VFW OH Post 3714

VFW Washington Weekly - July 6, 2007

Posted at 05:24 AM on Monday, July 9, 2007 by post3714

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Congress on Recess

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. Bush-Putin Summit
2. Soldiers Status Changed
3. Reserve Component Mobilization


NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

1. Congress on Recess: Congress is on recess for the July 4th holiday,
but is expected to reconvene early next week.  Items that still remain
on the schedule to finish before the August break include the national
defense authorization act, Military Construction/VA Appropriations, and
several veterans' healthcare and benefit enhancements bills.  



NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. Bush-Putin Summit: Two days of talks at the Bush family compound in
Maine brought President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin
together physically, but politically the two appear far from restoring
the pragmatic U.S.-Russia relationship that took shape after the 9/11
attacks.  Talks included an expanded offer from Putin to tackle the
controversial question of European missile defense, and a pledge to
continue pursuing limits on Iran's nuclear ambitions through the UN
Security Council.  White House and Russian officials worked hard to
dampen any anticipation that the meetings might produce a major
breakthrough on Iran, missile defense, or the status of Kosovo, another
area of bilateral disagreement.  The closest thing to progress came on
missile defense.  The United States wants to stage facilities in Poland
and the Czech Republic to protect Europe and U.S. troops based in the
region from missiles launched from Iran or another rogue nation.  Russia
views such a plan as a threat to its own missile deterrent and has
broadened an earlier offer to tackle the issue jointly.  Some American
officials worry such a system could prove unworkable for political
reasons, or that Putin may simply be hoping to delay work on the
proposed U.S. system until a new administration takes office.

2. Soldiers Status Changed: The Department of Defense has changed the
status of two soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom from duty
status whereabouts unknown (DUSTWUN) to missing-captured. Private Byron
W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, MI, and Specialist Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of
Lawrence, MA, were declared missing-captured June 27.  On May 12, Fouty
and Jimenez were categorized as DUSTWUN when their patrol was attacked
by enemy forces.  They are assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light
Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.  Efforts continue for their successful and
safe return.

3. Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active
duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard
and Army Reserve is 76,757; Navy Reserve, 5,093; Air National Guard and
Air Force Reserve, 5,942; Marine Corps Reserve, 5,933; and the Coast
Guard Reserve, 358.  This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and
Reserve personnel to 94,083, an increase of 367 from last week.