Posted on 11/21/2005 3:39:36 PM PST by Gucho
Monday, November 21, 2005
Australian Prime Minister John Howard made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday and met President Hamid Karzai, Afghan officials said.
THANKS Gucho for these threads and for all who are serving to protect our country. We are thankful!
By Donna Miles - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2005 – President Bush today thanked the people of Mongolia for helping bring about "a stunning transformation" in Iraq that he said is introducing freedom and democracy to people who had lived under tyranny and terror.
Bush became the first U.S. president to visit Mongolia, where he met with President Nambaryn Enkhbayar inside a ceremonial tent and inspected a Mongolian color guard before delivering an address at the Government House in Ulaanbaatar.
The president praised Mongolia for making its own transformation to democracy and an open economy, and said it has set an example for other countries around the world.
"Many of you still recall the exhilaration of voting freely for the first time after decades of tyranny" and of electing leaders and living under a constitutional that guarantees personal liberties, Bush told the crowd. "And now, because of the courage of Mongolian and coalition forces, the people of Iraq know this feeling as well."
In September, Mongolia sent its fifth rotation of forces to Iraq, where they are serving "with courage and great distinction," Bush said. Mongolian forces also are helping to train the Afghan military.
The president singled out two Mongolia soldiers, Sts. Azzaya and Sambuu-Yondon, who risked their lives to stop a suicide bomber who was attempting to drive a truck full of explosives into a coalition mess tent in Iraq. As the truck hurtled toward them, the soldiers opened fire, killing the terrorist before he could strike.
"As commander in chief of the United States armed forces, I thank these brave Mongolian soldiers, and all who have served on the front lines of the war on terror," Bush said. "The Mongolian armed forces are serving the cause of freedom and the United States armed forces are proud to serve beside such fearless warriors."
Like the communism that gripped Mongolia for decades, Islamic radicalism that terrorizes Iraq and other countries around the world will fail, Bush said. "Free people did not falter in the Cold War, and free people will not falter in the war on terror," he said.
"We see the determination to live in freedom in the courage of Iraqi and Afghan citizens who defied the terrorists to cast their ballots," he said. "And we've seen it in the daily courage of the Mongolian people who claimed their freedom 15 years ago, and are now standing with others across the world to help them do the same."
Bush announced Mongolia's eligibility for assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account, a new U.S. program that helps countries continue their ongoing reforms.
In addition, Mongolia will receive $11 million under the new U.S. Solidarity Initiative, which helps countries supporting the war on terror improve their military forces, the president said.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld visited Mongolia on Oct. 22, when he praised the country's peacekeeping efforts and expressed personal thanks to almost 200 Mongolian soldiers who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"You are a sovereign nation, and you made a choice," Rumsfeld said of Mongolia's decision to support the war on terror during his visit to Ulaanbaatar. "It showed political courage, and it showed personal courage on the part of your troops."
(Note: Computer is acting erratic :(
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2005 – A combined security patrol of Afghan National Army and coalition soldiers located and attacked enemy forces Nov. 20 northwest of Deh Rawood, military officials reported.
The combined patrol called in close-air support, which engaged enemy positions. Initial battle damage assessment is being conducted to define enemy losses, officials said. No coalition or Afghan forces were killed or injured during the engagement.
"The enemy cannot withstand or defeat Afghan and U.S. firepower," said Brig. Gen. James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force 76 deputy commanding general for operations. "These combined coalition patrols continue to build the experience, capability and confidence of the Afghan national security forces.
"They lead the fight against the enemies of their nation and will not rest until Afghanistan is free from those who advocate attacks against innocent civilians, freely elected officials and Islamic clerics," the general continued. "Working together with our Afghan counterparts, we will not give the enemies of this nation a moment's rest."
Coalition aircraft flew 21 close-air-support and armed-reconnaissance sorties Nov. 20 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities, and the conduct of presence-route patrols.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber struck enemy militia targets near Kandahar. Air Force A-10 jets provided close-air support to coalition forces in contact with insurgents near Asadabad, Deh Rawood and Oruzgan.
In addition, three U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Also, Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a nontraditional ISR role.
In other news, the Afghan National Army wrapped up a major training exercise called Operation Atal Wali near Kandahar last week.
They concluded with a sense that the Afghan soldiers had gained experience in marksmanship and ground combat operations and that their leaders are now more experienced with headquarters operation.
"This training was an important building block for the Afghan army in their step toward spearheading in the fight for democracy in Afghanistan," Champion said. "U.S. forces use realistic situations and training exercises to enhance the knowledge of the Afghan forces as they take on today's modern battlefield and enemy."
The Afghan Army leadership was placed under the same standards of performance that U.S. forces are held to in the same types of exercises, officials said.
The two-part exercise started Nov. 12. It consisted of a live-fire training exercise for Afghan soldiers functioning in different-sized elements from squad level up to battalion level. The objective, officials said, was for the soldiers to learn to fire their weapons in a coordinated manner and therefore be more effective in their operations.
The second part was a command post exercise aimed at teaching the Kandak battalion staff the military decision-making process and how to react to different combat situations. The battalion staff officers from the 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps, had never had training this involved and as detailed before, according to Afghan Maj. Azm ul-Din, the Kandak operations officer.
At the end of the training, Afghan officers developed a battalion-level operation and briefed their plan to Afghan Maj. Gen. Muslim Amed, 205th Corps commander.
The exercise involved more then 500 Afghan soldiers and nearly 100 U.S. forces.
(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)
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Bump - Thank you Cindy.
The current time in (UTC/GMT) is Here. 
I listened to the speech, I did a quick perusal of his remarks, (thanks Gucho) and I have not found those words.
I LOATHE the media.
You're very welcome Gucho.
Mon Nov 21, 2005 - 8:23 PM ET
By Irwin Arieff
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Middle East leaders want Syria to cooperate with a U.N. inquiry into the killing of a former Lebanese leader but fear a U.N. confrontation with Damascus could lead to "another Iraq," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday.
During a recent tour of the region, every capital Annan visited wanted to see Syria convinced to cooperate through diplomatic means rather than via a change in regime or military action as occurred in neighboring Iraq, Annan told reporters.
The region's leaders "are all concerned and anxious to see Syria cooperate and to see the issue settled diplomatically and not lead to a situation that destabilizes possibly Syria and Lebanon," he said. "They are worried if we are leading to another Iraq situation."
Annan said he assured them the U.N. Security Council wanted only "to get to the truth and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice."
The 15-nation council ordered the U.N. inquiry into the February 14 murder of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in a Beirut truck bombing, and also demanded that Syria cooperate.
Top U.S. leaders have repeatedly warned Syria in recent weeks to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Some U.S. officials have also hinted that Annan was stepping on investigators' toes by pressing for a compromise after Detlev Mehlis, who heads the U.N. inquiry, insisted on questioning six top Syrian officials in Lebanon -- where he has the power to detain suspects -- and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad refused.
But Annan defended calls he made last week to Assad in search of agreement on a site where Mehlis could question the officials.
Mehlis ultimately rejected the compromise proposed by Assad and Annan -- that he use U.N. offices in the Golan Heights.
Talks on a site are continuing
Mehlis is working against a December 15 deadline for completing his inquiry. But diplomats say he could go back to the council before that date if he concludes Syria is not cooperating.
The United States launched an invasion of Iraq in March 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein after accusing Baghdad of violating council resolutions insisting it rid itself of all weapons of mass destruction. No such arms turned up afterward.
"Mehlis is carrying out his work professionally and competently. I have had the chance to assist him sometimes," Annan said. "It is my duty as secretary-general to do whatever I can to assist to make sure that everybody cooperates."
© Reuters 2005
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- Three bomb explosions occured Monday in Pakistani tribal belt, bordering Afghanistan, wounded at least five security officials and caused property damage, said officials.
First explosion took place in a security checkpost near a petrol pump in Mir Ali village, about 40 kilometers east of Miramshah, the main headquarters of North Waziristan tribal agency, said Shahid Nasim, Assistant political agent.
He said the explosion wounded five security officials on duty and two of them are said to be in critical condition.
Second and third explosions, he went on to say, were reported near two Scouts checkposts in Haider Khel village.
He didnt blame any group but suspected Islamic militants behind the latest attacks, taking place when the nation is trying to revive from quake destruction.
BEIRUT, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- Lebanon's Hezbollah movement announced Monday that three of its militiamen were killed in clashes today with Israeli forces in the volatile Shebaa farms area in South Lebanon.
A statement released by Hezbollah said "resistance repulsed an Israeli force comprising of two military vehicles of the Hammer model, while penetrating the Lebanese side of the village of Ghajar at 14.54 p.m. This ended up in destroying the two vehicles as well killing and wounding a number of Israeli army members." It added that later "the resistance launched an attack on Al-Abbasiya post. The attack ended up in destroying two tanks and an arms carrier. The Israeli forces expanded the area of confrontations by launching air strikes on a number of Hezbollah positions.
The South Lebanese Shebaa Farms remained a source of tension ever since Israel ended its 22-year occupation of south Lebanon in 2000.
The confrontations came on the eve of Lebanon's independence anniversary and amid political instability in Israel on the heels of a call by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's for organizing early elections.
By SGT Dennis Gravelle
MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, Nov. 21, 2005.) -- Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 65 suspected terrorists and seized weapons during operations in northern Iraq Nov 14-19.
Iraqi Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division wounded and detained one individual after observing him with a weapon and hand grenade in Tal Afar Nov 14. The individual was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Iraqi Police detained an individual attempting to emplace an improvised explosive device in Tal Afar Nov 14. Iraqi Army Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division confiscated weapons during a raid in Tal Afar Nov 15. Iraqi Army
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Division detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity in Tal Afar Nov 16. Suspects are in custody with no ISF injuries reported.
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 13 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during separate operations in and near Tal Afar Nov 17-18.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity and seized a weapons cache during separate operations in Tal Afar Nov 15-19.
Soldiers from 4th Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained nine individuals suspected of terrorist activity near the Syrian border Nov 15. Soldiers from 1st Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity at a checkpoint near the Syrian Boarder Nov 18. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment detained 11 individuals suspected of terrorist activity and seized several thousand U.S. dollars during separate operations in Mosul Nov 15-18. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment detained 17 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during separate operations in Mosul Nov 15-18. Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment seized a weapons cache during a search operation northeast of Qayyarah Nov 15.
Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment detained five individuals suspected of terrorist activity and seized several thousand U.S. dollars during separate operations in Mosul Nov 14. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
(Editor’s note: SGT Dennis Gravelle serves with Task Force Freedom, Multinational Force Northwest PAO.)
Update: Monday, November 21, 2005 - 10:25pm (AEDT)
A terrorist group once led by master bombmaker Azahari Husin is struggling for funds and now depends on selling mobile phone vouchers to get by, Indonesia's police chief said on Monday.
Azahari, one of Asia's most wanted men, was gunned down by counter-terrorism police at his hide-out in East Java on November 9.
Police chief General Sutanto told a parliamentary commission that Azahari's group was short of cash.
"They are now in financial difficulties and their only funding comes from the sales of telephone vouchers, with a profit of about 5 million rupiah ($A678) per day," Gen Sutanto said.
He said the group had in the past received funding from Saudi Arabia but police had in 2003 arrested a man through which the funds were sent.
"With this, their source of funding was disrupted," he said without giving details.
Azahari and his Malaysian compatriot Noordin Mohammed Top, who is still on the run, were leading members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) regional extremist group.
They are among the key figures blamed by authorities for bombings on the resort island of Bali, which killed 202 people in 2002, and for attacks there last month in which 20 died.
Gen Sutanto also said police have identified the man who was killed alongside Azahari during the raid on their hide-out.
Police had earlier identified him as Arman, alias Budi Darmawan, a disciple of Azahari who had also been trained in bombmaking.
"His real name is actually Agus Puryanto," Gen Sutanto said.
He said Puryanto, 24, was registered as a student of a state Islamic university in the Central Java city of Solo and had been living with an uncle near the city.
Sutanto did not say how the identification had been made.
-AFP
November 21, 2005
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Afghan National Army soldiers wrapped up a major training exercise called Operation Atal Wali near Kandahar last week.
They concluded with a sense that the Afghan soldiers had gained experience in marksmanship and ground combat operations and that their leaders are now more experienced with headquarters operation.
"This training was an important building block for the Afghan Army in their step toward spearheading in the fight for democracy in Afghanistan ," said Brig. Gen. James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force-76 deputy commanding general for operations. "U.S. forces use realistic situations and training exercises to enhance the knowledge of the Afghan forces as they take on today’s modern battlefield and enemy."
The Afghan Army leadership was placed under the same standards of performance that U.S. forces are held to in the same types of exercises.
The two-part exercise started Nov. 12. It consisted of a live-fire training exercise for Afghan soldiers functioning in different sized elements from squad level and up to battalion level. The objective was for them to learn to fire their weapons in a coordinated manner and therefore be more effective in their operations.
The second part was a command post exercise aimed at teaching the Kandak battalion staff the military decision-making process and how to react to different combat situations. The battalion staff officers from the 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps had never had training this involved and as detailed before, according to Afghan Maj. Azm ul-Din, the Kandak operations officer.
At the conclusion of the training, Afghan officers developed a battalion-level operation and briefed their plan to Afghan Maj. Gen. Muslim Amed, the 205th Corps commander.
The exercise involved more then 500 Afghan soldiers and nearly 100 U.S. forces.
Source : COMBINED FORCES COMMAND - AFGHANISTAN COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
Al-Queda transferring bio-attack expertise to Pakistan based terror organizations to attack India
Sudhir Chadda
Nov. 21, 2005
Al-Queda according to some international think tanks may be testing their bio-terror expertise on India. For that they may be transferring the know how to Pakistan based terror organizations to attack India.
According to media reports, biological terror attack by Al-Qaeda poses a "clear and present danger", Interpol warned on Monday at the opening of a three-day meeting to prevent bio-terrorism.
"Al-Qaeda's global network...its deadly history, its desire to do the unthinkable and the evidence collected about its bio-terrorist ambitions ominously portend a clear and present danger of the highest order that Al-Qaeda will perpetrate a biological terror attack," said Interpol Secretary General Ron Noble.
"Al-Qaeda has openly claimed the right to kill four million people using biological and chemical weapons," said Noble, adding that "no region in the world is safe from Al-Qaeda."
"Simply put, Al-Qaeda is willing, able and patient enough to plan and prepare to execute terrorists acts that would have been considered unrealistic or fantasy prior to Al-Qaeda's having perpetrated them," said Noble.
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