Open Source Daily INTSUM: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005

[Airbornelawyer]

From Various Sources:

Middle East
Security incidents in Iraq, Nov 8 (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KHA839640.htm) (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Six terrorists captured in raid on Ramadi safe house (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Releases/Nov/051108a.htm) "Coalition Forces captured six terrorists during a raid on an al Qaeda in Iraq safe house in Albu Bani near Ramadi Nov. 8. Acting on multiple intelligence sources and tips from concerned citizens, Coalition Forces converged on the terrorist safe house which apparently was used as an operational base to plan and conduct attacks on Iraqi security and Coalition forces in the Ramadi area. During the raid, two terrorists were killed after engaging Coalition Forces." (Source: Multi-National Force Iraq (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/))
Task Force Baghdad Soldiers take enemy by surprise (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Releases/Nov/051108d.htm) "Speed and surprise gave Task Force Baghdad Soldiers the upper hand in fighting terrorists during operations in southern Baghdad Nov. 5-7. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment [California Army National Guard] conducted a combat operation onto two river islands along the Tigris River Nov. 7. At the end of the day, the soldiers found a weapons cache which included 100 rounds of 12.7-millimeter ammunition, one 57-millimeter rocket launcher, a six-tube mortar launcher and one 60-millimeter mortar round. During an earlier mission on the evening of Nov. 5, the Soldiers detained three terror suspects in the town of Horajeb." (Source: Multi-National Force Iraq (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/))
Israel in talks to give troops for UN peacekeepers (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08748315.htm) " Israel and the United Nations are in talks on Israeli troops joining U.N. peacekeeping forces, a proposal bolstered by a recent improvement in ties between the Jewish state and the world forum, officials said on Tuesday. Israel is not among 117 nations to field peacekeepers in foreign conflict zones. Some Israeli officials attribute this to a history of rocky relations with the United Nations, where the General Assembly has passed resolutions against Israeli policy. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Polscy Zolnierze zatrzymali podejrzanych o terroryzm (http://www.irak.pap.pl/cgi-bin/irak.pl?grupa=1&dzien=0&ID=21242) (Polish Soldiers Detain Terror Suspects) "Polscy zolnierze, wspólnie z silami koalicji i jednostkami armii irackiej, zatrzymali siedem osób podejrzanych o dzialalnosc terrorystyczna - poinformowal PAP we wtorek kmdr ppor. Bartosz Zajda z biura prasowego Wielonarodowej Dywizji Centrum-Poludnie. Akcja przeprowadzono w zachodniej czesci prowincji Diwanija. "Podejrzani ukrywali sie w tymczasowych kryjówkach, które wskazaly sluzby wywiadowcze. Zolnierze zatrzymali podejrzanych w kilku miejscach jednoczesnie, by ci nie mogli przekazal sobie informacji o dzialaniach sil koalicji" - powiedzial Zajda. …" ("Polish soldiers, accompanied by coalition forces and Iraqi army units, detained seven persons suspected of terrorist activities, PAP was informed Tuesday by Lt. Cdr. Bartosz Zajda of the press office of the Multinational Division Central-South. The action took place in the western part of Diwaniya. 'The suspects had concealed themselves in a temporary hideout, which indicated a reconnaissance mission. The soldiers detained the suspects in several places simultaneously in order to keep them from transferring information among themselves on activities of coalition forces' Zajda reported. …") (Source: Polska Agenca Prasowa – Iraq service (http://www.irak.pap.pl/))
Day Three of Steel Curtain (http://billroggio.com/archives/2005/11/day_three_of_st.php) "Operation Steel Curtain , which is aimed at closing down the border crossing to Syria and destroying al Qaeda in the town of Husaybah, is currently in day three. Multinational Forces West confirms thirty six insurgents have been killed over the course of the operation. Capt. Conlin Carabine, a Marine company commander fighting in Husaybah, estimates 60 to 80 insurgents have been killed during the fighting to date. One Marine has been killed and six wounded since the operation began. …" (Source: Bill Roggio's blog, The Fourth Rail (http://billroggio.com/))

Asia-Pacific

U.S., Kyrgyz Officials Hold Talks On U.S. Air Base (http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/11/C6491CD4-7AE9-470C-B0E9-25D72B0E4E29.html) "The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said today the first rounds of talks have ended with a preliminary accord between Bishkek and Washington on the terms of use on a Kyrgyz air base, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported. …"(Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Seven Dead in Thai Attacks (http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?id=13429) "Thailand’s Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday said his government would go on the offensive against Muslim militants who carried out a series of deadly attacks overnight in the country’s southern provinces. …" (Source: ISN Security Watch (http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/))
Grenade wounds 21 in market in northeast India (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL103946.htm) "At least 21 people, mostly women, were wounded when a man threw a grenade into a crowded market in India's restive northeastern state of Manipur on Tuesday, police said. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Schofield's division headed back to Iraq (http://starbulletin.com/2005/11/08/news/story01.html). "THE Tropic Lightning Division will be on the move again next year, its third major deployment since the Vietnam War and its second to Iraq. Nearly 7,000 soldiers belonging to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the Schofield Barracks-based 25th Infantry Division will be deployed to Iraq as early as next summer as part of the Pentagon's latest combat rotation. It will be one of the largest deployments of active duty soldiers in the history of the division. There are now nearly 4,000 soldiers and Marines from Hawaii in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the war began, 72 soldiers, Marines and sailors and a civilian with Hawaii ties have died in Iraq. The death toll in Afghanistan is 27. …" (Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (http://www.starbulletin.com/))
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=11/08/2005) (Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal (http://www.satp.org))

[Airbornelawyer]

Africa
U.S. fails to unite fractious Darfur rebels (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08508260.htm) "The United States failed to bridge gaps between fractious Sudanese rebels on Tuesday, but urged the parties to overcome their differences ahead of peace talks this month or risk losing international support. …" (Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Congo govt army needs international help-UN officer (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08722700.htm) "The international community should help feed and supply Democratic Republic of Congo's ill-equipped army so it can do the job of pacifying the country's lawless east, a top U.N. peacekeeper said. Gen. Babacar Gaye, commander of the U.N. mission in Congo, made the appeal late on Monday to U.N. Security Council ambassadors at Kamina military base in Katanga province. The envoys have been visiting Congo, where the United Nations has nearly 17,000 troops in its largest peacekeeping mission. …"(Source: Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Polisario rejects autonomy plan (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4415284.stm) "The independence movement for Western Sahara has dismissed a proposal to grant the territory some autonomy. A Polisario spokesman told the BBC the future of the Morocco-controlled region could only be resolved by a referendum. …" (Source: BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/))
Training enhances partnerships in West Africa (http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=760) "In an effort to strengthen emerging and enduring partnership with West African nations, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe is conducting intensive training with four nations there. “The focus of operations in the European theater is moving toward the south and east,” said Navy Capt. Tom Rowden, the senior American officer leading this training. “Our current work with these African militaries represents a move to the south.” Rowden is embarked upon USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), an amphibious flagship that has traveled to Morocco, Guinea, Ghana and Senegal since Sept. 27 for training activities including small boat training, river operations, live-fire exercises and amphibious raids. U.S. European Command’s West African Training Cruise 2006 takes place annually to enhance security cooperation among the United States, NATO allies and their West African counterparts. …" (Source: U.S. European Command (http://www.eucom.mil/))

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

Europe

Bobo tests NATO’s crisis response force (http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=759) "… Exercise Destined Glory 2005 tested NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force’s ability to respond to such a crisis. NATO created the Rapid Reaction Force in 2002 to provide a quick-response air, land and maritime force capable of deploying within five days and operate up to a month without being resupplied. The exercise included about 8,500 people, 38 ships and 60 aircraft from 10 NATO countries —including Military Sealift Command’s vessel MV 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo and the staff of Maritime Pre-positioning Ship Squadron One. …" (Source: U.S. European Command (http://www.eucom.mil/))

[Airbornelawyer]

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

Russia & Eastern Europe
PUTIN CALLS FOR END TO KALININGRAD'S ISOLATION FROM MAINLAND RUSSIA
President Vladimir Putin has called for an end to travel restrictions between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad exclave, RIA-Novosti reported on 7 November. "We often say Kaliningrad is Russia's outpost in Europe and that it should be up to its title on all counts," Putin said during a meeting at the Kremlin with Kalingrad Governor Georgii Boos. "I'm referring here both to the infrastructure and to the people's standard of living. But most importantly, we need to finally resolve all the problems related to the region's links with the rest of the Russian Federation." Kaliningrad has been a point of contention between Moscow and the European Union, especially since Lithuania -- which separates the exclave from mainland Russia -- joined the EU in May 2004. Russian officials have regularly protested what they call Lithuanian attempts to hinder the transit of Russian passengers and cargos between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia.
UKRAINE CONCERNED ABOUR RUSSIAN STORES OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has urged Russia to make sure that it observes environmental security standards in storing chemical weapons near the Ukrainian border, Interfax-Ukraine reported on 8 November. According to Kyiv, some 6,000 tons of chemical weapons are being stored in dangerous conditions in the town of Pochep in Bryansk Oblast, which is just 70 kilometers away from Sumy and Chernihiv Oblasts of Ukraine. Kyiv asserts that the time for which the storage facilities in Pochep were designed to be safely used has almost expired. The Moscow-based "Komsomolskaya pravda" charged last month that Kyiv uses abandoned mines in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts to store spent nuclear fuel and chemicals, thus reportedly threatening the environmental security of six Russian regions.

Southwestern Asia And The Middle East
SOUTHERN PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR SURVIVES SUICIDE ATTACK
Helmand Governor Sher Mohammad survived a suicide car-bomb attack on 7 November in the provincial capital Lashkargah, international news agencies reported. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Yusof Stanakzai said the only casualty in the attack was the driver of the explosive-laden vehicle, Peshawar-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported on 7 November. Qari Mohammad Yusof, purporting to speak for the neo-Taliban, called AIP on 7 November and claimed responsibility for the attack. He said a "55-year-old Taliban [mujahid]" named Salahuddin carried out the attack. The attacker suffered serious injuries and died shortly thereafter. Mohammad Wali, the spokesman for the Helmand Governor, said on 7 November that based on the features of the attacker, "we can say that he was from Pakistan's Punjab Province," AFP reported. Stanakzai also claimed that the bomber was a foreigner but did not speculate on his country of origin. After most of the suicide attacks in Afghanistan, official Afghan sources have claimed that those carrying out the attacks are non-Afghans. In this case, Mohammad Yusof did not mention the attacker's country of origin.
IRAQI PRESIDENT VISITS ITALY, ASKS ITALIAN TROOPS TO STAY IN IRAQ
President Jalal Talabani arrived in Rome on 7 November for a weeklong visit that includes meetings with senior Italian officials and Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, international media reported the same day. In an open letter to the Italian people published in "La Stampa" on 7 November, Talabani called for the continued presence of multinational forces in Iraq. "Your country's commitment to the cause of democracy in Iraq and your contribution to the training of our security forces is helping us to do things by ourselves and to govern our country. A premature withdrawal would be a catastrophe for the people for Iraq and a victory for terrorism," Talabani wrote. He added that those who believe that terrorism in Iraq exists because of the presence of multinational forces there are mistaken. The president told Italian television on 7 November that it is important that Iraqis don't see only American and British soldiers in Iraq, but soldiers from other European countries as well, AP reported. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been under public pressure to withdraw Italian troops from Iraq.
AL-ZARQAWI GIVES IRAQI GOVERNMENT 24 HOURS TO END OPERATION
The Al-Qaeda-affiliated organization Jihad in the Land of the Two Rivers (Tanzim Qa'idat Al-Jihad fi Bilad Al-Rafidayn) posted a statement on the Internet on 7 November giving the Iraqi government 24 hours to end Operation Steel Curtain or else the group said it will retaliate fiercely against the Iraqi military. The statement added that the group has decided to respond to threats by Defense Minister Sa'dun al-Dulaymi by demolishing the homes of soldiers and collaborators. "Let it be known to these people that any [Iraqi] region that supports the government and its campaigns against the Muslims, in any way, will be a legitimate target for the lions of monotheism. They will see death come to them and rob them of their children. And, in the same way the Sunni Muslim cities fighting the infidels and the apostates are being punished, we will punish the cities that are exporting the armies of unbelief and treason to us," the statement said.
IRAQ'S BA'ATH PARTY WEIGHS IN ON OPERATION STEEL CURTAIN
The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party said in a 5 November statement posted to the Internet that Operation Steel Curtain, "like all previous operations," will fail. The statement further claimed that all those "who agreed to work with and accepted the plans of the occupation...would bear the responsibility for the Iraqi blood spilled," in a threat aimed both at residents in the western Al-Anbar Governorate and members of the Iraqi military. The Ba'ath Party statement also contended that Operation Steel Curtain is aimed to send the message to other countries that Syria "is within [U.S.] territory."