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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he won’t allow government forces to conduct joint patrols of disputed waters near the South China Sea with foreign powers, apparently scrapping a deal his predecessor reached with the U.S. military earlier this year.Duterte also said he was considering acquiring defense equipment from Russia and China. The Philippines has traditionally leaned on the U.S., its longtime treaty ally, and other Western allies for its security needs. The remarks were the latest from a Philippine president who has had an uneasy relationship with the U.S. but also has tried to mend relations with China strained...

Patrols to Begin in Fallujah; Weapon Stockpiles Endanger Najaf By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 25, 2004 – City representatives in Fallujah have agreed to allow joint patrols by Iraqi and U.S. forces to begin in the city April 28, senior coalition officials said during a news conference in Baghdad today. The coalition also is concerned about a "dangerous" situation in Najaf, as illegal militias are stockpiling weapons and ammunition in mosques, holy sites and schools, officials said. Coalition senior spokesman Dan Senor said Coalition administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III asked Iraqi journalists to spread...

Fallujah, Iraq (AP) -- The military is backing down from warnings of an all-out assault on Fallujah, now saying troops will begin patrolling the Iraqi city with Iraqi security forces. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt says force may be used down the line but "at this point it would not seem to be constructive for either side to be laying down ultimatums." Also coalition spokesman Dan Senor says the U.S. is "cautiously optimistic" over the situation in Fallujah, having seen progress in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, a U.S. general says troops will move into a base on the edge of...

developing tonight..header for now

Patrols to Begin in Fallujah; Weapon Stockpiles Endanger Najaf By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 25, 2004 – City representatives in Fallujah have agreed to allow joint patrols by Iraqi and U.S. forces to begin in the city April 28, senior coalition officials said during a news conference in Baghdad today. The coalition also is concerned about a "dangerous" situation in Najaf, as illegal militias are stockpiling weapons and ammunition in mosques, holy sites and schools, officials said. Coalition senior spokesman Dan Senor said Coalition administrator Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III asked Iraqi journalists to spread the...

Pak rejection of joint patrol a ploy to push rebels: PMAFP [ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 05, 2002  9:31:59 PM ]NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday said Islamabad's rejection of Indian proposal for joint patrols to curb militancy in Kashmir showed that Pakistan was opposed to steps to stem infiltration in the state. Vajpayee on his return from a summit in Kazakhstan said, he had heard from the media in Almaty of Pakistan's rejection of India's proposals for joint patrolling of Kashmir's borders. "This means they (Pakistan) do not want verification. This is one of the ways of verification and if...