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Operations
Deployments
US Policy
United Nations
Foreign Reactions
News Reports

Current Operations

• COALITION FORCES TARGET IRAQI COMMAND AND COMMUNICATION SITES 27 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 two Iraqi cable repeater sites used for communications in targeting Coalition aircraft. The targets were located between Baghdad and Al Kut, approximately 90 miles southeast of Baghdad and between Al Kut and An Nasiriyah, located approximately 170 miles southeast from Baghdad. The strikes occurred at approximately 8:35 a.m. EST.
• COALITION FORCES TARGET IRAQI RADAR, COMMUNICATIONS SITE 27 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 strike two targets in southern Iraq. Coalition forces targeted an early-warning radar at approximately 2:05 p.m. EST and a communications facility at approximately 6:30 p.m. EST. Both targets were located near Al Basrah, approximately 250 miles southeast of Baghdad.
• COALITION FORCES DROP LEAFLETS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ 27 Feb 2003 -- Coalition aircraft dropped 240,000 informational leaflets over southern Iraq today. Coalition aircraft dropped the leaflets at approximately 4:45 p.m. EST over Al Hafayan, An Nasiriyah, Ar Rumaylah and Al Basrah, all southeast of Baghdad.
• Coalition Aircraft Respond to Iraqi Attacks in Northern No-Fly Zone EUCOM 27 Feb 2003 -- In response to Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery attacks in the northern no-fly zone, coalition aircraft dropped precision-guided weapons on fiber-optic, cable and microwave communication sites that support Iraqi military operations today at approximately 2:20 p.m. EST.
• Waging war with wits, words AFPN 27 Feb 2003 -- In response to Iraq's continued hostility and threat to its people, U.S. Central Command is using a specially equipped aircraft to broadcast information into Iraq. The intent is to deter Iraqi aggression against its neighbors by educating and informing the Iraqi people and military.
• 1st Brigade Units Preparing to Deploy Fort Riley PAO 27 Feb 2003 -- Soldiers with the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division are repositioning forces throughout the world for a variety of missions.
• PENTAGON / IRAQ VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- Iraq has begun what could be a major repositioning of its troops in anticipation of a possible war.
• KUWAIT / U-S TROOPS VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- U-S military commanders in Kuwait, preparing for a possible invasion of Iraq, are trying to match up tanks, helicopters, and other equipment with more than 100-thousand troops as quickly as possible.

Deployments

US Policy

• U.S. Diplomat John Brady Kiesling Letter of Resignation, to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell 27 Feb 2003 -- "I am writing you to submit my resignation from the Foreign Service of the United States and from my position as Political Counselor in U.S. Embassy Athens, effective March 7. I do so with a heavy heart. The baggage of my upbringing included a felt obligation to give something back to my country. Service as a U.S. diplomat was a dream job. I was paid to understand foreign languages and cultures, to seek out diplomats, politicians, scholars and journalists, and to persuade them that U.S. interests and theirs fundamentally coincided. My faith in my country and its values was the most powerful weapon in my diplomatic arsenal."

• Iraq's Hidden Weapons: Failing to Disclose and Disarm US Department of State 27 Feb 2003 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1441 SET TWO TESTS FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN: to fully disclose his weapons of mass destruction and to immediately, unconditionally, and actively cooperate with United Nations (UN) inspectors. Saddam's regime failed both. He did not file a full, complete, and accurate declaration of his weapons to the UN and has not cooperated fully with UN inspections. He has not complied with Resolution 1441 which offered him a final opportunity to disarm peacefully. It is time for the UN Security Council to step up to its responsibilities and uphold Resolution 1441. [PDF 294 Kb]

• State Officials Say Iraq Has Failed to Comply with U.N. Resolution Washington File 27 Feb 2003 -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has failed to avail himself of a final opportunity to disarm his country of weapons of mass destruction as called for in the four-month-old U.N. Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1441, says Kim Holmes, assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs.
• Myers: Iraq Clearly a Present Danger to America AFPS 27 Feb 2003 -- The specter of terrorists allied with democracy-hating regimes - like Saddam Hussein's Iraq - seeking weapons of mass destruction presents a danger America cannot afford to ignore, the U.S. military's top officer said Feb. 26.
• European Union, U.S. Agree on Iraq AFPS 27 Feb 2003 -- The United States and the European Union share the same objectives in Iraq, Secretary of State Colin Powell said today following a meeting with EU ministers here.
• State Department Rolls Out "Iraq's Voices for Freedom" AFPS 27 Feb 2003 -- The State Department rolled out a collection of horror stories in a new publication called "Iraq's Voices for Freedom" during a briefing at the Foreign Press Center here Feb. 26.
• CONGRESS / ALLIES VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- As the United States continues to negotiate with key allies over the latest U-N resolution on Iraq, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are growing increasingly impatient with what they see as attempts by some of those allies to undermine U-S interests, and the war on terrorism.
• POWELL / E-U / IRAQ VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- The Iraq issue dominated a ministerial-level U-S-European Union dialogue in Washington Thursday, with Secretary of State Colin Powell demanding that Saddam Hussein either disarm immediately or step aside.
• BUSH / IRAQ / KARZAI VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- President Bush is warning the world to watch out for more acts of deception from Iraq. Mr. Bush says the current dispute over banned Iraqi missiles should not detract from the drive to totally disarm Saddam Hussein.
• EDITORIAL: THE U-N AND IRAQ VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- On February 24th, the United Kingdom introduced a resolution at the United Nations Security Council recognizing that Iraq has failed to comply with U-N requirements that it destroy its weapons of mass destruction. The resolution was cosponsored by the United States and Spain. U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said that a vote in favor of the resolution "will strengthen the role of the council in international politics."
• BUSH / IRAQ / MISSILES VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- U-N weapons inspectors have given Iraq until Saturday to begin destroying missiles that exceed U-N limits. Iraqi officials say they will have an answer to that order in the next two days. President Bush says Saddam Hussein is using the issue to distract from the larger demand that he give up suspected stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons.

United Nations

• UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq UNMOVIC/IAEA 27 Feb 2003
• Tracking Inspections in Iraq RFE/L 27 Feb 2003
• Iraq agrees in principle to UN demand to destroy missiles UN News Centre 27 Feb 2003 -- Iraq agreed in principle today to a United Nations demand to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles, the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) announced late Thursday in New York.
• UN weapons inspectors make first Mirage IV surveillance flight in Iraq UN News Centre 27 Feb 2003 -- United Nations weapons inspectors have carried out their first Mirage IV surveillance operation in Iraq, adding a second element to their air inspections that already include U-2 flights.
• IRAQ / UN UPDATE VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- After meeting in closed session Thursday, the U-N Security Council remains divided over how to deal with the Iraq crisis. The council is split over a resolution sponsored by Britain, the United States and Spain -- that could pave the way for military action against Iraq if Baghdad fails to disarm.
• IRAQ / U-N VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- The U-N Security Council remains divided over how to deal with the Iraq crisis after meeting in closed session today (Thursday). The council is split over a resolution sponsored by Britain, the United States and Spain -- that could pave the way for military action against Iraq if Baghdad fails to disarm.
• BLIX REPORT VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- The chief United Nations weapons inspector for Iraq has submitted a new report, which says Iraq is making progress in some areas but is still not fully cooperating with efforts to rid it of banned weapons. The Security Council will review the report, while deciding whether to approve a U-S and British-backed resolution that could lead to war.

Foreign Reactions

• PENTAGON / RUMSFELD VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he has received assurances U-S support for his country will not be interrupted or diverted by a possible war with Iraq. At the Pentagon Mr. Karzai held talks with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
• ARABS / IRAQ VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- While U-S officials say Iraq can avert war by complying with U-N resolutions, Arab officials and analysts say they think there is virtually nothing Saddam Hussein can do to avoid a U-S led attack. The view in the Arab world is that there are too many factors against the Iraqi leader to stop what one analyst calls "the wheels of war."
• EGYPT/DEMOS VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- An estimated 140-thousand people rallied in a Cairo sports stadium to protest a possible U-S led war against Iraq.
• RUSSIA/U-S/IRAQ VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to work toward a solution on Iraq. The leaders spoke by telephone hours in advance of the U-N Security Council discussion of a new U-S-backed draft resolution that could pave the way for war.
• RUSSIA/CHINA NOKOR/IRAQ VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- Russia and China are urging the United States to start direct talks with North Korea to solve the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. North Korea and Iraq top the agenda during Thursday's top-level talks in Beijing between the two countries.

News Reports

• RFE/RL Iraq Report, Volume 6, Number 8 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 27 February 2003 -- IRAQI PRESIDENT GIVES RARE INTERVIEW TO U.S. BROADCASTER / BAGHDAD TO JOIN INVESTMENT AGREEMENT / IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTRY TAKES E-MAIL QUESTIONS / IRAQI DEFECTOR SAYS IRAQ HAS NEW POISON BOMBS / KUWAIT ANNOUNCES ARREST OF IRAQI 'SPY.' / TURKISH PARLIAMENT MEETS TO DISCUSS U.S. DEAL / UNMOVIC CHIEF ORDERS IRAQ TO DESTROY MISSILES / UN INSPECTORS SAY IRAQ BROKE PROMISES / MEXICAN PRESIDENT DECLARES OPPOSITION TO WAR WITH IRAQ / U.S., U.K., AND SPAIN PRESENT DRAFT RESOLUTION TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL / U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UN DISCUSSES DRAFT RESOLUTION... / ...AS FRANCE, GERMANY, AND RUSSIA PRESENT JOINT MEMORANDUM... / ...AND EXPLAIN THEIR OBJECTIVES / U.K., JORDAN RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT ON IRAQ / GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS IRAQI MISSILE DEPLOYMENT VIOLATES UN RESOLUTION... / ...AND SWITZERLAND DECLARES INTENT TO BACK IRAQ WAR ONLY IF SANCTIONED BY UN / FRANCE PROVIDES PLANES FOR UN INSPECTIONS / U.S. SANCTIONS ANSAR AL-ISLAM / WILL THE U.S. HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TURKEY OR THE KURDS? / END NOTE: ARAB OFFICIALS FEAR DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF WAR
• Powell, EU Officials Stress Unity of Purpose on Iraq Disarmament Washington File 27 Feb 2003 -- Differences between the United States and some members of the European Union on how to handle the Iraq situation should not be mistaken for weakness of purpose, Secretary of State Colin Powell and EU officials said following a meeting in Washington February 27.
• Iraqis Abroad Express Hope for Freedom in Their Homeland Washington File 27 Feb 2003 -- Although the world has had the opportunity to hear many messages about Iraq -- from the United States government, the United Nations, the American public, and anti-war protests around the world -- perhaps the most important voices of all, those of the Iraqi people, are still censured by fear.
• Iraqi Human Shields Policy Puts Civilians at Risk Washington File 27 Feb 2003 -- A senior Defense Department official says the U.S. military will seek to minimize civilian casualties and infrastructure damage if there is war in Iraq, unlike the strategy of the Iraqi regime which has routinely placed its military equipment in and around "parks, mosques, hospitals, hotels, crowded shopping districts and even cemeteries."
• Iraqi Regime Uses People, Culture to Shield Military AFPS 27 Feb 2003 -- It is akin to parking B-2 bombers at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Or like rounding up civilians in Austin, Texas, and chaining them around ammunition bunkers at nearby Fort Hood.
• KURRILD KLITGAARD VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- President Bush outlined his vision of a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq during a speech late Wednesday in Washington. In an address carried live on television, President Bush re-emphasized his position that Iraq must be disarmed -- by force, if necessary. He said a liberated Iraq can transform the entire region by bringing hope and progress to the lives of millions in the Middle East. And, the president said, it could also bring a new stage for Middle East peace and progress toward a democratic Palestinian State.
• ECONOMICS OF WAR VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- As the United State continues to press its campaign to disarm Iraq of deadly weapons, by force if necessary, a new aspect of the debate is surfacing. More and more daily papers are beginning to assess the economic aspects of the war, and the related issue of homeland defense.
• IRAQ / EXILES VOA 27 Feb 2003 -- In his Wednesday evening speech, outlining his vision of a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq -- if war should come -- President Bush spoke of liberating the Iraqi people and sowing the seeds of democracy for the entire Middle East. Iraqi exiles in Amman, Jordan, have mixed feelings about a war to oust their country's leader.