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Members of Congress say they support a U.S. peacekeeping role in Liberia. However, African-American lawmakers told reporters they hope U.S. involvement will be limited and not place U.S. troops in harm's way anymore than necessary. 

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, African-American lawmakers in the House of Representatives, spoke to reporters just as Secretary of State Colin Powell was commenting on Liberia at a news conference in Pretoria.

 Elijah Cummings, the chairman of the caucus, said U.S. involvement can have a great impact as long as it is well thought out.
 
 

Elijah Cummings

 Mr. Cummings wants President Bush to make a decision on deployment of U.S. troops to Liberia before the president leaves Nigeria on Saturday.

 The congressman listed four principles: U.S. participation as part of a United Nations backed multi-national force, the immediate departure of Liberian President Charles Taylor, pacification of Monrovia through demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of factions, and humanitarian aid. 

Donald Payne

 "The United States played a role in the creation of the country," he emphasized. "We have been there since 1820. In 1847 it became an independent country using our constitution, the colors of our flag. The people are proud to be associated with America, and they will welcome us there."

 But many lawmakers remain skeptical, saying U.S. forces should not be strained further than they are by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said Iraq and Liberia are different situations, and expresses disappointment in suggestions that a U.S. troop deployment to Liberia needs to have the approval of Congress.

 "For anyone to say now that humanitarian aid and peacekeeping troops need to have a vote of Congress, I believe there is a question of whether or not we treat Africa differently because of its race of people as opposed to other areas," she said. "And I think the president, in the determination he makes, and Secretary Powell, need to look at this very, very carefully."

 Members of the Black Caucus say the administration's decision will be nothing less than a test of President Bush's stated commitment to the continent, demonstrated by his $15 billion AIDS initiative, and his current trip.

 They say that generally, money in the U.S. budget devoted to African causes is declining, and they hope Mr. Bush will be ready to consult more closely with them when he returns on matters of importance to Africa. 
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US Officials to Meet with ECOWAS Leaders on Possible Involvement in Liberia Second US Military Assessment Team Arrives in W. Africa

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Drawing of location in space of oldest known planet NASA artist's concept

 Earth and the solar system are relatively young, just 4.5 billion years old, compared to the estimated 14 billion year age of the universe. But astronomers have discovered a planet nearly as old as the cosmos.

 Pennsylvania State University researcher Steinn Sigurdsson says it is 13 billion years old, formed when the universe was still in its infancy.

 "What we think we found is an example of the first generation of planets formed in the universe," he said. "We think this planet formed with its star 13 billion years ago when the galaxy was very young, just in the process of forming and formed with the very earliest generation of stars that formed in our galaxy, much, much earlier than the sun."

 The planet is a gas giant like Jupiter, but 2.5 times more massive. It is in the constellation Scorpius 5,600 light years away and so far out from the pair of stars it circles that its year equals 100 of ours.

 The planet is not visible from Earth, but the scientists found it indirectly by observing one of the stars of the pair with a radio telescope on the ground and the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. This star is located in a cluster of stars and is a rapidly spinning collapsed star called a pulsar, sending out pulses of light to us as it turns. The physics of the light beam led the scientists to infer it was part of a pair of burned out stars that orbit each other. They later concluded a third body was involved, the planet that swings distantly around them.

 "This identification is a stunning revelation," said Alan Boss, an expert on planet formation not involved in the research. He says the planet's 13 billion-year age makes it unique among the 100 or so planets discovered much closer to our solar system in recent years.

 "They are presumably stars that are no older than our own sun," he said. "But in this case we have a star where it presumably could have formed not only a gas giant planet but also a habitable planet where life could have arisen and died out long ago, well before we came along to the galactic party."

 The cluster of stars the planet inhabits is so old that it lacks the heavier elements like iron that formed in abundance within stars later, elements that make up Earth and its sister planets. Some astronomers have argued that such so-called globular star clusters cannot contain planets as a result, and Hubble research in 1999 backed up that view. It could not locate any close to their stars in distant clusters, but it appears it looked in the wrong place.

 One of the other co-discoverers of the planet, University of British Columbia astronomer Harvey Richer, says it suggests that planets began forming rapidly after the universe began. This could mean they are very abundant, but he is cautious about this notion.

 "We ought not to extrapolate from an example of one," he said. "It would be nice to say the universe is full of very old planets. It very well may be, but I think that we have to do at this stage is at globular clusters in other metal-poor environments to really see, are there lots of planets there?"

 The finding supports a theory of an alternative planet forming mechanism. Those in our solar system and presumably many others are thought to have formed over eons as clumps of matter collected from the gravitational pull of dust particles and collided with other clumps. But Alan Boss says without rocky elements, gas alone appears to be able to amass into a planet.

 "I really must congratulate my colleagues here for, with one single identification, solving perhaps some of problems in the theory of planet formation," he said.
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NASA news release on planet's discovery

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President and Mrs. Bush

 The president's trip to Uganda is meant to highlight his five-year, $15 billion program to fight the spread of AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.

 After meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Mr. Bush will tour Africa's largest indigenous AIDS service organization in the town of Entebbe where counselors provide basic medical services to more than 30,000 patients a year across Uganda.

 The organization also supports some 200,000 orphaned and vulnerable children with assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 The president's AIDS program, which has not yet been fully funded by Congress, is based in part on Uganda's success in reducing the spread of the disease by focusing on what the president calls ABC, abstinence, being faithful and contraception. 

Mr. Bush will then leave for Nigeria where he will spend the night before talks Saturday with President Olusegun Obasanjo that are expected to focus on U.S. support for a West African peacekeeping force being sent to Liberia.
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Powell: US to Decide on Sending Troops to Liberia Within Days Bush Pledges to Help Fight Botswana's AIDS Crisis AIDS is 'Deadliest Enemy Africa's Ever Faced,' says Bush Bush: US Troops to 'Remain Tough' in Fighting Iraqi Militia

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 A site survey team including pilots and maintenance specialists has arrived in Djibouti to assess the feasibility of deploying advanced U.S. fighter aircraft in the Horn of Africa. A senior Pentagon official tells VOA the Horn of Africa region remains what he calls "an area ripe for terrorists trying to find safe hav

• Scores of U.S. aircraft are being relocated in the region following the end of major combat operations in Iraq. For example, American aircraft and personnel are being withdrawn entirely from Saudi Arabia.
•  There are some 1,800 U.S. personnel currently based in Djibouti, many of them Special Operations forces. They are occasionally joined by other U.S. troops who conduct training in the Horn of Africa area.
•  The task force's main mission is to detect, disrupt and defeat terrorist groups in the Horn, working together closely with security personnel from regional governments.
  

Listen to Alex Belida's report (RealAudio) 
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A site survey team including pilots and maintenance specialists has arrived in Djibouti to assess the feasibility of deploying advanced U.S. fighter aircraft in the Horn of Africa.

 According to a brief statement issued by the special U.S. military anti-terrorism task force based in Djibouti, the jets under consideration for a possible move include the F-15 Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-A/18 Hornet.

 Task force officials were not immediately available to provide additional details.

 But a senior Pentagon official tells VOA the Horn of Africa region remains what he calls "an area ripe for terrorists trying to find safe haven."

 This official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says U.S. fighters could be of potential use in anti-terrorist operations in the region.

 Another military official notes advanced fighters like those under consideration for possible deployment to Djibouti can conduct high speed reconnaissance missions as well as actual strikes. 

This official also suggests if a decision is made to base any fighters in Djibouti, it may only be a temporary move. The official says this could be for a short term, operational need.

 But he also notes scores of U.S. aircraft are being relocated in the region following the end of major combat operations in Iraq. For example, American aircraft and personnel are being withdrawn entirely from Saudi Arabia.

 There are some 1,800 U.S. personnel currently based in Djibouti, many of them Special Operations forces. They are occasionally joined by other U.S. troops who conduct training in the Horn of Africa area.

 The task force's main mission is to detect, disrupt and defeat terrorist groups in the Horn, working together closely with security personnel from regional governments.
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US Troops Conduct Large Humanitarian Mission in Horn of Africa Djibouti-Based Anti-Terrorist Task Force Steps Up Training Refugee Women, Children in Kenya and Djibouti Face Everyday Hardships Djibouti Serves as Headquarters for US-led E. Africa Anti-Terrorism Task Force

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Colin Powell

Making his case against Saddam Hussein in his January State of the Union Address, President Bush said the then-Iraqi leader had tried to buy uranium here in Africa.

 Documents concerning the alleged attempt to buy uranium from Niger were turned over to the United Nations which concluded that they were forgeries.

 Secretary Powell says questions about the president's use of information which proved to be wrong are, in his words "overwrought, overblown and overdrawn" as interpreting intelligence reports is not an exact science.

 "You have to make judgments. And at the time of the president's State of the Union Address a judgment was made that that was an appropriate statement for the president to make," he said. "There was no effort or attempt on the part of the president or anyone else in the administration to mislead or to deceive the American people."

 Mr. Powell says the president was making what seemed to be a reasonable statement at that time and the allegation against Niger, he says, "was not totally outrageous."

 Given the test of time, just a week later, Secretary Powell says he chose not to use that information in his February 5th presentation to the United Nations because he decided it was not appropriate after reviewing what he calls "every single thing" the administration knew about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

 In hindsight, Mr. Powell says it is now clear there was trouble with the allegations against Niger, but he does not think its use undercuts the president's credibility.

 "I'm not troubled by this," he said. "I think the American people will put this in context and perspective and understand perfectly why the president felt it was necessary to undertake this military operation with a willing coalition, in order to remove this tyrant from office, to make sure there are no more questions about weapons of mass destruction because the regime that was determined to have them is gone."

 The immediacy of the threat from Iraqi weapons of mass destruction was one of the Bush administration's biggest justifications for toppling Saddam Hussein. More than two months after the fall of Baghdad, none of those weapons has yet been found.
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Bush Defends War Against Iraq Despite Faulty Information Iraq Weapons' Claims Raising New Questions for White House

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The general who led U.S. forces to victory in Iraq has acknowledged American troops may need to remain in that country for several more years. 

AP
Gen. Tommy Franks, the U.S. commander of the Iraq war, testifies on Capitol Hill

 Congressional concern about the ongoing deaths was perhaps best summed up by Democratic Representative Ike Skelton in remarks to General Franks as the session opened.
 
 

"I have a fear that the pattern that we see now, if left unchecked, we may find ourselves, general, in the throes of guerrilla warfare for years. I hope that doesn't come to pass," he said.

 General Franks rejected suggestions that Iraq is descending into chaos following the war. But he did say he cannot predict how long U.S. forces will be required to stay on to ensure security and stability.
 
 

Donald Rumsfeld

 The session followed a similar one Wednesday before the Senate at which General Franks appeared together with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to face tough questioning about U.S. military involvement in Iraq.

 Mr. Rumsfeld did not attend the House hearing, prompting criticism from Democratic Representative Ellen Tauscher.

 "I wish Secretary Rumsfeld had been here today because I have many questions for him as I think many people do as to exactly what we're going to do, how long it's going to take and how long [how much] it's going to cost," Ms. Tauscher said.

 During his Senate appearance, Mr. Rumsfeld said large portions of Iraq are stable. He also said in those areas where enemy fighters are still active, "the problem," as he called it, is being dealt with in an "orderly and forceful fashion by coalition forces."
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Bush Political Opponents Warn of Vietnam-Style Quagmire in Iraq 2 US Soldiers Killed in More Iraq Violence France, Germany May Be Asked to Send Troops to Iraq Bush: US Troops to 'Remain Tough' in Fighting Iraqi Militia

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The U.S. Senate has passed a non-binding resolution calling on the Bush administration to consider requesting troops from NATO allies and United Nations' member states to help stabilize and rebuild Iraq. 

The measure passed on a 97-0 vote, reflecting lawmakers' concerns about whether there are enough coalition troops in Iraq to establish security, restore basic services and rebuild the country's infrastructure.
 
 

Senator Joe Biden

 "We will get a lot more support from the Iraqis, who will be a lot less suspect of us, if we are not the only game in town," he said.

 Mr. Biden said broadening the coalition force would reduce the U.S. financial costs of rebuilding Iraq and the risks to American troops, who have come under attack by supporters of ousted leader Saddam Hussein. 

Mr. Biden said he believes the administration is reluctant to ask French and German troops to assist in Iraq because of their opposition to the war.
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Powell Defends Pre-War Intelligence Reports on Iraq US Forces Must Remain in Iraq, says General Tommy Franks Bush Political Opponents Warn of Vietnam-Style Quagmire in Iraq 2 US Soldiers Killed in More Iraq Violence

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•  Documents concerning the alleged attempt to buy uranium from Niger were turned-over to the United Nations which concluded that they were forgeries.
•  Briefing reporters on Air Force One on the way to Uganda, National Security Advisor Rice said CIA Director George Tenet reviewed all of the information in the president's State of the Union.
•  If anyone at the CIA had doubts about the truth of that claim, she says "those doubts were not communicated to the president." 
• Instead, Ms. Rice says there were detailed discussions with the CIA about Iraq's alleged attempt to buy uranium.
•  Ms. Rice says the White House "absolutely" has confidence in Director Tenet and she is not really blaming anyone.
•  Mr. Bush was asked about the issue following his meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and again defended his decision to invade Iraq. "I gave a speech to the nation that was cleared by the intelligence services, and it was a speech that detailed to the American people the dangers posed by the Saddam Hussein regime, and my government took the appropriate response to those dangers, and as a result the world is going to be more secure and more peaceful," the president said.
•  Ms. Rice says President Bush did not knowingly say anything in that speech that the White House knew to be false.

Listen to Scott Stearns' report from Entebbe (RealAudio) 
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AP
Condoleezza Rice

Making his case against Saddam Hussein in his January State of the Union address, President Bush said the then-Iraqi leader had tried to buy uranium here in Africa.

 Documents concerning the alleged attempt to buy uranium from Niger were turned-over to the United Nations which concluded that they were forgeries.

 Briefing reporters on Air Force One on the way to Uganda, National Security Advisor Rice said CIA Director George Tenet reviewed all of the information in the president's State of the Union.

 If he had said to remove that claim from the speech, Ms. Rice says "it would have been gone." If anyone at the CIA had doubts about the truth of that claim, she says "those doubts were not communicated to the president." 

Instead, Ms. Rice says there were detailed discussions with the CIA about Iraq's alleged attempt to buy uranium. She says some specific information about amounts and place were removed, and with those changes, the speech was cleared.

 Ms. Rice says the White House "absolutely" has confidence in Director Tenet and she is not really blaming anyone.

 Mr. Bush was asked about the issue following his meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and again defended his decision to invade Iraq.

 "I gave a speech to the nation that was cleared by the intelligence services, and it was a speech that detailed to the American people the dangers posed by the Saddam Hussein regime, and my government took the appropriate response to those dangers, and as a result the world is going to be more secure and more peaceful," the president said.

 Ms. Rice says President Bush did not knowingly say anything in that speech that the White House knew to be false.

 Yet just a week later, Secretary of State Colin Powell chose not to use that claim in his speech to the United Nations because he decided it was not appropriate after reviewing what he calls "every single thing" the administration knew about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

 The immediacy of the threat from those weapons was the president's biggest justification for toppling Saddam Hussein. More than two months after the fall of Baghdad, none of those weapons has yet been found.
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Powell Defends Pre-War Intelligence Reports on Iraq Bush Political Opponents Warn of Vietnam-Style Quagmire in Iraq Congressional Democrats Call on Bush to Internationalize Iraq Force

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 African leaders met behind closed doors Friday on the second day of the African Union summit in the Mozambique capital Maputo. Conflict remained on top of the agenda Friday as fighting raged in Liberia, Burundi, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere on the continent.

But attempts to make real progress toward settling those conflicts were hampered by the absence of key leaders. Among those not in attendance are Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and Liberian President Charles Taylor, who was prevented from attending for the second consecutive year by rebel advances on his capital, Monrovia. Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo returned home early to meet with President Bush in their own countries.

• On Thursday, Mr. Annan criticized African leaders, saying that unspeakable horrors are occurring on the continent and that peace missions are wasted without political will.
•  On Friday, more criticism piled up over Africa's handling of the Congo conflict. A European Union envoy to central Africa who is attending the summit told Mozambique's state radio that the region's leaders have no political will to solve the conflict there.
•  The summit, which is being held in a brand new Chinese-funded conference center, will continue through Saturday. But journalists, who have gathered from around the continent to cover the event are angry about the lack of access they have had to participants. Most meetings have taken place behind closed doors.
  
  

Listen to Nicole Itano's report (RealAudio) 
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Conflict remained on top of the agenda Friday as fighting raged in Liberia, Burundi, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere on the continent.

 But attempts to make real progress toward settling those conflicts were hampered by the absence of key leaders. Among those not in attendance are Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila and Liberian President Charles Taylor, who was prevented from attending for the second consecutive year by rebel advances on his capital, Monrovia. Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo returned home early to meet with President Bush in their own countries. 

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan had hoped to meet with parties involved in the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil war while in Maputo. But that meeting was cancelled due to the absence of Mr. Kabila and Mr. Museveni. An estimated 3.3 million people have died in fighting in Congo over the last five years. And the violence has continued in spite of the installation of a new transitional government.

 On Thursday, Mr. Annan criticized African leaders, saying that unspeakable horrors are occurring on the continent and that peace missions are wasted without political will.

 On Friday, more criticism piled up over Africa's handling of the Congo conflict. A European Union envoy to central Africa who is attending the summit told Mozambique's state radio that the region's leaders have no political will to solve the conflict there.

 The summit, which is being held in a brand new Chinese-funded conference center, will continue through Saturday. But journalists, who have