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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Oct 2005 [PDF]
• SOLDIER DIES FROM NON-HOSTILE GUNSHOT WOUND
• TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIERS KILLED BY IED
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• MARINE KILLED BY VEHICLE-BORNE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Iraqi Security Thwarts Insurgent Efforts to Stop Referendum AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- Increased numbers of Iraqi security forces and government-implemented precautions combined to thwart insurgents' desire to stop the Iraqi Oct. 15 constitutional referendum, a senior U.S. military officer said today in Baghdad.
• Vehicle Fire, Roadside Bomb Claim Soldiers' Lives AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- Five more U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq, military officials in Baghdad reported.
• Ramadi-based Zarqawi lieutenant killed MNF-I 20 Oct 2005 -- A senior Abu Musab al-Zarqawi lieutenant and Al Qaeda in Iraq military leader was killed during a series of Coalition raids in western Iraq Oct. 15.
• Iraqi pollsters receive airlift help AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- When Iraq took its next step toward democracy -- voting on a constitution -- Airmen and Marines helped ensure the process worked.

• Military Investigates Afghanistan Burning Incident Washington File 20 Oct 2005 -- The Combined Forces Command in Afghanistan is investigating allegations of misconduct by U.S. forces in that country and says unequivocally that it does not condone the violation of Muslim religious beliefs including the mistreatment of the remains of hostile Taliban forces.
• UPDATE: ALLEGED MISCONDUCT BY U.S. FORCES CENTCOM 20 Oct 2005 -- The Army Criminal Investigation Division continues its investigation into alleged misconduct by U.S. service members, including the burning of two dead enemy combatant bodies under inappropriate circumstances.
• US, Afghans, Investigate Alleged Abuse of Bodies by US Troops VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- The U.S. military and Afghan authorities are investigating allegations that U.S. troops in Afghanistan burned the bodies of two dead Taleban fighters and used the act to taunt other militants
• Investigation Continues Into Alleged Body-Burning AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- The Army Criminal Investigation Division continued its investigation today into alleged misconduct by U.S. servicemembers, including the burning of two dead enemy combatant bodies under inappropriate circumstances, said officials.
• Afghanistan NATO's Top Mission, Commander Says AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- Afghanistan is NATO's No. 1 mission, the alliance's supreme allied commander for operations said during a Pentagon interview today.
• AFGHANISTAN: People surrender arms but want rebuilding IRIN 20 Oct 2005 -- Tribal elder Mullah Saleh Mohammad stands with dozens of white-bearded men and other residents under a sparkling sun in a narrow valley in the Narkh district, listening to a government delegation asking them to surrender their arms.
• U.S. Military Decries Grisly Documentary RFE/RL 20 Oct 2005 -- The U.S. military has described as "repugnant" a television report that purports to show U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan burning the corpses of two Taliban fighters.
• Afghanistan: PRTs Spreading, Though Impact Remains Unclear RFE/RL 20 Oct 2005 -- International civilian and military units -- known as Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) -- have now spread to 22 locations in Afghanistan, a sign of their popularity with Afghan, U.S., and NATO leaders

• U.S. Identifies Critical Needs in Wake of Earthquake Disaster Washington File 20 Oct 2005 -- With a death toll from the October 8 South Asian earthquake expected to rise above 47,000, the assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs says there is an "urgent need in the region for winterized tents and blankets, food, medicines, water purification equipment and earth-moving equipment."
• U.S. Envoy Vows Continued Support for Pakistan Earthquake Relief Washington File 20 Oct 2005 -- U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker October 20 praised Pakistani officials for their efficiency in coordinating relief efforts following the October 8 earthquake, which he described as "a disaster of virtually unimaginable proportions," and said the United States would continue providing support to Pakistan through the relief and subsequent reconstruction efforts.
• Westover C-5s airlift more Chinooks for earthquake relief AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- A third C-5 Galaxy aircrew from the 439th Airlift Wing here left Oct. 18 to deliver more help to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan.
• U.S. , French Navies Team Up to Assist Earthquake Victims in Pakistan Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- American and French Sailors worked together in Bahrain Oct. 19 to get some of life's basic supplies - bread, milk and flour - to victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake in Pakistan.

• Stennis Sailors Continue Katrina Relief Efforts in Mississippi Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- Sailors from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) passed out food, clothing and other much-needed supplies to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Bay St. Louis, Miss., Oct. 18.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Rumsfeld Arrives in Korea for Security Talks AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrived here today to take part in consultative talks aimed at assessing the U.S.-South Korean military alliance, South Korea's increasing defense capabilities, and the allies' capability to deter aggression from North Korea.
• US: Korean DMZ Quieter as Economic, Diplomatic Efforts Proceed VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- The commander of U.S. and South Korean forces says North Korea has reduced the number of provocations along the de-militarized zone in the past year, apparently in an effort to protect growing economic cooperation with the South and ongoing multi-national talks that could bring it more economic aid.

• Rumsfeld Urges More Transparency from Chinese Military AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld urged members of China's Academy of Military Science today to share information that could shed light on its military programs and, hopefully, eliminate concerns by the United States and other nations.
• Rumsfeld Shares Transformation Philosophy with Chinese Military AFPS 20 Oct 2005 -- The roadblocks to military transformation "are enormous," and overcoming them requires leaders who believe in and advocate the changes being introduced, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told members of China's Academy of Military Science here today.
• Rumsfeld Concerned About Chinese Nuclear Missile Buildup VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has ended his 48-hour visit to China, expressing concern about an expansion of the country's missile capability.

• Moseley: Air Force needs to bolster intelligence cadre AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- The Air Force can do a better job training and maintaining the Airmen that gather, process and distribute military intelligence, the Air Force chief of staff said.
• Air Force meets 2005 enlisted, OTS recruiting goal AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- The Air Force exceeded its fiscal 2005 enlisted recruiting goal by sending 19,222 men and women to basic military training.
• New Air Force Portal tool gets warfighters parts faster AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- Armed with a single user ID, password and valid stock number, Airmen can now get parts into the hands of warfighters quicker with a new Air Force Portal application.
• Depot's around-the-clock service better for warfighters AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- A new one-stop customer service center here is helping get aircraft replacement parts to "downrange" customers much faster.
• Hurricane Hunters fly into record season AFPN 20 Oct 2005 -- Despite being displaced and working out of a temporary home, the men and women of the Hurricane Hunters are flying missions to track Hurricane Wilma.
• Cavalry activates new Longknife Brigade Army News 20 Oct 2005 -- The 1st Cavalry Division activated the 4th Brigade Combat Team, the first BCT to be activated at Fort Bliss, in a ceremony Tuesday.
• Safeguard Returns to Sasebo Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- USS Safeguard (ARS 50) returned to its forward-deployed home port Oct. 16 in Sasebo, Japan, after completing a six-month deployment in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005.
• Big E's V-4 Division Brings on the Fuel Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed its first replenishment at sea in more than a year Oct. 18, after completing an Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA) at the Northrop Grumman Shipyards in Newport News, Va.
• USS Belleau Wood Decommissioned After 27 Years of Service Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- The Navy said farewell as USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) was decommissioned Oct. 13, the Navy's 230th birthday, at Naval Station San Diego.
• Navy Construction Force's Largest Project Progressing Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- Sixty-one Sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 are supporting the Navy's ongoing $19 million construction project at Navy Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF), San Clemente Island.
• Navy Improves Network Security by Blocking Access to Commercial Webmail Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2005 -- The Navy has begun enforcing policies set forth in its Information Technology User Acknowledgement Form by blocking access to Web-based commercial e-mail sites (webmail) from Department of the Navy-funded networks

• State Department Briefing, October 20 Washington File 20 Oct 2005 -- Afghanistan, Lebanon, Israel/Palestinians, Middle East, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Avian Flu, Venezuela, Georgia, China/Taiwan

Defense Industry

• BAE Systems Advanced Defensive System Deployed on U-2 BAE Systems 20 Oct 2005 -- NASHUA, New Hampshire -- BAE Systems' AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) is now being deployed on U.S. Air Force U-2S reconnaissance aircraft and being used in military operations after achieving initial operating capability.
• Boeing and NEX1 Future Sign Memorandum of Agreement for Korea's EX Program Boeing 20 Oct 2005 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and NEX1 Future of Korea today signed a memorandum of agreement to partner on the Republic Of Korea's EX airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program.
• Northrop Grumman Selects Designer for CVN 21 Advanced Weapons Elevator Northrop Grumman 20 Oct 2005 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has selected Federal Equipment Company to design and build the advanced weapons elevator for the new-generation aircraft carrier, CVN 21.
• Raytheon/NetFires LLC Select General Dynamics to Provide Warhead for the NLOS- LS Precision Attack Missile Raytheon 20 Oct 2005 -- Raytheon Company and the NetFires Limited Liability Company (LLC), a company composed of Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, have selected General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), to be the warhead provider for the Non Line of Sight- Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM).
• Raytheon's JLENS Completes Successful Systems Functional Review Raytheon 20 Oct 2005 -- Raytheon Company's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) completed a successful system functional review (SFR) late last month.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 20 Oct 2005
• CONGO: Residents flee as army storms rebel stronghold IRIN 20 Oct 2005 -- Panic and fear spread across Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, on Wednesday as government troops exchanged heavy gunfire with "Ninja" rebels holed up in the Bacongo District of the city.
• DRC-UGANDA: Kampala seeks approval to redeploy troops to Congo IRIN 20 Oct 2005 -- Uganda sought approval on Thursday from the Democratic Republic of Congo to redeploy troops into eastern Congo to hunt members of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) who entered the country in September, Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa said.

• Bush Meets With Abbas, Cites Progress for Peace VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- President Bush says remarkable progress is being made in the Middle East, and the likelihood of a Palestinian state is greater than ever. But at the same time he stresses both sides must take important steps for peace.
• Middle East: Bush Meets With Abbas, Urges More Steps For Peace RFE/RL 20 Oct 2005 -- Mahmud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, visited U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House today for the second time in five months
• Bush, Abbas to Discuss Upcoming Palestinian Elections VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- President Bush and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas meet at the White House Thursday for the first time since Israeli settlers withdrew from the Gaza Strip

• Darfur Talks Close Without Progress VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- Negotiators and warring sides from Sudan's troubled Darfur region say they are encouraged by the most recent round of talks in Nigeria, even though no agreement was reached
• Annan urges international community to apply immediate pressure for peace in Darfur UN News Centre 20 Oct 2005 -- The resurgence of violence in Sudan's Darfur region and the Government's continued unwillingness or inability to restrain armed tribal militias, may threaten the peace talks, and the international community needs to apply renewed pressure for a successful outcome, the United Nations Secretary-General says in a report.

• Russia Decides Against Investigating Role of Security Forces in Beslan Tragedy VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- A top Russian prosecutor says he will not open a criminal investigation against security forces involved in last year's deadly hostage crisis at a school in the southern city of Beslan.
• Uzbek Official Says Mines Cleared From Tajik Border RFE/RL 20 Oct 2005 -- Uzbekistan's deputy chief of border guards said today his country had removed land mines from about one-fifth of its border with Tajikistan.
• Citing instability, Annan calls for six-month extension of UN mission in Western Sahara UN News Centre 20 Oct 2005 -- Citing continued instability in the Western Sahara stemming from the political impasse between the Moroccan Government and the Frente POLISARIO independence movement, as well as continued violations of their military agreement and alleged human rights abuses, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for a six-month extension of the United Nations peacekeeping mission there.
• Liberia: UN mission will 'react robustly' against threats to election workers UN News Centre 20 Oct 2005 -- The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has warned that it will "react robustly" to threats of violence against those involved in elections following reports that the head of the elections commission had been threatened as the West African country seeks to emerge from years of civil war and anarchy.
• SUDAN-UGANDA: LRA attacks hampering aid effort in southern Sudan - UN IRIN 20 Oct 2005 -- Continued attacks on civilians in southern Sudan by the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), are making humanitarian access to the region's vulnerable populations increasingly difficult, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said on Wednesday.

News Reports

• Annan receives report on assassination of Lebanese ex-premier Hariri UN News Centre 20 Oct 2005 -- The head of the United Nations inquiry into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri presented his report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan today
• Annan Receives Hariri Assassination Report VOA 20 Oct 2005 -- U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has received the report of an international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri