Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces Foil Insurgents

Iraqi Security Forces Continue to Foil Insurgent Attacks, School Bus Attacked by Insurgents

Mosul, Iraq (December 18, 2004) – Iraqi Security Forces defeated two separate attacks in Mosul by anti-Iraqi insurgents as they attempted to ambush an Iraqi National Guard patrol and seize a police station in northern Iraq. In addition, anti-Iraqi insurgents attempted to attack a Multi-National Force patrol with a roadside bomb but instead the blast hit and Iraqi school bus killing one student and injuring six.

Insurgents attempted to ambush an Iraqi National Guard patrol with small arms fire in western Mosul. ING soldiers quickly maneuvered on their attackers returning fire and eliminating three while detaining one person. No ING Soldiers sustained injuries during the attack and the detained individual is in custody undergoing questioning.

An Iraqi Police station came under attack by indirect and small arms fire during a coordinated effort by insurgent fighters to overrun the station in western Mosul. The Iraqi Police successfully repelled the attack and detained one person preventing a reoccurrence of the events of November 10 when many police stations were abandoned and later looted. This is the fifth time since November 10 where insurgents have tried but failed to overrun police stations.

Anti-Iraqi insurgents attempted to attack a Multi-National Force patrol with a roadside bomb but instead the blast hit an Iraqi school bus killing one student and injuring six. The attack occurred after a Multi-National Force convoy passed through the area during routine patrols. Multi-National Forces responded with small arms fire killing one insurgent and reported no MNF injuries during the operation.

Also today, a concerned citizen came to Iraqi National Guard Soldiers in Mosul and provided them with information that led to a dump truck attempting to transport a large supply of explosives in eastern Mosul. ING soldiers detained the driver for further questioning and confiscated the explosives for future destruction.

Release #0412018i source multi-national force-iraq

PAT ROBERTS (R-KS) INTEL CHAIRMAN

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS FOR 109TH CONGRESS ANNOUNCED; SENATOR PAT ROBERTS (R-KS)TO CONTINUE AS INTEL CHAIRMAN

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) announced Republican committee memberships for the 109th Congress. Senator Pat Roberts will continue as the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s Chairman.

Senator Roberts said, "I am pleased and honored that the Leader has entrusted me with this continuing responsibility. We must continue to improve our nation's ability to collect and analyze reliable intelligence information. I see the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence playing a critical role in that effort especially in light of the changes made by the recent intelligence reform bill. The Committee will actively oversee the implementation of the reforms and also hold confirmation hearings on a number of new intelligence officials. I intend to continue the Committee's involvement in all facets of our Intelligence Community including the newly created position of Director of National Intelligence. It is also my strong desire to keep politics out of the Committee and its oversight. The Committee is a valuable tool that is most effective when it is focused on intelligence issues and not on political issues."

Senator Roberts was scheduled to depart the Intelligence Committee after completing an eight-year term. Late in the year, however, the Senate repealed the Committee's term limits in response to a 9-11 Commission recommendation. Members of the Committee now serve without limitation as they do on other so-called "A" committees. In a change also enacted this year, Majority Leader Bill Frist was granted the authority to name the Chairman of the Committee. Today, the Leader tapped the Kansas republican to remain at the Committee's helm.

Senator Frist also announced that all but one member, Senator John Warner, will be returning as members of the Committee. Senator Warner will assume the status of an ex officio member under the changes made earlier this year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/20/04 CONTACT: BILL DUHNKE PHONE: (202) 224-1700