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Usually 2 or more calendar days worth of news bulletins are packaged together and will appear on this web page depending upon the amount and character of the news. Each page which packages several days of news bulletins has a unique designation in its name, "VOA_n", and a date "01Feb2003". The "n" is a number between 1 and 10, or a bit larger. You can expect the number "1" to contain the first few days of news bulletins for a given month. Then the next number "2" will contain the next few days and so on. Neither the number or the date indicate the exact date of the news bulletins. However the date "01Feb2003" indicates the month of the news bulletins. The entire month of news bulletins is stored under a directory on the server having the date name "01Feb2003". Typically the population of this web page with news bulletins may trail the actual date of those bulletins by no more than one or more days. .

Note: Each news article is set out in 3 colored areas. The yellow area provides the headline. The blue area contains location context, HFY article summary, HFY comment, time and credits, and email/printer and streaming audio Urls. The brown area contains the unaltered news item as originally published by our sources such as VOA, BBC, DOD, and others. Some variation to this format may occur.

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VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 502nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), move forward to try to calm a hostile crowd during a June 12 demonstration in Mosil, Iraq, that turned violent. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ronald Mitchell.More News Photos (11) U.S. Troops Defeat Attack, Kill Pro-Saddam Fighters  By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service      WASHINGTON, June 13, 2003 American troops in Iraq blunted a night attack by pro-Saddam regime fighters, counter- attacked, and routed the enemy, killing more than 20 in a June 13 battle fought north of Baghdad, according to the top U.S. general in Iraq.      "Last night we had some actions against part of our forces in that area," Army Lt. Gen. David D. McKiernan, the commander of U.S. and coalition land forces for Operation Iraqi Freedom, remarked to Pentagon reporters from his Baghdad headquarters during a June 13 video teleconference.      "The (U.S.) battalion that was engaged pursued those (enemy) forces, made contact with them, and killed over 20 of them," he noted.      The fighting, McKiernan explained, involved U.S. forces participating in Operation Peninsula Strike, a series of raids and searches undertaken to eliminate Saddam-regime loyalists remaining in Iraq. The 4th Infantry is leading the strike force.  More VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY U.S. Army 'Hard at Work' to Transform in a New Era  By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample / American Forces Press Service       WASHINGTON, June 13, 2003 "The most important ingredient for the Army's success will be the soldiers who take the risk and make the sacrifices and who win our wars," Vice President Dick Cheney, told a Pentagon audience today during a ceremony to salute the Army's 228th birthday. The service's birthday is June 14, also Flag Day.        The vice president also reminded the audience that the fundamental interest of the United States is to confront and defeat aggressive threats whenever they arise. "We find our greatest security in the advance of human freedom," he added.       That security and freedom have come from the sacrifices of soldiers, Cheney said. Among the ceremony's guests were three soldiers injured and captured during the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.       "Throughout its history the United States Army has served and defended the cause of freedom, and many brave Americans have laid down their lives so that liberty could triumph." Full Story       More Photos JOIN THE TEAM AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE PAYS TRIBUTE Top Gen. Launches Tribute to Troops      WASHINGTON, June 12, 2003 The military's highest ranking officer kicked off Operation Tribute to Freedom here today during a Pentagon press briefing.        The tribute is a way for the community to show their appreciation to the troops, according to Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.        "While operations in Afghanistan and Iraq continue," Myers said, "more than 100,000 of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have returned from overseas. As they do, many communities from around our country are paying tribute to the efforts and sacrifices these brave men and women have made in our global war on terrorism." More D.C. United to Host 'Armed Forces Appreciation Day' Black-and-Red to Honor American Heroes Saturday Night More Info AMERICA'S BEST WISHES "Thank you for all that you do to keep terrorism at bay! I am so glad that so many of you are now able to come home to your family and friends. Our son is now there, and we hope his stay is just long enough to do what is needed." Carolyn Caporgno Newman, California READ MORE MESSAGES SEE WHO SIGNED OUR ON-LINE THANK YOU NOTE  SEND A WELCOME HOME MESSAGE Belgian Law May Force U.S. to Stop Attending NATO Meetings By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service      BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 12, 2003 Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today that American officials may stop attending NATO meetings in Belgium because of a law that allows "spurious" suits accusing American leaders of war crimes.      Rumsfeld said the United States will withhold any further funding for a new NATO headquarters building here until the matter is resolved. He spoke during a press conference following the NATO defense ministerial.      The problem stems from Belgium's Universal Competence Law. Under this law, U.S. Central Command chief Army Gen. Tommy Franks has been charged with war crimes for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. More NATO Has Weathered Storm And Alliance Not in Question By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service      BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 12, 2003 After a tough "spring storm," NATO is " stronger and more united", NATO Secretary General George Robertson said today.        Robertson spoke following the NATO defense ministerial. He said the alliance is looking ahead to new prospects and challenges. He said the defense ministers joined for the first time by the seven new invitees discussed issues ranging from the Balkans to Iraq.       He said the health of the alliance is not in question. "The substance of our meetings also confirms that the transatlantic alliance has weathered its spring storm and emerged stronger and more united than before," Robertson said.      In February, disagreements over Iraq, along with Turkey's request for assistance to defend itself from possible Iraqi attack, seemed to suggest the alliance was on its last legs. More NATO Defense Ministers Okay Sweeping Command Changes By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service       BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 12, 2003 NATO defense ministers approved the most extensive command structure revision in the history of the alliance today.       Under the plan, the number of NATO headquarters will drop from 20 to 11 and will place the alliance firmly on the road to counter the threats of the 21st century, NATO officials said.       U.S. officials are pleased with the changes. A senior defense official speaking on background said this will leave NATO forces better organized to conduct joint combined operations. There will be two new strategic commands: Allied Command-Europe will become Allied Command-Operations; Allied Command-Atlantic changes to Allied Command-Transformation.       U.S. Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr. has been nominated as the Supreme Allied Commander-Transformation, which will be headquartered in Norfolk, Va. U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Jones will remain Supreme Allied Commander-Europe; his headquarters will remain the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, but his NATO command will be Allied Command-Operations. Jones' geographic area of operations will also expand. More Amb. Bremer Tells House 'Time and Patience' Needed in Iraq By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample / American Forces Press Service      WASHINGTON, June 12, 2003 Roughly a month into his job as the chief administrator in Iraq, Ambassador Paul Bremer, said today that much work lies ahead and that it will take "time and patience" to rebuild Iraq and restore what he calls a very "sick" economy.        During back-to-back sessions with House Armed Services Committee members and Pentagon reporters via video teleconference from Baghdad, Bremer discussed a variety of issues, from getting Iraqi citizens back to work and improving the country's poor economy.        "We've begun process the of putting a country together that has been ravaged for 30 years by political tyranny and economic underinvestment," Bremer told Pentagon reporters. "The scars in this country run very deep. The thugs and torture chambers may be gone, but everyday we find new evidence of how bad the regime was that we threw out." More Spain Pledges Troops to  Polish-Led Division In Iraq  By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service       BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 12, 2003 Spain today pledged 1,100 troops to the Polish-led division that will become part of the coalition force in Iraq.       At the NATO defense ministerial, Spanish Defense Minister Federico Trillo-Figueroa y Martínez-Conde confirmed his country would provide the military aid.       NATO has already agreed to help Poland with the force. The alliance will not have any permanent presence in Iraq, but will aid Poland in supporting roles. More U.S. Iraq Operation Snags Pro-Saddam Suspects, Weapons By Gerry J. Gilmore / American Forces Press Service      WASHINGTON, June 12, 2003 Operation Peninsula Strike, a U.S. military effort to eliminate Saddam-regime loyalists remaining in Iraq, has "bagged" nearly 400 suspects, according to U.S. Central Command press releases.      The operation began June 9, according to Central Command, when Task Force Ironhorse soldiers conducted a series of raids to eliminate Baath Party regime loyalists, paramilitary groups such as Fedayeen Saddam and other pro-Saddam groups.      By the second day, Operation Peninsula Strike had rounded up 397 suspects, according to Central Command, and had collected "numerous" weapons and ammunition. More Marshall Center Celebrates 10 Years of Transatlantic Service By Jim Garamone / American Forces Press Service       GARMISCH, Germany, June 11, 2003 Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld spoke of the importance of international security cooperation at a joint American- German celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the founding of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies today.        Vice President Dick Cheney who as U.S. defense secretary sponsored the idea of the center sent videotaped greetings to the center's faculty and students. More Sec Rumsfeld's Address at the Marshall Center Work & Fun  More Photo Essays Iraqi children work during a neighborhood clean-up project held in late May by the 37th Engineer Battalion, attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in Mosul, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher H. Fitzgerald.   6 More Images Secretary Ridge Welcomes Back  Coast Guard Forces     WASHINGTON, June 11, 2003 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Collins welcomed back 250 men and women from Coast Guard Patrol Forces who were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in a ceremony at Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia, today     The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas and four 110-foot patrol boats, two Coast Guard law enforcement detachments, and 45 support and Port Security personnel were greeted by Secretary Ridge, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas Collins, and Atlantic Area Commander Vice Adm. James Hull. More USS Arleigh Burke Returns from OIF     NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Va., June 11, after a successful five-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. More USS Mount Whitney Set for Norfolk Return      NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) will return to Norfolk, Va., June 13, completing a seven-month deployment.      Mount Whitney departed Nov. 12, 2002, in support of the ongoing war on terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom. More Navy Hospital Ship Comfort to  Return From Iraqi Freedom       NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE WILLOW GROVE, Pa. (NNS) -- Ill prove you wrong.      Thats the internal motivation that drove Hospital Corpsman Seaman Melissa A. Moore of the bases medical clinic to raise her hand to volunteer, when the call to deploy aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) went out through the corpsman community. More On Afghanistan • Bush, Top Advisers Say 'Iraq Had a Weapons Program'  • Suicide Bombing in Kabul; U.S. Soldier Dies in Iraq • U.S. and Italian Forces Launch Offensive Ops. in Afghanistan On Iraq • Regime 'Remnants' Responsible For Attacks on U.S. Troops • Pathfinders Watch the Iraq-Syria Border • Recent Iraqi Attacks May Have 'Element of Organization' • New Armor Saves Lives In Iraq Military News • Army Run Kicks Off 228th Birthday Celebration • War on Terrorism Is 'Toughest Challenge' Yet, Myers Says • National Guard, Reserve Update Military Sealift Command Civilians Do 'Double-Duty'      MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) A few of the Navy's Military Sealift Command civilian mariners got the unique experience of working as active duty military personnel for MSC during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were mobilized by their Reserve units to fill openings due to the commands increase in operations to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. More • Fleet Hospital 8 Receives 1,000th Patient • Navy Coastal Warfare Duty in Iraqi Port Ends U.S. Views Quotes by President Bush & other U.S. leaders Defense Views Quotes by U.S. defense leaders Maps of Iraq Maps of the nation of Iraq and the region Vice President Richard B. Cheney "Throughout its history, the United States Army has served and defended the cause of freedom, and many brave Americans have laid down their lives so that liberty could triumph." Remarks at a ceremony marking the 228th birthday of the U.S. Army, June 13, 2003  • Humanitarian, Reconstruction Aid in Iraq  Remembering the Fallen Memorial for a Paratrooper      BAGHDAD, Iraq The paratroopers of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division held a memorial service to remember a fallen airborne brother June 11. The memorial honored Spc. Gavin Neighbor, infantryman, killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack while manning a weapons collection point. More A Marine places the representation of the fallen Marines boots in front of a M16 A2 Service rifle, a representation of the fallen Marine, during the roll call at a memorial service June 9, held in honor of Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert, who was killed in the line of duty June 1. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jason L. Andrade. Oberleitner Memorial       AL FALLUJAH, Iraq, June 9, 2003 On a sun-drenched riverbank in what some call the most dangerous town in Iraq, soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment paid tribute to one of their fallen soldiers, Spc. Branden Oberleitner, who was killed while on patrol when his Humvee was attacked June 5. More Added Forces Strengthen  Horn of Africa Task Force      CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, June 13, 2003 - Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa recently welcomed the three-ship USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the guided missile frigate USS Gary in the Gulf of Aden.       The task force headquarters was formed in late 2002 to oversee U.S. Central Command operations in the Horn of Africa in support of the war on terrorism. The task force's mission is to detect, disrupt and defeat transnational terrorist groups in the region and to support coalition partner efforts to deny opportunity for re-emergence of terrorist networks in the Horn of Africa. More Profile Marine Corps  Cpl. Titisha S. Cochran       KUWAIT A Marine in Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom has gained the respect and admiration of her superiors and peers with her exceptional work ethic and extensive knowledge of the CH-53E Super Stallion.       Cpl. Titisha S. Cochran, an aviation electronics technician and Atlanta native, won the Sikorsky Maintenance Award, was nominated for the Maintenance Marine of the Year, and is the first woman to be a Collateral Duty Inspector for her squadron. More Other Profiles In Djibouti 10th Mountain Know-How Helps Fight Terror      CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti After a grueling month applying their combat skills in the mountains of Afghanistan, soldiers from the U.S. Army's Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Regiment, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., are here supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with their counter-terrorism expertise. More In Afghanistan Power Experts Improve Life  For Deployed Troops       BAGRAM, Afghanistan In the states, when someone flips the light switch they think nothing of it, but here this is a luxury few expect. A chief warrant officer, a detachment sergeant and 15 soldiers have provided this luxury here. More • International EOD Convention Meets • Mobile PX Supports Deployed Troops • New A-10 Crew Is Ready For Action In Iraq • Mass. Guard Unit Moves Troops, Supplies • Mozambique Team Clears Mines in Al Hillah In Uzbekistan • U.S., Uzbeks Find Ties In Soccer  • American Troops Bring Luau to Uzbekistan In the Persian Gulf • Tarawa Sailors, Marines Visits Bahrain •  Lab Techs Ensure Precision Engagement  'On The Ground' Archive

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AP Israeli Helicopters Launch Another Attack on Gaza Israeli gunships fire missiles at targets including a car in Gaza   Powell Tries to Calm Down Middle East Violence 27 Iraqis Killed in Clash with US Military Iraqi WMD Issue Could Serve Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Demonstrations Continue in Iran South African President Optimistic About Resolving Continent's Conflicts Living Conditions Deteriorating Rapidly in Monrovia, says UN WHO Lifts SARS Warning For Most of China Cambodian Police Open Fire on Protesters Botox Helps Americans Gain More Youthful Appearance Actor Gregory Peck Dies at 87 Convention Approves Final Draft of EU Constitution . 1 Dead in New Israeli Missile Strike in Gaza Aid Agencies Warn of Humanitarian Disaster in Liberia UN Troops Respond to Clashes in Congo Region Zimbabwe State Lawyers Oppose Bail for Tsvangirai Poll Indicates Czechs Will Approve Joining EU .

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The result is a victory for the Czech people, the prime minister says Voters in the Czech Republic have overwhelmingly approved entry to the European Union in a two-day referendum. With almost all votes counted, 77% backed EU membership. Turnout was 55% - but there was no minimum requirement.  The BBC's Alix Kroeger in Prague says the figure is sufficient for the government to counter criticism that its campaign was lacklustre and unclear.  Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla called the result a victory for the Czech people. However, observers say many Czechs still have misgivings about the pain and hardship in store as their economy moves towards convergence with those of their wealthier neighbours to the west. Leader unconvinced Those who have expressed doubts include President Vaclav Klaus, who described joining the EU as a marriage of convenience rather than love, and who declined to say how he voted.  "I am absolutely sure that my vote was the right one and you may just guess," he said.  The Czech Government is trying to bring its budget into line with EU rules.  But teachers are threatening strike action, and Nato is unhappy about cuts in defence spending.  Our correspondent says there is still much to be done before EU membership becomes a reality next year. Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia have so far voted in favour of joining the EU. Polls are still to take place in Estonia and Latvia. .   WATCH AND LISTEN  The BBC's Nicola Dann "The government has spent six million dollars on the 'Yes' campaign" SEE ALSO:  Czechs lukewarm on EU  26 May 03  |  Europe  Poland says big Yes to EU  09 Jun 03  |  Europe  Q&A: EU Copenhagen summit  17 Feb 03  |  Europe  Slovaks say 'Yes' to EU  18 May 03  |  Europe  Hungary's EU apathy  14 Apr 03  |  Europe  EU welcomes Lithuania vote  12 May 03  |  Europe  Slovenia votes for EU and Nato  24 Mar 03  |  Europe  Maltese back EU entry  09 Mar 03  |  Europe  RELATED INTERNET LINKS:  Czech.cz  Prague Post  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites  TOP EUROPE STORIES NOW  Czechs say 'Yes' to EU entry  Spanish police defuse car bomb  Paris says farewell to Concorde  'Illegal' Uzbek opposition meet  .     E-mail this to a friend  Printable version  .

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