CURRENTNEWS EARLYBIRD

January 7, 2008

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IRAQ 1. Deadly Bombing Mars Iraqi Celebration (New York Times)....Solomon Moore and Mudhafer al-Husaini ...When four Iraqi soldiers moved to block the bomber from entering, he detonated his explosive vest, killing at least the four soldiers and wounding at least six people, according to the Iraqi police and military officials. There were differing accounts of the death toll, with some saying as many as 11 had been killed, but they could not be confirmed.

2. 'The Reality Is Very Hard' (Newsweek)....Babak Dehghanpisheh and Larry Kaplow Gen. David Petraeus has led the most dramatic turnaround in Iraq since 2003. But he's not planning to celebrate yet.

3. All Eyes On The Iraqi Army (Los Angeles Times)....Tina Susman Training efforts continue amid U.S. hopes that the security forces will be able to maintain gains cited in security. But the troops have had a mixed track record.

4. New Look At Foreign Fighters In Iraq (Christian Science Monitor)....Gordon Lubold An analysis shows that the bulk of them come from countries allied with the US.

5. For Pentagon And News Media, Relations Improve With A Shift In War Coverage (New York Times)....Thom Shanker The anguished relationship between the military and the news media appears to be on the mend as battlefield successes from the troop increase in Iraq are reflected in more upbeat news coverage.

PAKISTAN 6. Suggestion Of Covert U.S. Mission Stirs Anger (Washington Times)....Combined dispatches Pakistan reacted angrily yesterday to reports that President Bush is considering covert military operations in the country's volatile tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

7. In Musharraf's Shadow, A New Hope For Pakistan Rises (New York Times)....David Rohde and Carlotta Gall Over the last several months, a little-known, enigmatic Pakistani general has quietly raised hopes among American officials that he could emerge as a new force for stability in Pakistan, according to current and former government officials. But it remains too early to determine whether he can play a decisive role in the country.

8. U.S. Officials Review Approach In Pakistan (Washington Post)....Ann Scott Tyson and Robin Wright page 2 ...The Pentagon seeks greater authority to conduct operations while coordinating with the State Department. Adm. Eric Olson, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, visited Pakistan last month and discussed with President Pervez Musharraf and senior military leaders how else the U.S. military can assist in countering "a very complex insurgency," one military official said.

9. Poll Finds Pakistanis Want Democracy (Boston Globe)....Reuters Most Pakistanis want their country to be a democratic Islamic state but are deeply distrustful of the United States and its war on terrorism, according to a poll released yesterday.

AFGHANISTAN 10. Defying U.S. Plan, Prison Expands In Afghanistan (New York Times)....Tim Golden As the Bush administration struggles for a way to close the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, a similar effort to scale down a larger and more secretive American detention center in Afghanistan has been troubled by political, legal and security problems, officials say.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 11. Why Anthopologists Are Reluctant Army Recruits (CQ Weekly)....Elaine Monaghan Anthropologists are the original participant-observers, but they don’t much like what they’re seeing — and what some members of their profession are doing — at the behest of the Department of Defense.

12. Union Asks High Court To Hear Pentagon Suit (Federal Times)....Unattributed The American Federation of Government Employees plans to take its fight against the Pentagon’s new personnel system to the Supreme Court.

ARMY 13. Katrina Victims Swamp Corps For Trillions In Claims (USA Today)....Brad Heath ...The Army Corps of Engineers received 247 claims from residents, businesses and government agencies seeking $1 billion or more, according to the agency. That's the tip of a very large iceberg: The corps, which designed and built the city's storm protections, faces more than 489,000 claims for the damage and deaths in the post-Katrina flooding.

14. In Blog, A Military Man Writes About His Own Death (New York Times)....Brian Stelter Andrew Olmsted, a United States Army major who wrote an online blog for The Rocky Mountain News, prepared for the possibility of his death by writing a 3,000-word piece.

15. On The Mend (Army Times)....Kelly Kennedy Army disability retirement system better.

16. Why Have Fort Monroe Costs Soared? (Newport News Daily Press)....David Lerman Two local members of Congress are pressing the Pentagon to explain why the cost of closing Hampton's Fort Monroe has increased 298 percent.

MARINE CORPS 17. The Long And Winding Road (Washington Post)....Walter Pincus In 1996, the Marine Corps Combat Development Command determined that its expeditionary forces needed an agile and mobile weapon to fire over the enemy's front lines, a concept quickly dubbed Dragon Fire. page 3 AIR FORCE 18. C-17 Mission Completed (Tacoma News Tribune)....Scott Fontaine Near the bottom of the globe, an American crew took off from a New Zealand runway to help a stranded British ship. And after a drop above one of the most treacherous reaches of the Earth, airmen from McChord Air Force Base were the heroes.

CONGRESS 19. The Many Factors Behind 2008's Bigger Raise For Federal Workers (Washington Post)....Stephen Barr ...The differences in the raises largely can be attributed to the political process on Capitol Hill. At the end of 2006, Congress had not completed most of the annual appropriations bill and left it to President Bush to set the 2007 raise. Last month, Congress put together a consolidated spending bill and got Bush's signature before the year ended.

AFRICA 20. Kenya 'Critical' To U.S. Military (Washington Times)....Rowan Scarborough A destabilized Kenya would deprive the United States of one of its staunchest allies in Africa, because Nairobi since September 11 has provided military bases, communications networks and intelligence-sharing to prevent al Qaeda from making inroads on the continent.

MIDEAST 21. As Bush Heads To Mideast, Renewed Questions On Iran (Washington Post)....Michael Abramowitz and Ellen Knickmeyer President Bush intends to use his first extended tour of the Middle East to rally support for international pressure against Iran, even as a recent U.S. intelligence report playing down Tehran's nuclear ambitions has left Israeli and Arab leaders rethinking their own approach toward Iran and questioning Washington's resolve, according to senior U.S. officials, diplomats and regional experts.

22. Egypt To Bolster Gaza Border (Washington Post)....Ellen Knickmeyer Egypt has agreed to spend $23 million in U.S. military aid on robots and other advanced technology to detect smuggling tunnels along its border with the Gaza Strip, a U.S. congressman said Sunday. Egypt also has accepted a U.S. offer to send experts from the Army Corps of Engineers to train Egyptian border guards in the technology, said Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.).

EUROPE 23. Poland Signals Doubts About Planned U.S. Missile-Defense Bases On Its Territory (New York Times)....Judy Dempsey Signaling a tougher position in negotiations with the United States on a European antiballistic-missile shield system, Poland’s foreign minister says his country’s new government is not prepared to accept American plans to deploy missile-defense bases in Poland until all costs and risks are considered.

TERRORISM 24. Qaeda Urges Meeting Bush With Bombs (New York Times)....Associated Press An American member of Al Qaeda urged fighters to meet President Bush “with bombs” when he visits the Middle East this week, according to a new videotape posted on the Internet on Sunday.

25. Al Qaeda’s Newest Triggerman (Newsweek)....Sami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau Baitullah Mehsud is being blamed for most of the suicide bombings in Pakistan, including Benazir Bhutto's page 4 assassination. The rise of a militant leader.

MILITARY 26. Helping Hand For Hurt Bomb Squads (U.S. News & World Report)....Paul Bedard It has never been a great job, but in the Iraq war, where improvised explosive devices are a leading cause of injury and death, being a member of the military bomb squad is more dangerous than ever.

BOOKS 27. In A Shorter War, The Numbers Might Have Added Up (Washington Post)....Michael Abramowitz ...But in a book being published this week -- "What a President Should Know ... But Most Learn Too Late" -- Lindsey offers for the first time what he terms "the true story" behind his estimate, including what he sees as a mistaken White House strategy to play down the costs of war to maintain public support for an invasion.

OPINION 28. 2008 Full Of Challenges For Asia Leaders (Honolulu Advertiser)....Richard Halloran The year 2008 will confront many leaders in Asia, especially those in Beijing and Islamabad, Pakistan, with exceptionally difficult tests. For the U.S., stuck with a lame-duck president and a tedious election campaign, the tests will not come until a new president enters the White House in January 2009.

29. Biased Against Homosexuals -- (Letter) (Washington Times)....Kayla Williams ...The operations tempo of the military today makes every service member who is well-qualified and hardworking a valuable, necessary part of the team. Troops on the ground are aware of that. It is unfortunate that Ms. Donnelly places her political bias above this reality. page 5 New York Times attack on Sunday, the 87th Al Qaeda did that as well.” the most dramatic turnaround January 7, 2008 anniversary of the Iraqi Army’s Mr. Maliki returned to Iraq in Iraq since 2003. But he's not Pg. 11 founding, was another on Saturday after a series of planning to celebrate yet. 1. Deadly Bombing reminder of the threat posed by medical tests at a London It's far too early to declare Mars Iraqi Celebration the militants. hospital. Government officials Gen. David Petraeus, 55, the By Solomon Moore and Much of the credit for an said that the prime minister, a general who tamed Baghdad. A Mudhafer al-Husaini overall decline in attacks in Shiite, was suffering from dramatic drop in violence in BAGHDAD — As Iraq recently has been given to exhaustion, but that tests had the Iraqi capital is recent and jubilant Iraqi soldiers American-recruited Sunni Arab shown that he was in otherwise tenuous, and Petraeus is the celebrated Army Day by militias known as Awakening good health. first to admit it owes much to dancing and chanting groups. But they have The Iraqi police said decisions taken by Sunni anti-insurgent slogans inside a increasingly become targets of Sunday that a joint raid by insurgents and Shiite cleric downtown office building here the insurgent groups they have American and Iraqi forces had Moqtada al-Sadr's militia to on Sunday, a suicide bomber been fighting, and that trend killed four suspected suspend attacks there. Still, the tried to shove his way through continued Sunday. insurgents and destroyed two Ph.D.-toting general, who the gate. In Baquba, gunmen burst homes, for fear that they were co-wrote the Army's When four Iraqi soldiers into the home of Sheik Dhari booby-trapped, in southwest counterinsurgency manual and moved to block the bomber Mandeel, a leader of the main Baquba, a city north of the has led the surge of U.S. from entering, he detonated his Awakening group in Diyala capital that has become a focal troops, has presided over the explosive vest, killing at least Province, and shot him to point for insurgent groups. A most dramatic turnaround in the four soldiers and wounding death. The attackers also killed United States military Iraq since the invasion in 2003. at least six people, according to the sheik’s wife, according to spokesman said he could not As this election year begins, the Iraqi police and military the local police, and kidnapped confirm that the operation took that has some partisans talking officials. There were differing 10 of his relatives. place. up his future political accounts of the death toll, with And in Baghdad’s In addition to the Army prospects. Petraeus met with some saying as many as 11 had predominantly Shiite district of Day bombing, four other NEWSWEEK's Babak been killed, but they could not Shaab, the police reported that bombing attacks in Iraq — one Dehghanpisheh and Larry be confirmed. Ismael Abbas, another tribal in Baghdad and three in the Kaplow at his office in the U.S. “The suicide bomber was leader who had pledged loyalty northern city of Mosul — Embassy in Baghdad last very young,” said an Iraqi to the United States, was shot killed at least three people and week. Excerpts: police officer who declined to to death outside his home on wounded at least 19. NEWSWEEK: HOW did be identified because he was Sunday morning. The Iraqi police also said the Anbar Awakening not allowed to speak to the Members of the they had discovered 12 bodies movement [of Sunni sheiks news media. “We found his Awakening groups have in Baghdad and five severed allying with U.S. troops] severed head, and we found a complained lately that they are heads outside Baquba. start? How much of that was Yemeni identification card increasingly caught between Al The violence planned, and how much was near the rest of his body.” Qaeda in Mesopotamia and the overshadowed Iraq’s military luck? A military officer with the Shiite-led Iraqi government, celebrations, including a PETRAEUS: I do think 11th Iraqi Army Division who which is suspicious of the display of its newest equipment that we were willing to take also spoke on condition of Awakening groups and has at the national soldier’s risks and … take advantage of anonymity praised the four shown reluctance to integrate memorial, a large opportunities that presented soldiers’ sacrifice. “If they had them into the security forces. saucer-shaped sculpture inside themselves. Because of the allowed him to enter the Prime Minister Nuri the heavily guarded Green accumulated experience that building, even more people Kamal al-Maliki, in an Zone. Soldiers in crisp fatigues our leaders have, and because would have been killed,” the interview in London with the and royal blue formal wear of changes in the way the officer said. prominent Arabic-language stood at attention during the Army and the Marine Corps The Iraqi authorities said newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, exhibition of armored vehicles, prepare units for deployment they suspected that the bomber signaled his government’s ambulances and … our leaders are really quite was sent by Al Qaeda in ambivalence about the Sunni bomb-detection equipment. nuanced in their understanding Mesopotamia, a mostly militias — at once praising In order to avoid security of situations and, again, have homegrown insurgent group them for fighting Al Qaeda in threats, the commemoration the ability to recognize that American intelligence Mesopotamia while expressing was invitation-only. opportunities where perhaps agencies say has foreign suspicion that many of their Qais Mizher contributed we might not have recognized leadership. Many of the members may be insurgents reporting from Baghdad, and them in the past. group’s suicide bombers have themselves, trying to infiltrate Iraqi employees of The New How much did you been recruited abroad and Iraq’s security forces. York Times from Baghdad, wrestle with the idea of smuggled into Iraq from “The government supports Baquba and Mosul. talking to people who had neighboring countries. the Awakening Councils, but it attacked and maybe even Despite the insistence by must safeguard itself from killed Americans? infiltration,” he said. “We, as a Newsweek We did wrestle with it… Americans and the Iraqi January 14, 2008 government that insurgent government, have intelligence There were many groups have been greatly now that the Baathists ordered 2. 'The Reality Is Very [conversations] as we all sort weakened in recent months, the its members to join the Hard' of tried to come to grips with Awakening Councils and that Gen. David Petraeus has led this… I think [many Sunnis] page 6 just sort of woke up and said, could at least give Jaish compared to anybody. Every over responsibility for security "What were we thinking? Why al-Mahdi a chance. Now, situation is unique. in Basra, the last of the four in the world did we sheiks, having said that, once an provinces under British control who often go to Amman for the element or an individual to be handed over to Iraqis. weekend, why did we end up violates that ceasefire, Los Angeles Times The U.S. military has begun in league with guys who have a obviously they're criminals and January 7, 2008 pulling out the five extra Taliban-like ideology, kill our they have to be dealt with by 3. All Eyes On The Iraqi combat brigades it deployed in sheiks and take our daughters?" Iraqi or Coalition forces, or Army Iraq last year, which will bring … By the way, take none of together, more likely. Training efforts continue amid the American troop level to this to be optimistic or Where do you see troop U.S. hopes that the security about 134,000 by the middle of pessimistic. [We] should be levels by the time U.S. forces will be able to maintain the year, down from more than realistic at this point, and the elections roll around in gains cited in security. But the 160,000. reality of Iraq is that it's very November? troops have had a mixed track Yet relying on Iraqi hard. What we're doing right record. security forces has proved So you wouldn't say Al now is the analysis that will By Tina Susman, Los Angeles risky. In February, when Army Qaeda's finished? provide the basis for Times Staff Writer Gen. George W. Casey Jr. Oh, no, not at all. Al recommendations that the MAHMOUDIYA, IRAQ handed off command of U.S. Qaeda is like a fighter that's ambassador [Ryan Crocker] — The 10 rows of men stood troops in Iraq to Gen. David H. taken some very serious shots and I will take back in late ramrod straight, their right Petraeus, he predicted that to the head but shakes them off March or early April. We've hands saluting in unison, their Iraqi forces would be in charge [and] can come back with a literally just begun that left arms stiffly at their sides, of security nationwide by fall. very lethal right hand. analysis. We're looking at three save for one in a plaster cast Casey's time in Iraq was Are you frustrated that different scenarios. One is and sling. marked by a push to bring the Iraqi government has things get better; one is things Then, in a burst of down the U.S. troop level and been slow to absorb these stay about the same as we collective energy, they raced speed the transfer of Sunni fighters? come down [in troop strength]; out the door, crossed a vast responsibilities to the Iraqi To me that's somewhat another is things get worse. field and hurled themselves government. But insurgents understandable… because Have you considered onto an obstacle course of took advantage of the less some of these individuals were becoming a vice presidential swinging ropes, muddy experienced Iraqi forces to undoubtedly in the resistance. candidate? ditches, catwalks and towering ramp up violence, which led So there have to be safeguards, I will say on the record … walls. President Bush to deploy the there have to be assurances. It I really do not have any Welcome to the new Iraqi additional brigades. does seem like the eye of a political aspirations. I have army, or at least a tiny portion Attacks on civilians and needle sometimes, trying to get chosen to serve our country in of it that U.S. and Iraqi coalition forces have dropped these lists [of fighters to be uniform and I respect those officials hope will serve as a to their lowest level in more integrated into the security who serve it in politics … They model for the rest. The than two years, according to services] through. But they do won't nominate me for mid-December event was a Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. get through. anything anyway. graduation at the new Iraqi Odierno, the day-to-day Are you having direct So you wouldn't consider Army Commando Course, and commander of U.S. troops in talks with Sadrists as well? a presidential run? it provided a look at the Iraq. Opinions vary, though, on We certainly talk to No. progress being made and the how ready Iraqi troops are to members of what would most You have a copy of the challenges still facing the take charge. accurately be called the Sadr Aeneid in your bookshelf 160,000-strong army. Iraqi government Trend, as you know—the here. What are you reading On the plus side, 50 spokesman Ali Dabbagh said political wing. We have now? soldiers made the cut. On the in December that Iraq would certainly had conversations at I just finished David minus side, 106 didn't. Still, the need foreign troops to defend it local levels with numerous Halberstam's book on Korea; I pass rate was better than for for a decade. leaders of Jaish al-Mahdi think it's titled "The Coldest four previous commando "Of course we need [Sadr's militia] … It's waxed Winter." I read Rick Atkinson's classes, which graduated about international support. We have and waned. I guess you can second book in his trilogy on 35 each. security problems. For 10 years classify it as mildly waxing World War II, which is terrific. "We're ready for anything. our army will not be able to right now. He's a good buddy. He did the We'll demolish the enemy with defend Iraq," Dabbagh told the Were you surprised by [trip] to Baghdad in the back of a big fist!" declared newly state-run Al Iraqiya TV. Sadr's declaration of a my Humvee. He learned about minted commando Ziad Khalaf A Pentagon quarterly ceasefire? Skeptical? his second or third Pulitzer Hamza, 20, an amber-eyed report to Congress released Sure. I think we've said while we were out in a dust judo expert. Dec. 18 says that 77% of Iraqi repeatedly, "We're from storm. I read "April 1865," and Perhaps no Iraqi institution army units are considered Missouri, the Show Me State." it's very good. And I read faces greater scrutiny capable of planning, executing But … if we could sit down "Grant Takes Command," nowadays than the security and sustaining operations with across the table with insurgents which was really quite forces, which the U.S. and little or no help from U.S. who were shooting at us—like instructive. British militaries are counting forces. But it says the army's we did in the late spring and Some could compare you on to maintain recent gains readiness is constrained by summer, [with] Sunni Arab to Grant. officials have cited. shortfalls in its ability to insurgents—we figured we I'm not trying to get Britain last month signed manage logistics, such as page 7 providing equipment. It also he said. linked to the broader U.S. whom the United States is says a shortage of officers to The desire to become a effort to force Iraqi officials to allied – Saudi Arabia, for one – take on leadership roles commando is fierce, Furaiji turn to their own government and also offers clues as to how "remains problematic" and that said, recalling a young man to fix things, instead of American officials can stem it will "take years" to close the who broke down and cried counting on American forces. the flow of these terrorists. gap. when he failed the physical Ten new logistics centers, The report, which is based In testimony to Congress test. The soldier begged for to be completed in May, are on data compiled by Al Qaeda in September, Petraeus said another chance. Furaiji gave it designed to speed up the and captured by coalition training of the Iraqi army had to him, and he passed. The man transition by giving the Iraqi forces last fall, shows that the been hampered by violence with the cast on his arm had military a place to warehouse most violent acts in Iraq are that kept too many troops on broken it during the course but parts and equipment and to typically carried out by foreign combat missions. went on to gain his commando send hardware that needs fighters. Their goals sometimes Brig. Gen. Ali Furaiji, badge anyway. repair. align with the group Al Qaeda commanding officer of the Those who pass the "But as you map this out, in Iraq, which, estimates Iraqi army's 4th Brigade, 6th endurance portion of the it simply takes time," suggest, has between 5,000 and Division, whose area of 23-day course move on to Yarbrough said, noting that the 8,000 people associated with it. operation includes former other specialties, most of military was being created The foreign fighters, however, insurgent strongholds south of which were not part of from scratch after having been represent just a small fraction Baghdad, agreed with that previous Iraqi army training: disbanded under a 2003 decree of that group. assessment. changing a Humvee tire under by the U.S. officials of the "We don't mean to imply "The thing is, our soldiers fire, for example, or first aid. Coalition Provisional Authority that the bulk of the do not get much training Yarbrough said the Iraqi that ran Iraq in the immediate organization is foreign," says because they're always out on military practice had been to aftermath of Hussein's ouster. Lt. Col. Joseph Felter, who the streets," said Furaiji, who transport wounded soldiers to Yarbrough, without co-wrote the analysis for the served under Saddam Hussein the nearest civilian hospital. By criticizing that move, Combating Terrorism Center at for 20 years. "Back in the old comparison, each U.S. military acknowledged the strain it had the US Military Academy at army, we'd get up at 5 a.m., run platoon has a medic. placed on U.S. and Iraqi forces. West Point, N.Y. "But what [about three miles], train On the obstacle course, "I'd hope we would deliberate you can take away from this is 13-hour days." graduates showed off their that decision in future conflicts that it seems very likely that However, Furaiji said the skills to an audience of U.S. very, very hard," he said. the vast majority of the suicide old military was not highly and Iraqi officers and bombers do seem to be respected, because it was seen journalists. They bellied under committed by non-Iraqis." as a protector of Hussein rather wires through muddy bogs, Christian Science Monitor The US military than the Iraqi people. rappelled down walls, inched January 7, 2008 discovered documents and That's one reason for the across ropes suspended about 4. New Look At Foreign computer data that belonged to Commando Course, aimed at 40 feet in the air and pounded Fighters In Iraq Al Qaeda after conducting a instilling a sense of pride in one another in a judo ring. The An analysis shows that the bulk raid in Sinjar, which is along young soldiers and putting finale was a demonstration of of them come from countries the Syrian border in western them on the path to becoming house raiding and target allied with the US. Iraq and was thought to be an officers. shooting. By Gordon Lubold, Staff entry point for many of Iraq's "When he finds there is Afterward, Yarbrough said writer of The Christian Science foreign fighters. The more respect for him, he'll find he had few worries about the Monitor documents and computer data he has better stamina," Furaiji dedication of soldiers such as WASHINGTON -- Little offered a unique look at the said after handing out framed judo expert Hamza, or has been known about flow of foreign fighters. diplomas, commando badges Mohammed Ali Kamel, a so-called foreign fighters in US military officials note and watches to the latest boxer who also was among the Iraq, other than that they are that they don't know precisely graduates. newly graduated commandos. typically motivated by how many foreign fighters are "This invests much more "I want to protect my ideology and are usually in Iraq; even this report does leadership skills at a lower home, my country and the smuggled in through Syria in not indicate one way or level," said Brig. Gen. James innocent people," Kamel said. small numbers. Many perform another. Some accounts have Yarbrough, commanding The Iraqi army has not suicide bombing missions and suggested that the number is no general of the Iraq Assistance suffered from the sectarian instigate some of the country's more than a few hundred at any Group, which advises the Iraqi troubles that have beset the starkest violence. one time. military on training programs. national police force, which is But a new analysis But while the total number Troops chosen by overwhelmingly Shiite Muslim published last month by is unknown, US military commanding officers train for and infiltrated by militiamen. experts at West Point shows officials have determined that 12 hours a day for about three Yarbrough said one of his that most of these individuals the fighters' flow into Iraq is weeks. Most drop out quickly main concerns with the army come from Saudi Arabia and decreasing – from as many as during the grueling physical was improving its ability to Libya, as well as other North 110 per month in the first half tests, said Furaiji, a tall, elegant manage logistics. "That's African countries such as of 2007 to about 40 per month man who said that he could not proving a tough nut to crack," Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. this past fall. make the grade himself. Asked he said, referring to such tasks The analysis suggests that the Although it remains why not, he held up a pack of as repairing damaged bulk of foreign fighters unclear the degree to which Kent cigarettes. "Five a day," equipment. The difficulty is originate from countries with Shiite-dominant Iran is page 8 influencing the violence in by much skepticism since no News Media, Relations not irreconcilable after all. Iraq, the analysis indicates that accounting, even using data Improve With A Shift In Then, however, the most of the foreign obtained from terrorist War Coverage success of the lightning-quick intervention is Sunni-based, networks, rarely offers a invasion became not the full By Thom Shanker which includes Al Qaeda. transparent look at who is story, but merely the early WASHINGTON — The The more than 750 behind the violence in Iraq. chapter of a frustrating and anguished relationship between personnel records obtained at Lieutenant Colonel Felter and deadly narrative of war in Iraq. the military and the news the raid site showed that Saudi Mr. Fishman acknowledge that As insurgent violence rose media appears to be on the Arabia was the country of the data is only a snapshot. in 2003, echoes of that earlier mend as battlefield successes origin for 41 percent of the Such pictures of those conflict in Southeast Asia from the troop increase in Iraq records analyzed, or 244 entering Iraq only provide could be heard. The downturn are reflected in more upbeat fighters. Libya was the source insights into that particular accelerated with the Abu news coverage. for 18 percent, or 112 of the group of people and aren't Ghraib prison scandal in 2004. Efforts from the new fighters. Syria, Yemen, and usually representative, says The credibility of the armed Pentagon leadership, as well as Algeria were the next most Anthony Cordesman, a senior forces fell even further in the by top commanders at the common, according to the expert at the Center for eyes of reporters when it was headquarters in Baghdad, have 29-page report, titled Strategic and International disclosed that military also eased tensions between "Al-Qaida's Foreign Fighters in Studies, a think tank in contractors in Baghdad had reporters and those in uniform. Iraq: A First Look at the Sinjar Washington. paid Iraqi reporters for stories Positive or negative, the Records." "We have a very rough in the local news media. troops’ view of the news media One of the only other idea of people moving through In return, the military’s is set as much by the tone of analyses of foreign fighters, Syria," he says. "These familiar complaints resumed: commanders as by the tenor of conducted in 2005 by an Israeli numbers are extremely rough, There is no coverage of the individual news clips. researcher, did not indicate and there is no real way to good news from Iraq, officers Gen. David H. Petraeus, nearly as many fighters being know who is an Iraqi and who said. The focus is on violence the senior American officer in recruited from North Africa. is not an Iraqi." and daily casualty counts, and Iraq, and his subordinates have The revelation that more are Meanwhile, the dynamics not progress. Reporters cannot worked hard to convey the from North Africa comes as of the violence in Iraq have or will not get out and about in rationale for their strategy and the US Defense Department changed as the security Iraq to tell the whole story. the evidence that persuades sets up a new combatant situation has improved. Editors and reporters are them it is succeeding. Adm. command in Africa that aims Overall, violence is down. biased. Mike Mullen, the new to help African nations make Whereas as many as 1,600 As recently as October, Lt. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of themselves less hospitable to attacks were taking place Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, who Staff, has engaged reporters in foreign terrorists. across the country per week in had served as the first a variety of venues: at the The Sinjar analysis also June, there are now fewer than commander of the Iraq Pentagon, on travels across the offers clues about how the 600 attacks per week, says Col. occupation, came out of United States and overseas, fighters get to Iraq: Most come Donald Bacon, a spokesman retirement to condemn including the Middle East. through Syria, and the fighters, for the US military in Baghdad. coverage of the war. And, perhaps most depending upon their Yet as security has “The death knell of your important, their boss, Defense nationality, use fairly improved, it has forced ethics has been enabled by Secretary Robert M. Gates, has predictable routes to Syria. insurgents and foreign fighters your parent organizations who stated a view never heard from For example, fighters from to change the way they operate. have chosen to align his predecessor, Donald H. Libya tend to go through Egypt Foreign fighters entering themselves with political Rumsfeld. “The press is not the and then Syria. Tunisians Iraq from Syria typically came agendas,” General Sanchez enemy,” Mr. Gates tells typically travel through through Anbar Province, but as said in comments that earned military audiences, including at Germany and then Turkey to security there has improved – far less coverage than his the service academies, “and to Syria. attacks there are down 90 equally harsh statement that the treat it as such is Armed with this percent from earlier this year – Bush administration had self-defeating.” knowledge, the US and its those fighters have had to mismanaged the war. At the start of the Iraq war, allies can attempt to break move their routes farther north, “What is clear to me,” decades of open hostilities those "logistical chains" before say military officials. As a General Sanchez told a media between the military and news the fighters even get to Syria. result, declines in violence group, Military Reporters and media dating from Vietnam "There seem to be very have been far more gradual in Editors, “is that you are were forgotten, if only for a established routes," says Brian the American military sector perpetuating the corrosive brief and shining moment. One Fishman, the other co-author of known as Multi-National partisan politics that is reason was the embed program the analysis. "That suggests Division-North, which includes destroying our country and for the Iraq invasion that that there are clear logistics Mosul and Diyala. killing our service members placed hundreds of reporters networks based on nationalities who are at war.” from across the journalistic to get people there. We need to Just days earlier, in his spectrum into combat units. break those logistics chains not New York Times valedictory address as Soldiers and correspondents only to Syria, but all the way in January 7, 2008 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of shared tents, meals and risks, Syria." Pg. 13 Staff, Gen. Peter Pace used his and both sides said that Any analysis of foreign Military Memo final minutes as the nation’s perhaps their differences were fighters in Iraq is accompanied 5. For Pentagon And highest-ranking officer to page 9 describe how his interactions “It is obvious that many of accurate and fair,” said Colonel Benazir Bhutto for her own with Congress and the news the stories in print and Bleichwehl, who has served death, saying she should not media had soured him on both. television now have a more twice in Iraq. “There were not have poked her head out of her “In some instances right positive tenor; it ties directly to always enough reporters there vehicle's sunroof while leaving now we have individuals who what is happening on the full-time to provide the the Rawalpindi rally, where are more interested in making ground,” said Lt. Col. James complete story of what was she was assassinated. somebody else look bad than Hutton, public affairs officer going on in a city with seven Mr. Musharraf said his they are in finding the right for Multinational Corps-Iraq million people, much less the government provided Mrs. solution,” General Pace said. and the spokesman for Lt. Gen. rest of the country.” Bhutto with enough protection Yet, as the tone of news Raymond T. Odierno, and it was her own negligence reporting from Iraq has shifted commander of day-to-day that led to her death. She in recent months, so have the military operations. Washington Times should have left the rally views commonly heard from “I’m satisfied that the January 7, 2008 quickly instead of lingering to officers in Iraq. majority of reporters on the Pg. 9 wave to supporters, Mr. Recent interviews with ground want to get the story 6. Suggestion Of Covert Musharraf said in an interview dozens of military officers in right and are responsive when U.S. Mission Stirs Anger with CBS' "60 Minutes" Iraq found a sense of their reporting is seen as less Musharraf puts full blame on program. frustration that the war was than accurate and we call them Bhutto for assassination "I mean, God was kind — receiving less coverage than on it,” said Colonel Hutton, ISLAMABAD, Pakistan she went into the car in spite of they would like — but a sense who is nearing the end of his — Pakistan reacted angrily the fact that she was waving nonetheless that the coverage second tour of duty in Iraq. yesterday to reports that and all that. She did go into the was forthright and balanced. Setting the tone from the President Bush is considering car. Now — now is the point. “The media in general is top, General Petraeus decided covert military operations in Why did she stand outside the doing a pretty good job that managing the military’s the country's volatile tribal car?" he said. "For standing up portraying the situation,” said media mission required a areas bordering Afghanistan. outside the car, I think it was Lt. Col. Rodger Lemons, high-ranking career public "It is not up to the U.S. she to blame alone. Nobody operations officer for the First affairs officer, and he assigned administration. It is Pakistan's else. Responsibility is hers." Cavalry Division’s Fourth Rear Adm. Greg Smith, government who is responsible The U.S. strike plan Brigade Combat Team. previously chief of information for this country," chief military reportedly was discussed by Interviewed last month in for the Navy, to be director of spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Vice President Dick Cheney, Mosul as he was completing a communications for Arshad told Agence Secretary of State Condoleezza 15-month tour, Colonel Multinational Force-Iraq, the France-Presse. Rice and national security Lemons said: “Spectacular top military command structure "There are no overt or aides in the wake of the Dec. attacks still get the big media in the country. covert U.S. operations inside 27 assassination of Mrs. attention. I would like to see Admiral Smith, the first Pakistan. Such reports are Bhutto. more good news. Who one-star public affairs officer baseless and we reject them." Gen. Arshad also wouldn’t? But the reporters in Baghdad, acknowledged that The New York Times dismissed comments from Sen. who have embedded with us troops who had previously reported on its Web site late Hillary Rodham Clinton of have been fair.” served in Iraq “may have lived Saturday that under a proposal New York, a Democratic In a study of last year’s through a time when it seemed being discussed in Washington, candidate for president, that published news reports that all that was being reported CIA operatives based in she would propose a joint conducted by the Project for was negative news, even Afghanistan would be able to U.S.-British team to oversee Excellence in Journalism at the though they were doing so call on direct military support the security of Pakistan's Pew Research Center, more much good on any given day for counterterrorism operations nuclear arsenal if elected than half of all coverage of Iraq that was not being reported.” in neighboring Pakistan. president. was found to be pessimistic. “I think there was a period Citing unnamed senior "We do not require The view of American policy time in the past in which administration officials, the anybody's assistance. We are and military progress was reporting was behind reality,” newspaper said the proposal fully capable of doing it on our mixed over all, with 4 in 10 Admiral Smith said. “Today, called for giving CIA agents own," he said. pieces offering a mixed that gap between perception broader powers to strike targets Pakistan's foreign ministry assessment, one-third a and reality has closed, if not in Pakistan. spokesman, Mohammad Sadiq, negative view and one-quarter completely.” Pakistan's western tribal late yesterday described the more optimistic. Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, belt is seen as a safe haven for New York Times report as The troop increase ordered public affairs officer for Taliban and al Qaeda militants, "speculative" but said any by President Bush in January Multinational who carry out attacks in suggestion of U.S. forces on its began to show results over the Division-Baghdad for the past Afghanistan, as well as the territory is "unacceptable." summer, and improving trends 15 months, described one most-likely hide-out for al On Mrs. Clinton's remarks in security have received concern heard often from Qaeda leader Osama bin about nuclear weapons, Mr. commensurate coverage. The officers in Iraq — the lack of Laden. The United States now Sadiq added: "It must be Pew researchers found that reporters covering the war as it has about 50 soldiers in clearly understood that positive assessments of the entered another decisive period Pakistan, the report said. Pakistan alone is and will be expanded American military during the troop increase. In an interview broadcast responsible for the security of operations began to rise in “In general, I thought the yesterday, Pakistani President its nuclear assets." November. majority coverage was very Pervez Musharraf blamed page 10 widely unpopular according to contend that the government the general stressed unity. public opinion polls — of did not provide adequate “It is the harmonization of New York Times fixing the elections. If security. sociopolitical, administrative January 7, 2008 demonstrations erupt, General General Kayani’s personal and military strategies that will Pg. 3 Kayani will have to decide views are difficult to discern. usher an environment of peace 7. In Musharraf's whether to suppress them. Since taking command of the and stability in the long term,” Shadow, A New Hope What he decides will determine army, he has continued his the state-run news media For Pakistan Rises who rules Pakistan, according practice of never granting quoted him as saying. By David Rohde and Carlotta to Pakistani and American interviews. “Ultimately, it is the will of the Gall analysts. The decision also In one of his first acts as people and their support that is ISLAMABAD, Pakistan could affect whether the army chief, he declared 2008 decisive.” — Over the last several country descends into even the “year of the soldier,” an The son of a junior officer months, a little-known, deeper turmoil. attempt to improve the in the Pakistani Army, he is enigmatic Pakistani general has They predict that General weakening morale of the from Jhelum, an arid region in quietly raised hopes among Kayani will remain loyal to Pakistani Army, a gesture that Punjab Province known for American officials that he Mr. Musharraf to a certain was praised by American producing Pakistani generals. could emerge as a new force extent. But they say he will not military officials. The army has Raised in a middle-class for stability in Pakistan, back Mr. Musharraf if his struggled in combating military family, he attended according to current and actions are viewed as militants, with more than 1,000 military schools and is seen as former government officials. damaging the army. soldiers and police officers loyal to the army as an But it remains too early to “He’s loyal to Musharraf killed since 2001. Last institution above all else. determine whether he can play to the point where Musharraf is summer, several hundred His appointment was a decisive role in the country. a liability and no longer an soldiers surrendered to popular among army officers, In late November, the asset to the corporate body of militants, causing intense some of whom blame Mr. general, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Pakistani military,” said concern among Pakistani Musharraf for hurting the took command of Pakistan’s Bruce Riedel, a former C.I.A. military officials. army’s image. army when the country’s and White House official and a The battle against His career has included longtime military ruler, Pervez Pakistan expert. insurgents continues to be repeated military education in Musharraf, resigned as army As he has ascended, intractable. A security official the United States. He received chief and became a civilian General Kayani has impressed said Monday that suspected training in Fort Benning, Ga., president. At that time, General American military and Islamic militants killed eight and graduated from the Kayani, a protégé of Mr. intelligence officials as a tribal leaders involved in Command and General Staff Musharraf’s, became one of professional, pro-Western efforts to broker a cease-fire College at Fort Leavenworth, Pakistan’s most powerful moderate with few political between security forces and Kan. He also took an executive officials. ambitions. But the elevation to insurgents in northwestern studies course at the The Pakistani Army has army chief has been known to Pakistan, The Associated Press Asia-Pacific Center of Security dominated the country for change Pakistani officers. reported. The men were shot in Studies in Hawaii in the late decades and the army chief Mr. Musharraf was seen as separate attacks late Sunday 1990s. wields enormous influence. uninterested in politics when and early Monday in South In an army deeply Over time, as General Kayani he became army chief in 1998. Waziristan, a mountainous enmeshed in Pakistani politics, gains firmer control of the A year later, he orchestrated a region close to Afghanistan he has declined to ally himself army, he is likely to become coup and began his eight-year where militants allied with Al with any political groups, even more powerful than Mr. rule. Qaeda and the Taliban operate, according to retired Pakistani Musharraf himself. General Kayani has the official said. military officials. As a junior “Gradually, General become an increasingly General Kayani’s early officer, he briefly served as a Kayani will be the boss,” said important figure to the Bush political moves as commander military aide to Ms. Bhutto Talat Masood, a Pakistani administration as Pakistan’s included two small gestures during her first term as prime political analyst and retired instability grows and Mr. that were interpreted as minister in the late 1980s, but general. “The real control of Musharraf faces intensifying attempts to ease tensions has stayed away from the army will be with Kayani.” political problems, according between the government and politicians since then. But within weeks, General to American and Pakistani civilian opposition parties. “Kayani throughout his Kayani’s loyalties — and skills analysts. After the assassination of Ms. career has shown little in the — are likely to come under Mr. Musharraf’s Bhutto on Dec. 27, he sent way of political inclination,” intense strain. The two civilian declaration of de facto martial soldiers to place a wreath on said a senior American military political parties that oppose law in November was widely her grave and privately met official who has worked Mr. Musharraf are vowing to seen in Pakistan as an effort by with her husband. extensively with him but did conduct nationwide street him to crush his civilian On Thursday, General not wish to be identified protests if Mr. Musharraf’s opponents and cling to power. Kayani led the first meeting of because of the sensitivities of party wins delayed At the same time, many Pakistan’s corps commanders Pakistani politics. “He is a parliamentary elections now Pakistanis blame Mr. — the dozen generals who humble man who has shown a scheduled for Feb. 18. Musharraf for failing to dominate the military. It was decided focus on the soldier.” The parties already accuse prevent the assassination of the first time in eight years that When he was appointed Mr. Musharraf — who is former Prime Minister Benazir Mr. Musharraf had not deputy army chief last fall, his Bhutto last month. They attended. During the meeting, first move was to visit the front page 11 lines in the tribal areas. revitalized the Bush Adm. Eric Olson, head of U.S. has intensified for weeks that Spending the Muslim holiday administration's long struggle Special Operations Command, the Bush administration would Id al-Fitr with soldiers to develop a coherent strategy visited Pakistan last month and act unilaterally in the prompted American military for uprooting al-Qaeda from discussed with President northwestern frontier to officials to praise him as a Pakistan's western tribal areas, Pervez Musharraf and senior counter al-Qaeda's growing “soldier’s soldier.” U.S. officials said yesterday. military leaders how else the presence. The senior American The administration is U.S. military can assist in Some U.S. military military official predicted that hopeful that Pakistan's new countering "a very complex sources said that such public the Pakistani Army would army chief, Gen. Ashfaq insurgency," one military speculation, while unfounded, perform better under General Kiyani, will support more official said. nevertheless serves to lessen Kayani than Mr. Musharraf, robust efforts involving U.S. The State Department the political cost of any U.S. who was often distracted by intelligence and military position is that the U.S. actions. politics while serving as both operatives targeting al-Qaeda's ambassador should approve Still, some Pakistani president and army chief. terrorist sanctuaries in the every operation in Pakistan. observers warn that a more But any progress General country, the officials said. The impasse between the visible U.S. presence would Kayani achieves militarily "Kiyani has a strong Pentagon and State Department almost certainly trigger a could be undermined by recognition that things haven't proved a sticking point in last backlash against Musharraf. "It continuing political turmoil, worked," said one senior week's meeting, although the would give the militant Islamic according to Pakistani analysts. military official, who spoke on disagreement is known to have parties a strong whip to use To end that instability, he the condition of anonymity festered since 2002. against moderates, especially might have to strike a “grand because of the sensitivity of the The meeting, attended by in the northwest territories," bargain” with Pakistan’s topic. "He recognizes the level Adm. Michael Mullen, said Shuja Nawaz, a civilian political parties that of competence and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Washington-based Pakistani would end the army’s proficiency" of Pakistan's Staff, and other senior national journalist and author. dominance. forces "will need attention." security advisers, was first Staff writers Joby Warrick “If Kayani, in a way, tries The unrest has led to a reported yesterday by the New and Michael Abramowitz to promote democracy and greater focus in Washington on York Times. Administration contributed to this report. becomes the protector of threats facing Pakistan, officials confirmed that the democracy,” said Mr. Masood, including not only terrorism, meeting took place, but the Pakistani political analyst but increasingly a growing spokesmen for the Pentagon, Boston Globe and retired general, “then I religious insurgency, said CIA and State Department January 7, 2008 think Pakistan has a chance.” another senior military official. declined yesterday to discuss Pakistan Mr. Masood and other "The conditions we face are it. 9. Poll Finds Pakistanis analysts said General Kayani not waiting, so why should we Currently, the main U.S. Want Democracy would be more able to strike wait?" he said. counterinsurgency effort in WASHINGTON, D.C. - such a bargain than Mr. Senior U.S. officials Pakistan consists of a multiyear Most Pakistanis want their Musharraf, who is now deeply discussed at the White House package of economic country to be a democratic distrusted by the country’s last week a new proposal to development and military Islamic state but are deeply political parties. But to do so give U.S. Special Operations assistance that is now distrustful of the United States he would have to peacefully forces and the CIA greater beginning to be implemented. and its war on terrorism, give up power, something no leeway to conduct operations The military component aims according to a poll released Pakistani leader has done in the in the tribal areas. to bolster training and yesterday. Funded by the US country’s 60-year history. But that proposal, along equipment for Pakistan's Institute of Peace, the poll was Carlotta Gall reported with several different U.S. Frontier Corps, which operates taken in the nuclear-armed from Islamabad, and David scenarios for addressing the in the tribal areas, and to step nation before President Pervez Rohde from Islamabad and sanctuary, remains hampered up training of elite Pakistani Musharraf's six-week state of New York. Eric Schmitt by bureaucratic infighting in Army units by U.S. Special emergency and the contributed reporting from Washington, according to Forces. assassination of former prime Washington. senior military officials Defense Secretary Robert minister Benazir Bhutto last familiar with the plans. "There M. Gates recently warned that month. The results, released should be a plan, singular. That al-Qaeda and Taliban havens about six weeks before Washington Post is what we are trying to do are a serious problem. "One of elections scheduled for Feb. January 7, 2008 now," one official said. the top-agenda items that we 18, show that a large majority Pg. 13 One point of contention have with the government of of Pakistanis see democracy as 8. U.S. Officials Review involves who within the U.S. Pakistan is working together in fully compatible with Islam, Approach In Pakistan government would approve terms of ... what they can do the pollsters said. Fight Against Al-Qaeda May operations in the Federally more unilaterally, how we can --Reuters Intensify Administered Tribal Area, the work with them to help them By Ann Scott Tyson and Robin rugged and lawless region be more effective, and whether Wright, Washington Post Staff bordering Afghanistan. there are instances in which we New York Times Writers The Pentagon seeks should or must take action by January 7, 2008 The political upheaval in greater authority to conduct ourselves," Gates told a House Pg. 1 Pakistan and emergence there operations while coordinating committee. 10. Defying U.S. Plan, of a new military leader has with the State Department. In Pakistan, speculation Prison Expands In page 12 Afghanistan Geneva Conventions, one of August 2005, a draft of which A Spartan Site of Metal By Tim Golden the officials said. was obtained by The New Pens WASHINGTON — As the The senior Pentagon York Times, the Bush The Bagram Theater Bush administration struggles official for detention policy, administration said it would Internment Facility, as it is for a way to close the military Sandra L. Hodgkinson, would transfer the detainees if the called, has held prisoners prison at Guantánamo Bay, not discuss the complaint, Kabul government gave captured as far away as Central Cuba, a similar effort to scale citing the confidentiality of written assurances that it would Africa and Southeast Asia, down a larger and more communications with the Red treat the detainees humanely many of whom were sent on to secretive American detention Cross. She said that the and abide by elaborate security Guantánamo. Since the flow of center in Afghanistan has been organization had access to “all conditions. As part of the detainees to Cuba was largely troubled by political, legal and Department of Defense accord, the United States said it shut off in September 2004, the security problems, officials detainees” in Afghanistan, after would finance the rebuilding of Bagram detention center has say. they were formally registered, an Afghan prison block and become primarily a repository The American detention and that the military “makes help equip and train an Afghan for more dangerous prisoners center, established at the every effort to register guard force. captured in Afghanistan. Bagram military base as a detainees as soon as practicable Yet even before the Despite some expansion temporary screening site after after capture, normally within construction began in early and renovation, the detention the invasion of Afghanistan in two weeks. 2006, the creation of the new center remains a crude place 2001, is now teeming with “In some cases, due to a Afghan National Detention where most prisoners are some 630 prisoners — more variety of logistical and Center was complicated by turf fenced into large metal pens, than twice the 275 being held operational circumstances, it battles among Afghan military officers and former at Guantánamo. may take longer,” Ms. government ministries, some of detainees have said. The administration has Hodgkinson added. which resisted the American Military personnel who spent nearly three years and The obstacles American strategy, officials of both know both Bagram and more than $30 million on a officials have faced in their countries said. Guantánamo describe the plan to transfer Afghan plan to “transition out” of the A push by some Defense Afghan site, on an prisoners held by the United Bagram detention center Department officials to have American-controlled military States to a refurbished underscore the complexity of Kabul authorize the indefinite base 40 miles north of Kabul, high-security detention center their challenges in dealing with military detention of “enemy as far more spartan. Bagram run by the Afghan military prisoners overseas. Yet even as combatants” — adopting a prisoners have fewer outside Kabul. Bagram has expanded over the legal framework like that of privileges, less ability to But almost a year after the last three years, it has received Guantánamo — foundered in contest their detention and no Afghan detention center a fraction of the attention that 2006 when aides to President access to lawyers. Some opened, American officials say policy makers, Congress and Hamid Karzai persuaded him detainees have been held it can hold only about half the human rights groups have not to sign a decree that had without charge for more than prisoners they once planned to devoted to Guantánamo. been written with American five years, officials said. put there. As a result, the “The problem at Bagram help. The treatment of prisoners makeshift American site at hasn’t gone away,” said Tina Then, last May, the at Bagram has generally Bagram will probably continue M. Foster, a New York human transfer plan was disrupted improved in recent years, to operate with hundreds of rights lawyer who has filed again when the two American human rights groups and detainees for the foreseeable federal lawsuits on behalf of servicemen overseeing the former detainees say, future, the officials said. the detainees at Bagram. “The project were shot to death by a particularly since two Afghan Meanwhile, the treatment government has just done a man suspected of being a detainees died there in of some prisoners on the better job of keeping it secret.” Taliban militant who had December 2002 after being Bagram base has prompted a The rising number of infiltrated the guard force. beaten by their American strong complaint to the detainees at Bagram — up The Pentagon initially captors. Two American Pentagon from the from barely 100 in early 2004 reported only that the two officials familiar with the Red International Committee of the and about 500 early last year Americans, Col. James W. Cross complaint that was Red Cross, the only outside — has been driven primarily Harrison Jr. and Master Sgt. forwarded to the Pentagon over group allowed in the detention by the deepening war in Wilberto Sabalu Jr., were the summer described it as a center. Afghanistan. American killed May 6 by “small-arms notable exception. In a confidential officials said that all but about fire.” But American officials A Red Cross spokesman in memorandum last summer, the 30 of those prisoners are said the Afghan guard had Washington, Simon Schorno, Red Cross said dozens of Afghans, most of them Taliban opened fire with a said the organization would not prisoners had been held fighters captured in raids or on semiautomatic rifle as two comment on its discussions incommunicado for weeks or the battlefield. vehicles carrying senior with the Defense Department. even months in a previously But the surging detainee officers waited to pass through But in remarks about the undisclosed warren of isolation population also reflects a series the prison gate. The killings organization’s work in cells at Bagram, two American of unforeseen problems in the forced more than a month of Afghanistan, its director of officials said. The Red Cross United States’ effort to turn further vetting of the Afghan operations, Pierre said the prisoners were kept over prisoners to the Afghan guards and the dismissal of Kraehenbuehl, emphasized on from its inspectors and government. almost two dozen trained Dec. 13 that “not all places of sometimes subjected to cruel In a confidential recruits, Pentagon officials detention and detainees” are treatment in violation of the diplomatic agreement in said. made available to the group’s page 13 inspectors. prisoners was drawn up by Abdul Rahim Wardak, was eight to a cell, and used toilets “The fact that the I.C.R.C. administration officials and reluctant to take responsibility down the hall. To improve does not publicize its findings outlined in an exchange of for the new detention center as security and hygiene, the does not indicate satisfaction confidential diplomatic notes the Pentagon wanted, fearing Americans equipped each with the conditions of any that August. he would be besieged by tribal two-man cell in the new block given detention place,” he said The two-page Washington leaders trying to secure the with its own toilet. on the group’s Web site. note — the first document to release of captives. The But because the cultural The two United States become public showing the minister of justice, Sarwar modesty of Afghan men would officials, who insisted on terms that Washington has Danish, opposed sharing his make them uncomfortable anonymity because of the sought from other governments control over prisons, the sharing an open toilet, it was confidentiality of Red Cross for the transfer of detainees officials said. subsequently decided that the communications, suggested from Guantánamo and Bagram American officials finally prisoners should be held that the organization had been — asks the Kabul brokered an agreement individually, two former more forceful in private. They administration to share any between the ministries, internal officials involved in the project said the group had complained intelligence information from documents show. But that did said. That immediately reduced that detainees in the isolation the prisoners, “utilize all not resolve more basic the optimal capacity of the area were sometimes subjected methods appropriate and questions about the legal basis main prison to about 330 to harsh interrogations and permissible under Afghan law under which Afghanistan detainees, they said, although a were not reported to Red Cross to surveil or monitor their would hold the detainees. Pentagon spokeswoman said inspectors until after they were activities following any For nearly a year, its “maximum capacity” was moved into the main Bagram release,” and “confiscate or American military officials and 628 prisoners. detention center and formally deny passports and take diplomats worked with the The training of Afghan registered — after being held measures to prevent each Afghan government to draft a military personnel to guard and incommunicado for as long as national from traveling outside plan for how it would detain administer the new prison has several months. Afghanistan.” and prosecute all prisoners posed other challenges. After One former Bush At the time, some Bush captured in Afghanistan. initially budgeting $6 million administration official said the administration officials Colonel Supervielle, who had for guard training, the Defense Pentagon told Congressional predicted that transfers from helped set up legal operations Department decided it would leaders in September 2006 that Bagram could begin within six at Guantánamo, said the effort need about $18 million for a small number of prisoners months. Col. Manuel in Afghanistan was in some training and “mentoring” of held by Special Operations Supervielle, who worked on ways more complex. “You guards over three years, forces might not be registered legal aspects of the transfers as weren’t dealing just with a officials said. within the 14-day period cited the senior United States U.S. interagency process,” he A first group of 12 in a Defense Department military lawyer in Afghanistan, said. “It involved the Bagram detainees was moved directive issued that month. recalled that officials in interagency process, bilateral into the Pul-i-Charkhi prison The exceptions were to be Washington expected the relations with Afghanistan, the on April 3. Over the next nine “approved at the highest primary difficulty to be the military coalition and other months, that number rose to levels,” the former official rebuilding of a cellblock at international interests.” 157 prisoners, including 32 said. Afghanistan’s decrepit The draft law was finally from Guantánamo, official Discounting Complaints Pul-i-Charkhi prison to meet delivered to Mr. Karzai in statistics show. Afghan Bush administration international standards of August 2006. Despite officials decided to release 12 officials have at times humane treatment. American entreaties, he of those detainees soon after discounted complaints about “We’ve got a bunch of decided not to sign it after their transfer. the crowding and harsh guys we want to hand over to opposition from senior aides, American officials said the conditions at Bagram by saying the Afghans,” Colonel officials said. modest flow had been dictated the detention center was never Supervielle said, recalling the The construction of a new mainly by the Afghan military, meant to be permanent and that prevailing view. “Build a jail detention center at which has wanted to make sure its prisoners would soon be and hand them over.” Pul-i-Charkhi also proved its guards could handle the new turned over to Afghanistan. But complications more complicated than United arrivals. But some United Hundreds of Bagram emerged at almost every turn. States officials had anticipated. States officials say they have detainees have been released Afghan officials rejected A New Project Is Flawed also had to reassess the outright as part of an Afghan pressure from Washington to When Afghan contractors Afghans’ ability to hold more national reconciliation adopt a detention system broke ground on the $20 dangerous detainees. They said program. But by early 2006, modeled on the Bush million project in 2006, United the detention center at Bagram internal Defense Department administration’s “enemy States officials estimated that would probably continue to statistics showed that the combatant” legal framework, the center would hold as many hold hundreds of prisoners average internment at Bagram American officials said. Some as 670 prisoners. But as the indefinitely. “The idea is that was 14.5 months, and one Defense Department officials military police colonel over time, some of our Pentagon official said that even urged the Afghan military overseeing the project toured detainees at Bagram — figure had since risen. to set up military commissions the site with Afghan and Red especially those at the lower After a White House like those at Guantánamo, the Cross officials, they pointed to end of the threat scale — will agreement by President Bush officials said. a significant flaw. In other be passed on to Afghanistan,” and Mr. Karzai in May 2005, Officials of both countries parts of Pul-i-Charkhi, men one senior military official said the plan to transfer the said the defense minister, were crammed as many as last year. “But not all. Bagram page 14 will remain an intelligence Pentagon started embedding subsequently used, says David Association called it “certainly asset and a screening area.” anthropologists in its brigades Price, an anthropologist at St. the most ethically fraught” Ms. Hodgkinson, the in Afghanistan and Iraq as part Martin’s University in Lacey, form of anthropological deputy assistant secretary of of an ambitious effort called Wash., to help kill thousands engagement with the military defense for detainee affairs, the Human Terrain System. of Viet Cong. and intelligence sectors. But acknowledged that the military The idea, Defense Department Anthropologists in the the report concluded that it was was holding more detainees at officials say, is to refine the Network are circulating a up to individual association Bagram than it had anticipated cultural understanding of U.S. petition pledging not to take members to decide whether to two years ago and that the forces so as to promote part in the Human Terrain take part in Human Terrain or Pentagon had no plan to assist “non-kinetic” — i.e., project. They have gathered in any similar programs in the the Afghans with further non-violent — modes of about 1,000 signatures after national-security sector. prison-building. But, she conflict resolution in their making the rounds at the For its part, the Pentagon added, “A final decision on the ranks. For example, the ability American Anthropological doesn’t understand what all the higher-threat detainees has not to recognize the Iraqi hand Association’s annual fuss is about. “Frankly, I am yet been made.” signal for “stop” — a hand conference in Washington last baffled that people oppose the And even now, the legal held parallel to the ground as month. The debate over the Army’s efforts to find basis under which prisoners are opposed to the Western gesture program acquired a new level non-lethal ways to achieve our being held at the Afghan of a palm raised in the air — of intrigue at the conference goals,” says McCuin. Perhaps detention center remains could greatly reduce civilian when a pair of Defense military communication with unclear. Another Defense casualties at occupation officials representing Human the profession of anthropology Department official, who checkpoints. Presently, Terrain were seen copying the is a rich topic for future insisted on anonymity because embedded anthropologists have names of some pledge anthropological study. she was not authorized to joined five units in Iraq and signatories. To further stoke publicly discuss the issue, said one in Afghanistan, of a suspicions among the the detentions had been planned 22 and four anthropologists, one of those Federal Times authorized “in a note from the respectively, that Defense name-takers was Laurie Adler, January 7, 2008 attorney general stating that he hopes ultimately to deploy. a Human Terrain consultant Pg. 3 recognizes that they have the But some anthropologists who came into some notoriety 12. Union Asks High legal authority under the law of contend that their colleagues in 2005 as a spokeswoman for Court To Hear war to hold enemy combatants should vacate the Human the Lincoln Group, a public Pentagon Suit as security threats if they Terrain, since it would relations firm caught planting The American Federation choose to do so.” potentially breach the favorable propaganda about the of Government Employees Afghan officials said they profession’s code of ethics, American occupation in Iraqi plans to take its fight against were still expecting virtually which pledges to do no harm to newspapers. the Pentagon’s new personnel all of the Afghan prisoners native populations it studies. Adler, communicating system to the Supreme Court. held by the United States — The Network of Concerned through Army spokesman AFGE said it would on with the possible exception of Anthropologists, an ad hoc Thomas McCuin, says she was Jan. 7 file a writ of certiorari a few especially dangerous coalition opposed to the just culling names of fellow — an appeal asking the detainees at Guantánamo — to project, has publicized a graduates from her alma mater, nation’s highest court to hear be handed over to them. presentation by Assistant the University of Chicago, so the case — challenging the A spokesman for the Deputy Undersecretary of as to clue them in on the National Security Personnel Afghan Defense Ministry, Gen. Defense John Wilcox before a Human Terrain System’s System. Zaher Azimi, said, “What is “Precision Strike Winter virtues. However, Hugh NSPS allows the Defense agreed is that all the detainees Roundtable” last February; Gusterson, an anthropology Department to discipline poor should be transferred.” there, Wilcox used a and sociology professor at performers without offering PowerPoint display indicating George Mason University, them time to improve and to that the Human Terrain project another original signatory to pay employees based on their CQ Weekly “enables the entire kill chain the pledge, notes that as of the performance rather than January 7, 2008 for the GWOT (global war on third week of December, the through the General Schedule. Pg. 10 terrorism).” petition had 22 signatures Unions also object to 11. Why Anthopologists Such talk puts associated with the university, NSPS provisions that allow Are Reluctant Army anthropologists in mind of the and only one had originated Defense to assign employees Recruits Defense Department’s from the annual meeting. new responsibilities without By Elaine Monaghan, CQ Staff Vietnam-era forays into the Gusterson reports that Adler first bargaining with their Anthropologists are the study of native populations. was seen writing down unions. But the Defense original participant-observers, The Network of Concerned multiple names; she has authorization bill, still under but they don’t much like what Anthropologists notes that the subsequently denied that consideration by Congress, they’re seeing — and what Pentagon has likened the account, claiming that she would restore unions’ rights to some members of their program to the Vietnam wrote just one name alongside collectively bargain on NSPS. profession are doing — at the conflict’s Civil Operations and other notes on the same page. A federal appeals court behest of the Department of Revolutionary Development In a separate report on the sided with the Pentagon in a Defense. Support program, which Human Terrain initiative 2007 ruling. The appeals court In February 2007, the secretly lifted the work of released in late November, the overturned a 2006 U.S. District anthropologists that was American Anthropological page 15 Court decision that found the By comparison, the levees failed: his life and requests from his Pentagon’s rules went beyond Louisiana Recovery Authority *Total number: 489,000 readers. He specifically asked its authority. estimates that Hurricanes *Claims for $1 billion or that his death not be used for Katrina and Rita in 2005 more: 247 political purposes. together caused about $100 *Largest: $3 quadrillion “We’re all going to die of USA Today billion in physical damage *Largest government or something,” Major Olmsted January 7, 2008 statewide. The federal business claim: $586 billion wrote in his final post. “I died Pg. 1 government already dedicated doing a job I loved. When your 13. Katrina Victims more than $130 billion on time comes, I hope you are as Swamp Corps For recovery from the hurricanes. New York Times fortunate as I was.” Trillions In Claims Most of the claims allege January 7, 2008 The ending of the post was Pg. C5 247 filings seek $1 billion or that the corps is to blame for almost uncomfortably more the levee failures that 14. In Blog, A Military personal, with a message to his By Brad Heath, USA Today inundated huge sections of Man Writes About His wife of 10 years, concluding WASHINGTON — Tens New Orleans. A claim form is Own Death with “I love you.” of thousands of people whose the first step in seeking By Brian Stelter In March Major Olmsted property was destroyed when compensation. Andrew Olmsted, a United approached his friend Hilary Hurricane Katrina One claim alone seeks $3 States Army major who wrote Bok, a professor at Johns overwhelmed New Orleans' quadrillion in damages, almost an online blog for The Rocky Hopkins University, and asked protective levees have filed all of it for personal injury. Mountain News, prepared for if she would publish a post for claims demanding the That's a 3 followed by 15 zeros the possibility of his death by him if he died during the war. government pay astronomical — about 250 times the nation's writing a 3,000-word piece. She said she immediately sums that would be enough gross domestic product. A “I’m dead,” he wrote in agreed. He sent a rough draft at money to make resident of a section of New July 2007 as he arrived in Iraq the beginning of June, and kept multimillionaires of everyone Orleans that includes the for an 18-month tour of duty. redrafting until July 15, the day in Louisiana. hard-hit Lower 9th Ward filed “But if you’re reading this, he arrived in Baghdad. The Army Corps of another claim for $6 trillion, you’re not, so take a moment “When I first read it, I Engineers received 247 claims double the annual federal to enjoy that happy fact.” cried,” Ms. Bok said. from residents, businesses and budget. The major, who was 38, In the essay, simply titled government agencies seeking "We sort of take it all in was killed Jan. 3 by small-arms “Final Post,” Major Olmsted $1 billion or more, according stride," says Angela Drinkwitz, fire from insurgents in acknowledged that he would to the agency. That's the tip of the corps' claims administrator. Sadiyah, 100 miles northeast of miss blogging. a very large iceberg: The corps, "We don't say there's no way Baghdad. The next day, a “The nature of blogging, which designed and built the this could be true." fellow blogger published the exchange of ideas, was city's storm protections, faces Most claims should be Major Olmsted’s eloquent something he really enjoyed,” more than 489,000 claims for filed within two years, but essay, leading to an outpouring said David Montero, a Rocky the damage and deaths in the Drinkwitz says new claims are of comments from more than Mountain News reporter who post-Katrina flooding. still trickling in. 1,000 readers. His blog became had spent several days with The claims are so massive Neither the corps nor the exponentially more popular in Major Olmsted for a front-page the government could never Justice Department would say death than in life, garnering profile in June. hope to pay them. Rather, they whether they intend to pay any more than 100,000 page views Before Major Olmsted left are the hopeful — and at times of the damage claims, how on Saturday. for Iraq, he met with the inflated — requests of people they will be processed or when Major Olmsted was one of newspaper’s editors to discuss reeling from losses. a decision could be made. the first “milbloggers,” an moving his blog to the Just the top filings add up Already, at least 300 people Internet term for members of newspaper’s Web site. The to so much money that the also have sued the government the military who blog. Army approved the entire annual output of the over levee failures, Justice Thousands of readers had arrangement, and he posted at nation's economy — $12 Department spokesman followed his posts for more least 38 times while in Kuwait trillion — couldn't pay them Andrew Ames says. than five years, first on and Iraq. off, according to the corps' "If they'd built the levees AndrewOlmsted.com and later “He was building up a listing. It is the first public right, they wouldn't have this on the Web site of The Rocky regular readership among accounting of the scale of problem," says Daniel Becnel, Mountain News, a newspaper people who appreciated his damage demands the corps a Reserve, La., lawyer in Colorado. frontline view from the war,” faces. representing some of those While bloggers have died said Deb Goeken, the "That's totally suing the government. in war zones before, several managing editor of the off-the-wall," says Ashton The corps would not prominent military bloggers newspaper. O'Dwyer, a New Orleans identify the people filing large said they could not recall any lawyer handling some of the claims. Officials still must sift previous instances of Army Times claims. He says everyone through more than 2 tons of posthumous blog entries. January 14, 2008 making a claim ultimately must paperwork to weed out Major Olmsted’s final post Pg. 8 provide evidence to back it up, duplicates. interspersed quotes from Plato "and we won't know the real Flood of paperwork and the movie “Team 15. On The Mend total until that happens." Damage claims against the America” with reflections on Army disability retirement Army Corps of Engineers after system better page 16 By Kelly Kennedy working, they can fix it.” their condition was found to be Office of the Actuary show When Lt. Col. Chip Pierce Since then, the Army has pre-existing and they hadn’t Marines and soldiers continue served as troop commander at added staff, improved training been in the military for at least to lag, even though they have Tripler Army Medical Center for counselors and lawyers, seven years. higher injury rates and could in Hawaii, he said he was and ensured every soldier has Pierce said about 8,900 be expected to have a greater “frustrated” by some of the someone overseeing his or her soldiers remain in the Warrior proportion of serious injuries issues he saw his injured progress through the system. Transition Unit waiting for because of the wars in Iraq and soldiers face as they made their And Building 18 — their final disability evaluation Afghanistan than do sailors or way through the bureaucracy Walter Reed’s dilapidated board. airmen. Their ranks and times of the Army’s military symbol of the breakdown in Tracking individuals in service were also disability retirement system. the system — no longer houses Things still aren’t perfect; comparable. “At Tripler, we didn’t wounded soldiers. Pierce said it’s hard to judge The average monthly have the same volume [of “I’ve been fortunate to be how soldiers feel about the disability payments for all soldiers] as Walter Reed able to see the frustrations and improvements because they enlisted members receiving [Army Medical Center], so we bring them up to this level,” weren’t in the system a year disability pay from the military didn’t have the same level of Pierce said. “It’s been very ago. And there are still cases in 2006: Air Force: $963; problems,” he said. “But nearly satisfying to be in this taking longer than they should Navy: $845; Army: $792; every problem they had, we position.” to go through the process. Marine Corps: $774 had a little of it.” Increase in medically But now, rather than Officers had similar In some cases, he didn’t retired justifying a months-long discrepancies:Air Force: know where to turn to solve a While the number of quagmire, as had been done by $2,668; Navy: $2,392; Marine problem, he said. And he soldiers medically retired — other officials in the past, Corps: $2,336; Army: $2,067 “wasn’t satisfied” with the meaning they received a Pierce said his office tracks, by According to the Office of troops’ living quarters. disability rating of 30 percent name, every soldier whose the Actuary, the number of So when the Army offered or higher or had at least 18 transition takes longer than 60 Marines medically retired in Pierce the opportunity to lead years of service when they days. Prior to the 60-day mark, 2006 went up by about 200 its new Warrior Transition went through the disability soldiers’ squad leaders in the compared with the previous Unit, a brigade designed process — declined from 2005 Warrior Transition Units are year — far more than any other specifically to address the to 2006, it increased by several responsible for making sure service. The Marine Corps did administrative needs of injured hundred in 2007, according to soldiers move through as not comment on the figures by soldiers, “I couldn’t get here figures provide by Col. Carlton quickly as possible. press time. fast enough,” Pierce said. Buchanan, deputy commander The GAO reported in the The Air Force and Navy That was last spring. of the Army’s Physical fall that some transition units also saw increases in Already, he said, he’s seen Disability Agency. are only at half staffing, but permanent disability progress. Moreover, Buchanan said, Pierce said the necessary ratio retirements from 2005 to 2006 In February, Army Times while 270 fewer soldiers were of staff to injured soldiers is at of 125 airmen and 36 sailors. reported that soldiers medically retired in 2006 than the right levels. In some cases, Buchanan said part of the languished for months — even in 2005, the percentage of he said, the GAO report called reason for the Army’s increase years — in the medical hold those completing the for staffing for 100 injured of more than 400 disability system, facing bureaucratic evaluation process who were soldiers when there may have retirements in 2007 was that tangles as they worked their medically retired went up over only been 25 soldiers in the combat-related injuries rose to way toward the physical that time, and has continued to unit. 18 percent from about 15 evaluation board to determine rise in 2007: The Marine Corps also percent the year before. their disability rating for *In 2005, 13,048 soldiers stood up a Wounded Warriors Among soldiers going retirement pay. went through the process and regiment last spring to keep through the military disability The stories, as well as 2,232 were medically retired, track of Marines and sailors evaluation process, more than reports from the Pentagon about 17.1 percent. going through the disability half of those with Inspector’s General and *In 2006, 10,460 soldiers retirement system. Though the combat-related injuries are Government Accountability went through the process and Navy and the Marine Corps retired, Buchanan said. Office and testimony of injured 1,956 were medically retired, have a better track record for Another reason for the soldiers before Congress, about 18.7 percent. getting service members increase, he said, is “increased brought about a series of *And in 2007, 10,400 through the process, there have training of physicians and investigations and planned soldiers went through the been worries about the equity adjudicators, coupled with changes. And the new Warrior process and 2,397 were of their ratings system. greater precision in describing Transition Unit meant officials medically retired — about 23 An Army Times injuries, such as scars, muscle could immediately put some of percent. investigation last spring found and nerve injuries, as well as those changes into effect. The 8,003 soldiers who that enlisted Marines lag far mental disorders.” “Before, folks didn’t feel weren’t medically retired in behind enlisted sailors and That gives medical boards they had the power to make 2007 either were found fit and airmen in the size of the better information to determine change,” Pierce said, referring remained in the Army, were average disability payments proper disability percentages, to a stifling set of 50-year-old awarded a lump-sum severance they are awarded. he said. policies and procedures. “Now, payment based on rank and Soldiers, Marines still lag everyone is an advocate for years of service, or were The 2006 data released by change. If something isn’t separated without benefits if the Defense Department’s Newport News Daily Press page 17 January 6, 2008 Fort Monroe was cited as January 7, 2008 capable of towing the mortar or Pg. 1 one of about 33 base closures Pg. 15 its ammunition carrier and 16. Why Have Fort or realignments that now face Fine Print fitting inside the CH53E or the Monroe Costs Soared? significant cost increases from 17. The Long And Osprey. By David Lerman projections made in 2005, Winding Road In 2004, the Marines WASHINGTON -- Two when Congress approved the By Walter Pincus approved initial cost and local members of Congress are closure round. In 1996, the Marine Corps schedule estimates -- roughly pressing the Pentagon to The Defense Department, Combat Development $670 million for the system explain why the cost of closing in response to the GAO, Command determined that its and a 2006 operational Hampton's Fort Monroe has acknowledged the cost expeditionary forces needed an capability -- and a $12 million increased 298 percent. increases. It attributed them to agile and mobile weapon to initial contract for test models Reps. Robert C. "Bobby" everything from inflation to fire over the enemy's front was signed with the Scott, D-Newport News, and new construction costs, lines, a concept quickly dubbed competition winner, General Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk, changes in building needs and Dragon Fire. Dynamics Ordnance and have sent a letter to the decisions to enhance training More than 11 years later, Tactical Systems. Defense Department. They are sites or military quality of life. full production of the system Delays and cost increases demanding to know why costs It didn't respond specifically to that officials chose still has not began shortly thereafter, have increased to an estimated the case of Monroe. been approved and the decision according to the GAO. Delays $288 million and whether the Despite the cost increases, has been delayed yet again, occurred because "the Marine initial estimate considered the the Pentagon defended the base until spring. In the intervening Corps was optimistic in its expense of environmental closure effort, saying it will years, its cost has risen belief that using commercial cleanup. still save taxpayers $4 billion a modestly but could increase off-the-shelf systems with The historic post, year when completed. much more. some modifications could headquarters for the Army's A Scott aide said Friday The tale of the project, provide a solution to meet the Training and Doctrine that the congressman hadn't officially named the need for an internally Command, is scheduled to received a response from the Expeditionary Fire Support transportable system." close by 2011, part of a large Pentagon yet to his letter, System (EFSS), provides a Marine Corps officials had streamlining approved by which was dated Dec. 20. short course on how new and asked for a quick production Congress that will shutter Fort Monroe had been costly weapons systems schedule because they wanted about 22 major bases targeted for closure for about evolve. Its journey through the the EFSS ready for deployment nationwide. two decades before Congress bureaucracy is described in a with the first Marine Cleaning up Monroe is approved the move two years Dec. 21, 2007, Government Expeditionary Unit that got the expected to be costly because ago. In the past, lawmakers Accountability Office report Osprey. But the Osprey itself the moat-encircled fort is saved the fort by arguing that prepared for Sen. Carl M. ran behind schedule. thought to be littered with the high cost of environmental Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of Design changes required unexploded munitions. cleanup made closure the Armed Services to fit the vehicle inside the The Government impractical and a net cost drain Committee. Osprey at the correct weight Accountability Office, the on the Pentagon. In 1999, the Marines took place at the same time the investigative arm of Congress, In recommending the conceived of the EFSS as one first models were being issued a report last month closure of Monroe, the Defense vehicle towing a 120mm delivered to the Marines. The showing the cost of closing the Department issued a report in mortar and another towing an additional developmental work Army fort has risen from a 2005 that acknowledged the ammunition trailer. Both would required the Marines to take 2005 estimate of $72.4 million need for environmental be transportable aboard the more risk and change from a to a 2008 budget estimate of cleanup. But it said it didn't CH53E helicopter, as well as fixed-price contract to one that $288.1 million. The GAO consider that expense to be the V-22 Osprey vertical lift promised reimbursement of the report didn't make clear why triggered by a closure of the aircraft, which itself was being contractor's costs, the GAO the cost increased. fort. developed. said. "How can the current "Because the Department The idea was that with its In addition, what the GAO estimated cost increase be has a legal obligation to four- to 12-mile range, the called "noncritical" changes in explained?" Scott and Drake perform environmental 120mm mortar would give a requirements were made. They asked in a letter to Alex restoration, regardless of mobile Marine expeditionary included reducing the trailers' Beehler, acting deputy whether an installation is force the ability to fly deep into basic ammunition load from undersecretary of defense for closed, realigned or remains enemy territory and carry on the original 50 to 100 rounds to installations and environment. open, no cost for fighting without long-range 34 rounds. The Marines told The letter said, "In light of environmental remediate (sic) artillery support. the GAO that the initial load the recent reports, we hereby was included in the payback After years of study and was "a concept," not a request that you provide us calculation," the report said. design competitions, the "requirement." Another costly with the cost estimates that In a report issued a year Marine Corps Systems change was raising the were used to justify the ago, the GAO reported the Command authorized a plan in vehicle's on-road speed to 35 closure, the source of those cleanup cost of Monroe as 2003 to acquire test models of miles per hour. estimates and the amount of $201 million. the EFSS. The Pentagon In 2007, the EFSS projected savings which would sought contactors who could received flight certification for justify the closure." provide a single vehicle both aircraft, and by July Washington Post operational testing was page 18 completed. Although the The need for further Other options to save the and the U.S. Antarctic system met its key testing will delay initial stranded crew would take at Program. They’re there six performance parameters and 13 operational deployment to least 10 days, so on Friday months a year to fly supplies to of 14 critical requirements, it spring, according to the GAO. night, a C-17 Globemaster III research stations in Antarctica. also "experienced several If all goes well, the EFSS will with an Air Force crew “We have a motto: ‘Global safety, performance and still be deployed with the first comprised of units from Reach,’” McGann said. “And reliability problems during Marine Expeditionary Unit to McChord Air Force Base took yesterday’s mission testing," the GAO reported. have the Osprey, because off from Christchurch, and demonstrates that we can be The GAO noted that after initial deployment of the dropped the engine parts to the anywhere in the world in the contract was awarded, the aircraft "is currently projected trawler. hours. It demonstrated we can Marines reduced the required to take place in the fall of McGann received a call do it, and that we do do it.” sustained rate of fire "from 2008," according to the GAO. Friday from the New Zealand four rounds per minute to two National security and Rescue Coordination Center rounds per minute." The intelligence reporter Walter asking for help. The request Washington Post Marine program office said Pincus pores over the from the owner of the ship’s January 7, 2008 that change was due "to a speeches, reports, transcripts company went through several Pg. D1 typographical error found in and other documents that flood layers of bureaucracy – Federal Diary the requirements Washington and every week submitted through the British 19. The Many Factors documentation," according to uncovers the fine print that Embassy, and then approved Behind 2008's Bigger the GAO. But during testing, rarely makes headlines -- but by Pacific Command, Raise For Federal "it did not meet the critical should. Transportation Command and Workers requirement related to the Air Mobility Command – By Stephen Barr maximum rate of fire," the before the situation was Tacoma News Tribune What a difference a year GAO added. designated an emergency and makes. The GAO also noted that January 6, 2008 approved. 18. C-17 Mission At the start of 2007, EFSS vehicles carried all This time, the machine federal employees received an required equipment, "but not Completed worked quickly. average raise of 2.2 percent, securely." Three incidents By Scott Fontaine “They approved it in 18 with about half receiving a 1.8 occurred during testing that Near the bottom of the hours,” he said. “That’s pretty percent raise. involved potential risk of globe, an American crew took spectacular.” This year, federal injury to a crew member riding off from a New Zealand The airmen bought the employees will see their pay in the rear seat of the runway to help a stranded engine parts from a rise by an average of 3.5 ammunition trailer, the GAO British ship. And after a drop Christchurch marine store and percent. About half will get a said. The vehicle's cooling above one of the most picked up parachutes from 2.99 percent raise. system did not work well and treacherous reaches of the McMurdo Station in The differences in the no extreme cold weather Earth, airmen from McChord Antarctica. Crews put the raises largely can be attributed testing was conducted. Air Force Base were the equipment on a pallet and to the political process on As a result of the heroes. attached buoys to it. The C-17 Capitol Hill. At the end of deficiencies, the director of the The Argos Georgia, a flew at about 135 mph and as 2006, Congress had not Marine Corps Operational Test British fishing trawler, has low as 300 feet above the completed most of the annual and Examination Activity been stuck since Christmas Eve surface as it approached the appropriations bill and left it to termed the EFSS "a 'niche' amid floes near the Ross Ice ship, and it dropped the President Bush to set the 2007 capability." He recommended Shelf deep below the Antarctic 15-by-71/2-foot pallet at just raise. Last month, Congress put that the deficiencies be Circle. A broken engine piston after 10 p.m. New Zealand together a consolidated addressed and more testing be left the ship without main time. The Argos Georgia crew spending bill and got Bush's done before deploying the power for six days. Dangerous recovered the shipment in signature before the year system. icebergs weren’t far off. Two about five minutes. The ended. The initial cost of the low-pressure systems were mission took about 10 hours. To be sure, the 2008 raise, EFSS has so far increased just approaching the area, and Lt. “I’ve flown more than 50 ratified by Bush in an $15.5 million, to $691.2 Col. Jim McGann, the missions down here, and executive order Friday, was million in 2007. But as the commander of Operation Deep yesterday’s mission was one of shaped by other considerations. GAO noted, the final costs are Freeze, didn’t need Doppler the most spectacular I’ve ever Those factors included not in. Under the current radar to know that the trawler’s flown,” McGann said. data on wage growth in the contract, the government is at 25-person crew was in trouble. The 118-foot vessel, private sector, a desire in risk because there is little “You could see two big registered in the British Congress to give a solid raise incentive for the "contractor to sets of dark clouds coming in,” overseas territory of St. Helena to the armed forces during a control costs until the terms of he said Saturday by phone in the South Atlantic, was on a war and efforts by Washington the work are finalized," from Christchurch, New long-haul fishing expedition. area members of Congress to according to the GAO. Zealand. “And once that gets Operation Deep Freeze is a renew support for the civil The cost of 20 years of rocking, those icebergs look joint mission with crews from service, where baby-boom ammunition is projected at even more dangerous. Those the 62nd and 446th airlift retirements are on the rise and more than $501.7 million, guys were going to be in a lot wings based at McChord Air agencies are finding it tougher making the EFSS a program of trouble if they didn’t get any Force Base assisting the to compete with the private costing more than $1 billion. help.” National Science Foundation page 19 sector for top talent. employees received a 2.64 have as many job protections in Africa," the retired three-star "I know from having percent raise. as a regular federal position. general said. advocated for federal The annual raise has J. David Cox, The prospect of a employees since I came to pushed the top of the General secretary-treasurer of the destabilized Kenya arose in Congress that it's easier to rail Schedule scale, which covers American Federation of recent weeks in the aftermath against 'Washington most federal workers, to Government Employees, of a contested Dec. 27 election bureaucrats' than to recognize $149,000 in the Washington applauded the step by Congress that kept President Mwai the invaluable contributions area. By law, General Schedule to increase federal pay over Kibaki in power. International these dedicated public servants pay cannot exceed that of Bush's initial proposal. observers reported make," Rep. Thomas M. Davis assistant secretaries and Employees at the departments ballot-counting irregularities. III (R-Va.) said in a written general counsels of of Defense and Veterans Street violence broke out in the statement. departments and heads of Affairs will face a challenging capital of Nairobi, killing more Federal employees, he smaller agencies, known as year because of the Iraq war, than 300. said, "protect the homeland, Executive Schedule Level IV. and Social Security Alarmed, Secretary of fight crime, battle disease, Washington joins 11 other Administration employees are State Condoleezza Rice ensure the wide variety of areas with federal employees at stretched thin in field offices dispatched her top African government functions on the upper end of the General where workloads are diplomat to Kenya to urge which we all depend operate Schedule scale who have hit expanding, he said. reconciliation between the properly and support our troops the statutory cap on salaries. "Federal employees opposing parties. U.S. envoy abroad." The other cities include deserve it," Cox said. Jendayi E. Frazer met Saturday House Majority Leader Boston; Chicago; Denver; with Mr. Kibaki, who Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) Houston; New York; and key announced a power-sharing played a pivotal role in moving parts of California, including Washington Times proposal in an effort to end the this year's raise through Los Angeles, San Francisco January 7, 2008 crisis. Congress and said he was and San Diego. Because their Pg. 1 "What we have here is one pleased that Bush took the final pay is linked to the Executive 20. Kenya 'Critical' To of the most promising step to put the raise in place. Schedule, the pay of these U.S. Military countries in Africa on the "This adjustment will reap employees will increase by a Instability hits anti-terror ally brink," said Michelle Gavin, an significant dividends both in smaller percentage than that of By Rowan Scarborough, analyst at the Council on terms of the morale of our most other federal employees Washington Times Foreign Relations. federal workforce and in our or remain flat. A destabilized Kenya "Kenya is not peripheral to efforts to recruit and retain Increasingly, rank-and-file would deprive the United the struggle against terrorism," vital government personnel," employees are bumping into States of one of its staunchest she said. "Kenya has been a Hoyer said. the executive pay scale because allies in Africa, because reliable partner." Washington area House of their annual geographic Nairobi since September 11 Ms. Gavin fears a members and senators "fought adjustments, known as locality has provided military bases, destabilized Kenya would be hard to secure a fair pay pay. Cabinet officials and communications networks and "extending the failed state adjustment this year, and we others paid on the Executive intelligence-sharing to prevent space already occupied by will continue to do so in the Schedule do not receive al Qaeda from making inroads Somalia that has appeal for future because we believe locality pay, and the increases on the continent. terrorists." federal employees deserve in that pay scale have not kept "For the eastern portion of The Bush administration compensation equal to that of pace with General Schedule Africa, Kenya is critical," said considers the Horn of Africa the great contributions they raises in recent years. retired Marine Lt. Gen. one of the critical make in service to this nation," Members of the Senior Michael DeLong, a former battlegrounds in preventing al he said. Executive Service, a group of deputy commander of U.S. Qaeda from extending its hubs The government's method about 6,000 senior managers in Central Command, which of operation beyond the of allocating the annual raise -- the government, also do not oversees U.S. military Afghanistan-Pakistan region. a 2.5 percent across-the-board receive locality pay and are not operations on the Horn of One of the Pentagon's first increase and a guaranteed an annual raise. Africa. post-September 11 moves was geographic-based adjustment -- Bush's executive order raises "They are strategically to set up the 1,800-troop is helping federal employees in the minimum salary of a located in the area bordering Combined Joint Task the Washington region. The federal executive by 2.5 Somalia," he said. "They were Force-Horn of Africa in the government gives higher raises percent, allowing executives to critical for us in Somalia in the small nation of Djibouti on to certain metropolitan areas earn $114,468 to $172,200. early 1990s. Without them, we Somalia's northern border. It where officials think there is a With more rank-and-file could not have operated. They trains area military and police sizable "pay gap" between the employees being offered the allowed us to use their bases forces in counterterrorism federal and private sectors. potential to earn up to while we were conducting techniques. In one instance last As a result, federal $149,000 in big cities, some operations in and out of January, it launched an employees here will receive a officials are concerned that Somalia, and they still allow us AC-130 gunship attack on 4.49 percent increase this year. some talented employees will to use those bases today." suspected al Qaeda terrorists in In the Washington area, the pass up a chance to compete A failed state in Kenya, as Somalia. projected median federal salary for an executive position, since exists in Somalia, would erase Immediately after will be $90,698. Last year, they do not come with "one of the top friendly September 11, the State Washington area federal guaranteed raises and do not militaries to the United States Department dispatched its page 20 then-top African diplomat, intelligence and military bases, resolve, according to senior States might be seeking an Walter Kansteiner, to Kenya and by providing troops for U.S. officials, diplomats and accommodation with Tehran. and other East African nations. various peacekeeping missions. regional experts. In an interview yesterday, His mission: poll leaders on the "In that region, they are a Bush is to leave Tuesday Arab League Secretary General al Qaeda threat and on their very competent army," Lt. for Israel, where he hopes to Amr Moussa cited recent needs to fight terrorism. Gen. DeLong said. jump-start the overtures between Iran and Nairobi had already Kenya has stood as a Israeli-Palestinian peace Arab countries and said Arab suffered one of al Qaeda's most relatively vibrant democracy negotiations he launched in nations are exercising a daring and deadly attacks. The and free-market economy on a Annapolis late last year. But in prerogative to set their own August 1998 car bombing of continent plagued by despots, Jerusalem and some of the course on Iran. "As long as the U.S. Embassy there killed disease and violence. Mr. Arab countries Bush plans to they have no nuclear program 212 persons and injured more Kansteiner said Nairobi does visit, Iran's growing regional ... why should we isolate Iran? than 4,000, most of them more than help the U.S. influence looms larger than the Why punish Iran, now?" he Africans. The attack underlined militarily. It promotes peace process or the Iraq war. asked. al Qaeda's desire to topple democracy in surrounding Leaders in the region are One senior administration governments in North and East nations and sponsors talks gauging whether the lame-duck official who spoke on Africa, and establish strict aimed at reconciliation among administration has the interest condition of anonymity Islamist rule. various warring factions in and ability to cope with Iran, or because he is not authorized to Three years later, Mr. Somalia. whether they should pursue speak publicly about the trip Kansteiner heard Kenyan "They have been very their own military and said many Middle Eastern officials say their chief fear attuned to private-sector diplomatic solutions. governments were "confused" was not necessarily disease or growth," he said. "They have "Part of the reason I'm by the NIE. "No Arab regime poverty, but a growing Islamist done a good job of trying to going to the Middle East is to understands why the United movement that could wreck the reach out to the region and not make it abundantly clear to States would publish an country. U.S. economic and only make Kenya nations in that part of the world intelligence estimate." The military aid soon started economically strong, but also that we view Iran as a threat, official said Iran will be an flowing in. to integrate the region's and that the [National important focus of Bush's "Kenya had already been economies and private sectors." Intelligence Estimate] in no conversations with regional looked on as one of the key, Mr. Kansteiner, while way lessens that threat, but in leaders, with the president large, stable nations of Africa," troubled by events in Kenya, fact clarifies the threat," Bush seeking to reassure them of said Mr. Kansteiner, now an does not expect it to deteriorate said in an interview with the U.S. staying power in the adviser at the Scowcroft Group into a failed state. Israeli newspaper Yediot Middle East. in Washington. "From "I think what we are Ahronot released Friday. "Iran, for Israel, is topic independence [in 1963], looking at is some turbulent Administration officials Number One," said Meir through the Cold War, through days until a new structure is have been alarmed by what Javedanfar, an Iranian post-9/11, Kenya has always put in place," he said. "That they see as Iran's efforts to expatriate living in Israel who been a very good ally. Kenya new structure could be new develop a nuclear weapon and runs an economic and political has been a regional anchor of elections. It could be a proper intimidate its Sunni neighbors. analysis company, and has stability. It has provided recount." But their efforts to build written a book about Iran's infrastructure, everything from support for sanctions and other nuclear program. "Most of the communications, to pressure on Tehran took a Israeli politicians and transportation, to medical Washington Post serious hit last month when a population see Iran as a greater facilities." January 7, 2008 National Intelligence Estimate threat than Hamas," he said, President Bush in 2003 Pg. 12 -- representing the shared view comparing Iran to the Islamic announced a $100 million aid 21. As Bush Heads To of U.S. intelligence agencies -- movement that controls Gaza. program — the East African Mideast, Renewed concluded that Iran halted its "And the Israeli government Counterterrorism Initiative — Questions On Iran nuclear arms program in 2003. will be eager for Bush to show for Kenya, as well as Djibouti, Israeli, Arab Leaders Doubt Administration officials them that he is still committed Ethiopia, Eritrea and Tanzania. U.S. Resolve insist that the estimate showed to stopping Iran." U.S. military and civilian By Michael Abramowitz and Iran remains capable of, and In Tehran yesterday, an officials began arriving in Ellen Knickmeyer, Washington interested in, developing a Iranian government spokesman Kenya to teach basic Post Staff Writers nuclear weapon. But Israel, said Bush had failed to create operations to counter al Qaeda, President Bush intends to which is believed to have an anti-Iran coalition. "The aim such as how to watch over the use his first extended tour of nuclear weapons, saw the of these repeated trips is to country's long Indian Ocean the Middle East to rally report as a sign that compensate for the failed coastline and how to find and support for international Washington is flagging in its policies of America in the disarm truck bombs. Kenya pressure against Iran, even as a zeal to confront Iran, which region," said Foreign Ministry had no official "watch list" to recent U.S. intelligence report they regard as a threat to its spokesman Mohammad Ali weed out terrorism suspects playing down Tehran's nuclear existence. And in Arab Sunni Hosseini, according to wire traveling through the country's ambitions has left Israeli and countries such as Saudi Arabia, reports. seaports and airports. Now it Arab leaders rethinking their which feel threatened by the Bush is planning stops in does. own approach toward Iran and rising Shiite power that Iran Israel, the Palestinian In return, Kenya has questioning Washington's represents, the NIE renewed territories, Egypt, Saudi Arabia helped Washington by sharing doubts over whether the United and several smaller Gulf page 21 countries during his eight-day Ahmadinejad, buoyed by about the spread of Iranian tunnels along its border with trip. While in Kuwait, Bush soaring oil revenues, to expand influence and is unhappy with the Gaza Strip, a U.S. will meet for the first time in Tehran's clout. The United the new Shiite dominance of congressman said Sunday. four months with Gen. David States also sees Iranian Iraq. Egypt also has accepted a H. Petraeus, the top U.S. meddling in Lebanon and But Abdullah prefers to U.S. offer to send experts from commander in Iraq, and U.S. Palestinian affairs through ties co-opt enemies, not confront the Army Corps of Engineers Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, to Hezbollah and Hamas. But them, and appears to be to train Egyptian border guards to discuss Iraq. many Arabs blame U.S. actions seeking a deal with in the technology, said Rep. In Israel, which he is for Iran's influence. In Iraq, Ahmadinejad, said Bruce Steve Israel (D-N.Y.). visiting for the first time as where the 2003 U.S. invasion Riedel, who worked on Middle The United States offered president, Bush is likely to be led to a Shiite government, East affairs in the Clinton and the technology and training in greeted as one of the country's "Iran got the best help" Bush administrations. "I think an effort to defuse tensions greatest friends. But in the possible from Washington, there is a great effort on both between Egypt and Israel over Arab world, his presidency has Moussa said. Riyadh and Washington's part Egypt's control of its Sinai been perceived as damaging to In December, to obscure that because they do border with Gaza. Congress the region and to U.S. prestige. Ahmadinejad scored a not want the public spat," he voted last month to withhold The overthrow of Saddam diplomatic trifecta: He spoke said. $100 million in U.S. military Hussein's Sunni Arab regime in before the Gulf Cooperation The senior U.S. official aid to Egypt until the country Iraq, which long served as a Council, an Arab bloc formed was skeptical, saying that the intensifies policing of the counterweight to Shiite to counter Iran, in the first such Saudis do not invite the Iranian border. Muslim Iran, has allowed Iran's appearance by an Iranian president to their meetings -- Israeli officials accuse influence to grow. At the same president. He also visited "he invites himself." Egypt of allowing smugglers to time, Arab leaders blame the Mecca for the haj religious "They are going to have a ferry arms and other goods to breakdown, until recently, of pilgrimage at the invitation of relationship with Iran," this the Palestinian movement Israeli-Palestinian talks on Saudi King Abdullah, another official said. "Saudi diplomacy Hamas, which has controlled Bush's refusal to assume the first for an Iranian president. is traditionally quite cautious the Gaza Strip since June. U.S. president's traditional Ahmadinejad closed the and conservative, but don't Egyptians deny that large hands-on role in Middle East year by sending envoy Ali mistake caution and amounts of weapons are being peace negotiations. Larijani to Egypt, a country conservatism for sympathy." moved through the tunnels and Arab dissidents were that has frozen ties with Iran But some Arabs suspect place much of the blame for elated and then devastated for 28 years, offering to help the Bush administration may the smuggling on when Bush called for Cairo develop nuclear energy. decide it has to work with Iran Israeli-Egyptian accords democracy in the region in Talk of resuming diplomatic to preserve security gains in limiting the number of security 2005, only to appear to back relations followed. Iraq. Khalid al-Dakheel, a personnel Egypt can keep on away after election victories in The challenge for Bush, political scientist at King Saud the border. Egypt has urged Iraq and the Palestinian according to analysts in University in Riyadh, said Israel to reopen negotiations on territories by religious blocs -- Washington and the Middle "some people here think, or that limit. the only groups that had built East, is to convince Arab have the jitters, that this The New York popular support under countries that their best hope administration or the next congressman, in Egypt as part autocratic governments. Bush for minimizing the Iranian administration ... might find of a Middle East tour, said the plans to offer something of a threat is to stick with the themselves in a position to equipment includes unmanned report card on his Middle East United States -- while reconcile themselves with the ground vehicles and acoustic "freedom agenda" when he dissuading Israel from a Iranians." sensors. stops in the United Arab unilateral, preemptive strike on Knickmeyer reported from Another official, who Emirates' capital, Abu Dhabi, Tehran's nuclear facilities. Cairo. Correspondent spoke on condition of next week. "The real question is what Jonathan Finer in Jerusalem anonymity, described the In Arab streets, many can the president say or do to contributed to this report. unmanned vehicles as robots. blame Washington for the reassure them about Iranian Specialists from the Army plight of Iraqis and power?" said Richard N. Corps of Engineers are Palestinians. Bush's presidency Haass, a former senior State Washington Post expected to spend about two has been "disastrous," said Department official and January 7, 2008 months training Egyptian Hisham Kassem, an Egyptian president of the Council on Pg. 14 border workers, the journalist who received a Foreign Relations. 22. Egypt To Bolster congressman said. National Endowment for Bush's key stop may be in Gaza Border "With the Army Corps Democracy award from him Riyadh, where Bush will hold a U.S. Aid Will Help in Detecting equipment, with the sustained last fall. "America's neither rare face-to-face meeting with Tunnels, Congressman Says U.S. technical advice, this feared nor loved. It's neither King Abdullah, who has been By Ellen Knickmeyer, should make a big difference in feared by the regimes anymore, alternately critical and Washington Post Foreign closing these tunnels, and take and it's hated by the people of supportive of U.S. efforts on Service the tunnels off the table in the Middle East... . That's the Iraq, Israeli-Palestinian talks CAIRO, Jan. 6 -- Egypt future appropriations debates," Bush legacy." and the rest of the Middle East. has agreed to spend $23 Israel said by telephone. Complicating matters has The Saudi royal family, which million in U.S. military aid on An Egyptian official, been the effort by Iranian rules in alliance with hard-line robots and other advanced speaking on condition of President Mahmoud Sunni clerics, is concerned technology to detect smuggling anonymity, said late Sunday page 22 that "there is an endeavor of government had consented in Russia, if it signed on to the Poland’s security, according to the sort. It hasn't really principle to accept shield prematurely. Polish officials. materialized yet." missile-interceptor bases as The deployment of the The former prime minister The official acknowledged part of a larger system that missile defense system has did little to allay Russia’s fears that the congressman had urged would include a radar station in become such a contentious about deploying the missile Egypt to allow the Army Corps the Czech Republic, but no issue between the United States shield in Poland, or to drum up to help it monitor the border formal agreement has been and Russia — and also support in other European long-term. "That's an issue of a signed. Now Mr. Sikorski is between Poland and Russia — Union member states. He left it tentative nature," the official saying that the terms under that President Vladimir V. up to the United States to said. which the shield would be Putin of Russia has warned of a explain the issue to the Accusations over deployed were unclear and that new arms race if Washington Kremlin and to European smuggling have raised tensions the new government wants the proceeds with the plan in governments. between Israel and Egypt as risks to be explained, the Poland and the Czech In contrast, Mr. Tusk and President Bush is due to arrive financial costs to be set out and Republic. Mr. Sikorski, while certainly in the region this week on the clarification on how Poland’s Having accused aware of Mr. Putin’s growing first extended Middle East tour interests would be defended if Washington of threatening assertiveness in international of his presidency. the bases were put on its Russia’s national security affairs, have repeatedly said Israeli Foreign Minister territory. interests, Mr. Putin last month they want to improve relations Tzipi Livni outraged Egyptian “We feel no threat from suspended his nation’s with Russia. President Hosni Mubarak last Iran,” he said, challenging participation in the month when she declared that Bush administration assertions Conventional Forces in Europe Egypt was doing a "terrible" that some of the biggest threats Treaty. New York Times job of controlling its border facing the security of Europe Under that treaty, one of January 7, 2008 with Gaza. Mubarak said and the United States are from the last major arms pacts Pg. 11 afterward that Livni "has “rogue states” in the Middle between the former cold war 24. Qaeda Urges crossed a line with me." East. foes, countries stretching from Meeting Bush With Israel, the New York Still, Mr. Sikorski said, “if Canada across Europe to the Bombs congressman, spoke Sunday an important ally such as the eastern parts of the former CAIRO (AP) — An after a three-hour meeting with United States has a request of Soviet Union cut their American member of Al Qaeda Mubarak. such an important nature, we conventional forces and agreed urged fighters to meet "There's a lot of tension take it very seriously.” to on-site inspections and an President Bush “with bombs” here," he said. "I'm hopeful that He added: “It is not only elaborate system of verification when he visits the Middle East the volume will be turned the benefits but the risks of the and notifications. It took effect this week, according to a new down." system that have to be in 1992. videotape posted on the discussed fully. It cannot be The Kremlin did not say Internet on Sunday. that we alone carry the costs.” how long it would suspend its Adam Gadahn, who has New York Times There was no official participation. But Russian appeared in several Qaeda January 7, 2008 response from the United diplomats said it depended on videotapes, also tore up his Pg. 6 States. Bogdan Klich, Poland’s not only what kind of United States passport as a 23. Poland Signals new defense minister, is concessions the United States symbolic protest in the nearly Doubts About Planned expected to make his first was prepared to make hourlong tape. U.S. Missile-Defense official visit to Washington this concerning changes to the Mr. Bush is scheduled to Bases On Its Territory month to explain his treaty, but also on whether arrive in Israel on Wednesday By Judy Dempsey government’s position. Poland and the Czech Republic as part of a weeklong trip BERLIN — Signaling a NATO said Sunday that would deploy components of through the region to push for tougher position in the missile defense issue was the American antimissile an Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations with the United essentially a discussion for system. agreement. States on a European Poland, the United States and The approach on missile “Now we direct an urgent antiballistic-missile shield Russia. “NATO is happy to be defense taken by Poland’s new call to our militant brothers,” system, Poland’s foreign a forum for discussion, and it is center-right coalition Mr. Gadahn, 29, said in minister says his country’s new a useful one,” said James government, under Prime Arabic, urging them “to be government is not prepared to Appathurai, a spokesman for Minister Donald Tusk, reflects ready to receive the Crusader accept American plans to the alliance. “But it does not a different negotiating strategy slayer Bush in his visit to deploy missile-defense bases in substitute for the bilateral from that of the previous Muslim Palestine and the Arab Poland until all costs and risks track.” nationalist-conservative peninsula in the beginning of are considered. Mr. Sikorski also said he government led by Jaroslaw January and to receive him not “This is an American, not was worried that the United Kaczynski. with flowers or clapping but a Polish project,” Foreign States might abandon the Mr. Kaczynski, who was with bombs and booby-trapped Minister Radek Sikorski said in project after the American much more pro-American, vehicles.” an interview published in the presidential election in agreed in principle to deploy In the rest of the tape, Mr. weekend edition of the November. In that case, Poland several interceptors on Polish Gadahn, who was born in newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. would nevertheless have to territory without going into California, spoke mostly in The previous Polish bear political costs, like the detail over the costs, the English, apparently to address deterioration of relations with maintenance and the risks to page 23 Americans. He said Al Qaeda transformed his Mehsud clan's reliable in the past, would battleground, and Abu Mussab felt the need to release the mountainous badlands in the speak only if his identity were al-Zarqawi was the terror statement after Washington’s northwest corner of Pakistan protected.) Last week the chieftain whom U.S. “defeat” in Iraq and into a safe haven for Al Qaeda, Pakistani government produced authorities worried about most. Afghanistan and failed the Afghan Taliban and an intercept in which it claims Baitullah was then a largely attempts by the Bush outlawed Pakistani jihadists. Baitullah was heard telling a unknown subcommander in administration to bring peace Though uneducated, and only militant cleric after Bhutto's South Waziristan. But that to the Middle East. in his mid-30s, Baitullah murder: "Fantastic job. Very same month, a U.S. Hellfire “The first questions snookered Pakistani leader brave boys, the ones who killed missile fired from a Predator Americans might ask is, has Pervez Musharraf into a fake her." Pakistani and U.S. drone killed Nek Mohammad, America really been defeated? peace deal two years ago—and authorities now fear that the young, dashing and The answer is yes and on all even got him to hand over a Baitullah, encouraged by the publicity-hungry tribal leader fronts,” he said. few hundred thousand dollars. chaos that followed Bhutto's in Waziristan. Al Qaeda and The authenticity of the Just as important, Baitullah has assassination, will try to wreak tribal militants promoted the video, which appeared on a learned the hard lessons of more havoc before the young Baitullah to a command Web site used by Islamic previous jihadists who grew rescheduled Feb. 18 national position. His equally young militants and carrying the logo too enamored of the spotlight elections. Mehsud clansman, Abdullah of Al Qaeda’s media wing, for their own good. According The Afghan Taliban Mehsud—a one-legged jihadist could not immediately be to Afghan Taliban who know source claims that Baitullah who had recently been released independently verified. him, he travels in a convoy of and his Qaeda allies had laid from two years of detention in Mr. Gadahn, also known pickups protected by two out remarkably intricate plans Guant?namo—also seemed to as Azzam al-Amriki, was dozen heavily armed guards, for killing Bhutto, who was a be a rising star. But after the charged with treason in the he rarely sleeps in the same champion of secular botched kidnapping of two United States in 2006 and is bed twice in a row, and his face democracy and a declared Chinese engineers working on wanted by the F.B.I., which is has never been photographed. enemy of the jihadists. He says a dam in the tribal area, a local offering a $1 million reward They say his role model is Baitullah and Al Qaeda's No. council backed by Al Qaeda for information leading to his Mullah Mohammed Omar, the 2, Ayman Al-Zawahiri—along removed Abdullah and arrest or conviction. equally mysterious Taliban with Zawahiri's deputy, replaced him with the Ben Venzke, the head of leader who disappeared from Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, Al little-known Baitullah, who IntelCenter, a Virginia-based view in 2001. Qaeda's new commander of was seen as being more group that monitors and U.S. officials have military operations in levelheaded. (Abdullah was analyzes militant messages, distanced themselves Afghanistan and Pakistan—had later killed in a shoot-out.) said much of the video shares a somewhat from the Pakistani dispatched suicide-bomber Since then, Zarqawi has tone similar to Mr. Gadahn’s government's swift—perhaps squads to five cities: Karachi, been killed by U.S. forces, Iraq previous messages. too swift—conclusion that Peshawar, Lahore, Islamabad has receded as a haven for Al “It fits into Al Qaeda’s Baitullah was behind the Dec. and Rawalpindi, where she was Qaeda, and Baitullah has come notion of providing warning 27 assassination of Benazir killed. Their orders were to into his own as a terrorist and opportunity for people to Bhutto. The slain former prime follow Bhutto with the aim of leader in newly unstable correct their ways to avoid an minister's Pakistan Peoples assassinating her if an Pakistan. Last month a council attack,” he said. Party also disputed that claim, opportunity presented itself. of militant leaders from the pointing the finger instead at (Two U.S. counterterrorism tribal agencies and neighboring figures within the government. officials, who asked for areas named Baitullah the head Newsweek Even Musharraf toned down anonymity when discussing the of the newly formed Taliban January 14, 2008 previous statements from his investigation, say there are Movement in Pakistan, a loose 25. Al Qaeda’s Newest own officials definitively growing indications of alliance of jihadist Triggerman assigning blame to Baitullah, Baitullah's involvement in the organizations in the tribal Baitullah Mehsud is being and late last week he invited assassination.) Baitullah and agencies. Taliban sources who blamed for most of the suicide Scotland Yard to help with the his allies have even grander would speak only on condition bombings in Pakistan, investigation. plans, the Afghan source says. of anonymity describe including Benazir Bhutto's Still, most U.S. experts Her assassination is only part Baitullah as a key middleman assassination. The rise of a agree that Baitullah is the most of Zawahiri's long-nurtured in the jihadist network: his militant leader. likely culprit. Musharraf told a plan to destabilize Pakistan and tribesmen provide security for By Sami Yousafzai and Ron press conference last Friday Musharraf's regime, wage war Al Qaeda's rough-hewn Moreau that the tribal leader was in Afghanistan, and then training compounds in the How do you track down a behind most if not all of the 19 destroy democracy in other tribal area as well as foot foe without a face? That is the suicide bombings in Pakistan, Islamic countries such as soldiers for Qaeda-designed challenge posed by Baitullah including the two aimed at Turkey and Indonesia. attacks. With a long tradition Mehsud, the man who could Bhutto, in the past three Baitullah's alleged as smugglers, the tribals (most well be the newest Enemy No. months. "He is the only one emergence as the triggerman in of whom, like Baitullah, take 1 in the War on Terror. Since who had the capacity," says this grand scheme illustrates Mehsud as their surname) run he first emerged as a young one Afghan Taliban with close the mutability of the jihadist an extensive nationwide jihadist leader three years ago, connections to Mehsud, Al enemy since 9/11. As recently trucking and transport network the black-bearded and Qaeda and Pakistani militants. as June 2004, Iraq was said to that reaches from the slow-talking tribal leader has (The source, who has proved be Al Qaeda's main borderlands into teeming cities page 24 like Karachi, allowing claimed was aimed at giving asked," says Beck. Most use it the long run." Baitullah to easily move men him a stronger hand to fight to travel to the hospitals to visit As Lindsey tells it, the and weapons throughout militants like Baitullah—the their injured relatives, she says. estimate grew out of a Pakistan. Pakistani president released 25 conversation in his office with Baitullah has clearly jailed insurgents including Wall Street Journal reporter outsmarted the unpopular several failed suicide bombers. Washington Post Bob Davis in September 2002 Musharraf, whom President Last week Mehsud's forces January 7, 2008 about the economic George W. Bush praised again captured four more Pakistani Pg. 15 consequences of the "war on last week as an "ally" who paramilitary troops in several At the White House terror." During the "understands clearly the risks brazen operations that may 27. In A Shorter War, conversation, Lindsey of dealing with extremists and have led to the death of 25 of The Numbers Might projected the "upper bound" of terrorists." In February 2005, his men. Have Added Up spending on a with his military getting In his few statements to By Michael Abramowitz then-hypothetical Iraq war at 1 bloodied in the tribal areas, the the press, Baitullah has made About six months before to 2 percent of gross domestic Pakistani president decided to his agenda frighteningly clear. the United States invaded Iraq, product, or between $100 strike a peace deal with He vowed, in a January 2007 then-White House economic billion and $200 billion. Baitullah and other militant interview, to continue waging a adviser Lawrence B. Lindsey In his book, Lindsey leaders and their frontmen. jihad against "the infidel forces famously estimated that the suggests that he came up with Under the terms of the deal the of American and Britain," and war would cost between $100 that range by looking at some militants agreed not to provide to "continue our struggle until billion and $200 billion. The historical comparisons and assistance or shelter to foreign foreign troops are thrown out" prediction ended up being way contemporary rules of thumb fighters, not to attack of neighboring Afghanistan. too low: As of Sept. 30, regarding force commitments. government forces, and not to He knows he's a marked man: congressional analysts recently Based on those calculations, he support the Taliban or launch "The Angel of Death is flying estimated, the war had cost says, the "most plausible cross-border operations into over our heads all the time," he $449 billion, and the number is number" for the cost of the war Afghanistan. As part of the told the now deceased Taliban still rising. was going to be between 0.5 deal, Baitullah coaxed the leader Mullah Akhund The episode helped get and 1 percent of GDP for each government into giving him Dadullah at a dinner, according Lindsey ousted from a White year of the conflict. A year at and the other leaders $540,000 to one senior Taliban source. House intent on imposing the high end of that estimate that they supposedly owed to But from his secure corner of message discipline and furious and up to two years of Al Qaeda. The large cash Pakistan—a country run by a about an estimate that, even follow-up at a lower end infusion bolstered the jihadist widely despised autocrat who, while low, was the first to hint produce Lindsey's estimate of forces, and under cover of the after Bhutto, has few real at the larger budgetary between 1 and 2 percent of ceasefire Baitullah's territory democratic consequences of the invasion. GDP. (Lindsey says the war is became an even more secure successors—Baitullah may In the years since, Lindsey actually running at about 0.7 safe haven. He and other well wage that fight for a long has studiously avoided percent of GDP annually.) militant leaders have time to come. comment about the Where he went wrong, of assassinated some 200 tribal circumstances surrounding that course, is his estimate of how elders who dared to oppose estimate. long the war would last. "When U.S. News & World Report them. The Pakistani But in a book being I look back, did I do an honest January 14, 2008 government struck a similar published this week -- "What a job in coming up with this Washington Whispers peace agreement with militants President Should Know ... But estimate? I think the answer is in North Waziristan in 26. Helping Hand For Most Learn Too Late" -- yes," Lindsey said in an September 2006, transforming Hurt Bomb Squads Lindsey offers for the first time interview last week. "You have much of that tribal area into a By Paul Bedard what he terms "the true story" to make assumptions at a militant camp as well. It has never been a great behind his estimate, including certain point, and that One of Baitullah's biggest job, but in the Iraq war, where what he sees as a mistaken assumption turned out to be successes came in August, improvised explosive devices White House strategy to play wrong." when his men captured more are a leading cause of injury down the costs of war to Lindsey writes that, even than 250 Pakistani soldiers and and death, being a member of maintain public support for an in hindsight, he does not paramilitary troops, who the military bomb squad is invasion. believe that his basic message surrendered without firing a more dangerous than ever. Few Putting "out only a to Davis was inappropriate or shot. Mehsud demanded the know that better than Kenneth best-case scenario without contrary to administration release of 30 jailed militants Falke, a former Navy preparing the public for some thinking: Even if the United and the end of Pakistani Explosive Ordnance Device worse eventuality was the States went to war in Iraq, it military operations in the boss, and Sherri Beck, wife of wrong strategy to follow," would not derail the economy. Mehsud tribal area as the price an EOD veteran. They've Lindsey writes. "It may have But it was simply the fact of for the men's release. To show helped to create a group to helped at the margin in the the interview that appears to he meant business, he ordered assist wounded EOD team very short run by making the have angered his (unnamed) the beheading of three of his members. The Virginia-based war sound attractive. White House colleagues. hostages. Once again, Wounded EOD Warrior "But this came at the At the time, Lindsey Musharraf gave in. On the day Foundation raises money to expense of undermining the writes, "the entire country was after Musharraf declared a state provide $2,500 to those injured president's political capital in talking about everything of emergency—which he and their families "no questions related to the Iraq War except page 25 the White House. If there was a By Richard Halloran rest of the world is watching is near starvation and hints of break in message discipline, it The year 2008 will whether Pakistan's stash of dissent, including from the was not that the actual words confront many leaders in Asia, nuclear weapons, reported to army that assures Kim's power, of the message were wrong: especially those in Beijing and number 60, can be kept away occasionally waft out of that rather, it was that there was a Islamabad, Pakistan, with from terrorists such as those of dark and isolated land but they message at all. At that time, exceptionally difficult tests. al-Qaida, the Taliban, or others are so fleeting that no one message discipline on Iraq was For the U.S., stuck with a who may be operating in gives them much credence. His the functional equivalent of lame-duck president and a Pakistan. Pakistani military father, Kim Il Sung, assured radio silence." tedious election campaign, the officers say they have control Kim Jong Il's rise to power by Lindsey's comments came tests will not come until a new of the weapons — but the appointing him successor long in a book written with the help president enters the White allegiance of some officers before he passed away. of former White House House in January 2009. may be in doubt. In Southeast Asia, Islamic colleague Marc Sumerlin, a The authoritarian leaders Back in East Asia, a new terrorists in the Philippines, partner with him in a in Beijing, who are promoting president in Taiwan is Thailand, Malaysia and consulting group that offers the Olympic Games they will scheduled to be elected in Indonesia promise to keep advice on economic trends to host in August as an emblem of March and to take office in leaders awake at night. If the big corporations. The book China's arrival as a great May. A critical task will be to past is any indication, those provides an "insider's view" on power, will be tested by their decide whether to rebuild who hold office in the how to succeed in the White handling of the hordes of relations with the U.S., the Association of Southeast Asian House, in the form of memos athletes, spectators and ultimate guarantor of Taiwan's Nations, or ASEAN, won't be to the next president on how to journalists who will descend on de facto separation from China of much help in defeating the organize his or her the capital. and, if so, to figure out how to terrorists. administration, consider big Chinese political activists go about it. Americans, preoccupied questions such as going to war are almost certain to draw The incumbent, President with their own politics, may and handle complex issues. attention to China's violations Chen Shui-bian, has shown have little to say about how the Among Lindsey's more of human rights while religious calculated disregard for pressing issues of Asia are met provocative recommendations activists, such as Falun Gong, Washington's efforts to during this year. Indeed, the is that the next president take will most likely find ways to maintain a balance between new U.S. president will most office planning to serve only protest the regime's repression China and Taiwan. Moreover, likely find himself or herself one term, to ensure a focus of freedom of worship. both his political party and the having to plunge into a thicket "solely on the things that It may be 1989 all over opposition party have, in the of changes in Asia over which motivated you to run in the again. Advocates of democracy eyes of many U.S. officials, the U.S. has had little or no first place." Lindsey, who is camped in Tiananmen Square been lax in preparing to defend influence. advising GOP presidential in central Beijing attracted Taiwan from a China that has Richard Halloran is a hopeful Fred D. Thompson, foreign press and TV coverage repeatedly threatened to use Honolulu-based journalist and came to this conclusion after from news teams that had military force to conquer the former New York Times appraising the problematic journeyed to China to report on island. correspondent in Asia. second terms of many recent the visit of Soviet leader In Seoul, South Korea, presidents, including the one Mikhail Gorbachev. When similar tasks will confront he served most recently. demonstrations erupted and President-elect Lee Myung-bak Washington Times Lindsey said in the were put down brutally, the when he takes office in January 7, 2008 interview that he believes the news flashed around the world. February. The current Pg. 14 first term went reasonably well Moreover, China's leaders president, Roh Moo-hyun, is 29. Biased Against for President Bush, especially may find it hard to conceal regarded by U.S. officials as Homosexuals on domestic policy, because he their nation's economic having been anti-American I am a combat veteran of had a clear agenda -- tax cuts, shortcomings that were throughout his term. He has the war in Iraq. I served my education reform, rebuilding recently outlined in a World disparaged South Korea's country honorably and chose to the military, a prescription Bank report, or its corruption, alliance with the U.S. and stay in Iraq to have minor drug plan and Social Security civil unrest, censorship, adopted a policy toward North surgery rather than being -- and achieved much of it. pollution and other Korea that borders on evacuated. My team was "The first term pretty much ran environmental problems. appeasement. frequently deployed in forward according to book," he said. Across the continent, North of the demilitarized positions, and I was in combat. "The second term--they didn't President Pervez Musharraf of zone that divides the Korean I am also a woman. I was do that. If you don't have a Pakistan, or his successor if he Peninsula, the leader of the sexually harassed at times — script, you don't have does not survive in office, will regime in Pyongyang, Kim as I have been in the civilian something to stick to." be tasked to hold together a Jong Il, will continue to be world. However, during actual country threatening to split confronted with at least two combat, my gender was apart after the assassination of difficult decisions. One is meaningless compared to my Honolulu Advertiser former Prime Minister Benazir whether to give up his nuclear ability to do my job and January 6, 2008 Bhutto. At the very least, the weapons, which he has given accomplish the mission. 28. 2008 Full Of Pakistani leader will need to little sign he is ready to do. There were homosexuals Challenges For Asia establish some semblance of The other is to survive in in my unit. While we were Leaders order in that stricken nation. power and to name a successor. deployed, their sexual The test that much of the Whiffs of civil unrest due to preference was meaningless page 26 compared to their tactical and technical proficiency. I found the two-part piece by Elaine Donnelly ("Gays and the military," Op-Ed. Wednesday and Thursday) to be offensive, biased and full of unfounded allegations about women and homosexuals in the military. The operations tempo of the military today makes every service member who is well-qualified and hardworking a valuable, necessary part of the team. Troops on the ground are aware of that. It is unfortunate that Ms. Donnelly places her political bias above this reality. Kayla Williams, Ashburn, Va. Editor's Note: The op-eds by Elaine Donnelly appeared in the Current News Early Bird, January 2 and 3, 2008.