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U.S.-led coalition to distribute 200,000 radios in Afghanistan ASSOCIATED PRESS BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Nov. 29 — The U.S.-led coalition will distribute more than 200,000 shortwave radios to people across Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Saturday. ''Truth is one of the most effective weapons against the terrorists and anti-coalition forces that are attempting to reinfect Afghanistan,'' spokesman Maj. Bryan Hilferty told a news briefing at the coalition headquarters at Bagram Air Base. The radios would be given to Afghans for free to allow them ''unfettered access to many sources of news,'' he said. Most of Afghanistan lacks a regular supply of electricity....

L. Paul Bremer, IIIAdministratorCoalition Provisional AuthorityTV-Radio Broadcast to the Iraqi People28 November 2003Kul Aam wa antum bikhair I am Paul Bremer, administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority. The murderers have revealed their purposes.During Ramadan killers launched dozens of attacks specifically targeting innocent Iraqis.  Scores of innocent Iraqis were murdered for purely political reasons.In simple terms, these attacks are intended to drive a wedge between the Iraqi people and the Coalition.  But there is a deeper meaning that is not about the Coalition, not about “infidels.”  It is about isolating Iraq, cutting you off from the modern world, cutting you off...

TIKRIT, Iraq, Nov 29, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- In a tightly guarded ceremony, the governor of Saddam Hussein's home province declared Saturday that the region was open for business, and thanked foreign businessmen who attended a gathering wearing flak jackets and helmets. The visitors were invited to Salahuddin province by U.S. military and Iraqi officials under tight security to attend the opening of a newly refurbished building that will serve as a business center for potential investors. Although the region is located in the so-called Sunni Triangle that has seen some of the fiercest resistance to the U.S.-led...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 November 28, 2003Release Number: 03-11-50 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CONTINUES TO IMPROVE IRAQ AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force “All American” continued to conduct operations in order to bring peace to Iraq and assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions continue to move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation. During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted three offensive operations, including two raids and one cordon and search. Soldiers also conducted...

Iraqi Academy of Science forms Leading scientists want to direct research toward the benefit of the Iraqi people | By Stephen Pincock    LONDON—Iraqi scientists are meeting here over the next two days (November 27-28) to begin the process of setting up an independent Academy of Science.The 12 leading researchers, nine of whom still work in Iraq, are holding their inaugural meeting at Britain's Royal Society because of the current security situation in Baghdad. Their goal is to establish a free voice for Iraqi science after decades of abuse under Saddam Hussein."The Iraqi Academy of Science will be an...

Iraq `Getting Better,' Local Reservist SaysBy JOHN VAUGHANjvaughan@tampatrib.com TAMPA - Through the televised smoke of a recent bombing in Iraq, Bill Falkner saw a sign of progress. ``What struck me was that it was not American soldiers running to the scene and doing things that would control the situation,'' he said. New Iraqi police officers, ``these folks in their blue shirts, were actually controlling the scene. This is actually becoming a working police force.'' That's particularly important to Falkner, a Pinellas County lawyer who's a long way from home these days. In Iraq, he's an Army Reserve colonel working...

<p>As the new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, my mission is clear: to work with the Afghan government and our international partners to ensure security, as well as accelerate the political and economic reconstruction of the country.</p> <p>We must succeed in Afghanistan. By success, I mean an Afghanistan that does not again become a base for terrorism; an Afghanistan that can stand on its own feet to meet its security needs; an Afghanistan that is firmly committed to democracy and human rights, and that can achieve increased economic progress through free market and legal economic activity. Success will consolidate a major victory in the war against terror. A moderate and democratic Afghanistan will demonstrate to the region and to the Muslim world how much can be achieved by a nation working in partnership with the international community to build a free society.</p>

Bremer Explains Sovereignty Plan to Iraqis By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2003 - In a nationwide broadcast, Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III explained to the Iraqi people the steps to re-establishing sovereignty. Bremer, the administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, explained the agreement between the CPA and the Iraqi Governing Council in his Nov. 21 address. He said this is a step all Iraqis want, and told them that their "future of hope draws nearer." Bremer said that an interim government will take control of the country on June 30. A basic law that will...

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 22 — An Iraqi-American activist whose foundation has spent much of the last decade devising visions of democratic rule for Iraq and lobbying for a war crimes trial of Saddam Hussein, will become the country's diplomatic representative in Washington, Iraqi political leaders said Saturday. Her appointment will be announced in the next few days by the interim foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, they said. The activist, Rend Rahim Francke, 54, has directed the Iraq Foundation, which she helped create in 1991, and is a familiar face in Washington from her years lobbying policy makers to provide more muscular...

<p>FALLUJAH, Iraq  — Some U.S. officers believe tribal leaders have heeded warnings and used their influence to curb attacks against Americans in Fallujah (search). Others cite the arrests of key resistance figures or the holy month of Ramadan (search).</p> <p>Whatever the reason, this "Sunni Triangle" (search) city, which had been among the most dangerous in Iraq for U.S. soldiers, has been uncharacteristically quiet since insurgents near here shot down a Chinook (search) transport helicopter Nov. 2, killing 16 Americans.</p>

Task Force 1st Armored Division Troops Combine Efforts to Hire New Police Force By Sgt. Mark Bell, USASpecial to American Forces Press Service BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 21, 2003 – Several hundred Baghdad-area residents arrived early in the morning Nov. 13 to begin what could be a career as an Iraqi police officer. 2nd Lt. Kenny Rivera, 38, from Panama City, Panama, a physician assistant with 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Division, examines an applicant's eyes during the first day of Iraqi police recruitment sponsored by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Nov. 13. Photo by Sgt. Mark Bell,...

100 judges sacked Baghdad, Iraq Press, November 21, 2003 – The Justice Ministry has sacked 100 judges who preserved their posts in the aftermath of the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein’s regime. The layoff is the largest purge in the judicial system since Iraq emerged as a state in 1920. The judges were removed from office for “making legal errors during their service under the former regime,” Justice Minister Hashem al-Shibli told Iraq Press. The judiciary, like other branches of government under Saddam Hussein, was plagued with bribery and massive violations of human rights. The judges say they had no...

Sunni Muslims elect their own Marjaa Baghdad, Iraq Press, November 21, 2003 – To counterbalance the rising influence of the majority Muslim Shiite clerics in the country, Muslim Sunnis have elected a religious body to look after their affairs. There are differences between the Shiite and Sunni clergy in Islam. While clerics have a domineering role in Muslim Shiite communities, the part Muslim Sunni clergy play has not been that vital in Iraq. But as the balance of power is tilting against the Sunnis in the country after decades of being at the helm, they are striving once again to...

<p>BAGHDAD -- It has been my privilege to preside over the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) during a month of momentous events. We now have an agreement for the transfer of authority between the Coalition, the liberators, and the IGC, the representatives of the liberated Iraqis. President Bush has outlined an inspiring vision for a free and democratic Middle East. Our American friends are resolutely striking back at the vicious remnants of Saddam's regime and damaging the network of Baathists and foreign Islamists attempting to destroy the Iraqi experiment in democracy. Yet these gains could easily be forfeited if we Iraqis do not bear the brunt of the fighting.</p>

New Afghan Ambassador to Help Country 'Stand On Its Own Feet' By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USAAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2003 — "Success in Afghanistan is the only option," Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters during a briefing Nov. 19 at the State Department's Foreign Press Center. Now, Khalilzad, who was confirmed by the Senate Nov. 17 as the new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, is set to help lead the way to that success. Prior to confirmation, he was the special presidential envoy for that country. He told reporters that he will be returning Nov. 25 to...

KADEMIYAH, Iraq - Down a shady river road, where a month ago American coalition troops were ambushed, sits the Kademiyah Advisory Council building. Dozens of Iraqi men mingle in the hallways of the single-story building waiting for the Advisory Council to begin. Some are dressed in Western-style suits, others are in elaborate robes and headdresses. American soldiers are here too, wearing body armor, Kevlar helmets, M-16s slung over their shoulders and 9 mm pistols strapped to their legs. Here, the fledgling postwar Iraqi democracy is taking its first baby steps. With little fanfare, Iraqis in the 85 neighborhoods of Baghdad...

In the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg, both sides, leaving fifty thousand dead or wounded or missing behind them, had reason to maintain a large pattern of pretense—Lee pretending that he was not taking back to the South a broken cause, Meade that he would not let the broken pieces fall through his fingers. It would have been hard to predict that Gettysburg, out of all this muddle, these missed chances, all the senseless deaths, would become a symbol of national purpose, pride, and ideals. Abraham Lincoln transformed the ugly reality into something rich and strange—and he did it...

36-member Assembly to replace council Baghdad, Iraq Press, November 19, 2003 – A 36-member National Assembly is to replace the current interim Governing Council before the United States officially hands power over to a transitional government, it has emerged. The assembly will be an elected body of two representatives from each of the country’s 18 provinces. Each province will hold elections to choose its two representatives to the Assembly which will form the government and prepare for the writing of a constitution and elections before the end of 2005. But the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority will hand over power officially...

Despite high casualty figures, morale is high among U.S. troops and more support is building every day from Iraqis, according to Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite on tour in the strife-ridden nation along with eight other congressmen. "Every day Saddam Hussein isn't in power is a good day for Iraq," the congresswoman from Brooksville said. "He loses power over the people every day." Brown-Waite talked with 35 soldiers from Florida during her whirlwind tour last weekend and asked each one of them if what the United States is doing in Iraq is worth the cost - and would he or she do...

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. troops are preparing to hand over security powers to Iraqi police in one of the country's most anti-American towns in a move that could be a test case for a transition of power. American soldiers have faced near daily attacks from guerrillas in the town of Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, ranging from mortar bombs to rocket-propelled grenades as Iraqi police have returned to the volatile streets. "I believe our joint operations with the police in Ramadi between now and around the first of January will allow us to move to a second stage in...