News

27 May 2011 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 27 May 2011 [PDF]

Pakistan allows U.S. access to bin Laden's hideout RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Pakistan has allowed the CIA to examine the compound of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
Gates: Bin Laden Mission Reflects Perseverance, Determination AFPS 27 May 2011 -- Defense Secretary Gates contrasted the failed 1980 hostage rescue attempt in Iran with last month’s successful mission that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 26 May 2011
Apaches get ready to help protect Libyan civilians UK MOD 27 May 2011 -- Ministers agreed in principle yesterday to make UK Apache Attack Helicopters available to NATO as part of Operation Unified Protector which aims to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack.
Helicopter deployment breaks UK consensus on Libya intervention IRNA 27 May 2011 -- Britain's decision to send four Apache attack helicopters to Libya has broken the consensus on the escalating military intervention.

4th AAB closes bases, preps for return home Army News 27 May 2011 -- Soldiers of 4/3rd Infantry Division have begun their departure home to Fort Stewart.

Combined Force Captures Haqqani Leader in Afghanistan AFPS 27 May 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani terrorist network leader and several of his associates in the Gardez district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province.
Peace Talks With The Taliban In Turkmenistan? RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- When it comes to hosting possible peace talks with the Taliban, a number of countries have surfaced as possible venues.
Russia, U.S. seal Afghan helicopter deal RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The U.S. Army Forces Command and Rosoboronexport have sealed a contract for the supply of 21 Mi-17V5 multipurpose helicopters to Afghanistan.

Secretary Clinton Remarks With Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US Dept. of State 27 May 2011
Clinton, Mullen Meet With Pakistani Leaders AFPS 27 May 2011 -- Secretary of State Clinton and Navy Adm. Mullen met with Pakistani leaders today in an effort to shore up relations between the US and Pakistan.
Clinton Urges Pakistan to Act Decisively Against Militancy VOA 27 May 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Clinton and chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen, have made an unannounced visit to Pakistan.
Clinton Tells Islamabad: 'Take Decisive Steps' On Terrorism RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Pakistan to take "decisive steps" against Islamist militancy.
Clinton wants Pakistan take decisive action IRNA 27 May 2011 -- The visiting US Secretary of State Clinton: US hopes Pakistan would take decisive action against the militants.
Hillary Clinton meets Pakistani President, army chief IRNA 27 May 2011 -- Hillary Clinton opened talks with top Pakistani leadership to remove the mistrust caused by unilateral action by the US forces to kill Osama bin Laden on May,.
PAKISTAN: Forced out of town by ethnic violence IRIN 27 May 2011 -- Aly Khan fled Quetta city, provincial capital of the southwestern province of Balochistan, after several of his family members were attacked in inter-ethnic violence.

Defense Policy / Programs

Remarks by President Obama and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France After Bilateral Meeting The White House 27 May 2011
Poland, U.S. to sign airbase deal after Obama visit RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The Polish defense minister confirmed that Warsaw and Washington would sign a deal on the permanent deployment of a U.S. air detachment in Poland.
Obama Meets With European Leaders In Poland VOA 27 May 2011 -- President Barack Obama is in Poland, in an effort to strengthen relationships in Eastern and Central Europe.
Obama To Visit Poland On Last Leg Of Tour RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is due in Poland later on May 27 on the last stop of his four-nation tour of Europe.
Obama Heads to Poland, Concluding European Tour VOA 27 May 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Poland Friday, on the last stop of a European tour that has seen him in Ireland, Britain and France.

Russia, U.S. unlikely to agree on MD by end of Obama's tenure RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russia and the US are unlikely to agree on the missile defense issue by the end of U.S. President Barack Obama's term.
Medvedev says Russia, U.S. 'losing time' on missile defense RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his dissatisfaction with how the negotiations with the US on the missile defense are continuing.
Russia, U.S. fail to agree on missile defense guarantees RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russia and the US have failed to agree a final draft on legally binding guarantees on missile defense.
Army receives first THAAD missiles Army News 27 May 2011 -- Lockheed Martin delivered the first two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Missiles to the U.S. Army.

DoD News: Navy Names Next Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy DoD 27 May 2011-- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be named the USS John F. Kennedy.
Maintainers prepare for F-35A training on F-35B and F-35C AFNS 27 May 2011 -- Air Force maintainers are getting hands-on experience with the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter here.
Army set to enhance counter-IED training for Soldiers Army News 27 May 2011 -- Three years after development of counter-improvised explosive device training lanes, the Army is poising itself to standardize and enhance the technology that helps Soldiers defeat the signature weapon in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Black Knights bring unique capabilities, history USMC News 27 May 2011 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, which arrived here April 1, has brought with it many capabilities and a forward presence of a combat-capable squadron to III Marine Expeditionary Force's area of operation.
LAAD conducts field training, brushes up on basics USMC News 27 May 2011 -- For more than 10 years, the Marine Corps has been focused on conflicts involving urban warfare and to endure extremely high temperatures in desert weather conditions. Stepping out of the desert and into the jungle, Marines of Battery B, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, went back to the Vietnam-era when they conducted a field training exercise in jungle-like warfare conditions at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue May 17-19.
Marines, sailors conduct machine gun drills aboard USS Tortuga USMC News 27 May 2011 -- Marines with Landing Force Company conducted a machine gun firing exercise May 23 aboard the USS Tortuga in the South China Sea.
Marines prepare for NOLES '11 USMC News 27 May 2011 -- Marines and sailors with Special Operations Training Group and Military Police Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, participated in sustainment training here in preparation for the Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar 2011 May 23–26.
Competition integrates cyber capabilities, encourages new ideas AFNS 27 May 2011 -- Airmen from the 67th Network Warfare Wing took part in the first Cyber Nexus competition here May 17 to 19.
CSFTP, Stennis Strike Group Wrap Up Composite Training Unit Exercise NNS 27 May 2011 -- Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific (CSFTP) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Sailors concluded Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), May 26.
Gravely Completes Final Contract Trials NNS 27 May 2011 -- USS Gravely (DDG 107) successfully completed Final Contract Trials in Norfolk, Va., May 19.
Combat Cargo Ensures Pacific Partnership 2011 Humanitarian Aid Delivery NNS 27 May 2011 -- The Combat Cargo division aboard USS Cleveland (LPD 7) moved tons of cargo and hundreds of personnel from ship to shore in Papua New Guinea, May 19-27, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of engineering, medical and other humanitarian supplies as part of Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11).
Phoenix Express Training Broadens Medical Capabilities NNS 27 May 2011 -- The U.S., Royal Morocco and Mauritania naval forces sharpened their essential skills in basic combat first aid training presented May 25, during Phoenix Express 2011 (PE-11), a multi-national maritime exercise designed to enhance regional maritime partnerships.
Chief of Naval Personnel Visits USS Enterprise NNS 27 May 2011 -- The Navy's top manpower officer visited Sailors aboard the deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) May 26.
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Visits First Overseas Port NNS 27 May 2011 -- The Norfolk, Va.-based USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) anchored off the coast of Portsmouth, England, May 26, marking the first ever overseas port call for the nation's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
USS Fitzgerald Completes Basic Phase of Training Cycle NNS 27 May 2011 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) completed the basic phase of the training cycle May 26, after completing naval surface fire support (NSFS) and towing exercises off the coast of Japan.
Gates Speech at United States Naval Academy Commencement DoD 27 May 2011
Obama Sends Panetta, Petraeus Nominations to Senate AFPS 27 May 2011 -- President Barack Obama has formally nominated CIA Director Leon E. Panetta to be the nation’s next secretary of defense and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to succeed Panetta at the CIA.
'Empire Challenge' Promotes Intelligence Interoperability AFPS 27 May 2011 -- New technologies being tested during U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2011 demonstration.
U.S. senators push Obama to sell F-16C/Ds to Taiwan CNA 27 May 2011 -- Nearly half of the members of the U.S. Senate sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging the sale of F-16 C/D fighters to Taiwan.
U.S. and German aviators test new attack helicopter in Grafenwoehr Army News 27 May 2011 -- The training between US and German aviators has changed with Germany's introduction of a new attack helicopter.
New firing range 'shoots down' time, costs AFNS 27 May 2011 -- The newly refurbished combat arms firing range here is now loaded and ready.
Gates Offers Leadership Lessons to Naval Academy Grads AFPS 27 May 2011 -- Defense Secretary Gates delivered his last commencement speech as defense secretary.

How one conscript cost Russia $3.5 million RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Private Sergei Denyayev could hardly have imagined that by the end of the week he would be facing two years in prison after making 116 homeless.
Soldier charged over Russian Urals arms depot fire RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- A soldier is facing criminal charges over a fire at an ammunition depot at a military base in the Russian Urals.
Russian paratroopers receive chapel on wheels RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The Russian Orthodox Church has given the country's Airborne Troops a mobile chapel to accompany them.

Israel is in possession of a massive arsenal of nuclear weapons: Iran IRNA 27 May 2011 -- Israel is in possession of a massive arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Germany open to troop deployment in Pakistan or Yemen IRNA 27 May 2011 -- German Defense Minister Thomas de Maziere does not rule out the deployment of German troops in unstable countries.

May 27, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 May 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 27, 2011
First Airbus Military A330 MRTT leaves on delivery flight to Australia EADS 27 May 2011 -- The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has left Madrid at 10h00 local time on its ferry flight to Australia.
General Dynamics Land Systems Australia Awarded Contract to Deliver Through Life Support for ASLAV, M1A1 and M88A2 Fleets General Dynamics 27 May 2011 -- General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia (GDLS-A), a business unit of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada in London, Ontario, received a five year, AU$44.8m Through Life Support contract today. The contract also includes a one year phase-in period.
Boeing Awarded PAC-3 Seeker Production Contract Boeing 27 May 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $274 million contract from Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to produce more than 300 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile seekers.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 27 May 2011 United Nations 27 May 2011
Press Conference on Rule of Law in Peacekeeping Operations, 27 May 2011 United Nations 27 May 2011
Assembly President looks for compromise on Security Council reform UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- The President of the General Assembly called for a “compromise” on the issue, at least a temporary one.
On Peacekeepers' Day, UN honours those serving and fallen heroes UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban and the UN family paid tribute to the more than 120,000 military, police and civilian personnel serving in peacekeeping missions across the world.

Russia Offers Help in Mediating Gadhafi's Exit But Says No Asylum VOA 27 May 2011 -- Russia says it is willing to help mediate Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's exit from power, but will not offer him asylum.
Russia Backs Call For Qaddafi To Step Down RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- Russia has joined other countries at the Group of Eight in calling for Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi to step down.
Gaddafi must step down - Medvedev RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Muammar Gaddafi's regime has lost its legitimacy and the Libyan leader must leave his post, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said after the G8 summit in Deauville.
Sarkozy to visit Benghazi for talks with opposition RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy will pay a working visit to the Libyan opposition stronghold of Benghazi to hold talks with the country's insurgents.
G8 leaders urge Gaddafi to step down RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi has lost his legitimacy and should step down, G8 leaders said on Friday in a draft version of their summit statement.
UN urges greater assistance for foreigners camped in Tunisia after fleeing Libya UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- The UN refugee agency called for greater assistance for foreigners who entered Tunisia after fleeing violence in Libya.

Security Council welcomes arrest of fugitives sought for crimes in the Balkans, Rwanda UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- The Security Council today welcomed the arrests this week of two fugitives wanted by the United Nations tribunals set up to try those responsible for the worst crimes committed during the Balkans conflicts of the 1990s and the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

What Can Serbia Expect In Return For Mladic Handover? RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- Serbian President Boris Tadic was quick to say the handover of Ratko Mladic to international authorities would be based not on "calculations" but on his country's "moral dignity."
Judge Says Mladic Fit Enough to Face Hague Trial VOA 27 May 2011 -- Ratko Mladic is in good enough health to go on trial at The Hague, a judge ruled Friday.
Belgrade Court Clears Wartime General Mladic For Extradition RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- A court in Belgrade has ruled that Bosnian Serb wartime general Ratko Mladic is fit enough to be extradited to a United Nations war crimes tribunal.
Mladic fit to stand trial - Serbian court RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- A Serbian court ruled on Friday that former Bosnian Serb army chief Ratko Mladic was fit to stand trial and can be extradited to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Serb Village Where Mladic Was Arrested Says He's A Hero RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- On approaching the tiny Serbian village where General Ratko Mladic was finally apprehended, someone has stuck a handwritten notice with the words "Ratko Hero" over the road sign for "Lazarevo."

Sudan: UN deplores looting of humanitarian supplies in Abyei UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- UN agencies in Sudan have deplored the ransacking of humanitarian premises and looting of emergency relief supplies in the disputed area of Abyei.
Thousands Flee Violence in Sudan's Abyei Region VOA 27 May 2011 -- The UN reports thousands of people are fleeing the conflict in the disputed Abyei region between north and south Sudan.
Delegates gather in Qatar for UN-backed consultations on Darfur peace process UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- UN-backed consultations aimed at resolving the conflict in the Sudanese region of Darfur began in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Ban voices concern about potential aid flotillas to Gaza UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban voiced his concern about potential flotillas to Gaza, and written to Governments of countries around the Mediterranean Sea asking them to discourage their use.
Russia absolutely backs US on Israeli border policy RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russia "absolutely" supports US President Barack Obama's assertion that Israel's 1967 borders must be the basis for negotiations on establishment of a Palestinian state.
Prominent Israelis Urge Europeans to Support Palestinian Statehood Bid VOA 27 May 2011 -- A group of prominent Israeli figures have signed a letter urging European leaders to support a Palestinian bid for statehood recognition from the United Nations.

UN chief condemns attack on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban condemned attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Blast Wounds 6 Italian UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon VOA 27 May 2011 -- Security officials in Lebanon say an explosion hit a United Nations vehicle in the southern part of the country Friday, wounding six Italian U.N. peacekeepers.

SOMALIA: Internet lifeline cut in Mogadishu IRIN 27 May 2011 -- Telecommunications companies based in Somalia’s largest open-air market have been hit by stray shells in the latest round of fighting, leading to internet failure in the past four days.

UN resumes repatriation of Liberian refugees from Côte d'Ivoire UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- The UN refugee agency has resumed the repatriation of Liberian refugees who had been stranded in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during the recent post-election violence there.

Nigerian President Faces Security Challenges in New Term VOA 27 May 2011 -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says he is determined to improve security in his country with a new administration that takes power with Sunday's inauguration.

Displaced villagers in eastern Chad make their way home with UN help UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- Villagers uprooted by violence in eastern Chad several years ago have begun returning to their homes with the help of the United Nations refugee agency now that security has improved in the region.

Colombia Identifies 10,000 Missing in Conflict VOA 27 May 2011 -- Colombia's government has identified the remains of nearly 10,000 people who were buried in unmarked graves throughout the country.

NGO: Guinea-Bissau to be Land Mine Free by Next Year VOA 27 May 2011 -- An organization dedicated to the removal of land mines from three conflicts in the small West African nation of Guinea-Bissau says the country will become mine free in 2012.

Lankan President vows to shield his army from international probe IRNA 27 May 2011 -- Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa vowed to protect the country's military from possible international scrutiny.

Press Gaggle by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes and NSC Senior Director for European Affairs Liz Sherwood-Randall, 5/27/2011 The White House 27 May 2011

News Reports

UN human rights investigators still awaiting access to Syria UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- UNs still awaiting a response from the Syrian Government to a request for access for a human rights team.
Syrian Forces Fire on Protesters, At Least 8 Dead VOA 27 May 2011 -- Human rights activists say Syrian security forces opened fired on protesters, killing at least eight people.
At Least 5 Killed When Syrian Protests Dispersed RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- Rights activists and witnesses say Syrian security forces violently dispersed thousands of people protesting in cities and towns across the country.

Analysts: Fighting in Yemen Tilts Country Toward Civil War VOA 27 May 2011 -- Middle East analysts say recent fierce fighting in Yemen may tilt the country toward civil war.
Escalating violence may push Yemen towards civil war, warns UN human rights office UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- The UN human rights office voiced alarm at the escalating violence in Yemen.
Yemeni Tribal Leaders Pursue Cease-Fire, Lull in Fighting VOA 27 May 2011 -- Forces loyal to Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh and top tribal leader Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar are observing a truce.
Yemen Tribal Loyalists Say Cease-Fire in Effect VOA 27 May 2011 -- Opposition tribal leaders in Yemen say they are talking with the government and that a cease-fire is in effect.
YEMEN: Fears of a humanitarian crisis as fighting intensifies IRIN 27 May 2011 -- The death toll has risen sharply in the last few days of fighting in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a.

Bahrain Government Rights Official Speaks Out VOA 27 May 2011 -- Rights groups continue to raise concern about alleged human rights abuses by the government of Bahrain during anti-government protests.

Egyptian Activists Stage 'Second Revolution' Rally VOA 27 May 2011 -- Thousands of Egyptians are gathered on Cairo's Tahrir Square for a so-called "second revolution" just three months following President Hosni Mubarak's ouster.
Egyptians converge for new 'Day of Rage' RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Thousands of Egyptians are moving into Cairo's central Tahrir Square for a new Day of Rage protest on Friday.

Ahmadinejad And Larijani Tussle In An Oil Slick RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is being subjected to a relentless assault by Iran's parliament.

Kim Jong Il Pays Unofficial Visit to Northeastern and Huadong Regions of China KCNA 27 May 2011 -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, paid an unofficial visit to the People's Republic of China from May 20 to 26 at the invitation of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and president of the PRC.
Speech of Kim Jong Il at Banquet KCNA 27 May 2011 -- Following is the full text of a speech delivered by general secretary Kim Jong Il at the banquet:
Speech of Hu Jintao at Banquet KCNA 27 May 2011 -- Following is the full text of a speech delivered by Hu Jintao, general secretary of the C.C., the Chinese Communist Party, at the banquet arranged in honor of General Secretary Kim Jong Il:
Kim Jong Il Returns Home after Paying Unofficial Visit to China KCNA 27 May 2011 -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, Friday returned home after successfully wrapping up his unofficial visit to the PRC.
Kim Jong Il Sends Message of Thanks to Hu Jintao KCNA 27 May 2011 -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, Thursday sent a message of thanks to Hu Jintao, general secretary of the C.C., the Communist Party of China and president of the People's Republic of China.
American Young-su Jun Released KCNA 27 May 2011 -- As already reported, American Young-su Jun has been under investigation by a relevant institution after he was arrested in Nov. 2010 on charges of anti-DPRK crime.

Readout of President Obama's G-8 Meetings in Deauville, France to the Travel Pool by a Senior Administration Official The White House 27 May 2011
Fact Sheet: G-8 Summit in Deauville, France The White House 27 May 2011
Fact Sheet: G-8 and the Middle East and North Africa The White House 27 May 2011
G8 Summit Ends with Harsh Words, Promises VOA 27 May 2011 -- President Barack Obama and other G8 leaders wrapped up a two-day summit in the French coastal town of Deauville.
G8 Pledges Billions Toward Mideast Democracy, African Development VOA 27 May 2011 -- G8 leaders have pledged $20 billion in assistance for the democratic transformations in Egypt and Tunisia.
G8 Pledges $40 Billion For 'Arab Spring' Countries RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- Leaders of the Group of Eight most industrialized countries have agreed on a $40 billion aid and loan package for fledgling democracies in the Arab world.
G8 leaders vow financial, other support for 'Arab Spring' RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The leaders of the Group of Eight countries praised the so-called Arab Spring and pledged to support democratic reforms in the region on the final day of the G8 summit in France's Deauville.
At G8 summit, UN chief stresses need to act with unity on Middle East, North Africa UN News Centre 27 May 2011 -- The international community must act with unity and in a consistent and coordinated manner in response to events in the Middle East and North Africa, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized.

US Welcomes Pending Release of American by North Korea VOA 27 May 2011 -- The US has welcomed North Korea’s announcement that it will release a U.S. citizen held there since last November on unspecified charges.
Observers Question Motives as Burmese, N. Korean Leaders Visit Beijing VOA 27 May 2011 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has returned to Pyongyang after a week-long visit to close ally and neighbor China.
US Ambassador Says China Must Do More on N. Korea, Human Rights VOA 27 May 2011 -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke says Beijing must do more to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear program.

Georgia claims opposition planned to arm protesters RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The Georgian FM: leaders of the opposition People's Assembly party planned to arm protesters calling for the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Prominent Armenian Opposition Figures Are Released Under Amnesty RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- The two most prominent members of the Armenian opposition remaining in prison have been set free in accordance with a general amnesty declared by authorities.
Armenian Opposition Figure Released From Jail Under Amnesty RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- A prominent Armenian opposition figure jailed for his role in the 2008 postelection unrest has been released from prison under an amnesty.

Russia 'lacks personnel to dismantle nuclear sites' RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russia is experiencing an acute shortage of personnel to ensure the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities.

Senior Zimbabwe Military Officer, Backing Mugabe, Calls for Elections This Year VOA 27 May 2011 -- A senior Zimbabwean military office has stated that the country should hold elections this year and urged that President Robert Mugabe, 87, be retained as president for life.

Statement by the President on the Recent Convictions of Political Prisoners in Belarus The White House 27 May 2011
Obama Condemns Belarus Dissident Sentences, Vows Sanctions RFE/RL 27 May 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned the sentencing of five former presidential candidates in Belarus.
U.S. to expand sanctions against Belarus - Obama RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The United States is set to expand sanctions against Belarus, U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement.

G8 backs Russia's WTO bid - Sarkozy RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- The G8 countries completely support Russia's WTO bid and see no impediments to it, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.

UGANDA: Anatomy of an Ebola outbreak IRIN 27 May 2011 -- A confirmed case of the deadly Ebola virus in eastern Uganda three weeks ago has been quickly contained, leading health experts in the country to believe the virus has not spread.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list