Daily Summary - Friday, December 16, 2005

[Airbornelawyer]

Middle East:

Iraq: Incidents in Iraq, Dec. 16 (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16145440.htm) - (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Middle East / South & Central Asia: Ongoing operations (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/releases.htm) – Miscellaneous releases from U.S. Central Command (http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/release_list.asp).
Iraq: Ongoing operations (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/releases.htm) – Miscellaneous releases from Multi-National Force Iraq (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/).
Iraq: Iraq insurgents say election truce won't last (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/GEO643747.htm) - Iraqi secular insurgents and Islamist militants said on Friday they would soon resume attacks on U.S. troops and their Iraqi allies, saying they had only observed an election truce to let fellow Sunni Arabs vote.… (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))

Iraq: Iraqi Army "Future Leaders" put through their paces at Baghdad academy (http://www.news.mod.uk/news_headline_story2.asp?newsItem_id=3858) - Situated near a pleasant suburb of southern Baghdad, in a bend of the River Tigris, is Al-Rustamayah Iraqi Military Academy (IMAR). This formidable looking building, which commands an area blessed with acres of date palms and small arable land to the south, is the training centre for potential officers wishing to join the new Iraqi Army.… (U.K. Ministry of Defence (http://news.mod.gov.uk))
Iraq/Bulgaria: Bulgaria begins withdrawing troops from Iraq (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16720493.htm) - Bulgaria has begun withdrawing its 334-strong light infantry battalion from Iraq following the war-torn country's parliamentary elections this week, Bulgaria's Defence Ministry said on Friday.… (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Israel/"Palestinian Authority": Palestinian gunmen kill West Bank settler (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16730954.htm) - Palestinian gunmen killed a Jewish settler in a drive-by shooting in the occupied West Bank on Friday and wounded two other Israelis. ... Two militant groups, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of the mainstream Fatah movement, and Islamic Jihad, claimed joint responsibility for Friday's shooting.… (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))


South & Central Asia:

Afghanistan: Suicide bomber dies in attack on Kabul peacekeepers (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP340993.htm) - A car bomb exploded in the Afghan capital on Friday between two Norwegian peacekeeping vehicles and near a building where a new parliament is to meet next week, killing the suicide attacker and wounding two passers-by. The explosion on a road between Kabul zoo and the former royal palace in the west of the city slightly damaged one of the Norwegian vehicles, but there were no casualties among the soldiers, a spokesman for the peacekeepers said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the bomber had intended to target the "bogus" parliament but took the opportunity to attack the peacekeepers when he saw them.… (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Pakistan/USA: [/url] - The mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme for Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fleet will start in the first quarter of next year, defence sources told Daily Times. The US-assisted MLU programme will help enhance the operational capabilities and reliability of the F-16s, as the fleet will undergo structural and avionics up-gradation under this programme.… ([url=http://dailytimes.com.pk]Americans will upgrade Pakistani F-16s next yearDaily Times (http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\12\16\story_16-12-2005_pg1_6))
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka in new peace talks bid (http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4534288.stm) - The Sri Lankan government has formally invited the Tamil Tigers to restart peace talks and will agree to a rebel demand for them to be held overseas. The government had previously insisted talks be held in Sri Lanka. Last week, Japan offered to host new talks. The rebels and the government have observed a truce since 2002 but talks have been stalled since April 2003. … (BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/))
South Asia: South Asia Terrorism Update (http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news.asp?date1=12/16/2005) (South Asia Terrorism Portal (http://www.satp.org))
Sri Lanka: Security Situation Report (http://www.army.lk/news/index.html). (Sri Lanka Army (http://www.army.lk))

East Asia and the Pacific

The Philippines: Negotiators hold meeting to prevent military-MILF rift (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/dec/17/yehey/top_stories/20051217top9.html) - Government negotiators talking peace with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, on Friday briefed senior security leaders on the progress of the negotiations. This was a government effort to calm down a brewing rift between the military and the MILF. The military has accused the MILF of violating a four-year-old truce. It claims to have uncovered secret MILF training courses and massive recruitment in at least 8 provinces and towns in the southern Philippines. The rebel group has strongly denied this.… (Manila Times (http://www.manilatimes.net))
Indonesia/Thailand: Indonesia to propose joint patrol (http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/16Dec2005_news04.php) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia will propose a joint naval patrol with Thailand aimed at suppressing arms smuggling to Indonesia and militants creating unrest in Thailand's deep South. Gen Yudhoyono has been visiting Thailand yesterday and today at the invitation of the Thai government.… (Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.net))
Papua New Guinea/Australia: Australia Helps Strengthen PNG Defence Force (http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=5327) - Australia will continue to help the Papua New Guinea Government to reform and strengthen its Defence Force and will focus on increasing PNG’s regional counter terrorism capabilities over the next year.… (Australian Department of Defence (http://www.defence.gov.au))

[Airbornelawyer]

Europe

Denmark: Mobil kampkraft til Hæren (http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/Nyt+og+Presse/Mobil+kampkraft+til+Hæren.htm) - I dag har Hærens Materielkommando indgået kontrakt med det svenske firma BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds om køb af 45 infanterikampkøretøjer af typen CV9035. Køretøjerne skal styrke kampkraft, mobilitet, deployeringsevne og personelbeskyttelse ved dansk deltagelse i internationale operationer.…

Mobile Combat Capability for the Army - The Army Material Command entered into a contract today with the Swedish firm BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds for the purchase of 45 infantry combat vehicles of the type CV9035. The vehicles will strengthen combat capability, mobility, deployability and personnel protection for Danish participation in international operations.

Danish Armed Forces Command (http://forsvaret.dk/FKO)
Russia/Chechnya: 300 militants destroyed in Chechnya this year - FSB (http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=2729497&PageNum=0) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said more than 300 militants were destroyed when resisting arrest in Chechnya this year, including their leaders Maskhadov, Avdorkhanov, Daudov and Chitigov. Al Qaeda representatives in the North Caucasus Abu-Dzeit, Abu Omar, Abu Jarah, Jaber and organizers of underground extremist groups operating in various parts of the region - Abubakarov, Debeshev, Madayev, Tambulatov and Eskiyev - have also been destroyed, FSB director Nikolai Patrushev said at a meeting with media representatives on Friday. In Dagestan, law-enforcement neutralized gang leaders Makasharipov and Ismailov.… (ITAR/TASS (http://www.tass.ru))
Russia: Fifth Russian regiment, armed with Topol-M missiles, goes on duty (http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=2729186&PageNum=0) - Russia has boosted its Strategic Missile Forces /RVSN/ [Рвсн - Ракетные войска стратегического назначения] with the next, fifth regiment equipped with sophisticated Topol-M missiles. The regiment went on duty at the Tatishchevskaya division in Saratov Region, RVSN commander Col-Gen Nikolai Solovtsov told reporters on Friday. As of now, the RVSN has 50 newest silo-based and mobile Topol-M missiles that make the core of the country's firepower.… (ITAR/TASS (http://www.tass.ru))
Georgia (the other one)/USA: Marines train Republic of Georgia battalion staff (http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=791) - Between the Caspian and Black Seas, walled by the ancient Caucus Mountains, there is a sprawling and sleepy valley blanketed by the sweet, pungent smell of sage where two groups, born sworn enemies during the Cold War, came together in unity to defeat an evil foe. As partners in the Global War on Terror, Marines of the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program U.S. Task Force finished training the former-Soviet Republic of Georgia 22nd Light Infantry Battalion staff here today. The 22nd Light Infantry Battalion troops will form part of the dedicated force called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 to protect UN forces in Iraq. … (U.S. European Command (http://www.eucom.mil/))
Georgia (the other one again): 22nd Battalion Graduate SSOP Training (http://www.mod.gov.ge/?l=E&id=56) - 22nd Light Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade celebrated its graduation from Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (SSOP) training. The graduation ceremony was held at Krtsanisi National training center today. 558 soldiers completed the four-month long training course conducted by U.S. instructors. The training program provided under SSOP included physical and combat training, training in shooting, topography and modern tactical elements. This is the second Georgian battalion trained within the framework of SSOP - the joint U.S. and Georgian military assistance program. Georgian 23rd battalion trained under the same program is now serving in Iraq. In January, 2006, 22nd Battalion will receive pre-deployment training and leave for peacekeeping mission in Iraq by the end of March, replacing the 23rd Battalion of 2nd infantry Brigade now serving in Baghdad. … (Georgian Ministry of Defense (http://www.mod.gov.ge/))

Africa

Ethiopia/Eritrea: UNMEE monitoring tense border despite setbacks (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/1b8fc265089b131f75fc4b01d34bd744.htm) - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) is continuing to monitor the tense border between the two countries despite restrictions on operations and the expulsion of some of its staff, a senior UN official said.… (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))
Sierra Leone: UN troops bid farewell to Freetown (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4532100.stm) - The last United Nations troops left Sierra Leone on Thursday following a five-year mission which faced military disaster when it began, but ultimately succeeded in ending one of Africa's most brutal wars. Pakistani UN troops are flying home from the capital Freetown following a ceremony at which the UN symbolically handed over some of its equipment to the Sierra Leone government.… (BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/))
Burundi: UN to start troop pullout on Wednesday (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/2c0b2b9000ee5c99140ca1aa19e20fdf.htm) - Some 180 soldiers in a Mozambican contingent are set to leave Burundi on Wednesday, marking the start of the withdrawal of the UN Mission there known as ONUB.... (Reuters Alertnet (http://www.alertnet.org))

The Americas

The Americas: USSOUTHCOM Headline News (http://www.southcom.mil/pa/News/AOR%20News/Today's%20News.doc) (Microsoft Word format)
The Americas: NOTIMIL: Prensa al Día (http://www.portal.fuerzasarmadasecuador.org/espanol/mostrarweb.php?id=151), defense and military news related to Ecuador and the Americas, provided by the Fuerzas Armadas Ecuatoriana (http://www.fuerzasarmadasecuador.org/). In Spanish.
The Americas: Destaques da Imprensa (https://www.defesa.gov.br/enternet/sitios/internet/clipping/index.php), defense and military news related to Brazil and the Americas, provided by the Ministério da Defesa (http://www.defesa.gov.br/). In Portuguese.
Chile: Chili Koopt Achttien F-16's Luchtmacht (http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2005/12/20051216_falcon.aspx) - Op de vliegbasis Leeuwarden is vandaag in aanwezigheid van de Chileense Minister van Defensie, Jaime Ravinet de la Fuente, en Staatssecretaris Cees van der Knaap een overeenkomst getekend voor de verkoop van achttien F-16´s aan Chili. De toestellen worden, na vliegklaar gemaakt te zijn, in 2006 en 2007 overgedragen. …

Chile Purchases 18 Air Force F-16s - At the Leeuwarden Air Force Base today, in the presences of the Chilean Minister of Defense, Jaime Ravinet de la Fuente, and State Secretary for Defense Cees van der Knaap, an agreement was signed for the sale of 18 F-16s to Chile. The aircraft will be transferred in 2006 and 2007, after being made flight-ready.

Ministerie van Defensie (http://www.mindef.nl/)
Bolivia: Bolivia candidate 'US nightmare' (http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4534332.stm) - The leftist front-runner for Sunday's election in Bolivia, Evo Morales, has ended his campaign saying his movement is "a nightmare for the United States". Mr Morales has vowed to end free-market policies and legalise the growing of coca, which has traditional uses but is also used in the production of cocaine.… (BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/))
Colombia: Mindefensa lanza nueva campaña de desmovilización en navidad. “Recuperé mi lugar” (http://alpha.mindefensa.gov.co/index.php?page=181&id=3144&PHPSESSID=7a496f5ccf5346d1e69826a7599decf7) - Con testimonios reales de desmovilizados, quienes en esta navidad podrán compartir en familia, el Ministerio de Defensa lanza hoy una nueva campaña para motivar a los integrantes de los grupos al margen de la ley, a abandonar las armas y acogerse al programa gobierno nacional. La campaña “Recuperé mi lugar“, pretende que los ilegales aprovechen las fiestas de fin de año para darse la oportunidad de volver a empezar y recuperar su lugar no sólo en sus hogares sino también en la sociedad.... (Ministerio de Defensa Nacional (http://www.mindefensa.gov.co/))

[Airbornelawyer]

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

Russia
MINISTER PLEDGES BOOST IN NEW WEAPONS SPENDING...
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said in Moscow on 15 December that the "state defense order" in 2006 will amount to $8.27 billion, up $1.88 billion for this year, Interfax reported. He argued that "this will allow the spending of 70 percent of the funds on the procurement of new armaments and military hardware, or comprehensive upgrades" of current hardware.
...AS ARMS EXPORTS ALSO RISE
Mikhail Dmitriev, who heads the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service, said in Moscow on 15 December that Russia is steadily increasing its arms sales abroad, Interfax reported. "A very important positive result of this year's work, or, in fact, of all the work we have done over the past five years, is the rapid growth of our portfolio of orders over the past several months," he said. Dmitriev added that "only recently, the figure [for export orders] stood at $15 billion. Now we are approaching $20 billion, with more room for growth in the future." He predicted that actual deliveries will reach $6 billion in 2007. Dmitriev said that India and China account for 70 percent of all sales, adding that "we have made progress [in attracting customers] in the Middle East and North Africa, [and] the situation in Latin America is also changing in our favor."

Transcaucasia And Central Asia
GEORGIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE CONSIDERS BILL SEEKING WITHDRAWAL FROM CIS
The Georgian parliamentary Committee for Foreign Relations began consideration on 15 December of a draft resolution submitted by the opposition Democratic Front faction calling for Georgia's withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Civil Georgia reported. Committee for Foreign Relations Chairman Kote Gabashvili stated that "even if we want to stay in the CIS, it is impossible," explaining that it would be impossible "to be a NATO member state and stay in the CIS simultaneously." The committee then adopted a resolution instructing the Economy Ministry to submit a study on the possible economic repercussions from a withdrawal from the CIS. The Georgian Foreign Ministry was also instructed to submit information studying the implications of a pullout on bilateral trade and tax agreements with CIS member states.
NATO ENVOY OFFERS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR RUSSIAN MILITARY WITHDRAWAL FROM GEORGIA
In comments during a Russian radio interview on 14 December, NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons stated that NATO can partially finance the process of the pullout of Russian military bases from Georgia, Civil Georgia reported. The NATO envoy explained that "since the agreement on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia already exists, we can cover a part of the withdrawal expenses." According to the terms of the 30 May joint declaration signed by the Russian and Georgian foreign ministers, Russia has pledged to remove its two remaining bases in Georgia by 2008. Although Simmons also noted that Georgia is the only country in the region which has officially expressed a willingness to join NATO, he said "this will take some time." That statement follows a similar disclaimer in late November by NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer warning that although NATO's "door is open," Georgia still has "a long way to go" in meeting NATO standards.

Eastern Europe
MINSK POLICE TO VISIT HOMES IN SANTA SUITS
Police in Minsk will soon launch a holiday season campaign to improve their tough image by making random early evening visits to homes dressed "in an unexpected costume" (typically, Father Christmas and a female assistant), dpa reported on 15 December, citing Interfax. The program is called "Who's There? It's the Policeman Santa Claus!" and will run from 19-23 December. The callers will ask "security related" questions and award gifts for correct answers, according to the police. One goal of the project is to "raise the level of security-consciousness among Minsk citizens," and home owners "will have the opportunity to place their residences in police registers from the comfort of their own sofas." The police announcement concluded that "a visit from 'Santa in a police uniform' will be a special holiday for any little Minsk residents in the house." The police and security forces in Belarus are not known for having a cuddly image.

Southwestern Asia And The Middle East
BOSNIAN SERBS TO DONATE WEAPONS TO AFGHANISTAN
Republika Srpska Defense Minister Milovan Stankovic has proposed to donate surplus weapons to Afghanistan, the Banja Luka daily "Nezavisne Novine" reported on 15 December. If the proposal is accepted by Bosnian Serb authorities, the Afghan government would receive thousands of automatic rifles and several hundred machine guns. The surplus weapons were to destroyed, Stankovic said. According to a report the United States proposed that the Bosnian Serb forces send their surplus weapons to Afghanistan.