Operation Phantom Fury--Day 215 - Now Operations River Blitz; Matador--Day 110

Families and friends wait and cheer loudly as the USS Bonhomme Richard moors to the pier at Naval Station San Diego, Calif., June 6, 2005. The USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group returned from a six-month deployment in support of the war on terror. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Prince A. Hughes III

President George W. Bush speaks about the renewal of expiring portions of the controversial Patriot Act while visiting a police training center in Columbus, Ohio, June 9, 2005. Bush urged the U.S. Congress to renew major provisions of the USA Patriot Act and rejected critics who have complained the post-Sept. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Bush Presses Congress to Renew Patriot Act

By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - President Bush, facing efforts by some in his own party to scale back the post-Sept. 11 Patriot Act, says it has made America safer and should be made permanent.

"The Patriot Act closed dangerous gaps in America's law enforcement and intelligence capabilities, gaps the terrorists exploited when they attacked us on September the 11th," Bush said.

Lawmakers responded to the 2001 attacks by overwhelmingly approving the law 45 days later. It allowed expanded surveillance of terror suspects, increased use of material witness warrants to hold suspects incommunicado and permitted secret proceedings in immigration cases.

Now, more than a dozen provisions are set to expire. Those provisions, among other things, provide authority for nationwide search warrants, enable the FBI and intelligence agencies to share information about terrorism cases and gave the FBI the power to obtain records in terrorism-related cases from entities such as libraries.

During Bush' 2004 re-election campaign, he made preserving the law a common refrain, but he has rarely spoken of it since. His renewed focus came as Congress has begun working on the act's renewal amid fresh criticisms — from members of both parties — that it undermines basic freedoms.

Bush pressured Congress to make the expiring provisions permanent. His administration also is seeking greater powers for the FBI to subpoena records in terrorism investigations without the approval of a judge or grand jury.

"My message to Congress is clear: Terrorist threats against us will not expire at the end of the year and neither should the protections of the Patriot Act," Bush told more than 100 law enforcement officers.

The president credited the law with helping to bring federal charges against more than 400 suspects — more than half of whom have been convicted — and to break up terror cells in New York, Oregon, Virginia and Florida.

He spoke at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy to highlight the case of a Columbus man, Iyman Faris, who was accused of plotting attacks on a New York bridge and a Midwest shopping mall but was tracked down with the help of the Patriot Act.

Bush said Faris met Osama bin Laden in 2000 at an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan. Later, he received instructions from top terror leader Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to destroy the Brooklyn Bridge. Now, because of the Patriot Act, Bush said, Faris has provided information about al-Qaida and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved revisions to the law that would give the FBI the expanded administrative subpoena powers the Bush administration has been seeking.

But much of the debate in Congress so far has focused on possible limits to the law.

Sens. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., want to tighten standards for the law's so-called "sneak and peek" warrants issued without immediate notification of the target and for "roving" wiretaps, and to exempt libraries from provisions that allow FBI expanded access to records.

The administration has warned that the Craig-Durbin bill would draw a Bush veto. The president did not repeat that threat, but he singled out the roving wiretap as an "especially important" tool that has been used successfully for years against drug dealers and others.

Bush also sought to defend the law by citing Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., who said she has looked into the administration's use of the Patriot Act and found no abuses.

"Remember that the next time you hear someone make an unfair criticism of this important, good law," Bush said.

Lisa Graves, the ACLU's senior counsel for legislative strategy, said the lack of a documented case of abuse doesn't mean the law doesn't violate civil liberties. She said the Justice Department's inspector general reported that 7,000 people have complained of abuse and countless others don't even know they've been subjected to a search because the law requires that they be kept secret.

The ACLU wants the government to show evidence of a connection to terrorist activity before being allowed to search records.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visits a high school in Gaza City in this photo released by the Palestinian Authority Press Office June 9, 2005. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met leaders of militant groups and political factions in the occupied Gaza Strip on June 9 to salvage a truce with Israel that has been hit by a flare-up of violence. (Reuters - Handout)

Abbas wins fresh truce commitment in Gaza talks

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

Thu Jun 9, 4:50 PM ET

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won a commitment from militant groups in the occupied Gaza Strip on Thursday to maintain a truce with Israel that has been hit by a flare-up of violence.

Abbas sealed the pledge in talks with leaders of 14 Palestinian political factions including the Islamic militant group Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad. But militants said they would still respond to any Israeli attacks.

"When we behave wisely we will be the winners and we will put Israel in the corner, rather than have Israel put us in the corner," Abbas, calling on militant groups not to take unilateral action, said later on Palestinian television.

Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier over Gaza throughout the talks, which came a day after an Israeli aircraft fired three missiles at a Palestinian rocket crew in Gaza in response to mortar fire at a Jewish settlement.

That was the latest escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence since Abbas coaxed militants into the truce he agreed with Israel in February. Israel wants Abbas to enforce calm to ease a planned Israeli pullout from Gaza starting in August.

"So far we are committed to calm ... but if they (the Israelis) violate it, we will respond. If they abide by it, we will abide by it," said Khaled al-Batsh, an Islamic Jihad leader.

Officials from Hamas, which is sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state, said the group would also maintain calm if Israel did the same. But a Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said: "There will be a reaction to every (Israeli) assault."

In the latest flare-up, militants vowed revenge after Israeli forces killed an Islamic Jihad leader and a Palestinian policeman in the West Bank on Tuesday. The army said the militant had planned to dispatch suicide bombers.

A Palestinian man (C) stands in front of Israeli soldiers and settlement security personnel after he was suspected of carrying an explosive device near the settlement of Neve Dekailm, part of Gush Katif settlement bloc, Gaza Strip, June 9, 2005. Israel's highest court on June 9 rejected a bid by Jewish settlers to overturn legislation underpinning Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza, clearing the last major legal hurdle to a pullout in August. Photo by Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Rocket and mortar fire by militants later killed two Palestinian farm workers and a Chinese laborer at a settlement in Gaza.

Israel has held off on any large-scale military response apparently because of its reluctance to inflame the situation, which could complicate its Gaza pullout plans.

PRESSURE FROM HAMAS

Hamas says it is committed to the truce, which has sharply reduced violence but not stopped it altogether.

But the group is furious over Abbas's decision to postpone Palestinian legislative elections that had been scheduled for July 17 and in which it had been expected to mount a serious challenge to Fatah's dominance in parliament.

Israeli officials believe the latest mortar and rocket attacks are Hamas's message to Abbas of the clout it wields.

Israeli security guards run for cover as they stop a Palestinian man (unseen), who was suspected of carrying an explosive device near the settlement of Neve Dekailm, part of Gush Katif settlement bloc, Gaza Strip June 9, 2005. Israel's highest court on Thursday rejected a bid by Jewish settlers to overturn legislation underpinning Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza, clearing the last major legal hurdle to a pullout in August. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Abbas, under pressure to set a fresh date for the legislative ballot, agreed at the meeting to urge parliament in writing to approve an election law in line with understandings reached with factions in ceasefire talks in Cairo in March.

The elections are not expected to be held before Israel completes its evacuation of all 21 settlements in Gaza and four of 120 in the West Bank in a plan Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon bills as "disengagement" from conflict with Palestinians.

Speaking on television, Abbas said he would press Sharon, at a meeting scheduled for June 21, for clarifications over whether Israel would also withdraw from a Gaza border corridor with Egypt, where militants smuggle in weapons through tunnels.

He said the issue of safe passage arrangements, via Israel, for Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank and criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails would also be on the agenda.

"When we talked with the Israelis and the Americans we told them that we do not want a withdrawal that will turn Gaza into a big prison," Abbas said.

An Israeli girl pats her horses at the settlement of Pe'at Sadeh, part of theGush Katif settlement bloc, Gaza Strip, June 9, 2005. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun (L) waves upon arriving at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, June 9, 2005. Roh will meet U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington on Friday at a time when the two allies are cautiously weighing signs that North Korea could end a year-long boycott of six-country diplomatic talks on its nuclear ambitions. REUTERS/Hyungwon Kang

S.Korea's Roh arrives in US for Bush talks on North

By Martin Nesirky

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun arrived in Washington on Thursday for a crucial meeting with President Bush that will focus on North Korea's nuclear aims and how to better coordinate their approach to the crisis.

With communist North Korea watching, the task for Roh and Bush will be to close ranks after discordant statements that Pyongyang has exploited to try to divide the allies and evade blame for ratcheting up the nuclear dispute, analysts say.

Differences go well beyond the nuclear crisis to the heart of a relationship that was forged during the 1950-53 Korean War, but has been strained as new generations, particularly in South Korea under reformist Roh, reassess the alliance.

"When President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea sees President Bush of the United States in Washington on June 10, relations between the two nations will be worse than at any time since Americans and South Koreans fought, bled and died together in the Korean War," wrote analyst Richard Halloran in South Korea's JoongAng Daily newspaper this week.

Even Roh says there are differences. But he told U.S. and South Korean military commanders Wednesday that Washington and Seoul agreed on most things, and that most South Koreans knew their prosperity as Asia's third-largest economy derived in large measure from U.S. support over the years.

Roh arrived at an Air Force base outside Washington. He returns to Seoul after the meeting with Bush on Friday.

Given the limited time together -- about an hour of talks followed by lunch -- the focus for Roh and Bush will be on North Korea. Analysts and officials say the presidents must use their fourth meeting to send a clear message of solidarity.

The two allies are cautiously weighing signs that North Korea could end a year-long boycott of six-country diplomatic talks on its nuclear ambitions. They are also trying to figure out whether North Korea is about to test a nuclear weapon.

"We're hopeful that North Korea will come back to those talks at an early date without any preconditions," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan, traveling with the president to Columbus, Ohio, Thursday.

"That's the message that we're all sending to North Korea -- all the other parties want to see North Korea come back to the talks so we can talk in a serious way about how to move forward," McClellan added.

LOST FOCUS

In what looked like another carefully timed rhetorical twist, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan told ABC News that Pyongyang had enough atomic bombs to defend itself against a U.S. attack and was building more.

McClellan said such statements "will only further isolate North Korea from the rest of the international community."

"We have managed to lose the focus and that's why North Korea has been able to play this game and drag this out," said Balbina Hwang, a Korea expert at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

"South Koreans mistrust the United States and its motives, and the United States is beginning to mistrust South Korea and its motives," said Hwang.

In tackling this latest nuclear dispute that erupted in October 2002, Washington and Seoul have often sounded less than united despite their stated goal of disarming Pyongyang.

South Korea blanches at talk of economic sanctions or other coercive steps to press Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons. Echoing North Korea's ally China, South Korea urges the United States to be more flexible with the North.

In the United States, comments by Roh and other officials have raised concern that Seoul is tilting away from the alliance toward neutrality, even though South Korea has contributed 3,500 troops to the U.S.-led campaign in Iraq.

The allies have squabbled over how the 32,000 U.S. troops in South Korea might respond to turmoil or collapse in North Korea and to other conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region. There are also differences over trade.

"There is a big gap," Don Oberdorfer of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies told a forum in Seoul Wednesday. "And it is bigger than it was six months ago." (Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Columbus, Ohio, Paul Eckert in Washington, and Jon Herskovitz and Kim Yoo-chul in Seoul)

Bolivian police in riot gear attempt to extinguish a fire during clashes with protesters in Sucre, south of La Paz. Bolivian lawmakers indefinitely postponed an emergency session of Congress to discuss President Carlos Mesa's resignation offer after soldiers shot dead a protester and miners battled police in downtown Sucre.(AFP/Aizar Raldes)

Bolivian Congress cancels emergency meeting as fighting erupts in Sucre

SUCRE, Bolivia (AFP) - Bolivian lawmakers indefinitely postponed an emergency session of Congress to discuss President Carlos Mesa's resignation offer after soldiers shot dead a protester and miners battled police in downtown Sucre.

Senate leader Hormando Vaca Diez suspended the emergency session -- which legislators attempted to hold here after mass protests prevented them from meeting in the capital La Paz -- after the miner's death and as violent clashes broke out in Sucre between protesting miners and troops.

The meeting "was suspended due to lack of guarantees," said conservative senator Ana Maria Flores.

Congressman Guido Anez said that other legislators that had gathered in Sucre fled after the violence erupted. "Many of them have left their hotels, but I cannot say where they were heading," he said.

Vaca Diez himself was rushed under military protection to an unidentified army base, two senators said in separate television interviews.

Coro Mayta, 52, described as a leader in a militant miner union, was shot through the heart as he and scores of other miners tried to overwhelm an army checkpoint in the small town of Yotala, just outside Sucre, a union official said on a Quechua-language radio station.

Another protester received a gunshot wound and was hospitalized, the union official said.

According to the military, the protesters hurled sticks of dynamite as they attacked the checkpoint.

Security forces tried to seal off Sucre to stop demonstrators from entering the city, but miners got through and battled police in the downtown area.

In La Paz, Mesa -- still the country's president -- held an emergency cabinet meeting to consider the new political developments.

And Bolivia's national airline, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano, announced that all domestic flights and some internation flights were suspended "due to the political situation in the country."

International flights will only land in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, the airline said, since the main La Paz has been taken over by protesters.

Additionally, air traffic controllers working at 32 airports announced they were going on an indefinite strike.

Bolivia has seen more than three weeks of violent protests over demands for the nationalization of the natural gas industry and autonomy from its eastern provinces.

Congress was to have met here in the morning, but the meeting was re-scheduled for 6:00 pm (2200 GMT) before being postponed. Police set up two security cordons around the building where the meeting was to be held.

Protest leaders seeking greater distribution of gas wealth in South America's poorest country called on demonstrators to block the new meeting. Troops were at the edge of the city in a bid to stop radical demonstrators entering.

Mesa has called on Vaca Diez -- first in line to succeed him -- and Cossio to step aside to facilitate early presidential elections.

If both did so, that would allow Supreme Court Chief Justice Eduardo Rodriguez to become interim leader and call early elections. Cossio has shown willingness to step aside, but Vaca Diez has not.

Evo Morales, a leftist lawmaker and leader of coca leaf farmers and one of the most influential protest leaders, has urged his backers to ensure that Vaca Diez does not take the country's reins.

"If Hormando Vaca Diez, through political maneuvering, should be president tonight, I call on the Bolivian people to put up fierce resistance to the political mafia, to resist from the fields to the city," said Morales, charging Vaca Diez was loyal to US and multinational business interests.

Bolivia's social meltdown pits poorer Andean regions in and around La Paz against interests in the more modern, relatively prosperous eastern and southern plains, where most of the natural gas wealth is located, plus Beni and Pando provinces.

Demonstrators are demanding new presidential elections, the nationalization of the oil and gas industry and constitutional reform to establish regional autonomy.

Bolivia's armed forces, meanwhile, warned they would take action to halt a breakup of the country amid unrest which the armed forces chief said could become a "national suicide."

"We are appealing for calm on the part of all parties ... and respect for the constitution," said Admiral Luis Aranda, reading a military statement at a press conference.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, pictured 06 June 2005, consolidated his power base as the ruling Baath party replaced many of its veterans at the top with figures close to Syria's leader, at the close of a four-day congress.(AFP/File/Louai Beshara)

Assad consolidates power in Syria as UN warns of new action over Lebanon

Thu Jun 9, 3:41 PM ET

DAMASCUS (AFP) - President Bashar al-Assad consolidated his power base as the ruling Baath party replaced many of its veterans at the top with figures close to Syria's leader, at the close of a four-day congress.

The meeting ended amid news that the heat on Syria could be turned up over its decades-long domination of neighbouring Lebanon.

The 21-member Baath national command was slimmed down to 14 ministers, with Vice Presidents Abdel Halim Khaddam and Zuheir Masharka as well as former defence minister Mustapha Tlass among the veterans making their exit.

The congress pledged to press ahead with reform, adopting the principle of a "social market economy" that would transform the pervasive public sector while supporting the private sector, state television said.

It also recommended a "revision of the electoral law" for holding legislative and local polls, the television said.

And the party called for the formation of "higher council for information" and amendments to the law on publications that lays down prison terms for offenders.

A new press law was expected to allow private media to play an essential role in the future.

As Syria faces international pressure over a clampdown on dissidents and US-led allegations of supporting terror, one banned opposition leader had called the congress "a last chance to change or be changed" by foreign powers.

The congress recommended a new law that would authorize other political parties.

However, parties could not assemble based on "ethnic, religious or regional" grounds, effectively ruling out the Kurdish minority and the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, Syria's two main opposition groups.

The congress marked the 10th meeting of Baath party members since the party based on Arab nationalist and socialist lines took control of Syria four decades ago.

If the regime does not change, banned opposition National Democratic Movement spokesman Abdel Azim said, "Syria will face real danger, the kind that has happened in Iraq."

During debate on Wednesday, some delegates emphasised "the need to pursue dialogue with United States and Europe on different subjects," state-run newspaper Tishrin said.

According to sources close to the participants, some delegates harshly criticised Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara for his dealings with Lebanon and the United States.

They accused Shara of "putting Syria in a dead end" situation by allegedly remaining convinced until the last minute that a UN resolution calling for Syria's military withdrawal from Lebanon would fail to pass.

The resolution was adopted by the Security Council last September and resulted in Syria's withdrawal of its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon that was completed on April 26.

In his opening address, Assad said priority had to be given to improving the living standards of the people and to battling corruption.

According to a joint UN-Syrian report, one in 10 Syrians survives on less than two dollars a day, and the state-controlled economy is plagued by a 12 percent unemployment rate.

While Assad continues as secretary general, there were widespread changes at the top of the Baath.

Among the new faces in the new Baath leadership team were Defence Minister Hassan Turkmani, national intelligence chief Hisham Bakhtiar, an advisor to Assad, Hayssam Satayhi.

Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Hussein and national security chief Mohammed Said Bkhetan kept their places, while parliament speaker speaker Mahmud al-Abrash was among the newcomers.

In New York, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday he may send a verification team back to Lebanon following reports that elements of Syrian intelligence agencies may not have pulled out.

"We are now receiving reports that there may be elements that are still there, and we are considering the possible return of the verification team to ascertain what is going on," Annan told reporters.

U.S. taking harder line toward China — on all fronts

By Sol Sanders - SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM

June 9, 2005

Despite continued pressure to soften it from State, and perhaps CIA, holding up The Pentagon's annual review of the Chinese military [due in March], the Bush Administration's line appears to be hardening. The evidence is apparent on all fronts, economic, strategic and diplomatic.

True, Treasury has let up a bit on Beijing doing something about its undervalued currency. One reason: only an unrealistic whopping reevaluation would affect China's one quarter share of the 2004 U.S. balance of payments deficit [$163 billion]. The Fed's sainted Chairman Greenspan pointed out imports from China would move to other low wage producers. Perhaps even more important, the enormous wages differential between China [and even other Third World producers such as Mexico] is so great, a Chinese currency hike would not cut into them significantly.

Washington has stepped up verbal assault on other economic problems such as notorious Chinese intellectual property piracy. [An Indian IT executive, for example, said a bumper sticker floated in the honeymoon following Chinese Prime Minister Wen's visit touting an Indian software-Chinese hardware IT worldwide juggernaut is a non-starter. He said association with the 90 percent of China's software which is stolen would jeopardize India's outsourcing and investment relationship with the U.S., Europe, and Japan.] A trade association says Chinese theft for moviemakers, software companies and music labels alone was $2.5 billion last year. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez maiden visit was unable to get even token “gift” concessions on this or on textile imports ballooning over last year's $10 billion after China's takeover of other producers' turf when the world textile cartel terminated.

These growing economic concerns increasingly are a backdrop for graver geopolitics. Word that North Korea is ready to come back to the six-power negotiating table, significantly came through bilateral liaison at the UN. It did not come through Beijing. There is an increasing consensus China either doesn't want to or cannot force Pyongyang's hand on the issue of weapons of mass destruction. If Pyongyang does end its year-long absence, it could well be because a new famine threatens and the ever so slowly tightening noose of Japan's Koizumi Administration on its second largest source of non-weapons proliferation income. Nor can it have escaped Pyongyang's attention anonymous Administration have said Washington might go to the UN Security Council with its WMD threat, calling Beijing's bluff to use it veto. In any case, returning to the table is no assurance Pyongyang is ready to give up its nuclear weapons stance. After all, that threat and missiles sales, and perhaps, later, the possibility of selling nukes is making a third-rate, bankrupt, barbarous, tinhorn dictatorship a world player.

In a speech to strategists gathered in Singapore, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld asked the big question. “Since no nation threatens China, one must wonder: Why this growing investment? Why these continuing large and expanding arms purchases? Why these continuing robust deployments?” Rumsfeld went on to talk about the failure of Chinese leadership to offer political participation to its people. That, he said, has proved in other parts of the world to be the only way to produce stable and friendly relations with other powers. But, in fact, Beijing has begun a new crackdown on dissidents and internet communications.

Critical to the relationship is the question of Taiwan, of course. Rumsfeld, as other Administration spokesmen, reiterated the U.S. position – slightly skewed in Sec. Powell's last visit to China when he hinted at American mediation. Washington takes no position except settlement without force. Beijing, of course, determinedly refuses to give up that option, setting up a missiles forest in its southern provinces aimed at Taiwan. Recent romancing between [democratic, unknown on the Mainland, of course] Taiwan opposition politicians by Beijing may have made President Chen's position [dependent on “independence” forces in his own party] more uncomfortable. But they have not altered the basic situation of a Taiwan investing and trading with the Mainland but threatened with destruction. Therefore Taiwan's parliament now faces a rejiggered $18.5 billion defense arms package which The Pentagon thinks is the minimum for insuring its defense credibility.

Beijing has taken note [as Pyongyang certainly has] of the continuing U.S. military forces East Asian redeployment, partially a function of Rumsfeld's post-Cold War “transformation”, the exigencies of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but also of the growing perception of the worrying China enigma. Essential to this array are results of Tokyo and Washington sitting down shortly for the nitty-gritty of strengthening Japanese-U.S. tactical cooperation under what is becoming, in fact, a more mutual defense treaty.

But there are, still, in Washington, two camps: those who believe China's rise as a world power can be “managed”, and those, who believe history [as Donald Kagan has said] give no evidence all the imponderables of such a complex situation can be known much less manipulated. If not, then – the argument of creating an aggressive China by anticipating it notwithstanding – there is nothing left but that old rule of thumb, prepare for the worst, hope for the best. That is increasingly the China line out of this Administration.

Military police supply, train Iraqi Highway Patrol

09 June, 2005 by news

UMM QASSR, Iraq– As coalition forces work to secure the country of Iraq, the U.S. Army’s military police are working to make sure the Iraqi Highway Patrol has the tools it needs to help in the security effort.

Story, Photos by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp

MNC-I – PAO

POLICE

Soldiers from the 503rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C., and the 18th MP Brigade, Mannheim, Germany, are supporting the IHP in all facets, including what they need most – vehicles.

A May 19 convoy showed the diligence of the MPs, as the IHP took home 110 blue and white Chevrolet pickups. The four-door trucks were outfitted with blue and red lights, radio systems and spotlights.

Capt. Robert J. Baker of the 503rd, said the idea of the Iraqi Highway Patrol is a new concept to Iraq, and his unit is tasked with doing everything it can to ensure its success.

“Our main effort is logistically supplying these people,” Baker said. “We’re taking primary responsibility in getting the IHP vehicles and weapons and other logistical supplies they need in order to operate.”

Baker, from Rochester, N.Y., said getting the IHP new vehicles is a key to both forces’ success, because, “Without them, the IHP can’t do their job.”

“These vehicles to the IHPs are just like a (Humvee) to an MP,” Baker said.

“We get them the vehicles and we get them out on the road,” said Baker, who is the civil military operations officer for the 503rd. “The more vehicles we get them, the more apt they are to do their job effectively. The more Iraqi highway patrolmen we can have out on the roads, the bigger impact they are going to make.”

According to Baker this is just the beginning of new vehicles for the IHP. The 503rd is responsible for six IHP stations, with six more coming under their command by September, and Baker said that each IHP station is to be fielded with 35 vehicles.

“There is going to be a projected 35 IHP stations throughout Iraq, and we’re only talking about six – soon to be 12 – falling under us,” Baker said.

Through the use of trucks previously fielded to the IHP, they have been able to take some of the burden off of U.S. forces.

“They’re out there finding (improvised explosive devices,) they’re finding (anti-Iraqi forces,) and they are making a significant contribution by doing their job in the field,” Baker said.

Maj. Muhammad, a platoon leader with the Iraqi Police, said with the help from Baker and Maj. Andy T. Johnson of the 18th MP Bde., the IHP is able to do their job and work toward relieving coalition forces.

“These trucks are going to help out a lot,” said Muhammad, a 15-year veteran of the Iraqi police force. “Before the war, we had junk vehicles sent to us by the Saddam regime, and there was no way we could get this number of vehicles before the war under Saddam. These vehicles are going to do a great job in different provinces around Iraq.”

Muhammad, who acts as a liaison for Johnson and Baker, said that through the training and support received, “The American government is trying to make it happen for us. They support our forces so we can take the responsibility from our friends the Coalition forces. That way we can reach our goal – the Iraqi government goal – of controlling our country with our own forces.”

Along with supplying the force, the 18th and 503rd are responsible for ensuring the policemen of the IHP have the knowledge and skills at their disposal to accomplish their missions.

“We have a training academy that puts out roughly between 150 to 250 Iraqi Highway Patrol officers a month,” Baker said. “It is a 21-day point of instruction for them, and it’s not a monitoring relationship. It’s more a working hand-in-hand relationship.

“We go out on joint patrols with them, and we deal with every facet as far as their operations to make sure they will be set up for success when we start pulling out,” he said.

Future operations for the MPs include a new class of recruits beginning the academy, acquiring more trucks to complete the IHP fleet and the completion of the six new IHP stations.

U.S. freezes assets of Syrian firm - CNN

Thursday, June 9, 2005 Posted: 8:59 PM EDT (0059 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Treasury Department has frozen the assets of a Damascus, Syria-based firm and two of its top officials, claiming they were acting on behalf of Iraq's Saddam Hussein regime.

SES International Corp., Gen. Zuhayr Shalish and Asif Shalish have been designated by the Treasury under an executive order that "is aimed at blocking property of the former Iraqi regime, its senior officials and their family members and those who act for or on their behalf."

The move freezes any assets located in the United States.

"Zuhayr and Asif used SES as a vehicle to put military goods into the hands of Saddam Hussein and his regime, all while evading U.N. sanctions," Stuart Levey, the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a press release issued by the department on Thursday.

The Treasury Department said SES is owned by Zuhayr and managed by Asif. SES functioned as a "false end user" for Saddam Hussein regime, "helping to procure defense-related goods for the Iraqi military."

More

Farewell: TF 2-70 pays respects to fallen comrade

09 June, 2005 by news

TAJI, Iraq – The Thunderbolt Battalion stood in a solemn final formation to pay their last respects to Sgt. Kenneth John Schall as a tribute song composed and performed by his sister reverberated through the ceremony site.

Sgt. Kevin Bromley 3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division PAO

Schall was an armored crewman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division. He was killed when his humvee rolled over after being struck by a local national vehicle while conducting combat operations May 22, 2005.

"Sgt. Kenneth Schall was a patriot who paid the ultimate price to answer his country's call to duty…He was a Soldier, a credit to his unit and to the United States Army," said Col. David J. Bishop commander of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division.

Schall was highly respected by his peers and commanders a Soldier in every sense of the word.

"What can I tell you about SGT Kenny Schall… he was one of the finest soldiers and men produced by the United States," said Capt. David F. Carey commander of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment.

There are men who learn to be leaders and there are others who exude a natural leadership. According to many of his peers, Schall was a natural born leader that people gravitated toward.

"He was one of those Non-Commissioned Officers that you would have sworn had been a Sergeant the entire time he was in the Army," said Carey. He possessed so much natural leadership ability that it was just a pleasure to watch him succeed."

He was more than a member of a unit; he was an integral part of the Thunderbolt family. "I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather have covering my back than Kenny. And I know his soldiers felt the same," said Sgt. Christopher Vargas one of Schall's closest friends.

Schall was what military leaders call a "Go to Guy"; he could be counted on by all. "He is the one you count on when the bullets are flying because he is right behind you covering your flank," said Vargas. "He is the one who relieves you for guard because it’s his turn to keep you safe so you can get some sleep."

Schall believed in what he was doing, he had a drive to make a difference in people's lives.

"I take comfort in knowing that he is doing what he feels is right," said his sister Jessica Schall in an open letter to the Task Force.

He gave his all and was a key element in the continued operations of Task Force 2-70. "Kenny has been one of the true rocks in the success of both Ace and the Task Force over the last two years," said Carey He was a valuable part of Task Force 2-70 and will be missed by all.

"We are all stunned and overwhelmed by this tragedy. We join Kenny’s family in the loss of a treasured member of one of our own," said Lt. Col. Leopoldo Quintas commander of 2nd Battalion.

He said "We are deeply honored to count Kenny Schall among our ranks, proud to have served with him, proud that he will stand with us forever. May our actions serve to continually honor him and those who have gone before us."

Sgt. Schall enlisted in the Army May 19, 2003 and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 3, Feb. 1, 2005. His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Sgt. Kenneth Schall is survived by his mother and father, John and Terri Schall, his brother Mathew, and sister Jessica.

Mom Charged In ID Theft Of Soldier Son

June 9, 2005

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By JULIA SILVERMAN Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. - An Oregon National Guardsman who recently returned from a long tour of duty in Iraq was met with a rude surprise - someone had withdrawn more than $10,000 from his bank account without his knowledge.

Even worse: When police eventually arrested the suspect, it was his mother.

Now, Eugene resident Eleanor Alloway, 51, is facing charges of aggravated theft, identity theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card. Her first court appearance is scheduled for June 23.

Bank surveillance images showed her repeatedly withdrawing money using her son's ATM card, according to Eugene police spokeswoman Kerry Delf.

Authorities think her son's ATM card and pin number came in the mail while he was in Iraq with the 162nd Battalion, which is headquartered in Cottage Grove, Delf said.

The soldier's name was not released, at his request, said Eugene police detective Doug Jordan, an investigator in the agency's financial crimes unit.

Alloway showed little remorse when questioned by police, Jordan said.

"She was not emotional at all," Jordan said. "(There was no) 'I am so sorry I did this, I know it was wrong.' She was very stoic."

Alloway told police that she used the money for video poker, electronic entertainment devices, medical expenses and daily living expenses. She is not being held at the Lane County Jail because of space and financial constraints; instead, she was cited and released, police said.

Any sentence for Alloway could depend in part on her previous criminal record, which Jordan described as "pretty minor, not a property crime or anything."

Kay Fristad, a spokeswoman for the Oregon National Guard, said she had heard of active soldiers being victims of identity theft, but not by their family members.

"You know, I guess anything is possible, if she was checking his mail," Fristad said. "I haven't heard of any other such instances in the Guard."

The 162nd returned in April from Iraq, where they were stationed near Baghdad, going door-to-door to search out insurgents and patrolling for roadside bombs, Fristad said.

Jordan said the bank, Northwest Community Credit Union in Eugene, was able to reimburse the soldier's money.

Sheik leaves Iraq without Wood

Nick Butterly

10jun05

THE sheik attempting to free hostage Douglas Wood has left Iraq, raising concerns his mission may have hit a brick wall.

Sources in Australia confirmed Sheik Taj el-Din el-Hilaly had flown out of Baghdad, most likely for Egypt, the country of his birth.

The sheik had previously said this was to be his last trip to Iraq, and that he would almost certainly leave with Mr Wood. But he left alone, suggesting something may have gone wrong in the negotiations with the kidnappers.

The mufti was quoted a week ago as saying he had seen the engineer, but quickly amended that to say he had seen a new video of him.

One man thought to be close to the sheik said the initial report had had an effect like "throwing a rock into a flock of pigeons" and the hostage-takers had gone to ground.

However, the mufti is said to suffer from heart problems and he may have left to seek treatment.

A spokesman for Mr Wood's family said his brothers, Malcolm and Vernon, were refusing to give up.

Australian government negotiators were provided with "proof of life" last week.

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