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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 05 Apr 2011 [PDF]

• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 04 April 2011
• Transcript: Press briefing on Libya by NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu, joined by Brigadier General Mark van Uhm, Chief of Allied Operations, Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) NATO 05 Apr 2011
• CIA Secretly at Work Inside Libya VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Published reports say CIA officers are at work inside Libya. But just what they are doing is not clear and, in keeping with practice, the CIA would not comment on the reports. The Obama administration has said it has not yet decided whether to arm the Libyan rebels. But, there is much the CIA may be doing in Libya short of that.
• NATO Airstrike Hits Libyan Military Near Brega VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- NATO has carried out an airstrike against a convoy of Libyan military vehicles heading toward rebel lines near the eastern oil town of Brega.
• UK supplying telecommunications equipment to Libyan rebels IRNA 05 Apr 2011 -- The British government is improving its contacts with Libyan rebels by supplying them with unspecified telecommunications equipment, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced.
• 624th MCT deploys in support of Operation New Dawn Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- The 624th Movement Control Team, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, deployed March 10 to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
• 494th Truck Turn-In Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- The 494th Transportation Company (TC) has begun the process of handing over their heavy equipment transporter systems (HETS) to the other companies in the 718th Transportation Battalion. This is part of the 494th TC's redeployment back to Fort Campbell, Ky.
• Afghans Protest Quran Burning for Fifth Day VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- For the fifth day, Afghans have taken to the streets to protest the burning of a Quran by Florida pastor Terry Jones. Since the initial eruption of violence in Mazar-i-Sharif on Friday, about 20 people are estimated to have died.
• Forces Kill Several Taliban Insurgents AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- An Afghan and coalition force killed several Taliban insurgents and detained several suspected insurgents yesterday in the Sayad district of Afghanistan's Sar-e Pul province, military officials reported.
• Officials OK Afghan Detainee Vocational Program AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- The Afghan Ministry of Defense and the U.S. task force charged with the rule of law mission in Afghanistan signed a memorandum of agreement today at the Ministry of Defense, establishing a vocational training program for selected insurgents who agree to renounce the insurgency.
• HS-14 Wraps Up Operation Tomodachi Support, Looks Forward to Deployment NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14 personnel and aircraft returned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NAFA), April 4, 2011, after spending three weeks repositioned at Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM).
• HSL-51 Transitions from Operation Tomodachi Support to Pacific Deployment Preparations NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51 is preparing to conclude its mission at Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM), Japan this week after temporarily repositioning here in support of Operation Tomodachi.
• Japanese, U.S. Dignitaries, Senior Military Leaders Thank Ronald Reagan NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Dignitaries and senior military leaders from Japan and the U.S. visited USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) April 4, to express appreciation to the crew for their support and dedication during Operation Tomodachi.
• Operation Tomodachi Mission Continues Strong AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. military will continue to stand squarely with Japan for as long as needed following the devastating earthquake, tsunami and radiological crisis, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander told American Forces Press Service.
• 403rd AFSB provides support to Japan Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- Army Sustainment Command's 403rd Army Field Support Brigade is providing support to the Japanese tsunami relief efforts.
• 31st MEU increases relief efforts on Oshima island USMC News 05 Apr 2011 -- The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit stepped up efforts in aiding the island of Oshima by delivering more supplies and personnel in support of Operation 'Field Day' via U.S. Navy landing craft, April 3.
• US Military Plays Key Role in Post-Tsunami Clean-up VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- As Japan faces the monumental task of cleaning up after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the role that troops and, particularly U.S. forces, are playing is in the forefront.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Lawmakers Say Politics Played Role in Military Trial Decision VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Some Republican and Democratic U.S. lawmakers are saying politics played a role in reversing the Obama administration's decision over the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. In a surprise move Monday, the administration announced that Khalid Shiekh Mohammed and his alleged co-conspirators would be tried by a military commission instead of a civilian court.
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 05 Apr 2011 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• U.S. Forces Show Reach in Crises Response AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. military demonstrated its global reach and effectiveness in the past month of crises, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.
• Pentagon Makes Plans in Case of Shutdown AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- Defense officials believe that a government shutdown can be avoided, but they are making prudent plans in the event one does occur, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.
• MC-130J rollout accelerates AFSOC recapitalization AFNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Air Force Special Operations Command officials welcomed the latest variant of the MC-130 at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga., factory recently.
• Transcom Stays on Schedule Through Contingencies AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Transportation Command remains on schedule with the drawdown in Iraq and continued operations in Afghanistan, despite near monthly contingencies that challenge the focus of its operations, its commander told a congressional committee today.
• Africom Faces Historic Time Amid Growing Challenges AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- The unrest in Libya and the coalition intervention there illustrates the dynamics of the African political and military environment, the commander of U.S. Africa Command told a congressional committee today.
• USS Doyle Returns From Final Deployment NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- USS Doyle (FFG 39) returned from a six-month deployment April 5, after successfully conducting Counter Illicit Trafficking (CIT) operations in the U.S. Southern Command's (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility.
• U.S., Indian Navies Kick Off Malabar 2011 NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- The United States and Indian navies officially started operations marking the beginning of the joint exercise Malabar 2011, April 2.
• Pacific Partnership 2011 Advanced Echelon Makes Preps in Tonga NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- The Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11) advanced echelon (ADVON) team arrived in the Kingdom of Tonga March 16, to plan for the arrival of more than 500 sailors and representatives.
• HSC 84 Red Wolves Recognized With Four Awards NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Navy Reserve Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HSC) 84 capped off a year of distinguished service when the squadron received the Citizen Patriot Unit award for 2010 at a ceremony March 22 at Fort Myer, Va.
• Emergency Operations Training Essential to Guantanamo Personnel NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Personnel assigned to Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and its tenant commands began their second day of Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Incident Management Training, April 5.
• Puget Sound, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Workers Depart USS George Washington NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Puget Sound and Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers began departing USS George Washington (CVN 73), during a brief port visit to Sasebo, Japan, April 5, after conducting routine maintenance during a two-week period while underway.
• IKE Awarded 2010 CNO Afloat Safety Award NNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) was announced as a winner of the 2010 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Afloat Safety Award April 1.
• New simulation center opens on Panzer Kaserne Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- The 21st Theater Sustainment Command opened a new Joint Multinational Simulation Center in Bldg. 3005 on Panzer Kaserne here March 28.
• 405th AFSB accepts control of DOL mission in Europe Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade, partnered with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, accepted command and control of Directorate of Logistics missions in the European theater from the Installation Management Command - Europe April 1.
• 5th Maint. Co. holds inactivation ceremony Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- The 5th Maintenance Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade cased its colors during an inactivation ceremony at the Field House in the Grafenwoehr Training Area here March 15.
• Improved training helps forensics team prepare for Afghanistan deployment Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- When a forensics team from Aberdeen Proving Ground deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan two years ago, they left with four months notice, a crude validation exercise and had a steep learning curve. Today, the officer-in-charge of that team is busy training the new lead and his unit, who will have nine months of individual and group preparatory training with various agencies, as well as weekly contact with the current unit in place before they deploy this summer.
• New York Guard Soldiers train on WIN-T before Afghanistan mission Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's Yonkers-based 101st Signal Battalion are now ready to provide Army leaders with the latest in high-tech communications technology.
• Army gears up for large-scale network evaluations Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- As preparations for the Army's Network Integration Evaluation kick into high gear, Soldiers, engineers, combat developers and test officials are joining forces at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
• Tankers go digital with Abrams upgrade Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- The Army's Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems is rolling out its newest fleet of Abrams tanks.
• Air Force chief information officer discusses way ahead for cyberoperations AFNS 05 Apr 2011 -- The Air Force chief information officer addressed modern cyberspace threats and the impact of social networking at the Air Force Association Cyber Futures Symposium and Convention here April 1.
• DJC2 system provides communications support for JSF, USFJ AFNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Personnel assigned to the Joint Communications Support Element at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., were recently deployed here to provide joint-support-force command and control operations for Operation Tomodachi.
• Total-force Airmen simultaneously support worldwide operations AFNS 05 Apr 2011 -- Mobility Airmen are playing significant roles supporting the NATO no-fly zone over Libya, as well as humanitarian relief efforts in Japan, all while continuing to support U.S. operations around the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Gates, Shinseki Agree to Joint Electronic Medical Records AFPS 05 Apr 2011 -- Two years after they joined President Barack Obama in announcing plans to create a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki have agreed to create a joint common platform for their departments' electronic medical records.
• India, Pakistan Defence Secretary-level talks by April-end IRNA 05 Apr 2011 -- India and Pakistan are likely to resume Defence Secretary-level talks by month-end where they will discuss several issues including demilitarization of the world's highest battlefield - Siachen Glacier, and Sir Creek.
• Navy training trip altered due to radiation, oil price concerns: MND CNA 05 Apr 2011 -- The Navy's fleet of friendship has made some changes to its regular long-distance training voyage due to concerns over rising world oil prices and radioactive fallout from Japan's nuclear power plant, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday.
• UK misjudged arm sales to Arab countries, MPs say IRNA 05 Apr 2011 -- Successive British governments have misjudged the risk that arms approved for export to North Africa and Middle East might be used for internal repression, according to a new parliamentary report by Committees on Arms Export Controls.
• IA soldiers complete GWTC combat training rotation Army News 05 Apr 2011 -- Iraqi soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, concluded a month-long training cycle with U.S. Soldiers at Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center culminating in a battalion live fire exercise, March 31.
• Russia delivers 2 combat helicopters to Peru RIA Novosti 05 Apr 2011 -- Russia has delivered two Mi-35P Hind E attack helicopters to Peru under a contract to provide the South American country with air power to combat cocaine production and terrorism.
• April 5, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2011
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 4/5/2011 The White House 05 Apr 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 4/5/2011 The White House 05 Apr 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 05, 2011
• ATK Awarded Contract for Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF) Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase ATK 05 Apr 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) was awarded a $35.8 million contract for the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF) program. The 37-month EMD contract begins in March 2011 and will allow ATK to further refine the HTVSF design and perform all qualification testing necessary to move into production.
• Boeing Delivers 2 F-15K Slam Eagles to the Republic of Korea Boeing 05 Apr 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it delivered F-15K 47 and F-15K 48 to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) at Daegu Air Base on March 15. The two F-15K Slam Eagles departed St. Louis on March 8 and made stops in Palmdale, Calif., Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.
• Boeing Supports 1st Hellfire Test Launch from Avenger System Boeing 05 Apr 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] supported the U.S. Army's first test launch of an AGM-114 Hellfire missile on Feb. 23 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The missile was fired from a modified Avenger weapon system as part of Boeing's continuing development of the Avenger-derived Adaptive Force Protection System (AFPS).
• New Flight Test Facility Operational as First S-70i™ BLACK HAWK Helicopter Deliveries Approach - First Polish Pilot Achieves BLACK HAWK Helicopter Rating Sikorsky 05 Apr 2011 -- Flight test operations at Sikorsky Aircraft's company in Poland, PZL Mielec, are fully operational and the company is preparing to deliver the first S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft announced today. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• First production contract for Thales's Lightweight Multi-role Missile announced Thales 05 Apr 2011 -- Thales UK and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have today announced an innovative approach to contracting under the principles of Team Complex Weapons (TCW).
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Flight Test Program Shows Progress In First Quarter Lockheed Martin 05 Apr 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II test jets made considerable flight test progress during the first quarter of 2011, conducting 199 test flights versus a plan of 142 flights. Additionally, the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant logged six times more vertical landings in the first quarter than in all of 2010. The test program remained ahead of plan despite the grounding of various test fleet aircraft for 4-15 days during the period as officials investigated the cause of a dual generator/starter failure during a flight on March 9.
• IAI will supply Elbit Systems components worth $13 million USD for the EHUD, Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) Systems Israel Aerospace Industries 05 Apr 2011 -- Israel Aerospace Industries' MLM division (IAI/MLM) has received a $13 million contract from Elbit Systems to supply components of EHUD air combat maneuvering instrumentation (ACMI) system.
• IAI/ELTA Awarded Contracts Worth $33 Million to Supply Airborne Multi-Mode Radars to Latin American Customer Israel Aerospace Industries 05 Apr 2011 -- ELTA Systems Ltd., an Israel Aerospace Industries' group and subsidiary has been awarded several contracts to supply Airborne Multi-Mode radars to a South- American customer.
• IAI/ELTA Systems' Real Time Intelligence Center (RICent) Technology Successfully Demonstrated in Latin America Israel Aerospace Industries 05 Apr 2011 -- ELTA Systems Ltd., an Israel Aerospace Industries group and subsidiary (IAI/ELTA) has recently successfully demonstrated its Real Time Intelligence Center (RICent) technology in several Latin-America countries.
• IAI's Electric Tethered Observation Platform enters a phase of Advanced Development Israel Aerospace Industries 05 Apr 2011 -- Israel Aerospace Industries' Electric Tethered Observation Platform (ETOP) is entering a phase of advanced development.
• IAI/ELTA and TAC Motors, to unveil a new ISR Vehicle named 'Stark IRV' Israel Aerospace Industries 05 Apr 2011 --ELTA Systems Ltd., an Israel Aerospace Industries' group and subsidiary (IAI/ELTA) and TAC Motors will unveil the Stark IRV (Inteligência, Reconhecimento e Vigilância) a new Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) vehicle, at the Latin American Aerospace and Defense Conference and Exhibition- LAAD 2011

Other Conflicts

• 5 April 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Apr 2011
• Libyan Opposition Rejects Gadhafi Family Role in Political Compromise VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Leaders of the eastern-based opposition in Libya have rejected the continued leadership of Moammar Gadhafi or his family as part of any diplomatic solution to the Libyan crisis. They were reacting to reports of a proposed deal to end the six week-old conflict.
• Libyan Rebels Preparing to Export Oil VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Libya's rebels are about to export their first oil shipment under a deal with Qatar to market crude from eastern Libya.
• Tanker At Rebel-Held Libyan Terminal Raises Hopes For Arms Funds RFE/RL 05 Apr 2011 -- A Liberian-registered oil tanker has docked at the rebel-held east Libyan port of Marsa el-Hariga to pick up the port's first oil cargo export since an uprising broke out weeks ago against Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
• Pro-Gbagbo forces in Côte d'Ivoire inform UN of their intention to stop fighting UN News Centre 05 Apr 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire reported today that it has received telephone calls from the heads of forces loyal to former leader Laurent Gbagbo stating that their soldiers have been instructed to stop fighting and hand in their weapons to the UN.
• Negotiations Continue Over Gbagbo's Exit VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Ivory Coast's incumbent president is negotiating the terms of his surrender, after United Nations and French troops attacked his forces in the commercial capital, Abidjan.
• France: Gbagbo Close to Leaving Power VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- A top French official says Ivory Coast's defiant leader, Laurent Gbagbo, is on the brink of giving up power.
• Fighting Continues in Abidjan After UN, French Attacks VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Fighters backing Ivory Coast's internationally-recognized leader are making what they say is a final push on the commercial capital after U.N. and French forces attacked troops still loyal to the incumbent president.
• UN Refugee Chief Warns Ivory Coast Conflict Could Spillover to Liberia VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, warns the conflict in Ivory Coast could spillover to Liberia and have a major destabilizing affect in all of West Africa. The refugee chief has just returned from a series of missions, including one to Liberia at the border with Ivory Coast.
• Russian FM calls for end to bloodshed in Ivory Coast RIA Novosti 05 Apr 2011 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry made on Tuesday an urgent appeal to both sides involved in a civil war in the Ivory Coast to stop the bloodshed and attempt to settle the dispute through peaceful dialogue.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Who is responsible for the Duékoué killings? IRIN 05 Apr 2011 -- Supporters of Laurent Gbagbo and presidential rival Alassane Ouattara are trading accusations over the reported deaths of hundreds of civilians in the western Ivoirian town of Duékoué.
• Obama: Israeli-Palestinian Solution 'More Urgent than Ever' VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- President Barack Obama and Israeli President Shimon Peres have held wide-ranging talks at the White House on Israel-Palestinian peace efforts and what unrest in Arab countries could mean for peace and security in the region.
• UN calls on Israel to halt further settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land UN News Centre 05 Apr 2011 -- A top United Nations envoy today called on Israel to halt further planning for new settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory in the wake of the Government's approval of more Jewish housing units for a neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
• Spurred By Arab Rebellion, Prominent Israelis Propose Plan For Peace RFE/RL 05 Apr 2011 -- A group of leading Israelis, including former military chiefs and a former head of the intelligence agency Mossad, are to put forward a new comprehensive peace plan that would mean ceding most of the West Bank and Gaza and much of east Jerusalem to a Palestinian state.
• Gunmen kill blue helmet serving with UN-AU mission in Darfur UN News Centre 05 Apr 2011 -- A peacekeeper serving with the joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur was killed today after being abducted by armed men following a firefight in the north of the war-wracked Sudanese region.
• Why Are Peace Deals So Difficult To Keep In Pakistan's Tribal Areas? RFE/RL 05 Apr 2011 -- It doesn't take much to undermine a peace accord in Pakistan's tribal area.
• BURUNDI: Former child soldiers "languishing in poverty" IRIN 05 Apr 2011 -- The lucky ones among Burundi's 3,421 former child soldiers who went through a demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) process returned to school but most languish in poverty, with little to do, officials told IRIN.
• KENYA-SOMALIA: Turned back at the border IRIN 05 Apr 2011 -- Just when he thought he had found sanctuary in Kenya, Hassan Abdulle, 43, says he was ordered by security officials there to cross the nearby border back into the battle-scarred Somali town of Bulo Hawo.

News Reports

• Yemen: UN human rights office calls for halt to use of force against protesters UN News Centre 05 Apr 2011 -- The United Nations human rights office today called on the Yemeni Government to immediately halt the use of force against people exercising their right to peaceful protest, noting that over 100 people have reportedly been killed since the demonstrations began.
• Clashes Between Yemen Troops, Loyalist Tribesmen Kill 3 VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- At least three people have been killed in renewed clashes in Yemen.
• YEMEN: Children killed, traumatized by upsurge in violence IRIN 05 Apr 2011 -- Mohammed Munif's three daughters were stunned by the sight of their teacher bleeding from the head after being hit by a stone during a protest, and further traumatized when their 12-year-old brother Ahmad was hit by a stray bullet in Yemen's highland city of Taiz on 3 April.
• Japan Defends Release of Radioactive Water VOA 05 Apr 2011 -- Japan is defending its massive dump of radiation-contaminated water from its disabled nuclear plant into the sea, denying the disposal poses any immediate health problems or violates international maritime law.
• Ahmadinejad: Obama Admin did not use chance provided by Iran IRNA 05 Apr 2011 -- IRI President said here Monday only chance for US administration was improving relations with Iran to find chance to survive, we provided opportunity for them to do; they wasted it since cannot decide freely and Zionists reign their power.
• Iran says no probability for seizure of more ships ISNA 05 Apr 2011 -- The Chairman of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) Mohammad Hossein Dajmar said on Monday there is no probability for further seizure of Iranian ships due to sanctions.
• UN welcomes calm atmosphere as initial results of Haitian elections are released UN News Centre 05 Apr 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping operation in Haiti today welcomed the release of the preliminary results of the country's presidential and legislative elections and urged Haitians to continue to show patience and calm in the lead-up to the release of final results.
• Secretary-General urges Iraqi leaders to finish forming new Government UN News Centre 05 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Iraqi leaders to complete the formation of their new Government as soon as possible so that it can press ahead with crucial tasks, including bolstering stability and addressing social and economic challenges.
• Russia's Ivanov Says Economic Ties Are Next Step In 'Reset' RFE/RL 05 Apr 2011 -- Economic ties between the United States and Russia must be improved if the two countries want to 'cement' their relations, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.