06/03/04
Submitted by Templar Titan on Wed, 06/09/2004 - 14:39.
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Army Extending Service For G.I.'s Due In War Zones (New York Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) The Army announced that it would require all soldiers bound for Iraq and Afghanistan to extend their active duty at least until their units have returned home from deployments there, a move that could keep thousands of troops in the service for months longer than they expected over the next several years. Sexual Assaults In Army On Rise Report Blames Poor Oversight And Training (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) Allegations of sexual assault in the Army have climbed steadily over the past five years, and the problem has been abetted by weak prevention efforts, slow investigations, inadequate field reporting and poor managerial oversight, according to internal service data and a new report from an Army task force. Polygraph Testing Starts At Pentagon In Chalabi Inquiry (New York Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) Federal investigators have begun administering polygraph examinations to civilian employees at the Pentagon to determine who may have disclosed highly classified intelligence to Ahmad Chalabi, the Iraqi who authorities suspect turned the information over to Iran. On Hill, Rice Pledges Probe Of Alleged Chalabi Leak (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) National security adviser Condoleezza Rice promised Congress a full investigation into allegations that Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi, once supported by the Pentagon, told Iran the United States had broken the code it used for secret communications. Addressing Cadets, Bush Sees Parallel To World War II (New York Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) President Bush told graduating cadets at the Air Force Academy that they would soon be part of a struggle against terrorism that he likened to World War II as the historic challenge of the time and "the storm in which we fly." Former Iraq Prison Chief Rebels At 'Scapegoat' Role (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, the woman who commanded the Army Reserve's 800th Military Police Brigade and supervised the guards at Iraq's infamous Abu Ghraib prison, has become one of the most recognizable and relentlessly pursued players in an erupting international scandal over prisoner abuse. IRAQ Fighting In Kufa Signals End Of Truce U.S. Troops Kill At Least Seven in Skirmishes With Forces Loyal To Rebel Cleric (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 10) A shaky week-old cease-fire in southern Iraq broke down completely with heavy fighting on the streets of Kufa, where U.S. troops pursued Shiite Muslim insurgents, killed at least seven Iraqis and wounded 37 others. Attack On American Base In Kirkuk Triggers Blasts (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004) A guerrilla attack on a major U.S. military base at Kirkuk triggered a huge chain of explosions in an arms dump that left much of the area ablaze and shrouded in smoke, but no casualties were reported. Troops' Role Top Issue For New Rulers (Philadelphia Inquirer, June 3, 2004) Members of Iraq's new interim government began their first day of work, and it was clear that they differed with most Iraqis on the central issue of U.S. troops. Most Iraqi officials contend that even with the promise of sovereignty, Iraq needs U.S. forces to remain because they are all that is stopping the country's insurgency from becoming a full-scale civil war. Many ordinary Iraqis say the presence of the foreign army itself is causing the unrest. New Iraq Government Gets Off To A Sluggish Start (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004) The lineup of the interim Iraqi government, unveiled less than a month before a formal handover of still-undetermined powers, is meant to instill a sense among the people that the country is at last taking charge of its own destiny. Its ministers, however, say security provided by U.S. troops will be crucial for their success. Envoy Bowed To Pressure In Choosing Leaders (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 10) United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said the "terrible pressure" he faced in forming Iraq's interim government kept him from seating his preferred candidates for president and prime minister. Both men withdrew their names after encountering stiff opposition from members of the country's former Governing Council. U.N. Envoy Wants New Iraq Government To Court Foes Of Occupation (New York Times, June 3, 2004) United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi called on the new Iraqi government to broaden discussions to include Iraqis who oppose the American occupation, and he suggested that his own authority in shaping the new government had been sharply limited by American officials. U.S. Trains Police To Assume Control (Washington Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 15) With just a few weeks left before the formal handover of sovereignty, coalition soldiers training Iraqi police are placing a stronger emphasis on communication and Iraqi self-rule. While acknowledging that most of the conscripts are not yet ready to take full control of security in Iraq, U.S. soldiers say they are seeing steady progress. Danes To Keep Troops In Iraq (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004) Danish lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to extend by six months the deployment of the country's nearly 500 soldiers in southern Iraq. To Many, Mission Not Accomplished Occupation's Unkept Promises Have Led To Uprising, Say One City's Residents (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) For many Iraqis, the 13-month-old U.S. occupation has failed to live up to its billing as an exercise in reconstruction and democracy-building. They are glad that former president Saddam Hussein has been overthrown and a new interim government has been installed in Baghdad, but most people have experienced the U.S. presence mainly at the wrong end of a gun. IRAQ - ABU GHRAIB General Detailed Conditions At Prison (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004) Two months before a guard turned over photographs depicting abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison, a top military investigator concluded that the facility was badly understaffed, guards had received little or no training, personnel violated prison rules by carrying weapons and "basic security" measures to protect soldiers and captives were often ignored. Complaint Seeks Data On Prisoners (New York Times, June 3, 2004) The American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Constitutional Rights and three other organizations filed a federal civil complaint against the Pentagon and other government agencies, alleging that they illegally withheld information about the condition of prisoners in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Senator Questions Iraq Prison Contractors' Histories (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004) Four former state prison officials hired by the Justice Department to help set up Iraq's prison system have backgrounds that should have precluded them from the private contracting jobs, Sen. Charles Schumer said. One of the four, Terry Stewart, was sued by the Justice Department in 1997, when he ran Arizona's Corrections Department. At least 14 female inmates were repeatedly raped, sexually assaulted and watched by corrections workers as they dressed and showered, the suit charged. ASIA/PACIFIC Muslim Nations Reject US Help To Police Vital Oil Route (wsj.com, June 3, 2004) Half the world's oil supply passes through the Malacca Straits, a pirate-ridden waterway where terrorism fears are growing and U.S. offers to help police the strategic route have been dismissed by the Muslim nations of Indonesia and Malaysia. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld meets Asian officials Friday and Saturday, in part to discuss a Pentagon proposal to help provide intelligence, conduct joint patrols and send U.S. Marines into the straits pre-emptively if needed. Taiwan Seeks $18.2 Billion To Purchase Weapons (Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2004, Pg. 10) Taiwan's government proposed a special budget of $18.2 billion to buy antimissile systems, planes and diesel-electric submarines from the United States, a cabinet spokesman said. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT Tribunal Lawyers Say Defense Short On Resources Pentagon: Kinks Being Worked Out (USA Today, June 3, 2004, Pg. 6) The military lawyers for two alleged terrorists who face the first trials by U.S. military tribunals since World War II say their efforts to defend the suspects are being stymied by the Defense Department's failure to provide them with interpreters and other resources. Pentagon Has Lost Track Of Exported Missiles Terrorists Could Use Anti-Aircraft Stinger Missiles, Critics Say (San Francisco Chronicle, June 2, 2004, Pg. 9) A still-secret congressional report detailing the Pentagon's inability to account for all of its Stinger shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles is causing consternation on Capitol Hill and raises the specter of terrorists using U.S.-made missiles to shoot down U.S. military or civilian airplanes. U.S. Command Requires More Armored Humvees For Iraq (Bloomberg.com, June 2, 2004) The U.S. Central Command may request "several thousand" more heavily armored Humvee transports for Iraq operations to help minimize growing casualties from snipers and roadside bombs, according to Army and defense officials. Military Absentee Voters To Get Help With Ballots (USA Today, June 3, 2004, Pg. 8) The Defense Department has a low-tech plan to ensure that more than 1.7 million military personnel receive absentee ballots in time to vote and have those ballots count. The plan is anchored in promised efficiency from the U.S. Postal Service, with priority sorting and shipping procedures to speed ballots from local elections officials to overseas military voters and back again. Defense Web Site Balances Good With Bad In Iraq (Washington Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 12) The Defense Department has its own counterpoint to the mainstream press, which often emphasizes lawlessness and acrimony rather than progress and hope in Iraq as the June 30 transition approaches. The Pentagon's "Defend America" Web site (www.defendamerica.mil) offers a daily, clear-eyed dose of the good, bad and ugly that confronts U.S. troops-along with the noble, poignant, hair-raising and humorous. ARMY Soldiers Facing Extended Tours Critics Of Army Policy Liken It To A Draft (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) Army officials announced that thousands of active-duty and reserve soldiers who are nearing the end of their volunteer service commitments could be forced to serve an entire tour overseas if their units are chosen for deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. Some military experts and lawmakers called the program a draft in disguise. A Star Athlete, A Soldier, And A Challenge (New York Times, June 3, 2004) A female U.S. soldier who lost her left hand in a rocket attack in Iraq begins to build a new life. MARINE CORPS No Plans To Extend Marines' 7-Month Tours In Iraq, Says Commandant (European Stars and Stripes, June 2, 2004) Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee said that there are no current plans to extend seven-month tours in Iraq despite reports that the Marines could be there as long as a year, but he acknowledged things could always change.. CONGRESS With Some Strings Attached, Senate Approves War Money (New York Times, June 3, 2004) The Senate gave the White House $25 billion for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq but joined the House in putting new controls on the money despite administration requests for substantial freedom in how to use it. House Members Criticize Pace Of Afghan Recovery (USA Today, June 3, 2004, Pg. 6) It will take four more years to train a new Afghan army and perhaps a decade to deal with the country's drug trafficking problem, Bush administration officials told Congress. Members of the House International Relations Committee accused the administration of moving too slowly in tackling the drug problem. House Democrats Call For Halliburton Inquiry (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 9) House Democrats urged a special counsel to probe whether Vice President Richard Cheney broke the law through any involvement in the award of a government contract in Iraq to his former company, Halliburton. Access To Military Health Care For Reservists Is Backed (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 9) The Senate voted 70 to 25 to allow 300,000 National Guard and Reserve members not on active duty to buy health care coverage for themselves and their families through the federally subsidized military health system. Dependents of National Guard and Reserve members called to active service would also be eligible for help from the Defense Department in paying premiums on private health care plans to ensure no break in their coverage. MIDEAST U.S. Says Tehran Is Hiding Nuclear Plans (Washington Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 15) The United States accused Iran of using deceit and denial to hide its clandestine development of nuclear weapons, after damning revelations from the U.N. nuclear watchdog on the Islamic republic's atomic energy program. 2 U.S. Officers Are Fired On Near Riyadh; Charity Faces Closure (Philadelphia Inquirer, June 3, 2004) Two U.S. Army officers came under fire as they were driving near the Saudi capital of Riyadh, and Saudi police said they killed two suspected Al Qaeda members in a shoot-out in mountains near the holy city of Mecca. One of the officers was slightly wounded and the other was unhurt, the American embassy said. AFGHANISTAN Five Aid Workers Shot To Death In An Ambush In Afghanistan (New York Times, June 3, 2004) Five aid workers from the Dutch branch of Doctors Without Borders were shot dead in an ambush in northwest Afghanistan as they were returning to their regional office, officials said. The killings were another blow to the embattled aid workers in Afghanistan, who have seen 32 of their colleagues, and at least 5 other foreigners, slain since March 2003, often by Taliban and other militants intent on stalling aid and reconstruction efforts. French General: Bin Laden Escaped Coalition Forces (USA Today, June 3, 2004, Pg. 7) U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan had Osama bin Laden "within reach" on at least two occasions but could not catch him, France's top army commander, Gen. Henri Bentegeat, said. The Al Qaeda leader has evaded capture several times since 2002, but not recently, the general said. The U.S. military in Kabul had no comment on the remarks. UNITED NATIONS U.S. Faces Payback On Iraq Resolution (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 14) As the United States struggles to win world support for its transfer of authority in Iraq, the Bush administration is running into diplomatic payback at the United Nations, senior diplomats said. France, Russia, China-three of the five nations with vetoes-and Germany, Chile and Algeria are all urging changes or considering amendments to a new draft resolution that the United States and Britain circulated on Tuesday. RUSSIA Russia: Putin To Skip NATO Meeting (New York Times, June 3, 2004) Russian President Vladimir Putin will skip a meeting of NATO leaders in Turkey this month, the Foreign Ministry said. Russia is not a member, but Putin had been expected to attend the meeting, the first to include seven new Eastern European members. EUROPE Bush Plays Down Dispute With France Over Iraq War (New York Times, June 3, 2004) In an effort to repair a rift with France over Iraq, President Bush, interviewed this week by Paris Match magazine, called President Jacques Chirac a friend and said that he was never angry with the French for opposing the American-led war and occupation. Bush and his wife, Laura, will be in France this weekend to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 and dine at Elysee Palace with the Chiracs. Bush To Rally European Allies On Iraq (Washington Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 8) President Bush embarks on a four-day diplomatic trip today, traveling to Italy and France, where he will attend commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day. POLITICS Clinton's Team Aids Kerry On Military (Washington Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1) Sen. John Kerry, who delivers a major speech today on how he would reshape the military, is getting his national security ideas from a cadre of retired generals and ex-civilian officials who advised President Clinton. BUSINESS Small Firms With Iraq Hopes Would-Be Contractors Look to Rewards, Not Risk (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. E1) They have heard all about the dangers in Iraq. They know the story of Nick Berg, the young entrepreneur from Philadelphia whose beheading was broadcast on the Internet. Yet, 250 ambitious business people gathered at a government-sponsored conference in Las Vegas this week with eyes fixed on what they see as a wealth of opportunity in a desert on the other side of the world. Despite Threats Of Violence, Workers Struggle To Finish Projects In Iraq (New York Times, June 3, 2004) They blew up the bridge on the road from Hilla two weeks ago, keeping some workers from coming to their jobs at a $100 million project to rebuild a decrepit and looted base for the Iraqi army. But to hear the American engineers who are leading the project tell it, the threat of the kind of violence that has slowed or stopped reconstruction projects around the country will not keep the base from being delivered on schedule sometime this month. Gears Grind As Effort Shifts Into Overdrive Many Iraqis Have Lost Faith In Reconstruction (USA Today, June 3, 2004, Pg. 1B) The U.S.-funded reconstruction drive in Iraq is entering a make-or-break phase, ramping up to create 1.5 million jobs and set off a building boom despite grave doubts about the sustainability of the occupation. OPINION POWs And Others Detainees Do Not Share A Single Status Lee A. Casey and David B. Rivkin Jr. (National Review, June 14, 2004, Pg. 30) Two Washington lawyers who served in the Justice Department during the Reagan and Bush Sr. administrations write that the idea that the Abu Ghraib abuses were somehow permitted, or at least encouraged, by the Bush administration's overall approach to the Geneva Conventions, are groundless. The administration's interpretation and application of the Geneva treaties has been, and remains, fully consistent with U.S. international obligations. Rethinking Strategy The Pentagon's New Map Mac Thornberry (Washington Times, June 3, 2004, Pg. 21) The chairman of a House Homeland Security subcommittee on cybersecurity writes that Naval War College Professor Tom Barnett's provocative book "The Pentagon's New Map" provides a good basis for developing an over-arching bipartisan strategy that could encompass security, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian policies. Seven Clicks Away Newton N. Minow (Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2004, Pg. 14) The former FCC chairman heads a Pentagon advisory committee that issued recommendations this week on how computer data mining techniques could be used to identify suspected terrorists without violating the privacy rights of ordinary citizens. "A targeted search would have identified the 19 hijackers; a general search might not have, but would have exposed many innocent people to government scrutiny in violation of their privacy and civil liberties." Al Qaeda's Small Victories Add Up Anthony H. Cordesman (New York Times, June 3, 2004) A senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies observes that the terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia last weekend accomplished its main objective: The State Department urged all Americans to leave the country, instead of calling for new Saudi security efforts, offering aid in counterterrorism, or trying to fight back. "It is all very well to talk about a global war on terrorism. To win it, however, you have to fight it-on every front." Preying On Saudi Arabia Jim Hoagland (Washington Post, June 3, 2004, Pg. 19) The latest Al Qaeda atrocity in Saudi Arabia underlines the fact that the war on terror will ultimately be won or lost in the region that spawned Osama bin Laden's fanaticism. Governments in the Middle East and Central Asia no longer have the luxury of sitting on the fence. EDITORIAL Challenge Of New Leaders: Win Over Iraqi 'Braveheart' (USA Today, June 3, 2004, Pg. 21) Finding common ground among Iraqis, who have more elusive differences than their ethnic or religious backgrounds, is crucial to determining whether the new group of Iraqi leaders sworn in this week can get the country on the road to self-rule and elections. The 33 men and women who make up the caretaker government have a formidable task: persuading as many Iraqis as they can that their future is best forged by supporting their efforts, not sabotaging them. Chalabi Pals' Groupthink (Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2004) With the Bush administration having turned on him, Ahmed Chalabi has at least a slim chance of rehabilitating himself among Iraqis as a kind of political martyr. Bit if someone in the Defense Department indeed gave him top-secret information, he or she may not fare so well. Source: Defense News
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