Mosul, Iraq Dining Facility

22 Killed, 72 Wounded During Attack on Dining Facility

MNFI	Mosul, Iraq -- Twenty-two people were killed and 72 others wounded following an explosion in a dining facility at Forward Operating Base Marez in southwest Mosul on Dec. 21.

Of the 22 people killed, 14 were U.S. military personnel and the remainder four U.S. civilians and four Iraqi Security Forces. Of the 72 wounded, 51 were U.S. Military personnel and the remainder U.S., other country civilians and ISF. Twenty-nine people have been released from the hospital.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

The names of the Soldiers and civilians killed are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Task Force Olympia’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost loved ones in yesterday’s tragic attack.

Release #0412022d

President to Germany, Slovak Republic

Before he sets out, the traveler must possess fixed interests and facilities to be served by travel. George Santayana US (Spanish-born) philosopher (1863 - 1952)

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 21, 2004

President to Travel to Germany and the Slovak Republic

President Bush will travel to Germany and the Slovak Republic following his meetings on February 22, 2005 with NATO and European Union leaders in Brussels, Belgium. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will host the President in Germany on February 23. In addition to a bilateral program in the Slovak Republic on February 24, President Bush will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Bush has stressed his desire to work with all of our friends and allies in Europe to promote global development and prosperity, to defeat terrorism, and to encourage freedom and democracy as alternatives to tyranny and terror. This trip, which will be President Bush's first foreign trip following his inauguration, will underscore the President's commitment to building on our shared values of freedom, democracy, and human rights to work closely with European allies and partners on the 21st century challenges we face together. # # #