20 December 2009 Military News

NATO Chief Welcomes Karzai Cabinet Nominations RFE/RL 20 Dec 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's nominations for his new cabinet.
Afghanistan's Karzai Defends Cabinet Nominees RFE/RL 20 Dec 2009 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has defended his new choice of ministers after facing criticism by some legislators.
Afghan President Defends Decision on Cabinet Nominees VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is defending his new Cabinet picks, saying he and the ministers will be held accountable for any corruption.

Mullen Assesses Strategy During Trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan AFPS 20 Dec 2009 -- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said his trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq has given him an opportunity to assess changes in strategy and meet the men and women who will carry out that strategy.

Colombia steps up military presence at Venezuelan border RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- The Colombian government has announced its plans to build a new military base near its border with Venezuela as part of a program aimed at stepping up military presence in the area.

Iran calls for establishment of security on Iran-Iraq joint borders IRNA 20 Dec 2009 -- First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi on Sunday underlined the need for establishment of security along Iran-Iraq joint borders.
Iran troops make partial withdrawal from oil well - Iraqi official RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- Iranian troops have partially withdrawn from an oil well in a disputed oilfield in southern Iraq, the Iraqi government spokesman said on Sunday.
Iraq Says Iranian Troops Withdrawn from Oil Well, Still in Iraq VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- Iraqi officials say Iranian troops have withdrawn from a disputed oil well on their border, but remain on Iraqi territory.

UN should play lead in Middle East settlement -Arab League chief RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- The United Nations should play the leading role in the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the chief of the Arab League said.
UN staff escape injury after attack in southeast Chad UN News Centre 20 Dec 2009 -- United Nations peacekeepers have helped secure an area of south-eastern Chad where a UN civilian logistics convoy came under attack from unidentified armed men earlier this morning.
MONUC Ready to Repel Rebel LRA Attack, Says Spokesman VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- A spokesman for the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) says the group is ready to fend off any possible attack by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
Humanitarian Situation in Southern Sudan in Crisis VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) says Southern Sudan is all but forgotten since it signed a peace agreement with the North in January 2005. That officially ended more than 20 years of civil war.
Maoist-Led Strike Across Nepal VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- Maoists in Nepal began a three-day strike Sunday, forcing the closure of shops and businesses, and blocking roads and highways.

Leader expresses condolence on Ayatollah Montazeri's departure IRNA 20 Dec 2009 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday expressed condolence on departure of Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein-Ali Montazeri.
Army commander: Enemy pursuing soft war IRNA 20 Dec 2009 -- Commander of Iran’s Army (Ground Force), Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan said Sunday that enemy is pursuing a soft war against Iran by its mercenary forces inside the country.
Iranians Mourn Reformist Cleric RFE/RL 20 Dec 2009 -- one of the world’s highest Shi’ite authorities -- was regarded as a great defender of human rights in Iran.
Iran's Top Dissident Cleric Montazeri Dies VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- Iranian state media say Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri has died. The dissident cleric helped found the Islamic Republic, but later became one of the government's most vocal critics. His grandson is quoted Sunday as saying the 87-year old died peacefully during the night.

Obama Administration: Iran to Face 'Consequences' Over Nuclear Program VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- In recent weeks, Iran has rejected a plan to process nuclear material outside the country and tested an upgraded medium range missile believed to be capable of reaching Israel.

U.K. police expect Mumbai-style terror attack on London - media RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- The British police have warned businesses in London to expect a Mumbai-style terrorist attack on the capital, The Times reported on Sunday.

Yushchenko says will win Ukraine election despite low rating RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said Sunday he was convinced he would win the presidential election despite his low rating.

Soyuz spaceship crew ready for blastoff to space station RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- The crew of a Russian Soyuz spaceship is ready for early Monday's blastoff to the International Space Station (ISS), the spaceship commander said Sunday.
Russia, Japan to draft space cooperation agreement RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will draft an agreement on space cooperation, the Roscosmos chief said Sunday.
Russia to start research into spacecraft nuclear engines in 2010 RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- Russia will launch research into nuclear engines for spaceships from 2010, the head of the Federal Space Agency said on Sunday.

Madagascar Leader Names Army Officer As Prime Minister VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- Madagascar's leader, Andry Rajoelina, has named a high-ranking army officer as the country's new prime minister.
Sudanese Parliament Passes Controversial Security Bill VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- Sudan's parliament has approved a controversial new security bill curbing the powers of the country's intelligence agencies, despite protests from opposition groups that the measure does not go far enough.
Lebanese PM Calls for Renewed Relations with Syria VOA 20 Dec 2009 -- The visit was symbolic to both countries, since no Lebanese Prime Minister has visited Damascus since the slaying of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005. Relations between the two countries went into a deep freeze that year, after the younger Hariri accused Syria of the crime.

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