CURRENTNEWS EARLYBIRD

January 10, 2008

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IRAQ 1. Blast Kills 6 As Troops Hunt Iraqi Insurgents (Washington Post)....Amit R. Paley and Joshua Partlow The explosion of a booby-trapped house killed six American soldiers on Wednesday during an offensive against Sunni insurgents in Diyala province, making it the deadliest day for U.S. troops in Iraq since November.

2. Booby Trap Kills 6 U.S. Soldiers In Iraq (Los Angeles Times)....Alexandra Zavis and Julian E. Barnes Senior Sunni Arab insurgents may have fled the Diyala River valley this week just as U.S. troops were preparing to attack, but they left behind a deadly calling card.

3. For U.S., The Goal Is Now 'Iraqi Solutions' (Washington Post)....Thomas E. Ricks and Karen DeYoung In the year since President Bush announced he was changing course in Iraq with a troop "surge" and a new strategy, U.S. military and diplomatic officials have begun their own quiet policy shift. After countless unsuccessful efforts to push Iraqis toward various political, economic and security goals, they have decided to let the Iraqis figure some things out themselves.

4. ’05 Use Of Gas By Blackwater Leaves Questions (New York Times)....James Risen The helicopter was hovering over a Baghdad checkpoint into the Green Zone, one typically crowded with cars, Iraqi civilians and United States military personnel.

5. New Estimate Of Violent Deaths Among Iraqis Is Lower (Washington Post)....David Brown and Joshua Partlow A new survey estimates that 151,000 Iraqis died from violence in the three years following the U.S.-led invasion of the country. Roughly 9 out of 10 of those deaths were a consequence of U.S. military operations, insurgent attacks and sectarian warfare.

6. W.H.O. Says Iraq Civilian Death Toll Higher Than Cited (New York Times)....Lawrence K. Altman and Richard A. Oppel Jr. The World Health Organization on Wednesday waded into the controversial subject of Iraqi civilian deaths, publishing a study that estimated that the number of deaths from the start of the war through June 2006 was at least twice as high as the oft-cited Iraq Body Count.

7. Six Soldiers Killed In Booby-Trapped House In Iraq’s Diyala Province (CNN)....Jamie McIntyre Nine U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq in the last 48 hours.

AFGHANISTAN page 2 8. U.S. To Bolster Forces In Afghanistan (Washington Post)....Ann Scott Tyson The U.S. military is planning to deploy about 3,000 Marines to Afghanistan this spring to counter an expected offensive by Taliban insurgents, a Pentagon spokesman said yesterday, citing NATO allies' failure to provide additional combat troops.

9. Sending Marines To Afghanistan Proposed (Los Angeles Times)....Julian E. Barnes and Peter Spiegel ...The proposal is supported by Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and could be submitted to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates as early as Friday.

10. Afghanistan Welcomes Plan To Boost US Troop Numbers (Wall Street Journal (wsj.com))....Agence France-Presse Afghanistan on Thursday welcomed U.S. plans to send up to 3,000 addition marines to counter an expected Taliban spring offensive but insisted the long-term solution is to boost Afghan forces.

11. Britain Sees Role For Afghan Tribes (Wall Street Journal)....Yochi J. Dreazen British military commanders in Afghanistan are pushing for the creation of armed tribal militias to aid in the fight against the Taliban, underscoring Western concern about deteriorating security in the country.

12. TV News Coverage From Pentagon Correspondents (CBS, CNN)....David Martin; Barbara Starr Two Wednesday evening reports on plans to send an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan.

IRAN 13. Iran Threat Shadows Bush's Mideast Visit (USA Today)....Richard Wolf President Bush had been on Israeli soil just minutes Wednesday when one of the top issues bothering the Middle East leaders he is scheduled to meet on his trip was broached: Iran.

14. Iran Accuses U.S. Of Faking Persian Gulf Video (New York Times)....Nazila Fathi Iran’s Revolutionary Guard accused the United States on Wednesday of fabricating a video showing Iranian speedboats confronting United States Navy warships in the Persian Gulf over the weekend, according to a report carried by the semiofficial Fars news agency and state-run television.

15. Top Iranian General Hit With Sanctions (Washington Post)....Robin Wright The United States yesterday slapped sanctions on a top Iranian general and three exiled Iraqis based in Iran and Syria for fomenting violence in Iraq, as President Bush lashed out again at Tehran for last weekend's showdown between U.S. and Iranian naval vessels.

16. President Bush On Strait Of Hormuz Incident (Fox News Channel)....Catherine Herridge Speaking from the Middle East, President Bush warned of serious consequences if Iranian forces attack U.S. ships.

ASIA/PACIFIC 17. Taliban Commander Emerges As Pakistan's 'Biggest Problem' (Washington Post)....Imtiaz Ali and Craig Whitlock Even as his reputation has grown more menacing and his militia more powerful, the Taliban commander accused of ordering the death of Benazir Bhutto has shrouded himself in mystery.

18. Pakistan Rejects UN Concerns, Contends Nuclear Arsenal Is Secure (Boston Globe)....Zeeshan Haider, Reuters Pakistan rejected yesterday remarks by the UN nuclear watchdog chief that the nation's nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands of Islamist militants, and allayed the fears of a US senator visiting Islamabad. page 3 19. Beijing Would Use Force To Restore N. Korea Stability (Washington Times)....Steve Hirsch China would send troops into North Korea if it thought that was necessary to stem a refugee flood because of instability in its hard-line communist neighbor, a report by two Washington think tanks finds.

ARMY 20. Army Officer Is Cleared In Abu Ghraib Scandal (Washington Post)....Josh White The only Army officer charged with a crime as a result of the abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq has been cleared of all criminal responsibility in the case after a general this week dismissed the one conviction against him and wiped away the sentence.

21. Army Medic Unafraid To Say That He's Gay (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)....Suzanne Gamboa, Associated Press Even if no one is asking, Army Sgt. Darren Manzella has been telling anyone who'll listen that he's gay - without serious retribution so far from the military.

22. Carson: Alleged Attacks Reported (Colorado Springs Gazette)....Dennis Huspeni Fort Carson officials confirmed they “immediately” notified military officials in Iraq about allegations of soldiers shooting at Iraqi civilians, but specifics about that investigation were scarce Wednesday.

NAVY 23. Chief Naval Officer Visits Shipyards (Portland (ME) Press-Herald)....Matt Wickenheiser The Navy's top military officer visited Bath Iron Works and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery on Tuesday, the start of a coast-to-coast tour of shipyards that work on naval vessels.

AIR FORCE 24. Most F-15 Jets Coming Back To Service (USA Today)....Unattributed The majority of Air Force F-15 fighter jets are returning to flight after being grounded for two months over possible structural flaws.

25. F-15 Break-Up Animation Released (CNN)....Jamie McIntyre Exclusive Pentagon animation showing the break-up of an F-15 fighter jet that prompted the U.S. Air Force to ground its entire fleet.

MARINE CORPS 26. 4 Say Marines Took Fire In Attack By Afghans (New York Times)....Paul von Zielbauer Marines from an elite combat unit who American military commanders said killed 19 Afghan civilians last year after a suicide bomb attack withstood hostile gunfire immediately after the explosion, witnesses testified on Wednesday.

27. Marine Is Arraigned In The Killings Of 24 Iraqis (Washington Post)....Unattributed A Marine Corps squad leader was arraigned on voluntary-manslaughter and other charges involving the 2005 killings of 24 Iraqi men, women and children. Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, 27, reserved the rights to enter a plea later and to have a judge or jury decide the case against him, which is the biggest U.S. criminal prosecution involving civilian deaths in the Iraq war. The judge, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Meeks, set a Feb. 25 trial date.

28. For Marines, Iraq Becomes A Family Affair (Los Angeles Times)....Tony Perry The general who soon will lead 25,000 Marines in Iraq said Wednesday that "the experts" were wrong when they page 4 predicted that repeated deployments would strain military families to the breaking point.

29. Oo-Rah! A Squad Of Actors Takes Lanford Wilson To The Marines (New York Times)....Campbell Robertson ...He is hoping to prove to reluctant officials that serious theater — viewed by some in the military, Mr. Driver said, as “sissies running around stage in tights” — would not only work at Camp Pendleton but also be excellent for troops in war zones, where the entertainment options are much scarcer.

NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE 30. Louisiana: Extension Of Guard Watch In New Orleans (New York Times)....Associated Press National Guard troops bolstering New Orleans’s hurricane-depleted police force will remain in the city through June, a spokeswoman for Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal said.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 31. Court Battle Continues Over Defense Union's Bargaining Rights (Washington Post)....Stephen Barr Just as it appeared the Ping-Pong battle between the Defense Department and its largest union was ending, the union has stepped up to the table for one last serve.

CONGRESS 32. Democrats, Bush Clash Over Iraq Policy Great And Small (Aerospace Daily & Defense Report)....Michael Bruno Lawmakers on Jan. 9, especially Democrats, chided President Bush's "surge" of U.S. land forces to Iraq last year for not achieving policy benchmarks and called for a quick resolution over a confused debate about the status of the fiscal 2008 defense authorization measure.

INTELLIGENCE 33. Government Slow To Declassify Documents, Advisory Panel Says (Philadelphia Inquirer)....Pete Yost, Associated Press The government is lagging far behind in declassifying its secrets, and the problem is getting worse as agencies create billions more electronic records containing classified information.

BUSINESS 34. Northrop To Lead Bid For Army Plane (Baltimore Sun)....Unattributed Northrop Grumman Corp., the third- largest U.S. defense contractor, said yesterday that it would lead a team to compete for the Army's Aerial Common Sensor, a new surveillance aircraft.

EUROPE 35. British At Risk From Contaminated US Blood (London Daily Telegraph)....Laura Clout British soldiers have been put at risk of contracting deadly diseases from contaminated American blood, it was claimed last night. The 18 servicemen received emergency blood transfusions at American field hospitals after being seriously wounded in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

OPINION 36. The Surge Worked (Wall Street Journal)....John McCain and Joe Lieberman ...As Americans, we have repeatedly done what others said was impossible. Gen. Petraeus and his troops are doing that again in Iraq today. page 5 37. Modernizing The U.S Military (Washington Times)....Daniel L. Davis Between now and the Feb. 5 "Super Duper Tuesday," America will get serious about scrutinizing its presidential candidates to ascertain where they stand on the most important issues. Regarding defense policy, virtually all the focus has thus far understandably been on how and when to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home. This is an important issue, to be sure. But there is another defense topic that is ultimately of much greater importance that must now share some of the attention.

38. Iran's Provocation (Wall Street Journal)....Walter Russell Mead ...From the 18th century to the present day, threats to American ships and maritime commerce have been the way most U.S. wars start.

CORRECTIONS 39. Correction (New York Times)....The New York Times An article on Wednesday about President Bush’s criticism of Iran for confronting American warships over the weekend misstated the conclusion of a recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, which Mr. Bush also discussed. page 6 Washington Post the Bread Basket, estimated from the first accounts of across the country. January 10, 2008 that the fighters would make casualties just after noon to Across four provinces of Pg. 1 their last stand in the town of word that some of the injured northern Iraq, the effort 1. Blast Kills 6 As Himbuz. U.S. soldiers said that had been airlifted at 1:15 p.m. involves 24,000 U.S.-led Troops Hunt Iraqi when they entered the town "This is ridiculous, I just troops, 50,000 Iraqi army Insurgents Wednesday afternoon, it don't understand why it took so soldiers, 80,000 Iraqi appeared to have emptied of long to get them out," said policemen and some of the U.S. Forces Encounter insurgents. Staff Sgt. David Rozmarin, 26, 15,000 U.S.-backed volunteers, Booby-Trapped House At a news conference in of Omaha, who was sitting Hertling said. By Amit R. Paley and Joshua Baghdad, the top U.S. military inside a Stryker combat vehicle An Iraqi commander in Partlow, Washington Post commander in northern Iraq, as it rolled through villages Diyala province, Lt. Gen. Foreign Service Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, where soldiers searched for Abdul Kareem al-Rubaie, FORWARD acknowledged that the weapons and insurgents. estimated that 20 to 30 OPERATING BASE insurgents had not put up "the Maj. Shawn Garcia, a U.S. suspected insurgents were NORMANDY, Iraq, Jan. 10 -- major defense that we initially military spokesman, could not killed there during the initial The explosion of a thought." be reached early Thursday for operations, a figure that booby-trapped house killed six "We have some areas that comment on the evacuation. Hertling corroborated as American soldiers on we're still very interested in Other officials asked that the roughly accurate. Wednesday during an where we think the enemy has unit of the dead soldiers not be Battalion commanders on offensive against Sunni withdrawn to," he added, "and identified because their the ground, however, said only insurgents in Diyala province, we're continuing to pursue." families had not yet been a few insurgents were killed making it the deadliest day for The attack on U.S. troops notified. over the past two days. U.S. troops in Iraq since took place west of Himbuz The entry into Himbuz Rubaie said he believed November. around noon. According to itself took place about 3 p.m., that al-Qaeda in Iraq fighters The blast, which also initial reports received by soldiers said. As troops moved remain in Himbuz and the killed an Iraqi interpreter and commanders on the ground, the into the town, a man on the neighboring town of Dindel. injured four U.S. soldiers, took house had been searched by second floor of a three-story "This is considered a main place on the second day of an U.S. forces about 10 days ago building waved a stronghold for terrorism in unusually large campaign in and cleared of weapons. Before red-and-green flag as if it were Diyala," he said. "The decisive Diyala against the insurgent the recent offensive, insurgents an insurgent banner, according battle with terrorism will be at group al-Qaeda in Iraq. Three were seen returning to the to reports over the radio. Then this place." U.S. troops were shot to death house at night and doing he fled. After the combat Tuesday in the neighboring construction work. There was little fighting operations, the U.S. military northern province of The house, which had a most of the day in the Bread plans to open outposts in the Salahuddin. "for sale" sign on it, was Basket, though a number of province to keep a full-time The U.S. military is apparently ringed with bombs and weapons caches security presence, as well as struggling to exert control over explosives, some of which were found, ground bring in Iraqi army and police northern Iraq, where Sunni were contained in drums, commanders said. personnel and the U.S.-funded insurgents have fled during the according to the initial reports. A company outside volunteer forces to try to past year after being driven out The blast was so forceful that it Himbuz spent the day secure the terrain. That would of Baghdad and Anbar caused most of the structure to searching orange and date be followed by humanitarian province to the west. In collapse. Some of the soldiers groves for weapons and and infrastructure projects, addition to this offensive, were buried in the rubble and insurgent fighters, for the most Hertling said. commanders here are hoping to had to be pulled out. part with no success. U.S. The United States has recruit local Sunnis into Insurgents in Diyala have troops surrounded the area to established the mainly Sunni U.S.-backed volunteer forces previously booby-trapped prevent fighters from escaping. volunteer forces in Anbar, that have successfully houses to target U.S. soldiers. After finding a maze of Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq. countered al-Qaeda in Iraq in Early Wednesday, before paths in the date groves outside Coffey said commanders have other parts of the country. the blast, a radio briefing for Himbuz that commanders had already identified two tribal U.S. commanders battalion commanders warned identified as possible exit leaders willing to lead one of expected the fight in Diyala, that al-Qaeda in Iraq would ways, soldiers stood guard as the militias in the Shirween part of a nationwide campaign employ "deep-buried" bombs others entered the town. Some area of northern Diyala. against al-Qaeda in Iraq in previously cleared areas. soldiers doubted they would be U.S. officials said they sanctuaries, to be particularly "The closer we get to able to spot an insurgent would continue to pursue fierce. But most of the 200 Himbuz, the more we may among people leaving Himbuz, al-Qaeda in Iraq fighters who fighters they expected to find encounter deep-buried IEDs," but in any event no one fled. might still be in the area, here appear to have either Coffey said, using the "It's very possible for having blended in with the escaped or successfully abbreviation for improvised someone to be hiding in plain local population or hidden in blended in with the local explosive devices, or roadside sight in front of us," Coffey the lush vegetation and fields. population. bombs. said. "We need to get after some Lt. Col. Rod Coffey, Some soldiers listening to The operation in Diyala is of them palm groves," Col. Jon commander of the squadron radio communications part of a broader U.S. military S. Lehr, the commander of leading the charge into the following the blast were offensive called Phantom U.S. forces in Diyala, told his insurgent sanctuary, known as angered that an hour passed Phoenix, which includes forces battalion commanders on page 7 Wednesday. "Continue to do Intelligence reports estimated On Sunday, soldiers south Qaeda in Iraq, a mostly local what you're doing out there and that 50 to 60 senior insurgent of Baqubah spotted suspected organization that the military good hunting." leaders had been holed up insurgents with says is foreign-led. Partlow reported from northwest of Muqdadiya, but rocket-propelled grenades and The decision by more than Baghdad. by the time the offensive AK-47s unrolling wire around 70,000 mostly Sunni tribesmen began, they had fled -- in a building. U.S.-led forces across Iraq to turn against the keeping with a long-standing launched a Hellfire missile at insurgents they once tolerated Los Angeles Times pattern. the building, then dropped two played a key part in a 60% January 10, 2008 As U.S. forces continue to bombs on it. drop in violence nationwide Pg. 1 press into areas where they Secondary blasts, and wire since U.S. forces completed a 2. Booby Trap Kills 6 have not regularly patrolled, discovered at the site, 28,500-troop buildup in June. U.S. Soldiers In Iraq they have been at greater risk confirmed that the building had But a recent spate of suicide The house rigged with of encountering homes rigged been rigged as a house-borne bombings has made clear that explosives is the work of with large amounts of IED, U.S. military officials insurgents remain capable of insurgents in Diyala province explosives, officials said. said. spectacular attacks, many of who fled just before a military The military offered no On Wednesday, U.S. and them targeted at the security operation against them. details about Wednesday's Iraqi forces combed isolated volunteers. By Alexandra Zavis and Julian deadly attack, nor did it release villages, dense orchards and Elsewhere in Iraq on E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times the names of the dead soldiers, palm groves. Wednesday, car bombs Staff Writers pending notification of their Mortar rounds crashed exploded in front of two SINSIL THARIA, IRAQ families. through thick foliage ahead of churches in the northern city of —Senior Sunni Arab "We are looking really the advance through the Kirkuk. The bombings came insurgents may have fled the closely at the tactic," said agriculturally rich area, known three days after four bombs Diyala River valley this week Edward Loomis, a spokesman as the breadbasket of Iraq. targeted churches in Mosul. No just as U.S. troops were for the Pentagon's Joint In Sinsil Tharia, curious one was killed in any of the preparing to attack, but they Improvised Explosive Device villagers gathered to watch blasts, though a few people left behind a deadly calling Defeat Organization. "We will soldiers from the 3rd suffered injuries. card. continue to do everything we Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Religious leaders A booby-trapped home can to lower the risk of these Regiment, roll in with their denounced the bombings as an exploded Wednesday, killing events occurring. We are going armored vehicles. Families attempt to instigate anger six American soldiers and to look really hard at this one." greeted the troops with offers between religious groups. injuring four others. The U.S. Rigged houses typically of tea and sodas as they went "We lived side by side military also reported that three use explosives and triggering door-to-door searching for with the Muslim brothers in service members were killed devices similar to those in insurgents and weapons. Iraq and Kirkuk," said a priest by small-arms fire the day roadside bombs or car bombs, "There is no security," one at one of the two targeted before. The two-day toll makes which the military calls man told the soldiers, as he churches in Kirkuk. "Those the latest effort to flush out the vehicle-borne IEDs. cradled his daughter in his attacks will increase our militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq U.S. forces in Iraq first arms. "We are afraid to go out, determination. We will go on the deadliest military operation encountered large numbers of and we expect to be killed at to carry the olive branch and in months. booby-trapped houses during any moment." carry the banner of peace and The casualties came as the battle of Fallouja in 2004. Residents said they hadn't brotherhood." about 4,000 U.S. and Iraqi American forces had steered seen masked gunmen who had Also on Wednesday, troops descended Tuesday on clear of the city in Anbar been a common sight in their radical Shiite Muslim cleric Diyala province as part of a province for much of that year, village before the offensive Muqtada Sadr issued a campaign to put new pressure then telegraphed their intention began. But the mayor warned statement condemning on insurgents nationwide. to clear the city of Sunni Arab that some insurgents still President Bush's visit to the Military officials believe many insurgents weeks before the lurked among them. Middle East and urging Arab settled in the area north of operation began, allowing them U.S. commanders said leaders not to meet with him. Baghdad after being forced out to prepare elaborate defenses. they believed senior insurgent "You brought the wars and of the capital and Anbar A number of rigged homes leaders had fled the region you can't bring peace... . Get province in the west. were also found in Diyala before the offensive, but that as out of our land and you will be At least 3,921 U.S. troops province in May and June, many as 200 lower-level safe from us," Sadr said. "Then have been killed since the Loomis said, as U.S. forces fighters could be hiding among I address my words to the Arab March 2003 invasion of Iraq, stepped up operations against the population. leaders and say: ' ... Don't be according to the independent Sunni insurgents. During the Soldiers trudging through partners responsible for the website icasualties.org. The previous Diyala operations villages laced with canals said blood of your own people. If last time six American troops some military officers referred they were encountering much you will accept his visit, then were killed in a single hostile to such homes as house-borne less fighting than they had you are collaborating with him incident was in late May, in a IEDs. expected. on the blood of your brothers roadside bombing in the Diyala In the past, when such U.S. soldiers handed out in Palestine, Iraq and others." community of Abu Sayda. homes were discovered before pamphlets urging residents to But some Shiites living in The Diyala region they detonated, Air Force form volunteer groups to help Najaf, where Sadr enjoys accounts for more than 40% of fighter planes were used to defend their areas from strong support, said the cleric attacks nationwide. destroy them. insurgent groups such as Al should not be weighing in on page 8 such matters, particularly every Iraqi citizen a stake in commander in Iraq, said late the appropriated funds. because Bush has not the country's economy, Iraq last year, "but there are Iraqi On the military front, announced plans to visit Iraq. will pass legislation to share oil solutions emerging to some of reliance on Iraqi solutions "It's not our business," said revenues among all Iraqis," he these." brought an unanticipated Abu Zahaa, a government pledged. "Iraqis plan to hold For some observers, the success. During the March employee. "I don't think the provincial elections later this approach indicates a new 2003 invasion, the U.S. words in this statement can year ... the government will realism in Washington, a military neglected Anbar come from someone sane. reform de-Baathification laws, recognition that long years of province, in western Iraq. Bush's visit is the concern of and establish a fair process for grandiose plans drawn from Later, top commanders decided the states and nations that he is considering amendments to U.S. templates have not that a few raids would subdue visiting." Iraq's constitution." worked in Iraq. But others the growing Sunni insurgency Zavis reported from Sinsil Although some progress charge that the phrase "Iraqi there. Only after Anbar became Tharia in Diyala and Barnes has been made and legislation solutions" implies a cynical the center of operations for the from Washington. Times staff in some cases has begun to U.S. willingness to turn a blind Sunni insurgent group writer Kimi Yoshino in slowly work its way through eye to sectarianism, political al-Qaeda in Iraq did U.S. Baghdad and special the parliament, none of these violence and a wealth of combat forces move to claim correspondents in Baghdad, benchmarks has been achieved. papered-over problems -- if the province, engaging in Kirkuk and Najaf contributed Nor has the government of that is the price of getting the heavy fighting in the cities of to this report. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri United States out of Iraq. Fallujah and Ramadi. al-Maliki taken over security "The new phrasing is both Last year, as Sunni tribes responsibility for all 18 the dawning of reality, and the began to turn against al-Qaeda, Washington Post provinces, as Bush forecast it cynical use of language and U.S. officials accepted their January 10, 2008 would. Last month's transfer of common sense to camouflage offer to sort out the province Pg. 1 Basra province by British past errors, hoping to avoid the themselves. Taking a leap of 3. For U.S., The Goal Is forces brought to nine the audit of flawed logic that got faith, U.S. commanders opened Now 'Iraqi Solutions' number of provinces under us to this point," said a retired talks with tribal leaders and Approach Acknowledges Iraqi control. British general familiar with agreed to let them fight their Benchmarks Aren't Met In explaining the situation, the U.S. experience in Iraq, and own battles. But when the U.S. By Thomas E. Ricks and Karen U.S. officials have made a who asked not to be named military suggested that the DeYoung, Washington Post virtue of necessity and have because of the sensitivity of his Shiite-led Iraqi government Staff Writers praised Iraqi ingenuity for current position. incorporate the Sunni fighters In the year since President finding different routes toward U.S. officials at various -- many of them veterans of Bush announced he was the same goals. Iraqis have levels are pushing the idea for anti-U.S. combat -- into their changing course in Iraq with a figured out a way to distribute different reasons, said Sarah own security forces, the Iraqis troop "surge" and a new oil revenue without laws to Sewall, director of Harvard balked. strategy, U.S. military and regulate it, Crocker has often University's Carr Center for The Anbar situation has diplomatic officials have begun noted, and former Baathists are Human Rights Policy and a become an example of the their own quiet policy shift. getting jobs. Local and Clinton-era Pentagon official. reality Washington confronts, After countless unsuccessful provincial governing bodies -- While Petraeus has embraced as Iraqis have made clear they efforts to push Iraqis toward some elected, some not -- are the notion out of "realism," do not need U.S. permission to various political, economic and up and running. Sewall said, she thinks the do what they want. "We security goals, they have The Iraqis "are at the point Bush administration "has completely, absolutely reject" a decided to let the Iraqis figure where they are able to fashion recently arrived at this formula permanent Sunni-based some things out themselves. their own approaches and out of desperation -- due to the security force, Iraqi Defense From Gen. David H. desired outcomes," Crocker failure of its past efforts." Minister Abdul-Qadir Petraeus and Ambassador said in an interview, "and we, I The U.S. occupation al-Obaidi told a news Ryan C. Crocker to Army think, in part recognizing that authority initially envisioned a conference in late December. privates and aid workers, and in part reflecting on where free-market paradise for Iraq, As soon as restive Sunni areas officials are expressing their we have been over the last with flat taxes and a are calmed, he said, the local willingness to stand back and almost five years, are state-of-the-art stock exchange. forces will be disbanded. help Iraqis develop their own increasingly prepared to say it's Its successors lowered their Talk of Iraqi solutions "is answers. "We try to come up got to be done in Iraqi terms." expectations, seeking a largely a red herring," said with Iraqi solutions for Iraqi The U.S. military has westernized, relatively Wayne White, who led the problems," said Stephen Fakan, praised the Maliki government corruption-free system, gently State Department's Iraq the leader of a provincial for acknowledging it is not trying to wrest the economy intelligence team from 2003 to reconstruction team with U.S. ready to handle security in away from state ownership. 2005. "This is a catchy phrase troops in Fallujah. much of Iraq, and at the same But with little progress, U.S. aimed at touting -- and In many cases -- time has dismissed ongoing officials in Baghdad now are exaggerating -- success in particularly on the political violence in Basra and much of simply looking for something Sunni Arab areas," such as front -- Iraqi solutions bear the rest of the south as an Iraqi that works, frequently Anbar, "while diverting focus little resemblance to the problem. "There are spotlighting the Iraqi away from potential downsides ambitious goals for 2007 that innumerable challenges in the government's top economic related to same," including the Bush laid out in his speech to security situation in Basra," milestone -- passing a national creation of local forces allied the nation last Jan. 10. "To give Petraeus, the top U.S. military budget and spending some of with the United States but page 9 opposed to the Iraqi A major challenge for the them are really getting this, military personnel. government. Iraqi government this year, he understanding issues ... family, Suddenly, on that May day Much of the "Iraqi said, will be dealing with culture, values, religion. You in 2005, the copter dropped CS solutions" strategy is taking rampant corruption. "Will it be don't identify an objective in gas, a riot-control substance place on the neighborhood through a U.S.-style approach those areas, like a hill, and say, the American military in Iraq level, where the U.S. military to rule of law, under which 'Let's come up with a plan, and can use only under the strictest has expressed little interest in officials file financial we'll take that piece of conditions and with the reversing the sectarian disclosure payments and can't territory.' " approval of top military cleansing that contributed to take more than a cup of The traditional military commanders. An armored the recent decline in violence. non-Starbucks coffee?" belief, he said, was that "if you vehicle on the ground also Joint U.S. civilian-military Probably not, he said. just bring enough resources to released the gas, temporarily teams seem steeped in new "We can make some a problem and get the right blinding drivers, passers-by levels of patience and suggestions. We have. We approach, the outcome is and at least 10 American flexibility. They report are," Crocker said. "What we guaranteed. But it's very, very soldiers operating the ground-level accommodations need them to do now is say, frustrating for them, as it is for checkpoint. on such issues as adjusting 'Thanks very much, but we've all Americans, for members of “This was decidedly U.S.-sponsored "micro-loans" got a way of our own down Congress, because we are uncool and very, very to reflect Islamic rejection of which we want to move with expending so much on this dangerous,” Capt. Kincy Clark interest payments and direct this.' " exercise, and we want to know of the Army, the senior officer dealings with representatives The approach also seems that we're going to achieve at the scene, wrote later that of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada designed to bypass thorny something good. day. “It’s not a good thing to al-Sadr. issues. Direct dealings with "But we are learning," the cause soldiers who are standing "Politically, realistically, Sadr's forces in the Baghdad diplomat said. "We are a guard against car bombs, representatives of ... Sadr are neighborhoods they control pragmatic people at the end of snipers and suicide bombers to important," said Paul both reverses earlier policy and the day ... [and] you don't get cover their faces, choke, cough Folmsbee, a Foreign Service sidesteps initial U.S. hopes for anybody ever to do something and otherwise degrade our officer who heads the U.S. elected local government. In they don't want to do." awareness.” civilian-military reconstruction southern Iraq, U.S. military Several officers pointed Both the helicopter and the team in Baghdad's Sadr City. and civilian officials have out that the emphasis on local vehicle involved in the incident "There's an office called the refused to become involved in answers simply follows the at the Assassins’ Gate Office of the Moqtada al-Sadr, the violence between warring instructions of the Army's new checkpoint were not from the and they also provide many Shiite groups, with Petraeus manual on counterinsurgency. United States military, but services to the population, and describing that conflict as Conrad Crane, an Army were part of a convoy operated so we work with them." That something Iraqis must deal historian who co-authored the by Blackwater Worldwide, the includes working with Sadr's with on their own. manual, noted that it quotes private security contractor that Mahdi Army militia, elements The new openness to Lawrence of Arabia's famous is under scrutiny for its role in of which are fighting U.S. "Iraqi solutions" also reflects admonition, "Do not try to do a series of violent episodes in forces elsewhere, Folmsbee the U.S. military's painfully too much with your own hands. Iraq, including a September told reporters last month. learned lessons about how to Better the Arabs do it tolerably shooting in downtown To Crocker, the meaning operate in an alien land. Army than that you do it perfectly." Baghdad that left 17 Iraqis of "Iraqi solutions to Iraqi Col. Robert Roth, who trained Crane said he has seen dead. problems" is "blindingly Iraqi Army commanders in among U.S. brigade and None of the American obvious. Iraq has got a 2005, said it means that the battalion commanders in Iraq soldiers exposed to the government. It's got a system. only way to win in a "a growing realization on the chemical, which is similar to It's got provincial governments. counterinsurgency campaign is ground that Iraqi solutions will tear gas, required medical It's got a military and a police. "by, with and through the best fit Iraqi problems. We attention, and it is not clear if And it has leaders of all of people within that country have learned some of this the any Iraqis did. Still, the these things who increasingly where the insurgency exists -- hard way." previously undisclosed incident take themselves seriously as they must decide how they has raised significant new leaders." want to live and then take questions about the role of Crocker, who co-authored action to make it so." The most New York Times private security contractors in a 2002 paper predicting a successful example of that January 10, 2008 Iraq, and whether they operate "perfect storm" of things likely process in Iraq, Roth added, Pg. 1 under the same rules of to go wrong after an was the turnaround in Anbar. 4. ’05 Use Of Gas By engagement and international ill-conceived U.S. invasion, To the U.S. civilian Blackwater Leaves treaty obligations that the was one of a number of U.S. officials with whom the Questions American military observes. diplomats who urged early military has frequently been at By James Risen “You run into this issue caution. Since his arrival in odds in Iraq, it is a welcome WASHINGTON — The time and again with Baghdad in March, he has change. "I have a lot of helicopter was hovering over a Blackwater, where the rules insisted that the U.S. role is to admiration for my military Baghdad checkpoint into the that apply to the U.S. military "steer, push, prod and pound colleagues," said a senior U.S. Green Zone, one typically don’t seem to apply to the table" to help Iraqis move diplomat in Baghdad who crowded with cars, Iraqi Blackwater,” said Scott L. forward without trying to do requested anonymity in order civilians and United States Silliman, the executive director everything for them. to speak candidly. "A lot of of the Center on Law, Ethics page 10 and National Security at the vomiting can also result. States Army from 2001 to permissible to use tear gas to Duke University School of Blackwater says it was 2005 and is now the dean of get traffic out of the way,” Mr. Law. permitted to carry CS gas the Washburn School of Law Schmitt said. “In my view, it’s Officers and under its contract at the time in Topeka, Kan. an improper use of a riot noncommissioned officers with the State Department. Several Army officers who control agent.” from the Third Infantry According to a State have served in Iraq say they Blackwater’s regular use Division who were involved in Department official, the have never seen riot control of smoke canisters, which the episode said there were no contract did not specifically agents used there by the United create clouds intended to signs of violence at the authorize Blackwater personnel States military at all. Col. impede attacks on convoys, checkpoint. Instead, they said, to carry or use CS, but it did Robert Roth, commander of also sets it apart from the the Blackwater convoy not prohibit it. Task Force 4-64 AR of the military. While it does not raise appeared to be stuck in traffic The military, however, Third Infantry Division, which the same legal issues as the CS and may have been trying to tightly controls use of riot was manning the Assassins’ gas, military officials said the use the riot-control agent as a control agents in war zones. Gate checkpoint at the time of practice raised policy concerns. way to clear a path. They are banned by an the Blackwater incident, said Col. Roth said that he and Anne Tyrrell, a international convention on that his troops were not issued other military officers frowned spokeswoman for Blackwater, chemical weapons endorsed by any of the chemicals. on the use of smoke, because it said the CS gas had been the United States, although a “We didn’t even possess could be used for propaganda released by mistake. 1975 presidential order allows any kind of riot control agents, purposes to convince Iraqis “Blackwater teams in the their use by the United States and we couldn’t employ them that the United States was air and on the ground were military in war zones under if we wanted to,” said Colonel using chemical weapons. preparing a secure route near a limited defensive Roth, who is now serving in Officers and soldiers who checkpoint to provide passage circumstances and only with South Korea. were hit by the CS gas, some for a motorcade,” Ms. Tyrrell the approval of the president or But the same tight controls of whom asked not to be said in an e-mail message. “It a senior officer designated by apparently did not apply to identified because they were seems a CS gas canister was the president. Blackwater at the time of the not authorized to discuss the mistaken for a smoke canister “It is not allowed as a incident. The company initially incident, have described it with and released near an method or means of warfare,” got a contract to provide frustration. They said no intersection and checkpoint.” said Michael Schmitt, security for American officials weapons were being fired or She said that the episode professor of international law in Iraq with the Coalition any other violence that might was reported to the United at the Naval War College in Provisional Authority, an have justified Blackwater’s States Embassy in Baghdad, Newport, R.I. “There are very, agreement which did not response. and that the embassy’s chief very strict restrictions on the address the use of CS gas. In a personal journal security officer and the use of CS gas in a war zone.” After the authority went out of posted online the day of the Department of Defense In 2003, President Bush business, the State Department incident, Captain Clark conducted a full investigation. approved the use of riot control extended the contract for provided a detailed description The troops exposed to the gas agents by the military in Iraq another year until rebidding it. of what happened and included also said they reported it to under the 1975 order, but only Blackwater and two other photos. their superiors. But military for such purposes as companies — DynCorp and While standing at the officials in Washington and controlling rioting prisoners. Triple Canopy — that now checkpoint, he wrote, he saw a Baghdad said they could not At the time of Mr. Bush’s provide security are not Blackwater helicopter confirm that an investigation decision, there were also permitted to use CS gas under overhead. had been conducted. Officials concerns that the Iraqi Army their current contracts, the “We noticed that one of at the State Department, which would use civilians as shields, State Department said. them was hovering right over contracted with Blackwater to particularly in a last-ditch The State Department said the intersection in front of our provide diplomatic security, battle in Baghdad, and some that its lawyers did not believe checkpoint,” he wrote. “There also could not confirm that an officials believed that riot the Blackwater incident was a small amount of white investigation had taken place. control agents might be violated any treaty agreements. smoke coming up from the About 20 to 25 American effective in such circumstances In a written statement, the intersection. I grabbed my soldiers were at the checkpoint to reduce casualties. State Department said the radio and asked one of the at the time of the incident, and A United States military international chemical weapons guard towers what the smoke at least 10 were exposed to the spokesman in Baghdad refused convention “allows for the use was. He answered that it CS gas after “rotor wash” from to describe the current rules of of riot control agents, such as looked like one of the the hovering helicopter pushed engagement governing the use CS, where they are not used as helicopters dropped a smoke it toward them, according to of riot control agents, but a method of warfare. The use grenade on the cars in the officers who were there. A former Army lawyers say their of a riot control agent near a intersection. I asked him why number of Iraqi civilians, both use requires the approval of the checkpoint at an intersection in were they doing that, was there on foot and in cars waiting to military’s most senior the circumstances described is something going on in the go through the checkpoint, commanders. “You never had a not considered to be a method intersection that would cause were also exposed. The gas can soldier with the authority to do of warfare.” them to do this. He said, nope, cause burning and watering it on his own,” said Thomas J. Yet experts said that the couldn’t see anything. Then I eyes, skin irritation and Romig, a retired major general legal status was not so clear said, well what kind of smoke coughing and difficulty who served as the chief judge cut. “I have never seen is it? breathing. Nausea and advocate general of the United anything that would make it “Before he could say page 11 anything, I got my answer. My the Iraqi government and the survey, the 151,000-death government and died, that may eyes started watering, my nose World Health Organization, estimate has a wide range of not be something you'd want to started burning and my face also found a 60 percent statistical uncertainty, from a admit to the government." started to heat up. CS! I heard increase in nonviolent deaths -- low of 104,000 to a high of The new study was the lieutenant say, “Sir that’s from such causes as childhood 223,000. conducted between August not smoke, it’s CS gas.” infections and kidney failure -- "Overall, this is a very 2006 and March 2007 in all After reporting the during the period. The results, good study," said Paul Spiegel, regions of the country, incident to his superiors, which will be published in the a medical epidemiologist at the including the Kurdish northern Captain Clark wrote, a convoy New England Journal of United Nations High area. Surveyors visited about that the helicopter was Medicine at the end of the Commission on Refugees in 1,000 randomly selected protecting showed up. Because month, are the latest of several Geneva. "What they have done geographic areas (called the gas caused a “complete widely divergent and that other studies have not is "clusters") and interviewed traffic jam in front of our controversial estimates of try to compensate for the people in 9,345 households. checkpoint,” the captain wrote, mortality attributed to the Iraq inaccuracies and difficulties of They were asked whether “armored cars in the convoy war. these surveys, triangulating to anyone in the household -- made a U-turn — and threw The three-year toll of get information from other defined as people living under another CS grenade.” violent deaths calculated in the sources." the same roof "and eating from “It just seemed incredibly survey is one-quarter the size Spiegel added that "this one pot" -- had died from June stupid,” he wrote. “The only of that found in a smaller does seem more believable to 2001 through June 2006. thing we could figure out was survey by Iraqi and Johns me" than the earlier survey, Each death was assigned for some reason, one of them Hopkins University researchers which estimated 601,000 to one of 23 causes. "Violent figured that CS would published in the journal Lancet deaths from violence over the death" covered shootings, somehow clear traffic. Why in 2006. same period. stabbings, bombings and other someone would think a Both teams used the same U.S. military officials intentional injuries, and substance that makes your eyes method -- a random sample of yesterday pointed to the great included civilian, military and water, nose burn and face hurt houses throughout the country. disparity between the two police deaths but not suicides would make a driver do For the new study, however, estimates, noting privately that and traffic fatalities unrelated anything other than stop is surveyors visited 23 times as it underscores the potential for to roadside bombs. beyond me.” many places and interviewed inaccuracies in such surveys. Danger prevented Army Staff Sgt. Kenny five times as many households. The Defense Department has surveyors from visiting 11 Mattingly also was puzzled. Surveyors also got more not released any estimates of percent of the chosen clusters. “We saw the Little Bird outside supervision in the civilian deaths and has said Deaths in those areas were (Blackwater helicopter) come recent study; that wasn't often that the military takes estimated using the ratio of and hover right in front of the possible in the spring of 2006 precautions to prevent civilian deaths in the region to deaths gate, and I saw one of the guys when the Johns Hopkins casualties, while the United in other regions as found in the dropping a canister,” Sergeant survey was conducted. States' enemies in Iraq Iraq Body Count, a continuous Mattingly said in an interview. Despite reaching a lower deliberately target civilians. count of reported and verifiable “There was no reason for estimate of total deaths, the "It would be difficult for violent deaths of civilians kept dropping the CS gas. We didn’t epidemiologists found what the U.S. to precisely determine by an independent, hear any gunfire or anything. they termed "a massive death the number of civilian deaths London-based group. (That There was no incident under toll in the wake of the 2003 in Iraq as a result of insurgent count, which even its way.” invasion." activity," said Lt. Col. Mark organizers agree misses many Iraq's population-wide Ballesteros, a Pentagon deaths, registered 47,668 mortality rate nearly doubled, spokesman. "The Iraqi deaths from the U.S.-led Washington Post and the death rate from Ministry of Health would be in invasion through June 2006). January 10, 2008 violence increased tenfold after a better position, with all of its Previous research has Pg. 18 the coalition attack. Men records, to provide more shown that household surveys 5. New Estimate Of between 15 and 60 were at the accurate information on deaths typically miss 30 to 50 percent Violent Deaths Among greatest risk. Their death rate in Iraq." of deaths. One reason is that Iraqis Is Lower from all causes tripled, and Les Roberts, an some families that have By David Brown and Joshua their risk of dying a violent epidemiologist now at suffered violent deaths leave Partlow, Washington Post Staff death went up elevenfold. Columbia University who the survey area. Demographers Writers Iraq's health minister, helped direct the Johns think that as many as 2 million A new survey estimates Salih al-Hasnawi, in a Hopkins survey, also praised Iraqis have fled the country that 151,000 Iraqis died from conference call held by WHO the new one. While both found since the war began, and the violence in the three years yesterday morning, said: a large increase in mortality, 151,000-death estimate following the U.S.-led invasion "Certainly I believe this his found that much more of it includes an adjustment for this. of the country. Roughly 9 out number. I think that this is a was caused by violence. Calculating death tolls in of 10 of those deaths were a very sound survey with "My gut feeling is that Iraq has been notoriously consequence of U.S. military accurate methodology." most of the difference between difficult. operations, insurgent attacks Other experts not involved the two studies is a reluctance Some people are and sectarian warfare. in the research also expressed to report to the government a kidnapped and disappear, and The survey, conducted by confidence in the findings, death due to violence," he said. others turn up months or years even though, as with the earlier "If your son is fighting the later in mass graves. Some are page 12 buried or otherwise disposed of ransomed. certainty that between 104,000 areas. The interviewers, who without being recorded. In "They did risk their lives. and 223,000 civilians had died. were employees of the Iraqi particularly violent areas, local There was a determination to It based its estimate of 151,000 Ministry of Health, had been governments have effectively make it a success," Gasseer deaths on that range. trained how to ask the survey ceased to function, and there said. Those figures made questions and to assign the are ineffective channels for Partlow reported from violence the leading cause of stated causes of deaths. collecting and passing Baghdad. Staff writer Josh adult male deaths in Iraq and The surveyors largely information between hospitals, White contributed to this one of the leading causes of conducted their work in August morgues and the central report. death for the population as a and September 2006. In government. whole, the health organization Baghdad, Shiite militiamen, One senior Health research team reported online often acting in coordination Ministry official, who spoke on New York Times in the New England Journal of with or with the acquiescence the condition of anonymity, January 10, 2008 Medicine. More than half the of fellow Shiites in the Iraq said there are detailed casualty 6. W.H.O. Says Iraq violent deaths occurred in security forces, purged many numbers, but "we have strict Civilian Death Toll Baghdad. neighborhoods of Sunnis. instructions not to give them Higher Than Cited While the new study Many were grabbed, out." The U.N. human rights By Lawrence K. Altman and appears to have the broadest handcuffed, shot in the head mission in Iraq has criticized Richard A. Oppel Jr. scope to date, increasing its and dumped with other the Iraqi government for The World Health reliability, well known victims. Sunni insurgents withholding information on Organization on Wednesday limitations of such efforts in continued their campaign of civilian casualties. waded into the controversial war areas make it unlikely to terrorizing Shiite areas with car Last month, Gen. David H. subject of Iraqi civilian deaths, resolve debate about the extent bombs and other attacks. Petraeus, the top U.S. publishing a study that of the killing in Iraq. In fact, one co-author, commander in Iraq, provided a estimated that the number of Iraqi officials gave Louay Hakki Rasheed, was U.S. military chart on civilian deaths from the start of the war conflicting assessments of the killed on his way to work on deaths in Iraq between January through June 2006 was at least newest study, with one senior Aug. 2, 2007. The 2006 and December 2007, but twice as high as the oft-cited Health Ministry official extraordinarily dangerous specific monthly tolls were not Iraq Body Count. praising it and another saying security situation prevented included. A rough estimate The study is the latest in a the numbers were exaggerated. surveyors from visiting about based on this chart, which long series of attempts to come The White House said that 11 percent of the areas that the synthesized Iraqi and U.S. up with realistic numbers of it had not seen the study and researchers had intended to figures, indicated that some civilian deaths. The numbers would not comment on its visit. 40,000 civilians had died in the are politically fraught, and estimated death toll, but that Most of the places that past two years in Iraq. researchers’ work has been the recent increase in American were off-limits to the Jalil Hadi al-Shimmari, further complicated by forces had reduced civilian and researchers were in Anbar who oversees the western problems in collecting data military casualties. “We mourn Province, the Sunni-dominated Baghdad health department, while working in a war zone. the deaths of all people in region of western Iraq. While said the 151,000 total seems The estimates have varied Iraq,” said Jeanie Mamo, a there have been significant roughly accurate but is widely. The Iraq Body Count, White House spokeswoman. security improvements in probably a "modest" one. "The a nongovernmental group In any case, the study Anbar in the past year — after real number might be bigger based in Britain that bases its ended four months after the Sunni tribal leaders joined with than this," he said. numbers on news media bombing of a revered Shiite United States troops to drive The study employed about accounts, put the number of shrine in Samarra helped set out extremist militants — in 400 interviewers. Some were civilians dead at 47,668 during off a wave of killings 2006 the province was a employees of the Iraq Health the same period of time as the throughout Baghdad and other lawless haven dominated by Ministry, and others were local World Health Organization mixed Sunni-Shiite areas. So insurgents. health workers, such as study, the W.H.O. report said. because of its timing, the study Most of the other areas pharmacists, midwives and President Bush in the past used missed the period of what is into which the researchers nurses. Women surveyors were a number that was similar to believed to be the worst could not go for safety reasons used to interview women in the one put forward at the time by sectarian killings, during the were in Baghdad, which at the households. Different religions the Iraq Body Count. latter half of 2006 and the first time was being ripped into and sects were represented. But another study, by eight months of 2007. balkanized concentrations of "They built up the trust of Johns Hopkins, which has The figures on violent Shiites and Sunnis. Some the community, especially in come under criticism for its deaths were part of a large neighborhoods looked like the difficult areas," said methodology, cited an estimate study of chronic illnesses, urban ghost towns, as the Naeema al-Gasseer, WHO's of about 600,000 dead between mental health status, residents who did not have the representative in Iraq. the war’s start, in March 2003, environmental risk factors and money or the ability to flee the One Iraqi official working and July 2006. other factors affecting family country stayed holed up in on the survey was killed in The World Health health in Iraq. The figures were their homes rather than risk random violence on the way to Organization said its study, based on interviews with 9,345 being abducted or killed by the work. A few interviewers were based on interviews with heads of households across the death squads and gangs of detained by local militia under families, indicated with a 95 country that had been selected criminals and insurgents who suspicion they were spies. One percent degree of statistical according to statistical methods roamed much of the capital surveyor was kidnapped and that are standard in peaceful freely. page 13 Iraqi authorities often have then, the figures collected are today on an explosion north of drop in violence. asserted that estimates of likely to be underestimates Baghdad. Three were killed in UNIDENTIFIED MALE: deaths provided by outside because “some homes could a separate attack yesterday What you're about to see on the groups and researchers are too not be visited because of high northwest of the Iraqi capital. film are three individuals high. But there is a significant levels of insecurity and more The soldiers were killed as pulling another individual from political element to the people move residence in times thousands of U.S. and Iraqi the trunk of a car in the middle numbers, and as the surge in of conflict,” Mr. Hasnawi, the troops began an offensive of an open field. And then violent deaths in 2006 from health minister, said in a against al Qaeda in northern throwing him into a ditch and death squad activities and other statement issued by the Iraq. Jamie McIntyre has our assassinating him. killings became a major W.H.O. report from the Pentagon. MCINTYRE: The U.S. embarrassment, the Iraqi To come up with estimates Jamie? military hopes the brutality will government moved to sharply for the 11 percent of target JAMIE MCINTYRE, be al Qaeda's Achilles heel. curb access to the data. areas they could not reach, the CNN SR. PENTAGON That it will backfire as it did At the same time, Iraqi researchers used a formula that CORRESPONDENT: Lou, in last year when Iraqis turned officials have asserted that they was based primarily on the Iraq recent weeks the trends in Iraq against al Qaeda in Anbar made improvements in their Body Count to determine how have looked pretty positive, but Province and other areas. ability to track fatalities using much higher the number of today showed that on the UNIDENTIFIED MALE: morgue counts and other deaths could have been there battlefield, something that That, in fact, is what's means. One shortcoming has than in other areas of the looks peaceful can turn deadly generated the concern local always been that the corpses of country. dangerous in the blink of an citizens in the first place, and many victims, if they are The Iraq Body Count eye. it's sort of a reverse identifiable, are taken by project bases its numbers on (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) counter-intuitive logic. They're family members straight to the news media reports. That count MCINTYRE (voice-over): trying to intimidate people that cemetery, bypassing the registered 47,668 civilian It was a booby trapped house join them by killing them. It's morgue and hospital. Yet Iraqi deaths because of violence in in Iraq's Diyala Province, much causing more people to go authorities say that relatives the study period, a figure that like this one bombed by a U.S. against them. still have an incentive to obtain the health organization F-16 a few days ago, that (END VIDEOTAPE) a death certificate because it is considered low because many inflicted a heavy toll on the MCINTYRE: Whenever required for inheritance, for such deaths are not reported in U.S., then the trap was violence flares in Iraq, the U.S. government compensation, and the news media. discovered in time and the military has the same for other purposes. The Johns Hopkins study, house destroyed. But in the explanation, they're attacking In a telephone news which was published in The latest incident, the U.S. wasn't our success. Military conference organized by the Lancet in October 2006, so lucky. Six soldiers were commanders also say that the health organization, a voice estimated that 601,027 Iraqi killed, four wounded. Rigging recent events give some identified as that of the Iraqi civilians had died from houses with high explosives is justification for tempering their health minister, Salih Mahdi violence. That study, which not a new tactic, but it's just recent optimism with a healthy Mutlab al-Hasnawi, said, “It is was conducted with researchers part of the deadly arsenal that dose of caution. Lou? a very sound survey, and the from Al-Mustansiriya al Qaeda is using to fight back DOBBS: Jamie, thank sample is a good sample,” and University in Baghdad, against the recent successes of you, Jamie McIntyre from the “I believe in those numbers.” involved one-fifth the number the U.S. and its Iraqi citizen Pentagon. But a senior official in the of households and allies. Iraq Health Ministry’s one-twentieth the number of MAJ. GEN. MARK inspector general’s office cast areas surveyed by the new HERTLING, Washington Post doubt on the findings, saying W.H.O. study. MULTI-NATIONAL January 10, 2008 151,000 was far too high. The Gardiner Harris DIVISION NORTH: There has Pg. 4 official, who said he was not contributed reporting.. been a marked increase in AQI 8. U.S. To Bolster allowed to speak about the activity in Diyala Province in Forces In Afghanistan matter and refused to allow his the form of high profile Pentagon Cites NATO's name to be used, said the CNN spectacular events. Failure to Provide Additional numbers cited by the study January 9, 2008 MCINTYRE: This latest Troops were much larger than figures 7. Six Soldiers Killed In high profile attack has put the By Ann Scott Tyson, tracked by the ministry. But he Booby-Trapped House U.S. death toll right back on Washington Post Staff Writer refused to provide any In Iraq’s Diyala the fast track. After only 23 The U.S. military is alternative tallies for the death Province Americans were killed in all of planning to deploy about 3,000 toll, saying he was not By Jamie McIntyre last month, already 17 have Marines to Afghanistan this authorized to do so. Lou Dobbs Tonight died this month with more than spring to counter an expected Mohamed M. Ali, a health (CNN), 7:00 PM 20 days to go. But as this video offensive by Taliban agency statistician and LOU DOBBS: Good shot from an unmanned insurgents, a Pentagon co-author of the report, said evening, everybody. We begin predator spy plane seems to spokesman said yesterday, that “in the absence of tonight with news that nine of show, al Qaeda is using murder citing NATO allies' failure to comprehensive death our troops have been killed in and intimidation to target provide additional combat registration and hospital Iraq over the past 48 hours. Six so-called CLCs, concerned troops. reporting, household surveys of our soldiers were killed local citizens who have been The reinforcements would are the best we can do.” Even the biggest reason behind a be in place by April and stay page 14 for about seven months to try which may not be politically secure the south could lead to about it before he approves it, to bring down violence, which possible for them to deliver." unpleasant second- and because it involves a serious rose significantly last year, NATO force commanders third-order effects." additional commitment of U.S. leading the Bush have acknowledged that they The Pentagon plan would forces," Morrell said. administration to reassess its lack enough troops to control dispatch a Marine battalion to Gates for months has tried Afghanistan strategy. Overall territory in the nation of almost train the Afghan army and to persuade U.S. allies to send attacks were up 27 percent, 32 million people, allowing the police, partially meeting a additional troops. The North with a spike of 60 percent in Taliban to recapture district shortfall of about 3,500 trainers Atlantic Treaty Organization the volatile southern province centers following NATO for the police force, which U.S. commands about 42,000 troops of Helmand, where the Taliban offensives against the officials say suffers from in Afghanistan, including about resurgence is strongest, insurgents. That shortage led corruption and illiteracy. More 15,000 of the Americans there. according to Pentagon data. the top NATO commander in trainers are needed for the The number of bombings Defense Secretary Robert Afghanistan, U.S. Army Gen. Afghan army, following a and clashes with M. Gates will receive the Dan K. McNeill, to ask for at decision by the Pentagon last Taliban-aligned militants formal order Friday to deploy a least three more combat month to increase the increased in 2007, and 117 Marine air-ground task force battalions, they said. manpower goal of that force U.S. military personnel were and a Marine battalion to Many NATO countries from 70,000 to 80,000. killed, according to the Afghanistan, said Pentagon have placed restrictions on Staff writer Karen independent website spokesman Geoff Morrell. their troops that keep them out DeYoung contributed to this icasualties.org. Gates does not plan to approve of combat. Other countries, report. Pentagon planners have the order immediately but will such as Canada, operate examined the U.S. weigh it carefully because the without such restrictions but counterinsurgency strategy and Marine deployment would say their forces are already Los Angeles Times troop build-up in Iraq to represent a "serious allocation stretched. January 10, 2008 determine which tactics and of forces," Morrell said. "It's difficult to see how 9. Sending Marines To strategies could work in Bush administration Canada could contribute more Afghanistan Proposed Afghanistan. But Morrell said officials said a political without a negative impact" on Gates has yet to OK the idea to the proposal for additional decision has been made that sustaining the troops' presence, ship 3,200 more troops for a Marines grew less out of the the U.S. military must shoulder Canada's army chief, Lt. Gen. rotation. More NATO forces lessons of Iraq and more from a greater combat burden, given Andrew Leslie, said in are still sought. the realization that, though that the United States has Washington last month. By Julian E. Barnes and Peter weakened, the Taliban is a failed to persuade NATO allies Canada has about 2,500 Spiegel, Los Angeles Times "stubborn" problem. to contribute the thousands of soldiers in southern Staff Writers "It's based upon the fact extra combat troops needed to Afghanistan. WASHINGTON —Faced the Taliban remains a train Afghan forces and Gates has decided that the with rising violence, U.S. persistent threat and provide security. "The Marines going to Afghanistan military officials have commanders on the ground feel commander needs additional will not come from Iraq's proposed sending additional that additional forces are forces there ... and the allies are Anbar province, as called for troops to Afghanistan this necessary to take on an not inclined to provide them, under an earlier Marine Corps spring in an effort to counter additional spring offensive," he so we are looking at providing proposal, because the situation the growing power of Taliban said. additional combat forces," in Iraq remains tenuous, militants. The majority of the Marine Morrell said. Pentagon and administration Pentagon officials want to force would serve in southern The United States now officials said. deploy 3,200 Marines to Afghanistan, one of the more provides about 26,000 of the The plan to send Marines Afghanistan for a standard violent areas. They would join roughly 54,000 foreign troops to Afghanistan was first seven-month stint and would other U.S. forces as well as in Afghanistan and has the lead reported yesterday by ABC not replace them when they troops from Canada, Britain combat role in the eastern part News. leave. Added to the 27,000 and the Netherlands. A smaller of the country, while U.S. The Marine air-ground U.S. troops there, the group of Marines would train Special Operations forces task force will go to Helmand, additional Marines would Afghan security forces. operate in all regions. British, where its mission will be "to boost the U.S. force to the The proposal to send more Canadian, Australian and beat back another spring highest level since the 2001 U.S. troops follows months of Dutch forces play key combat offensive," Morrell said. invasion. unsuccessful efforts by Gates roles in southern Afghanistan, Fighting in Afghanistan tends The proposal is supported and Mullen to persuade NATO where violence has surged over to be seasonal, with a lull in by Adm. Michael G. Mullen, countries to send additional the past year, particularly winter when the weather makes chairman of the Joint Chiefs of combat battalions and trainers. suicide and roadside bombings. travel difficult. British forces Staff, and could be submitted At a congressional hearing last During a trip to now lead the NATO command to Defense Secretary Robert month, Gates said he intended Afghanistan last month, Gates in southern Afghanistan, M. Gates as early as Friday. to continue applying pressure. said he was not inclined to including Helmand. But Geoff Morrell, the "I am not ready to let supply the additional combat Leslie acknowledged that Pentagon press secretary, NATO off the hook in troops and continued to press Taliban gains in southern emphasized that Gates would Afghanistan at this point," NATO. But now, Morrell said, Afghanistan are a serious not rubber stamp it. Gates said. Gates has decided "to stop challenge. "The south is on a "The secretary is going to In a meeting in Edinburgh, hammering our allies for things knife edge," he said. "Failure to want to think long and hard Scotland, a few days later, page 15 Gates was told by several the long-term solution is to equipment despite a rise in warlords. NATO defense ministers that boost Afghan forces. Taliban activity last year. Instead, Defense Secretary domestic politics prevented The defense ministry said "The commander needs Robert Gates said last month them from sending more more international troops are additional forces there, our that the U.S. might be forced to troops. needed to battle the extremist allies are not in a position to send fresh combat troops to U.S. planners militia, which is believed to be provide them, so we are now Afghanistan if matters continue consequently have sought other preparing to launch an looking at perhaps carrying a to worsen. Pentagon officials ways to meet a request for offensive as soon as the winter bit of that additional load," said yesterday they are 7,500 more troops from Army snows melt. Pentagon press secretary Geoff considering plans to send Gen. Dan K. McNeill, who "At present, we need Morrell said. several thousand additional serves as commander of NATO foreign forces to maintain Coalition commanders U.S. troops. forces in the country. But a peace and security. We have complained that they are For now, with the U.S.-led military official said welcome the increase in short three infantry battalions, coalition in Afghanistan facing Wednesday that sending numbers and facilities," 3,000 trainers and helicopters, manpower shortages, British Marines would not mean that ministry spokesman General which were promised but not officials said the militias would Washington would ease the Mohammad Zahir Azimi told delivered by NATO members. be helpful in expanding the pressure on its allies. AFP. The proposal to send number of Afghans willing to "The U.S. leadership "But the long-term marines to fill the gap goes fight the Taliban. The plan would still like NATO to meet solution is that we need before Gates on Friday but he calls for creating new forces its commitments," said the support to increase Afghan is unlikely to make a final modeled on arbakai, the official, who spoke on the forces in quality and quantity, decision at that time, Morrell centuries-old village militias. condition of anonymity so they can take up the said in Washington. "They'd be focused solely because he was not authorized responsibility for their Currently, there are 26,000 on defensive activity, not to to discuss the proposal. "We country." U.S. troops in Afghanistan, replace the national forces, but still need NATO nations to Since the collapse of the most of them under the to assist and help them," said exert a greater effort." hardline Taliban regime in late 40,000-strong NATO-led Nick Allan, a spokesman for Morrell said that the need 2001, Afghanistan has seen a International Security the British Embassy in for more NATO forces significant slowdown in the Assistance Force. Washington. remained. militants' activities each winter, The British proposal, still "If anything, it increases followed by a surge when the in planning, comes as fear the pressure on NATO," weather improves in spring. Wall Street Journal grows in both Washington and Morrell said. "It shows we are "We don't expect any January 10, 2008 London that early success in stepping up to the plate to fill particular spring offensive this Pg. 4 Afghanistan may be slipping part of the shortfall of 7,500 year, just the normal increase 11. Britain Sees Role away. and other countries should dig in activities every spring," For Afghan Tribes Last year was the deadliest deep and provide what they Azimi said. Militias Would Help Fight for U.S. and North Atlantic can to fulfill the rest." The Afghan army is Taliban, but U.S. Reaction Is Treaty Organization forces Military officials expected to reach 70,000 Split since the U.S.-led invasion in compared the extra Marines to troops in the first half of this By Yochi J. Dreazen 2001. Suicide bombings and a buildup of U.S. forces last year. British military civilian casualties also rose spring. Gates ordered extended "The year 2008 is going to commanders in Afghanistan sharply, steadily eroding the tours for members of a brigade be different from last year. The are pushing for the creation of popularity of President Hamid of the 10th Mountain Division Afghan army is getting better armed tribal militias to aid in Karzai's central government. to augment a NATO offensive and bigger and well-equipped," the fight against the Taliban, Many senior American against the Taliban. he said. underscoring Western concern commanders attribute security The new Marines would "We don't expect a major about deteriorating security in problems to a shortage of arrive in April, when the winter speedy change, but slowly and the country. foreign troops. NATO, which snows have melted and heavy steadily our security forces are The British proposal takes commands a 41,000-person fighting is expected to resume. expanding." a page from the U.S. military force, has struggled to find U.S. Defense Secretary playbook in Iraq, where nations willing to contribute Robert Gates is considering American forces persuaded more. The U.S. has 15,000 Wall Street Journal (wsj.com) sending about 3,000 marines to many Sunni Arab tribes to join soldiers and Marines in the January 10, 2008 Afghanistan in anticipation of a the fight against NATO force, and about 11,000 10. Afghanistan spike in Taliban attacks once religious-extremist groups, others under separate American Welcomes Plan To roads and mountains become including al Qaeda. command. That compares with Boost US Troop passable again in spring, a But this time, the proposal 155,000 deployed to Iraq. Numbers Pentagon spokesman said has drawn a mixed reaction British Prime Minister KABUL (AFP) -- Wednesday. from American officials, who Gordon Brown first raised the Afghanistan on Thursday The marines would make debated and rejected a similar arbakai idea publicly in welcomed U.S. plans to send up part of the shortfall of 7,500 idea in 2004, saying their aim mid-December, telling up to 3,000 addition marines to troops, after North Atlantic was to build national forces. Parliament that his government counter an expected Taliban Treaty Organization countries Afghanistan, unlike Iraq, has a would be increasing its spring offensive but insisted failed to meet promises to long history of militias falling "support for community provide men and combat under the sway of local defense initiatives, where local page 16 volunteers are recruited to who was serving in a senior rest would help train the Wolf? defend homes and families Pentagon post at the time. "We Afghan army and police. BLITZER: A tenuous modeled on traditional Afghan said we'd started down a path The plan was drawn up situation in Afghanistan right arbakai." The British envision of building national forces, and after NATO countries failed to now. All right. Barbara, thanks using the forces to improve we needed to continue that respond to a request from the very much for that news. conditions in the southern approach." U.S. commander in province of Helmand, a Ali Jalali, Afghanistan's Afghanistan for more troops to longtime Taliban stronghold. interior minister until the fall contain Taliban forces USA Today The arbakai system has of 2005 and now a professor at operating out of sanctuaries in January 10, 2008 been a mainstay of remote the National Defense Pakistan. The plan is expected Pg. 6 regions of eastern Afghanistan University, Washington, said to be presented to Secretary 13. Iran Threat for centuries. Clans from the the Karzai government found Gates later this week. If he Shadows Bush's Mideast region's tribes take turns arbakai forces useful in helping approves and the president Visit providing small numbers of maintain security in eastern agrees, the U.S. will embark on Region's safety on many fighters to each village. In Afghanistan during presidential a troop surge in Afghanistan, leaders' minds times of emergency, the and parliamentary elections in just as the one in Iraq is By Richard Wolf, USA Today tribesmen pound drums to 2004-05. But he opposes the ending. TEL AVIV — President summon hundreds of British proposal to establish the David Martin, CBS News, Bush had been on Israeli soil additional fighters. tribal forces in southern the Pentagon. just minutes Wednesday when British officials said they Afghanistan, arguing they can The Situation Room one of the top issues bothering would like to recruit small be trusted only in areas where (CNN), 5:00 PM the Middle East leaders he is numbers of tribal fighters in a the central government has a WOLF BLITZER: We're scheduled to meet on his trip handful of villages to evaluate strong presence. getting an important was broached: Iran. how well the forces perform in "If the Taliban are there development just coming in to "We take your advice to defending their communities and the government is not," he CNN from Barbara Starr. She's not underestimate the Iranian from the Taliban. The fighters said, "the tribes will nominally standing by right now at the threat," Israeli President would use their existing swear allegiance to the central Pentagon. What are you Shimon Peres told Bush at Ben firearms and wouldn't receive government but practically do learning, Barbara? Gurion International Airport. any new weapons, British as they please." BARBARA STARR, "Iran should not underestimate officials said. CNN PENTAGON our resolve for self-defense." Some American officers CORRESPONDENT: Well The main mission of CBS, CNN argue that creating such forces Wolf, CNN has learned that Bush's eight-day trip to the January 9, 2008 may help win over tribal Defense Secretary Robert Middle East, which began fighters who have long been 12. TV News Coverage Gates is on the verge of Wednesday, is to nudge peace hostile to the U.S.-led coalition From Pentagon sending 3,000 additional talks between Israel and its and the Afghan central Correspondents combat forces to Afghanistan. Palestinian neighbors — but government. Others are far CBS Evening News, 6:30 This is most likely to be 3,000 the subtext is Iran's regional more skeptical. Gen. Dan PM U.S. marines, both a threat. McNeil, the top American KATIE COURIC: Now in combination of ground and air In the past several days, officer in Afghanistan, believes other news. Talk of a new forces. This is a request that is Bush, Secretary of State the arbakai model is alien to troop surge tonight; this time in coming to the Pentagon Condoleezza Rice and national southern Afghanistan and Afghanistan. David Martin directly from the NATO security adviser Stephen probably wouldn't work there, reports from the Pentagon. commander in Afghanistan. He Hadley have sought to assure according to a spokesman, DAVID MARTIN: Just as simply does not have enough those nations that the United Maj. Charles Anthony. American troops are beginning troops due to the rise of the States still considers Iran a "This is a system that to withdraw from Iraq, the Taliban and al Qaeda threat in danger, despite a U.S. depends on the tribal structures Joint Chiefs of Staff has drawn Afghanistan. NATO has so far intelligence report last month in a given area," Maj. Anthony up a plan for sending more not contributed the full that concluded Iran's nuclear said. "It has not worked troops to the so-called complement of troops that is weapons program was halted in previously in the south, in forgotten war in Afghanistan. needed, so they are coming to 2003. Helmand," because the The plan, which has not yet the Pentagon. "Iran is a threat to world province has a less cohesive been approved by Defense As of this afternoon, this peace," Bush said Wednesday tribal hierarchy. Secretary Gates, calls for proposal is on Defense after meeting with Israeli The U.S. military already sending 3,000 Marines to Secretary Robert Gates' desk. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at has studied a variant of the Afghanistan in time for an According to senior U.S. his residence in Jerusalem. arbakai concept. U.S. Special expected upsurge in fighting military officials, there is every "The international community Forces commanders proposed next spring. That would bring indication he will approve it must understand with clarity building tribal forces in eastern the overall number of U.S. and the surge, if you will, for the threat that Iran represents Afghanistan as far back as troops in Afghanistan to Afghanistan may well be to world peace." 2004; senior Pentagon officials 30,000. Some of the Marines underway. 3,000 more troops Rice had made clear rejected the idea. would be sent directly into possibly very quickly going to earlier that Iran would be a "We shouted it down," combat in Taliban strongholds Afghanistan in the next several major topic of discussion said Joseph Collins, a professor in southern Afghanistan. The weeks, as soon as Secretary throughout Bush's trip, which at the National War College Gates signs those papers. page 17 includes stops in Saudi Arabia, intends to sell about $20 billion made from file pictures, and The episode was initially Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain and the in arms to Saudi Arabia and the audio was fabricated,” an described Monday by United Arab Emirates. other Gulf countries, while unnamed Revolutionary Guard American officials who said it "There will be discussions increasing aid to Israel. "We official said, according to Fars, took place Sunday in the Strait of Iran in Israel, in the Gulf, all have been reassuring our allies which has close links to the of Hormuz. around, because Iran is the for quite some time now by Revolutionary Guard. It was They said five armed single most important, greatest increasing … their defense the first time Iran had Iranian speedboats approached threat to the kind of Middle capability," Rice said. commented on the video that three United States Navy East that we all want to see," Mark Regev, Olmert's the Pentagon released Tuesday. warships in international she said Tuesday before spokesman, said the issue of The audio includes a waters, then maneuvered accompanying Bush on his Iran has taken on added statement that says, “I am aggressively as a radio threat trip. "It's a supporter of importance because officials coming to you,” and adds, was issued that the American terrorism in Iraq, in Lebanon, want to stop Iran's nuclear “You will explode after a few ships would be blown up. No in the Palestinian territories. It program in its tracks. So far, minutes.” The voice was shots were fired. The video has nuclear ambitions." the Bush administration and recorded from the runs slightly more than four The tough talk on Iran the United Nations Security internationally recognized minutes and, Pentagon officials comes after five armed Iranian Council have used economic channel for ship-to-ship said, was shot from the bridge boats took aggressive action sanctions as a tactic. communications, Navy of the guided-missile destroyer Sunday near three U.S. Navy "They don't have a bomb officials have said. Hopper. warships in international yet," Regev said. "We think The Pentagon immediately The audio includes a waters. Administration their nuclear program is still dismissed the assertion that the heavily accented voice warning officials called it reckless. stoppable." video, which shows Iranian in English that the Navy "There will be serious Olmert said, "We must do speedboats maneuvering warships would explode. consequences if they attack our everything possible to thwart around and among the Navy However, the recording carries ships, pure and simple," Bush them." warships, had been fabricated. no ambient noise — the sounds said in Israel. "My advice to The administration wants Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon of a motor, the sea or wind — them is, 'Don't do it.' " to solve the situation with Iran spokesman, said Iran’s that would be expected if the The Associated Press diplomatically, but Rice said “allegation is absurd, factually broadcast had been made from reported Wednesday that an this week that "the president incorrect and reflects the lack one of the five small boats that unnamed official for Iran's doesn't take options off the of seriousness with which they sped around the three-ship Revolutionary Guards said table." take this serious incident.” American convoy. footage of the incident released That will be welcomed by Naval and Pentagon Pentagon officials said Tuesday by the Pentagon was the Israelis, said Shlomo officials have said that the they could not rule out that the "compiled using file pictures Avineri, a Hebrew University video and audio were recorded broadcast might have come and the audio has been of Jerusalem political scientist separately, then combined. On from shore, or from another fabricated." State Department and former Foreign Ministry Wednesday, Pentagon officials, ship nearby, although it might spokesman Sean McCormack official. "What the Israelis who spoke on the condition of have come from one of the five called the claim "just would expect from the United anonymity because they were fast boats with a high-quality ridiculous." States is a very muscular not authorized to speak radio system. The National Intelligence response" to Iranian officially, said they were still The Revolutionary Guards Estimate released by the aggression, Avineri said. trying to determine if the arrested 15 British sailors in United States last month said transmission came from the Persian Gulf waters last year Iran continues to enrich speedboats or elsewhere. and accused them of entering uranium and seek longer-range New York Times The unnamed Iranian waters. They were kept missiles, even if it stopped January 10, 2008 Revolutionary Guard official in a secret location for two trying to make a nuclear 14. Iran Accuses U.S. Of quoted in the Iranian news weeks before they were weapon. That report became Faking Persian Gulf media asserted that the video released in April. Their boats the subject of confusion and Video of the speedboats had been were seized by Iranian conspiracy theories in many By Nazila Fathi released to coincide with a trip authorities and have not been Middle Eastern nations. In TEHRAN — Iran’s by President Bush to the returned. A Foreign Ministry Israel, it was flatly disputed; Revolutionary Guard accused Middle East and “was in line spokesman said on Wednesday the Israeli newspaper Yedioth the United States on with a project of the Western that Iran was willing to return Ahronoth reported this week Wednesday of fabricating a media to create fear.” The the boats but that British that Defense Minister Ehud video showing Iranian official said the sounds and authorities had not followed Barak would show Bush his speedboats confronting United images on the video did not go up, the official IRNA news nation's "Iran dossier." States Navy warships in the together, adding, “It is very agency reported. The risk for the United Persian Gulf over the weekend, clear that they are fake.” Thom Shanker contributed States and Israel is that other according to a report carried by The Fars news agency had reporting from Washington. Arab nations will seek the semiofficial Fars news said that the confrontation had conciliation with Iran rather agency and state-run television. been fabricated to present Iran Washington Post than confrontation. To stop that “Images released by the as a threat to its neighbors January 10, 2008 from happening, the Bush U.S. Department of Defense before Mr. Bush’s trip so he Pg. 15 administration notified about the Navy vessels were could justify United States Congress last month that it forces in the gulf. 15. Top Iranian General page 18 Hit With Sanctions and if we felt any danger we targeting Shiites and Sunnis. U.S. Also Singles Out 3 Exiled have relations that allow us to The Quds Force is the elite Iraqis For Fomenting Violence talk about it." foreign operations branch of Fox News Channel in Iraq French Foreign Minister Iran's Revolutionary Guards. January 9, 2008 By Robin Wright, Washington Bernard Kouchner warned Iran Foruzandeh also financed 16. President Bush On Post Staff Writer about taking dangerous action, operations by both Shiite and Strait Of Hormuz The United States but cautioned the two nations Sunni extremist groups against Incident yesterday slapped sanctions on to show "moderation." U.S. forces in Iraq, the By Catherine Herridge a top Iranian general and three The United States and Iran Treasury said. He drove Special Report With Brit exiled Iraqis based in Iran and have been competing for explosives and other war Hume, 6:00 PM Syria for fomenting violence in influence in the Persian Gulf materiel into Iraq for use in BRET BAIER: Iran claims Iraq, as President Bush lashed area. Iranian President suicide bombings, and the U.S. Navy video of a out again at Tehran for last Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was organized training courses for disturbing encounter between weekend's showdown between expected to visit Iraq this Iraqi militants in Iranian U.S. warships and Iranian U.S. and Iranian naval vessels. month, and Tehran angled for camps, it added. fast-boats Sunday is a fake. But In a news conference with him to be in Baghdad during Foruzandeh, who operates President Bush, traveling in the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Bush's eight-day Middle East out of the Revolutionary Guard Mideast, has given Iran a Olmert, Bush called Iran a tour, U.S. officials said. Iraqi Headquarters in the old U.S. strongly-worded piece of "threat to world peace" and officials then reconsidered the Embassy compound in Tehran, advice: Do not attack warned that it would face visit's timing. "The Iraqis were allegedly met with Shiite American ships or there will be "serious consequences" if it wise enough to see that that militias in July, calling on them a price to pay. National tried to attack U.S. ships in the would not be the best move," to "continue liquidating all correspondent Catherine Persian Gulf. All options said a senior U.S. official enemies of the Islamic Herridge reports. remain on the table, Bush said, familiar with the diplomacy. revolution, including security CATHERINE a statement that some Ahmadinejad traveled to and intelligence personnel, HERRIDGE: In another sign diplomatic and military Abu Dhabi two days after Vice tribal chiefs, and religious that the controversy is officials in Washington said President Cheney's visit in clerics," Treasury said. intensifying, the president inflated the significance of the May. It also named Abu Mustafa warned Iran at the first news brief incident Sunday between Shortly after Bush's al-Sheibani and Ismail Hafez conference of his Mideast trip five small Iranian speedboats comments in Israel yesterday, al-Lami, both alleged to be not to target U.S. vessels. It is and three U.S. warships. the Treasury Department leaders of Shiite extremist the president’s bluntest Iran countered yesterday announced the new economic groups based in Iran. warning to date. that a four-minute video of the sanctions on the four Sheibani's network includes PRES. GEORGE W. encounter released by the individuals and a television hundreds of members in BUSH: There will be serious United States on Tuesday was station in Syria. several pro-Iranian insurgent consequences if they attack our compiled from file pictures and "Iran and Syria are fueling groups in southern Iraq that ships – pure and simple. And fabricated audio. Pentagon violence and destruction in have conducted roadside bomb my advice to them is don’t do spokesman Bryan Whitman Iraq," said a statement by attacks against Americans and it. called the allegation "absurd" Stuart A. Levey, sabotaged British forces HERRIDGE: Iranian and said that "explanations of undersecretary for terrorism operating in the south, television, quoting a senior this nature reflect an inherent and financial intelligence. Treasury said. commander with Iran’s disregard for the seriousness of "Today's action brings to light Lami, known as Abu Dura, Revolutionary Guard, claimed this incident." the lethal action of these leads another pro-Iranian group the tape, first released by the The rising tensions led individuals and we call on the that has targeted Iraqi officials, U.S. Navy late Tuesday, was a France and Saudi Arabia to call international community to Sunni leaders and others, fabrication, a lie, a fake meant on Washington and Tehran to stand with us in isolating them Treasury said. His group to damage Iran’s credibility. show caution. "We hope this from the global economy." kidnapped, tortured and killed The taping running about incident will not be repeated. Treasury imposed the Sunnis in Iraq's Ministry of four-and-a-half minutes in We face a constant danger of sanctions under Executive Higher Education in 2006. length shows five Iranian escalation, so self-restraint is Order 13438, which targets The administration also fast-boats swarming and necessary for all players in the insurgents and militia groups. sanctioned Mish'an al-Jaburi, a threatening three U.S. warships region," Saudi Foreign It freezes any assets -- such as former member of Iraq's in the straight of Hormuz, one Minister Saud al-Faisal said at property or financial holdings parliament who fled to Syria of the world’s main shipping a news conference on the eve -- under U.S. jurisdiction or after allegedly embezzling corridors for crude oil. The of Bush's visit to the kingdom. any transactions with U.S. government funds and supports reaction from U.S. officials to He also appeared to rebuff citizens or entities. Iraqi insurgents, Treasury said. Iran’s claim of fabrication was U.S. efforts to raise the stakes The administration named He owns al-Zawra, a television swift and dismissive. over Iran. "We're a neighbor to Brig. Gen. Ahmed Foruzandeh, station critical of the U.S. SEAN MCCORMACK Iran in the Gulf, which is a leader of Iran's Quds Force military presence in Iraq that [State Department small area, so we're keen for operations in Iraq, for allegedly has reportedly aired Spokesman]: That’s just harmony and peace among directing the assassinations of recruitment videos for ridiculous. I completely countries in the region," Faisal Iraqis and ordering Iranian al-Qaeda of Iraq. Treasury dismiss that. said. "We have relations with intelligence to provoke deeper included al-Zawra in the HERRIDGE: Early today Iran and we talk with them, sectarian violence in Iraq by sanctions order. page 19 the Navy released a second Washington Post have repeatedly backfired, in Afghanistan, including version of the tape, one where January 10, 2008 leaving him stronger than ever Omar, the one-eyed cleric who the audio was enhanced. The Pg. 17 and adding to the general has led the movement for a exchange between U.S. sailors 17. Taliban Commander instability that is plaguing the decade, and Jalaluddin and an Iranian is easily Emerges As Pakistan's country, Pakistani officials and Haqqani, a grizzled insurgent discernible. In this section it 'Biggest Problem' analysts said in interviews. leader who has organized begins with a direct threat. "Baitullah Mehsud is the attacks against Soviet, U.S. and Radical Accused in Bhutto's IRANIAN MALE: I am biggest problem of today's NATO troops there since the Death Has Quickly Gathered coming to you. Pakistan, and he is the main 1980s. Power U.S. SAILOR: Inbound factor behind the failure of the "There are a couple of By Imtiaz Ali and Craig small craft, you are government's current policies other local Taliban Whitlock, Washington Post approaching a coalition in the tribal region," a senior commanders who have been Foreign Service warship operating in government official said on influential in their own PESHAWAR, Pakistan, international waters. Your condition of anonymity in localities, but Baitullah has Jan. 9 -- Even as his reputation identity is not known, your Peshawar, a frontier city near overshadowed them all lately has grown more menacing and intentions are unclear. You are the Afghan border. "Kidnap and now his name carries the his militia more powerful, the straying into danger and may after kidnap of the security day when it comes to militancy Taliban commander accused of be subject to defensive forces by his militants has in Pakistan," said Ashraf Ali, a ordering the death of Benazir measures. Request you become a routine matter now researcher at Peshawar Bhutto has shrouded himself in establish communications now and a big embarrassment for University and specialist on the mystery. or alter your course the government." Taliban. When Baitullah Mehsud immediately to remain clear. Mehsud, 34, is also Mehsud was an unknown attended a February 2005 Request you alter course accused by Afghan and U.S. figure outside the movement signing ceremony for an immediately to remain clear.” officials of organizing suicide until late 2004, when he rose in ill-fated cease-fire with the IRANIAN MALE: You attacks in Afghanistan and the ranks after the death of Pakistani government, he will explode after two minutes. helping to supply Taliban another Pakistani Taliban bundled his face and upper HERRIDGE: And the risk fighters there. But the Pakistani commander, Nek Mohammed, body in a black cloth before is real, according to analysts military, distracted by political who was killed in a U.S. appearing in public to scrawl who point to the U.S.S. Cole, problems, has been reluctant to cross-border airstrike in South his signature. Like the man to an attack in October, 2000, mount a direct assault on his Waziristan. whom he has sworn allegiance, which left 17 dead after a small refuge in South Waziristan, a In the internal power Afghan Taliban leader vessel packed with explosives rugged tribal area that has struggle that followed, Mehsud Mohammad Omar, Mehsud has rammed the ship’s side. successfully resisted outside at first was overshadowed by a obsessively avoided cameras LT. GEN. THOMAS control for centuries. fellow clansman, Abdullah and maintained an ascetic MCINERNEY (Ret.) [Fox "There's really no choice Mehsud, a former inmate at the lifestyle. News Military Analyst]: Fire for the government now," said U.S. prison at Guantanamo Since then, Mehsud has boats like that could have Muhammed Amir Rana, Bay, Cuba, who was released emerged as perhaps the attacked those three surface director of the Pak Institute for in 2004 and returned to greatest military threat to the vessels and they could have Peace Studies in Islamabad. Pakistan only to take up arms Pakistani government. Last probably killed over 100 "They'll have to go in and do a again. August, just weeks after the American sailors, and perhaps military operation to weaken A one-legged daredevil cease-fire ended in even sunk them. him. He's become too strong. with a taste for publicity, recriminations, his fighters HERRIDGE: Speaking in They need to do something to Abdullah Mehsud ordered the from South Waziristan stunned Baltimore, the Navy’s stop the Taliban and the kidnapping of two Chinese the country by capturing a secretary defended the actions Talibanization of that region." engineers in South Waziristan group of more than 200 of the sailors who did not Analysts and officials said in 2004 and was soon named soldiers who were patrolling engage the fast-boats despite there are other Taliban one of Pakistan's most wanted the lawless tribal areas along the provocation. commanders who control more men. But he fell out of favor the border with Afghanistan. DONALD WINTER territory or bigger forces than with Omar and other Taliban Three were executed; the rest [Navy Secretary]: I think that Mehsud. But they said his elders, who saw him as a loose were freed in a prisoner swap. they accorded themselves political influence within the cannon and decided to replace In recent days, Pakistani exactly the way we would like notoriously fractious him, analysts said. officials have blamed the them to. movement has grown rapidly Abdullah Mehsud was Taliban commander for the HERRIDGE: Separately, and is probably unparalleled on killed in a raid by Pakistani death of Bhutto, the former Navy officials tell Fox that the Pakistani side of the border. security forces in July. prime minister who was killed dealing with Iran’s Last month, for instance, Pakistani leaders thought Dec. 27 while campaigning to Revolutionary Guard is Mehsud was chosen to serve as they had successfully brought return to power. Investigations especially difficult because the head of a 40-member shura, Baitullah Mehsud under their are ongoing, and it remains to they’re so unpredictable and or consultative council, that control when they persuaded be seen whether Mehsud was not a disciplined military force. was formed to coordinate him and several other militant directly responsible. At the Pentagon, Catherine various Taliban factions in leaders from South Waziristan What is clear, however, is Herridge, Fox News. Pakistan. to sign the cease-fire in that Pakistan's past efforts to Mehsud is also a favorite February 2005. control or neutralize Mehsud commander of Taliban leaders Under the deal, the page 20 Pakistani army withdrew its By Zeeshan Haider, Reuters 60. missions" to clean up nuclear forces from the area in ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Despite concerns, contamination caused by a exchange for a pledge by the rejected yesterday remarks by especially since the Sept. 11, strike on nuclear facilities near militants to stop launching the UN nuclear watchdog chief 2001, attacks on the United the Chinese border, and to attacks against U.S., Afghan that the nation's nuclear arsenal States, US military and defense "secure 'loose nukes' and fissile and coalition forces across the could fall into the hands of officials say the weapons are material." border, as well as a promise to Islamist militants, and allayed safely under Pakistani control. One of the report's authors, refuse shelter to al-Qaeda the fears of a US senator Sadiq said a three-member John S. Park of the U.S. members and other foreign visiting Islamabad. US Congressional delegation Institute of Peace, said fighters. Mohamed ElBaradei, head visiting Pakistan this week had yesterday that the report's At the time, there were of the International Atomic met with officials of the findings were based on widespread reports that the Energy Agency, expressed his military-led Strategic Plans discussions held in China in Pakistani government gave fears about Pakistan's nuclear Division, which has oversight June and on participants' bags of cash to Mehsud and weapons in an interview with for Pakistan's nuclear weapons. responses to suggested other tribal leaders as a the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat. He gave no details. scenarios. sweetener. Officials have His comments were The security of Pakistan's The report, "Keeping an denied it. widely reported in Pakistani nuclear program has became a Eye on an Unruly Neighbor: Regardless, Mehsud and newspapers yesterday and echo focus of greater international Chinese Views of Economic his faction quickly broke their concerns raised by some US concern after A.Q. Khan, the Reform and Stability in North promises to keep the peace and nuclear specialists and head of the program, confessed Korea," cites an "apparent new allowed al-Qaeda leaders to politicians concerned about the on national television in 2004 willingness" among Chinese resettle in the area, U.S. militant violence and political to selling nuclear know-how to analysts and PLA researchers officials said. After pressure turmoil that is rocking the Iran and Libya. to talk about the danger of from U.S. and Afghan government of President North Korean instability and officials, Pakistani leaders Pervez Musharraf. how China might respond if its admitted the peace accord had Pakistan's Foreign Washington Times security is threatened. failed. The cease-fire collapsed Ministry dismissed ElBaradei's January 10, 2008 Some, but not all, Chinese last summer, along with a remarks as "unwarranted and Pg. 11 analysts "say explicitly that similar deal in North irresponsible." 19. Beijing Would Use they favor holding a discussion Waziristan. "Pakistan rejects the Force To Restore N. on stability in North Korea in Analysts said that the statement by Dr. ElBaradei," Korea Stability official channels with the nonaggression pact enabled Mohammad Sadiq, Foreign Report calls refugees a United States, including Mehsud to consolidate his Ministry spokesman, said concern possible joint responses in power and that his forces are during a news briefing. By Steve Hirsch, Washington support of common objectives, now stronger and better US Senator Joseph I. Times such as securing nuclear financed than before. They also Lieberman, Independent China would send troops weapons and fissile material," said he has expanded his Democrat of Connecticut, into North Korea if it thought the report says. sphere of influence from South visiting Islamabad, said he had that was necessary to stem a The report is based on Waziristan to other tribal areas been briefed by Khalid Kidwai, refugee flood because of discussions with North Korea along the border. a retired general heading up the instability in its hard-line specialists in China and covers "A bigger portion of South Strategic Plans Division, and communist neighbor, a report topics including economic Waziristan now seems like a came away convinced that the by two Washington think tanks trends in North Korea, state within the state, and nuclear arsenal was secure. The finds. Sino-North Korean economic Baitullah Mehsud is running senator chairs the Senate Beijing would prefer to relations and North Korean this like a head of Committee on Homeland receive authorization from, and political stability. government," said Silab Security and Governmental coordinate with, the United Among the report's other Mehsud, a tribal journalist Affairs. Nations in such a case, but findings were that China saw from the Mehsud clan and the Pakistan is a key ally in would take the initiative to North Korea's explosion of a author of a book on the history the US-led campaign against restore stability if necessary, nuclear device in 2006 as an and culture of the region. "Now terrorism, but deteriorating says the paper, issued by the act of defiance toward China as he's an all-powerful man whose security in the country, Center for Strategic and well as the international writ and command is visible particularly after last month's International Studies and the community at large. Beijing across the tribal belt." assassination of opposition U.S. Institute of Peace. thinks it must now use pressure Whitlock reported from leader Benazir Bhutto, has "Contingency plans are in as well as inducement in Berlin. raised international concern place" for the People's response to North Korea's about the safety of the nation's Liberation Army to perform nuclear efforts. nuclear weapons. humanitarian missions and The report says Chinese Boston Globe "I fear that chaos ... or an peacekeeping, or analysts are debating whether January 10, 2008 extremist regime could take "order-keeping," missions, the North Korea will fulfill its 18. Pakistan Rejects UN root in that country, which has report says. promise to give up its nuclear Concerns, Contends 30 to 40 warheads," ElBaradei It says plans are also in weapons, and whether a treaty Nuclear Arsenal Is was quoted as saying in the place for the army to perform between the two countries Secure interview. Other estimates have "environmental control should be revised or put the number of warheads at abandoned. They also are page 21 weighing the strategic value of Tuesday night explaining that a potential sentence of 16 1/2 now. And to be honest since North Korea to China. the criminal charge would be years in prison amid then, I don't see a difference Chinese analysts also are dismissed. "The finding of allegations of detainee abuse because of my homosexuality." debating the likelihood of a guilty and the sentence are and failing to properly Aubrey Sarvis, executive rapid thaw in U.S. relations disapproved," Rowe wrote. supervise soldiers who director of Servicemembers with Pyongyang and how that "The charges are dismissed." committed abuse. Early in the Legal Defense Network, said would affect Chinese interests, Col. James Yonts, a Abu Ghraib investigation, Manzella's case demonstrates the study says. spokesman for the Military Jordan was identified by the the military is arbitrarily In other areas, the report District of Washington, said military as a potentially major enforcing its "don't ask, don't says Chinese analysts are less last night that Rowe has issued player in the case, but tell" policy now that the concerned about North Korea's Jordan an administrative prosecutors were unable to link country is at war. immediate economic prospects reprimand that clears Jordan of him to any of the photographs The "don't ask, don't tell" than they were a year ago, criminal responsibility but still of abuse that depicted policy prohibits active-duty "reporting severe but stable questions his decision to detainees in hoods, shackled in service members from openly conditions." disobey Fay's order. Rowe's painful positions and stacked acknowledging whether they Chinese specialists widely action means that Jordan will naked in human pyramids. are gay or lesbian. think the North Korean system have no record of a criminal Jordan and his attorneys Manzella still could be will remain stable for the next conviction and will continue to have long maintained his investigated now that he has few years barring the sudden serve as an active-duty officer innocence and said that he was left the battlefield. Every time death of North Korean leader at Fort Belvoir until his neither involved with he has said he is gay publicly Kim Jong-il or "external retirement. aggressive interrogation can be counted as a violation of interference aimed at "In light of the offense Lt. policies, nor did he supervise the policy, one of his attorneys destabilizing the regime." Col Jordan has been found the handful of low-ranking said. guilty of committing, and the soldiers who have been Manzella first told a substantial evidence in convicted. Prosecutors had military supervisor about his Washington Post mitigation presented at the trail long suggested that the case be sexual orientation in August January 10, 2008 and in post-trial matters concluded as an administrative 2006 while he was stationed at Pg. 6 submitted by defense counsel, matter, but senior commanders Fort Hood, Texas, and working 20. Army Officer Is Maj. Gen. Rowe determined ignored that advice and pushed in division headquarters. Three Cleared In Abu Ghraib that an administrative ahead with a public weeks after making the Scandal reprimand was a fair and court-martial. revelation, his battalion By Josh White, Washington appropriate disposition of the commander told him an Post Staff Writer matter," Yonts said last night. investigation had been closed St. Louis Post-Dispatch The only Army officer In a memo submitted to without finding "proof of January 9, 2008 charged with a crime as a result Rowe on Saturday, Jordan's homosexuality." Pg. 3 of the abuses at the Abu Ghraib attorney wrote that a federal A month later, Manzella prison in Iraq has been cleared criminal conviction would be 21. Army Medic was redeployed for the war in of all criminal responsibility in "unjust" and urged Rowe to Unafraid To Say That Iraq. the case after a general this reduce it to an administrative He's Gay Paul Boyce Jr., an Army week dismissed the one punishment. Iraq war veteran hasn't been spokesman, said he was conviction against him and "It was a long struggle, but punished, but he could still be unaware of an investigation of wiped away the sentence. in the end he was vindicated," investigated. Manzella being opened or Lt. Col. Steven L. Jordan said Maj. Kris Poppe, one of By Suzanne Gamboa, closed. He said the was convicted last year on one Jordan's attorneys. "In the end, Associated Press investigation would have been charge of disobeying an order there was a recognition that WASHINGTON -- Even if done by Manzella's Fort Hood when a jury found that he this was a superb officer and no one is asking, Army Sgt. unit, and officials there are on spoke to others about the Abu leader and he did the best he Darren Manzella has been leave and unavailable to Ghraib investigation after he could under the circumstances telling anyone who'll listen that discuss the case. was ordered not to do so. he was in and didn't commit he's gay - without serious "This particular soldier's Though Jordan was exonerated any crimes." retribution so far from the unit only recently returned at trial of any connection to the Jordan said yesterday that military. from the war to Fort Hood, abuse of Iraqi detainees in the Army "finally got it right" Manzella, a medic who Texas, so it's premature to 2003, he was issued a criminal and that this will let him "move served in Iraq and Kuwait, has speculate on any future actions reprimand for his failure to back on with my life." admitted his sexual orientation until the young man's situation obey Maj. Gen. George Fay, "I'm still a little bit in national media interviews can be considered by his chain who led the most significant shocked by it all, but I'm and again on Tuesday in a of command," Boyce said in a investigation into the abuses gratified and glad that General Washington news conference. statement. after they were discovered. Rowe saw it for what it really "This is who I am. This is Manzella, originally from Maj. Gen. Richard J. is," Jordan said. "I don't know my life," said Manzella, who Portland, N.Y., returned from Rowe, commanding general of if any officer needed to be held received a combat medical the Middle East last month and the Military District of accountable, but I obviously badge for his service in Iraq. went on leave shortly before Washington, wrote a short don't believe it should have "It has never affected my job Christmas. He will return to the letter to Jordan's attorney on been me." performance before. I don't 1st Cavalry Division at Ford At one time, Jordan faced think it will make a difference Hood at the end of the month. page 22 A bill to eliminate the the pair patrolled the streets of allegations is a monumental saying the contract was in military's sexual orientation Baghdad. task, Fidell said. negotiations. policy, filed by Rep. Ellen “Bastien said that he “It’s not like investigating "It will be negotiated out; I Tauscher, D-Calif., is pending knows that an Iraqi civilian a shooting downtown. It’s a don't want to speculate on in Congress. was struck on at least one war zone where even on a good when that will happen," he occasion,” according to a day it’s difficult to investigate said. motion filed Tuesday by a charge of criminal conduct,” BIW has already been Colorado Springs Gazette prosecutors in the Shields Fidell said. “The problems of given the lead in building the January 10, 2008 homicide. proof are severe.” first DDG 1000 with a Pg. 3 The men used stolen The suspects are being September decision that it 22. Carson: Alleged AK-47 rifles commonly used held without bond at the El would get the equipment to be Attacks Reported by insurgents so that if the Paso County Criminal Justice installed in the first ship, rather Officials in Iraq were told of shootings were questioned, Center and are due back in than the technology going to GI’s claims, post says, but they could “claim they were court Jan. 25. Northrop Grumman Ship proof of shootings won’t be taking on hostile fire,” Bastien Systems in Mississippi. easy told the investigator. That helped alleviate a By Dennis Huspeni, The A Fort Carson Portland (ME) Press-Herald projected gap in work between Gazette spokeswoman called the January 9, 2008 the construction of the last Fort Carson officials allegations “very serious” and 23. Chief Naval Officer Arleigh Burke-class destroyer confirmed they “immediately” said they were reported Visits Shipyards and the first DDG 1000, but notified military officials in immediately. Adm. Gary Roughead says any slip in the work schedule Iraq about allegations of “In accordance with DOD negotiations are ongoing on could cause problems. The soldiers shooting at Iraqi (U.S. Department of Defense) the contract for BIW to build sooner a construction contract civilians, but specifics about directives, the allegations were the first DDG 1000. is awarded, the better chance that investigation were scarce reported immediately through By Matt Wickenheiser, Staff work will be stable. Wednesday. Forces Command and Central Writer During a short interview Military law experts, Command to officials at Multi BATH — The Navy's top after the BIW tour, Collins said however, said any criminal National Forces —Iraq,” military officer visited Bath Roughead "recognized the investigation in a war zone spokeswoman Dee Mc-Nutt Iron Works and the Portsmouth importance of that skilled work months after a crime would be said in a written statement late Naval Shipyard in Kittery on force and the need to maintain especially difficult. Tuesday. Tuesday, the start of a that work force." The allegations surfaced in A spokesman for the coast-to-coast tour of shipyards Roughead said he sees a an El Paso County homicide Criminal Investigation that work on naval vessels. Navy of at least 313 ships -- case involving soldiers accused Command confirmed the Adm. Gary Roughead, the compared to the current 280 -- of killing fellow soldiers in investigation Wednesday, but chief of naval operations, but believes that number is a Colorado Springs and allegedly declined to answer questions started the day in Kittery, then minimum. Having commanded committing a wave of violent about its scope or progress. toured BIW with Maine both the Pacific and Atlantic crimes here in recent months. A local military-law expert Republican Sens. Susan fleets, Roughead said he “It may be tough,” said and attorney, Michael Duncan, Collins and Olympia Snowe. believed even a 313-ship Navy Eugene Fidell, a Washington said investigators would likely Roughead ended the day "will not be enough for the D.C.-based military-law start with others soldiers in the speaking to personnel at the mission we're going to be attorney and military-justice unit. Brunswick Naval Air Station tasked with in coming years." professor. “The trail may have “That’s a standard before boarding his plane and The Littoral Combat Ship grown cold. But this is the type investigative tactic — get leaving the state. Roughead fleet would be an "extremely of thing that has always people to talk,” Duncan said. will visit yards in Mississippi, important" part of that Navy, challenged military “Every time they get a lead, Alabama, Louisiana, said Roughead. The LCS investigative organizations.” they might talk to others and Wisconsin and California in program has been under fire for Pfc. Bruce Bastien Jr. and build a case that way.” the near future. cost overruns in the past year. former soldier Louis Edward The suspects served in Iraq In a short interview, Two shipbuilding teams, one Bressler are charged with together in the 2nd Brigade Roughead touched on his plans led by BIW at the Austal USA first-degree murder in the Combat Team, 2nd Infantry for the size of the Navy as well shipyard in Mobile, Ala., are shooting deaths of Spc. Kevin Division and all were in the as the status of the DDG 1000 working on a lead ship in the Shields on Dec. 1 and Pfc. same company, according to destroyer and Littoral Combat new class, designed to operate Robert James on Aug. 4. Fort Carson records. Ship programs. BIW is one of in coastal waters. Another former soldier, Duncan, a former Army two shipyards working on the But in 2007, the Navy Kenneth Eastridge, also is attorney, said a tool used for DDG 1000, the next-generation canceled contracts for each charged in Shields’ death. leverage in such questioning is of destroyer, and is also the team to build a second ship due After Bastien was arrested that if any soldiers witnessed lead contractor on one of two to concerns about cost in connection with the such a shooting, they were teams on the LCS program. overruns. Both teams' ships Colorado Springs homicides, required to report it. Asked when the Navy have seen cost overruns of 50 he told a U.S. Army Criminal “That’s one of the ways might award a construction percent to 75 percent, Investigation Command agent CID gets people to talk,” he contract to actually build the according to the Navy. that Eastridge would often said. first DDG 1000, Roughead Roughead said the Navy, shoot at Iraqi civilians while Either way, proving such declined to comment beyond shipyards and suppliers need to page 23 contain costs on naval of an F-15C during a routine (END VIDEO CLIP) fire and the approach of cars programs, including LCS and training flight in Missouri. A MCINTYRE: Now Major they perceived as threats. the DDG 1000, which are few hundred — the newer Stillwell -- even though his No marines have been estimated to cost $3.3 billion F-15E models being used in plane broke apart around him charged with a crime in the per ship. Iraq and Afghanistan — -- was able to get out. He did episode. "It's important that we ... returned to service shortly recover. He did smash his The inquiry here is define what we need," said afterward. shoulder in the accident and is examining the conduct of the Roughead. "Not really want, still recovering from that. two senior officers present on but need." Meanwhile, the Air Force the convoy: Maj. Fred C. The Navy hopes to have CNN has now inspected all of the Galvin and Capt. Vincent J. seven DDG 1000 destroyers as January 9, 2008 planes and announced just Noble. Neither officer fired his part of the fleet, and 55 Littoral 25. F-15 Break-Up today that 60 percent of the weapon during the episode. Combat Ships. As a Animation Released older fleet -- about 280 planes Each of the four witnesses open-ocean Navy, the U.S. By Jamie McIntyre -- will be returned to service. was sitting in the first two hasn't paid much attention to The Situation Room They say they are absolutely Humvees in a six-vehicle coastal vessels, he said, but (CNN), 5:00 PM confident that what happened convoy. They testified that as that changes with the LCS. BLITZER: We're just now to this plane won't happen to the smoke from the blast Roughead said he also believes getting in some exclusive those. But there's still 40 cleared, turret gunners in the the LCS is "an attractive ship Pentagon animation showing percent of the fleet that have first and second vehicles began to other countries," as well. the break-up of an F-15 fighter some suspect problems that are firing their mounted machine Snowe and Collins said jet that prompted the U.S. Air keeping them on the ground -- guns to either side of the road, they were pleased with Force to ground its entire fleet. Wolf. all four witnesses said. Roughead's tour, and that it Let's go to our senior BLITZER: That pilot is oh They each described was clear the admiral was Pentagon correspondent, Jamie so lucky to be alive, Jamie. hearing intermittent AK-47 impressed with the efficiencies McIntyre. What an amazing fire, though none of the at BIW. He's watching this story animation. Very, very dramatic witnesses saw where it was In the battle for more for us. stuff. coming from or who was shipbuilding dollars, it's What are we learning from All right, thank God he's shooting. important for the delegation to this exclusive animation -- OK. In the two minutes that work with top naval leadership, Jamie. Jamie McIntyre at the elapsed before the convoy said Snowe. JAMIE MCINTYRE, Pentagon for us. began moving west toward the "If we're on the same page, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON American base in Jalalabad, it's very beneficial," she said. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Sgt. Joshua Henderson, the Wolf, as you recall, this was New York Times turret gunner in the second the accident back in November January 10, 2008 Humvee, fired about 200 USA Today that resulted in the grounding 26. 4 Say Marines Took rounds to either side of the January 10, 2008 of the entire fleet of older Fire In Attack By road, Sgt. Brett Hayes testified Pg. 5 F-15s. And CNN has obtained Afghans Wednesday. 24. Most F-15 Jets exclusively the official U.S. By Paul von Zielbauer At the same time, the Coming Back To Air Force investigation's CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. gunner in the first Humvee, Service recreation of what happened — Marines from an elite Sgt. Peter Brooks, fired his The majority of Air Force that day. combat unit who American mounted machine gun toward F-15 fighter jets are returning Major Stephen Stillwell, a military commanders said the left and right, testified Sgt. to flight after being grounded Missouri Air Guard pilot, was killed 19 Afghan civilians last Jason Roberts, the driver, and for two months over possible flying his F-15, attempting an year after a suicide bomb Sgt. Benjamin Baker, the front structural flaws. 8G turn at 500 miles an hour attack withstood hostile gunfire passenger. About 160 of the jets have when there was a major immediately after the Three witnesses described been found to have defects and structural failure in something explosion, witnesses testified how Sergeant Brooks, as the will remain grounded called the longeron. And, as on Wednesday. lead vehicle’s gunner, fired indefinitely after an you can see, the plane literally The witnesses in a Marine careful warning shots into the investigation into why one broke in half. Corps inquiry, three Marine pavement to halt at least two broke apart in midair and His wing men radioed sergeants and an Afghan Afghan cars that approached crashed Nov. 2 in Missouri. him, urging him to eject while interpreter riding in an after the suicide bomb attack "The priority in resuming there was still time. American convoy near — shots that they said did not operations for a portion of the (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) Jalalabad last March, offered appear to injure the vehicles’ F-15 fleet is the defense of our UNIDENTIFIED MALE: the first public description of occupants. nation — America deserves Eject. Eject. Eject. Knock it the unit’s reaction immediately nothing less," said Gen. John off. Knock it off. after the bomb attack near one Washington Post Corley, head of the Air Combat UNIDENTIFIED MALE: of their vehicles. January 10, 2008 Command. MIG 3, copy. Knock it off. They suggested that Pg. 2 The Air Force grounded UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Marine gunners fired all of its F-15s — nearly 700 MIG 3, knock it off. methodically and only in 27. Marine Is Arraigned — after the catastrophic failure UNIDENTIFIED MALE: response to incoming weapons In The Killings Of 24 34, safe enough. Climb high. page 24 Iraqis Camp Pendleton and other deployment. "The war is not also be true under Kelly and CAMP PENDLETON, bases for family readiness yet won, but we are winning his stateside boss, Lt. Gen. Calif. -- A Marine Corps squad programs that include support it." Samuel Helland, who will leader was arraigned on groups and counseling. The toll on Camp command troops from bases voluntary-manslaughter and Some 70% of Marines in Pendleton has been significant. other than Camp Pendleton. other charges involving the their first enlistment are Until the Army "surge" in Homemade signs affixed 2005 killings of 24 Iraqi men, unmarried, so one goal is to Baghdad greatly increased to fences along major women and children. Staff Sgt. offer support for parents as Army fatalities, Camp thoroughfares at Camp Frank Wuterich, 27, reserved well as spouses. Money also Pendleton had had more Pendleton testify to the the rights to enter a plea later will go to hire full-time staff personnel killed in Iraq than constant movement of troops to and to have a judge or jury members dedicated to keeping any other U.S. military base. and from Iraq. Some welcome decide the case against him, family members constantly An academic study in troops home. Others wish them which is the biggest U.S. informed while troops are 2006 found that the troop most well in their deployment. criminal prosecution involving away. likely to be killed in Iraq is a A bumper sticker on many civilian deaths in the Iraq war. On the eve of this current Marine lance corporal -- vehicles driven by Marine The judge, Lt. Col. Jeffrey deployment, the Marines say probably from Camp spouses says "Half of My Meeks, set a Feb. 25 trial date. they have stepped up efforts to Pendleton. Heart Is in Iraq." A T-shirt sold spot post-traumatic stress Infantry troops often say to spouses reads "Marine Wife: disorder in Iraq. The aim is to they have adjusted to the The Toughest Job in the Los Angeles Times identify problems before they "seven and seven" rotation -- Corps." January 10, 2008 disrupt Marines' family lives seven months in Iraq, seven The main mission of the 28. For Marines, Iraq and marriages. months at home, then back to Marines in Anbar province is Becomes A Family The Corps also is working Iraq. to train Iraqi security forces Affair to get accurate information out "You get used to it," Sgt. and support the fledgling Repeated deployments prompt more quickly to families when Juan Mendez, 26, said last provincial government in Camp Pendleton to bolster Marines are wounded or get week as he prepared to board a Ramadi until both are able to support programs for loved sick in Iraq, and is in the bus for March Air Reserve stand alone without U.S. help. ones left behind. Reenlistments process of setting up a 24-hour Base in Riverside County to Kelly said he spoke to remain high. hotline. the plane that would take him another group of Marine By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Kelly soon will go to Iraq to Iraq. enlisted personnel before the Times Staff Writer to take command of Marines as But families sometimes afternoon ceremony. CAMP PENDLETON the Camp Pendleton-based 1st are less stoic. "It's hard," said "My message to them —The general who soon will Marine Expeditionary Force Mendez's father, Jose, a [was] 'We want to work lead 25,000 Marines in Iraq relieves the Camp Lejeune, machinist from Los Angeles. ourselves out of a job,' " he said Wednesday that "the N.C.-based 2nd Marine "It wasn't supposed to happen said. experts" were wrong when they Expeditionary Force and again, but here we are." assumes responsibility in Lori Bentley of San predicted that repeated New York Times deployments would strain Anbar province. Clemente, mother of Sgt. Jared Since 2004, the Marines Bentley, 23, said she had a January 10, 2008 military families to the 29. Oo-Rah! A Squad Of breaking point. have been assigned to the formula for surviving the Reenlistments among sprawling region, which was stress: "prayer." Actors Takes Lanford Marines remain high, which home to the Sunni insurgency. The sergeant's girlfriend, Wilson To The Marines would not be the case if Once considered the most Jamie Borden, 24, said her By Campbell Robertson families objected, Maj. Gen. violent spot in Iraq, Anbar is approach was to "turn the CAMP PENDLETON, John Kelly told several now seen by U.S. officials as ringer on your phone up real Calif. — Adam Driver, former hundred Marines who are set to an example of how the local high and wait for those Marine lance corporal, First deploy soon to Anbar province, populace can be turned against middle-of-the-night phone Battalion, First Marine west of Baghdad. the insurgency. calls." Regiment, Weapons Company, "The old adage says you Kelly, a tall, scholarly Some troops will deploy 81st Platoon, remembers two enlist the Marine but you officer who began his Marine for a year with a two-week shows he saw while stationed reenlist the wife and family," career in the enlisted ranks, break during the deployment. here on this sprawling base said Kelly, whose two sons are helped lead the assault on Although the deployment north of San Diego. There was Marines who have served in Baghdad in 2003 and then led a of Marines from the 1st and 5th a skateboarder who performed Iraq. strike force to Tikrit, Saddam regiments is seen as a return of tricks. And a performance by Many Marine families Hussein's ancestral home. local troops to Iraq, Camp the San Diego Chargers have weathered two, three, In spring 2004, as assistant Pendleton has had a continued cheerleaders. even four deployments, and commander of the 1st Marine presence there. As entertainment for Marine officials say they are Division, he was a leader in the Even though the grown men, it was — well, well aware of the stresses on first battle against insurgents in leadership of the Marine effort here’s how Mr. Driver put it: “I them. Fallouja. in the last year has been from mean, how dumb do they think To help bolster families, Anbar "is still a very, very Camp Lejeune, many of the we are?” the Marine Corps has allocated dangerous place," Kelly said troops were from Camp Which is why Mr. Driver, an additional $30 million to during a brief ceremony to Pendleton and Twentynine current third-year drama mark the approaching Palms, Calif. The reverse will page 25 student at the Juilliard School, would-be rapper from a play tights wearing, and made him Phillips, a spokesman for the was here this week with a jazz by Danny Hoch. The Juilliard do his penguin bit over beers. organization. “Look at the trio and five actors for an staff member who was The Juilliard students, said demographics of American evening of music and accompanying the show Gabriel Ebert, a classmate and service members,” Mr. Phillips monologues by contemporary laughed conspicuously, as if to a participant in the Camp said. “You’re talking 18 to 24 playwrights like Lanford give permission. Pendleton production, were years old, predominantly male. Wilson, John Patrick Shanley “This is the first time I’ve intimidated at times by Mr. If you look at what it is they’re and Jane Martin. He is hoping seen something like this” on Driver’s intense personality. interested in, in terms of to prove to reluctant officials the base, said Sgt. David Ells, Mr. Driver said he frequently entertainment, that’s what that serious theater — viewed who arrived at the theater in a considered dropping out and we’re focusing on.” by some in the military, Mr. camouflage uniform. joining the fire department. Mr. Rone suggested that Driver said, as “sissies running Mr. Driver, tall, sinewy But in some ways, in their Mr. Driver look up Armed around stage in tights” — and seriously driven, was rigor and discipline, the Marine Forces Entertainment, a would not only work at Camp visibly nervous before the Corps and Juilliard were oddly government agency that books Pendleton but also be excellent audience began trickling into similar. acts for the military. But Mr. for troops in war zones, where the Marine Corps Base Mr. Driver continues to do Driver wanted the USO stamp the entertainment options are Training Center, as the theater 1,000 push-ups on most of approval. much scarcer. is called, a space reserved for mornings, he still calls After a year of back and Which is why this training exercises and movies practically everyone ‘Sir,’ and forth Mr. Driver finally 24-year-old student in one of but not, at least recently, he remains set on going decided to bypass the USO, the most intensive acting straight plays for adults. overseas. and in October he called Camp programs in the country has But it was here at Camp Originally his plan was to Pendleton. Officials there struggled, largely on his own, Pendleton a few years earlier, take a production of Sam accepted the production, to pull together successful when a potentially fatal Shepard’s “True West” to the despite voicing some of the Juilliard alums like Laura miscommunication at the troops stationed in the Middle same skepticism that USO Linney, Tracie Thoms and mortar range inspired a East, but on the advice of officials did. David Denman to put on moment of self-reflection, that James Houghton, the director “If someone was a singer something completely out of Mr. Driver decided he was of the drama program at from the Met Opera, it might the ordinary at Camp going to become an actor. Juilliard, Mr. Driver scaled it not find an audience here, if Pendleton. He had applied to Juilliard down. He came up with a you know what I mean,” said On a bare stage under the before he enlisted but not out series of monologues that Pete Elkin, who is in charge of Marine Corps insignia, the five of any serious ambition. He showcased “manly characters” activities and entertainment on actors, some of whom had was desperate to get out of his that marines might not the base. He cited Justin never been on a base before hometown, Mishawaka, Ind., associate with theater. Timberlake and Brooks & (Ms. Linney said she had been and he had acted in a couple of A passage from David Dunn as the kind of acts that expecting something more like plays in school. But mainly he Mamet was included and would draw big audiences. But, “F Troop”), were sitting in liked that Juilliard did not several from Mr. Shanley, a Mr. Elkin said, “base folding chairs before an check grades. former marine. The monologue leadership thought it would be audience of around 100, When Juilliard rejected his by Mr. Hoch was added, as an honor.” composed of reluctant men on application, he turned to the well as a speech by Mr. Mr. Driver had to edit the dates; older couples; a handful Marines, training as a mortar Wilson. After a round of letter pieces for vulgarity reasons; of brawny men with shaved man and set on going to Iraq or writing, Mr. Driver piqued the the Mamet speech had to go heads, some of whom had been Afghanistan. “Otherwise,” he interest of actors like Dianne altogether. But much of the actors or musicians in high said, “it’s all a waste of time.” Wiest and Kevin Spacey. profanity, sexuality and school; and others who were But while mountain biking one But the USO passed. In an aggression were left in, and the not quite sure what this afternoon, he broke his interview Bernie Rone, the marquee at the theater read: Juilliard was. They were sternum. director of celebrity “Juilliard Performance. Adults scattered around the front rows Mr. Driver insisted he was entertainment recruiting at the Only.” of the otherwise yawningly fit for deployment, loading up USO, said his main concern “I was shocked when I empty auditorium built to on painkillers and working out was that the project did not read this,” said Ms. Linney, accommodate 1,500. (The strenuously to prove it. But the involve enough high-profile referring to the frank sexuality event’s competition happened doctors disagreed, and he was names for the military to be in her monologues. “That’s to be the college football honorably discharged in 2004. interested. maybe coming from my own championship game on After a year at the “They have to be ignorance about who these televsion.) University of Indianapolis, Mr. celebrities, acts that the troops people are.” The whole event, This was, as several Driver applied to Juilliard are requesting,” Mr. Rone said, which was financed by audience members said again and was accepted. The mentioning recent appearances Juilliard, was in some ways a beforehand, an opportunity for transition was not easy. by the country singer Toby serious culture shock for the some culture. After a little jazz, “I’m going from the Keith and the actor Wilmer actors, she said. the show began with Mr. Marine Corps,” he said, “to Valderrama. Mr. Driver, in his opening Driver putting a baseball cap being a penguin and getting in Mr. Driver said he was remarks, raised the objections on his head backward and touch with my feelings.” told the USO simply did not that he had heard, the idea that delivering a hilarious, Later his friends in the think theater would work, an “Marines don’t fit the profanity-laced lament by a Marines kidded him for the objection echoed by Mark demographic of a theater page 26 audience,” and said, “This Federal Diary another federal court decision President Bush's "surge" of performance is meant to prove 31. Court Battle in a similar case involving U.S. land forces to Iraq last otherwise.” It began. Continues Over Defense Homeland Security. Federal year for not achieving policy Laughter came slowly at Union's Bargaining judges did not permit that benchmarks and called for a first. A row of marines department to severely curtail quick resolution over a squirmed, appearing to debate Rights union rights, AFGE said, while confused debate about the whether to leave. But they did By Stephen Barr a separate, three-judge appeals status of the fiscal 2008 not. Nobody did. People began Just as it appeared the court panel, by 2 to 1, said the defense authorization measure. laughing loudly. When it was Ping-Pong battle between the Defense Department could go "It is unfortunate and over, after less than an hour, Defense Department and its ahead with its plan to curtail undeniable that one year after some even complained that it largest union was ending, the union rights. President Bush announced his was too short. union has stepped up to the The court fight grew out of 'surge' strategy, Iraq has failed Cpl. Richard Moulder, 21, table for one last serve. workplace rules adopted by the to meet the benchmarks he who was dragged to the The American Federation Bush administration as part of outlined - and his performance by his wife, said of Government Employees this the new National Security administration has refused to he was baffled at any week filed an appeal with the Personnel System being phased hold Iraqis accountable for suggestion that marines would Supreme Court to stop a Bush in and currently covers about these unacceptable results," not take to a show like that. “I administration effort to curb 130,000 nonunion civilians at Senate Majority Leader Harry mean these are the kinds of union rights in the department. Defense. Bush officials have Reid (D-Nev.) said. people marines are,” he said of The appeal marks the latest backed the new personnel "No amount of White the characters that were bounce in a legal case that system, which includes House spin can hide the fact portrayed. “About everybody began five years ago. performance-based pay, as a that the escalation's chief who is in the Marines is in it Only a few weeks ago, the way to reward the best workers objective of political because they have a broken dispute seemed settled. and more efficiently address reconciliation remains unmet, home or because they’re out to Congress, as part of the fiscal workplace issues. Iraqis have not demonstrated prove something.” 2008 defense authorization bill, But labor leaders, any readiness to stand up and At an off-base pizza parlor rejected the Pentagon's plan to especially in the past year, take responsibility for their afterward, the cast members weaken unions. The bill would have lobbied key Democratic own country, and 2007 was the were back on familiar territory: place Defense labor relations representatives and senators to most lethal year yet for industry connections, and employee appeals back repeal the workplace rules, American troops," he added. Manhattan real estate. But Mr. under regular civil service law, which were authorized in 2003 The remarks came a day Driver was already thinking and unions would be able to when Republicans controlled after Bush lauded security ahead. He turned to the continue negotiating binding Congress. gains brought by the boost in drummer in the jazz band. contracts on the same scope of House and Senate soldiers and Marines there, as “What would you think,” he workplace issues as elsewhere negotiators came up with a well as local reconstruction said, “about doing this in the in government. compromise -- restoring union efforts and an expected Middle East?” But President Bush used a rights but allowing the drawdown of U.S. forces from pocket veto to stop the bill over Pentagon to link part of the Iraq. an entirely different issue -- a annual employee pay raise to "Improvements on the New York Times provision that officials said job performance. ground in Iraq are allowing January 10, 2008 could leave Iraq's government The White House has not some U.S. forces to return 30. Louisiana: Extension and assets vulnerable to objected to the compromise, home. The strategy is called Of Guard Watch In lawsuits from victims of suggesting that it will remain 'return on success,'' Bush said Saddam Hussein. The union in the next version of the before leaving Washington for New Orleans had hoped that Bush would By Associated Press defense authorization bill a Middle East tour. sign the defense bill before Jan. Congress sends Bush. "It has now begun. I don't National Guard troops 7, the union's deadline for bolstering New Orleans’s Legislation may remain the think most Americans know filing a petition to the Supreme union's best chance of this, but one Army brigade and hurricane-depleted police force Court. will remain in the city through reversing the Pentagon one Marine expeditionary unit With the bill stalled, workplace rules because the have come home - and will not June, a spokeswoman for AFGE decided to put its legal Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal said. Supreme Court takes up a be replaced. And in the coming case back in play. AFGE is fraction of petitions filed every months, four additional Guard troops have patrolled contesting a ruling by the U.S. less-populated areas of the city, year. brigades and two Marine Court of Appeals last May that battalions will follow suit," the including the storm-ravaged went in favor of the Pentagon. Lower Ninth Ward, while the president stressed. That ruling ended a string of Aerospace Daily & Defense city and its police force have Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) union victories in court over Report worked to bounce back from and Rand Beers, president of the Bush administration's plan January 10, 2008 the National Security Network, Hurricane Katrina and clamp to restrict bargaining rights at down on violent crime. 32. Democrats, Bush told reporters that Congress the departments of Defense and Clash Over Iraq Policy should concentrate on trying to Homeland Security. Great And Small pass legislation this year that Washington Post AFGE, in the petition, directs U.S. forces away from contends that the appeals court Lawmakers on Jan. 9, January 10, 2008 especially Democrats, chided major combat operations in Pg. D4 ruling "is in conflict" with Iraq. "We need to transition the page 27 mission of our troops to focus yesterday, a joint electronic records." Bid For Army Plane on our national security presidential-congressional In addition, the report said, Northrop Grumman Corp., objectives - fighting terrorists, advisory group urged greater the government probably will the third- largest U.S. defense maintaining Iraq's border openness, a sore subject for a be unable to meet a Dec. 31, contractor, said yesterday that integrity, and training Iraqi White House roundly criticized 2011, deadline for reviewing it would lead a team to soldiers," Nelson said. for secrecy. classified information on compete for the Army's Aerial "Rather than The Public Interest microfilm, microfiche, motion Common Sensor, a new unconditionally supporting an Declassification Board said pictures and sound recordings. surveillance aircraft. Partners endless war the American President Bush could take In 1995, President Bill include L-3 Communications people oppose, I strongly urge immediate steps to address the Clinton signed an executive Corp. and units of Textron Inc. the president to work with issue. For example, it said, the order declaring that records and General Dynamics Corp. Congress to redeploy our White House should retain the would be presumed George Seffers, a Northrop troops and refocus the mission president's daily brief prepared declassified when they reached spokesman, declined to provide in Iraq so we can more by the CIA so historians, 25 years of age. At the time, it details on the bid because the effectively fight the war on researchers and the public can was believed this would Army's formal request for terror," Reid echoed separately. eventually learn what the encourage agencies to proposals hasn't been issued Meanwhile, Nelson and intelligence community tells declassify records in bulk. yet. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) the nation's chief executive. Instead, agencies hired more also told reporters in different Secrecy and the president's personnel to review records, a appearances that they hope the daily brief became a process that took 12 years. London Daily Telegraph White House and Hill leaders contentious issue in the work Meredith Fuchs, general January 10, 2008 can quickly hammer out a new of the 9/11 commission, with counsel to the National Pg. 12 nonwar defense policy bill the White House aggressively Security Archive, a private 35. British At Risk after Bush declared a veto of a resisting public disclosure of group that seeks From Contaminated US congressionally passed the secret documents, including declassification of government Blood measure last month. Both one that focused on Osama bin secrets, describes the report as By Laura Clout lawmakers complained that the Laden's intention to attack "a wake-up call" to the British soldiers have been administration should have targets inside the United States. president. put at risk of contracting raised its objections to an Iraqi The Aug. 6, 2001, daily "The report paints a deadly diseases from funds provision far earlier, but brief the administration picture of a classification contaminated American blood, both said the issue should not reluctantly released during the system bogged down by it was claimed last night. hold up enactment of otherwise 2004 presidential campaign agency territoriality and The 18 servicemen agreed-to legislation. was titled "Bin Laden reflexive secrecy," she said. "If received emergency blood Bartlett said he would vote Determined to Strike in the this president won't deal with transfusions at American field to uphold Bush's veto threat, U.S." it, maybe the next one will." hospitals after being seriously despite his own questions on The board's report says the Among key wounded in the conflicts in its applicability. Some president could immediately recommendations, the report Iraq and Afghanistan. lawmakers have questioned the create a national says the president should create But after it emerged that alleged pocket veto, which can declassification program under a system to identify historically some batches were not be used when Congress has the U.S. archivist to increase significant classified records so properly screened for lethal adjourned for the year, as efficiency. Under the program, they get priority in reviews for infections such as HIV and invalid since the Senate was all federal agencies would possible public disclosure. hepatitis, the soldiers must wait hosting pro forma sessions at report declassification It also urges the U.S. for the results of medical tests the time. decisions on a single archivist to establish a single to find out whether they have -- Michael Bruno computerized system. center in Washington to house been affected. White House spokesman all future classified presidential The details emerged after Tony Fratto said it would be records from the end of an Philadelphia Inquirer the Pentagon admitted to the premature to comment on any administration until their Ministry of Defence that some January 10, 2008 specific recommendation in the eventual declassification, when 33. Government Slow batches of the blood had not report, which has been sent to they would be transferred to been properly screened and To Declassify heads of relevant government the appropriate presidential certified for medical use. Documents, Advisory departments for review and library. The MoD last night Panel Says comment. The president should also insisted the risk of infection By Pete Yost, Associated Press While more than a billion require a new National was low. A spokesman said: WASHINGTON - The pages have been declassified Declassification Center to "The small number of people government is lagging far since 1995, the report says the create uniform guidelines to we have identified all received behind in declassifying its government has not yet come govern declassification across emergency blood transfusions secrets, and the problem is to grips with what it will face the government, the report or blood products in US getting worse as agencies in the future. "Too little has says. medical facilities. create billions more electronic been done with regard to ... the "When you are in a records containing classified truly monumental problem situation where an individual is looming on the horizon: the Baltimore Sun information. January 10, 2008 about to die, you get them to In a report released review of classified the nearest medical facility, information contained in 34. Northrop To Lead page 28 whether that is an American or It was exactly one year sharply, decreasing in each of commanders in Iraq -- first and other coalition facility." ago tonight, in a televised the past four months. foremost, Gen. Petraeus, who He added: "If anyone has address to the nation, that These gains are thrilling above all others has proven any concerns they should get President George W. Bush but not yet permanent. Political that he knows how to steer this their GP or medical officer to announced his fateful decision progress has been slow. And war to a successful outcome. check them." to change course in Iraq, and to although al Qaeda and the Every American should All the soldiers have been send five additional U.S. other extremists in Iraq have feel a debt of gratitude to Gen. tracked down, and several have combat brigades there as part been dealt a critical blow, they Petraeus and the great already received negative test of a new counterinsurgency will strike back at the Iraqi American troops fighting under results, the spokesman said. strategy and under the people and us if we give them him for us. This gratitude is However, a number of command of a new general, the chance, as our generals on due not simply for the others, including one soldier David Petraeus. the ground continue to warn us. extraordinary progress they who was only notified of the At the time of its The question we face, on have accomplished in Iraq, but risk last night, face a wait of up announcement, the so-called the first anniversary of the for what they have taught us to three weeks to learn whether surge was met with deep surge, is no longer whether the about ourselves. they are in the clear. skepticism by many Americans president's decision a year ago If the mismanagement of Derek Twigg MP, Under -- and understandably so. was the right one, or if the the Iraq war from 2003 to 2006 Secretary of State for Defence After years of counterinsurgency strategy exposed our government's said: "These 18 Service mismanagement of the war, developed by Gen. Petraeus is capacity for incompetence, Personnel would almost many people had grave doubts working. It is. Gen. Petraeus' leadership this certainly have died without about whether success in Iraq The question now is where past year, and the conduct of receiving an emergency blood was possible. In Congress, we go from here to sustain the the troops under his command, transfusion at the front line. opposition to the surge from progress we have achieved -- have reminded us of our The Defence Secretary acted antiwar members was swift and and in particular, how soon can capacity for the wisdom, the quickly to ensure that those severe. They insisted that Iraq more of our troops come home, courage and the leadership that British service personnel was already "lost," and that based on the success of the has always rallied our nation to involved were informed as there was nothing left to do but surge. greatness. soon as possible. accept our defeat and retreat. Gen. Petraeus has already As Americans, we have "The actual risk of any In fact, they could not announced that five "surge" repeatedly done what others infection is low - however we have been more wrong. And brigades will be withdrawn by said was impossible. Gen. are taking it extremely had we heeded their calls for mid-July. The process is now Petraeus and his troops are seriously. We are working with retreat, Iraq today would be a underway. The Pentagon has doing that again in Iraq today. the appropriate health country in chaos: a failed state also announced that it is The war for Iraq is not authorities to do all that we can in the heart of the Middle East, conducting a series of internal over. The gains we have made to test and reassure the people overrun by al Qaeda and Iran. reviews to examine whether can be lost. But thanks to the involved. We are, and will Instead, conditions in that and when additional troops can courage of our troops, the skill continue to do all that we can country have been utterly be withdrawn -- with Gen. and intellect of their battlefield to support them and their transformed from those of a Petraeus, the Joint Chiefs of commander, and the families through this uncertain year ago, as a consequence of Staff and U.S. Central steadfastness of our time." the surge. Whereas, a year ago, Command each asked to offer commander in chief, we have Military sources compared al Qaeda in Iraq was their own analysis. As the at last begun to see the the situation to the death of entrenched in Anbar province president awaits these contours of what must remain 25-year-old Lance Corporal and Baghdad, now the forces recommendations, it is our objective in this long, hard Matty Hull during a 'friendly of Islamist extremism are important for the rest of us to and absolutely necessary war -- fire' incident in Basra. facing their single greatest and keep some realities in mind. victory. A high-ranking army most humiliating defeat since First, it is unknown Mr. McCain is a officer told The Sun: "This the loss of Afghanistan in whether the security gains we Republican senator from scandal is an even more 2001. Thanks to the surge, the have achieved with the surge Arizona. Mr. Lieberman is an grotesque example of 'friendly Sunni Arabs who once can be sustained -- and Independent Democratic fire' than the Matty Hull case constituted the insurgency's deepened -- after we have senator from Connecticut. because that could be partly core of support in Iraq have drawn down to 15 brigades. put down to the fog of war. been empowered to rise up Until we know with certainty "It was entirely avoidable against the suicide bombers that we can keep al Qaeda on Washington Times and we cannot understand how and fanatics in their midst -- the run with 15 brigades, it January 10, 2008 the Americans allowed prompting Osama bin Laden to would be a mistake to commit Pg. 17 something like this to happen." call them "traitors." ourselves preemptively to a 37. Modernizing The As al Qaeda has been drawdown below that number. U.S Military beaten back, violence across As the surge should have Soldiers' lives depend on Wall Street Journal the country has dropped taught us by now, troop getting it right January 10, 2008 dramatically. The number of numbers matter in Iraq. We By Daniel L. Davis Pg. 15 car bombings, sectarian should adjust those numbers Between now and the Feb. 36. The Surge Worked murders and suicide attacks has based on conditions on the 5 "Super Duper Tuesday," By John McCain and Joe been slashed. American ground and the America will get serious about Lieberman casualties have also fallen recommendations of our scrutinizing its presidential page 29 candidates to ascertain where Defense into a force capable of operate in sub-optimal vessels, apparently under they stand on the most dominating all challengers in conditions; we plan to replace orders from the Iranian important issues. Regarding any future battle. At its core, what has been proven in Revolutionary Guard, defense policy, virtually all the this transformation seeks to combat as the world's best harassing U.S. naval forces in focus has thus far exploit technology and link main battle tank with a lightly international waters in the understandably been on how dispersed warfighting armored vehicle which may not Straits of Hormuz. They broke and when to end the war in platforms and soldiers with a be able to survive head-to-head off moments before the Iraq and bring the troops home. vast array of intelligence assets engagements with enemy Americans opened fire. This is an important issue, to and sensors to enable friendly tanks; and despite numerous, "An ordinary occurrence," be sure. But there is another forces to maneuver to positions high-level Defense Department said a spokesman for the defense topic that is ultimately of advantage and rain and governmental studies Iranian Foreign Ministry. of much greater importance devastating firepower down on explicitly quantifying the threat "There will be serious that must now share some of the enemy. While some China's military poses to future consequences if they attack our the attention. components of the Defense American forces, the Army has ships," Mr. Bush countered. The next administration Department's efforts are made no effort to design a Mr. Bush is right, and the will be responsible for making outstanding and promise future force capable of world came very close to war some critical decisions significant advantage to future defending against such a threat on Sunday. From the 18th regarding the future of American forces, other (for a detailed analysis see my century to the present day, America's armed forces in elements are so far off the essay, "Heavy and Agile," at threats to American ships and general and for the Army in mark that if remedial actions www.armedforcesjournal.com). maritime commerce have been particular; get Army are not taken, American forces The next administration the way most U.S. wars start. modernization wrong and we could suffer a significant will have the responsibility for The pattern began early. could unwittingly lay the battlefield defeat in future war setting Army modernization Attacks by the Barbary pirates foundation for our defeat on a — a defeat that might policy. It is therefore crucial to in the Mediterranean led future battlefield. otherwise be avoidable. ascertain where each candidate President Thomas Jefferson to In the years between Suggesting the United stands on defense send the U.S. Navy thousands World War I and II, France States could lose a future battle modernization because the of miles on a risky expedition was at the forefront of would seem to be out of place decisions the eventual winner to suppress the threat to technological development and in relation to America's known makes in the first 100 days in American merchant ships in force modernization. It was military prowess, which is office will establish the type of 1801. During the Napoleonic recognized as the victor over commonly described as being Army we have for the next Wars, British and French Germany in the Great War and the most powerful military several decades. Though interference with U.S. was universally recognized as power in the history of the economic, social and foreign commerce led to a series of the most dominant military world. Beginning with Desert policy are of great importance, crises and undeclared power in Europe. It had every Storm in 1991 and reinforced we must press each candidate "quasi-wars" that culminated in advantage imaginable and so convincingly in the initial to articulate their vision of the War of 1812. access to all the cutting-edge stages of Operation Iraqi Army modernization and how Sumatran attacks on U.S. technology then available. And Freedom in 2003, the military's they'll correct the deficiencies ships in the 1830s led President yet, as is now well known, in conventional domination over that currently plague our Andrew Jackson to dispatch May 1940 the vaunted French all potential enemies seems efforts. naval forces on a retaliatory army was thoroughly routed by beyond question. What, then, is The lives of our soldiers mission. The widespread the German Wehrmacht. the factual basis for such and success or failure on future (though probably erroneous) What is less known, concern? battlefields depends on getting U.S. belief that the USS Maine however, is that Germany To date, our modernization this right. had been destroyed by a possessed neither a quantitative efforts have: led some among Maj. Daniel L. Davis is a Spanish mine in the harbor of nor qualitative technological us to exaggerate what cavalry officer who fought in Havana, Cuba, forced a advantage over France. technology can do and to Desert Storm in 1991 and reluctant President William Germany did, however, underestimate what the enemy served in Afghanistan in 2005. McKinley to launch the combine the best utility of can do; of our own volition we The opinions expressed are his Spanish-American War in technology with organizational have reduced the combat own and do not reflect the 1898. and doctrinal reform that power of current organizations official position of the The 20th century was no enabled it to win over what in the as-yet-unproven promise Department of Defense or the different. German attacks on should have been a superior of what technology will Army. U.S. ships in World War I force. In short, Germany got someday be able to do; in the brought America into that war; 20th-century modernization belief our air- and space-based the Japanese attack on the fleet right and France got it wrong. intelligence platforms will Wall Street Journal at Pearl Harbor brought the America is today at a always give us sufficient January 10, 2008 U.S. into World War II. The 21st-century modernization critical information about the Pg. 14 Tonkin Gulf incident in 1964 crossroad. enemy to offset this decrease in 38. Iran's Provocation (alleged attacks on U.S. ships Since shortly after Desert mass, we have dissolved the By Walter Russell Mead by North Vietnamese boats) Storm, some of America's most powerful reconnaissance "It was a dangerous led Congress to authorize senior military leaders have formation in our nation's gesture," said President George President Lyndon Johnson's been seeking to modernize and history and replaced it with an W. Bush about Sunday's use of force in Indochina. The transform the Department of organization that cannot incident that involved five North Korean seizure of the page 30 USS Pueblo in 1968 touched ability to secure vital sea lanes over the weekend misstated the off a near-war crisis at the risks the full weight of U.S. conclusion of a recent National height of the Vietnam conflict, military power. Intelligence Estimate on Iran, and the Cambodian seizure of The Straits of Hormuz, site which Mr. Bush also discussed. the Mayaguez, a container of the weekend provocation, The intelligence estimate, ship, led President Gerald Ford are exceptionally sensitive. The issued in December, concluded to dispatch combat forces back ability of the U.S. to protect the that in 2003 Iran halted its to Indochina less than one free flow of oil through these program to develop a nuclear month after the U.S. waters is absolutely vital to the weapon; it did not say that Iran withdrawal from Saigon in global economy. Any U.S. had abandoned its efforts to 1975. President Ronald Reagan military response to a enrich uranium. dispatched forces to Libya in challenge there would be swift Editor's Note: The article the 1980s when Moammar and overwhelming -- perhaps by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Gadhafi tried to claim the far greater than the Iranians Thom Shanker appeared in the international waters off his expect. Current News Early Bird, coast behind a "Line of Death." The danger of war January 9, 2008. President Bill Clinton rattled between the U.S. and Iran over the saber when Chinese forces free passage in the Straits is fired missiles in the Taiwan very real. Iranian authorities Straits in 1995 and 1996. may not fully understand the Geography and interest political and military have made freedom of the seas consequences of such raids. a persistent flashpoint in U.S. The commanders of the history: The U.S. is relatively maritime forces of the safe from land assault, but our Revolutionary Guard, by all commerce is vulnerable to accounts less professional than naval attacks. And the commanders of Iran's international trade has been a regular navy, may be operating vital interest. British without central authority, and restrictions on colonial trade may have underestimated the stoked American anger, and likelihood and the scale of the British closure of the port of probable U.S. response. Boston helped turn discontent Believing that retaliation into revolution. The record is would be minor and plain: Those who interfere with half-hearted, they may even be American maritime activity, seeking a limited confrontation whether naval or commercial, with the U.S. for domestic strike at a vital interest that political reasons. Americans for more than two Last weekend, the Iranians centuries have consistently fled before shots were fired. defended by, if necessary, war. Good for them. If Iran wants a Such crises tend to unite large-scale military conflict American opinion behind even with a U.S. that is angry, unpopular presidents. Two aroused and united, centuries of experience have endangering American naval created a broad consensus in vessels in the Straits of the U.S. that the freedom of the Hormuz is the right way to get seas cannot be compromised or one. abandoned. Mr. Mead is a senior The link between global fellow at the Council on freedom of the seas and foreign Foreign Relations and the policy has been a driving force author of "God and Gold: in modern world history. Like Britain, America, and the Britain before us, the U.S. is a Making of the Modern World commercial power whose (Knopf, 2007). economic interests have led it to play a unique global role in the interests of making the New York Times world hospitable to its January 10, 2008 investments and trade. The Pax 39. Correction Britannica and the Pax An article on Wednesday Americana have both rested on about President Bush’s sea power, and any country criticism of Iran for that challenges America's confronting American warships