Open Source Daily INTSUM: Friday, Nov. 4, 2005

[Airbornelawyer]

From Various Sources:

Middle East
Security incidents in Iraq, Nov 4 (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04773653.htm) (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
On new tour, Marines to get big boost from Iraqi battalions (http://signonsandiego.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=SignOnSanDiego.com+%3E+News+%3E+Military+--+On+new+tour%2C+Marines+to+get+big+boost+from+Iraq i+battalions&expire=&urlID=16118988&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.signonsandiego.com%2Fnews%2Fm ilitary%2F20051103-9999-1n3sattler.html&partnerID=621) "When the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force resumes responsibility for volatile Anbar province in Iraq in February, the Marines will be bolstered by 18 battalions from the new Iraqi army, plus a large number of Iraqi police and border security forces, Lt. Gen. John Sattler said." (Source: Copley News Service, via The San Diego Union-Tribune (http://signonsandiego.com))
Iraq: Al-Sadr Militia Taking Law Into Own Hands (http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/11/35b8bb23-2a15-4275-99ee-b368fde58b0a.html) "Militiamen loyal to Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have increasingly adopted a policing role in recent months. In both Baghdad and Al-Basrah, al-Sadr's Imam Al-Mahdi Army has claimed to have fought alongside police forces against terrorists, and has carried out its own operations to free hostages from terrorist safe houses. …" (Source: RFE/RL (http://www.rferl.org))

Asia-Pacific

French Finish Coalition Flying Mission (http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051128.txt) "After three months of flying support and combat sorties, the French Air Force successfully fulfills its mission here Friday. The French Air Force flew Operation Enduring Freedom close air support, armed reconnaissance and convoy escort missions in support of the parliamentary elections in Afghanistan Sept. 18…." (Source: U.S. Central Command (http://www.centcom.mil/))
Quake-hit Pakistan to postpone buying F-16s (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL41895.htm) "Pakistan will postpone the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States in order to provide more relief to victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake, President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday…." (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
India-US air force drill faces communist protests (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL306733.htm) "India said on Friday it would step up security at an air base after communist parties threatened that thousands of activists would protest against exercises between the Indian and U.S. air forces. …"(Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
RSN Acquires Västergötland-Class Submarines (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2005/nov/04nov05_nr.html) "MINDEF has accepted an offer to purchase two Vastergotland-class submarines from Sweden. It has evaluated these submarines to be a cost-effective opportunity buy to enhance the submarine capabilities of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The two submarines are expected to enter service from 2010 and will replace some of the RSN's Challenger-class submarines. …" (Source: Ministry of Defence of Singapore (http://www.mindef.gov.sg))
India to buy 50 drones from Israel (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\11\04\story_4-11-2005_pg7_3) "India has renewed interest in buying unmanned spy planes from Israel for deployment on its borders with Pakistan and China. A deal with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) for the purchase of 50 Heron aircraft that can mount a remote surveillance of the ground from a height of 20,000 feet is in advanced stage of negotiation…. " (Source: Daily Times (Pakistan) (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk))
Sri Lanka: Security Situation Report (http://www.army.lk/news/index.html). (Source: Sri Lanka Army (http://www.army.lk))
South Asia Terrorism Update (http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news.asp?date1=11/04/2005) (Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal (http://www.satp.org))

Africa
Ethiopia-Eritrea tension may turn to war-AU (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04392657.htm) "The African Union (AU) urged former foes Ethiopia and Eritrea on Friday to exercise restraint following military movements near their disputed border, saying tensions created by the manoeuvres could escalate into war. … In the last two weeks, U.N. soldiers say they have observed military movements involving tanks, air defence missiles and troops near their unmarked 1,000 km (600 mile) long frontier…."(Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Ethiopia unrest spreads beyond capital (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04259127.htm) "Gunfire echoed sporadically around Addis Ababa for a fourth day on Friday as reports emerged that unrest had spread beyond the capital, a development likely to deepen international concern for Ethiopia's stability.…"(Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
HORN OF AFRICA: Weekly Round-up for 29 October-4 November 2005 (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/3effbe9da08633ef46e7b40f4706f45b.htm) (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))

The Americas
USSOUTHCOM Headline News (http://www.southcom.mil/pa/News/AOR%20News/Today's%20News.doc) (Microsoft Word format)

[Airbornelawyer]

From the RFE/RL Newsline (http://www.rferl.org/newsline/):

Russia
TWO FSB OFFICERS SHOT DEAD IN INGUSHETIA
Two Russian FSB personnel commandeered to Ingushetia were killed on 3 November when unidentified gunmen opened fire of their car in the village of Ekazhevo, Russian news agencies reported. The gunmen managed to escape.

Transcaucasia And Central Asia
AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT SAYS ARRESTS AVERTED BLOODSHED
Ilham Aliyev told a government session on 3 November that the arrests last month of former Health Minister Ali Insanov and Economic Development Minister Farkhad Aliyev averted major unrest and possibly a civil war, Reuters reported. President Aliyev said he has no doubts that the two men were helping to fund coup d'etat planned by former parliament speaker Rasul Quliyev. He called on ministers who do not agree with his policies to resign, Turan reported on 4 November. Quliyev is a registered candidate in the 6 November parliamentary election, and his supporters said late last month that he will return to Azerbaijan between 31 October and 3 November, but he has not yet done so. Meanwhile on 4 November, day.az reported that tax inspectors have registered numerous violations during inspections of gas stations belonging to the Azerpetrol group, which is headed by Farkhad Aliyev's brother Rafik.
GEORGIANS 'GENTLY' INDUCTED INTO ABKHAZ ARMY
In compliance with a decree issued last month by Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh, the Abkhaz Defense Ministry is inducting young Georgian men of draft age from Gali Raion to serve in the Abkhaz Army, Caucasus Press reported on 3 November. Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Anatolii Zaitsev gave the number of draftees in question at around 20, and denied that any young Georgians will be forced to sign up. On 12 October, rustavi2.com reported that the Abkhaz are forming a battalion, codenamed Jima (Brother), staffed by Georgians who have been promised unspecified privileges if they renounce Georgian citizenship.
IN KAZAKHSTAN, U.S. GENERAL DOWNPLAYS PRESENCE IN REGION
U.S. Central Command head General John Abizaid met with Kazakh Defense Minister Colonel General Mukhtar Altynbaev in Astana on 3 November, Kazinform and other media reported. Abizaid, who oversees U.S. forces in Central Asia and Afghanistan, told reporters after the meeting that "the presence of the U.S. armed forces in this region is in no way a demonstration of our dominance" and added that U.S. forces are present "only to help the countries of the region to fight terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption," according to Interfax. Abizaid also appeared to play down the chances of any long-term U.S. military presence in Kazakhstan. "We don't envision opening bases here, unless Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstani government, would invite us to do so," Abizaid was quoted as saying by the U.S. airforcetimes.com website.

Southwestern Asia And The Middle East
U.S., AFGHAN FORCES DISCOVER WEAPONS CACHE
Afghan National Army and U.S. troops discovered a weapons cache in the east-central Ghazi Province on 1 November, the American Forces Information Service reported on 2 November. The cache contained a heavy machine gun, light machine guns, assault rifles, 135 rocket-propelled grenades, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and materials for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs). U.S. Army Colonel Patrick Donahue called the find "significant." Afghan National Police in Nangarhar and Konar provinces also turned in two other weapons caches to U.S.-led coalition forces, the same source reported.
ESTONIA TO INCREASE MILITARY PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN
Tallinn has decided to increase the number of troops it maintains with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) six-fold to 150, AFP reported on 3 November, quoting Estonian Defense Minister Jurgen Ligi. The mandate of the Estonian forces has been extended for two years, Ligi added. Estonian troops will join the U.K.-led provincial reconstruction team in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. Estonia currently has 23 soldiers deployed with ISAF.
IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TALKS UNDER WAY WITH BA'ATHISTS
Hoshyar al-Zebari told London's "Al-Hayat" that unofficial talks are under way with some Ba'athists in an effort to bring them into the political process, the daily reported on 3 November. Al-Zebari said he supports "turning the nationalist Ba'athists who were not involved in violations [against the Iraqi people] into a positive opposition in the country." He said the talks are with individual Ba'athists rather than representatives of the party. "The Saddamist Ba'ath Party is totally excluded from any political participation because it simply acts on the principle of either ruling Iraq or burning it," al-Zebari said, adding: "Dialogue and reconciliation with these elements is impossible because the principle that we agreed upon with [Arab League Secretary-General] Amr Musa is that there should not be reconciliation with the past but with the present and the future." The Arab League is expected to host a reconciliation conference for Iraq's disparate groups in Cairo later this month.