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Current Operations

• Personality identification playing cards US Dept. of Defense 08 Apr 2003 -- Iraqi Regime Leadership Playing Cards [PDF 22.2 MB]
• Personality identification playing cards deck US Dept. of Defense 08 Apr 2003 -- Iraqi Regime Leadership Playing Cards Deck [PDF 702 Kb]

• TRANSCRIPT OF 4/11 CENTCOM BRIEFING CENTCOM 11 Apr 2003 -- "...campaign is in its 22nd day since the entry of coalition forces into Iraq. Regime leadership and control structures have been broken through most of the country. Pockets of resistance remain, and there are increasing indications of regime-associated individuals attempting to escape the coalition by fleeing into other countries. Regime instruments are still available to the remaining elements, and the coalition is continuing its efforts to find these instruments, as well as the regime elements and destroy them. In general terms, the coalition efforts focus on increasing the conditions of security and stability in liberated areas. We are conducting focused combat operations in areas not yet liberated."
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers 11 Apr 2003 -- "On the operational front, coalition forces continue to secure and stabilize cities and thoroughfares around Iraq, and to focus combat operations in those areas where resistance continues. Over the past 24 hours, coalition air forces have flown more than 1,000 sorties over Iraq, and we continue to provide urban close air support to our ground forces in and around Baghdad and throughout Iraq."
• Transcript: Media Briefing Australia's contribution to Global Operations Australian Department of Defence 11 Apr 2003 -- "Our special forces continue their surveillance operations inside Iraq, with no significant incidents to report. (...) Our FA-18 Hornets have again been flying close support missions over Iraq in support of coalition ground forces. "
• Written Ministerial Statement to the House of Commons by Secretary of State for Defence Ministry of Defence 11 Apr 2003 -- "As the pattern of coalition operations in Iraq changes, it will be possible for a number of units to proceed with other tasking or return to the United Kingdom."
• Press Conference at the Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence 11 Apr 2003 -- "Since I spoke to you last week, events have moved on at a remarkable pace, in particular over the last few days. We have all seen the extraordinary pictures in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk of people tasting freedom, in many cases for the first time in their lives. Saddam Hussein has gone to ground, as have his murderous henchmen. The regime has collapsed."
• Briefing Via Satellite-Teleconference on Medical Care Being Provided to Enemy POW's 11 Apr 2003 -- "This is our -- really, our third briefing with respect to issues regarding U.S. treatment of enemy prisoners of war. And today, we want to take you to another location, where enemy prisoners of war are being taken care of, aboard the USNS Comfort, the hospital ship."

• MARINES ENGAGED VEHICLE THAT BYPASSED CHECKPOINT CENTCOM 11 Apr 2003 -- Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit fired upon a vehicle this morning after it bypassed a checkpoint and failed to stop after repeated warnings. Two Iraqi civilians were killed and nine injured in the incident.
• U.S. V CORP REDUCES THREAT IN BAGHDAD CENTCOM 11 Apr 2003 -- V Corps soldiers reduced the threat in and around Baghdad.
• IMAM AL-ADHAM MOSQUE NOT BOMBED BY COALITION CENTCOM 11 Apr 2003 -- Coalition forces did not bomb the Imam al-Adham mosque in Baghdad, contrary to news reported April 10.
• U.S. Officials Say the Northern Cities of Mosul, Kirkuk Have Fallen Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- The entire Iraqi 5th Corps, with a combined force in excess of 20,000 combat soldiers and mechanized equipment, surrendered without a fight in a negotiated agreement near the northern city of Mosul, third largest in Iraq, CENTCOM's Army General Vincent Brooks told reporters at the daily media briefing in Qatar April 11.
• PENTAGON/WAR VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The Pentagon says U-S forces have inspected key sites in western Iraq where it was suspected weapons of mass destruction might be stored.
• IRAQ WRAP THIRD UPDATE VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Three days after the fall of Baghdad, the largest city in northern Iraq, Mosul, has become the latest to fall to U-S and Kurdish forces, leaving Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit as the last major target of coalition troops. But as more and more Iraqis realize the era of Saddam is over, widespread looting and chaos are spreading through liberated areas left lawless in the wake of the regime's collapse.
• Civil Affairs soldiers reach out to Iraqis Army News 11 Apr 2003 -- U.S. soldiers have helped repair Iraqi wells, provided food to hungry children and brought medical care to suffering families.
• U-S-Iraq Meeting VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The United States will convene a meeting of Iraqis in the southern city of Nasariyah Tuesday to discuss creation of an interim Iraqi governing authority. U-S officials hope the interim authority can take shape within a matter of weeks.
• IRAQ WRAP SECOND UPDATE VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Two days after the fall of Baghdad, the largest city in northern Iraq, Mosul, has become the latest to fall to U-S and Kurdish forces, leaving Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit as the last major target of coalition troops. But as more and more Iraqis realize the era of Saddam is over, widespread looting and chaos are spreading through liberated areas left lawless in the wake of the regime's collapse.
• IRAQ / U-S / TV VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The US-led coalition in Iraq has begun broadcasting television programs to provide up-to-date news and information about humanitarian assistance to the population.
• IRAQ / U-S BRIEFING / WANTED VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The U-S military in the Gulf is distributing photos of 55 key leaders of the Iraqi regime, who are to be captured or killed. Playing cards with names and photos of the leaders are being given to soldiers to help them identify those who are still at large.
• BASRA / SCENE VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Coalition forces took control of the southern Iraq city of Basra several days ago. Since then, reports have emerged of looting and chaos.
• PENTAGON/SADDAM VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Intelligence reports paint a confused and uncertain picture about the fate of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
• Iraq War Update VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- American officials on Friday declared the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein "gone." Military officials promised to deal with anarchy in Baghdad and other cities, but war efforts moved north.
• Reservists rescue troops during combat operations AFPN 11 Apr 2003 -- By the time U.S. forces rolled into downtown Baghdad, Iraq, deployed Air Force reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing had saved the lives of at least 10 American troops.
• Reserves provide important role USMC News 11 Apr 2003 -- As the convoys of supplies continue to move north to support coalition forces, the Marine Corps Reserve is again answering the call to duty. Providing convoy security, the Saginaw, Mich.-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, is putting their lives on hold to do their part to defeat the Iraqi regime.
• Air attacks lead to cease fire in northern Iraq AFPN 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraq's regular army may have never measured up to the prestigious Republican Guard in terms of battlefield effectiveness, but it seems they have a leg up when it comes to common sense, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
• Air Force combat controller killed in action AFPN 11 Apr 2003 -- A staff sergeant assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was killed in action April 8 in Iraq.
• Airlift into Iraq shows no sign of slowing AFPN 11 Apr 2003 -- The airlift armada flying into Bashur Airfield in northern Iraq for the past two weeks has dropped off more than 10 million pounds of cargo bound for coalition forces.
• Commander recounts historic C-17 airdrop into Iraq AMCNS 11 Apr 2003 -- It was by any measure a landmark moment for airlift operations and the C-17 Globemaster III. The nighttime airdrop last month of 1,000 "Sky Soldiers" from the 173rd Airborne Brigade behind enemy lines into Northern Iraq was the largest combat airdrop since the invasion of Panama in December 1989 for Operation Just Cause and a first for the C-17.
• Pendleton mourns four lost in war USMC News 11 Apr 2003 -- Four Pendleton Marines who recently gave their lives securing Iraq's freedom were saluted one last time in two somber, tearful memorial services Friday at Marine Memorial Chapel.
• Fox Co. leads 24th MEU in combat operations in Iraq USMC News 11 Apr 2003 -- Marines from Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Bn, 2nd Marines have spearheaded the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) into combat operations in Iraq. Much of their success can be attributed to the efforts of Fox Company, who experienced some of the first enemy resistance encountered by the MEU, and have accomplished some remarkable missions along the way.
• Wounded Iraqis, Coalition Forces Get Equal Medical Care Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- About 150 Iraqis, both soldiers and civilians, have received medical care on board the U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort since the Iraq war began, according to the ship's commanding officer, Captain Charles Blankenship.
• Coalition Dealing With Iraqi Civil Disturbances AFPS 11 Apr 2003 -- The most important mission for U.S. service members in Iraq is to win the war, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said during a Pentagon press conference.
• Coalition Envisions 'Iraqi Government of the People' AFPS 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraq is capable of creating a viable government, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz. In the meantime, the U.S.-led coalition has a responsibility to ensure food, water, medicine and basic services are provided to the Iraqi people.
• IRAQ/WRAP (L-UPDATE) VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraqi soldiers in the northern city of Mosul surrendered en masse Friday, leaving Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit as the last major holdout of his regime. But even as coalition forces continue to have success on the battlefield, there are growing concerns about looting and lawlessness in Baghdad and elsewhere.
• IRAQ / U-S BRIEFING / WANTED VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The U-S military in the Gulf is distributing photos of 55 key leaders of the Iraqi regime, who are to be captured or killed. Paying cards with names and photos of the leaders are being given to soldiers to help them identify those who are still at large.
• PENTAGON / COMFORT VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Military doctors on board the U-S Navy hospital ship -- U-S-N-S Comfort -- say they have treated hundreds of people since the beginning of the war in Iraq, and about half are Iraqi civilians or prisoners of war.
• IRAQ/WRAP VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraqi soldiers in the northern city of Mosul surrendered en masse Friday, leaving Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit as the last major holdout of his regime. But even as coalition forces continue to have success on the battlefield, there are growing concerns about looting and lawlessness in Baghdad and elsewhere.
• PENTAGON / IRAQ / LOOTING VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says coalition forces have an obligation to provide security and stop looting in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. Mr. Rumsfeld disputed reports that lawlessness is widespread in the country.
• IRAQ / BAGHDAD AIRPORT VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- For the first time since U-S troops seized Baghdad's international airport six days ago, U-S military cargo planes have begun making regular runs to and from the airport.
• Iraqi Regime Disintegration Continues AFPS 11 Apr 2003 -- Signs of the disintegration of Saddam Hussein's regime abound in Iraq, U.S. Central Command officials said in a briefing in Qatar today.
• Navy Hospital Ship Provides Comfort to Injured Enemy POWs AFPS 11 Apr 2003 -- Plying the Arabian Sea, she's an oasis of medical care and hope for sick or wounded U.S. and coalition troops, Iraqi civilians - and enemy prisoners of war.
• Northern Cities Continue To Fall Amid Looting And Disorder RFE/L 11 Apr 2003 -- The city of Mosul in northern Iraq today fell to U.S. and Kurdish forces, leaving Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit as the last significant stronghold of Iraqi resistance.
• U.S., Kurds Capture Another Key Northern City RFE/L 11 Apr 2003 -- U.S. troops and Kurdish fighters are reported to be in control of Iraq's third-largest city of Mosul, one day after U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters took control of another key northern city, Kirkuk.
• U.S. Military Says Iraqi Army Division Surrenders At Mosul RFE/L 11 Apr 2003 -- The U.S. military says a division of the Iraqi Army has surrendered to U.S. troops at the northern city of Mosul.
• 'Resolute Strike' brings back intel on ambush Army News 11 Apr 2003 -- A task force led by 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment garnered information and equipment related to an ambush that left two U.S. service members dead and one seriously injured.
• AFGHANISTAN / FRANKS / IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The commander of U-S forces in Iraq, General Tommy Franks, says Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and other members of his government are either dead or fleeing. The general was speaking to reporters at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, where U-S-led coalition forces continue to track down fugitives from the deposed Taleban regime and the al-Qaida terror network.
• IRAQ / U-S BRIEFING VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The commander of Iraq's Fifth Corps has surrendered to U-S special operations forces in northern Iraq, and the area's largest city, Mosul, has fallen without a fight. U-S-led forces now are turning their attention to Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, the only remaining Iraqi city that is not controlled by U-S and British forces.
• IRAQ/U-S BRIEFING/MOSUL VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- A U-S military spokesman says an entire Iraqi army corps has formally surrendered to U-S special forces in Mosul, northern Iraq's biggest city. That now leaves Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, as his regime's last major holdout.
• IRAQ WRAP / OVERNIGHTER VOA 11 Apr 2003-- After establishing control over Basra and moving into Baghdad, coalition forces in Iraq are focusing on the northern part of the country. Iraqi military officers in Mosul, the country's third largest city, are reportedly negotiating their surrender to U-S troops. And in Kirkuk, also in the north, Kurdish fighters who took the city on Thursday, are promising to turn control over to U-S forces to allay Turkish concerns the Kurds may try to declare an independent state

Deployments

• NSWC Corona Supports Deploying Marine Unit Navy NewStand 12 Apr 2003 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division recently supported Operation Iraqi Freedom by assisting a Marine Corps unit prepare for deployment to Southwest Asia.
• USS Portland First Operation Iraqi Freedom Ship to Return Navy NewStand 12 Apr 2003 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Portland (LSD 37) returned April 11 to its home port, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., after completing a three-month surge deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Combat replacements come from far and wide USMC News 11 Apr 2003 -- Individual Ready Reserve Marines are trickling into Camp Pendleton and gearing up as potential combat replacements for Marines liberating Iraq.
• Unique team protects, serves in war USMC News 11 Apr 2003 -- In February, two months after returning home from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, members of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Command Element were once again on their way to the region. But this deployment was unlike the last.
• Coast Guard, Navy Escort Arab Aid Shipment to Iraq Navy NewStand 11 Apr 2003 -- Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell (WPB 1332) and Navy Patrol Coastal ship USS Firebolt (PC 10), with embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406, escorted the first commercially transported humanitarian aid shipment into the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr April 11.

US Policy

• White House Press Briefing White House 11 Apr 2003
• BUSH IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- President Bush says Saddam Hussein is no longer in power, but it is too early to declare victory in Iraq. He spoke after a visit with wounded American soldiers, sailors and marines now getting treatment at two Washington area military hospitals.
• CONGRESS / SYRIA VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- U-S lawmakers are sending a strong message to Syria that it should stop what is described as support for terrorism. A bipartisan group in the House of Representatives has re-introduced legislation to impose sanctions on Syria, citing recent reports of Syrian involvement in Iraq.
• CONGRESS/IRAQ FUNDING VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Congressional lawmakers are moving toward expected approval of a nearly 80-billion dollar funding bill to pay for the initial costs of the war in Iraq. House and Senate negotiators have been meeting to reconcile separate versions of the legislation already passed by both houses of Congress.
• 'The Regime Is Gone', 'Pockets of Resistance' Remain Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- "The (Saddam) regime is gone," White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters in his early morning briefing April 11. "That represents a great turning point for the people of Iraq," he said, but cautioned, "there still are Ba'ath party officials who maintain some loyalty to what is left of the regime.
• USAID Awards Contract to Improve Iraqi Local Governance Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced April 11 that it had awarded an initial $7.9 million contract to Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to create opportunities for Iraqi civic participation in the country's post-conflict reconstruction through technical assistance and grants.
• First Meeting on Future of Iraq Set for April 15 in Nasiriyah Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- The first in a series of regional meetings on the future of Iraq is scheduled to take place April 15 in the city of Nasiriyah, Iraq, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher says.
• Bush Says Priority Is to Rid Iraq of Any Vestiges of Hussein Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- President Bush told reporters at Bethesda Naval Hospital April 11 that "the priority of this campaign" in Iraq "is to rid the Iraqi people of any vestiges of Saddam Hussein and his regime so we can not only free the people, but clear that country of weapons of mass destruction.
• Myers Asks Iraqis to Stop at Coalition Checkpoints Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Richard Myers is calling on the Iraqi people to "please stop at our checkpoints" in order to ensure their safety in the midst of an insecure environment and sporadic combat operations across Iraq.
• U.S. Has "Absolutely No Desire" to Occupy Iraq, Says Wolfowitz Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- The United States is not occupying Iraq, but removing a regime that has been a threat to the world, and will leave as soon as that job is finished, says Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.
• U.S. Had Extensive Contacts with Slain Iraqi Spiritual Leader Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- Following is the official answer to a question taken at the April 10 regular State Department briefing; the answer was April 11
• State Department To Provide $3.1 Million to Iraqi Opposition Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- Following is the official answer to a question taken at the April 10 regular State Department briefing; the answer was posted later in the day
• U.S. Advocates Iraqi-led War Crimes Prosecution Against Own Citizens Washington File 11 Apr 2003 -- For war crimes committed against Iraqi citizens, the United States believes Saddam Hussein's regime should be held accountable before an Iraqi-led process, says Pierre-Richard Prosper, U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues.
• Seeing Saddam Statues Fall 'Like Seeing Berlin Wall Come Down' AFPS 11 Apr 2003 -- Seeing televised images of larger-than- life statues of Saddam Hussein tumbling all over Iraq is like "seeing the Berlin Wall come down all over again," America's No. 2 defense official told foreign media today.
• EDITORIAL: IRAQIS TASTE FREEDOM VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Is Saddam Hussein dead? Is he wounded? Or is he, in the words of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, "healthy and cowering in some tunnel someplace trying to avoid being caught"?
• EDITORIAL: ACCOUNTING FOR GULF WAR POW/MIAS VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Among the Americans who served in the 1991 Persian Gulf War and are still unaccounted for is U.S. Navy Captain Michael Scott Speicher.
• BUSH / IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The White House says Saddam Hussein has lost control of his country, but it is far too early to declare victory in Iraq. The official response to events in Iraq remains one of optimism mixed with caution.
• EDITORIAL: IRAQIS CELEBRATE FREEDOM VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraqis cheered as a six-meter tall statue of Saddam Hussein crashed to the ground in Firdos Square in Baghdad. CENTCOM spokesman U.S. Brigadier General Vince Brooks explained why
• EDITORIAL: THE GAME IS OVER VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- For once, Mohammad Aldouri, the Iraqi regime's ambassador to the United Nations, was right. On April 9th, Mr. Aldouri appeared on U.S. television to say, "The game is over." He made his admission on the day the U.S.-led coalition arrived in the center of Baghdad to be greeted enthusiastically by the citizens of Iraq's capital city.
• EDITORIAL: BUSH SPEAKS TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- In a statement broadcast to the people of Iraq, President George W. Bush said the U.S.-led coalition has made great progress in its effort to remove the regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. And once the regime is gone, the government and the future of Iraq will belong to the Iraqi people. Mr. Bush spoke to them directly
• EDITORIAL: SADDAM'S LEGACY OF RUIN VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair described the plight of the people of Iraq under Saddam Hussein
• EDITORIAL: SADDAM'S PALACES SEIZED VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- "Lavish." "Ostentatious." "Decadent." These were some of the words used by journalists to describe Saddam Hussein's palaces. Journalists inspected Baghdad area palaces after they were taken over by forces of the U.S.-led coalition.

• Contracting by USAID For Reconstruction of Iraq: Questions And Answers USAID 11 Apr 2003 -- As the President has repeatedly stated, the United States intends to stay the course in Iraq and help the people of Iraq rebuild their country in the aftermath of war. Iraqi and international participation will be vital to a successful, post-Saddam reconstruction effort. Following are questions and answers on the USAID procurements that will support the reconstruction of Iraq.

United Nations

• US assures IAEA that Iraqi nuclear material secured UN News Centre 11 Apr 2003 -- Noting media reports of security concerns after forces from the United States entered an Iraqi nuclear research centre that it had been monitoring since 1991, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today it had sought and received assurances from the US that materials were properly protected and that access to the site was restricted.
• UN agencies stress dangers to relief efforts from lawlessness in Iraq UN News Centre 11 Apr 2003 -- Stressing repeatedly the very grave threat posed to humanitarian activities in Iraq by current lawlessness and looting, United Nations relief agencies appealed to coalition forces today to act swiftly to avoid the breakdown of all aid efforts for the civilian population.

Foreign Reactions

• RUSSIA-EURO-IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday is hosting the German and French leaders for a second day of summit-level talks in Saint Petersburg Saturday. The talks are expected to focus on finding a way to secure a central role for the United Nations in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.
• ARAB TV TONE CHANGE VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- During his three weeks on assignment in Kuwait, V-O-A's William Chien has come into close and extended contact with Arabic-speaking news reporters. In this report he examines how their attitudes towards the war have changed over time.
• Troop dispatch to Iraqi war gets flak in S. Korea KCNA 11 Apr 2003 -- The Roman Catholic Human Rights Committee issued a statement on April 4 in denunciation of the decision made by the authorities to dispatch troops to the Iraqi war, according to Yonhap News of South Korea.
• RUSSIA / EURO/ IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the collapse of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime, but has again stated his opposition to the use of force against the country. Speaking at the start of two days of talks in St. Petersburg with the leaders of France and Germany, President Putin also said that the Iraqi reorganization process must be returned to the United Nations.
• BRITAIN / IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The British foreign aid secretary says coalition forces must do more to control rampant looting in Iraq, while the armed forces minister says Iraq's disarmament remains the chief objective.
• RUSSIA / EURO / IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding two days of meetings on post-war reconstruction in Iraq with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac.

News Reports

• IRAQ OPPOSITION VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraqi opposition parties are preparing to establish an interim governing authority for the post-war Iraq .
• RED CROSS/IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Alarmed by the chaos in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq, the International Committee of the Red Cross is urging coalition forces to do everything possible to protect hospitals and water supply systems from looting and destruction.
• IRAQ / OPPOSITION VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Iraqi opposition figures gathered in London say they are worried the United States may try to impose a leader on post-war Iraq.
• RED CROSS / IRAQ VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross says looting and chaos in the Iraqi capital are creating serious problems at hospitals in the city, and some small facilities have been forced to shut down. Red Cross officials are calling on U-S and British troops to restore order.
• PENTAGON: RUMSFELD VS THE MEDIA VOA 11 Apr 2003 -- Anyone who might have thought Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was not capable of great passion now knows better. The evidence came at an unusually animated news briefing Friday when reporters suggested looting was casting a shadow over the success of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• TURKEY: Cross-border operations improving IRIN 11 Apr 2003 -- Facilitation along Turkey's 331-km border with Iraq is improving, further enhancing the importance of what could prove a major humanitarian corridor to northern Iraq, aid agencies told IRIN on Friday. The Habur crossing is seen as a key entry point for much-needed relief items.
• IRAN-IRAN: Population movements along border being investigated IRIN 11 Apr 2003 -- The border situation remained unclear on Friday following reports of a major concentration of Iraqi refugees gathering along the Iranian frontier. The country was a major recipient of Iraqi refugees following the Gulf War in 1991 when 1.3 million of them fled across the border.