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Top Commanders Face Questioning On Prison Abuse
[New York Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 1]
A military judge said top U.S. commanders currently involved in the Iraq
war
must submit to questioning by attorneys for two GIs charged in the Abu
Ghraib prison abuse case.
U.S. Commanders Ordered to Provide Prison Testimony
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 1]
Col. James Pohl, a military judge, agreed to requests by lawyers of soldiers
accused of participating in prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison that senior
commanders operating in the Middle East answer questions. Pohl also declared
that the prison is a crime scene and cannot be demolished, although he
admitted that after June 30 he has little to say about what becomes of
the
facility.
Iraq Transfer To Be Low-Key
Security worries keep details few
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 1]
U.S. authorities are taking a back seat in gearing up for next week's
transfer of power to a sovereign Iraqi government, details of which are
being closely guarded.
Death Stalks An Experiment In Democracy
Fearful Baghdad Council Keeps Public Locked Out
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 1]
The new political institutions developed to replace the U.S. administration
in Iraq are challenged by those who doubt their popular legitimacy and
effectiveness, and by grave risks to Iraqis who have joined this experiment
in representative government.
Ranks Breaking Over North Korea
South Korea and China move away from the U.S. negotiating position as
six-party talks reconvene Wednesday in Beijing.
[Christian Science Monitor, June 22, 2004, Pg. 1]
China and South Korea are expected to break ranks with the U.S. and not
demand that North Korea agree to "complete, verifiable, irreversible
dismantlement" of all nuclear activity.
Bush Loses Advantage In War On Terrorism
Nation Evenly Divided on President, Kerry
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 1]
A Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that the country is evenly divided
on
who would better handle the war on terror, President Bush or John Kerry.
IRAQ
4 U.S. Troops Killed In Ambush
Bomb Attack Against Convoy in North Claims 5 Iraqi Contractors
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 13]
Ambushes killed four U.S. Marines and five Iraqi contractors Monday, but
U.S. officials said the violence has not interrupted plans to hand over
limited power to an interim Iraqi government next week.
4 Marines Slain On Patrol In A Sunni Triangle Town
Few details are given on the attack in Ramadi. Violence elsewhere kills
four
Iraqi contractors.
[Los Angeles Times, June 22, 2004]
Four Marines were killed in Ramadi, a rebellious Sunni triangle town west
of
Baghdad. The circumstances and location of the attack were not immediately
clear and little is known other than that the men were on patrol.
Trained To Fight, Soldiers Adapt To New Duties
Fort Hood soldiers, trained to fire artillery, now protect convoys
[Dallas Morning News, June 22, 2004]
Troops from the 1st Calvary Division's 3rd Brigade spent most of their
military lives training to "rain steel" on the enemy with deadly
effect.
Their mission in Iraq presents a very different situation. The soldiers
escort Coalition Provisional Authority officials and other VIPs working
to
help restore Iraq to normalcy. They also protect convoys hauling vital
supplies, and sometimes payrolls.
Pentagon Urges Repeal Of Iraq Phone Contracts
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 6]
The Pentagon wants the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad to cancel
three contracts for Iraqi cell phone networks worth about $500 million
per
year. The reasons cited for suspending the contracts are fraud and because
the companies involved have ties to an Iraqi-born Briton who has been
linked
to Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi Kurds Warned Over Disputed City
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 15]
Turkey is concerned about the ethnic and political divisions emerging
in
Iraq and said it could not quietly stand by if Kurds took control of the
major northern oil hub of Kirkuk.
Powell Gave U.N. 'Ambiguous' Data On Iraqi Weapons, NSA Chief Says
General says in new book that audiotapes offered as evidence are
inconclusive
[Baltimore Sun, June 22, 2004]
The director of the National Security Agency, Lt. Gen. Michael Hayden,
says
in a new book that Colin Powell used audiotapes containing "ambiguous"
evidence in a presentation to the U.N. last year that supported going
to war
with Iraq.
Exports Of Iraqi Oil Resume After Repair Of Sabotaged Line
[Philadelphia Inquirer, June 22, 2004]
Crude oil exports resumed in Iraq after crews patched up a pipeline
sabotaged by insurgents who want to undermine the incoming interim
government's chief source of revenue.
U.N. Auditors Attack U.S. Occupiers Over Spending Of Iraq's Oil Revenues
[London Financial Times, June 22, 2004]
U.N. auditors criticized the U.S. occupation authority for spending Iraqi
oil revenues and complain that they have faced "resistance"
to performing
their job by coalition officials.
IRAQ---ABU GHRAIB
U.S. Rules On Prisoners Seen As A Back And Forth Of Mixed Messages To
GIs
[New York Times, June 22, 2004]
The Bush administration's rules governing treatment of foreign prisoners
have been contradictory and have given mixed message to U.S. soldiers,
according to military personnel and documents.
England's Hearing Delayed Until Mid-July
Postponement suggests possible plea negotiations
[Baltimore Sun, June 22, 2004]
The first public court hearing for Pfc. Lynndie England was postponed
until
mid-July, suggesting that a possible plea bargain is in the works for
the
young woman who became one of the most visible faces in the Iraqi prison
abuse scandal.
GUANTANAMO
Pentagon: Methods Were OKd
[Long Island Newsday, June 22, 2004]
The Pentagon will release declassified memos that show Secretary Rumsfeld
approved harsh interrogation methods at Guantanamo Bay, including forcing
detainees to stand for as long as four hours straight.
Flurry Of Suicide Attempts At Guantanamo
[New York Times on the Web, June 22, 2004]
Three months after Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller assumed command at Guantanamo
Bay prison, prisoners began a flurry of suicide attempts. Miller now
commands all military-run prisons in Iraq.
SEPTEMBER 11
Al Qaeda Link To Iraq May Be Confusion Over Names
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 13]
Evidence that at least one Iraqi military officer serving under Saddam
Hussein had contacts with al Qaeda could be because of confusion over
names.
WHITE HOUSE
Bush Considers Replacing CIA Chief More Quickly
[New York Times, June 22, 2004]
The White House is considering how quickly it will move to name a successor
to CIA Director George Tenet, who steps down on July 11.
CONGRESS
Senate Backs Ban On Photos Of GI Coffins
[New York Times, June 22, 2004]
The Senate voted 54-39 to back the administration's policy that prevents
news photographers from taking pictures of flag-covered coffins carrying
the
remains of GIs killed in Iraq.
Kennedy Denounces Bush's Nuclear Policy
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 6]
Sen. Ted Kennedy accused President Bush of turning back years of American
efforts to halt the spread of nuclear weapons and said he has made the
world
a more dangerous place to live.
Taking Aim At The Pentagon
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. B2]
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) will offer an amendment to the FY 2005 defense
budget that would prevent the Pentagon from modifying employee and union
rights when DoD adopts a new civilian personnel system.
MIDEAST
Iran Seizes 3 British Navy Boats And Detains 8 Sailors In A Territorial
Dispute On Iraqi Border
[New York Times, June 22, 2004]
Iran seized three small British Royal Navy boats and arrested eight sailors.
Iran said the boats entered Iranian waters without permission.
In Iran, Terrorism Remains A Matter Of Perspective
Tehran Tries to Shed Radical Image as 'Army of Martyrs' Forms
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 9]
Iran's Islamic government ranks as the world's leading state sponsor of
terrorism, according to the State Department. Iran rejects that finding
and
insists the groups it supports, including Hezbollah and Hamas, are
resistance organizations.
U.S. Hedges On Travel Warning
Foggy Bottom fears 'crippling' of oil industry
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 12]
The State Department worries that a "crippling of the Saudi oil industry"
could occur if U.S. workers in the kingdom heed its advice to leave the
country. Colin Powell said it would be a victory for terrorists if all
Americans left Saudi Arabia.
Al-Qaeda's Saudi Cell Announces New Leader
Saleh al-Aufi was once a policeman. He is expected to continue the group's
strategy of attacking the Saudi government and Western interests.
[Philadelphia Inquirer, June 22, 2004]
Saudi Arabia's al Qaeda network is regrouping under a new chief and is
likely to continue its brutal assault against Westerners.
ASIA/PACIFIC
Hostage Video Ignites Protest In S. Korea
Hundreds Demonstrate Against Iraq Policy; Mission Sent to Jordan to
Negotiate
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 11]
Hundreds of South Koreans joined candlelight vigils while the government
scrambled to negotiate the release of a hostage who appeared on videotape
begging for his life. Kim Sun Il's captors want South Korean troops out
of
Iraq or they will kill him.
Malaysia Accepts U.S. Aid, But Not Patrols, In Strait
[International Herald Tribune, June 22, 2004]
Malaysia said it will accept U.S. help, but will not let U.S. forces take
part in patrols of the Strait of Malacca against pirates and possible
terrorist attacks.
U.S.-Taiwan Military Ties Deepening
[Singapore Straits Times, June 22, 2004]
Increased U.S. participation in Taiwan's just-completed computer-simulated
war games signals a deepening military relationship between Washington
and
Taipei.
NORTH KOREA
U.S. Offers 'Flexibility' On Joint Aid To N. Korea
[Philadelphia Inquirer, June 22, 2004]
Colin Powell promised a "spirit of flexibility" as the U.S.
and its
negotiating partners work on a plan to jointly offer economic aid to North
Korea if it agrees to end its nuclear weapons program.
AFGHANISTAN
NATO Urged To Boost Aid For Vote
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 12]
U.S. analysts and diplomats urged NATO to do more to provide a secure
environment for Afghanistan's elections scheduled for September.
EUROPE
Officials Keep Forces In Iraq Amid Dissent
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 12]
Ukrainian troops will remain in Iraq despite continuing security problems
and political pressure at home.
AMERICAS
Plan Puts Colombia On Offensive
Top U.S. officials asked Congress last week to increase the cap on troops
allowed in Colombia.
[Christian Science Monitor, June 22, 2004]
Colombian forces have become more aggressive during the past year---cracking
down on rebel forces and working to interrupt the flow of drugs out of
the
country. With U.S. tactical and logistical support, some 15,000 Colombian
troops have been dispatched into the rebel stronghold of southern Colombia,
in an effort to demolish the 17,000-strong rebel army.
BUSINESS
For Some Self-Employed Army Reservists, Serving In Iraq Is Bad For Business
[Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2004, Pg. B1]
Many reservists serving in Iraq were forced to leave their businesses
behind. Not since World War II has the country made such heavy use of
week-end warriors. Some 168,000 of the nation's 1.2 million reservists
have
been deployed in the war on terrorism. Many of those deployed to Iraq
are
self-employed and worry about what they will find upon returning home.
Air Force May Jettison One Satellite Contract
Use of Two Launch Firms Questioned
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. E5]
USAF is considering whether it needs two companies to launch government
satellites, raising the prospect that Lockheed Martin Corp. or Boeing
Co.
could be pushed out of the market.
No Quick End In Sight For Boeing Launch Ban
[Seattle Times, June 22, 2004]
Boeing's suspension from competing for Air Force satellite launch contracts
could stay in place until December as investigators probe the company's
operations.
Lockheed Martin Improves Radar-Evading Missiles, Air Force Says
[Bloomberg.com, June 21, 2004]
USAF said Lockheed Martin's new radar-evading cruise missile has a "sound
design" that has proven successful in combat testing. The House
Appropriations Committee has signaled that the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff
Missile could lose congressional support unless its reliability improves.
OPINION
NATO: Looking To Iraq, Afghanistan And Beyond
NATO summit
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
[International Herald Tribune, June 22, 2004]
NATO Secretary-General de Hoop Scheffer writes that NATO is supporting
the
Polish-led division in Iraq and many North Atlantic allies have troops
on
the ground in a national capacity. He added that it makes sense for NATO
to
discuss whether the allies could take on another role if asked to do so.
Abu Ghraib Images Bring Lessons Closer To Home
U.S. should embrace taped interrogations
[USA Today, June 22, 2004, Pg. 13]
The scandal at Abu Ghraib illustrates a vital point---If the taping of
interrogations is not made mandatory, the military is likely to put as
much
effort into preventing future pictures as preventing future abuse.
Making Do In Iraq
David Ignatius
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 17]
It is clear that the Bush administration has been improvising for the
past
few months as it struggled to craft an exit strategy for Iraq. The grand
designs that launched the war are long gone, replaced by a process of
trial
and error.
The chief accomplishment for America is that next week an Iraqi will take
charge of the country, and it won't be Saddam Hussein.
Divided We Fall
Debra Burlingame
[Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2004, Pg. 18]
The Sept. 11 commission has somehow managed to turn the most deadly attack
on American soil into another Beltway soap opera---awash with all the
smug,
idiotic political clap-trap Washington can summon. Ms. Burlingame, whose
brother was one of the hijacked pilots aboard the plane that crashed into
the Pentagon, is no longer upset with the Bush administration, which opposed
the commission's establishment. Rather, she criticizes the commission
and
the media for rushing to publish all the shocking revelations that show
the
nation's incompetence in dealing with situations like Sept. 11.
Grand Delusion
Two Leaders Who See What They Want to See
Richard Cohen
[Washington Post, June 22, 2004, Pg. 17]
President Bush and Vice President Cheney are hampered by ideology and
see
precisely what they want to see when it comes to linking Saddam Hussein
with
al Qaeda.
The WMD Message
Preventive policy sends signals to rogue leaders
Tod Lindberg
[Washington Times, June 22, 2004, Pg. 19]
The main reason for going to war in Iraq was the danger posed by Saddam
Hussein going forward. The question now is---Are other rogue states
developing weapons of mass destruction, or are they keeping a low profile
to
avoid U.S. scrutiny? The answer to that question, which depends on U.S.
resolve going forward, not least in North Korea, is the real test for
a
policy of prevention.
EDITORIAL
The Iranian Nuclear Challenge
[New York Times, June 22, 2004]
Now is the time to flex any muscle that international treaties to prevent
nuclear proliferation might have. Iran's refusal to explain how it obtained
blueprints and equipment for making nuclear bomb fuel must be condemned
by
all. And that condemnation must be followed up with concerted pressure
to
prevent Iran from joining the growing number of states armed with nukes.
A Look Into The Secrets At Guantanamo Prison
[Miami Herald, June 22, 2004]
The U.S. has gotten very little information from the detainees held at
Guantanamo Bay. For so little return, America pays a dear price in its
esteem, honor and respect for the law.
Source: Defense News
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