The KIA column of the DOD Casualty Update increased by one today. Sgt. Charles J. Webb, 22, of Hamilton, Ohio died Nov. 3 in the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained earlier that day when an improvised explosive device detonated in Baghdad, Iraq. Webb was assigned to the 82nd Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Bamberg, Germany.
Goodbye Côte d’Ivoire Ceasefire
On Thursday, Ivorian government aircraft launched a series of bombing raids on the main rebel-held cities of Bouaké and Korhogo, signaling an end to the ceasefire declared in January 2003 and the peace process initiated at the same time. Several civilians were reported killed and many wounded when a checkpoint manned by New Forces (Forces Nouvelles) troops came under aerial attack. Meanwhile in Abidjan, the commercial capital held by government forces, militant youth from a pro-government group known as the Young Patriots (Jeunes Patriotes) attacked unarmed U.N. personnel and burned two of their vehicles, attacked the hotel where government ministers representing the New Forces lived, and ransacked and burned the offices of at least two opposition newspapers.
Palestinian Child Attacks Israel
This past Tuesday, 2 November 2004, Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Permanent Representative to Israel, delivered a letter (A/59/548) to the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council. The following excerpts from the letter document a frightening form of child abuse:
Global Reaction to Arafat's HealthYesterday, shortly after 11 a.m. local time, a Palestinian terrorist blew himself up in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv, which was crowded with civilians. Three people were killed. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine proudly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The bomber himself was only 16 years old, another child manipulated by the terrorists' propganda and the Palestinian leadership's own countenance of, and support for, hateful incidement to terrorism and violence.
School textbooks produced by the Palestinian Authority continue to be replete with anti-Semitic rhetoric, comparing Jews to animals and demons, and referring to Israel as "a country of gangs, born in crime." The Palestinian Authority also continues to produce education television programming glorifying martyrdom in the struggle against Israel and presenting violence as the way to solve disputes.
A recent children's video, for example, played often on Palestinian television, has the following chorus:
"You will not be saved, Oh Zionist. You are my target. I will willingly fall as a Martyr. Oh young ones, God is Great!"
On Wednesday, 3 November 2004, the Department of State released an Issue Focus Report titled Arafat's Health: The Future May Be 'Even More Chaotic' Without Him. Click here to view the report.
Georgia Deploys Troops to Iraq
The United States warmly welcomes Georgia’s decision to deploy additional troops to Iraq to provide security for the United Nations presence in Iraq. This latest deployment by Georgia will increase the total number of its troops in Iraq from 159 to 850. It underscores Georgia’s commitment to partnership with the people of Iraq and their friends around the world in pursuit of peace, prosperity and democracy in Iraq. The U.S. will offer additional training to help Georgia sustain this deployment following an assessment by the U.S. European Command.
Rest in Peace, UAE President Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Sheikh Zayed led his nation with exemplary leadership and tolerance. He avidly pursued development and modernization. His leadership and vision united seven independent emirates into one nation. His cherished friendship with the United States will not be forgotten, and will certainly be missed.
Sheikh Zayed will be remembered for his wise direction, humanitarian leadership, and tolerance. The essence of Skeikh Zayed' s philosophy, derived from his deeply held Muslim faith, is that it is the duty of man to improve the life ofhis fellow man. His record in over half a century in leadership within the Emirates and within the international community demonstrated the dedication and seriousness with which he sought to put that belief into practice.
Welcome home, Dad.
Petty Officer 2nd class Shannon Bavos embraces his son on the pier in San Diego, Calif., after spending five months onboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) which returned from a deployment to the northern and western Pacific on Nov. 1, 2004. Bavos is a Navy aviation machinist's mate.