March 2004 - Iraq Special Weapons News

Operations
Deployments
US Policy
United Nations
Reconstruction Issues
Foreign Reactions
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Mar 2004 [PDF]

• Translator Killed, Family Members Injured in Mosul Attack AFPS 16 Mar 2004 -- A translator for coalition forces in northern Iraq was killed and two family members were injured today in an attack in Mosul, Iraq.
• 1ID AND TASK FORCE DANGER OPERATIONS CENTCOM Release 16 Mar 2004-- 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger conducted 15 patrols Monday and Tuesday as the transfer of authority with Task Force Ironhorse began.
• 4ID, TASK FORCE IRONHORSE OPERATIONS UPDATE CENTCOM Release 16 Mar 2004-- 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse conducted 126 patrols and four raids, and captured 14 individuals Sunday and Monday.

Deployments

US Policy

• Armitage: U.S. 'Will Stay The Course' In Iraq AFPS 16 Mar 2004 -- Despite all obstacles, the United States remains committed to the establishment of a free, democratic Iraq, a senior State Department official said here March 15.
• PENTAGON / IRAQ VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- The Pentagon is heartened by a new survey which says most Iraqis believe their lives are better now than before the war -- even though fewer than half approve of the U-S led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein.

United Nations

• PRESS BRIEFING BY SPECIAL ADVISER LAKHDAR BRAHIMI United Nations 16 Mar 2004
• ANNAN / IRAQ VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that Spain's announcement that it plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq if coalition forces are not placed under United Nations control by June 30th could lead other European nations to pull out of Iraq.
• U-N/IRAQ/BRAHIMI VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- Iraq's most powerful religious leader has informed the United Nations he wants the world body to play a role in the country's transition to self-rule. U-N officials remain hopeful that national elections in Iraq could be held by early next year.

Reconstruction Issues

• IRAQ / SECURITY VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- A majority of Iraqis told pollsters recently their lives are better since the ouster of Saddam Hussein almost a year ago. But they also say lack of security is their Number One concern. The worries are justified, as violence continues to claim more Iraqi lives every day.
• POLL / IRAQ - TERROR VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- Nearly one year after the U-S led war in Iraq began, a public opinion poll in several countries has found continuing disapproval of U-S foreign policies. The poll found that Americans continue to view the war very differently than people in Russia, several predominantly Muslim countries and Western European nations.
• IRAQ / POLL VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- A year after the United States led an invasion of Iraq, most Iraqis say they feel optimistic about their future, but they have mixed feelings about the invasion itself, according to a nationwide poll released Tuesday.
• IRAQ: Evicted IDPs in Arbil need housing IRIN 16 Mar 2004 -- For international aid workers based in the Kurdish-controlled regions of northern Iraq, Arbil's smart new airport is a godsend. Not only does it shorten journey times to some of Iraq's more remote corners, it also enables travellers to avoid the dangerous roads connecting Baghdad to the north.

Foreign Reactions

• IRAQ WRAP VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- A day after Spain's incoming prime minister said he plans to pull his country's troops out of Iraq, President Bush is urging other countries not to do the same. This, as two more foreigners working there are shot dead in what have been a series of deadly attacks against civilians.
• Iraq: Kurdish Protests In Syria, Iran Raising Concerns RFE/RL 16 Mar 2004 -- Recent Kurdish riots in Syria and demonstrations in Iran are raising concerns that Kurdish minorities could follow the lead of Iraqi Kurds in pursuing greater independence and recognition. Turkey, Syria, and Iran have substantial Kurdish minorities, and their governments are keeping a wary eye on developments in Iraq. However, analysts say the three countries present very different cases.

News Reports

• IRAQ ANNIVERSARY/CHANGES VOA 16 Mar 2004 -- In the year since the U-S-led coalition moved into Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein from power, the lives of all Iraqis have changed in many ways -- some for the better, and some for the worse.
• Kelly inquest not to be reopened IRNA 16 Mar 2004 -- Local Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner Tuesday ruled out reopening the inquest into the death of former Iraq arms inspector Dr David Kelly despite medical doubts that he committed suicide by slashing his wrist.
• IRAQ: Four aid workers killed in north IRIN 16 Mar 2004 -- Four foreigners working for an international aid agency were killed and another injured in a shooting in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul late on Monday.