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Operations
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Current Operations

• COALITION FORCES TARGET IRAQI MOBILE SURFACE-TO-AIR-MISSILE RADAR 17 Feb 2003 -- In response to Iraqi threats to Coalition aircraft monitoring compliance of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH Coalition aircraft used precision-guided weapons today to target a mobile air-defense early-warning radar that provided information to the Iraqi air-defense network. The radar was located near Ar Rutbah, approximately 250 miles southwest of Baghdad. The strike occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m., EST.

Deployments

• Marines adapt to new environment USMC News 17 Feb 2003 -- The skyline portrait painted with a blue horizon, green palm trees and sandy, yellow beaches is fading from their memories.
• JTF-HOA Commanding General Visits Bataan Navy NewStand 17 Feb 2003 -- Major General John F. Sattler, Commanding General 2nd Marine Division, Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, visited USS Bataan (LHD 5) recently. He arrived by helicopter from the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) to speak with Bataan's Sailors and Marines.

US Policy

• Dean for America: Defending American Values -- Protecting America's Interests Text Prepared for Presentation by Governor Howard Dean - February 17, 2003 - Drake University, Iowa -- I firmly believe that the President is focusing our diplomats, our military, our intelligence agencies, and even our people on the wrong war, at the wrong time, when our energy and our resources should be marshaled for the greatest threats we face. Yes, Saddam Hussein is evil. But Osama bin Laden is also evil, and he has attacked the United States, and he is preparing now to attack us again. ... Saddam Hussein should not mistake a debate in this country about the best way to disarm him for any lack of resolve, here or elsewhere, that he must be disarmed. We will ensure that Saddam Hussein is disarmed of weapons of mass destruction. I am not among those who say that America should never use its armed forces unilaterally. In some circumstances, we have no choice. In Iraq, I would be prepared to go ahead without further Security Council backing if it were clear the threat posed to us by Saddam Hussein was imminent and could neither be contained nor deterred. However, that case has not been made, and I believe we should continue the hard work of diplomacy and inspection.
• Saddam Has 'Weeks, Not Months,' Says Security Adviser Rice AFPS 16 Feb 2003 -- National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice propelled the administration's clear message to Saddam Hussein during a Sunday morning talk show: "If you're ever going to comply, this is the time."

United Nations

• UN experts interview Iraqi scientist linked with suspect aluminum tubes UN News Centre 17 Feb 2003 -- Continuing the search for evidence of Baghdad's nuclear arms programme, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today privately interviewed a senior engineer in connection with Iraq's procurement history related to key aluminum tubes.
• IRAQ / INSPECTORS MONDAY VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Following last week's disclosure that an Iraqi missile system was capable of exceeding U-N restrictions, weapons inspectors Monday zeroed in on several missile facilities in Iraq.
• UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq UNMOVIC/IAEA 17 February 2003
• Tracking Inspections in Iraq RFE/L 17 Feb 2003

Foreign Reactions

• MEXICO / IRAQ WAR VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Mexico's current non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council has thrust that Latin American nation into the middle of the debate over how to deal with Iraq and its possible possession of weapons of mass destruction. Mexican President Vicente Fox is squarely behind efforts to avoid a war.
• EUROPE / IRAQ VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- European Union leaders have papered over their differences at an emergency summit in Brussels, issuing a joint declaration that urges a peaceful solution to the crisis but maintains the option of force as a last resort. The summit's final statement insists that Iraq must comply with United Nations disarmament resolutions and warns that arms inspections cannot go on indefinitely.
• EUROPE / IRAQ VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- European Union leaders are holding an emergency summit in Brussels to try to overcome their disagreements over Iraq. While some E-U countries think it is time to rally behind the threat to use force, most want more time for United Nations weapons inspectors.
• PAKISTAN / IRAQ VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali begins a country-wide tour Tuesday to try to build a national consensus on policy toward Iraq. There are fears possible military action against Iraq could trigger domestic unrest in the Muslim nation.
• ARAB LEAGUE VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- Much like the rest of the world, the Arab League is divided on the issue of Iraq. After two days of meetings in Cairo, the foreign ministers of the Arab League failed to reach a decision on whether to hold an emergency session to discuss the Iraqi crisis.
• E-U / NATO / IRAQ VOA 17 Feb 2003 -- European Union leaders are gathering at an emergency summit in Brussels in search of a common position on the divisive issue of Iraq, with Britain and Spain arguing for a military option and France and Germany insisting on diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis. The E-U meeting comes after NATO papered over its own differences on Iraq and hammered out an agreement that will allow the alliance to plan for the defense of Turkey in case of war.

News Reports