TOP STORIES
U.S. Halts Attacks On Sadr's Militia
Cleric Vows Withdrawal Of Some Najaf Fighters
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
U.S. troops stopped attacks on Shiite Muslim insurgents in response to an
offer by rebel cleric Moqtada Sadr to partially withdraw his militia forces
from Najaf and evacuate government buildings.
[New York Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
U.S. forces and insurgents loyal to radical cleric Moktada al-Sadr agreed to
end fighting in Najaf, in a deal that signals the possible end of seven
weeks of fighting in the city, during which scores of Iraqis have died. The
deal also applies to the nearby city of Kufa, the site of Sadr's mosque.
Hidden Identities Hinder Probe
'Bond,' 'Doe' aliases muddle abuse cases
[USA Today, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
Efforts to identify who oversaw the abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib
prison could be made harder by how many military intelligence officials,
covert U.S. agents and civilian contractors obscured their real names.
Suspicion Surrounds Death Of Iraqi Scientist In U.S. Custody
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
The death of an Iraqi scientist, who died while in U.S. custody for nine
months, has caused military authorities to begin a criminal investigation to
determine if the 65-year-old man died of other than natural causes.
In The Scrapyards Of Jordan, Signs Of A Looted Iraq
[New York Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
While the U.S. spends billions to rebuild Iraqi's civil and military
infrastructure, a growing amount of evidence indicates that parts of
sensitive military equipment, seemingly brand-new components for oil rigs
and water plants and whole complexes of older buildings are leaving the
country on flatbed trucks. It is estimated that at least 100 semi-trailers,
loaded with what is billed as Iraqi scrap metal, stream daily into Jordan,
just one of six countries that border Iraq.
Vocal Cleric Arrested In London At U.S. Behest
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
British police arrested a Muslim cleric whose London mosque has become a
magnet and soap box for Islam militants after U.S. officials unsealed a
federal indictment charging Abu Hamza Masri with planning terrorist acts in
Oregon, Afghanistan and Yemen.
IRAQ
Shiite Politicians' Objections Lead Candidate To Withdraw
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 19]
Politically independent Hussain Shahristani, a Shiite Muslim who had been a
top choice of U.S. and U.N. officials to become Iraq's prime minister,
dropped out of the running after objections from formerly exiled Shiite
politicians who want the job for themselves.
An Iraqi Council Member Is Reported To Survive After Ambush; A Bodyguard Is
Killed
[New York Times, May 28, 2004]
A convoy carrying Iraqi Governing Council member Salama al-Khafaji was hit
with gunfire while returning to Baghdad after she participated in cease-fire
talks in Najaf. Khafaji survived that attack, but a bodyguard was killed,
another seriously wounded and her 18-year-old son is missing.
Breeding Ground For Iraqi Insurgency
In Sadr City, young jobless men are heeding the call to take up arms against
Americans.
[Philadelphia Inquirer, May 28, 2004]
The sprawling Baghdad slum known as Sadr City provides those opposed to the
U.S.-led occupation of Iraq with an almost endless supply of young men
willing to kill Americans, their allies and any Iraqi found working with the
occupiers.
The Army's Stern Words Beat Sadr's Men In Basra
[London Daily Telegraph, May 28, 2004]
Moqtada al-Sadr's forces in Basra were defeated by a few stern words from
the British Army and overwhelming rejection of the cleric's violence by city
residents. Three attempted uprisings in Basra in the past two months have
left Sadr's militia a spent force.
Cashiered Over Cache In Baghdad
When GIs stumbled on a mulitimillion-dollar stash, Matt Novak dived in. He
then 'tried to make it right,' but thinks he got a raw deal.
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
Sgt. Matt Novak and several fellow soldiers could not resist taking some of
the cash they stumbled across sealed inside a gardener's cottage in a
Baghdad palace complex last spring---After all, who would miss a little
taken from nearly $200 million in hundred dollar bills. Novak has been
kicked out of the Army, while the cash, about $760 million found in various
places, still raises questions about how Saddam Hussein's regime got the
money.
U.N. Envoy Under Fire In Effort To Rebuild Iraq
Brahimi being criticized by U.S. hawks and doves
[Baltimore Sun, May 28, 2004]
U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is getting hit from both sides of the
American political spectrum. Richard Holbrooke, a former U.S. ambassador to
the U.N. and adviser to John Kerry, said Brahimi is a "Sunni Arab from
Algeria" whose agenda is "not symmetrical at all with U.S. national
interests."
IRAQ - ABU GHRAIB
Greater Urgency On Prison Interrogation Led To Use Of Untrained Workers
[New York Times, May 28, 2004]
The interrogation effort at Abu Ghraib prison assumed such urgency last fall
that untrained personnel were pressed into service as analysts and even
interrogators, according to accounts detailed in documents and interviews.
Some Prisoners Allege Abuse By Poles, Other Coalition Troops
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004]
Some Abu Ghraib prisoners contend they were abused by troops from Poland and
other unspecified coalition countries. Army Criminal Investigation Division
agents are probing new allegations that coalition forces beat prisoners
before handing them over to Americans.
ARMY
Army Personnel Chief Aims To Keep Ranks Full
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 21]
Army personnel chief Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck faces a challenge no
American officer has had to contemplate for at least a century---keeping an
all-volunteer Army fully manned as it undergoes sustained ground combat. The
draft ended in 1973. The last time the Army took many casualties without
conscript troops was during the war in the Philippines which ended in 1902.
Hagenbeck said, "We're in uncharted waters, in the sense that we're
recruiting an all-volunteer force in a time of war." So far, indicators on
recruiting new soldiers and retaining current ones are good.
Army Rescinds Order To Tighten Environmental Spending
Funds are found after the cost-cutting tactic is questioned. Savings were
sought for war effort.
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004]
The Army has rescinded an order, issued earlier this month, for garrison
commanders around the world to stop spending money on many environmental
protection activities as part of an effort to conserve funds for fighting in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Army officials said they have found the money needed
to keep environmental programs on track.
Captors Killed Soldier In Lynch Convoy
[Baltimore Sun, May 28, 2004]
Sgt. Donald Waters, who was listed as killed in action when the Jessica
Lynch convoy was attacked, had actually been taken prisoner by Iraqi
fighters and then killed.
NAVY
With Graduation Today, Mids Thinking Of War
Military: The Naval Academy's Class of 2004 is eager to face the challenges
of conflict.
[Baltimore Sun, May 28, 2004]
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan loom large for the 990 midshipmen who
graduate today from the Naval Academy. An overwhelming number of the
graduates are going into the Marine Corps and most are anxious to engage the
enemies of America.
Cole Back From Mission
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004]
The U.S. destroyer Cole returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in
the Mediterranean Sea---the first overseas assignment for the ship since it
was hit by terrorists in October 2000, killing 17 sailors.
WHITE HOUSE
Panel Holds Hearings On U.S. Intelligence
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004]
President Bush's commission looking into the quality of U.S. intelligence
concluded it first two days of closed-door hearings after taking testimony
from more than 20 current and former intelligence officials who discussed
programs to produce weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and other countries.
CONGRESS
Warner Bucks GOP Right On Probe Of Prison Abuse
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has a history of
bucking his party, taking heat and surviving. Some conservatives are angry
because Warner insists on having televised hearings to probe the Iraqi
prisoner abuse scandal, which they say is overblown and could undermine
America's primary mission in Iraq.
Tougher Interrogations Needed In Iraq, Lott Says
[Washington Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 4]
Sen. Trent Lott said saving American lives should be the priority in Iraq,
even if it means dealing harshly with prisoners to get vital information.
Rep. Hunter: USAF Tankers 'Vital' To Air Power
[Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, May 28, 2004]
Rep. Duncan Hunter said the plan to equip the Air Force with 100 Boeing 767s
for use as air refuelers should go forward.
NORTH KOREA
U.S. To Abandon N. Korea Project
'No future' for light-water plants
[Washington Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 5]
The Bush administration will cancel an international project to construct
two light-water nuclear reactors for North Korea before the end of this
year.
N. Korea Flirts With 'Red Line'
[Christian Science Monitor, May 28, 2004]
Reported exports by North Korea of uranium material needed to build nuclear
warheads has upped the ante in the Korean nuclear crisis, threatening the
six-party talks aimed at persuading Pyongyang to surrender its program.
Nobody has set a "red line" beyond which North Korea must not go in
proliferation. The exporting of nuclear material or technology appears to
violate the general understanding that the North may export missiles but
nothing related to nuclear goods and knowledge.
ASIA/PACIFIC
Pakistani Links Military To Failed Plot To Kill Him
[New York Times, May 28, 2004]
Pakistan President Musharraf said members of the country's army and air
force were among "dozens" of people arrested in connection with two
assassination attempts against him last December. The man who planned the
attacks, a Pakistani, is still at large.
Ban Dismisses U.S. General's Remarks On Allied Forces' Role
[Korea Times, May 28, 2004]
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon denied comments by U.S. Army Lt.
Gen. Charles Campbell on plans for the future role of the ROK-U.S. allied
forces. Campbell said the range of operations of the "allied forces" could
be expanded to cover the Northeast Asian region. Ki-moon said the issue of
expanding the range of Korean forces has not been discussed.
NATO
Explosives Found Near Site Of NATO Summit
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004]
Two bags filled with explosives were discovered in Bratislava, the Slovak
capital, near a venue where hundreds of NATO parliamentary officials are to
meet today.
EUROPE
Defense Chief Says Britain Will Expand Its Iraq Force
[New York Times, May 28, 2004]
Britain will send 370 troops and extra firepower to Iraq while it continues
to weigh whether to send thousands more soldiers to the area, Defense
Minister Geoff Hoon said.
RUSSIA
U.S. And Russia Sign Agreement To Counter Nuclear Threat
Program to prevent research materials from going to terrorists is part of a
global cleanup plan.
[Los Angeles Times, May 28, 2004]
The U.S. and Russia signed an agreement to engage in a new effort to reduce
the risk of poorly guarded nuclear materials at research facilities around
the world falling into the hands of terrorists.
AMERICAS
Death Toll Climbs In Caribbean Flood
Total Could Exceed 1,500; Rain Forecast
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 14]
U.S. and Canadian troops rushed medical supplies, drinking water and
chlorine tablets to flood-battered towns in Haiti and the Dominican
Republic. The flood's death toll could reach well over 1,500 and more rain
is expected in the area.
U.S. Military Relocating Out Of Caracas Compound
The 17-member U.S. Military Group is leaving its offices in Caracas as
tensions with the Chavez government mount.
[Miami Herald, May 27, 2004]
The Pentagon is reviewing its relations with Venezuela's military and is
moving U.S. military officers out of a Caracas military compound, signaling
yet another bump in American relations with leftist President Hugo Chavez.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
U.S. Agencies Collect, Examine Personal Data On Americans
[Washington Times, May 28, 2004, Pg. 1]
The General Accounting Office said numerous federal government agencies
collect and sift through massive amounts of personal information, including
credit reports, credit-card purchases and other financial data, posing new
privacy concerns.
POLL
Worry And Anger Over Iraq Situation
Poll, Interviews Find Rising Concern
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 19]
A majority of Americans polled by a Washington Post-ABC News survey are
becoming more concerned about the situation in Iraq, with many beginning to
doubt that the outcome will match Bush administration's stated goals for
going to war.
Americans Split On How To Interrogate
Majority Polled Oppose Using Torture
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 20]
Most Americans oppose using torture to get information from suspected
terrorists but are divided on whether less harsh forms of physical abuse
should be allowed to compel uncooperative suspects to reveal information
that could save lives.
BUSINESS
Navy Names Coastline Ship Contractors
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. E3]
The Navy selected Lockheed Martin Corp. and General Dynamics Corp. to build
versions of a small combat ship that can hug enemy coastlines. The initial
contracts for the littoral combat ships are worth $46 million to Lockheed
and $78 million to General Dynamics. The completed program is expected to
cost upwards of $15 billion
CACI Faces New Probe Of Contract
Interrogators Hired Under Army IT Deal
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. E1]
CACI International Inc. is being investigated by the General Services
Administration to determine if the Arlington-based firm violated contracting
rules and whether it should be banned from future government contracts.
OPINION
Honor Military Sacrifices, Don't Exploit Those Who Fall
Dispute over images of flag-draped coffins dishonors holiday.
Our View
[USA Today, May 28, 2004, Pg. 12]
Efforts to manipulate the battle deaths of American troops to advance
political causes dishonor their sacrifices, as well as the holiday created
to remember them. The controversy over the government's ban on images of
flag-draped coffins returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is a case in point.
The nation is denied the opportunity to weigh the true cost of war by not
being able to witness its human cost.
Give Heroes' Families Privacy
Media coverage of military arrivals at Dover would be inappropriate.
John M. Molino
[USA Today, May 28, 2004, Pg. 12]
Dover AFB, where fallen troops are returned to the U.S., is not a place
where military honors are rendered. That is reserved for the gravesite.
Dover's sole purpose is to identify and expedite the remains to the families
so they can properly lay their loved ones to rest. The decision to allow
media coverage of the deceased lies with the families, who have the right to
grant or deny media access to funeral or memorial services.
Making Do With Lemons
David Ignatius
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 23]
Making lemonade from lemons compares to U.S. policy in Iraq. The Bush
administration has been meeting the lemonade test fairly well in the past
few weeks. The best example is the decision to boot the Pentagon's former
darling, Ahmed Chalabi. Iraqi lemonade will include a mix of different
flavors and local solutions. The drink won't be sweet, and it could explode
in the bottle, but Iraq is the messy art of the possible and the
administration at least is learning from its mistakes.
Gaining The Iraqis' Toleration
James Dobbins and Philip H. Gordon
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 23]
Making Iraq a stable, unified and non-threatening state looks increasingly
difficult, but the consequences of abandoning even that minimalist objective
is out of the question. Leaving Iraq under the pressure of terrorist attacks
would be seen as a strategic defeat of historic proportions. Driving out the
American superpower from Iraq would go down in terrorist lore as a great
"victory," inspiring new campaigns on new battle fronts around the world.
Obsessed With Iran
Jim Hoagland
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 23]
Bush policymakers and spies have made fear of Iran a driving force in the
continuing war in Iraq. They now resemble the Lyndon Johnson-era Cold
Warriors who were so intent on defeating China and the Soviet Union in
Vietnam that they ignored the stakes and dynamics of the real war they were
fighting. The inordinate fear of Iran is rapidly contaminating U.S.
relations with Iraq's Shiite majority.
EDITORIAL
The Homicide Cases
[Washington Post, May 28, 2004, Pg. 22]
The Bush administration's description of prisoner abuse in Iraq as an
isolated problem is at odds with facts seeping out from administration
officials. These include mounting reports of crime at detention centers in
Iraq and Afghanistan, including some evidence that homicides have occurred.
Accounting For Cost Of War
[New York Times, May 28, 2004]
Congress vows that the forthcoming Pentagon budget won't include a "blank
check" to cover expenses in Iraq. That watchdog keenness, which would have
been welcome from the start, has to be credited to election year polls.
Bush, The U.N. And Iraq
[Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2004, Pg. 8]
President Bush's speech this past week directly challenged Washington's
rampant defeatism regarding Iraq. We can only hope that the president's
current strategy for political victory inspires as much confidence. Security
Council obstructionists France and Germany want a U.N. resolution that gives
Iraqis veto power over U.S. military action after June 30. The nightmare
scenario for Iraq is obvious---Coalition forces are prevented from
establishing the minimum security conditions needed for successful
elections, and the country slides toward civil war as armed militias fill
the vacuum.
A Real Nuclear Danger
[New York Times, May 28, 2004]
The Bush administration, preoccupied with Iraq, has neglected the far more
urgent threat to American security posed by dangerous nuclear materials that
must be prevented from falling into the hands of terrorists.
Memorial Day
[Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2004, Pg. 8]
It's Fleet Week in New York City. Marines and sailors are applauded
everywhere they go in the city. Out troops are fighting so the rest of us
can lead normal lives. In peacetime, Memorial Day can appear to be a day for
old men and older memories. In this poignant year, Americans everywhere will
stand in gratitude and awe at the true cost of freedom.
Source: Defense News
