II (ATSP2) contract. The task order has a potential value of more than $7 million, including options.
• Networked combat and simulation systems by Rheinmetall DeTec Rheinmetall Defence 05 Oct 2004 -- Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) has gained extensive and proven competence in combat and simulation systems. In the light of Force Transformation, it has been a logical step to combine the respective competences to facilitate a smart and secure way to Networked Enabled Capabilities (NEC). With the demonstrator for "Networked Combat and Simulation Systems", RDE again proves its competence and capability for IT based C4ISTAR systems as well as for test environments for Concept Development and Experiment (CDE).
• With ASRAD Hellas, the Hellenic Army is setting the standard Rheinmetall Defence 05 Oct 2004 -- The delivery of the Advanced Short Range Air Defence System ASRAD Hellas to Greece is an important step in the transformation of the Hellenic Army. ASRAD Hellas will enhance the combat power of light, air-transportable units in combination with mechanized forces, enabling the effective engagement of all types of aerial targets.
• MARDER armoured infantry fighting vehicle for the Hellenic Army Rheinmetall Defence 05 Oct 2004 -- The Hellenic Armed Forces are planning to replace their old BMP and M113 infantry fighting vehicles either partly or completely with a more modern system. Due to budgetary constraints in Greece the previously awarded development contract for the Kentaurus armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) has been cancelled. Now the Hellenic Army intends to procure used Leopard 1 A5 and Leopard 2 A4 tanks from the German inventory. Under this government-to-government contract, the provision of a certain number of MARDER AIFVs, also available from the German Army, is currently under discussion.
• The EC120 Confirms Its Supremacy: 55 EC120s for the US Border Patrol EADS 05 Oct 2004 -- Eurocopter is proud to announce the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to choose the EC120 for the US Border Patrol. The 75 million dollar contract specifies the delivery of 55 aircraft and 5 options.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND SPOKESMAN FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 05 Oct 2004
• Annan welcomes improvements in tackling scourge of landmines UN News Centre 05 Oct 2004 -- From Cambodia and Colombia to Uganda and Bosnia and Herzegovina, States are becoming much better at planning and implementing their programmes to reduce or eliminate the threat of landmines, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in his latest report on the deadly phenomenon.

• United States vetoes Security Council text demanding Israel withdraw from Gaza UN News Centre 05 Oct 2004 -- The United Nations Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would have demanded Israel halt all military operations in northern Gaza and withdraw from the area.
• United States Vetoes U.N. Resolution on Israeli Operations in Gaza Washington File 05 Oct 2004 -- Calling an Arab-sponsored draft resolution "lopsided and unbalanced," U.S. Ambassador John Danforth October 5 vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for an end to Israeli military operations in northern Gaza.
• U.S. Says U.N. Draft Resolution on Gaza Encourages Terrorism Washington File 05 Oct 2004 -- Vetoing an Arab-sponsored draft resolution on Israeli military operations in Gaza, U.S. Ambassador John Danforth said October 5 that the text lacked credibility and balance, was dangerously disingenuous, and ultimately would embolden terrorists and encourage counterattacks.
• U.S. Supports Nepalese Government Against Maoist Insurgents Washington File 05 Oct 2004 -- Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari that the United States supports the Nepalese government in its fight against Maoist insurgents, according to a statement released by the State Department October 5.
• UN/Gaza Resolution Veto VOA 05 Oct 2004 -- The United States has vetoed an Arab-drafted Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate end to Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The measure received 11 'yes' votes, with three other countries - Britain, Germany and Romania -- abstaining.
• Danforth: Stop the Shooting, Return to Mideast Road Map for Peace Washington File 05 Oct 2004 -- Both Palestinians and Israelis should stop the cycle of violence and return to the Mideast Quartet backed road map for peace, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth said October 4.
• SUDAN: Concern expressed over "troop build-up" ahead of talks IRIN 05 Oct 2004 -- Just days before the resumption of peace talks in Kenya between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), the SPLM/A has expressed concern over "the continuing build-up of government troops" in garrison towns in southern Sudan.
• Sudan has failed to disarm militias or prevent more attacks in Darfur - UN envoy UN News Centre 05 Oct 2004 -- The Sudanese Government made no progress last month in either stopping militia attacks against civilians in Darfur, disarming those armed groups or prosecuting the individuals responsible for the worst atrocities, the senior United Nations envoy to Sudan said today.
• Addition of peacekeepers in DR of Congo helpful but challenges remain - UN UN News Centre 05 Oct 2004 -- India and Pakistan are preparing to quickly deploy some 1,700 soldiers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the Security Council moved to bolster the United Nations peacekeeping operation there with an infusion of troops to conduct a range of new tasks, including protecting civilians from violence and enforcing an arms embargo in the east.
• UN/SUDAN REPORT VOA 05 Oct 2004 -- U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has criticized Sudan for failing to stop atrocities by pro-government militias in the western Darfur region.
• RUSSIA / CHECHNYA VOA 05 Oct 2004 -- Chechnya has inaugurated its latest pro-Moscow leader, Alu Alkhanov, in a ceremony kept secret to all but a few due to heightened security concerns. In taking the oath of office in Grozny, the region's capital, on Tuesday, Mr. Alkhanov pledged to do everything in his power to secure peace after years of war.
• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 05 Oct 2004 -- Israel and the Palestinian Authority have begun negotiations to end Israel's week-long military operations in the Gaza Strip. The news comes following another Israeli strike, overnight Monday, that killed one Palestinian militant and wounded two others.
• INDIA/NORTHEAST SEPARATISTS VOA 05 Oct 2004 -- India's remote northeast has been hit by the worst violence in recent years as a wave of militant attacks in three days left more than 60 people dead and at least two hundred injured.

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY MAYOR OF PARIS United Nations 05 Oct 2004
• TURKEY / EU VOA 05 Oct 2004 -- Millions of Turks are waiting with anticipation for a crucial report to be released Wednesday by the European Union that assesses the country's readiness to start membership negotiations with the 25-member bloc.