30 April 2013 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 30 Apr 2013 [PDF]

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator in Logar Province AFPS 30 Apr 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and another insurgent in the Pul-e Alam district of Afghanistan’s Logar province.
Brawl Shuts Pakistani-Afghan Border Crossing RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Pakistan has closed its main border crossing with Afghanistan along the highway linking Kabul and Islamabad.
2nd Combat Engineer Battalion reunites with loved ones USMC News 30 Apr 2013 -- Second CEB arrived home April 26 - 27, 2013, after a seven month deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

Readout of Secretary Hagel’s Meeting with German Minister of Defense Thomas de Maizière DoD 30 Apr 2013
Asia Trip Meant to Deliver Assurances, Dempsey Says AFPS 30 Apr 2013 -- One of the purposes of his visit to Asia and China last week was to deliver assurances, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
US, S Korea end military maneuvers PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- The United States and South Korea have ended the controversial two-month-long military maneuvers that provoked recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Obama Pledges New Push to Close Guantanamo RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- US President Barack Obama vowed to make a new push to close the American military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
US President Barack Obama renews promise to close Gitmo prison PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- US President Barack Obama has promised to make a new attempt to close the military prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, amid an ongoing hunger strike by detainees.
US military sends ‘medical force’ to Gitmo PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- The US has dispatched additional military ‘medical forces’ to Guantanamo as the hunger strike continues.
Total force readiness topic of Capitol Hill testimony AFNS 30 Apr 2013 -- Senior leaders from the active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve were on Capitol Hill to discuss the impact of sequestration on Total Force readiness.
USAFE fighter squadrons affected by sequestration AFNS 30 Apr 2013 -- Nearly half of the fighter squadrons in U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa halted flying operations three weeks ago.
Readiness Challenges Could Affect Retention, Dempsey Says AFPS 30 Apr 2013 -- The readiness challenges in the American military could turn into a retention challenge if allowed to continue, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Secretary favors 'third party' approach to engage Congress Army News 30 Apr 2013 -- Army leaders may not make the best advocates when it comes to convincing Congress and the American people which systems Soldiers really need, said the Army's secretary.
Kiowa Warrior upgrades alter aircraft profile Army News 30 Apr 2013 -- The newly updated Kiowa Warrior aircraft, the OH-58F, made a ceremonial "first flight," April 30, at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
MUSE Deploys in Support of USS Enterprise's Final Dry-docking NNS 30 Apr 2013 -- Three U.S. Navy Seabee Mobile Utilities Support Equipment technicians arrived in Virginia April 29 to assist the final dry-docking for the USS Enterprise.
MV-22B Ospreys make historic flight, ready to support crisis response force USMC News 30 Apr 2013 -- Six MV-22B Ospreys and two KC-130J’s flew from Marine Corps Air Station, New River, N.C., to Moron De La Frontera, Spain, April 27.
JSTARS: Connecting the dots on battlefield AFNS 30 Apr 2013 -- The secret of Joint STARS is hidden inside the 27-foot long radome tucked underneath the belly of the aircraft that otherwise looks like a regular airliner.
‘Any Time, Anywhere’ Data Access Coming Soon, Official Says AFPS 30 Apr 2013 -- In the not-too-distant future, Defense Department personnel will be able to securely access data any time and anywhere.
BSRF 13 Marines close out Summer Shield with partner nation forces USMC News 30 Apr 2013 -- Approximately 100 Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 teamed up with soldiers from the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian Land Forces.
Building Interoperability With Eurasia Partnership NNS 30 Apr 2013 -- Multinational military personnel completed a week-long course of instruction at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Training Center as part of the U.S. Navy's Eurasia Partnership program.
American, Canadian MPs train together during Exercise Promethean Ram Army News 30 Apr 2013 -- Army Reserve soldiers recently participated in the Canadian Forces' Exercise Promethean Ram during the month of April.

Russian Military May Soon Adopt New Kalashikov Assault Rifle RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- The fate of a new Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle developed for the Russian army will be decided during the state acceptance trials due to begin in June 2013.
Russia Sends Warship to Israel for First Time RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- A Russian naval ship will visit Israel for the first time in the country’s history, the Defense Ministry said.

Leaner French Defense Strategy Focuses on Africa VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Africa figures prominently in France's newly outlined military defense strategy - and experts say the Mali offensive may serve as a blueprint for future operations.
Israel's 5th Dolphin submarine launched in north Germany PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Israel has launched its fifth Dolphin-class submarine, which was constructed to undertake long-range classified missions and carry missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
Indian experience for British soldiers UK MOD 30 Apr 2013 -- One hundred British soldiers have spent the last 4 weeks training with the Indian Army in the mountains of Belgaum in southern India.
NATO provides security support for Dutch royal handover NATO 30 Apr 2013 -- NATO radar surveillance aircraft, known as AWACS, patrolled the skies over the Dutch capital of Amsterdam

China building Type 052D guided missile destroyers CNA 30 Apr 2013 -- Shanghai Shipbuilding Co. will soon complete construction of three Type 052D destroyers, with sea trials expected to be carried out within months.

Taiwan needs advanced fighters: vice defense minister CNA 30 Apr 2013 -- Taiwan needs advanced fighter jets and is prepared to reduce or exclude some items on its list of arms procurement requirements if that will allow it to meet its air defense needs.

Indonesia Readies Mass Production of Drones VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Indonesia has announced that it will begin to mass-produce surveillance drones this year.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, April 30, 2013 US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for April 30, 2013
State Department Announces Resolution of Raytheon Company Arms Export Control Enforcement Case US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2013

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 30 April 2013 United Nations 30 Apr 2013

News Conference by the President The White House 30 Apr 2013
Obama: Need All Facts on Syria Chemical Weapons VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he needs more facts on chemical weapons use in Syria before ordering an American response.
Obama: Chemical Weapons Used In Syria, More Facts Needed RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States has evidence that chemical weapons have been used in Syria.
Chemical arms use in Syria game-changer: Obama PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- US President Barack Obama has said the use of chemical weapons is a “game-changer” in Syria
Syrian Rebels Use Chemical Weapons – State TV RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- Militants in Syria have used chemical weapons against civilians with the aim of discrediting forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Syria Denies Delaying Chemical Weapons Probe VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Syria’s United Nations' ambassador blamed what he called "some influential countries" for the delay in sending a chemical weapons investigation team to his country.
Press Conference by Permanent Representative of Syria, 30 April 2013 United Nations 30 Apr 2013
UN must find main culprit behind chemical arms use in Syria: Iran PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Iran has called on the United Nations to identify the main culprit behind the use of chemical weapons in Syria before the situation in the Arab state gets out of control.
Dempsey: Military Provides Options to President on Syria AFPS 30 Apr 2013 -- The U.S. military stands ready to do whatever it is ordered to in Syria by civilian leaders, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
Deadly Blast Hits Central Damascus RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Syria's state television says a powerful explosion has hit central Damascus.
Bomb Rocks Syrian Capital, Killing 13 VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- A powerful explosion went off in Damascus' historic Marjeh Square, killing and wounding dozens. Government media put the casualty figures at 13 dead and over 70 wounded.
Blast in Damascus kills over a dozen, Syrian media PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- A car bomb explosion has hit the Syrian capital Damascus, leaving at least 13 people dead and 70 more injured.
Russian Authorities Caution Against Flights Over ‘War Zones’ RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia has urged all Russian airlines to suspend until further notice the flights over countries that are currently caught in military conflicts.
Moscow Bans Civilian Flights Over Syria RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Russia's air transport agency has banned all Russian civilian planes from flying through Syrian air space after a Russian passenger jet reportedly was threatened by rocket fire over Syria.
Syrian Rebels Eye EU Oil Trade VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- The European Union recently lifted the embargo on oil coming from opposition-controlled areas in Syria.
Aid Agency Seeks More Assistance for Syrians VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- The international aid charity Oxfam says the U.N. Security Council should use its influence to improve humanitarian access in Syria.
Palestinian refugees displaced in ever greater numbers by Syrian violence, says UN agency UN News Centre 30 Apr 2013 -- Increasing numbers of Palestinian refugees in Syria are being killed, injured or displaced amid the intensifying violence.
UN steps up vaccination campaigns amid measles outbreaks among uprooted Syrians UN News Centre 30 Apr 2013 -- The United Nations Children’s Fund and partners have stepped up vaccination campaigns in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey amid measles outbreaks.

Improving North-South Korean Relations May Depend on China, US Says VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye meets with U.S. President Barack Obama for talks that are expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program.
Seoul 'Not Against' Workers Remaining at Kaesong Complex VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- South Korea's government says the last seven of its citizens remaining at the Kaesong joint venture complex in North Korea are there voluntarily to handle unresolved issues.
N Korea says most workers left Kaesong PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- South Korea says most remaining workers at the joint industrial zone in North Korea returned home following months of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Nuclear Deterrence Guarantees Sovereignty: Rodong Sinmun KCNA 30 Apr 2013 -- The DPRK's nuclear deterrence is a means of justice for defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation, averting a war and safeguarding peace.
KCNA Commentary Slams U.S. Hypocritical Talk about Dialogue KCNA 30 Apr 2013 -- Voices that the DPRK's stand is unacceptable are heard from among high-ranking officials of the U.S. after a statement was issued by the DPRK National Defence Commission.
Minju Joson Accuses S. Korean Authorities of Working Hard to Bring KIZ to Collapse KCNA 30 Apr 2013 -- The chief of Chongwadae of south Korea held a meeting of the chiefs for diplomatic and security affairs on April 26.

Mali Court Drops Case Against Newspaper Editor VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- A court in Mali threw out a case against a newspaper editor who was arrested after publishing an article criticising the leader of last year's military coup.

Central African Republic: amid worsening violence, UN refugee agency warns against forcible returns UN News Centre 30 Apr 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency urged countries to refrain from repatriating refugees to the Central African Republic.

Somali Defense Minister: Army Reforms a Top Priority VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Somalia’s defense minister says integrating soldiers from clan militias into a national army is the military's biggest challenge as it tries to take control of internal security.
Somalia Executes 13 al-Shabab Militants VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Authorities in Somalia's Puntland region have executed 13 al-Shabab militants who were convicted on murder charges.

Yau Yau Rebels Shun South Sudan Amnesty VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- An attack on Pibor town by some 200 insurgents led by David Yau Yau has left one South Sudan army soldier and two rebels dead, officials said.

Rockets hit MKO camp near Baghdad PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Rockets have hit a camp housing members of anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization near the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Libya: UN urges political dialogue UN News Centre 30 Apr 2013 -- The United Nations mission in Libya said it is following the latest developments in the country.
Militias Surround Libyan Justice Ministry VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- For a third consecutive day, gunmen are surrounding Libya's Justice Ministry in a show of force intended to sway the country's developing legislature.
Gunmen Surround Justice Ministry In Tripoli RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Libyan officials and witnesses say gunmen in pick-up trucks have surrounded Libya's Justice Ministry to make demands on the government.
Armed men surround Libyan Justice Ministry building PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Libyan officials say a number of armed men have surrounded the country’s Justice Ministry building in the capital, Tripoli.

Eastern DRC Residents Have High Hopes for Intervention Brigade VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Residents in the eastern part of the DRC see better prospects for peace in the region now that preparations are underway for stationing a U.N. “intervention brigade” in the region.
DR Congo: Visiting UN special envoy stresses need for peace, security, development UN News Centre 30 Apr 2013 -- A senior United Nations envoy stressed the need for peace, security and development in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Secretary Kerry Remarks on Middle East Process US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2013
Israeli Airstrike Kills Palestinian in Gaza VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- An Israeli air strike has killed a Palestinian man in the Gaza Strip, the first deadly air strike in the Palestinian territory since a truce five months ago ended eight days of fighting that killed more than 100 people.
1 Palestinian killed, another injured in Israeli airstrike on Gaza PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- An Israeli airstrike on western Gaza has killed one Palestinian and injured another, as the Tel Aviv regime continues to conduct air raids on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Taiwan-Japan fishing commission set to hold first prep meeting CNA 30 Apr 2013 -- The first preparatory meeting for a fishing commission set up by Taiwan and Japan will be held this week to deal with issues related to fishing in disputed waters in the East China Sea.

S.Ossetian President Urges Diplomats to Push for Recognition RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- South Ossetian diplomats should work hard for the republic’s independence to be internationally recognized, the breakaway region’s president, Leonid Tibilov, said.

News Reports

Remarks With Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2013

Global Muslim Survey Finds Support for Sharia, But Also Religious Pluralism VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- A majority of Muslims around the world believe sharia should prevail, but at the same time most say they favor religious freedom for people of other faiths.

Ahmadinejad: Peace-loving Iranian nation will cut off hands of ill-wishers IRNA 30 Apr 2013 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad honored National Persian Gulf Day.
Rafsanjani Gets More Vocal On Iran's Policies, Presidential Run RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has become increasingly vocal about the country's domestic and foreign policies.
Hopeful criticizes Ahmadinejad for inattention to employment, production PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Presidential hopeful Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi has slammed the administration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Shariatmadari runs on independent ticket PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Iran’s former minister of commerce, Mohammad Shariatmadari, says he is running for the presidency on an independent ticket as reformists have so far failed to reach an agreement to nominate him as their candidate.

S Korea spy agency comes under probe over scandal PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- South Korea’s spy agency has come under investigation over its alleged involvement in the country’s last year presidential election.

Courts Order More Detention For Musharraf RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- A Pakistani court has ordered two more weeks of detention for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Court extends Musharraf's home arrest PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has extended the term of home arrest of the country’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over a charge of murdering ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.
Gunmen kill election candidate, three others in Pakistan PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Gunmen in Pakistan's Balochistan Province have shot and killed a candidate running in the country’s upcoming elections and three of his bodyguards.
Candidate, Two Others Killed In Balochistan RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- A candidate for a provincial assembly seat in Pakistan's upcoming elections has been killed in Balochistan Province.
Pakistani Women Hit The Campaign Trail To Ensure Their Voice Is Heard RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Election day is approaching in Pakistan, and women in one violence-wracked province are working hard to ensure they have a voice.

China Arrests 19 'Terrorists' Linked to Xinjiang Violence VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Chinese authorities have arrested the remaining suspects allegedly involved in a clash with police that left 21 people dead in the northwest province of Xinjiang.
China Detains 19 After Xinjiang Unrest RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Police in China have detained 19 people and seized homemade explosives and weapons after a deadly clash in its restive region of Xinjiang last week.

Unease Grows Over Trial of Alleged Turkish Coup Plotters VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- The trial involving an alleged conspiracy by the Turkish military to overthrow the government is coming under increasing criticism both inside Turkey and internationally.

Algeria Contemplates Future Without Ailing Bouteflika VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Ill-health may force veteran Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, now in hospital in Paris, to hasten his departure from power, plunging a youthful, restless nation into an uncertain political transition.

US Regrets Egypt Walk-Out at Nuclear Talks VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- The United States said it regretted Egypt's decision to walk out of U.N. talks on non-proliferation and still hoped all sides would agree to hold a conference on banning nuclear weapons in the Middle East.
Egypt's President Calls Halt to Privatizations VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Egypt will keep all state-owned firms in public hands, President Mohamed Morsi said in a speech on Tuesday, calling a halt to a flawed privatization program that failed to kick-start the country's economy.

Partial vote audit underway in Venezuela PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Venezuela’s National Electoral Council has started a partial audit of the country’s presidential election's votes.
US filmmaker charged in Venezuela PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- A court in Caracas has charged a US filmmaker and a retired Venezuelan general with stirring up post-election violence in the country.

Court lets Morales run for reelection PressTV 30 Apr 2013 -- Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has received approval from the country’s constitutional court to run for reelection next year.

South Africa Surprised By UK Decision to End Aid VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- The United Kingdom’s announcement Tuesday that it would stop all direct aid to South Africa by 2015 has provoked consternation and confusion in Pretoria.

Amnesty Accuses Sri Lanka of Intensifying Repression of Dissent VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Amnesty International has accused the Sri Lankan government of intensifying repression of dissent in institutions such as the media and the judiciary.

US Calls for Release of Jailed Ukrainian Ex-Premier RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- The United States called on Ukraine to release Yulia Tymoshenko.
European Rights Court Rules Tymoshenko Unlawfully Detained VOA 30 Apr 2013 -- Europe's top rights court has ruled that Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko was unlawfully held in detention before being sentenced to jail in 2011.
Strasbourg Rules Tymoshenko Jailing Was Rights Violation RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the detention of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was arbitrary and a violation of her rights.
Ex-Ukrainian Premier’s Arrest ‘Unlawful’ - European Court RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the 2011 arrest of Ukraine’s ex-Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko was unlawful.

Rights Group Slams Order to Register as ‘Foreign Agent’ RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- Prosecutors in Russia’s republic of Tatarstan have ordered the Agora human rights group to register as a “foreign agent,” a demand it has dismissed as “unlawful.”
Another Prominent Russian NGO Told To Register As 'Foreign Agent' RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- Moscow's prosecutor-general has urged the Memorial human rights center to comply with a new law on nongovernmental organizations.
Putin Urges New Russian Citizenship Law RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to speed up progress on a draft law easing citizenship requirements for Russian-language speaking applicants who are descendants of people born in Russia and the Soviet Union.
Putin To Bring Back Soviet-Era 'Hero Of Labor' Medals RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- On May 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin will once again try to tap into Soviet nostalgia, this time by awarding Soviet era “Hero of Labor” stars to Russians in return for laudable deeds.

EU Launches New Probe In Kosovo Organ-Trafficking Case RFE/RL 30 Apr 2013 -- EU prosecutors have launched a probe into eight suspects in connection with an international organ-trafficking ring that performed at least 23 illegal kidney transplants at a clinic in Pristina.

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