***Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room - 3 JUN 03/Day 76 - LIVE THREAD***

Everywhere TexKat goes, or Ragtime Cowgirl transcribes... | 3 JUN 03 | null and void

[Carolina]

Senior Diplomat Seen Leading U.S. Mideast Monitors

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - John Wolf, a top State Department official, is likely to lead a U.S. team of experts charged with monitoring Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, a U.S. official said Tuesday.

U.S. officials have said Washington planned to assemble a team to monitor the "road map," which sets out reciprocal steps for Israel and the Palestinians to take toward the goal of creating a Palestinian state by 2005.

They described the team's role in vague terms, saying it aims to track progress by the two sides to verify if they are doing what is called for under the road map.

[retrokitten]

I haven't heard anything about what the Hawks might do, but I'm about 85% sure it won't be anything. With the CBA about to expire they won't be willing to sign anyone long-term. That's one of the reasons Amonte left, because they wouldn't sign him past 2004.

Oh Berman was killing me! He couldn't say more then one word without looking down at his notes. It was clear he had very little hockey knowledge. It's the Stanley Cup Finals for cryin out loud! Get in someone with a hockey backround.

Maybe I am biased (LOL!), but I love Darren Pang. He cracks me up when he is the color announcer. He makes all these crazy sounds and gets so excited. But it's nice to hear someone who is into the game.

This is just my catty side coming out- did you see Bill Clements suit?? My God! Who told him, "Mustard yellow is your color! It just works. Get the mustard yellow shirt AND tie, too! Oh, it's you!" He ought to beat the snot out of that person! He can't be married or he really ticked off his wife, because I cannot imagine any married woman letting her husband on national TV let alone out of the house wearing that monstrosity.

[retrokitten]

LOL! Maybe they're souvenirs from the G-8.

Maybe he's carrying precious cargo .... Bass Ale!!!

LOL! They are red like Bass's logo. "My dad went to the G8 and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" t-shirts for the whole family. LOL!

[CurlyBill]

I'm not into fashion, but it's not something I would wear. I like when Darren Pang does the games too. He's really down-to-earth and has a good personality. I'll be very disappointed if there is a work stoppage in '04. With all of the money made all around, I can't believe that the egos will get in the way again. It does nothing more than hurt the sport...

[TexKat]

I noted on another thread the death of another soldier.I won't forget our troops are in harm's way and pray for their safety.

Thanks MEG33, I pray for their safety also. The war is not completely over yet.

[TexKat]

Statements by President Bush and President Mubarak of Egypt

June 3, 2003

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

3:50 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT MUBARAK: Today we have met with the President of the United States, President George Bush, to affirm our common commitment to seize this historic moment to advance the peace cause forward.

President Bush gave impetus to the peace process by his vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security. This vision means that, alongside the existing state of Israel, a new state for the Palestinians will emerge.

We welcome the road map rising from this vision, and adopted by the Quartet, especially since it has been accepted by both the Israeli and Palestinian governments. We particularly express our appreciation for President Bush's strong personal commitment for its full implementation.

The road map provides for ending the occupation that began in 1967, and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005, through fulfillment of all sides to their own obligations. Peace obligations are built on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principles of land for peace, and U.N. Security Council resolutions 242, 338, and 1397, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Saud Abdallah Aziz, which was unanimously endorsed by the Arab League Summit in Beirut.

We support the determination of the Palestinian Authority to fulfill its responsibility to end violence and to maintain law and order, as announced by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. We will continue to support the Palestinian Authority's efforts to uphold these commitments in order to allow it to consolidate its authority in democratic and accountable institutions. We will ensure that our assistance to the Palestinians goes solely to the Palestinian Authority, and we will continue to support efforts to improve the quality of life of the Palestinian people.

We call on Israel to simultaneously fulfill its own responsibilities to rebuild trust and restore normal Palestinian life, and to carry out its other obligations under the road map, thus promoting progress toward the President's vision.

We affirm our position again against terror and violence. We will continue to fight the scourge of terrorism against humanity, and reject the culture of extremism and violence in any form or shape, from whatever source or place, regardless of justifications or motives, being fully aware of their danger as a plague that threatens the peace and stability of the whole world. We will use all the power of the law to prevent support reaching illegal organizations, including terrorist groups.

We reiterate our support for the Iraqi people as they rebuild their country. We affirm our commitment once more, the independence and the territorial integrity of Iraq under a government that represents the Iraqi people and emanating from its free will; where Iraqi people living in peace and harmony with its neighbors. And in this regard, we consider U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 as a useful means to achieve these goals.

As the countries of this region continue their important endeavors to promote political, economic and social reforms, we welcome the initiative by the United States to open new economic opportunities for all the people in the Middle East. We shall continue to work for a Middle East that is free of strife and violence, living in harmony, without the threat of terrorism or dangers of weapons of mass destruction.

Thank you. (Applause.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Hosni. Very good job.

Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality and for the invitation to this spectacular location.

We meet in Sinai at a moment of promise for the cause of peace in the Middle East. We see the potential for unity against terror. We see the potential for the birth of a new and Palestinian state. We see the potential for broader peace among the peoples of this region.

Achieving these goals will require courage and moral vision on every side, from every leader. America is committed, and I am committed, to helping all the parties to reach the hard and heroic decisions that will lead to peace.

I want to thank Crown Prince Abdallah, King Hamad, King Abdullah, Prime Minister Abbas for joining us today. I particularly want to thank President Mubarak. The United States values its strong ties with Egypt. By hosting this gathering, President Mubarak is acting in Egypt's best traditions. His predecessor, Anwar Sadat, was a leader for peace who had the vision to see opportunities and the bold heart to seize them. In this spirit, we meet today.

Last year on June 24th, I put forth a proposal for two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace. I called on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinians, including the right to live in dignity in a free and peaceful Palestine. I urged the Palestinian people to embrace new leaders who stand for reform, democracy and for fighting terror.

I also said that progress toward peace would require the active commitment and support of neighboring states. And today I'm pleased to stand with leaders of the Arab world, who are committed to these principles.

All progress towards peace requires the rejection of terror. The leaders here today have declared their firm rejection of terror, regardless of its justifications or motives. They've also committed to practical actions to use all means to cut off assistance, including arms and financing to any terror group, and to aid the Palestinian Authority in their own fight against terror.

Terror threatens my nation. Terror threatens Arab states. Terror threatens the state of Israel. Terror threatens the emergence of a Palestinian state. Terror must be opposed and it must be defeated.

Tomorrow, I will go to Aqaba for a meeting with Prime Minister Sharon, Prime Minister Abbas, to discuss the responsibilities of the Israelis and the Palestinians. And if all sides fulfill their obligations, we can make steady progress on the road toward Palestinian statehood, a secure Israel, and a just and comprehensive peace.

We seek true peace; not just a pause between more wars and intifadas, but a permanent reconciliation among the peoples of the Middle East.

In our meeting today we also discussed the future of Iraq. I reaffirmed America's commitment to helping the Iraqi people achieve freedom and democracy in a unified country, its borders intact; a country free of weapons of mass destruction, and at peace with its neighbors and the world.

America is fully committed to restoring security to Iraqi cities and helping the Iraqi people rebuild their nation, after decades of cruel and corrupt dictatorship. I welcome the support of all the nations represented here for these important goals, and hope they will contribute to helping the good people of Iraq.

There's a hopeful direction to recent events in the Middle East. In Iraq, a tyrant in support of terror has been removed. Reform is taking hold in many societies that are eager to join in the progress and prosperity of our times. I urge nations throughout the region open their markets, to seek broader trade in the world, and to join us in creating a U.S.-Middle East free trade area within a decade.

The leaders here today recognize the importance of representative, democratic institutions to fulfilling the hopes of the Iraqi and Palestinian people. And free institutions are critical to the hopes of people everywhere. Allowing peaceful avenues for the expression of different views and broader political participation will unleash the talents of each nation. All Middle East countries that travel this challenging path will have the support and the friendship of the United States.

In this meeting we've made progress on a broad agenda, and we're determined to keep moving forward. I thank all the leaders here today, and may God bless our important work.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. (Applause.)

END 4:05 P.M. (L)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Morning, Kat, all. Any news re. the major scandal - Galloway, the press, NGOs, pols, entertainers who took Saddam's (UN "Oil for Food") $$$ and covered up Saddam's atrocities for years?

---

Once more for the doubters:

Vice President Tells West Point Cadets "Bush Doctrine" Is Serious

Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample
American Force Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2003 — "If there is anyone in the world today who doubts the seriousness of the Bush Doctrine, I would urge that person to consider the fate of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq," Vice President Richard Cheney told an applauding 2003 West Point graduating class May 31.

The doctrine asserts that states supporting terrorists, or providing sanctuary for terrorists, will be deemed just as guilty of crimes as the terrorists themselves, Cheney noted in his commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy.

"Before 9-11, all too many nations tended to draw a distinction between the terrorist groups and the states that provided these groups with support. They were unwilling to hold these terror-sponsoring states accountable for their actions."

After 9-11, the president "decided that the distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors should no longer stand," he said.

Cheney added perspective to the president's actions by saying that in 20 months since the Sept. 11 attacks, "the United States has freed two nations from oppression and terror."

"We destroyed the al Qaeda's grip on Afghanistan, removed the repressive Taliban regime from power, and nearly half of al Qaeda's leadership has been captured or killed. In Iraq, a regime that supported terrorists, brutalized its own people and threatened its neighbors and the peace of the world is no more," Cheney said.

But the vice president cautioned cadets that although the battle of Iraq was a major victory in the war on terrorism, the war itself is far from over.

"We cannot allow ourselves to grow complacent," he said. "We cannot forget that the terrorists remain determined to kill as many Americans as possible, both abroad and here at home, and they are still seeking weapons of mass destruction to use against us.

"With such an enemy, no peace treaty is possible; no policy of containment or deterrence will prove effective. The only way to deal with this threat is to destroy it, completely and utterly."

~~~

[TexKat]

U.S. President George W. Bush listens to Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Maher, during a roundtable meeting with Middle East leaders at an Arab-U.S. summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Tuesday, June 3, 2003. Bush is joined by Secretary of State Colin Powell, left, and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Arab Leaders Back Mideast Peace Road Map

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt - Arab leaders, meeting with President Bush as he plunged into the labyrinth of Mideast peace talks, pledged on Tuesday to fight terror and violence and called on Israel to "rebuild trust and restore normal Palestinian life."

"We shall continue to work for a Middle East that is free of strife and violence, living in harmony without the threat of terrorism or dangers of weapons of mass destruction," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said, reading a statement on behalf of the leaders of Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority — all friendly U.S. allies.

[TexKat]

Chirac Raps Iraq War, Sees No Iran Attack

EVIAN, France (Reuters) - French President Jacques Chirac repeated his condemnation of the Iraq war Tuesday and said a Group of Eight summit statement about weapons of mass destruction was not a green light for a similar attack on Iran.

Chirac, whose active opposition to the Iraq war caused a transatlantic rift that overshadowed the three-day summit, said he reiterated his stand to President Bush on Monday but agreed to work together to help reconstruct Iraq.

[OldFriend]

Beginning to suspect that there are those in the CIA, as in State, Justice, INS, etc. that are determined to undermine the President with reports such as this. Keep the citizens uncertain and lacking confidence in the administration's ability to protect national security.

Where were these people in the CIA when it was clear that OBL was planning attacks on America........but then of course, a certain other president was in charge.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

We just had a 'summer' shower - heavy, sudden downpour, lightning - chased golfers inside and flooded the parking lot. Another bad day for SW Fla. Water Mgmnt. No drought fear-mongering and water restrictions today.

---

From CENTCOM:

June 3, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-08

HELICOPTER CRASHES NEAR ORGUN-E  (no one hurt)

Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan – An Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed about 4:00 a.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. local Afghanistan time) today near Orgun-E in the Paktika Province in Southeast Afghanistan while supporting combat operations.

The two pilots on board were not injured during the incident, however, the aircraft was significantly damaged. Security forces sent to secure the crash site picked up both pilots. The pilots will be evaluated at the U.S. Army Combat Support Hospital at Bagram.

It is not believed the crash was caused by hostile fire, however the cause of the incident is under investigation.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

June 3, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-05

MISSING SOLDIERS RECOVERED

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – At approximately 3:15 p.m. (Kuwait) Monday, Coalition Forces reported four soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 1092nd Engineer Company, a U.S. Army contractor from Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), and two civilian boat captains were found after they had been reported missing Sunday evening. When transiting up the Shatt Al Arab (SAA) waterway, they were taken detained by Iranians. They were not physically abused.

The four soldiers and three of the civilians were escorted and released back onto their boats. The U.S. patrol craft, U.S.S. CHINOOK located them in the vicinity of the SAA at approximately 2:45 p.m. (local) Monday. The two drivers remain detained.

Initial medical examination of the returned personnel indicates no injuries or signs of physical abuse. The returnees are en route to Kuwait onboard the U.S. naval vessel, U.S.S. FIREBOLT. Their boats are being driven back by U.S. Navy crewmembers in company with the FIREBOLT.

The four soldiers, the contractor and two civilian boat captains were expected to return to the Mina Al-Bakr platform at approximately 11 a.m. Sunday. They were reported missing Sunday evening, when they failed to return to the platform Sunday.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

June 3, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-07


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


FOURTH INFANTRY DIVISION SOLDIER KILLED

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- A soldier assigned to the U.S. Army's Fourth Infantry Division died Monday evening as a result of wounds received when a checkpoint near Balad was attacked by unknown assailants. The attack was carried out with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

The soldier’s name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

CENTCOM:

 

June 3, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-09

COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (June 3, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate crimes against people and property, rid populated areas of weapons, ammunition and explosives, and stop the black market trade in fuel and other commodities. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in their efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Coalition Activity:

In the last 24 hours of raids and patrolling activity, soldiers from V Corps seized 27 AK-47 rifles, 44 rocket-grenade launchers, five pistols, a grenade and a machine gun. They turned the weapons in to U.S. military collection points for safekeeping or disposal.

Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division captured a former bodyguard of Uday Hussein during a series of raids near Kirkuk recently. They captured ten other Iraqis with ties to the former regime and detained them for questioning.

Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division on patrol in Baghdad recently detained several men after observing them throw bags from the roof of one house to another. They found that the bags were full of money. They are holding the men for questioning. They also seized four AK-47 rifles and two pistols from the men.

Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division raided a house in Baghdad yesterday in search of suspected murderers. They detained and are questioning one man who claims to have information on organized pockets of resistance in the area.

Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment raided a house in Fallujah yesterday where Ba'ath party members were thought to be hiding. Nobody was at the house but they confiscated six rifles, several bags of ammunition and a flare gun.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Coalition Forces conducted 4 raids and a total of 2,261 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, they conducted 249 joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 171 individuals for a variety of criminal activities, including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft, larceny and dealing drugs.

Recent Police Activity:

The Karbala Police Department arrested several men from Fallujah yesterday after observing them acting suspiciously. They seized over 1,000 heavy machine gun rounds, 120 mortar fuses, 15 60mm mortar rounds and several grenades.

Iraqi police and soldiers of the 307th Military Police Company in Baghdad were recently approached by two Iraqi men who had detained two individuals they claimed were wanted for murder. The two men had proper court warrants for the arrest of the two men they had detained. Iraqi police took the two suspects into custody. The Iraqi police also seized a hand grenade they found when they searched the suspects.

Iraqi police in Baghdad recently detained two men for stealing a vehicle and stabbing a man. The two are being detained until a judge reviews the case.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

CENTCOM:

 

June 3, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-06

COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY (June 3, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq through the following activities.

BAGHDAD
Coalition Forces:
• Continued measures to reduce crime, host neighborhood advisory council meetings and provide school and medical supplies.
• Contracted 350-400 Iraqis to begin work at the International Airport, tentatively planning on resuming commercial traffic in the next month.
• Reports the Baghdad City Hall should be fully operational in 2 weeks.
• Recently destroyed 34 tons of captured Iraqi ordnance. A total of 6,319 tons of ammunition from 13 out of 23 cache sites have been consolidated and removed from Baghdad to date.
• Collected soccer balls for distribution as part of “Operation US Soccer,” an American Youth Soccer Organization sponsored program.
• Worked with the Government of Jordan and Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) key officials to increase Iraqi business involvement with the Jordanian American Business Association (JABA) Iraqi Reconstruction Conference. About 400 business and government officials have registered for the conference.
• Provided Coalition military construction support to assess and repair an Iraqi police station, restore municipal facilities at Abu Ghraib, and the Mansour, Thawra, Al Rashid, and Karkh.
• Met with about 500 food distribution agents to prepare for food distribution operations this week.
• Met with USAID representatives to share information on civil affairs capabilities and provide small loans to businesses.
• Distributed 3.4 million liters of gasoline, and 58,940 bottles of propane in Baghdad.

NORTHERN IRAQ

IRBIL / MOSUL / TIKRIT / KIRKUK
Coalition Forces:
• Conducted a Task Force Neighborhood mission in Makhmur, focusing cleanup operations on the local school and market area.
• Continued road-building operations in the Bardiyah area.
• Continued deliveries of potable water to the Sununi area, and hosted a meeting among local water supervisors and Red Cross personnel to determine the long-term water supply needs in the area.
• Replaced unserviceable culverts in Baqubah.
• Plan to fill medical supply shortfalls within 48 hours in Al Biaj.
• Received 22 trucks of bulk food shipments at Ar Ramadi UN Food distribution site, for a total of 525 shipments to date.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

AL KUT
23rd Marine Regiment recently:
• Assisted in efforts renovate a former Iraqi Army water treatment plant that provides filtered and chlorinated water to approximately 5,000 people.

AN NAJAF
7th Marine Regiment recently:
• Reported continued power improvements. The city currently has 100 megawatts of power, 55 from the power grid and 45 from the power plant, more than double their previous power supply.
• Assisted in World Food Program food distribution at two sites.

AL HILLAH
• Received 33 benzene/gasoline trucks.

AS SAMAWAH
• Reported electric power was restored to 60 megawatts, which exceeds pre-war conditions.
• Coordinated with the Ministry of Education in Baghdad for funds to support end of year school tests and test administration.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Mass grave found in north Iraq (200 Kurdish children)
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au ^ | 6-03-03 | ????

Posted on 06/03/2003 9:15 AM EDT by OXENinFLA

Mass grave found in north Iraq

03jun03

A MASS grave containing the remains of 200 Kurdish children has been discovered in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk, the Kurdish newspaper Taakhi reported today.

"Citizens discovered on May 30 a communal grave close to Debs, in Kirkuk. But this is different from other mass graves discovered since the fall of Saddam Hussein's terrorist regime because it contains the remains of 200 child victims of the repression of the Kurdish uprising" in 1991, the paper said. "Even dolls were buried with the children," it said.
Excerpted - click for full article ^

[TexKat]

It's an afront I tell you, an afront. Wonder how much that golf cart cost the U.S. people.

President Bush drives a golf cart with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah, aboard to the multilateral summit Tuesday June 3, 2003 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Bush, entering the labyrinth of Middle East peace negotiations, looked on Tuesday for a commitment from Arab leaders to end violence and move toward peace with Israel.

Bush Drives Arab Leaders to Photo Session

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt - As the golf cart swerved into view from around a corner and behind palm trees at the outset of two days of Middle East peacemaking it became clear: President Bush grinning widely, was in the drivers seat.

Taking the wheel of the large cart, Bush ferried the five Arab leaders he had come here to cajole into supporting his peace agenda to their picturesque seaside photo opportunity. There, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak delivered a statement on the Arab leaders' behalf pledging to fight terror, embrace an internationally crafted peace plan and support a new Bush-backed Palestinian leader.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

IRAQ'S WEAPONS & THE ROAD TO WAR
New York Post ^ | 6/03/03 | DANIEL PIPES

Posted on 06/03/2003 3:06 AM EDT by kattracks

June 3, 2003 -- TWO oddly similar searches are underway in Iraq these days, one for Saddam Hussein and another for his weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Neither has yet been found.

No one argues that because Saddam has not been located, he never existed. But that is what some are saying about the coalition forces not finding actual WMD.

~~~

[TexKat]

L. Paul Bremer, right, the top U.S. official in Iraq, John Sawyers, left, the top British official in Iraq and Sergio Vieira De Mello, center, the U.N. representative to Iraq, talk to the media after emerging from their meeting Tuesday June 3, 2003 at the former presidential palace of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, Iraq.

U.N., Coalition Preach Teamwork in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The arrival of the new U.N. representative means the reconstruction of Iraq is growing from a coalition effort into a wider international project, United Nations and coalition leaders said Tuesday.

"We share the same goals: to empower the free people of Iraq as soon as possible," Sergio Vieira de Mello said after a meeting with L. Paul Bremer, the top U.S. official in Iraq, and John Sawers, Britain's special representative.

[TexKat]

Israel Releases Palestinian Prisoners

JERUSALEM - Israel released scores of Palestinian prisoners Tuesday, including the oldest and longest-serving inmate, in a goodwill gesture ahead of a summit with President Bush. But disagreements remained on the fate of about 100 Israeli settlement outposts set up in the West Bank during the past several years.

Ahmad Jubarah, 68, was released from the Ashkelon prison in southern Israel after serving nearly three decades for his role in a 1975 Jerusalem bomb attack that killed 13 people, the Israel prisons service announced.