By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 18, 2008 - President Bush voiced his support for Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia during an interview today with NBC in Arusha, Tanzania. "We'll watch and see how the events unfold today," Bush said about the Balkan state. "But, the Kosovars are now independent. It's something that I have advocated, along with my government."
Yesterday, U.S. and NATO officials urged restraint following Kosovo's declaration of independence. Kosovo, a 90-percent ethnic Albanian enclave, has been under the sovereignty of Serbia, where officials in the capital of Belgrade refused to relinquish the province.
As Albanian Kosovars celebrated yesterday's declaration with fireworks and parades, Serbia's prime minister dismissed Kosovo as a "false state" while protesters
converged on the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and rioting occurred elsewhere, according to reports.
Kosovo has been under United Nations administration and policed by 16,000 NATO peacekeepers, known as KFOR, following a U.S.-led bombing campaign in 1999 that expelled the Serb army and prevented "ethnic cleansing" of the region's Albanians. Some 1,500 U.S. forces are stationed in the province as part of KFOR.
"During this sensitive period, KFOR will respond swiftly and firmly against anyone who might resort to violence in Kosovo," NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a statement yesterday. "NATO urges all parties involved to exercise the maximum restraint and moderation."
"On Kosovo, our position is that its status must be resolved in order for the Balkans to be stable," Bush said yesterday during a visit to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. "The United States will continue to work with our allies to do the very best we can to make sure there's no violence."
UN Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari has drawn up a plan for Kosovo's "supervised independence," that has been widely accepted by leaders in the U.S. and European nations.
"We have strongly supported the Ahtisaari plan," Bush said yesterday, adding that he is encouraged that Kosovo's leaders have shown its willingness and desire to support the rights of the province's Serb minority.
"We also believe it's in Serbia's interests to be aligned with Europe, and the Serbian people can know that they have a friend in America," he said.
A statement issued yesterday by the U.S. State Department called on all parties to "exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any provocative act," according to a Reuters report.
"The United States is now reviewing the issue and discussing the matter with its European partners," the statement said. "We expect to issue a statement shortly."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
America Supports You: Group Packs Laughter in Care Packages
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 19, 2008 - If laughter is the best medicine, deployed troops are getting huge doses when they open care packages full of red clown noses. "The mission of The Red Nose Institute is to share the art of clowning, spread joy and laughter to our military, and perhaps boost their morale by the distribution of red foam noses," said Cheryl Herrington, the institute's president and a professional clown known as "Sweet Pea."
Clowning is a sideline for Herrington, who works as a psychiatric nurse and knows the value of a simple smile. She grew up as an Air Force "brat" and lost a brother in Vietnam.
"We mean no disrespect whatsoever to our military. Our only intent is to help improve their mental health by giving them something to smile about," she said. "And you have to admit, a red clown nose is pretty unexpected!"
If the photos on the Missouri-based institute's Web site are any indication, the noses are accomplishing their goal. In fact, families and friends who request the noses on behalf of servicemembers seem to have as much fun sending them as the servicemembers do receiving them, Herrington said.
Since the program began in July, Herrington and "Pappy," her partner in laughter and in this endeavor, have sent 10,000 red foam noses to troops. Recently, 525 of those went to a Coast Guard unit at the request of its commanding officer. He wanted to give the unit's members something to laugh about -- their deployment to patrol frigid waters during the holidays certainly wasn't doing that, according to the group's Web site.
Sweet Pea and Pappy -- a former Marine and also a professional clown -- can fill requests as small as 25 noses for an individual and up to 1,000 or more. There's no charge to the requestor or the recipients.
Though the duo's main intent is to brighten the troops' days, their secondary goal is no laughing matter.
"It is our hope that some noses will be given to children in communities where the troops are stationed," Herrington said. "We believe that by sharing the art of clowning, our servicemembers will have an opportunity to interact with the children and ... perhaps gain more understanding and awareness of them."
The flip side of that is that perhaps the children will begin to trust the servicemembers, Herrington said.
A new supporter of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, The Red Nose Institute is looking forward to the networking opportunities and exposure the affiliation will bring.
Herrington said the credibility of being associated with the Defense Department's program perhaps will be the greatest benefit, however.
"We are well aware that this project is not for everyone," she said. "Some folks see it as demeaning and totally miss the focus of The Red Nose Institute, which is only to put smiles on the face of our troops!"
The America Supports You program connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 19, 2008 - If laughter is the best medicine, deployed troops are getting huge doses when they open care packages full of red clown noses. "The mission of The Red Nose Institute is to share the art of clowning, spread joy and laughter to our military, and perhaps boost their morale by the distribution of red foam noses," said Cheryl Herrington, the institute's president and a professional clown known as "Sweet Pea."
Clowning is a sideline for Herrington, who works as a psychiatric nurse and knows the value of a simple smile. She grew up as an Air Force "brat" and lost a brother in Vietnam.
"We mean no disrespect whatsoever to our military. Our only intent is to help improve their mental health by giving them something to smile about," she said. "And you have to admit, a red clown nose is pretty unexpected!"
If the photos on the Missouri-based institute's Web site are any indication, the noses are accomplishing their goal. In fact, families and friends who request the noses on behalf of servicemembers seem to have as much fun sending them as the servicemembers do receiving them, Herrington said.
Since the program began in July, Herrington and "Pappy," her partner in laughter and in this endeavor, have sent 10,000 red foam noses to troops. Recently, 525 of those went to a Coast Guard unit at the request of its commanding officer. He wanted to give the unit's members something to laugh about -- their deployment to patrol frigid waters during the holidays certainly wasn't doing that, according to the group's Web site.
Sweet Pea and Pappy -- a former Marine and also a professional clown -- can fill requests as small as 25 noses for an individual and up to 1,000 or more. There's no charge to the requestor or the recipients.
Though the duo's main intent is to brighten the troops' days, their secondary goal is no laughing matter.
"It is our hope that some noses will be given to children in communities where the troops are stationed," Herrington said. "We believe that by sharing the art of clowning, our servicemembers will have an opportunity to interact with the children and ... perhaps gain more understanding and awareness of them."
The flip side of that is that perhaps the children will begin to trust the servicemembers, Herrington said.
A new supporter of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, The Red Nose Institute is looking forward to the networking opportunities and exposure the affiliation will bring.
Herrington said the credibility of being associated with the Defense Department's program perhaps will be the greatest benefit, however.
"We are well aware that this project is not for everyone," she said. "Some folks see it as demeaning and totally miss the focus of The Red Nose Institute, which is only to put smiles on the face of our troops!"
The America Supports You program connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
Bush Voices Support for Kosovo Independence
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 18, 2008 - President Bush voiced his support for Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia during an interview today with NBC in Arusha, Tanzania. "We'll watch and see how the events unfold today," Bush said about the Balkan state. "But, the Kosovars are now independent. It's something that I have advocated, along with my government."
Yesterday, U.S. and NATO officials urged restraint following Kosovo's declaration of independence. Kosovo, a 90-percent ethnic Albanian enclave, has been under the sovereignty of Serbia, where officials in the capital of Belgrade refused to relinquish the province.
As Albanian Kosovars celebrated yesterday's declaration with fireworks and parades, Serbia's prime minister dismissed Kosovo as a "false state" while protesters
converged on the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and rioting occurred elsewhere, according to reports.
Kosovo has been under United Nations administration and policed by 16,000 NATO peacekeepers, known as KFOR, following a U.S.-led bombing campaign in 1999 that expelled the Serb army and prevented "ethnic cleansing" of the region's Albanians. Some 1,500 U.S. forces are stationed in the province as part of KFOR.
"During this sensitive period, KFOR will respond swiftly and firmly against anyone who might resort to violence in Kosovo," NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a statement yesterday. "NATO urges all parties involved to exercise the maximum restraint and moderation."
"On Kosovo, our position is that its status must be resolved in order for the Balkans to be stable," Bush said yesterday during a visit to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. "The United States will continue to work with our allies to do the very best we can to make sure there's no violence."
UN Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari has drawn up a plan for Kosovo's "supervised independence," that has been widely accepted by leaders in the U.S. and European nations.
"We have strongly supported the Ahtisaari plan," Bush said yesterday, adding that he is encouraged that Kosovo's leaders have shown its willingness and desire to support the rights of the province's Serb minority.
"We also believe it's in Serbia's interests to be aligned with Europe, and the Serbian people can know that they have a friend in America," he said.
A statement issued yesterday by the U.S. State Department called on all parties to "exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any provocative act," according to a Reuters report.
"The United States is now reviewing the issue and discussing the matter with its European partners," the statement said. "We expect to issue a statement shortly."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 18, 2008 - President Bush voiced his support for Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia during an interview today with NBC in Arusha, Tanzania. "We'll watch and see how the events unfold today," Bush said about the Balkan state. "But, the Kosovars are now independent. It's something that I have advocated, along with my government."
Yesterday, U.S. and NATO officials urged restraint following Kosovo's declaration of independence. Kosovo, a 90-percent ethnic Albanian enclave, has been under the sovereignty of Serbia, where officials in the capital of Belgrade refused to relinquish the province.
As Albanian Kosovars celebrated yesterday's declaration with fireworks and parades, Serbia's prime minister dismissed Kosovo as a "false state" while protesters
converged on the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and rioting occurred elsewhere, according to reports.
Kosovo has been under United Nations administration and policed by 16,000 NATO peacekeepers, known as KFOR, following a U.S.-led bombing campaign in 1999 that expelled the Serb army and prevented "ethnic cleansing" of the region's Albanians. Some 1,500 U.S. forces are stationed in the province as part of KFOR.
"During this sensitive period, KFOR will respond swiftly and firmly against anyone who might resort to violence in Kosovo," NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a statement yesterday. "NATO urges all parties involved to exercise the maximum restraint and moderation."
"On Kosovo, our position is that its status must be resolved in order for the Balkans to be stable," Bush said yesterday during a visit to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. "The United States will continue to work with our allies to do the very best we can to make sure there's no violence."
UN Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari has drawn up a plan for Kosovo's "supervised independence," that has been widely accepted by leaders in the U.S. and European nations.
"We have strongly supported the Ahtisaari plan," Bush said yesterday, adding that he is encouraged that Kosovo's leaders have shown its willingness and desire to support the rights of the province's Serb minority.
"We also believe it's in Serbia's interests to be aligned with Europe, and the Serbian people can know that they have a friend in America," he said.
A statement issued yesterday by the U.S. State Department called on all parties to "exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any provocative act," according to a Reuters report.
"The United States is now reviewing the issue and discussing the matter with its European partners," the statement said. "We expect to issue a statement shortly."
Window to Open for Satellite Shoot-Down, Gates to Issue Order
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 19, 2008 - The anticipated landing tomorrow of the space shuttle Atlantis will open the window of opportunity for the U.S. military to shoot down a dying intelligence satellite headed toward Earth, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. President Bush has authorized Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to give the shoot-down order, and the secretary received a briefing on the plan today, Morrell said. The secretary is prepared to make that call from the road, if necessary, during his nine-day, around-the-world trip that begins tomorrow, he said.
Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters last week the window of opportunity for shooting down the satellite would last seven or eight days.
"We have a pretty wide aperture with which to take this shot," Morrell said today. "I think the commanders that are evaluating this are looking at all the conditions that could impact this to make sure that when we do take this shot, it can be as successful as possible."
Cartwright, Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and other experts across the military and U.S. government "are evaluating the situation and will advise the secretary when they have a shot to take," Morrell said.
Pentagon officials began studying the situation in early January when it become clear that a malfunctioning U.S. spy satellite could cause death or injury if it fell in a populated area. Of particular concern is that the satellite could release hydrazine, a toxic chemical used as a maneuvering fuel.
A Pentagon plan was put together to strike the incoming satellite just above the atmosphere, rupturing the hydrazine tank in the process.
All systems appear to be "go" for the launch order. The Navy has prepared for the mission by modifying three SM-3 missiles aboard Aegis ships to strike the satellite, Cartwright said last week.
The international community has been informed of the mission and why it's being conducted, Morrell said. "So I think everybody is up to date on what our thinking is and what our course of action is going to be, and we will keep them apprised of how it develops over the coming days," he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration today issued a 24-hour notice warning aircraft and ships to steer clear of the projected shoot-down zone in the Pacific. New warnings will be issued every 24 hours during the anticipated shoot-down window, Morrell said.
The Pentagon will issue a written statement within an hour of the launch and will hold a news conference regarding the effort within the following hours, Morrell told reporters. "We can probably tell you at that point whether or not there has been an intercept," but not necessarily if it destroyed the fuel tank, he said. "That may require some additional time," he acknowledged.
Cartwright and other commanders associated with the mission "have a high confidence this engagement will indeed be successful, and I think Secretary Gates shares that confidence," Morrell told reporters.
Morrell emphasized that the mission isn't designed to test U.S. anti-satellite capabilities. "We did that in 1985. Been there, done that," he said.
"This operation is designed to alleviate a threat to human beings on this planet. There is a large tank of hydrazine fuel onboard that satellite that would pose a significant threat to people within the immediate vicinity of it if it were to hit land," Morrell said. "So not wishing to take that risk, the president has asked -- ordered -- this department to shoot down that satellite.
"And that is what we are now evaluating," he continued, "and that is what the secretary will decide to do, based upon the advice of the commanders."
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 19, 2008 - The anticipated landing tomorrow of the space shuttle Atlantis will open the window of opportunity for the U.S. military to shoot down a dying intelligence satellite headed toward Earth, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. President Bush has authorized Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to give the shoot-down order, and the secretary received a briefing on the plan today, Morrell said. The secretary is prepared to make that call from the road, if necessary, during his nine-day, around-the-world trip that begins tomorrow, he said.
Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters last week the window of opportunity for shooting down the satellite would last seven or eight days.
"We have a pretty wide aperture with which to take this shot," Morrell said today. "I think the commanders that are evaluating this are looking at all the conditions that could impact this to make sure that when we do take this shot, it can be as successful as possible."
Cartwright, Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and other experts across the military and U.S. government "are evaluating the situation and will advise the secretary when they have a shot to take," Morrell said.
Pentagon officials began studying the situation in early January when it become clear that a malfunctioning U.S. spy satellite could cause death or injury if it fell in a populated area. Of particular concern is that the satellite could release hydrazine, a toxic chemical used as a maneuvering fuel.
A Pentagon plan was put together to strike the incoming satellite just above the atmosphere, rupturing the hydrazine tank in the process.
All systems appear to be "go" for the launch order. The Navy has prepared for the mission by modifying three SM-3 missiles aboard Aegis ships to strike the satellite, Cartwright said last week.
The international community has been informed of the mission and why it's being conducted, Morrell said. "So I think everybody is up to date on what our thinking is and what our course of action is going to be, and we will keep them apprised of how it develops over the coming days," he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration today issued a 24-hour notice warning aircraft and ships to steer clear of the projected shoot-down zone in the Pacific. New warnings will be issued every 24 hours during the anticipated shoot-down window, Morrell said.
The Pentagon will issue a written statement within an hour of the launch and will hold a news conference regarding the effort within the following hours, Morrell told reporters. "We can probably tell you at that point whether or not there has been an intercept," but not necessarily if it destroyed the fuel tank, he said. "That may require some additional time," he acknowledged.
Cartwright and other commanders associated with the mission "have a high confidence this engagement will indeed be successful, and I think Secretary Gates shares that confidence," Morrell told reporters.
Morrell emphasized that the mission isn't designed to test U.S. anti-satellite capabilities. "We did that in 1985. Been there, done that," he said.
"This operation is designed to alleviate a threat to human beings on this planet. There is a large tank of hydrazine fuel onboard that satellite that would pose a significant threat to people within the immediate vicinity of it if it were to hit land," Morrell said. "So not wishing to take that risk, the president has asked -- ordered -- this department to shoot down that satellite.
"And that is what we are now evaluating," he continued, "and that is what the secretary will decide to do, based upon the advice of the commanders."
Gates Discusses Adriatic Charter Defense Ministers' NATO Aspirations
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 19, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met today with the defense ministers of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia to discuss their progress in making the reforms required for them to join NATO, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters. Gates hosted Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, Croatian Defense Minister Branko Vukelic and Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski as part of the fourth annual U.S.-Adriatic Charter defense ministerial conference.
This year's conference is the first to be held in the United States, and today's secretary-level session kicked off lower-level sessions slated to start tomorrow and wrap up early Feb. 21, Morrell said.
The Adriatic Charter was formed in May 2003 to help Albania, Croatia and Macedonia work toward becoming NATO members. The United States, which signed on as a partner in the charter, agreed to continue helping the three NATO aspirants make the reforms required to join the alliance.
During today's meeting, the leaders discussed relations among their countries, NATO enlargement and the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Morrell said. In August 2005, the Adriatic Charter sent a joint 12-person medical team to NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, marking its first jointly conducted international mission. In addition, both Albania and Macedonia are members of the coalition in Iraq.
"These are all countries that are certainly punching above their weight class when it comes to their contributions to those respective wars," Morrell said.
The issue of Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia Feb. 17, also arose during the discussions, Morrell said. However, the talks did not venture into discussions about the Kosovo Force mission, which Morrell emphasized is not affected by the Kosovars' declaration of independence. That mission "remains as it has been, to provide a safe and secure environment, and to do so in an impartial and fair way," he said.
U.S. forces, which make up about 10 percent of the 16,000 KFOR troops, "will remain there for at least the foreseeable future," Morrell said.
The Adriatic Charter agreement reaffirms the parties' shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, civil society, rule of law, market economies and NATO-compatible militaries. The countries also agree to fight corruption and crime and promote human rights and civil liberties in Albania, Croatia, Macedonia and other southeastern European countries.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 19, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met today with the defense ministers of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia to discuss their progress in making the reforms required for them to join NATO, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters. Gates hosted Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, Croatian Defense Minister Branko Vukelic and Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski as part of the fourth annual U.S.-Adriatic Charter defense ministerial conference.
This year's conference is the first to be held in the United States, and today's secretary-level session kicked off lower-level sessions slated to start tomorrow and wrap up early Feb. 21, Morrell said.
The Adriatic Charter was formed in May 2003 to help Albania, Croatia and Macedonia work toward becoming NATO members. The United States, which signed on as a partner in the charter, agreed to continue helping the three NATO aspirants make the reforms required to join the alliance.
During today's meeting, the leaders discussed relations among their countries, NATO enlargement and the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Morrell said. In August 2005, the Adriatic Charter sent a joint 12-person medical team to NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, marking its first jointly conducted international mission. In addition, both Albania and Macedonia are members of the coalition in Iraq.
"These are all countries that are certainly punching above their weight class when it comes to their contributions to those respective wars," Morrell said.
The issue of Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia Feb. 17, also arose during the discussions, Morrell said. However, the talks did not venture into discussions about the Kosovo Force mission, which Morrell emphasized is not affected by the Kosovars' declaration of independence. That mission "remains as it has been, to provide a safe and secure environment, and to do so in an impartial and fair way," he said.
U.S. forces, which make up about 10 percent of the 16,000 KFOR troops, "will remain there for at least the foreseeable future," Morrell said.
The Adriatic Charter agreement reaffirms the parties' shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, civil society, rule of law, market economies and NATO-compatible militaries. The countries also agree to fight corruption and crime and promote human rights and civil liberties in Albania, Croatia, Macedonia and other southeastern European countries.
Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material
The IAEA released a reference manual that details how to prevent, detect, and respond to an incidence of nuclear terrorism. Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material serves as a how-to booklet on several topics related to criminal acts involving nuclear and radioactive material. The 150+ page text is intended for a broad audience, including law enforcement agencies, legislators, customs and border patrol personnel, intelligence officials, emergency response teams and users of nuclear technology.
More Information
http://terrorism-online.blogspot.com/2008/02/combating-illicit-trafficking-in.html
More Information
http://terrorism-online.blogspot.com/2008/02/combating-illicit-trafficking-in.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
