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Welcome to The Morning Briefing, from Baghdad to Washington and all points in between, this is one reason why Rummy's always ready for the droolers in the pool...
TOP STORIES
1. President To Let Rice Testify About 9/11
(Washington Post)...Mike Allen and Dan Eggen
President Bush reversed himself yesterday and agreed to permit his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, to testify in public and under oath before an independent commission investigating the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Capitulating on a second point, Bush said he will submit to questions in a private session with all 10 commissioners, backing off his previous demand to meet only with Chairman Thomas H. Kean and Vice Chairman Lee H. Hamilton. Bush added a new restriction by saying he will appear only with Vice President Cheney at his side.
2. Bomb Kills Five U.S. Soldiers In Iraq
(New York Times on the Web)...Associated Press
A bomb exploded under a U.S. military vehicle west of Baghdad on Wednesday, killing five soldiers, the military said. At least four people, including one American and possibly other foreign nationals, were killed in a separate attack. Crowds burned and mutilated their bodies.
3. Noncitizen Soldiers Fight For U.S. And A Better Life
(Philadelphia Inquirer)...Paul Nussbaum
...Shortly after he sent the letter, Singh, 21, was killed when his armored patrol was ambushed about 65 miles west of Baghdad. A native of India, he was one of hundreds of "green-card soldiers" in Iraq, noncitizens fighting for the United States and for a chance to become Americans. At least 15 noncitizen soldiers have been killed in Iraq.
4. Arrested Development On Iraqi Police Force
(Los Angeles Times)...Mark Magnier and Sonni Efron
...But poor equipment, inadequate training and morale problems all but ensure that the police will not be ready to maintain law and order on their own for the foreseeable future amid an insurgency that continues to target cities, citizens and Iraqi police themselves. As a result, the U.S. military will be needed to provide extensive support long after June 30, Iraqi police and U.S. officials acknowledge.
5. Britain Detains 8 In Alleged Bomb Plot
(Los Angeles Times)...John Daniszewski and Sebastian Rotella
Counter-terrorism police arrested eight men suspected of preparing a major bombing in Britain and seized half a ton of ammonium nitrate, which authorities said could have been used to make a massive fertilizer bomb. The arrests Tuesday sent a ripple of fear through Britain, coming after this month's train bombings in Madrid — blamed on a Moroccan group linked to Al Qaeda — and on the same day that authorities in the Philippines said they had thwarted a major attack there.
6. Most Not Prepared For Attack
(USA Today)...Mimi Hall
Most Americans have not followed the government's advice to prepare for terrorism by stocking food and water, making a plan to contact family members and identifying a "safe room" in their homes, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows.
IRAQ
7. Roadside Bombs Kill 2 U.S. Soldiers In Iraq
(Washington Post)...Sewell Chan
A U.S. soldier and a suicide bomber were killed Tuesday in separate incidents, according to military spokesmen. The soldier, who was not immediately identified, was killed by a roadside bomb that detonated as troops were on morning patrol near Ramadi, a city west of Baghdad, the U.S. military reported. The explosion also wounded one soldier. U.S. officials also said one soldier died and another was injured Monday when a roadside bomb caused their vehicle to veer off a road near Al Asad air base, about 11 miles northwest of Fallujah in western Iraq.
8. Marine Killed In Attack
(Los Angeles Times)...Tony Perry
One Marine was killed and five were wounded Tuesday in three attacks in this Sunni Triangle city west of Baghdad.
9. Iraqi Suicide Bombing Wounds 7 As Number Of Daily Attacks Rises
(New York Times)...Associated Press
A suicide bombing on Tuesday outside the house of a police chief killed the attacker and wounded seven others.
10. Weapons Inspector Testifies On Hill
(Washington Post)...Walter Pincus
The new chief U.S. weapons inspector for Iraq told Congress yesterday that no breakthrough has been made in the search for chemical or biological weapons but said new information supports a theory that Saddam Hussein may have been developing an ability to produce them on short notice.
11. Iraq Rebuilding Plan Reviewed
(Washington Post)...Jackie Spinner and Mary Pat Flaherty
The new inspector general of the U.S.-led interim authority in Iraq reported yesterday that though he is just beginning his own audits of reconstruction spending, he is concerned about the oversight of spending and control of cash.
NA
12. U.S. Undecided On NATO Role In Iraq
(USA Today)...Unattributed
The United States is weighing roles for NATO in Iraq but hasn't decided which of several options to support, a senior State Department official said. The ideas under discussion range from NATO taking over command of a multinational division to training peacekeeping and Iraqi forces to improve security in the country as it moves toward recovering its sovereignty on July 1, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Robert Bradtke said.
NA
13. Coalition Says Closed Shiite Weekly Incited Violence
(USA Today)...Unattributed
Coalition officials Tuesday defended a decision to close a Shiite weekly that it said was fomenting violence against coalition troops in Iraq.
14. Attacks On Iraqi Police Increase
(USA Today)...Kevin Johnson
...At least 350 officers have been killed and hundreds more wounded since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime last spring. Since May 1, when President Bush declared an end to major combat operations, 284 U.S. service members have died from hostile fire. Rebels have stepped up attacks against Iraqis in recent months. Police, who are often outgunned by insurgents, make easy targets for guerrillas who want to attack Iraqis cooperating with the coalition.
15. Hezbollah, Hamas Offices Reported In Iraq
(Washington Times)...Sharon Behn
The terrorist groups Hamas and Lebanon-based Hezbollah have opened offices in Iraq and are recruiting young men in the cities of Basra and Nasariyah, says the executive director of the American Islamic Congress.
16. Chalabi Poised To Lead Iraq
(Washington Times)...Arnaud de Borchgrave
With only three months to go before L. Paul Bremer trades in his Iraqi proconsul baton for beachwear and a hard-earned vacation, the country's most controversial politician is already well-positioned to become prime minister.
17. January Elections Seen As Essential Move To Restore Legitimacy
(Washington Times)...Agence France-Presse
Ahmed Chalabi, acting president of the U.S.-installed Iraqi Governing Council, said yesterday that it is essential to hold elections in January as scheduled and expressed satisfaction with his talks with a visiting U.N. team.
18. No Clear Favorite For Top U.S. Job In Iraq
(New York Times)...Steven R. Weisman
It is described as the most challenging diplomatic assignment in the world, and the toughest to fill. Three months before sovereignty is restored in Iraq, the Bush administration is still looking for an ambassador to replace L. Paul Bremer III as the chief American political presence in Baghdad.
19. Publicist Hired To Tell Iraqis Of Democracy
(New York Times)...Heather Timmons
The United States-led occupation in Iraq has enlisted a British public relations firm to help promote the establishment of democracy in the country.
20. World In Brief
(Washington Post)...Unattributed
The U.S.-led occupation authority in Baghdad is failing to meter Iraq's oil production, leaving a door open to smuggling, an international watchdog agency said.
21. Spanish Troops Break Up Violent Protest
(USA Today)...Unattributed
Spanish soldiers and Iraqi police broke up a protest by people seeking to join the police force in Najaf.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
22. Pentagon Drops Plan To Test Internet Voting
(Washington Post)...Dan Keating
The Pentagon has decided to drop a $22 million pilot plan to test Internet voting for 100,000 American military personnel and civilians living overseas after lingering security concerns, officials said yesterday.
23. Appropriators Press Pentagon Over Restructuring Costs
(National Journal's CongressDaily)...Amy Klamper
Top Senate appropriators called on the Pentagon today to be more forthcoming with the anticipated costs of its plan to sharply revise its overseas basing strategy and with the impact that will have on military construction and the round of base closings in 2005.
BUSINESS
24. Report Deepens Doubts On Air Force Tanker Deal With Boeing
(Philadelphia Inquirer)...Joseph L. Galloway and Alan Bjerga
A Defense Department inspector general's audit report on the negotiations between the Air Force and the Boeing Co. on a new aerial refueling tanker indicates that investigations into possible criminal conduct have widened, according to officials who are knowledgeable about the report.
NA
25. Tanker Deal Not 'Normal,' But Aircraft Needed, Jumper Says
(Aerospace Daily)...Kathy Gambrell
A deal to lease and buy KC-767 tankers from the Boeing Co. did "depart from the normal procurement procedures," but the goal was to accelerate the acquisition of the tankers, the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. John H. Jumper, told the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee March 30.
26. Dicks: Congress May Need To Legislate Against Tanker Competition
(Defense Daily)...Sharon Weinberger
In another sign of renewed conflict over the Air Force plans to modernize its aging fleet of tankers, a Democratic member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee said yesterday that Congress might have to legislate against allowing a foreign company in the U.S. military market for the lucrative refueling aircraft.
NA
27. Boeing's Stonecipher Expects Approval Of Tanker Deal
(Bloomberg.com)...Tony Capaccio
Boeing Co. Chief Executive Officer Harry Stonecipher said he expects the Pentagon to approve a $23.5 billion plan to lease and buy as many as 100 aerial refueling tankers once a probe of a potential conflict of interest is done.
WHITE HOUSE
28. A Clash On Classified Documents
(Washington Post)...Dana Priest
The Bush administration's uneven decision-making on which sensitive documents it declassifies has prompted criticism that the White House is selectively releasing information to bolster its foreign policy agenda and respond to political pressure.
29. Former Colleague Disputes Clarke's Terror Accusations
(Washington Times)...Bill Sammon and Stephen Dinan
A former Democratic colleague of Richard A. Clarke yesterday disputed the former White House analyst's accusations that President Bush was not sufficiently focused on terrorism before the September 11 attacks.
NAVY
30. Navy Probes Crashes Of 4 Jets
(Washington Times)...Guy Taylor
Four Navy fighter jets have crashed during training missions in the United States in the past seven days in what the Navy is investigating as a sudden series of unrelated "mishaps."
31. Lawmakers Split During Hearing On Navy’s Ship Request
(Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)...Dale Eisman
The shipbuilding industry’s top lobbyist came to a congressional hearing room on Tuesday determined to build momentum for dramatic increases in ship construction budgets.
ASIA/PACIFIC
32. Pakistan Government Cleared In Selling Of Nuclear Material
(Washington Times)...Bill Gertz
A Pakistani network that covertly sold nuclear goods used government aircraft but the Islamabad government was not involved in the transactions, a senior State Department official told Congress yesterday.
33. 'Madrid-Level' Bomb Attack Prevented, Philippines Says
(Los Angeles Times)...Richard C. Paddock
Philippine officials announced Tuesday that they had averted a "Madrid-level" bombing attack on shopping malls and trains here with the arrest of four alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group.
34. Pakistan Backs Off 2d Claim On Al-Qaeda
(Philadelphia Inquirer)...Paul Haven, Associated Press
Pakistani officials yesterday again backed off claims that they killed or captured a major al-Qaeda fugitive, saying a man they believed was an intelligence chief for Osama bin Laden's organization was in fact a much less senior local figure.
35. 3rd Day Of Violence Claims 23 Lives In Uzbekistan
(New York Times)...Seth Mydans
As many as 23 people were reported dead on Tuesday in bombings and gun battles in Uzbekistan during a third day of violence in a strategic ally of the United States that borders Afghanistan.
AFGHANISTAN
36. Land Grabs Threaten Peace
(Washington Times)...John Zarocostas
Afghanistan could drift into a new conflict if the Karzai government fails to deal with widespread land grabbing and house confiscations by warlords, army commanders, drug dealers and Cabinet ministers, an independent U.N. human rights analyst said yesterday.
EUROPE
37. Russia: Defense Can't Stop Weapon
Unattributed
Russia has designed a ''revolutionary'' weapon that would make the prospective U.S. missile defense useless, Russian news agencies reported. If deployed, the new weapon would take the value of any U.S. missile shield to ''zero,'' the news agencies quoted a Defense Ministry official as saying.
38. Quick Action Urged Against New Ethnic Violence
(Washington Times)...David R. Sands
Renewed violence between ethnic Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo could drag down the entire Balkans if the United States and European powers do not act quickly and forcefully, regional leaders said in a series of interviews this week.
HAITI
39. Haiti: 18 Months To Elections, U.N. Envoy Says
(New York Times)...Warren Hoge
Haiti will need 18 months to hold elections following the departure last month of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and United Nations peacekeepers must be kept there for up to 20 years if the country is going to have guaranteed stability, Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy, Reginald Dumas, said after briefing the Security Council.
OPINION
40. What A Strong Russia Wants
(Wall Street Journal)...Sergei Lavrov
...An entirely reasonable question should be answered: How can Russia deal with its newfound foreign-policy opportunities? Russia has significantly enhanced her reputation as a responsible player in international affairs over the past four years. This has been achieved through a pragmatic policy, mainly subordinated to the interests of domestic development and oriented toward expanded dialogue and cooperation with the rest of the world. As part of this policy, Russia and the U.S. have become the closest of allies in the fight against international terrorism, while Russia-NATO relations have improved and a strategic partnership with the European Union has developed.
41. International Relations 101
(New York Times)...Robert M. Gates
Osama bin Laden and other terrorists are on the brink of achieving an unanticipated victory, one that could have long-term consequences for the United States.
42. 'Oil For Fraud?': The U.N.'s Response -- (Letter)
(Washington Post)...Edward Mortimer
The Post recommended an investigation into allegations of corruption involving the Iraqi oil- for-food program ["Oil for Fraud?" editorial, March 26]. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan informed the Security Council earlier last week that he is launching just such an independent inquiry. The composition of the investigating body will be announced this week.
43. Difficult Military Duty of Defending Terrorists -- (Letters)
(Wall Street Journal)...John D. Hutson; Miles P. Fischer
Anyone reading your article "Defending the Enemy: Critics of Tribunals Gain Unlikely Allies: Lawyers in Uniform" (March 18) should not be surprised to learn of the audacity and tenacity of military defense counsel. I spent 28 years as a Navy judge advocate so I am well familiar with what they do.
44. The Military Chaplain -- (Letter)
(New York Times)...Lt. Col. Bill Costello, USA
To the Editor: Capt. James Yee ("Military Injustice," editorial, March 24) was never charged with espionage or characterized as traitorous by government officials. He was found guilty on adultery and pornography charges and processed through nonjudicial punishment.
EDITORIAL
45. Back On The Back Burner
(Washington Post)...Editorial
Remember Haiti? One month ago, shortly after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was flown out of the country on a U.S. military aircraft, U.S. Marines began landing in the capital of Port-au-Prince as part of a multinational intervention to stop the spread of anarchy. It was a mission the Bush administration did its best to avoid, following years of neglecting Haiti and months of trying to hand off management of its mounting crisis to others. Thirty days later, the Marines are still there -- 1,900 of them -- but the country and its dire problems have once again vanished from the agendas of administration policymakers.
46. The Balkans Flare Up
(New York Times)...Editorial
As if the world needs a reminder of how hard it is for occupying outsiders to build a nation, Kosovo exploded this month. Five years after a NATO bombing campaign put an end to atrocities by ethnic Serbs against ethnic Albanians there, Albanian mobs burned Serb-owned houses to the ground. It's yet another distressing instance in which victims of ethnic cleansing have resorted to the same horrific type of violence.
47. Don't Forget Afghanistan
(Los Angeles Times)...Editorial
...Unfortunately, Pakistani soldiers botched an anti-terrorist campaign on their side of the border this month, out of ineptness or solidarity with the Taliban. Pakistan's cooperation in the anti-terrorism effort is still woeful. It needs to press harder; the U.S. and other countries need to match money and troops to their rhetoric and stop Afghanistan from backsliding into the depths.
