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The memory of the Holocaust is fuelling a debate in Germany over involvement in a Lebanon peace force, even before practical steps are taken to create one. It is possible that a peace enforcer would have to fire at an Israeli German newspapers on Wednesday aired a number of arguments for and against sending German soldiers to the Middle East, with the "burden of history" looming large. "History is the past, but the history of the Holocaust belongs to the German present," said the Frankfurter Rundschau. No German soldier should, even theoretically, "be brought into a situation where he has...

U.S. Soldier Killed in Explosion; Marines, Insurgents Fight in Fallujah American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2004 -- One American soldier with the Army's 1st Infantry Division was killed and two others were injured when a remotely detonated improvised explosive device struck their patrol, near Samarra, Iraq, around 12:30 p.m. today. A Multinational Force Iraq news release stated the wounded soldiers were evacuated to a local military facility. No other details of the attack were released. The name of the deceased soldier is being withheld pending next-of- kin notification. Insurgents repeatedly attacked a position held by U.S. Marines...

Senate Committee Grills Nominee for Top Iraq Military Post By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 24, 2004 – The man nominated to command Multinational Force Iraq told senators today that if he decides the coalition needs more troops in Iraq, he will not hesitate to ask for them. If confirmed by the Senate, Army Gen. George Casey will take over the coalition military effort in Iraq at a time when sovereignty is transferred to the interim government. Casey said the relationship between the coalition and the interim government will change. "The relationship will be one of...

Lt. Gen. Sanchez Meets with Security Leaders in Northern IraqStory by Task Force OlympiaMOSUL, IRAQ – Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of Multinational Force-Iraq, visited Mosul Monday to discuss the upcoming transfer of sovereignty on June 30 with Iraqi security officials from throughout Iraq’s three northern provinces – Ninevah, Irbil and Dahuk. Leaders and officials of the Iraqi Security Forces to include the Iraqi National Guard, the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Border Police, the Iraqi Armed Forces, Facilities Protective Services, and other civil defense leaders came from Dahuk, Irbil and other cities to discuss security needs and concerns with...

New Joint Commanders Named American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 15, 2004 – Three Army, Navy and Marine Corps senior officers were nominated today to command joint-service organizations. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. has been named to head Multinational Force Iraq. MNFI, in operation since May 15, "conducts offensive operations to defeat remaining noncompliant forces and neutralize destabilizing influences in Iraq in order to create a secure environment," states that organization's Web site. Casey is currently Army vice chief of staff; his new headquarters is located in Baghdad. Marine Lt. Gen. James E. Cartwright has been nominated for...

Multinational Force Iraq Reports on Operations American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, May 19, 2004 -- Two 1st Infantry Division soldiers died in separate incidents and a Marine assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq's Anbar province died from nonhostile causes May 18, Multinational Force Iraq announced in news releases today. One Soldier was killed by small-arms fire while on patrol near Muqdadiyah around 4:30 p.m. The attacker fired on the patrol from a cemetery, officials said. The second Soldier died after an electrical accident around 6 p.m. at a coalition base near Bayji. Combat lifesavers and medics treated...

Any report on specific changes to U.S. troop levels based in various parts of the world is speculation, because the department still is working with friends and allies around the world on those levels, senior Defense Department officials said at a Pentagon news conference today. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed news reports that final decisions had been made in how to adjust the U.S. military's global "footprint" to better address challenges of the 21st century. DoD began looking at the U.S. global posture almost as...

Chile's role in the Multinational Interim Force in Haiti was among the topics the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff covered during a press conference here March 12. Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers is visiting South America to tend to U.S. military-to-military relationships on the continent. About 2,600 troops are in Haiti from the United States, Chile, Canada and France. Chile has more than 300 soldiers serving in the troubled nation. They have been a part of the operation almost since the beginning. "Their mission right now is to provide basic security and stability in the country against...